Sunday Salon- Dead Heat or Upset Stomach?

Dick Francis has been a great writer for many years. His son, Felix, has done most of the research on the last two novels, they have collaborated on.

I've read several earlier books of Mr. Francis and since his wife died, there is a distinct lack of "fullness" as I read.While Dead Heat , is good the characters lack the depth I am used to getting.

But all in all, Dick Francis is one of my favorites!

Max Moreton is a self pronounced culinary star in Newmarket, England.

His restaurant, The Hay Net, so named because of its proximity to the local racetrack, has its share of admirers from the horse-racing crowd.

However after "poisoning" several people at a private catered event, his business hits the skids as the local health officials shutter The Hay Net. Things even turn for the worse as the next day at the track at another private event a bomb kills several people including one of Max's employees.

Max soon realizes that someone is out to get him as his car is sabotaged and his house burns down.

Well as always, you need to read this book to get the rest of the story!

Sunday Salon - The First Patient by Michael Palmer

Being around the President would be scary enough without having to be his doctor also!

Gabe Singleton, a rancher, a doctor, a long-time friend of Andrew Stoddard, President of the United States, has been living in Wyoming for the last few years.

Oh yes, Gabe has a criminal record. His involvement in an auto accident while being intoxicated kills a pregnant woman. This accident happens while he and buddy, Drew are at Annapolis and Gabe serves a year in prison.

Several helicopters land on Gabe's property and President Stoddard asks his friend to be his doctor.

Not really following his heart, Gabe reluctantly agrees to go to Washington even after finding that the President's former physician has disappeared. After only a couple of bedside visits, Gabe is called to the Presidential bedroom and sees him acting very strangely.

Is the President insane? Gabe wonder what he has got himself into. Leaving the White House, Gabe is attacked by a gunman in his car. Allison, a Secret Service agent undercover as a nurse bumps into the rear of his car and the bullet only shatters his side rear window.

What follows is Gabe trying to find both who is out to kill him and what is really wrong with the President.

Facing reelection Drew cannot afford to let the public know about his illness, but Gabe must face his conscience and call the Twenty-fifth Amendment if this mystery illness is nit solved.

A world crisis is hanging in the balance... what will Gabe do?

A fantastic, suspense-filled novel with a great end!

Sunday Salon - Is There a Heaven? (Blue)

Who is C.J. Box? Well it seems he lives in Wyoming and has worked as a ranch hand, surveyor, fishing guide, a small town newspaper reporter and editor, and he co-owns an international tourism marketing firm. And he still has time to write? Nine novels no less! The first eight about a fictional character named Joe Pickett. Where have I been?

Blue Heaven has got to be in the book somewhere. But just started reading Wednesday night and can't see the correlation yet. Annie and Willie William really want to go fishing and Tom Boyd their mother's "boyfriend" says "yeah, I'll take you." Of course as adults we usually end up disappointing a lot of kids in our lifetime, Tom forgets about the trip so Annie and William go fishing by themselves. The trip takes a turn they will never forget! They see a man shot to death and the killers see them!  Kids are now running and hiding to protect their lives! More to come...