Robot by Lucy Rogers

This is the best book for kids I have seen in a long time.  It may not be everything  you wanted to know about robots but it should be close.  The illustrations as dynamic and captivating.   The concepts are explained in a clear and concise manner.  This book would be an excellent gift for any technically interested child or even an adult.

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

The Banker and The Blackfoot by J. Edward Chamberlin

This is a factual account of the relationship of the Blackfoot and the settlers in the territory that later became Alberta, Canada.  It chronicles relationships for roughly two decades.   The book is populated by characters and legends.

If you are a history buff, this book may be for you.  It is informative but unless history oriented, you may find yourself drowsing.

I particular liked the description of an early Fort Macleod where it was detailed that they had two blacksmiths, two butcher shops, fifteen stores, four churches and  (wait for it)  nine saloons for three hundred people.  It appears they had specific priorities.

This was an interesting book.  

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Occupational Hazard by Alex S. Avitablile

This was a book of contrasts ably pointed out by one of the protagonists, Mick.  Two boys from South Brooklyn grow up in different ways, one a student of the streets and one an academic student.   The academic discovers that the halls of the courthouse are just as dangerous as the streets of South Brooklyn.

I enjoyed the contrast between the two cousins, Al and Mick.   Al so concerned about procedure and Mick concerned about results.   The two end up joining forces coming to the defense of a desperate mother.

Corruption abounds and these two teaming up may provide future books.

I enjoyed the book. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

The Coroner by Jennifer Graeser Dornbush

A mystery set in a small town that involves a big city doctor and her small town doctor father.

The author crafted a good mystery and provided insights to personality and motivation for her characters. The mystery almost took a back seat to the interplay of emotions between father and daughter and daughter and lovers.

The impulsiveness of Dr. Emily Hartford did provide me with some disconnect as to how someone disciplined enough to get through med school could do some of the less than thoughtful actions she pulled in the story. 

The return to a small town can be entertaining.   People change as they mature and sometimes for the better.   The author captured that returning feeling quite well.

I enjoyed the book and recommend it. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

River of Secrets by Roger Johns

This is a classic “who done it”.   Johns puts together a good mystery with a likeable and flawed Detective Wallace Hartman.  A flamboyantly colorful white politician is murdered and an equally notable disbarred black attorney is accused of the murder.  Is it a racial incident, is it a political crime or one of revenge.   Hartman finds herself doubting who she can trust in this complex mystery.

Johns does a nice job tying the current racial tension to his plot.  Sadly it often feels we are one step forward and two steps back in racial inequality.   John illustrates both prejudice and the willingness of good people to look beyond color for solutions to their problems.

This was a good story and an excellent book.

I recommend it. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.