Product Description
A society of crime buffs discovers a mutilated body in their clubhouse kitchen and the town librarian suspects a fellow member because the crime closely resembled the club's ""murder of the month."" Reprint. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (61)

Roe is a favorite
I've read several of the Teagarden mysteries and I've enjoyed them all.I'm a fan of cozy mysteries so this was right up my alley.I would suggest that you consider the Teagarden books if you're a fan of Carolyn Hart's Death On Demand series or Joan Hess' Maggody series or Claire Malloy mysteries.These stories are a joy to spend your lunch hour on or other stolen moments with your Kindle.

real murders
i really enjoyed this mystery, i have been reading back issues of charlaine harris books and i find her writing very enjoyable. although my favorite series of hers are the shakespeares books.

Real Murders
This was an easy read. Maybe the second book in the series will be more interesting than this one. I'm willing to read book 2 in the series and I'll let everyone know what I really think.

bring back Aurora
I have always enjoyed the books in the Aurora Teagarden series with a few exceptions. I never liked her husband, who treated her like a stupid child. However, the author took care of this by killing him off, an act that I have to admit I applauded. Can we look forward to any more "Roe" books? I am really not into the vampire thing.

Real Murders
First in a mystery series, Aurora Teagarden is a librarian who has created the "Real Murders" club, where members research and discuss actual murders.This club takes a devious turn when murders begin happening in their small town.Aurora begins to investigate the murders with help from her two potential love interests: Arthur, a cop, and Robin, a mystery writer.Good mystery and good characters, I will continue reading this series.

[...] ... Read more

Product Description
Death comes calling on a small-town librarian whose life is passing her by.

Aurora "Roe" Teagarden's fortunes change when a deceased acquaintance names her as heir to a rather substantial estate, including money, jewelry, and a house complete with a skull hidden in a window seat. Roe concludes that the elderly women has purposely left her a murder to solve. So she must identify the victim and figure out which one of her new, ordinary-seeming neighbors is a murderer-without putting herself in deadly danger. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (34)

Silly
This Southern librarian turned amateur, bumbling sleuth novel is now a teenager, and as such has not aged gracefully.

I don't mind far-fetched plots, some of the time, but I object to far-fetched, silly plots peopled with silly, unlikeable people.

No, I do not like Aurora Teagarden, although I did in Real Murders. However, I find her mother obnoxious to the point where I cringe when she comes on the scene. Even more, the whole community in their little town is enough to send me looking for another book.

I am definitely not crazy about flat characters who judge others by the value of their houses, the perfection of their make-up or the cut of their bridesmaid dresses. And who are more concerned about personal inconvenience than going to the police...

Or authors who seem to think that first babies are born within ten minutes of one's waters breaking.

A Bone To Pick - Review (The Novel World (dot) com)
In this sequel to Real Murders, A Bone To Pick once again takes us back to Lawrenceton and librarian crime-solver, Roe Teagarden. The books jumps right into two weddings and one funeral. During the funeral, Roe meets Bubba Sewell, the lawyer for the deceased Jane Engle. Roe and Jane were members of the now disbanded Real Murderer's club that was so prevalent in the first book. Although they were club members, neither Jane nor Roe were very close. When Roe finds out that she inherited all of Jane's belongings, including a house, over five hundred thousand dollars and a cat, Roe knew that there was more to the inheritance than just the financial benefits. Setting out to look for clues in Jane's house, Roe comes across a hidden skull, and soon figures out that Jane left her a murder to solve.

In terms of mystery books, this one was a real dud. There wasn't much of a mystery. Every character was a good guy, and most of the characters were really dull and without much substance. There wasn't much plot to the book other than Roe coming to terms to with her inheritance and trying endlessly to find the love of her life. I was really disappointed with book, because Real Murders started out with a lot of spunk and energy. I'm going to give the third book in the series a try: Three Bedrooms, One Corpse, and hope that it doesn't fall flat either. I rated Real Murder PG-13, but this book I would give a G to PG rating. Very neutral, and very tame.

Skull Breakers
A Bone to Pick (1992) is the second mystery novel in the Aurora Teagarden series, following Real Murders.In the previous volume, Roe went out to look for her half brother Phillip and was caught by the killers.They broke her collar bone and bruised a few ribs.Then Jed and Robin saved her from the killers.

In this novel, Aurora Teagarden was born and raised in the small town of Lawrenceton, Georgia, in the suburbs of Atlanta.She is the only child of Aida.Roe works at the local library.

Aida Brattle Teagarden is Roe's mother.She owns Select Realty, a very successful real estate firm.She is dating John Queensland.

Arthur Smith is a Burglary Detective in the Lawrenceton Police Department.He has been dating Roe.

Lynn Liggett is a Homicide Detective in the Lawrenceton Police Department.Roe knows her from the Real Murders investigation.

Amina Day is a longstanding friend of Roe.She has dated most of the eligible boys in Lawrenceton.Then she moves to Houston and starts dating men there.

Jane Engle is an older woman who had been a librarian.She is a friend of Roe and also a member of the Real Murders Club.

Bubba Sewell is a Lawrenceton attorney.He acts like a good old boy, but has sharp wits.He has been married twice and is now dating Lizanne Buckley.

Aubrey Scott is priest of St. James, an Episcopal church.His wife had died three years ago of cancer.

Torrance Rideout lives next door to Jane.He is married to Marcia, a homemaker.

In this story, Roe has been to three weddings and one funeral in thepast year.The first wedding was for Lynn and Arthur.This had come as a surprise for Roe, who had been dating him before the engagement.Lynn is clearly pregnant at the wedding.

The second marriage was for Aida and John. Amina had come to town to attend the wedding and announced her own plans to be married sometime soon.Roe had been a bridesmaid for Amina's first wedding and is asked to do it again.

The third marriage was for Amina and Hugh Price.Although the couple live in Houston, the wedding is held in Lawrenceton.Roe is the only bridesmaid.

The funeral -- occurring between the second and third wedding -- was for Jane.Although none had known, she had been ill for a while.Jane only had one relative, her aging cousin Parnell Engle.

After the burial, Jane's attorney tells her that she is named in the will.Roe follows Bubba back to his office and rides up on the elevator with him.After rummaging on his desk -- which Roe thinks is an affection -- he finds the folder.Then Bubba tells her that Jane left everything to her.

That is, everything except five thousand dollars and the car to Parnell and his wife Leah if they take Jane's cat Madeline.Roe asks how much remains and is told that Jane has three thousand dollars in a checking account.Roe asks if that is all and Bubba tells her about the bank account with half a million in it.

When Roe reaches her townhouse, Aubrey is leaving a note on her backdoor.Roe invites him into the house and fixes him a seven and seven.Finally Aubrey asks her for a date.

The following morning, Roe meets Bubba in front of Jane's house.He hands her the keys and she opens the front door.Pillows and other items are scattered all over the floor.

Someone has broken into the house.They find that a window has been broken in a back bedroom.But nothing seems to be missing.Even the TV and microwave are still there.

Apparently no one else has keys to the house itself.Torrance has keys to the garage storeroom, but not to the house.Bubba notifies the police, tells Roe to call if she needs anything, and then leaves the house to her.

Roe takes note of the pattern of disorder.Only large drawers and cabinets and some luggage have been emptied. The intruder appears to be searching for a large object.

Torrance -- who has cut the grass while Jane is in the hospital -- comes over to offer to mow the lawn the following week.Then he mentions that someone had been digging holes in the back yard.Roe considers that a large object might have been buried in the yard.

After thinking things over, Roe decides that she knows where the object is hidden.She takes some tools with her and rips out the carpet over the window seat.She finds a skull under the hinged lid.

Then Arthur and Lynn move in across the street.Marcia passes on some neighborhood gossip.Madeline -- Jane's cat -- returns home and has kittens.

This tale has Roe boxing Jane's clothing for Goodwill, cleaning the house, and thinking about the skull.She discovers that the carpet had been installed three years ago.And she discovers two candidates for the skull.

The story leaves Roe feeling guilty and exposed.The next installment -- Three Bedrooms, One Corpse -- brings a new man into Roe's life.Read and enjoy!

Highly recommended for Harris fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of old killings, mental disorders, and inquisitive women.

-Bill Jordin

Just Plain Fun
This is not a book that's going to make it to the big screen, the little screen or any other screen.It's just an entertaining book for those of us who don't want to spend the first 20 pages reading about the color of the sky.The fact of the matter is, spending time with Roe and people in her life is just plain good old fun with a little mystery added.I enjoy going dress shopping with Roe.I like knowing what she had for breakfast.I care about the cat curling up in her lap.On face value this sounds very mundane but therein lies the talent of Charlaine Harris; she can take the ordinary and make it interesting.Looking forward to the next book in the series.

THE MEEK SHALL INHERIT
The second book in the Aurora Teagarden cozy mystery series.She is such a fun character.This time she has inherited a house, a fortune and A SKULL.The skull's origin is unknown, so of course Aurora is on the hunt. ... Read more

Product Description
Love at first sight turns into newlywed bliss for former librarian Aurora Teagarden— until violence cuts the honeymoon short.

Wealthy businessman Martin Bartell gives Roe exactly what she wants for their wedding: Julius House. But both the house and Martin come with murky pasts. And when Roe is attacked by an ax-wielding maniac, she realizes that the secrets inside her four walls—and her brand-new marriage—could destroy her. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (29)

Very Nice
This was a very nice used book.I have always been impressed with the used items I buy on Amazon.Received it very quickly too.
Thanks,
Karen

good series.
This is a good series of books, I really enjoyed them. Cute cozy mysteries. I wish Harris would write more in this series.

The Vanished Family
Julius House (1995) is the fourth mystery novel in the Aurora Teagarden series, following Three Bedrooms, One Corpse.In the previous volume, the killer cornered Roe, but she attacked him with an umbrella ferule.He pinned her on the floor and beat on her.She used her souvenir rock to smash him alongside the head.

In this novel, Aurora Teagarden was born and raised in the small town of Lawrenceton, Georgia, in the suburbs of Atlanta.She is now married to Martin Bartell.She has had some strange experiences in her life.

Martin Bartell is manager of the local Pan-Am Agra plant.Martin was born and raised in Corinth, Ohio, and served in combat as a Marine at the end of the Vietnam War.

Shelby Youngblood is an old friend of Martin from the war in Vietnam.He is married to Angel.

Angel Youngblood is a martial artist and stuntwoman.She is almost as tall as her husband and towers over Roe.

