Books by Jack Phillips Lowe

There is a firebug out there. This firebug is trying to kill those loved by Shannon Flannery in a mean, sadistic way. Shannon feels like the world is closing in on her and she doesn't know if she is next on this killers list or not. Shannon love animals. She boards horses and trains dogs for search and rescue operations wherever needed. When Shannon awakes to the smell of smoke, looks out, and sees her barns and stables with fire and smoke pouring out of them, she runs to do all she can to save her horses and dogs.

Travis Settler has a young daughter he and his now deceased wife had adopted. Travis wants to find the true birth mother of this daughter. Clues lead him to Shannon's area. Travis is "stalking" Shannon's house when the fire breaks out. Even though he did not want to let Shannon know who he was and what he was doing near her house, he ran to assist in rescuing the animals, beginning a good friendship and giving him the opening to obtain information about Dani, his daughter.

Dani, had gone online to try to find out for herself who her real mother was, alerting Shannon that her daughter was active in this search. Many members of Shannon's family had disappeared or been supposedly killed over the past several years so she was getting frantic to end this killing and find the firebug that was getting too close to her. Shannon had been suspected of killing her former husband but there was not enough proof to arrest her and prosecute her.

Shannon's brothers are very secretive in keeping information from her and she becomes more suspicious as she wonders what they were up to. She wants to build a new farm for her and her animals so she could increase the dogs she could train. Her relationship with her brothers gets very uncomfortable. Eventually she meets Travis but she has no knowledge what he is in the area for and he would not discuss much with her.

I found "Fatal Burn" to be excellent in writing style and in keeping the readers interest solidly into the story. The suspense keeps you on edge and the book has many of the usual twists and turns. It is a page-turner you will enjoy if you like mysteries. I have an interest in most any fire or arson stories I can find. "Fatal Burn" is better than most I have read but it just is not about the fire aspect that makes it so terrific.

They Was Holdin' Hands is an unusual, beautifully written novel which combines elements of mystery and literary fiction.

The story begins when the protagonist, an aspiring writer named Carmela Valente, reads by chance an intriguing article on the Seattle Times about three old women who mysteriously died huddled together by a wood-burning stove in the kitchen of their rural farmhouse in the small mining community of Pine Grove Haven, PA. Carmela soon becomes obsessed by the incident, so much so that she decides to go to the mining town to investigate. The idea of writing a novel based on the incident propels her. Of course, the demure, reserved people of Pine Grove Haven aren't exactly thrilled by her visit. The town holds dark secrets, secrets that parallel Carmela's own disturbing childhood. As the secrets of the town and the mystery of the old women's deaths are gradually revealed, so are Carmela's deeply hidden memories. In this sense, this is a dark novel about self discovery and about the grim, and often contradictory, realities of human nature.

The story is told in the first person through the view point of the protagonist, and the author uses a technique which is not common nowadays in fiction; the protagonist is never quoted in the dialogue, but instead she's always paraphrased, as in this example:

I confessed to him that I still didn't know what it was I wanted, but I hoped I would know in a day or two. I asked him if he felt the deaths were accidental.

This technique brings a quiet, old-fashioned storytelling quality to the novel, reminiscent of 19th century novelists.

There are other beautiful passages in the novel, some with lyrical yet simple, vivid images:

I brushed away the snow from a concrete bench and sat down. The day was clear. No heavy, bleak clouds blocked the sun's welcome gift. I watched as the melting rivulets of snow slid down the gravestones like tears.

This is a novel that will please those readers of mystery who look beyond the usual commercial literature. The two interwoven storylines are deftly crafted and the dialogue sparkles with authenticity. The author has a flair for characterization. In sum, this is an excellently written novel and one I'm very pleased to have read.

