MYSTERIES IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS
PAUL BIRKHEAD
There’s nothing quite like the great outdoors to clear the mind and refresh the spirit. That is unless the great outdoors just happens to be the setting for a gruesome murder or two. Some of the best novels I’ve read lately have featured the rough territory of the western United States as their backdrop. Maybe it’s the majestic mountain scenery or the tough personalities that one tends to find out west, but stories that take place in those types of locations just seem to draw me in.
C. J. Box is a writer based out of Wyoming who has written a series of mysteries with a game warden as his protagonist. Joe Pickett, game warden of Twelve Sleep County, Wyoming, is a hero in the classic vein. He has his faults, but for the most part he’s a stand-up guy just trying to do the best job he can on the public payroll. In the first few pages of the Pickett novels, Joe always seems to find himself smack dab in the middle of a murder mystery. Though he’s been told countless times to back down or not ruffle any feathers, somehow Joe can never help himself as he follows lead after lead and we love him for it. Environmental terrorists and corrupt bureaucrats alike should be wary when Joe Pickett gets it in his head to see something through.
Nevada Barr is another author who has written mysteries that take place largely outdoors. Taking inspiration from her employment as a National Park Service ranger in several parks, Nevada Barr created her much beloved character Anna Pigeon. Anna is a park service ranger who gets reassigned frequently and finds mystery wherever she goes. Her adventures have taken place in several parks, including Yosemite, Carlsbad Caverns, Cumberland Island National Seashore, and the Natchez Trace Parkway.
Another series that takes place, not in a park setting, but in the wild backcountry of Alaska, are the Jessie Arnold mystery books. These books are written by Sue Henry, an award-winning author, who makes her home in Alaska. The heroine that Sue Henry created, Jessie Arnold, is a champion dogsled racer. In the series, Jessie Arnold continually gets tangled up in murder mysteries and uses her amateur detective skills to their fullest when solving them.
If you like murder mysteries or stories that take place in the wilderness or in the majesty of our national parks, you’re sure to enjoy each of these series. Come by Rowan Public Library and get hooked on books with adventures in them as wild as the great outdoors.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Gretchen Beilfuss Witt
Immortal words
With the movie adaptation of “The Lightning Thief “ just out in theatres to be closely followed by a remake of “Clash of the Titans”, the moviegoer is well advised to brush off that old mythology book and catch up on Who’s Who in the Greco-Roman world. Mythologies of the world have moved artists of all types of media to recreate the stories of yore. Morford and Lenardon’s “Classical Mythology” relates these timeless stories as they are traditionally remembered. The twelve Olympians and their escapades, the demigods and the great sagas of Perseus, Hercules and Odysseus are recounted. A ‘music and film’ section near the end of the book shares how these marvelous tales have inspired other works. Great composers including Scarlatti, Beethoven and Stravinsky have crafted brilliant works from Greek sagas. From operas to Cole Porter’s musical “Out of This World”, these stories have entertained for centuries and continue to encourage creative musings.
Patrice Kindl’s “Lost in the Labyrinth” is a marvelous account of the family of the ‘minotaur’ of Crete. Told from the perspective of the younger sister of Ariadne, Xenodice explains about her half-brother Asterius, the Minotaur, her love for Icarus, the inventor’s son, and the spitefulness of her sister Ariadne. Unlike the patriarchal centered Greek culture, Xenodice relates that her island kingdom is ruled by her mother, Queen Pasiphae. The story begins just before Theseus’ arrival on the island of Crete or Knossos as part of the Athenian tribute. Her life is turned upside down by the love affair of Theseus and Ariadne and the consequences precipitated by the choices of each character.
Piers Anthony’s series on the Incarnations of Immortality” takes a darkly humorous look at a strange world parallel to our own. In the battle between God and Satan, others have taken important roles; Fate, in reality three women who inhabit one body changing as needed, spin, measure and cut the thread of life, Mars the god of war supervises the wars of the world, and Chronos, who moves backwards through time all influence the mortals around them . “On A Pale Horse”, begins the series describing how Zane, a mortal about to commit suicide instead shoots Death and assumes the role of Thanatos, collector of souls. As the other Incarnations help him adapt to his new role, Zane’s love for a young woman, Luna pits him in a battle with Satan himself. With Luna’s life at stake, Zane must best the Prince of Lies, who tries to cheat his way to victory.