In this story, Roe and Martin are engaged.Martin buys the Julius House for Roe and she buys his family farm for him.She flies to Corinth, Ohio, by herself to acquire the property.She briefly meets Martin's ex-wife in Corinth.

Roe and Martin exchange deeds a few weeks before the wedding.Martin lets Roe handle the renovation of the Julius House.She starts buying household goods and hiring people to work on the house.

Shelby is coming to work at the Pan-Am Agra plant and will need a place to stay.Martin asks Roe if Shelby and Angel may use the apartment above the garage and she agrees.Then they take over the job of coordinating the renovation of the Julius House.

Of course, Roe is also attending showers and other bridal celebrations.She meets people that she hasn't seen for a long time.And they all have questions about the Julius House.

Roe is asked how she could possibly live in a house from which three people have vanished to never be seen again.Haturally she knows about the missing family, but she is not really concerned.The house seems too peaceful to have ghosts.

After the wedding and honeymoon, however, Roe starts investigating the disappearance.She and Angel measure dimensions inside and outside the house looking for hidden spaces, but find nothing except a china doll.Then Roe starts questioning the witnesses.

This tale has Roe digging up some strange information.Angel helps her in these investigations.She even saves Roe from a man with an axe.

Roe discovers that Martin has not told her everything before the marriage.She even quarrels with him.She still loves him, but she wonders if she is making a mistake.

This novel is more like a typical detective story than the others.In the next installment -- Dead Over Heels -- a body literally drops out of thin air.Read and enjoy!

Highly recommended for Harris fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of old murders, unexpected findings, and persistent women.For anyone unfamiliar with this series, the initial volume is Real Murders.

-Bill Jordin

JULIUS FAMILY - WHERE ARE YOU?
Aurora is finally married.Martin Bartell, her new husband, is a very secretive person and he brings in Shelby and his wife Angel to protect Aurora when he is not there.He buys the Julius House for Aurora as a wedding present and gives her free rein on renovations.Six years ago the former owners of the Julius House just disappeared - most folks find it eerie that Roe wants to live there; however, she loves the house and the way it feels to her.Roe and Angel embark on a quest to find the missing three Julius family members.

spellbinding
i asbolutely LOVE Charlaine Harris books and this one does not dissappoint. i completely identify with her characters even though we are worlds apart in situations, ideas and mannerisms. She truly does help us to see each other as people, not so different from ourselves really where it counts. two thumbs up all the way ... Read more

Product Description
A "DELIGHTFUL" (LIBRARY JOURNAL) Aurora Teagarden mystery

From the New York Times bestselling author of Last Scene Alive and the Sookie Stackhouse novels.

Not just any woman in Lawrenceton, Georgia, gets to be a member of the Uppity Women Book Club. But Roe's stepsister-in-law Poppy has climbed her way up the waiting list of the group-only to die on the day she's supposed to be inducted.

Sordid stories of infidelity in Poppy's marriage lead to a rash of suspects, and Roe begins to question her own heart. But her passion for the truth will drive her on-into the path of the cold-blooded killer. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (24)

Great Series!
There is a club in Lawrenceton called the Uppity Women Book Club, not everyone gets to join, but Roe's stepsister-in-law, Poppy, is finally at the top of the waiting list to get in. But Poppy doesn't show up to the induction meeting leaving Roe very upset with her, because she had to cover for her. When Roe goes to Poppy's house to give her a piece of her mind, she finds Poppy dead and she's been that way for sometime. The worst part about Poppy's death is all the rumors that start flying about her and her husband's infidelity. Roe's determined to figure out which rumors are true, and finding the correct killer.

Even though we don't know Poppy that well, just that she's Roe's stepsister-in-law, this was probably one of my favorite stories. The lies and rumors circulating through the town were my favorite part. Just seeing how small town lives can be woven together so intricately was fun. Also, it was nice to see Roe finally get some good news. The poor girl is always so bogged down with the bad, that the little nugget of good she receives in Poppy Done to Death was like a victory!

There will be spoilers here
This series started incredibly slowly for me, but once I got into it I just couldn't put these books down. I read them all, one right after the other. The last two books were a pretty big disappointment. I'd really started to like Roe, but the whining, why me, woe is me attitude she picks up after Martin's death is tiresome. She gets absolutely everything she wants, every item, every bit of information, and every man. Yet she complains and is unhappy. Martin's character at least, had personality. Robin is so far beyond dull that it's laughable the way Roe reacts to him. Especially after claiming she was so desperately in love with Martin for so long and describing how hard she had grieved for him.

There's absolutely no resolution of the situation with her father and brother, the thing I was most interested to learn in this book. The paternity of Poppy's son is skipped right over once the murderer has been discovered. I personally feel this was a horrible ending to an interesting series. The 'everyone gets a super happy ending' feeling nearly ruined the entire series for me. If there were going to be more installments I'd have rated this book higher, as it is I feel I was short-changed.

Poppy Done to Death (Book #8)
Charlaine Harris writes wonderful mystery novels and this one follows Aurora Teagarden (Yes, Teagarden)Great fun.

Good circular ending. (spoiler alert)
It really sucked that Martin had to die, but it is really awesome that she ended up with the same guy she fell for in the first book (Robin).AND she ends up pregnant in the end!It ended on a good note, and I have to say that I miss the series, but it is time to move on since Roe is now settled into her life.The character really grew in the series, which is the mark of a truly great writer.Good read for those while waiting between Sookie releases.

A series to fill the Sookie-void
Once again Charlaine has a thoroughly ordinary female protagonist repeatedly thrown into extraordinary circumstances. Aurora is perhaps the most outwardly hum-drum of all of Charlaine's protagonists; she is a librarian, complete with modest cardigans and horn-rimmed glasses. But don't let appearances (or occupation) fool you. Aurora is just as interesting and lovable as Charlaine's other leading ladies, maybe even more so because she is aware and makes fun of her outwardly plain-Jane appearances. Like Lily, Sookie and Harper, Aurora is an appealing protagonist because despite self-doubt, when push-comes-to-shove Aurora becomes a brave and ballsy heroine.

There is a lot of suspended belief in the Aurora series - throughout 8 books we are expected to believe that Aurora just keeps stumbling and unwittingly becoming involved in all the murders around town. But because Charlaine beautifully incorporates the bizarre with the mundane of Aurora's everyday life, and because she constantly makes a joke of the coincidences, you really don't mind the improbability inherent in the series.

`Aurora' is a fascinating series if you're coming to them after reading Harris's `Sookie Stackhouse' books. Aurora is surprisingly similar to Sookie; both are women whom, at the start of their respective series, are really unaware of their femininity and have lived fairly sheltered lives. Sookie has been a loner because of her telepathic `handy-cap', and Aurora because of low self-confidence and a focus on her work. Throughout their series both Aurora and Sookie are put through trials and tribulations that force them to come out of their shells and measure their mettle. But perhaps the ladies biggest connection lies in their romantic lives. As you compare both series you can pinpoint certain consistencies between the romantic entanglements. In both series Charlaine prefers multiple possible partners for her leading ladies, and enjoys keeping readers guessing as to whom they will ultimately end up with. In the `Aurora' and `Sookie' books Charlaine also puts her heroines through the romantic ringer - be warned, there are up's and down's that will tug at your heartstrings as you live vicariously through Aurora.

Unlike Sookie, Aurora has a tight family unit. This is really Charlaine's only series that explores family dynamics and it is refreshing to read Charlaine's funny take on family matters.

Once again, the `Aurora' books are definitely murder-mystery. Charlaine has a very devious mind when it comes to writing crime, and it is a tricky pleasure to try and figure out the `whodunnit' along with Aurora. But `Sookie Stackhouse' fans should once again be warned that there is no element of urban fantasy in Charlaine's debut series.

With a whopping 8 books in the series, Charlaine Harris has said in interviews that she has more ideas for Aurora Teagarden, but can't see herself finding the time between Sookie books to pen a 9th novel. This is a shame. The eighth `Aurora' book (`Poppy done to Death') did have a certain open-endedness to it - not so that it frustrates and leaves readers hanging, but just enough that you'll wish Charlaine would continue with the series.

I don't love the `Aurora Teagarden' books as much as Harris's `Lily Bard', `Sookie Stackhouse' or `Harper Connelly' series'. But I do love them. I love Aurora, I love her leading men and I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves Charlaine's writing and a good murder-mystery.

5/5 ... Read more

Product Description
Third in the Aurora Teagarden series, one great new look.

Deciding if she wants to go into real estate becomes a life-or-death choice for Aurora "Roe" Teagarden. A naked corpse is discovered at her first house showing. And when a second body is found in another house for sale, it becomes obvious that there is a very cool killer at large in Lawrenceton, one who knows a great deal about real estate-and maybe too much about Roe. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (29)

This series is just bland
This is my least favorite series by Harris. I started out trying to give Roe a chance, but at this point I'm only still reading them because they've got to get better or the series would have ended by now. For a character that's supposed to be intelligent, Roe just isn't. Her love life is too ridiculous to care about, and you're not given enough information about the secondary characters to even wonder who the bad guy is. It's not to say the stories aren't mildly entertaining, but the revelations are so anticlimactic that if the books were any longer it just wouldn't be worth the time it took to get through them.

Dead Realtors
Three Bedrooms, One Corpse (1994) is the third mystery novel in the Aurora Teagarden series, following A Bone to Pick.In the previous volume, Roe spent the night in Jane's house.She awoke in the night to find that someone was searching the house.

Roe called for help and they subdued the intruder.The intruder confessed to the killings. Then Roe put the skull with the other body.

In this novel, Aurora Teagarden was born and raised in the small town of Lawrenceton, Georgia, in the suburbs of Atlanta.She is the child of Aida.Roe used to work at the local libray, but quit after inheriting the estate of Jane Engle.

Aida Brattle Teagarden Queensland is Roe's mother.She owns Select Realty, a very successful real estate firm.She is now married to John Queensland, who has two sons by his previous marriage.

Martin Bartell is manager of the local Pan-Am Agra plant.Martin was born and raised in Corinth, Ohio, and served in combat as a Marine at the end of the Vietnam War.

In this story, Roe is thinking about getting her realtor's license.She tags along with her mother and learns a bit more about the real estate trade.She is waiting with Aida for a closing, but the clients are late and Aida has an appointment to show the Anderton house.

Aida decides that Roe can escort two clients around the house.Since Roe doesn't have the license, Aida warns her to not show the house per se.Roe agrees to unlock the door and mention the points on the fact sheet.She thinks that not showing the house will be less boring than watching her mother signing all the closing paperwork.

