Hanging Valley: An Inspector Banks Novel

Book Description

No one dreamed something so hideous could grow in so beautiful a place ...

Many who visit the valley are overwhelmed by its majesty. Some wish they never had to leave. One didn't: a hiker whose decomposing corpse is discovered by an unsuspecting tourist. But this strange, incomprehensible murder is only the edge of the darkness that hovers over a small rural village and its tight-lipped residents, who guard shattering secrets of sordid pasts and private shames. Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks knows that both the grim truth and a cold-blooded killer are hiding here, far from the city, the noise, and safety. And he's determined to walk into the valley of death to expose them both.

Customer Reviews:

"He wasn't the kind of guy who gets himself killed".......2007-10-08

Peter Robinson has already captured a spot among my favorite mystery authors with this entertaining series. He has done this by a combination of well-crafted plots, interesting and complex characters, wonderful settings for the stories, and overall, a prose that does not bore, not even for a second. Among the characters, the main protagonist, Chief Inspector Alan Banks, is one to cherish. His unimposing physique and mild temperament are not even remotely and obstacle to bringing the culprits to justice, and the gets the job done efficiently and by applying impeccable logic.

The case in this book has to do with the murder of an out-of-towner in the fells near Swainshead, a small village in the Swainsdale. The body has been viciously battered and its identification is not an easy process, especially since it has remained undiscovered for a couple of weeks. Banks is called in to investigate, and in the process he comes across a suspicious set of characters, a possible relationship to an unresolved murder in the past, and a connection that leads him to travel to a foreign land in search for answers.

This novel may not be Robinson's best, but it is definitely a very good mystery. The ability the author usually displays in depicting the characters and in creating engaging interactions among them is present as usual. The main area in which I found this installment lacking was in the development of the personal story of Inspector Banks. One of the things that I enjoy when reading mystery series is to see how the main character evolves in his / her personality, family relationships, etc. Sadly, this was missing in this case.

The only other criticism I have for this book is that even though the story is resolved, it felt a little bit rushed towards the end. It seemed to me as if we got the bare minimum needed to complete the story, but not much else. This is a little disappointing, especially from an author that takes good care in describing the culture, settings and characters so thoroughly and proficiently. Nevertheless, I still think that this is a book worth reading, especially if you have been following this series.

The Fourth Inspector Banks Mystery.......2007-05-18

Peter Robinson grew up in Yorkshire, and is the author of a number of previous novels featuring Inspector Banks. He is the winner of numerous awards in the United States, Britain and Canada, and in 2002 he won the CWA Dagger in the Library. As I also come from Leeds the background to his stories is something that I have experienced first hand and because of this I have a special affection for his books. However they would be first class crime fiction wherever they were based.

Chief Inspector Alan Banks is called to a murder scene that is gruesome even to him. Over the years his mind has become conditioned to the dreadful things that one or more human beings can inflict on their fellow man, but the discovery of a faceless corpse in a quiet, seldom visited valley below the village of Swainshead sickens even him.

On his arrival he finds that no one is willing to talk and his frustration only grows when the identity of the body is finally revealed. It seems that the body may be connected to an unsolved murder that took place in the same area over five years ago. Among the suspects are the wealthiest and most powerful family in Swainsdale, the Collier brothers and when they start to use their influence to hamper the investigation the Inspector finds himself in a race against time.

Typical Robinson Mystery.......2007-04-19

...And by that I don't mean that typical is bad. This is a good book, just average for Robinson. It unfolds in typical manner -- a body is found, a bunch of people at the local pub are all suspects, the killer aint who you think it is... etc. Robinson patiently unfolds his stories and gives us well-developed characters. His books are a delight to read. Though not his best, this is a worthy book.

Entertaining, With a Potentially Good Set of Characters and a Good story, But Slightly Flawed.......2007-02-19

I have read four of Robinson's Inspector Banks novels and I thought the other three were good. This present novel seems to be the worst of the four. I read the Avon 2002 paperback version (ISBN 0-380-82048-X) with the added first chapter from Strange Affair tacked on at the end as a coming attraction.

Somewhere in the middle of the 300 pages - and after a very slow start - you get the feeling that there is too much filler here. The book slows down in the middle and it has many irrelevant tourist comments about Toronto including a trip to a Jays versus Yankees baseball game. Where are we? How is that at all interesting and pertinent to a murder in the Yorkshire Dales? It seems like a lot of filler writing and it ruins the novel. Also, the first 100 pages are slow and it takes a while for the novel to get going.

