One Bear's Opinion -- Book Review

Face Down O'er the Border by Kathy Lynn Emerson

This is the last book in the Susanna, Lady Appleton series of historical mysteries.  Overall, I have enjoyed the series, but this book felt like the last one the author wanted to write.  It had such potential, but the final execution was lacking.  In the end, it was a good thing the series is finished, because this was a disappointing book, and not one to indicate that another visit with the characters would be welcome.

The main mystery could have been so much better, but the author went down too many wrong paths and allowed too many sub-plots to cloud the main story.  By spending too much time on building the sub-plots that were never resolved, the author did not do the main mystery justice, and in the end had the investigator hastily solve it in the classic mystery plot device of confronting the killer with the knowledge but no proof.

It was a disappointing ending for a book with such a great beginning.  It left me wanting more, but at the same time glad the author decided to end the series.  I am not sure if the characters had their own minds, or simply that the author tired of them and turned her attention to other endeavors, but whatever the reason, the familiar characters were not themselves and it showed.  Though the over-arcing storyline was mentioned, nothing was finalized and the characters were left hanging, in a plodding kind of existence waiting for a final resolution.  There were not even blank pages at the end of my copy of the book for me to write my own ending for the characters.

I missed the discussions of poisons which were a larger part of the earlier books in the series, as Lady Appleton is an herbalist and an expert in poisons.  The only mention of anything approaching a medicinal herb was a poppy syrup that was administered to a suspect to keep him sedated while a plan was put into action.  There was such potential to bring that part of her character to this book.

On the whole it was a disappointing end to a series and not really worth the time it took to read.  It will certainly not make new readers want to search for the earlier books in the series.  I had hoped for a better visit with old friends.

One Bear's Opinion:  One Lukewarm Cup of Weak Lipton Tea

Happy Reading Everyone, 
Oliver

One Bear's Opinion -- Book Review

Chocolate Wars:  From Cadbury to Kraft:  200 Years of Sweet Success and Bitter Rivalries by Deborah Cadbury

I will be the first to admit that I really do not like chocolate. I tend to leave the chocolates to my housemates.  But this chocolate was too irresistible to pass up.

I firmly believe that no knowledge is ever wasted, and this book was full of knowledge.  I learned a great deal about chocolates.  I learned why the major brands' milk chocolates are different, and why some chocolate brands are popular in the US, while others are favored in Europe.  I also finally discovered why the Australians call a Milky Way a Mars (for reference:  UK Mars)!

There was also a good amount of discussion of the ways of the Quakers with respect to business.  I really had no idea that Cadbury started as a family owned and operated Quaker business.  The history aspect of the book was very interesting, and the author, who had a personal interest in the history, did a great job of making it read less like a textbook and more like fiction.

Overall, it was a great book, and a very good read.  It was interesting for me because, as the book indicates, Hershey's Chocolates dominated the US market for so long that other brands have really only appeared in the last 20 or 30 years, and have only recently moved from boutiques to mainstream shops.  Cadbury was known for their Creme Eggs at Easter and nothing else, the basic milk chocolate bar was always a Hershey bar.  Cadbury's chocolates were a treat relatives and friends brought back from trips to Canada or England.  It was interesting to have a look in the world of chocolate outside the US boarders.

I can honestly say I will never look at a chocolate bar the same again.

One Bear's Opinion:  Five Mugs of Cadbury Drinking Cocoa and a plate of S'Mores made with Hershey's bars

Happy Reading Everyone, 
Oliver