They Was Holdin' Hands


By Venera Di Bella Barles


Arche Books


www.archebooks.com


Copyright 2005


ISBN: 1-59507-065-6


Hardcover, 226 pages, $26.99


Mystery/Literary

A kick-ass detective, a world where people and buildings are disappearing, universes within universes, cloning, and multiple dimensions are some of the elements in Meter Made that will keep you turning those pages till the end.

The novel begins with an intriguing scenario when Jack Meter receives an unusual request—to find a building which has simply vanished into thin air. Soon a beautiful yet cunningly deceiving agent from the Intergalactic Agency joins him in the investigation. As they 'travel' from one universe to another and escape from bounty hunters, it becomes clear the problem isn't really about a lost building. Something incalculably higher is at stake, something that may destroy their own universe, and it's up to Jack to prevent it. But will he—when he's surrounded by people he can't trust, unjustly suspected of multiple murders, almost fried by acid, and followed by vicious killers—one of them his own clone?

If you enjoy science fiction, mysteries, and physics theories about multiple dimensions, this is the book for you. The protagonist, Detective Jack Meter, is utterly sympathetic and has a sharp, witty tongue. The plot is intriguing and moves at a quick pace. Talented author M.D. Benoit utilizes quick, sharp dialogue to propel the story, which has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing for the culprits. The science behind the premise of the story is fascinating and they way Benoit moves her characters from one strange world to the other believable. Meter Made is the second book in the series. Though the book stands well on its own, I'd recommend reading Metered Space first, if only to more fully understand past references in the story. I sure look forward to reading more books in the Jack Meter series.

Meter Made


by M.D. Benoit


Zumaya Publications


http://www.zumayapublications.com


ISBN: 1-55410-302-9


Copyright 2005


Trade paperback, 256 pages, $12.99


Science Fiction Mystery

Under A Cloud


by Eliot Sefrin


iUniverse (2006)


ISBN 0595372147


Reviewed by Beverly Pechin for Reader Views (12/06)

Rachel Cook is fresh out of the Academy and ready to take on the world, but first she must experience it. Matt Holland is the "old timer" that is chosen to show Rachel Cook the ropes and hopefully turn her into what he has already become, one of New York's finest in blue. But what happens if the two people you least expect to do wrong are suddenly charged with killing the same people they've vowed to protect? Toss in a little politics and life gets messy for Holland and Cook. Will Holland end up taking the brunt of it all alone or will his partner stand with him and help him unveil the truth?

The questions run nonstop as this page-by-page thriller unfolds from the very first turn. As you are quickly tossed into their world, two police officers, that in some ways, couldn't be further apart in style, suddenly find themselves trying to save their own lives and reputations. A first-time rookie being trained by a well-honored and polished veteran are suddenly more than just partners as they try to save each other as well as themselves. Somebody needs to take the fall for the death of an underprivileged, black youth that has been killed because, unless they find someone to blame, the streets are going to become ugly. These same streets that Cook and Holland vowed to help clean up. The same streets Cook once grew up on. And the same streets Holland feels are more a "home" to him then anywhere else.

Can the truth set them free or only get them in deeper as they fight rumor and politics? Can anyone ever win when politics get involved?

Ripped from the pages of former headline news, this suspenseful thriller brings up the terrifying truth for many police officers. Sometimes doing the instinctive thing is going to get you in more trouble than you ever dreamed of. As the city streets get more and more violent, wanting answers and not liking all the answers they're getting, the public wants someone to pay for this child's death. The age old story of poverty versus politics, this year's politicians need action taken to make them look good. Should one cop serve as the scapegoat, to serve justice for all the wrong doing that's happened in the streets before?

Can truth really prevail or do stereotypes, hatred and revenge take over where truth should come in?

"Under a Cloud" is written with such intensity that it reads like a page from today's paper. The only difference between these pages and your morning news is that you see all viewpoints and yet aren't sure what the outcome will be, even if you had believed that truth always prevails. This is an excellent thriller with combined mystery and intrigue. A combination of CSI meets Hill Street Blues on paper.