Without giving away the plot, the story is about a series of murders in the small town of Swainshead village in Yorkshire. It involves inspector Banks, and two fellow detectives, along with a cast of interesting characters - with great potential for a good novel. Unfortunately, Robinson does little with these characters except for Katie Greenock, a young and attractive but slightly mentally handicapped or immature and lost young woman. It is too bad that a few of the other characters could not have been developed a little more such as he does with Katie: Robinson does a good job with her, but the other characters are little more than names and brief descriptions.

The author Robinson no longer lives in Britain. He lives in Toronto and he insists on writing part of the story about a one week trip by Banks to Toronto to interview a missing woman. The woman had lived in Swainshead at the time of an early murder. That trip to Toronto seems to break the flow of the novel.

If Robinson could have had more emphasis on the characters and Yorkshire, this could have been an excellent novel. As it is it is just average and one feels slightly disappointed with the way Robinson has written the novel.

By the way, I recently discovered Henning Mankell who writes similar novels. He writes about a fictional Swedish detective Kurt Wallander. Those are more upbeat and entertaining novels. Of the eight in that series, I recommend One Step Behind or his first Wallander novel: Faceless Killers.

The Hanging Valley: 3 or 4 stars.

He's short, but cute..........2006-11-10

Inspector Alan Banks is a big city dropout, now working in the northern dales of England. His personal life is interesting - wife and kids, friends, hobbies, a love of all kinds of music - but, as is true for many detectives, he's really married to his job. Banks is a clever and humane policeman who doesn't like bureaucracy, but who does care about the victims of violent crime and wants to bring justice to the perpetrators. Good plots, good writing, good main and minor characters.

Average customer rating:
Dancing Down the Stars (The Dancer Trilogy Ser., Bk. 3)
Jo Clayton
Manufacturer: D A W Books, Incorporated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000JWS1SC

Average customer rating:

Excellent Resource!

vulvodynia information

Yes - buy this book!

This book's information is valuable

The V Book

The V Book: A Doctor's Guide to Complete Vulvovaginal Health
Elizabeth G. Stewart , and Paula Spencer
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Women's Health | Personal Health | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
General | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
Generative Organs | Reproductive & Sexual | Medicine | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0553381148
Release Date: 2002-06-25

Book Description

The Groundbreaking Guide Every Woman Needs

With The V Book, women will learn everything they need to know about the basics of vulvovaginal--or “V”--health, an essential yet often overlooked area of women’s health. Dr. Elizabeth G. Stewart, the nation’s foremost expert in vulvovaginal care and sexual-pain disorders, answers the questions about the all too common “V” ailments that women are embarrassed to discuss even with their doctors.

Drawing upon the latest medical research and two decades of experience treating thousands of women in her specialized gynecological practice,
Dr. Stewart has compiled a wealth of information and advice. This
comprehensive and authoritative guide for women of all ages includes:

• How your vulvovaginal concerns change throughout the life cycle, from your teens through menopause and beyond
• How to pick a good gynecologist, and how to ask the right questions
• Dos and don’ts of V hygiene--and why sometimes less is better
• The safest use of tampons, pads, and pantiliners
• How to handle common symptoms, such as redness, itching, dryness, and discharge
• Which medical tests you should insist upon from your doctor
• Tips for safe and pleasurable sex, and what to do when sexual intercourse is painful
• The latest research on vulvodynia, the vaginal pain syndrome that won’t go away
• Diagnosing and treating yeast infections, allergies, and other ailments
• What to do if your doctor detects cancer or precancer cells

And much, much more...

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Resource!.......2007-10-10

All women should have a copy of this book in their personal library. It really covers a great deal about our bodies, our cultural-thinking about our bodies, and how to take care of ourselves!

vulvodynia information.......2007-10-10

I purchased this book as my daughter was diagnosed with possible vulvodynia, which I had never heard of. My City's library does not even have one book on this subject! The book was recommended to me by a vulvar specialist at the University of Michigan. In the chapter on pain, Dr. Stewart provides all the latest information on this little known and understood syndrome of vulvodynia, including recommended treatment. I have not yet had an opportunity to read the remainder of the book, but look forward to doing so.

