Harriet Klausner's Review Archive
The Independent Mystery Booksellers Association used a series of voting techniques based on agreed upon rules to decide what the group consensus is for 100 of their favorite mysteries of the twentieth century. This not being a presidential election, the discussion and voting was entirely electronic. The books include at least one novel per decade with approximately half the books published in the last two decades (bias as how many voters were in their thirties or forties at the century halfway point or just maturing of the genre as explained by the book's authors). Each selected title has a brief description and an accompanying criticque. Also included are comments by the various booksellers including an additional five more powerhouses as well as a list of bookstores.
I am a sucker for these types of lists. Last year I watched every episode of Biography's Millennium madness and selected Ruth over Jordan and Ali as the athlete of the century. So I played along and tried to guess (though anything before Ackroyd belongs with Ancient Greece and anything before Apollo belongs with William the Conqueror. The book is fun, entertaining, and tells readers where they can purchase a copy.
SPIRIT OF THE HEART Barbara Cary Lionhearted, Nov 2000, $7.99, 390 pp. ISBN: 157343034X
Last year, Washington State resident Kent Stuart and Illinois citizen Lindsay Jackson fell in love during a short summer fling. However, geography proved stronger than their feelings and their relationship ended with no recriminations. Kent turned his attention to fellow Northwesterner, Lindsay's cousin Sarah Emerson, who had hired him to renovate a cottage she purchased.
Kent and Sarah are to marry with Lindsay serving as a bridesmaid. However, when Kent and Lindsay see each other, they realize they still love one another, but neither want to harm Sarah. Unbeknownst to Kent or Lindsay, Sarah has fallen in love with the ghost who haunts her cottage.
SPIRIT OF THE HEART is a warm paranormal romance that will provide much enjoyment for sub-genre fans. The story line is invigorating as the two pairs of couples struggle to sort out their feelings and a "minor" disability. The feelings of the four characters and their interrelationships seem genuine which is quite an accomplishment when one realizes that Barbara Cary manages to make ghosts seem real. This enchanting novel is a delight that the audience will appreciate and request more tales by Ms. Cary.