Roe is standing outside the door as a white Mercedes arrives.When she sees the client, Roe is almost overcome with lust.She carefully avoids his eyes and takes the clients inside.

Martin has come with his sister Barbara.His sister thinks that Aurora is a funny name, but asks Roe to call her Barby.Roe shows them the downstairs and then takes them up the grand staircase to the master bedroom.When she pulls the doors open, Barby shrieks loudly.

Roe then looks into the bedroom and sees a body propped up on the pillow.Her mother appears and identifies the victim as Tonia Lee Greenhouse, another realtor.Martin checks for signs of life, but Tonia is definitely dead.From the looks of her throat, she has been strangled.

Aida goes to call the police.Naturally, Detective Sergeant Jack Burns heads the homicide team.After a thorough interrogation, Martin decides that Barby needs to leave and Aida also departs with Roe.

Somehow the key to the Anderton house mysteriously returns to the key board at Select Realty.The police take Mackie Knight -- a Select Realty employee -- in for questioning, but the black man has a very good alibi and they soon let him go.

Meanwhile, Roe has a date with Martin and they spend the night in a motel room outside Atlanta.They both are head over heels in lust.Roe feels afraid of him because he affects her so much.

Luckily for Roe, her former beau has found someone else to occupy his attention.Martin kisses her in public and establishes his claim.He even openly attends a function with her.

This tale exposes many of the foibles and quirks of the local real estate trade.Several small items have been stolen from homes for sale.And then there is the House Hunter.

Roe decides that she is not interested in selling real estate.But the next installment -- The Julius House -- has her buying a house.Read and enjoy!

Highly recommended for Harris fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of coldblooded murder, realtor secrets, and highly curious women.For anyone unfamiliar with this series, the initial volume is Real Murders.

-Bill Jordin

When you love, you can forgive
When you love or admire someone, it's easier to forgive them.Not that Charlaine Harris, is looking for my forgiveness, but nevertheless, I forgive her.This book isn't bad but it's not one of her best.

Since Roe had inherited some money, she was able to quit her job as librarian and is now testing the waters to see if she wants to go into the real estate business.Luckily, her Lauren Bacall resembling mother is the owner of the most successful real estate business in the town of Lawrenceton (almost a suburb of Atlanta).Upon showing a house to the hunky, distinguished and brand new-to-town, Martin Bartell and his sister, a corpse is found in one of the bedrooms and heavens, it's the body of trampy Tonia Lee, another real estate agent from a rival agency.The mystery here is almost secondary; much more time is spent on the newly developing quite passionate relationship with Martin.This book has its moments of fun but more reminds me of taking a ride with a friend whom you really wanted to spend time with yet doing nothing but sit in the car while she runs her errands.

THIRD IN SERIES
A better than average cozy mystery series:Aurora Teagarden Mysteries.This is the third in the series.Aurora (Roe for short) is assisting her mother in the real estate office.Upon unlocking a home for Martin Bartell and his sister - they discover a "dead realtor" in the upstairs bedroom.Roe is very attracted to Martin and he seems to like her alot, too.Of course, Roe is trying to uncover who committed the murderer. Good Fast Read.

Not Favorite Harris Series By Any Stretch
This series is definitely not a keeper but can be a mildly entertaining read.My biggest gripes about this book are the same for all in the series so far.

One:Aurora's interactions with the other characters is my favorite part of these books, and what I enjoy about a good series in general.In this series she seems to find great chemistry with one guy, is seemingly falling in love, and then all of a sudden by the next book she is with the OTHER guy (the one you didn't like all that much and is obviously wrong for her.)In this latest installment the "love at first sight" is simply not believable to me... Martin is not very fleshed out as a character and now all of the sudden he is the ONE?What happened to Robin?Harris never goes into this in detail, whichis annoying, and leaves the reader vaguely unsatisfied.

Two: Aurora is just not that great a character!Kind of dumb and never learns from her mistakes.She hasn't the charm of Sookie nor the depth of Harper.She is the dumb blond in the horror movie who decides to investigate the noise in the scary motel room while the audience heckles and throws popcorn at the screen :(

In short get this series from the library. ... Read more

Product Description
From the New York Times bestselling author of Dead Over Heels and the Sookie Stackhouse novels.

Roe is still in mourning over her husband's death when a movie company arrives in Lawrenceton. They've come to make a film based on a book written by her one-time boyfriend Robin Crusoe, a book that detailed their shared investigation of a series of murders that occurred years before.

But when the lead actress-who is playing Roe-is killed, Robin and Roe join forces once again to thwart a killer, without knowing that Roe herself is the next target. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (28)

Love this series!
I love this series! Good mysteries. Aurora is likable. It is not as supernatural as some of this author's other books. I don't understand why the tag paranormal romance is on some reviews, because there's not a lot of paranormal activity. And, there's romance, but it's not overdone. These are cozy mysteries, not War and Peace, so if you are looking for a serious book, this is less for you. I think cozies are good to read between really serious novels, though this series was really good and I read it straight through.

Great Series!
It's been more than a year since horrible events have left Roe without a husband, and she is still in mourning. Her huge home is like a tomb and all she wants is to be alone in it. A movie production company comes to town to film a movie based on books about murders that happened in Lawrenceton written by (her ex-sometimes lover) Robin Crusoe. The locals are thrilled to have the movie being shot in Lawrenceton, but Roe knows it will bring much unwanted attention. When the lead actress, the one portraying Roe, gets killed, Roe and Robin team up to find out who the killer is. Unknowing that Roe is next on the murderers list.

I loved the return of Robin Crusoe. He was always a favorite from the earlier books. Him and Roe always had a connection, but he was always looking for more in life. It's good to see him out of Hollywood and back in Lawrenceton where he belongs. He is also a much needed distraction and catalyst for pulling Roe out of her mourning. This probably wasn't my favorite of the books, I didn't enjoy the Hollywood people that much and missed the town's people.

Did someone murder the editor?
This is my least favorite of the series thus far. This one just didn't have the same feel as the others have had. It's like the author was trying to write about characters that she hadn't visited for many years. That being said, it was a fun read, it just didn't feel right.

My main complaint about this one is the editing. Oh, the inconsistencies! Characters from previous books that should be older are now years younger than when we last heard of them. Time spans have changed completely. Did absolutely no one check the time line of previous books? Maybe you'll skip right over them without noticing, but it drove me nuts!

Murder On the Set
Last Scene Alive (2002) is the seventh mystery novel in the Aurora Teagrarden series, following A Fool and His Honey.In the previous volume, Martin was shot at and missed and then had a heart attack and died.The perp was charged with three counts of kidnapping, two counts of murder, and one count of assault with a deadly weapon.

In this novel, Aurora Teagarden was born and raised in the small town of Lawrenceton, Georgia, in the suburbs of Atlanta.Roe is now widowed, but still works in the local library.But she in deeply depressed in her grief.

Barrett Bartell is Roe's stepson.He is an actor, surviving off funds from his father when paychecks are few and far between.Now that his father is dead, Roe provides the necessary funds.

Robin Crusoe is a writer of mysteries.He had dated Roe in the past. Then he went to Hollywood to get his first book turned into a movie.

Celia Shaw is an actress.She has won an Emmy for one of her roles and is now the star of a made-for-TV film.

In this story, Roe discovers that she is to be the subject of a movie based on her first case.Barrett has a role in the movie and Robin is back in town to watch the filming of his book.Roe doesn't like the concept at all and particularly hates the pain that it will give the families of the victims.

Yet it seems everybody in town knows about the film.Wannabe actors and actresses gather around the film crew and try to get the attention of the Hollywood insiders.Roe is invited out by Celia and marvels at the close service provided to the star.

Celia is cast as Aurora Teagarden in the film.Roe notices that Celia is studying her intensely at the restaurant and imitating her habitual actions.She is very upset by Celia's study and allows Robin to talk her into leaving early.She vows to never again visit the filming.

The next day, Roe finds herself driving her friend Angel to the set.Angel's car won't start and she has a job as a stuntperson in the film.Besides, she wants to introduce Roe to a friend.

As Roe and Angel are talking to Carolina, Roe observes Celia's trailer.Several people go in and out of the trailer.The latest is Barrett, who comes out looking unwell and then pukes alongside the trailer.

Roe immediately goes to Barrett and is with him as he mumbles that Celia is dead.Barrett recovers somewhat and again says Celia is dead.Carolina immediately notifies the director and then calls 911.Soon cellphones are showing up everywhere.

This tale brings Robin back into Roe's life.At first, she feels unfaithful to Martin, but her mother suggests that Martin is beyond any concern about this world.Several things converge to prod Roe into moving back into town.

This is the last in the series so far, but maybe another is lurking in the busy mind of the author.Meanwhile, you might try the Lily Bard series.Read and enjoy!

Highly recommended for Harris fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of first degree murder, amateur detectives, and a spunky librarian.For anyone unfamiliar with this series, the initial volume is Real Murders.

-Bill Jordin

OH, TO BE A STAR!
#7 of the Aurora Teagarden Mystery series.They are so much fun to read.This outing an actress is killed on the set of "Whimsical Crime" being filmed in Lawrenceton GA.Robin (Aurora's old friend) is the writer of the book for this film and he has returned to town to stay.Fun interaction between Arthur (policeman), Aurora, and Robin. ... Read more

Product Description
Aurora’s been around long enough to know that when a day starts out with your handyman going crazy in your front yard, it probably won’t get any better. Sure enough, her husband Martin’s niece Regina shows up with a baby whom no one knew she was expecting. Then she disappears, leaving behind the child—and a murdered husband. To find her, Roe and Martin retrace her steps from sunny Georgia back to snowy Ohio, where they will uncover dark family secrets—at their own peril. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (65)

Great Series!
Aurora Teagarden's(Roe) life is feeling quite perfect lately. She loves her husband, although she thinks he works too much, and she loves her part-time job at the library. She hasn't even found any dead bodies lately, which is a relief to poor Roe, since she always seems to be a suspect. When her wood delivery guy goes crazy in her side yard, ripping off his clothes then proceeding to dance around and sing, Roe knows that things can only get worse from here. When Martin's niece shows up with a newborn baby, and then disappears leaving behind the baby and a dead body. Roe and Martin must leave there small town to visit Ohio where his family is from. They need answers, and they need to find someone to take care of the baby.

In A Fool and His Honey, with everything that happens the main issue is within Roe herself. Taking on the responsibility of a new born child is not something she ever planned on doing, since she can not have children herself. We get a deeper look into the problems in her marriage, and within herself. There are some kind of shocking events in this book. One had me just sitting and staring at the page going "whaaaaaat?" I guess you could say Harris got me, which is hard to do. I hope there are good things for Roe in the future, because she's sure had a rough go of it lately!