With a futuristic twist, Dan Simmons, adapts the story of the Olympiads and Iliad. Set on Mars in the fortieth century, “Ilium” is narrated by a resurrected twenty-first century Ancient Greek Scholar, who now serves the Muse in a landscape burgeoning with technological marvels. Adele Geras has followed up her account of Troy with “Ithaka” told by Klymene, childhood friend of Telemachus, Odysseus’ son. She recounts Penelope’s long wait, her own love of Telemachus and the betrayals and loyalties that restore the King to his throne.
Journeys, magical talismans, monsters and mythical beasts of Greek origin fascinate and continue to capture our attention. Pick up a book and immerse yourself in a different world.
Immortal words
With the movie adaptation of “The Lightning Thief “ just out in theatres to be closely followed by a remake of “Clash of the Titans”, the moviegoer is well advised to brush off that old mythology book and catch up on Who’s Who in the Greco-Roman world. Mythologies of the world have moved artists of all types of media to recreate the stories of yore. Morford and Lenardon’s “Classical Mythology” relates these timeless stories as they are traditionally remembered. The twelve Olympians and their escapades, the demigods and the great sagas of Perseus, Hercules and Odysseus are recounted. A ‘music and film’ section near the end of the book shares how these marvelous tales have inspired other works. Great composers including Scarlatti, Beethoven and Stravinsky have crafted brilliant works from Greek sagas. From operas to Cole Porter’s musical “Out of This World”, these stories have entertained for centuries and continue to encourage creative musings.
Patrice Kindl’s “Lost in the Labyrinth” is a marvelous account of the family of the ‘minotaur’ of Crete. Told from the perspective of the younger sister of Ariadne, Xenodice explains about her half-brother Asterius, the Minotaur, her love for Icarus, the inventor’s son, and the spitefulness of her sister Ariadne. Unlike the patriarchal centered Greek culture, Xenodice relates that her island kingdom is ruled by her mother, Queen Pasiphae. The story begins just before Theseus’ arrival on the island of Crete or Knossos as part of the Athenian tribute. Her life is turned upside down by the love affair of Theseus and Ariadne and the consequences precipitated by the choices of each character.
Piers Anthony’s series on the Incarnations of Immortality” takes a darkly humorous look at a strange world parallel to our own. In the battle between God and Satan, others have taken important roles; Fate, in reality three women who inhabit one body changing as needed, spin, measure and cut the thread of life, Mars the god of war supervises the wars of the world, and Chronos, who moves backwards through time all influence the mortals around them . “On A Pale Horse”, begins the series describing how Zane, a mortal about to commit suicide instead shoots Death and assumes the role of Thanatos, collector of souls. As the other Incarnations help him adapt to his new role, Zane’s love for a young woman, Luna pits him in a battle with Satan himself. With Luna’s life at stake, Zane must best the Prince of Lies, who tries to cheat his way to victory.
With a futuristic twist, Dan Simmons, adapts the story of the Olympiads and Iliad. Set on Mars in the fortieth century, “Ilium” is narrated by a resurrected twenty-first century Ancient Greek Scholar, who now serves the Muse in a landscape burgeoning with technological marvels. Adele Geras has followed up her account of Troy with “Ithaka” told by Klymene, childhood friend of Telemachus, Odysseus’ son. She recounts Penelope’s long wait, her own love of Telemachus and the betrayals and loyalties that restore the King to his throne.
Journeys, magical talismans, monsters and mythical beasts of Greek origin fascinate and continue to capture our attention. Pick up a book and immerse yourself in a different world.
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Library Notes
Betty Moore
Mysteries set in Africa
Combine your love of intriguing mysteries with a chance to explore locations in Africa you may never get a chance to visit in person. Rowan Public Library has several new mysteries that give readers a taste of less familiar locales while delving into some of each region’s social and cultural issues. The books have a lot of variety - from gentle humor to gritty realism, from life in modern cities to traditional villages to nomad camps.
Many mystery readers have already discovered Alexander McCall Smith’s gentle stories about Mma Ramotswe’s Number One Ladies Detective Agency in Botswana. The author’s love of that country and its people shines through his series.
That is also true of a new series by Michael Stanley set in Botswana that features police detective David Bengu. In the series debut, “Carrion Death,” he investigates the case of a body found in a remote game preserve and keeps finding links to the country’s largest company – Botswana Cattle and Mining. This forensic thriller contains well-developed characters and grisly realism in its intricate plot. It also looks at issues such as poaching, diamond smuggling, and the status of the Kalahari Bushmen. The second in the series is “The Second Death of Goodluck Tinubu.”
