thedailychannel.com — recommended books

Serious murder mysteries

Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned

by Walter Mosley

This novel is a collection of parables featuring Socrates Fortlow, an ex-convict who has served his time for murder. And rape. This book is a page-turner to rival the best murder mystery, but beyond being incredibly suspenseful, it is uplifting and, finally, beautifully written. It's as if the sentences float just above the surface of the page. (Not obtrusively, though. They still remain part of the story, thank goodness).

I'll always remember Mosley's extremely surprising first-chapter story, in which Socrates surprises a young killer, extracts a confession (for another crime?), and then feeds him a very unusual meal.

This book bears re-reading. To make sure you hang onto your copy, get moving on over to Amazon and order TWO copies of this book. November 1997
Hardcover, 208 pages

Smilla's Sense of Snow
by Peter Hoeg

I think you should consider reading this suspense-filled great book, especially if you begin before the snow completes its springtime melting. It certainly has the best exegesis of Infinite Sets that I've seen in literature. Clear, simple, beautiful and short. The infinite rendered in simple human terms.

There is something you might want to know about this enjoyable and puzzling book. It contains graphic descriptions of sexual practices you may never have heard of before, and gratuitous violent acts that you may not understand the reason for. I know I didn't. So it might not be suitable for your children, depending upon their age and emotional maturity of course.

For a good read, though, visit Amazon and buy this book

Small Vices
by Robert B. Parker

My wife and I both loved this latest by Robt. Parker. After he wrote for television, his characterization vanished; his writing decayed. Hawk, Spencer and Susan were completely delineated. It was terrible! But with Small Vices, we feel he's back on track. At last, a Spencer thriller that takes more than an hour to read! And this wonderful love story introduces a sinister and frightening villain who...

Well, you don't REALLY want to know the details, do you?

Visit Amazon, buy this book , and read the reviews if you must, but don't complain to me if they give away too much of the plot.

April 1997