I liked it....
I thought this was one of the best thought out of the Aurora Teagarden mysteries.Aurora and her husband Martin find themselves with a baby, a dead body, and a missing niece.Although the niece had claimed the baby her and her husband's Aurora has her doubts.You can't tell much more of a synopsis with spoiling a mystery plot as each scene tends to unravel some more information.The book is now 11 years old and Harris's fans are still reeling from the ending of this one. *SPOILER*(Although others have spoiled the same thing throughout the majority of the reviews on Amazon) The death at the end of this book shocked many readers. Yes, it was surprising.I always had thought Martin wasn't quite right for Roe.I think she has something better coming to her.Martin was ok, but he kept too many secrets and he acted more bothered by Roe than anything else. Overall, this mystery was engaging and parts of the resolution I expected and yet other events were completely unexpected.There is a lot of depth to Roe's character here.We truly get to see her come off in a less than nice light...it was realistic however in that she was annoyed with having to care for a baby one minute, and then almost in love with it the next.Her friend nailed it to when she complained that Roe was a tad spoiled or selfish.There are only two books left for this series and I look forward to reading them.I hope Roe gets a HEA...this just sure wasn't it.

The Missing Mother
A Fool and His Honey (1999) is the sixth mystery novel in the Aurora Teagrarden series, following Dead Over Heels.In the previous volume, Roe attended Jack's funeral.Afterward, she again considered everybody's actions and positions and realized who the killer had to be.She went back to cemetery in time to save Martin.

In this novel, Aurora Teagarden was born and raised in the small town of Lawrenceton, Georgia, in the suburbs of Atlanta.She is now married to Martin.Roe has had some strange happenings in her life.

Martin Bartell is Roe's husband.He is manager of the local Pan-Am Agra plant.Martin was born and raised in Corinth, Ohio, and served in combat as a Marine at the end of the Vietnam War. Then he served as a covert operative in Central America.

Regina Graham is Martin's niece. She is married to Craig Graham and is the mother of Haydon, a two or three week old infant.

In this story, Regina appears at the house without prior notice.At first, Roe doesn't recognize her, but the name comes to her after a brief pause.Then Regina introduces Haydon.

Roe and Martin let Regina and Haydon use the garage apartment and get them settled.Yet they learn little about the reasons for the visit.After returning from dinner visit, they find Regina gone and Craig dead on the stairway with a hatchet in his head.

Then Roe finds Haydon under the bed in the apartment.Apparently Regina had managed to conceal him from the murderer.Now Roe has a crash course in tending a very young baby.

Roe also finds Rory -- Craig's friend -- asleep in the house.The police question him, but get few useful answers.Roe and Martin also question him, but learn only that he is evading straight responses.Then Rory also vanishes.

Roe finds that a very young baby is tiring.Haydon wakes in the night and has frequent dirty diapers.Soon she is looking for someone in the family to take the baby.

This tale takes Roe and Martin to the wilds of Ohio.Roe gets to experience more -- and deeper -- snow than she has ever seen before.She had never known that the woods could be so quiet with snow on the ground.

The town of Corinth is older that Lawrenceton and seems more rundown.Otherwise, Corinth seems much like home.The people are much the same.

This story has a very unhappy ending.The next installment -- Last Scene Alive -- brings Hollywood to Lawrenceton.Read and enjoy!

Highly recommended for Harris fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of first degree murder, amateur detectives, and a spunky librarian.For anyone unfamiliar with this series, the initial volume is Real Murders.

-Bill Jordin

Good cozy mystery
I enjoyed this book.It was a little sad, but I really enjoy this series.

I'm Still Loving Roe
I loved it.Chances are if you are checking out reviews in this 6th book of this very popular series, most of you already know the basics -after all who would join this series at Book 6? Most of us want to compare and contrast what we liked, what we didn't and the overwhelming opinion is that while still enjoying Book 6, we found this one very different (and certainly darker) in tone.

SPOILER ALERT -
The killing off of an important character and the feelings it evoked is just testament to how much we love Charlaine Harris' writing and this series. We become emotionally invested and to lose someone we have grown to care about can bring up some heavy duty feelings.While some here have gone as far as saying, they won't read her books or they are deeply disappoined, my personal view is that I saw the necessity.Death happens.Sickness happens.Relationhips don't work out.Our cats bring home mangled rodents and birds.We hate our jobs.We love our jobs.We have problems with coworkers.We are all fragile human beings (even our fictional characters)and face challanges sometimes as the result of random circumstances and this is reflected in this book.Now onto a lighthearted rant (unlike Charlaine, I'll leave you with something silly and upbeat).

What I totally don't get is the attention Aurora receives from men based on the way she is described.In the first two books, "Roe" is more than once depicted as plain, conservatively dressesd, big-framed eye glass wearing, frumpy, typical librarian but somehow and without any real explainaton she has morphed into Pam Anderson in her Baywatch Days.) I'm waiting for Brad Pitt to leave Angelina Jolie for Roe).Men are falling all over her, fighting over her and even killing for her.All this without even having to subdue her bushy, unmanageable hair.Even based on Charlaine's frequent clothing descriptions, it doesn't warrent the male attention this dowdy little lady receives.I understand Sookie Stackhouse receiving all this attention but Roe???

... Read more

Product Description
Part-time librarian Aurora “Roe” Teagarden never liked Detective Sergeant Jack Burns, but she also never wanted to see him dead— especially not dropped from a plane right into her own backyard. But when other strange things happen around her, ranging from peculiar (her irascible cat turns up wearing a pink ribbon) to violent (her assistant at the library is attacked) to potentially deadly (her former lover is stabbed), she must decipher the personal message in the madness before it’s too late. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (29)

Quick
Got this very fast in the mail....thanks.I like ordering the used books because they are a great value and have always been in great shape, just like this one.
Thanks,
Karen

Love this series!
I love this series. I enjoyed this series more than the ever so popular Sookie Stackhouse series. It's not as much a supernatural mystery series, more realistic. Aurora is likable.

Great Series!
When Detective Sergeant Jack Burns falls from a plane into Roe's front yard, she's not exactly sure what to think? Was it dropped on her property on purpose? Could it possibly be an accident that the plane circled over head several times before dropping the body? At least she's not a suspect in this case since she obviously can't be up in a plane and in her front yard at the same time. When other strange things start occurring around her property and her, she decides it was no coincidence and decides to find the killer herself.

This series is so fun, and the books are so easy to read. They literally take a couple hours of my time, and it's fun to escape into Roe's little world. Charlaine Harris' characters in this series are what stand out for me, because they seem like people you would run into in your own town. I enjoyed Dead Over Heels because we begin to look deeper into Roe's love life and marriage with Martin. As well as get to know a few of Roe's friends better.

Murderous Minds
Dead Over Heels (1996) is the fifth mystery novel in the Aurora Teagarden series, following Julius House.In the previous volume, Roe traveled with Angel to New Orleans looking for clues.She found more than she expected.Only Angel's intervention saved her from the killers.

In this novel, Aurora Teagarden was born and raised in the small town of Lawrenceton, Georgia, in the suburbs of Atlanta.Roe is now married to Martin Bartell.She has had some strange experiences in her life.

Martin Bartell is Aurora's husband.He is manager of the local Pan-Am Agra plant.Martin was born and raised in Corinth, Ohio, and served in combat as a Marine at the end of the Vietnam War. Then he served as a covert operative in Central America.

Aida Brattle Teagarden Queensland is Roe's mother.She owns Select Realty, a very successful real estate firm.She is now married to John Queensland, who has two sons by his previous marriage.

Shelby Youngblood is an old friend of Martin from the war in Vietnam.Then he worked as a bodyguard in Florida.Shelby is married to Angel.

Angel Youngblood is a martial artist and stuntwoman.She is almost as tall as her husband and towers over Roe.She too has worked as a bodyguard and now protects Roe.

In this story, Roe and Angel are mowing the yard.It is Angel's turn and Roe is setting up a lounge chair.A plane circling overhead irritates her and she looks up to see a body falling toward them.

Roe immediately charges toward Angel and knocks her down.The body just barely misses Angel and the lawnmower.Angel pukes at the sight.

They call the sheriff and soon deputies, doctors, and other officials -- as well as Martin and Shelby -- are surrounding the body.The sheriff sits down next to Roe and hears her description of the incident.Then he rises to watch his men turn over the corpse.

Sheriff Lanier initially asks Roe to see if she can identify the body, but he soon recognizes it himself.It had been Jack Burns, Detective Sergeant of the Lawrenceton Police.Soon Lawrenceton cops arrive on the scene.

Roe and Angel tell all that they know, but Angel had not seen anything until after the body fell on their yard.Roe had noticed the plane colors, but not its identification numbers.Still, the police track down the plane to a local airport.

Roe takes a dish over to the new widow and meets her mother outside the house.Roe tells Aida all that she knows as they approach the house.Roe put her salad bowl into the refrigerator and then goes to give her condolences.

Bess is with two large men in the back of the house.These men give their names, but not their business.They strongly dissuade any casual conversations with the widow.Roe suspects that they are federal agents.

Roe tells Bess that she believes Jack to have been dead before he hit the ground.She had seen the body flop mindlessly in the sky.Bess thanks her for this insight.

Angel is still feeling poorly, so Roe takes her to the doctor.Angel has never seen a doctor except for emergency care.Angel is totally shocked when the doctor says that she is pregnant.

This tale casts Roe into a confusion of clues and deductions that seem to lead nowhere.For some reason, a man associated with her and with Angel have been attacked.Then other people are hurt.

Roe wonders if Angel has a secret admirer with violent tendencies.In the next installment -- A Fool and His Honey -- Martin has a death in the family.Read and enjoy!

Highly recommended for Harris fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of first degree murder, criminal psychology, and persevering women.For anyone unfamiliar with this series, the initial volume is Real Murders.

-Bill Jordin

FUN AND FRISKY MYSTERY SERIES - NUMBER 5
I am thoroughly enjoying this Aurora Teagarden mystery series.This is Number 5.Begins with Angel and "Roe" doing yard chores and a body flopping from a small plane lands in their midst.Angel has a prominent role in this book.Roe has gone back to part time at the library. ... Read more

Product Description
A fantastic journey. A remarkable commitment. And a simple faith.