Yes - buy this book!.......2007-04-16

I cannot praise this book enough. I have owned it for a couple months now and it is such a great reference tool. I wish I had known about this book years ago. I highly recommend buying this book if you can only buy one as I have read/owned/seen a handful of others and they do not compare.

This book's information is valuable.......2007-04-02

This book was suggested by my healthcare specialist who correctly diagnosed my condition, but which had been overlooked by other specialists for decades. The information is important, essential, and presented without nonsense, about health issues which have caused misery for women for many years, but have never been acknowledged rightly. The author is conservative, and intelligent, personable and a pioneer in this field. I highly recommend this book for every woman.

The V Book.......2007-04-02

This is a book every women should own. It's information that you don't get from other sources. I'm a nurse and I learned things that I never learned in school.

The V Book: a Doctor's Guide To Complete Vulvovaginal Health

Average customer rating:

The V Book: a Doctor's Guide To Complete Vulvovaginal Health
Elizabeth Gunther Stewart
Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N74I62

Average customer rating:
Sherry: Mitchell Beazley Classic Wine Library
Julian Jeffs
Manufacturer: Mitchell Beazley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Spirits | Drinks & Beverages | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Wine & Winemaking | Wine | Drinks & Beverages | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
History | Gastronomy | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1840009233

Book Description

This is the fifth, fully revised and updated edition of Sherry, first published in 1961. It explores the fascinating, turbulent history of the sherry region and details its wine production—from the planting of vines in the south of Andalusia and the complex stages of fermentation, ageing, and blending, to the moment it leaves the bottle. Included are details of the traditional family names and new boutique bodegas.

Book Description

Gregory Edmont is just another American sojourning in Paris...until he adopts a sophisticated Dalmation named JP. Suddenly his life is charmed: He's met with smiles every time he and JP step out, acquaintances become friends, and the City of Lights becomes home. The good fortune continues as the rest of France beckons, and the duo set off on a mission of love.

They leap to action after a call from the eccentric Dalmatian breeder, Madame Clix: JP's services are needed to sire a new litter of puppies in Provence. The adventure begins with a near-arrest, as the French authorities question the legality of a two-wheeling Dalmation. They escape, but the roller-coaster of a journey includes a breakdown or two, a coven of witches (who thankfully possess scooter-repairing skills), eleven-course meals at five-star restaurants (JP is served from a silver platter), a cleaver-bearing butcher's wife, and much more. When they finally arrive at their destination, they discover the power of love...just not quite as anyone expected. Amusing and poignant, it examines the role of fate in our lives and surprises us with its unexpected twists and turns.

Customer Reviews:

A dog lovers must read.......2007-07-27

This is a funny and warm hearted book that you'll never want to end. It's for anyone who loves animals or just needs a fun vacation.

Great Book! A must read for anyone who loves french food, dogs and travel........2007-07-13

I really loved this book. I even sent a copy to my 65 year old father and he loved it as well.

Dogs and France -- what a wonderful combination!.......2007-01-09

I LOVED this book. Charming, sweet but not sticky -- delightful. I fell in love with the people and the animals -- and Edmont's descriptions of France were perfect. All I wanted to do was call Air France and book a ticket. Fortunately, I am going back in August, so -- guess I can wait -- but this is a lovely book. Enjoy!

There is no need to change these spots.......2006-10-12

Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (9/06)

Gregory Edmont's "Spotted in France" is an utterly charming and heartwarming story of an American living a very average life in Paris, until he gets a dog. Then his life changes in a number of ways and the author discovers that most French are not snotty - the way he used to think of them - but rather shy. And owning a dog (or is it sharing his life with a dog?) shows him an utterly different picture of the French people.

All of a sudden Gregory and his charming Dalmatian, JP, belong. They are insiders and not visitors. People are friendlier, everybody smiles and Gregory's life seems to be magically transformed. Then adventure beckons - JP is needed in Provence by his old breeder, Madame Clix. A young Dalmatian lady, Flirt, needs a "husband" and JP is chosen to sire her next litter. So Gregory and JP embark on a truly fantastic journey across France all the way JP's birthplace. And what a journey this turns out to be! To start, they are going to do it on a Vespa - the cute Italian scooter. This immediately creates problems with the police - are Dalmatians allowed to ride on a scooter? The journey is exhilarating and often quite funny. Gregory decided to combine frugal sleeping quarters and lavish restaurants on the way to Madame Clix's domain. They meet all kinds of interesting people, including a very hospitable farmer's family, a coven of modern day witches (which conveniently includes a scooter mechanic), a rather unconventional Catholic priest and more.

