Series
I've always tried to read at least one book from all of the Patterson Factory Series'. This is the first one of the "Private" series that I came across. The central character, Jack Morgan, is the owner of a private security firm which is involved in several cases at once in this book - including the murder of a former girlfriend that he's accused of committing . All of these must be solved by the end of the book. As you might expect the action is continuous right up to the end (where the book starts to drag a bit, but by then, it's only a few more pages and you're done). There's nothing heavy-duty here (although Jack's having an evil twin brother is interesting) , and anyone who wants to stick with it should be able to finish it up in one day. It moves fast and held my attention. I enjoyed it.
Miscellaneous
Burr - Gore Vidal ($4.95/$.50, copyright 1973, 564 pages, Paperback)
I first read this book in Hard Cover back in the late 70's and was very happy to come across this Paperback edition at a Library Sale. This is a historical fiction novel, so the characters in the story actually existed. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton all make appearances but the book's main character is Charlie Schuyler, a law clerk and budding journalist in the employ of the aging Aaron Burr, who is still living down his famous duel with Alexander Hamilton. The story is set in the 1830's, well after the American Revolution and towards the end of Burr's life. Schuyler has some powerful friends that want him to get Aaron Burr to admit that he is the father of Martin Van Buren, who is running for president. They hope to discredit Van Buren by linking him to the hated Burr, as well as painting Van Buren as a bastard. The whole book is Burr's recollections to Charlie about his life in the American Revolution, as vice-president to Thomas Jefferson, and his supposed attempt to split the United States and make himself emperor of Mexico. These recollections are interspersed with Charlie's relationship with Burr and with Helen Jewett, a prostitute that Charlie wants to marry. Vidal writes with passion and humor, and he brings all of the characters (real and imaginary) to life, although he doesn't hold some of our Founding Fathers in high regard. I enjoyed it.
I first read this book in Hard Cover back in the late 70's and was very happy to come across this Paperback edition at a Library Sale. This is a historical fiction novel, so the characters in the story actually existed. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton all make appearances but the book's main character is Charlie Schuyler, a law clerk and budding journalist in the employ of the aging Aaron Burr, who is still living down his famous duel with Alexander Hamilton. The story is set in the 1830's, well after the American Revolution and towards the end of Burr's life. Schuyler has some powerful friends that want him to get Aaron Burr to admit that he is the father of Martin Van Buren, who is running for president. They hope to discredit Van Buren by linking him to the hated Burr, as well as painting Van Buren as a bastard. The whole book is Burr's recollections to Charlie about his life in the American Revolution, as vice-president to Thomas Jefferson, and his supposed attempt to split the United States and make himself emperor of Mexico. These recollections are interspersed with Charlie's relationship with Burr and with Helen Jewett, a prostitute that Charlie wants to marry. Vidal writes with passion and humor, and he brings all of the characters (real and imaginary) to life, although he doesn't hold some of our Founding Fathers in high regard. I enjoyed it.
That's it for this month. Looks like we're in for warmer weather mid-week which, I hope, will last through the Memorial Day weekend.
Up next, June and a couple of autobiographies (if I can finish them).
Keep reading!