Wrap yourself in a riveting American tale told in beautiful stitches and craft

Master storyteller Jane Kirkpatrick extols the beautiful treasures, unknown to a wider public, rediscovered in the Old Aurora Colony of Oregon’s lush Willamette Valley. The people and legacy of Aurora, a utopian community founded in the mid-1800s, will stir your imagination, hopes, and dreams; and remind you that every life matters–every daily task, love, aspiration, and endeavor.

~Featuring~
Unique and treasured quilt pattern variations
More than 100 photographs (many never-before published) from 1850 to today
Cherished stories from Aurora descendants
Discoveries of fine crafts from the Colony and private collections
With an introduction by renowned American Artist John Houser

Aurora is about the difference every ordinary life can make–and a beautiful celebration of a time and place in which people expressed their most cherished beliefs through the work of their imagination and hands. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

aurora
Have purchased this item four times, three of which were gifts.The last one I am keeping.Will be going to the annual quilt show in Aurora, Oregon and find this book full of useful historical information.Always enjoy Jane Kirkpatrick's books.

AUROA - OREGON
This book is very interesting to me. It is part of my family history. The illustrations of the quilts are amazing, too.Anyone who likes quilts will like this book.

An Extraordinary Treat
As I began to look through Aurora I found myself caught up in the unfolding story of a time long ago, when love of family and friends worked its way out of the heart through creativity and craft. What a blessing to be transported to a simpler time, when communities were purposed not only to serve God, but also for God to serve man through them.

Aurora: Am American Quilt Experience
Interesting historical book about the settling of Aurora and quilts. I have read all of Jane Kirkpayrivk's books and this gives a good history of the times of several of her books.

A Quilt History
Aurora by Jane Kirkpatrick recounts the true story of a utopian commune established in the 1800s.The pioneers left their homes in Missouri to the Pacific Northwest under the societal and religious leadership of Wilhelm Keil.Jane Kirkpatrick's telling of the tale is supplemented with numerous historical pictures of the people and landscape - and their quilts that chronicled their history.If you love history, pioneer stories or quilting, this book is for you! ... Read more

Product Description
Twelve-year-old House Jackson--star pitcher and team captain of the Aurora County All-Stars--has been sidelined for a whole sorry year with a broken elbow. He's finally ready to play, but wouldn't you know that the team's only game of the year has been scheduled for the exact same time as the town's 200th-anniversary pageant. Now House must face the pageant's director, full-of-herself Frances Shotz (his nemesis and perpetrator of the elbow break), and get his team out of this mess. There's also the matter of a mysterious old recluse who has died and left House a wheezy old dog named Eudora Welty--and a puzzling book of poetry by someone named Walt Whitman.     Through the long, hot month of June, House makes surprising and valuable discoveries about family, friendship, poetry . . . and baseball.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

try it for yourself...............
I have never left a review before but I need to now because I can't believe the bad reviews I'm reading here.This was such a fun family road trip listening cd. My whole family loved this story.Great narrator and a super fun story to listen to for all of us. My kids are 9 and 11 and we are in our 40's.I'm looking for more like this for the next long road trip!!

An unsatisfying tale....
I wanted to like this story and it started off promisingly...mysterious death, and small town baseball.But the story sort of veers off course with the introduction of the pageant and Frances (the description and behaviors of whom are just too way out there), then the whole idea of race relations, and Walt Whitman.I felt as if the author had many goods ideas, perhaps too many for one book...and none well developed.My sons spent more time asking for clarifications than listening to the story.Perhaps if I hadn't been expecting a story about boys and baseball and instead was reading it as part of a history lesson, etc. it might have been more enjoyable.

No All-Stars for me
My daughters and I listen to many, many books on CD and rarely have I wanted one to end as badly as I did this one. All those kids quoting Walt Whitman and the "Symphony True"? Come on! The action was slow and repetitious. (I don't know how many times House took off his cap to scratch his head, but it was far too many.) The characters were unbelievable, especially the bizarre Francis, and Cleebo's was a boy I wouldn't let my kids play with. When we were 3 discs into the 5 disc set, I got a couple other CDs from the library and as soon as my kids saw them, they were done with Aurora County, and I was grateful.

Aurora County All Stars Review
While I enjoyed reliving my youth,I wonder how this book would capture the interest of today's kids.It was a sweet story to read aloud to children third grade or below.Happy ending too.

Trouble.I say we got trouble in Aurora County.
Idolizing an author, any author, does no one any good.The reader who expects only pearls of infinite wisdom to drop from the fingertips of their self-appointed god too soon finds that most writers are only human in the end.Usually, though, it is their humanity that is their finest quality anyway.I was pretty sure thought that as I read through Deborah Wiles', "The Aurora County All-Stars", it wasn't my adoration of her previous novel Each Little Bird That Sings that made my pleasure of this latest one so difficult.I've read enough favorite authors to know that every book is a new challenge.Under normal circumstances, and with every book she writes, Wiles walks a fine line between wisdom and a kind of risky indulgence.You can get away with a lot in a children's book in terms of theme and adult references (in this case, Walt Whitman) just as long as the title hangs together successfully as a whole.I have never idolized Ms. Wiles, and so I tell you now that my disappointment with "Aurora County" springs not out of a sense of betrayal or disillusionment.I'm just sorry that this title didn't have the verve and flow it so desperately needed to retain the interest of the reader.There is much to love here, but it has been hidden behind some truly unfortunate pacing.

Old Mean-Man Boyd is dead, to begin with.House Jackson saw him die.Saw him draw his last breath on a warm summer morning and secretly called the ambulance to take the man away.On the one hand, this is good news.Now House can play more baseball and hope to beat the only other team around for miles on July 4th, the sole day of the year that they play.On the other hand, House grew close to the old man as he read to him.So close that he hasn't told anyone, not even his best friend Cleebo, about what he was doing all this time.Yet even as House is freed from his obligationsto the newly deceased, a new threat is making the 4th of July game look near impossible.A pageant is to be scheduled for the same day and House's entire team has been signed up by their mamas to partake of twelve-year-old Frances Schotz's directorial debut.Now House must find out how to rescue his team from a fate worse than death, all the while unraveling the mystery of his deceased mom and her celebration of Walt Whitman's symphony true.

On a first read of this book I couldn't put my finger on the problem.What was it about this book that came so close to pleasing, then strayed?Why was Wiles failing to touch the heart of the reader?I examined the scenes, one by one, but it wasn't until I spoke with a colleague that everything fell into place.The heart of this problem lies in the first sentence of the author's Acknowledgments."The characters in this book set up a clangor in my mind and heart a few weeks before I was invited to write a serial story for the Boston Globe, which is where this novel's seeds were planted."Suddenly everything fell into place."Aurora County" proceeds at quite a nice clip until just about Chapter Five.Then, as House and his cohorts meet up with Finesse for the first time, the setting never changes until well past the end of chapter eight.With each of these chapters I found the action bogging down, the characters repeating themselves, and the story becoming increasingly repetitious.In a staged production this might be fine, but when you're reading a book for children you need your minor scenes to switch about a little.Particularly if they turn out to be of negligible importance within the full scheme of the book.It was odd, to be sure.Then I read the words "serial story" and everything was clear.I'm sure that changes must have been made between the selections of this tale published in the Boston Globe and the book we have before us.If so, this is a case of a writer loving an original work too well to give it the pruning necessary to make it into a children's book classic.

With Wiles' loquaciousness to deal with (I'm one to talk, I know) the rest of the book didn't quite pull together well enough to allow me to accept that a twelve-year-old Frances could say of House's symphony true, "I think it's what's left when all the noise stops, when you get quiet and listen for you own true heart."Or to think that the fight between House and his best friend Cleebo could arise violently out of almost nothing just for the sake of the story's arc.Cleebo betrays House because he feels that House betrays him first.Just the same, Cleebo's crime against his friend is so much worse than House's that reading it you're left incredulous and just a bit peeved when the two make up at the end.Friendships in children's novels are almost holy things, but I didn't see any divinity in House and Cleebo's love here.

Don't get me wrong.There were things I liked in the book as well.I imagine the character of House being played by a twelve-year-old Gary Cooper.House has the same good-hearted reticence as Cooper, complete with strong short sentences and a kind of basic decency you look for in an old-fashioned hero.Since Wiles' novels all seem to take place in a kind of no-time (an era when soap operas and small town baseball games exist within the same sphere) it makes sense that House's actions and mannerisms should conjure up the hero of a time past.Or maybe it's Cooper's portrayal of Lou Gehrig in The Pride of the Yankees that connects all these dots in my mind.

I also enjoyed how Wiles drew in such different dynamic elements as segregated ball teams and individual protests against an unjust world.I liked the author's slow reveal of House's relationship with Frances.Wiles teases it out so slowly and so well that you don't realize that the two even have a past behind their more infamous encounters until the novel is nearly at its end.There were elements and flickers of light evident in Wiles' work here.Clearly "The Aurora County All-Stars" was a labor of love on her part and clearly she worked at it.What falls flat are those moments that could have stood a bit of consolidation and refining without much loss or pain.Instead, the book ends up unexpectedly bloated.Adult Wiles fans will be able to push past these problems and love the lesson at the heart of the novel.For others, it will be a little more difficult to unfocus their eyes enough to see the book that could have been.I look forward to Deborah Wiles' next.
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Product Description
Aurora Leigh, now available in the first critically edited and fully annotated edition for almost a century, is the foremost example of the mid-nineteenth century poem of contemporary life. It is an amazing verse novel which provides a panoramic view of the early Victorian age in London. The dominant presence in the work however, is the narrator Aurora Leigh, as she develops her ideas on art, love, God, the "Woman Question", and society. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

"O life! O poetry!"
I picked up an old paperback edition of this novel-in-verse at a book sale, on a whim, thinking primarily of the Elizabeth Barrett Browning who wrote "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways." But that familiar chestnut didn't prepare me in the least for the poetic & intellectual pleasures of this remarkable work!

Aurora Leigh must in many ways be an idealized mask for the author -- but this is a genuine novel, not thinly disguised autobiography. Browning, through her first-person narrator Aurora, delves into the role of the educated woman in the Victorian world, the vital importance of poetry & art in nourishing both the soul & society, and the struggle to balance personal & public life in order to become a whole person.

While it's definitely a novel of ideas, intelligently argued & investigated, it's by no means dry or pedantic. From the first, we're given exquisite & shrewd psychological portraits of even minor characters, with complexity revealed in a few deft & precise lines. These characters live & breathe on the page! And the story is strong, a woman's Bildungsroman, as Aurora struggles to remain true to her poetic ideals while coping with the inevitable compromises demanded by the world.