Once safe with Madame Clix another adventure begins. JP has never "courted" before. How will he perform? Does he need help? A visit to a rather peculiar veterinary clinic in nearby Marseille turns out very strangely. The first encounter with Flirt is disappointing. Will love happen at all?

I do not want to spoil your fun with this uplifting story, so you'll have to read it yourself to find the answer to this particular question. Suffice to say that things are never quite as simple as they seem and there is always a bit of surprise and suspense to keep the story flowing.

Gregory Edmont spins a good tale. His writing is straightforward and honest. His comments on France and French are refreshing and candid. He is very observant and his characters well drawn. One truly longs to find out more about so many of them. I'd love to see a sequel - or two - to this book. The accompanying drawings by Mark Reyes are very much in tune with the story and they complement it in the best possible way.
This is a book that should appeal to most anybody. If you are an animal lover, JP should become one of your favorite characters ever. If you are a travel buff, you'll find this a well written travel tale. A foodie will enjoy the descriptions of multi-course meals at Michelin starred restaurants. A nature lover should be enchanted by the descriptions of the areas Gregory and JP drove through - and even more so of the special cabbage patch. A romantic will find this to be an enchanting love story. And anybody else will find plenty of things to learn from this story. As for me, "Spotted in France" made me look forward to my next trip to France even more.

Great summer read for dog lovers.......2006-04-25

I picked this book up at a reading the author gave at a nearby Vespa dealer. It was the perfect format for the book -- JP (the dog) and his progeny were there to mug for fans, while gleeming Vespas, an engaging author, and tasty French appetizers set the mood.

Once I got out of that showcase and actually sat down to read the book, I was thoroughly impressed. It's a quick, light read -- a great summer book if you're looking for something to take on vacation. All of the essential elements of a good travel story --a narrator you care about, a dog you can't help but admire, beautiful landscapes to make you wish for your own French vacation, and an endless parade of characters to keep you chuckling along. If you've read the current bestseller Marlee & Me, and are looking for something in the same vein, then Congrats! You just found it with Spotted in France.

Average customer rating:
Millers Collecting Modern Books
Catherine Porter
Manufacturer: OCTOPUS PUBLISHING GROUP LMTD
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000WTC584

Average customer rating:
Miller's: Collecting Modern Books
Catherine Porter
Manufacturer: Mitchell Beazley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Books | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Modern Book Collecting

Instant Expert: Collecting Books

ASIN: 1840007230

Book Description

Modern first editions and other books of the 20th century can reach surprisingly high prices. This superb guide to prices and quality takes a closer look at categories such as English and American Literature, Children’s Literature, Illustrated Books, and Printing and Typography for the thriving book collector’s market. It features key authors—including Oscar Wilde, Enid Blyton, and J.K. Rowling, to name just a few—and emphasizes practical information throughout, such as what to look for, how to get the most out of an auction house catalogue, and how to buy on the Internet.

Some observations on modern firsts (The colophon)

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Some observations on modern firsts (The colophon)
Harry Miller Lydenberg
Manufacturer: [s.n.]
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Book Collecting | Books & Reading | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: B0008B259A

Average customer rating:

CREATIVITY UNLEASHED

Garden Ga;;ery...YESSSS

For the avid gardener

A Garden Gallery : The Plants, Art, and Hardscape of Little and Lewis

A Garden Gallery

Garden Gallery: The Plants, Art, and Hardscape of Little and Lewis
George Little , and David Lewis
Manufacturer: Timber Press, Incorporated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Garden Design | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Washington, George | ( W ) | People, A-Z | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0881926728

Book Description

Celebrated internationally as artists and gardeners, Little and Lewis open the gates to their renowned Puget Sound garden and share their personal wisdom for what informs and inspires their wild fantasia of plants, hardscape, and art. Water features, oversized and broadleaved plants, expansive use of color, zone-pushing tropicals, architectural emphasis, and elements of classicism and mystery — all combine to create a magical space. The authors describe how you too can achieve this kind of retreat for reflection in your own backyard. From practical advice on how to make a slow-drip natural fountain, to building an inexpensive Tuscan-style wall, you will be encouraged to use your imagination and take risks. Stunning photographs will inspire you.

