About Me

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Melfort, Saskatchewan, Canada
I am a lawyer in Melfort, Saskatchewan, Canada who enjoys reading, especially mysteries. Since 2000 I have been writing personal book reviews. This blog includes my reviews, information on and interviews with authors and descriptions of mystery bookstores I have visited. I strive to review all Saskatchewan mysteries. Other Canadian mysteries are listed under the Rest of Canada. As a lawyer I am always interested in legal mysteries. I have a separate page for legal mysteries. Occasionally my reviews of legal mysteries comment on the legal reality of the mystery. You can follow the progression of my favourite authors with up to 15 reviews. Each year I select my favourites in "Bill's Best of ----". As well as current reviews I am posting reviews from 2000 to 2011. Below my most recent couple of posts are the posts of Saskatchewan mysteries I have reviewed alphabetically by author. If you only want a sentence or two description of the book and my recommendation when deciding whether to read the book look at the bold portion of the review. If you would like to email me the link to my email is on the profile page.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

L.A. Outlaws by T. Jefferson Parker

7. - 520.) L.A. Outlaws by T. Jefferson Parker – Suzanne Jones is a 32 year old award winning 8th grade history teacher with 3 children by different fathers. In her spare time she is Allison Murietta, a direct descendant of the California outlaw Joaquin Murietta. Allison, wearing a wig and a crystal studded mask, and carrying a .40 calibre Canonita derringer robs stores (7-11’s and KFC’s especially), steals cars and pulls scams. Her life changes when she comes across a mutual massacre of rival gangs and scoops the diamonds to have been exchanged. Lupercio, a former El Salvadoran gang member, is set upon her trail to regain the diamonds. On her way from the massacre Suzanne is stopped by a young L.A. Sheriff’s Division officer, Charlie Hood. For the remainder of the novel their lives intersect as Lupercio seeks Suzanne and Charlie seeks Allison and Suzanne seeks excitement. The plotting is clever with the confrontation between Lupercio and Suzanne exceptional. There is greater emotional depth in the relationship with Charlie and Suzanne. Her 3 children make her reckless behavior disquieting. The plot raced forward. I can see Suzanne as the perfect role for Angelina Jolie. Parker is a superb writer of thrillers. (Feb. 4/10)

2 comments:

  1. Bill - Such an interesting comparison you make between Jones and some of the characters that Angelina Jolie has played. And I think it'd be very interesting to see how Jones balances her two identities and manages to make it work. I'm going to have to check this out.

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  2. Margot: Thank you for the comment. I look forward to hearing your thoughts after you able to check it out

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