Love is an important thread in this rich tapestry, but it's woven quite intricately, allowing for a detailed examination of love in all its permutations & startling power. For those who equate the Victorian with the overly prim & hypocritically prudish, there are surprises in store!

The blank verse itself is both flexible & strongly crafted, and its tone far more contemporary than you might imagine. At times it has an almost cinematic quality. I've found it a compulsively readable story, in fact, one that combines lyrical beauty with intellectual rigor -- and it will clearly reward many re-readings in the future.

Most highly recommended!
... Read more

Product Description
Auroras plastic models of classic Hollywood movie monsters are enduring pop culture standards. Kids and adults around the world recognize Frankenstein, Dracula, the Wolf Man, and the Mummy. Although monsters are Auroras most famous products, the company created model kits of all varieties, including historic sailing ships, sports cars, moon rockets, military and commercial aircraft, TV stars, comic book heroes, wildlife scenes, knights, and much more, all included in this book. Over 450 color photographs enhance this comprehensive history and guide to Aurora models. The Aurora empire was once the worlds largest producer of hobby products. Here, corporation executives, sculptors, artists, and engineers who created Auroras models tell the story in their own words. Every model Aurora made is described in detail, with information on reissues and current collectors market values. Collectors maintain a brisk trade in vintage Aurora plastic, and new companies continue to reissue some of Auroras timeless kits. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Aurora Model Kits
If you grew up in the 60's and were a plastic kit nut as I was, this is the book for you.
Throughout the years, I have bought and read quite a few books and magazines on this subject, including some specifically covering Aurora models, and nothing has come even close to this book.
The research and photographs are nothing short of spectacular. I only wish some of the kit photos would have been a bit larger on the pages.
This glossy, softbound book is one every serious model builder should have on their shelf. Fun reading and an excellent reference book.
Thomas Graham, BRING US MORE!

Get zapped by "fright lightening!"

Thomas Graham's Aurora Model Kits is an informative tome fill with models of cars, planes, tanks, and the like; but it was the monster/ sci-fi kits that brought back many nostalgic remembrances of my childhood days- most of which was spent reading monster comic books like Dick Briefer's The Monster of Frankenstein and Zombie Factory, while waiting for the paint to dry on my glow in the dark monster models.If you were a kid in the 60's and want to see some of the kits you begged your mother to buy you at Woolworth department store, this 160 page "time machine" is for you!

Aurora Model Kits Book
Wonderful value for the price.SRP is $29.95 and got it for $19.77 through Amazon.Tons of great historical information and lots of fabulous color photos of build-ups and original boxes.Price guide is "okay" as many prices are pretty far off compared to what they sell for on ebay, for example.All things considered, it's a great book!

An Aurora Borealis OfGreat Memories!
Highly recommended to any afficiando of Aurora kits, particularly those who wish to recall the deeply statisfying pleasure of finding those great Aurora art work boxes under their Christmas tree in the 1950's!

Apart from its enormous appeal to nostalgia,the serious student will find the work very well organized and a most reliable reference guide well worth the outlay.
Dave Owen,
Stevensville, Ontario, Canada

Wonderful Memories
I was so happy that Schiffer brought Dr. Graham's Aurora book back out. In fact, I sent in a card requesting they do so a few years back after I bought his Revell Model's book. I just loved the memories, especially seeing that just horrible "Yak-25/Mig-19" kit Aurora put out. Of course it was totally fanciful, but I remember 51 years later the day I bought it. There are kits in here that have disappered from existence for so long, like the model knights and the USS Halford, which I had thought was a Revell model until Dr. Graham was kind enough to answer an e-mail a few years ago. For any of us who grew up in the 50's making models, this book is a must. It is amazing, it brought back friends, times, feelings, the whole 9 yards. Dr. Graham is an excellent writer and obviously historian, you won't be sorry. Get this and his Revell book and just be 8,9 or 10 again. ... Read more

Product Description
The publication of 'Aurora Dawn' in 1947 immediately established Herman Wouk as a novelist of exceptional literary and historical significance. Today, Aurora Dawn's themes have grown still more relevant and, in the manner of all great fiction, its characters and ironies have only been sharpened by the passage of time. Wouk's raucous satire of Manhattan's high-power elite recounts the adventures of one Andrew Reale as he struggles toward fame and fortune in the early days of radio. On the quest for wealth and prestige, ambitious young Andrew finds himself face-to-face with his own devil's bargain: forced to choose between soul and salary, true love and a strategic romance, Wouk's riotous, endearing hero learns a timeless lesson about the high cost of success in America's most extravagant metropolis. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Hilarious - and Prescient - Look at Modern Life and the Advertising Business (Circa 1937)
Herman Wouk's first novel, Aurora Dawn, is a great satire of the modern advertising business (circa 1937) and the world it served.It lampoons the power of advertising (radio in this case), consumerism, the callowness and ambition of youth, the gullibility and boorishness of the American public, imperious corporate executives who base business decisions on ego, the duplicity and false modesty of "young ladies," public relations, the press/paparazzi, egomaniacal artists, arrivistes, religion, and popular culture.

The plot and its telling remind me very much of Tom Wolfe's novels.

Wouk does tell this morality tale in the slightly pompous, flowery style of an old-time radio announcer or a turn-of-the-century penny novelist.However, this is part of the charm -- and it gives him an opportunity to work in some incisive, memorable social observations in a dry, humorous way.

The interesting thing is that this same story could be told today -- just substitute TV or Internet advertising.Wouk was eerily prescient about future events and trends.Proving that basic human nature doesn't change, I guess.

fluffy satire on advertising, evangelicals, and romance..
'Aurora Dawn' is a light, almost whimsical story about some shenanigans between a radio broadcasting network, an advertiser (Aurora Dawn, makers of soap products), and an evangelical preacher with a successful (live) radio program.We have a young network employee who tries to balance the interests and misbehavior of all these entities, plus somehow sort out his confused love life.The book was written over fifty years ago and feels rather dated, with the surprising exception of the barnstorming preacher character.

While in many ways a perfectly adequate read, and is certainly a very good first book by the wonderful Herman Wouk, its satire lacks bite and its humor is rather weak.I suppose what really annoyed me was the structure of 'Aurora Dawn'.Its story is actually narrated by a pompous radio announcer-type of narrator.Cute for the first fifty pages, grating thereafter.


Bottom line: certainly a book that would not have been reprinted if it weren't for the author's latter works and subsequent reputation.Very missable.

Superb Satire
I don't know if it is accurate to say that this novel is not as good as Wouk's masterpieces (Caine Mutiny, Winds of War, etc.), because it is an entirely different genre.As an example of satire, Aurora Dawn excels inmuch the same way that the Caine Mutiny excels as a war novel. Wouk verycleverly mocks the modern world, from psychiatry, to advertising, toirreligiousness.An easy, enjoyable read.

Very enjoyable book -- not Herman Wouk's usual style
"Aurora Dawn" was Herman Wouk's first book, and while it is an enjoyable read, it is not comparable to his masterpieces like "The Caine Mutiny" or "Marjorie Morningstar." This tale of a young man in advertising who is determined to rise to the top at all costs is told in a flippant, almost sarcastic style. The author keeps intruding himself into the tale with comments on how the story is going, which can be annoying even though it yields some of the book's most humorous lines. The characters are deftly drawn but not especially sympathetic. This book is a quick and enjoyable read, and has some interesting takes on the advertising business. Just don't expect one of Wouk's masterpieces. ... Read more

Product Description
1863. Braddon is one of the most successful of the Victorian sensation novelists. Aurora Floyd follows the story of the heroine of the same name, who has left France to escape a checkered past. Aurora gains the hearts of two men, Talbot Bulstrode and John Mellish. Aurora warns off Bulstrode, who then marries the tenderhearted Lucy, but Mellish perseveres in winning her heart and marrying her. In due course, her hidden secret emerges and as she wrestles with her guilt her husband begins to suspect that she is concealing a secret. See other Braddon titles available from Kessinger Publishing. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Gripping read!
Beautiful Aurora is spoiled and petted but she carries a dreadful secret.As a young woman she impulsively marries her father's groom, leading him to pay the unsuitable suitor off..But it will all come back to haunt her later, when she marries again.Among the most compelling "neglected" works of Victorian fiction.

One of the Absobing Books Victorains Enjoyed Back in 1860s
"Aurora Floyd" may not be the best novel Mary Elizabeth Braddon wrote -- the honor goes to "Lady Audley's Secret" -- but, the book is still intriguing because of the contrast it makes with the other book and many other comtemporary novels, especially "Jane Eyre."And if you don't have these historical interest, the book is pretty interesting thanks to its good story telling.

"Aurora Floyd" follows the history of the heroine of the same name, who has a shady past left in France.Aurora, unrestrained morally in her youth, hides some secret, but still attractive enough to make the two heroes fall in love with her.Without telling the nature of the secret, Aurora, strong-willed and candid, a gives a clear warning to one of them, proud Talbot Bulstrode, that he may one day regret his rash action if he dares to marry her.While he vanishes from her to marry other woman, tame and tender-hearted Lucy, the other suitor meek John Mellish succeeds in winning her heart, and he immediately marries her, not knowing her secret.As the time goes on, however, her hidden secret emerges from the past, and finally catches up with Aurora, living now quietly in a countryside.She must face the past, but how?While she is tormented by the sense of guilt, her husband began to suspect something wicked is going on, and he too began to suffer.

The story is melodramatic, but it is the merit of sensation novels, the genre in vogue during the 1860s, and Braddon, as she showed in her previous (actually written almost at the same time) "Lady Audley's Secret," is very good at handling the subject.It is notable, however, that the author intends to do something different this time, spending more pages on the analysis of the psychology of the characters.The result is a mixed bag; sometimes she shows good descriptions of characters with a witty touch, which reminds us of Thackeray, the story sometimes gets slower because of too much philosophy.Compared with the fast-paced "Lady Audley's Secret," her new experiment may look somewhat damaging.

But as a whole, the book is agreeable, and after you finish two-thirds of the book, Braddon makes the plot speedier.The last part includes one of the earliest examples of detective story, and a good (but short) portrayal of detective Joseph Grimstone's work is still fascinating.But the greatest merit of the book is its sub-text dealing with incredibly violent passion of Aurora, whose image is clearly mocking the typical angelic image of Victorain women.One of the book's scenes, in which the heroine gives a shower of blows with her wrip to her stable-man who bullied her dog, caused sensation and scandalized some critics.The description is still impressive today.

In conclusion, "Aurora Floyd" is a fairly gripping story, even though it is not the best place to start reading her books or Victorian novels.If you think you are familiar with those Victoraiin novels, or want to read one of the effect following the impact of Bronte's "Jane Eyre," try it.