Customer Reviews:

CREATIVITY UNLEASHED.......2007-05-12

I first saw an article on Little and Lewis in a gardening magazine and had to have this book. I was mesmerized by what they had done.

The sculptures, greenery and landscaping are absolutely exquisite. I bought a copy of the book and sent it to a gardener friend of mine and he raved about it, also.

I think this book would appeal to fine arts people who are into gardening--people who want to create their own statuary, garden sculptures and unique landscaping and who need a creative impetus.

Garden Ga;;ery...YESSSS.......2007-04-06

This is a wonderful, imformative and very useful book. The service in receiving it was excellent and the condition of the book was perfect.

For the avid gardener.......2006-11-04

What a wonderful, inspirational book. For the already accomplished gardener, this is a book not so much about "how to", as it is full of the great ideas and very personal vision of the author. Imaginative and full of pictures. I can't imagine a better gift if you have a gardener on your Christmas list.

A Garden Gallery : The Plants, Art, and Hardscape of Little and Lewis.......2005-10-24

We actually visited the gardens of Little and Lewis on Bainbridge Island, WA and they are every bit as good as shown in the book. Ordered two books for good measure!

A Garden Gallery.......2005-08-22

This is an inspirational book full of great photographs from the garden of two very creative gardeners. The book is arranged in an interview format; Mr. Lewis discusses ideas that are near and dear to him; Mr. Little shares his views. They garden together and their combined talents create a beautiful space.

Book Description

This work offers an authoritative account, well illustrated, of the evolution of type design from the earliest blackletters to present day forms. For those concerned with the proper use of hundreds of type faces now available, this book provides an essential framework on which can be built an appreciative understanding of the rich heritage of expressive letter design that lies in the printer's case. It simplifies the problems of identifying unfamilar types. Co-published with The British Library.

Customer Reviews:

An outstanding resource.......2005-03-08

This book includes over a hundred specimens of historical typesetting, covering every age from the 42-line Bible to the early 20th century. The author took the unusual step of reproducing each specimen at 100% of its original size, even it it meant cutting one of the original pages short. Scaled images of characters never tell the visual truth about the letterforms, so this is the only meaningful way to experience typesetting in these specimens.

Dowding organized the book's chapters into a taxonomy of type styles, giving a brief summary of the origin, historical development, and available fonts in that style, as of the orginal printing date. Most, though not all chapters give a brief checklist of that style's distinguishing features. This could have been expanded, I think, handled more uniformly from chapter to chapter, and could have included the distinguishing items that differentiate one family from another. For all its lacks, this is a good description of the various styles a typographic student will encounter.

What makes this book stand out is over 45 pages of commentary in the back of the book, describing the distinguishing features of each specimen. There's a bit of historical information in many of the commentaries, bordering on gossip at times. The real value, however, is in the discussion of each typeface as a unique composition, and sometimes in contrast to others. It's not explicit but there is a unique lesson here, a sustained discussion in how to look at letterforms. I fault it only for weakness in addressing sanserif fonts, which deserve a lot more than the two perfunctory pages shown here. Perhaps when this was written, the sans fonts hadn't gained enough popularity to warrant discussion. Perhaps, however, Dowding's biases and historical sources shied from such "grotesque" shapes.

This is an exceptional reference for any student wanting to start on serious discussions of letterforms. The only real problem with this book is that it's not very deep or systematic in teaching the history its title seemed to promise. Take it for what it is, however, and I think it's quite good.

//wiredweird

Compromised due to simplicity........2000-09-05

In this book's introduction, the author said "The text has not only been made deliberately brief but we have tried not to bestrew it with too many names and dates." I found it very true. Because less than one third of this book was text. The rest of them, examples of typefaces. It is good that this book contains many beautifully reproduced type speciments. But the text is really too thin to be very educative.

This book is composed of two parts: book types and display types. In the beginning, there's an introduction on the typography business, how illogical product names made this art confusing to most people. Then the author introduced many widely-used book and display typefaces in historical orders. But he did speak too little on each typefaces.

This book is almost as good as Jan Tschichold's _Treasury of Alphabets and Lettering_. Yet I am a little disappointed. Perhaps it was because this book's title suggested more than a collection of type speciments. I expect to learn more from this book.

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