El Porto Summer by George Matthew Cole

California in the summer, surfing, hanging out with your friends, what could be better? Well, this summer Brett is about to find out both better and worse, and an unhappy young girl will find her way after moving from inland to the coast, a coast she fears. George Matthew Cole begins this book with individual chapters for the book's characters. The reader knows right away who these people are and that they will all show up interactively in the story. A teenage summer of discovery, a story of teenage angst, a time of life that is uncharted territory and full of pitfalls.

The author has a wonderful grasp of these awkward years and tells it well. He goes deep inside the insecurities that exist within most teenagers. Reading the book brought back some memories that are now decades old. I like a book to show me something new, and this one didn't fail me. I learned some about surfing, and how to study and learn (something I really could have done with years ago).

This is a young-adult book, and does have a bit of rough language as could be expected. These are mid-teens, discovering urges, learning new lifestyles, finding their strengths, meeting bullying head on, and finding empathy. I am very happy to recommend it. The characters are diverse, but consistent at their cores, even as the book takes us through a change and new self-discoveries. Most of the characters are well-meaning, decent kids and a very few older teens are not just bullies but a part of the criminal element, juvenile delinquents. Still, it is basically a happy book with growing pains. For older readers, it will bring back some memories, whether living near the water or elsewhere in North America. The author takes us through everything as smoothly as the flat water at slack tide. I enjoyed this book and the characters within. A great coming-of-age story.

Careless in Red by Elizabeth George

Originally posted Sept. 29/08

At Last, Lynley is Back

What a joy to read the continued saga of Thomas Lynley and see how he is learning to cope with the death of his wife! This book is a great interim book joining Ms. George's previous two books, "With No One as Witness" and "What Came Before He Shot Her", with the future.

My attention was gripped immediately, as always. With Elizabeth George at the helm you can be sure you will learn a great deal of character, countryside, and the lives of people along the way. This book in fact, takes you straight into the Cornish coast to such depth that it comes alive and beckons you to come and see for yourself. The tortured walk of Thomas Lynley is so real and deep, you feel you are actually a part of it. When he literally stumbles over the body of a cliff-climber he is drawn into the lives of the nearby tiny village of Casvelyn. Naturally, this becomes a murder case, but Lynley, who believes he has given up police work, is one of many suspects.

With such a small village there is a shortness of official police assistance, and before too long, Lynley's former colleague at New Scotland Yard, Barbara Havers comes along on assignment to help out. No matter how many characters Ms. George puts into her books, you can be sure you will find every one of them fully fleshed out and this book does not disappoint. The Cornish people are very unique, as is Cornwall itself, and it is fascinating to learn about surfing on that wild coast as opposed to the California and other coasts, as well as cliff-climbing. The characters run the gamut from good to bad, with secrets galore. Lots of red herrings throughout the book. It amazes me to realize that this wonderful author of such a successful series of British detective stories was actually born, raised and is still living in the U.S. A very talented author. I highly recommend this book as a stand-alone or as a part of the series, but likely it will be more meaningful if you have read any other of the author's books. She also has a special website you may want to check out: http://www.elizabethgeorgeonline.com/