Trivia: Braddon lived long (died in 1915), and before her death, she even watched the filmed version of her own "Aurora Floyd."Her life story is as intriguing as a story she wrote.

[NOTE ON THE TEXT]Oxford University Press's "Aurora Flyod" uses the later edition of the book while Broadview Press's uses an earlier edition.The former one is considerable changed from the latter, so for the academic use you must be careful.

A Great Gothic Tale
Having devoured Trollope, Willkie Collins, I happened onto Aurora Floyd and was truly surprised to find such an outstanding story so beautifully written.A dark secret revealed, a murder and a love story, this is a wonderful book. ... Read more

Product Description
Aurora slot cars are legendary. These tiny racing cars captured and held the imagination of American kids for over a decade and their unparalleled popularity made them coveted Christmas presents between 1960 and 1977. Aurora slot car races were staged everywhere, from home basements to the Johnny Carson show! Relive those competitive days with this exciting book filled with hundreds of photos of slot cars plus engaging text and background information. Here are Thunderjets, AFX Flamethrowers, Dragsters, Super Speedsters, and more, reproduced in 1/24, 1/25, 1/32, and 1/48 scale. The informative text provides readers with the Aurora company history, and detailed information on colors, model variations, and prices. An extensive price list and photo cross-reference index is included. Learn to recognize them, then collect them all! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Warning - Good book but a retread of Greenberg's Guide
I am interested in Thunderjet slot cars, and already owned the Greenberg' Guide.
Because this 2003 book had a great throwback cover and several more pages, I purchased it.
Turn out this book is but an expanded retread version of the (Greenberg's Guide to) book from 1995.
I was very disappointed to find all the same copy and pictures and that are in the Greenberg's Guide. If you are interested in, vibrator, thunderjets, afx, and already own Greenberg's - pass on this one, as there is nothing new.
The price list in the back is also the exact same as Greenberg's, though with uselessly updated values. If you want to know the true current value, go to ebay.

Slot Cars for fun
This book delivers exactly what it promised.It could have a little bit more information since it was similar to a reproduction with updates of a book from the 70s.

Thomas Graham strikes again!!!
I use to buy all the Graham's books and I'm always very satisfied. Great pictures,many interesting details about the firm and the models,so I can state that he is the best writer of models book and this book too desereve great interest from ani model collector.
Roberto Ruggeri ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

As If Jane Eyre Were Written by Shakespeare
Having been brought up on the notion that Elizabeth Barrett Browning was the slighter and less-talented adjunct poet of her husband Robert, I was pleased to find I was wrong.

She's terrific.

This is a brilliant work, full of dazzling poetry and insights.

It's loaded with allusions and references (I read the Penguin edition; and the notes there run for many, many pages--and these barely skim the surface), but it is remarkably accessible and fun.

This is a work full of wisdom and unusual perspectives.Luminous and grand and down-to-earth all at once.Imagine Jane Eyre written by Shakespeare.

It's an education in Victorian (upper-middle-class) England, and also the Victorian English infatuation with Italy.It's also a biting and incisive feminist portrait, full of rebellion and self-discovery.

I strongly recommend it to anyone who likes poetry, or Victorian novels.

An amazing achievement
E.B.B. set out to outstrip Milton and does so in an amazingly original way.Aurora Leigh is a novel in blank verse that is actually longer than Paradise Lost!She combines the genre expectations for a woman writer--the novel--with an audacious bid for poetic immortality.The book tells a good story but it also works as a formidable reminder to her contemporary poets that the novel is taking over and poets must make sure that they are writing in the spirit of the age. ... Read more

Product Description
Electric green pierced by neon blue, shocking pink spinning into violent red, and shimmering purple sidled up against deep indigo: never before have you seen such high-octane colors in the sky, and never before has a book shown the northern lights—aurora borealis—in such vivid color. In Northern Lights, photographers Calvin Hall and Daryl Pederson bring to print nearly a hundred photographs of this amazing natural phenomenon, shot from remote locations all over Alaska and using no filters or digital enhancement. Just as fascinating are the legends, myths, and science surrounding this polar phenomenon, described by George Bryson. As 2002 marks the peak viewing time of the northern lights in an eleven-year cycle, this book brings the elusive magic of the northern lights to stargazers near and far. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Northwest Airlines Flight 4422 Crash
The photographs are phenomenal in this book and makes me want to rush up to Alaska to see the Northern Lights in person. Of course reading some of the legends and historical accounts is extremely interesting but the real reason I was interested in this book was the mention of Northwest Airlines Flight 4422. This plane crashed on Mount Sanford on March 12, 1948 killing 30 men and it is believed to be the only case of a plane crash being blamed for the pilots being blinded by the Aurora Borealis. I'm intrigued with this and have followed this crash extensively. But regardless, the photos are worth everything!!!!

Xmas for Myrl
Thia was purchased for my son in law for xmas present. It came on time

A beautiful coffee table book!

This one was given to me as a gift by an Alaskan friend, and I shall cherish it.It is an absolutely awesome collection of photographs of the Northern Lights, with accompanying text describing the legends, myths and theories surrounding the phenomenon.

The typography and layout are first-class, and the whole project is an absolutely flawless collection of photographs and prose relating to the Aurora Borealis.

What an exquisite gift, Ted!

Joseph Pierre,BR>
author of The Road to Damascus and other books

In a word...Awesome!
This spectacular collection of Aurora Borealis photographs is absolutely breathtaking. Daryl Pederson and Calvin Hall have captured the essence of the mysterious wonders of the Northern Lights with their combined abilities. Having lived in Alaska we have long admired the rare talents of Mr Pederson. My husband and I own many of his prints and continue to enjoy them daily. We most definately will order some from this offering. This book is a must for everyone who appreciates the visual splenders displayed by the Aurora Borealis or just loves to look at georgeous photography. ... Read more

Product Description
An absorbing story of the Philadelphia Aurora, the nation's leading oppositional newspaper, in print from 1790-1800, cites how its two primary editors claimed that George Washington was a ineffectual commander-in-chief and that John Adams wanted to be King, and the fall-out that followed.Amazon.com Review
Federalist accounts of U.S. history are like fluoride in thewater: no strong taste or odor, its something you grow up ingesting inorder to strengthen the civic faith of America's citizens. But forgetabout Valley Forge, "I can not tell a lie," and all theother federalist propaganda you soaked up in civics class and considerfor a moment that George Washington was a bald-faced liar and a poormilitary leader, that Benjamin Franklin was the true "father ofhis country" who fought with crypto-monarchists AlexanderHamilton and John Adams to preserve republican institutions, and thatthe Constitution drafted in 1787 was a sorry compromise of therevolution's ideals and an inadequate basis for republican government.

All these heresies and more are vigorously argued and defended inRichard N. Rosenfeld's revisionist account of America's revolutionaryhistory American Aurora.Rosenfeld recounts the controversiessurrounding constitutional debates and the Alien and Sedition Acts of1798 through the pages of The Philadelphia Aurora, a radicalnewspaper of the 1790s. Packed with original source material andplenty of footnotes, Rosenfeld's history is contentious--eveninciteful--and it demonstrates the rich textual history of the UnitedStates both in terms of the newspapers he draws from and the story hetells in this expansive narrative history. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (28)

Everything old is new again
It answers the question, "What did the next generation do with the freedom that was handed to them?"In a case where history repeats itself over and over again, encroaches on and stretches it to fit its own purposes until it tears and needs we, the People, to mend it.You can find a parallel in the WW1/20's, WW2/60's, Civil War/1890's, 1980's/ 2000's, Civil Rights/ Present Day.Each of the previous groups were times where freedom was fought for by bold men and within a generation forgotten or cast aside.

When people complain about this being the hardest and scariest time ever in our history, I laugh because that is exactly what my relatives wrote in their journals through the before mentioned time periods and it is usually coming from the people who did not live through the tough times.

American Aurora takes us back to a time when a young country that had just won its freedom and was trying to define itself. Would the President be a common man or one of nobility?Should we take sides in global issues?Should we allow the common man to rail against our current President?Who gets to decide when a line has been crossed by the "media" and who gets to decide when it can be silenced? These are questions that we still are asking today because curiously enough every man who has ever been President of the United States of American, the moment he is sworn in immediately goes to work to protect his great name.

Thus our main character is introduced, Benjamin Franklin Bache.After his grandfather's death, he is left a press.He writes several newspapers but finds success in the Aurora.He involves himself in the debates of the day and the fist of the government comes down on him through the Sedation Acts.We are also introduced to several other newsmen of the time and see BOTH sides of the issues of the day.

I strongly recommend this book, more a quasi-historic novel, to get a new respect for those left after all the trumpets and fireworks were gone and a country was built to fit in with day to day living.

Be Prepared for More Than a Few Revelations
Interestingly, I had never heard of American Aurora before coming upon it in a half-price book store.Leafing through it and realizing what a find it was, I snatched it up without hesitation.What I had found was history as I have rarely seen it: in the form of letters and newspaper clippings dating from the early years of the American Revolution to the election of 1800.The collective mass of them all exceeds 800 pages, but I was never sorrier to be done with a large book as I was with this one.

Rosenfeld uses source documents to highlight the philosphical underpinnings of the American Revolution from the conservative men of property who sought to overthow the British for the sake of personal aggrandizement to the radical philosophers seeking a true government of the people.The conflicts between these two groups in US history has been so underplayed and muted as to be tragic.For--and it took this book to make me realize it--that conflict was the precursor to the ongoing battle of plebianism and doctrinaire authoritarianism, between the right to expression and the need for state secrets, between states rights advocates and national cohesion, between agrarian interests and the trappings of the industrial caste, and between the working class and the landed socialites implied in America's modern day political conflicts.So much of what went on between those groups in our early history directly affects us today.In fact the conflicts between the leaders who fought for our independence and penned our Constitution is in fact embedded in that founding document.

For the average reader, the contrasts of behavior and argument between our nations founders will come as a shock to say the least.What has traditionally been presented to us as a homogenous movement of the American people for their independence has been shattered for me in the pages of American Aurora.What is left is a study in contrasts and a much clearer and realistic understanding of the personalities and policies that shaped American history, and for that matter, the entire world's history thereafter.

This is history at its finest.Rosenfeld, instead of relying on a string of historians for his narrative, lets Jefferson, Adams, Duane, Bache, Franklin, Hamilton, Washington, etc. speak for themselves through their letters and articles.The result is a far, far more candid and more lucid understanding of the American Revolution and the battles of the early republic than I have read.