Charlotte author Tamar Myers steps outside the box of her two long-time mystery series (Den of Antiquity and Pennsylvania Dutch) to pen “The Witch Doctor’s Wife,” a stand-alone mystery set in the Congo in the 1950’s. Amanda, a 23-year-old native of South Carolina, has come to the Congo to run a missionary guesthouse. As she struggles with culture shock, she becomes involved in the lives of local villagers. After Amanda hires the wife of a local witch doctor, the discovery of a large uncut diamond leads to that woman being charged with murder.
The novel is based on many of Myers’ own experiences growing up there as the daughter of white missionaries. She also weaves in African folktales and local customs. In a starred review, Publisher’s Weekly says, “This marks a major breakthrough for Myers.”
“Wife of the Gods,” Kwei Quartey’s debut, brings Ghana to life. It is the story of Detective Inspector Darko Dawson, who goes to the village of Ketanu to solve the murder of a young AIDS worker. He learns about Trokosi, a system where young teenage girls are sent to live with fetish priests to bring good fortune to their families. As he solves a recent murder, Darko discovers the shocking truth about his own mother's disappearance.
A physician who grew up in Ghana, author Quartey compares western medicine to traditional medicine and supernatural beliefs. He also looks at contrasts within Ghana between wealth and poverty, education and illiteracy, and more.
Three recent mysteries set in South Africa have all received starred reviews. “A Beautiful Place to Die” by film maker Malla Nunn explores the country’s divided society of the 1950s. “Cape Greed” by Sam Cole “combines the street smarts of Elmore Leonard with Deon Meyer’s gritty depictions of South Africa,” according to Library Journal. Deon Meyer’s own latest thriller, “Blood Safari,” is set mainly in the country’s game preserves.
Betty Moore
Mysteries set in Africa
Combine your love of intriguing mysteries with a chance to explore locations in Africa you may never get a chance to visit in person. Rowan Public Library has several new mysteries that give readers a taste of less familiar locales while delving into some of each region’s social and cultural issues. The books have a lot of variety - from gentle humor to gritty realism, from life in modern cities to traditional villages to nomad camps.
Many mystery readers have already discovered Alexander McCall Smith’s gentle stories about Mma Ramotswe’s Number One Ladies Detective Agency in Botswana. The author’s love of that country and its people shines through his series.
That is also true of a new series by Michael Stanley set in Botswana that features police detective David Bengu. In the series debut, “Carrion Death,” he investigates the case of a body found in a remote game preserve and keeps finding links to the country’s largest company – Botswana Cattle and Mining. This forensic thriller contains well-developed characters and grisly realism in its intricate plot. It also looks at issues such as poaching, diamond smuggling, and the status of the Kalahari Bushmen. The second in the series is “The Second Death of Goodluck Tinubu.”
Charlotte author Tamar Myers steps outside the box of her two long-time mystery series (Den of Antiquity and Pennsylvania Dutch) to pen “The Witch Doctor’s Wife,” a stand-alone mystery set in the Congo in the 1950’s. Amanda, a 23-year-old native of South Carolina, has come to the Congo to run a missionary guesthouse. As she struggles with culture shock, she becomes involved in the lives of local villagers. After Amanda hires the wife of a local witch doctor, the discovery of a large uncut diamond leads to that woman being charged with murder.
The novel is based on many of Myers’ own experiences growing up there as the daughter of white missionaries. She also weaves in African folktales and local customs. In a starred review, Publisher’s Weekly says, “This marks a major breakthrough for Myers.”
“Wife of the Gods,” Kwei Quartey’s debut, brings Ghana to life. It is the story of Detective Inspector Darko Dawson, who goes to the village of Ketanu to solve the murder of a young AIDS worker. He learns about Trokosi, a system where young teenage girls are sent to live with fetish priests to bring good fortune to their families. As he solves a recent murder, Darko discovers the shocking truth about his own mother's disappearance.
A physician who grew up in Ghana, author Quartey compares western medicine to traditional medicine and supernatural beliefs. He also looks at contrasts within Ghana between wealth and poverty, education and illiteracy, and more.
Three recent mysteries set in South Africa have all received starred reviews. “A Beautiful Place to Die” by film maker Malla Nunn explores the country’s divided society of the 1950s. “Cape Greed” by Sam Cole “combines the street smarts of Elmore Leonard with Deon Meyer’s gritty depictions of South Africa,” according to Library Journal. Deon Meyer’s own latest thriller, “Blood Safari,” is set mainly in the country’s game preserves.
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