Every American should read American Aurora or something like it.

An eye-opening political thriller...
Can historical source material make for an exciting and engaging read? This book answers that question in the extreme affirmative. It contains documents mainly from the 18th century, but it reads like a political thriller. It also provides valuable peeks into the formation of the United States as we know it today. Magma hot controversy surrounded that formation. The press on all sides fervently spewed accusations that seem nearly heretical even today. Did John Adams want to be king? Was George Washington a bumbling and incompetent general? Did the French win the revolution for us, thanks to the diplomatic powers of Benjamin Franklin? Was Thomas Jefferson an atheistical French sympathizer? In light of these claims, Who is really the "father of our country?" Many unconventional opinions see light in this book. Some cherished political figures get shredded to bits, sometimes by their own words and sometimes by the words of others. In the end, no one is safe from abuse. Not even Benjamin Franklin and George Washington. Shocking claims await on almost every page.

The drama begins in the city of Philadelphia in 1798. At this time it served as the capital for the very young United States (the government moved to Washington in 1800). John Adams holds the presidency. George Washington still has a year to live. Benjamin Franklin has been dead for eight years. His grandson, Benjamin Franklin Bache runs a newspaper called the Aurora General Advertiser (or just "The Aurora"). For reporting on certain congressmen's less than professional behavior (spitting, insults, etc), congress bars the paper from the floor of both houses. The Aurora gets shoved into the balconies of congress, far above the whispers of congressman that Bache so often reported on without approval from the House Speaker. Congress marks the Aurora as a troublemaker. This begins the first section of the book, where the Aurora accuses president Adams of wanting to be king of the United States. More than mere conjecture or metaphor spurned this accusation. Adams presented his idea of "titles" to Congress on May 9, 1789. He suggested a verbose title for the president: "His Highness, the President of the United States of America and Protector of the Rights of the Same." Along with this, he proposed that the president and allsenators should hold their offices for life. These ideas deeply disturbed Bache, and the exposure of Adams' goals became a predominant goal of his paper. In addition, Bache accused the Adams administration of purposefully alienating France. The Aurora and other news sources of 1789 reported on the terrifying prospect of a French invasion of the United States. It never happened, and Bache yelled foul from his printing press. The more he yelled the more the Adams administration responded. The Sedition Act, supposedly created to silence the Aurora, came before Congress and passed in 1789. On top of that the the Alien Bill also passed, which enabled the president to deport any illegal alien without trial. Bache argued the unconstitutionality of both Acts. The inevitable arrest came soon after. Bache posted bail for trial for indictment under the Sedition Act. The yellow fever epidemic of the same year altered the proceedings. Other arrests and trials of newspaper editors continued. Many were convicted, spent time in prison, and paid heavy fines.

Part Two of the book goes back in time to before the American Revolution. This section will raise the most eyebrows. It begins with an accusation that George Washington started the French Indian War of 1756. The section goes on to argue that Washington bungled the Revolutionary war so badly that Benjamin Franklin had to go to France and beg for help. Surprising letters from Washington's Generals and other government officials dot the entire section. Other revelations include Alexander Hamilton's avowal that monarchy best suits the new constitution's checks and balances, Adams' ideas behind a two house legislature, Benjamin Franklin's support of a unicameral legislature, and the alleged flouting of the French Treaty of 1778 under the Washington administration. Washington in particular fares badly in this section.

The Third and final section returns to 1798. William Duane now heads up the Aurora (you can guess what happened). He continues the fight against the Adams administration's policies, particularly in the critical election year of 1800. The government arrests Duane under the Sedition Act, and even the United States Senate arrests Duane for "breach of privilege". Duane spends much of this section in hiding. This section also sheds some light on the origins of the Second Amendment concerning the subject of standing armies. Much, much more gets coverage in this section. Far too much to summarize here, but the election of 1800 (Adams vs. Jefferson) receives more than ample coverage.

Throughout, the reader gets more perspectives than just the Aurora's. The Federalists (Adams' party) also get plenty of space. Numerous passages from the Gazette of the United States and Porcupine's Gazette (both Federalist papers of Philadelphia) provide vitriolic responses to Bache's and Duane's Democratic-Republican claims. Candor was not something practiced by the press of the time. Articles sometimes resulted in personal assaults on editors with opposing papers cheering on the abusers. Rough times indeed.

Though the book provides many perspectives, the book mainly argues that Bache and Duane's Aurora saved the United States from monarchy (even Thomas Jefferson made this claim in 1823), and that freedom of the press provided the means. The book takes a decidedly anti-Federalist stance.

Engaging and powerful, this book will provide at least another perspective on the founding of the United States and its major personalities. It accomplishes this mostly through excerpts from newspapers, The Annals of Congress, and personal letters of the time (the book contains over 2000 direct citations). At times it feels close to time travel. A long and arduous but ultimately extremely rewarding read.

All The News?
It pains me to give American Aurora a relatively negative review, as the book was entertaining and well-prepared. I must do so, however, because the book offers only part of the story. James Thomas Callendar is one of the most amusing characters of early American history -- the forefather of folks like Walter Winchell and Matt Drudge, the first American "scandalmonger," as William Safire calls him. But he was motivated by money and personal pique, embracing and denouncing Washington, Adams, and Jefferson in turn to sell papers and whenever he felt one had slighted his ambitions. American Aurora focuses only on the period of the Alien and Sedition Acts and Callendar's campaign against Adams. The book makes Callendar out to be a John Peter Zenger-caliber hero of free expression, ignoring the fact that Callendar once praised Adams, and would later tarnish Jefferson -- Callendar's hero in American Aurora -- and breaking the story of Sally Hemings. This is a fun read. Too bad it's not the whole truth.

Imagine that !
It's hard to imagine how a twenty-fifth 5-star review can do any more to convince anyone to read this book... But I will try!

I HATED history in school, and rarely read history as an adult. Nevertheless, I was engrossed by this book and could hardly put it down, notwithstanding 900+ pages! It has revived my interest in (accurate) history, and might do the same for you.

If you like your history shined-up with the polyurethane glow of hero-sweat, don't go near this book; unless, that is, you would like to actually learn something and enjoy the learning along the way.In the end you might discover a hero or two, but mostly you will come away quite convinced that the "popular" history of our own nation is seemingly as intent as that of the old USSR on covering-up and inverting the facts. Imagine that!

Say "Alien and Sedition Act" to most people who have not completely blocked their recall of high school US history and you will see the whites of their eyes - rolling up into a coma!This could be the single most boring and meaningless datum we were required to remember, no?

But now, on reading "American Aurora", I find that the "act" was slammed through Congress as a way of shipping as many as possible of the troublesome new Irish immigrants off-shore as possible - before the election of 1800 where they were expected to cause electoral trouble for the Federalists. Imagine that !

For that matter, say "Federalist" to most folks and you can clear the room... a few desperate souls mumbling about "Marbury and Madison".But, WHEN you read this book (it cannot be an "if"), you'll realize how fundamental the rift was and how vicious the political battle was that constructed the foundations of our political structure.. So many of our history teachers wished that we would understand the "fundamental" part - but that we would somehow accept that anything so important was settled by a bunch of powdered wigs (or was it whigs?) in grand public session - that it was all neatly sewn up, somehow, after Cornwallis's band played "The World Turned Upside Down."The true story reads more like Capone's Chicago and the "settling" of the issue was a messy, decade-long business.

In style the book frightened me. Really! It is peppered with original documents of the era - letters and the like. That sort of "authenticity" often seems to just introduce confufing fyntax and fpelling that drives me away. Well, consider a quote from a letter from Thomas Paine to Washington. "You slept away your time in the field till the finances of the country were completely exhausted, and you have little share in the glory of the final event. It is time, sir, to speak the undisguised language of historical truth.". Sheesh!We realize that even Paine, usually cast as a firebrand only in the `liberty or death' category, was outspoken in other ways, which have not echoed down the halls of official history. Imagine that!

Ultimately the mixture of original source documents and well-crafted storytelling is a knock-your-socks-off combination. This is absolutely compelling history and a great read to boot. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (4)

Enjoyable and educational
This is a sweet little folk tale-type story with beautiful, appealing illustrations. It also is a good addition to the library of a little girl who enjoys fairy tales with interesting, autonomous girl characters. A nice read.

Aurora: A Tale of the Northern Lights
This book was wonderful for many reasons; the illustrations were fabulous in detail and selection of colors, the story is simple yet touching, but most of all I have a personal connection: I have a granddaughter named Aurora (a name given to her by her mother) and my Aurora was born on the day an aurora borialis shone brightly here in Michigan (November 7, 2005)!
I love the author's use of dancing word pictures, especially between Aurora and the lone caribou, our family is also a "dance" family.
Thank you for this story!

A very good children's book
My mom bought me this book when I was younger because my name is Aurora. It is a really good book and the only one I have read where the main character has my name.

It is, in essence, a folk tale of how the aurora borealis came to be. A girl, Aurora, must travel by herself across the Arctic, and so she puts the different colors from the sky in her pocket. Different times of the day have different colors--pink, green, blue, and so on. When she comes to a place where the sun becomes dark blue (as there is no nightfall where she and her family live), she releases the colors so she won't be afraid. The colors help her family find her, and they stayed there and were named after her.
At the end of the book is some simple information about the story and about the aurora borealis.

Every child should read this book--especially if their name is Aurora.

Aurora A Tale of the Northern Lights
Aurora A Tale of the Northern Lights is a beautifully written and stunningly illustrated original tale of the origin of the Aurora Borealis. The author, Mindy Dwyer has obviously been inspired by the beauty, grandeur, and mystery of her Alaskan environment.Elementary students of all ages will enjoy reading and listening to the descriptive narrative as they admire the colorful, unforgettable watercolor illustrations.Further, the story will inspire students to create their own legends and tales of natural occurrences.In the tale, Aurora, who lives where the sun never sets, longs to see the darkness she has heard about from her Grandmother.A caribou leads her on a long journey.As she is traveling, Aurora collects colors from the daylight sky to help her feel warm and safe.She finally reaches the place where the sun dips below the edge of the earth, and she views the mysterious darkness.Aurora flings the colors she has collected into the dark sky, and as they dance across the sky, she plays with them.The story weaves the spirit of adventure into an appealing tale of courage.Even though Aurora A Tale of the Northern Lights is a fanciful story, the book has a glossary of the very real scientific concepts introduced in the tale.As a teacher, I recommend the book to elementary students and to teachers who want to inspirie their students to read and write. ... Read more