Skirts Books

The Case of the Black-Eyed Blonde

Perry Mason has a visitor: Diana Regis is young, beautiful, well-mannered, wearing a fur coat, and has a black-eye! Diana was hired to read to Jason Bartsler from articles printed years earlier. Bartsler claimed Americans have become too credulous, and blames the messenger for news that turns out to be false. [Has this propaganda function changed since then?] The articles of today make similar promises as in the past. Bartsler's stepson Carl Fretch went out with Diana , became too forward. Their argument became physical; Carl accused her of theft! Diana fled from that home and came to see Perry Mason (Chapter 1). Perry visits the Bartslers, questions Carl and Mrs. Bartsler, then settles the case out of court (Chapter 2). Jason Bartsler visits Perry Mason the next day and we learn the true reason behind Diana's hiring. Perry thinks of a legal theory to handle his problem (Chapter 3). Perry gets a call from Diana: her purse and her money went missing. Later a phone call from her room mate solves the problem (Chapter 4). Perry and Della arrive at that house for a meeting, but no one is home. The police show up and find dead body. Diana's purse with her money in it is nearby (Chapter 5).

When Perry takes Della home they get a surprise. Diana is there waiting for them! Her room mate had taken her purse and driver's license, and went to that house. Mildred Danville looks a lot like Diane. Perry uses a ruse to get the truth from Diana. But Della explains how this can backfire! The police show up, and take Diana in for questioning (Chapter 6). Della didn't notice the car following her because its lights were off. Perry dictates a writ of habeas corpus to get Diana out on bail. Following a lead, Perry and Della return to a house and find a young woman stuck in her car: it is the widow of Robert Bartsler, Jason's son (Chapter 7)!

In Chapter 8 new complications arise from Mildred Danville's apartment. Sergeant Holcomb arrests Perry and Della on a charge of burglary! Perry explains how the police will feed a smear to the newspapers so the jurors will prejudge a defendant (Sheppard v. Ohio?). Paul Drake tells Perry about activity at the Bartslers (Chapter 10). The murder weapon is found in Diana's apartment. There is a discrepancy in Diana's story, but Perry thinks how it can be resolved (Chapter 11). The preliminary hearing begins in Chapter 12 as the prosecution builds their case.

A police officer gives his testimony, but balks when he recognizes the picture of Mildred Danville (Chapter 13). Helen Bartsler testifies, and Perry thinks she is hiding something (Chapter 14). Perry uses a ruse to get information from Diana's apartment (Chapter 15). They find surprising information (Chapter 16). This leads to another person who is involved in this case (Chapter 17). Paul Drake traces this person, Perry and Della visit her (Chapter 19). Next Perry, Della, and Paul race back to see Jason Bartsler. The police arrive, and an ambulance too. Perry surmises what happened to Mildred Danville (Chapter 20). In Chapter 21 Perry explains the events. Robert Bartsler Jr. is now the heir. [Is this ending a cynical joke of Gardner's?] Carl Fretch went to a dinner and got his just dessert. (Ouch!)

This story starts simple enough. A woman (Diana Regis) walks into Perry Mason's office fighting mad. The stepson of her employer made unwanted advances to her and when she resisted, he punched her in the eye. Since the stepfather is a wealthy man and has no illusions about the character of his stepson, he immediately pays $2000, of which $500 is Perry Mason's fee. Of course, no story involving Perry Mason is ever that simple.
Shortly after the settlement, Diana's roommate is found murdered from a bullet wound in the back of the head and the murder weapon is found in Diana's room with only her fingerprints on it. This involves Perry, secretary Della Street and detective Paul Drake on a hunt for vital clues as to what really happened. Since circumstances caused Della and Perry to be at the murder scene shortly after it happened, they saw a vital clue that allows for the possibility that Diana is innocent.
In this episode, everything hinges on timing. Two vitals clues concerning when things happened and how much time elapsed are given. The first deals with the time of the murder being established as after it began raining and the second and most critical deals with the precise time the spoiled stepson threw the punch. The reader is tipped off concerning the discrepancies, although it is not easy to catch them. There is a strong and dramatic ending, where the murderer is revealed. It was not the person that I suspected. I fell for thinking it was the stepson. Perry Mason also locks horns with Sergeant Holcomb, who is basically an idiot, thinking that Mason is only trying to make the police look bad.
This story has two ingredients that make a good murder mystery, discrepancies that seem impossible to resolve and an obvious suspect that turns out to be innocent. Together, they kept me riveted for the last thirty pages

This book seems to have a variety (6) of skirts to fit all styles. I see a couple that would suit me as a size 14 and be flattering, and some that would suit younger people. I'm pleased with my purchase.

This is a 15-page booklet of patterns by Darla Sims, published by the American School of Needlework. Two of the skirt patterns are for knitting, and three are for crochet. All 5 patterns are rated easy, sizes range from women's small to XXL. Pattern titles are: V-Stitches & Ruffles (crochet), DK weight yarn; Ruffled Stockinette (knit), medium weight 4 yarn on size 10 circular needle; Pineapples & Shells (crochet), worsted weight yarn; Tiered Drop Stitch (knit), bulky weight yarn on size 13 circular; Shells & Lacy Border (crochet), size 3 crochet cotton.

This book is a must have for every girl over 18. Best advice, great ideas and definitely the road book to life for us!

This little book is so much more than a how-to-dress manual. Style is about so much more than clothing. I knew when I read through the Acknowledgements section in the preface for this book that it was different - how could it not be when the author is thankful to Thich Nhat Hanh, Leonard Cohen, and Tom Waits among others?

I found so much inspiration to gently, effectively love myself right now in this book's first chapter that I could hardly put it down, but had to. It seemed as if each paragraph contained the author's weighty philosophy of treating yourself with respect in the way you eat, exercise, dress, love, and carry yourself through each day. I had to digest it all slowly and with savor. I could hardly wait to purchase copies for various friends and relatives! Chapters include the topics of Well-Being, Style, Life Skills, Career, Mood Management, Emotional Rescue, Spirit, and Giving Back. As an over fifty year old woman, I wish I could have gotten hold of this book while I was in high school. It could've saved me a LOT of time, effort, and grief. As of today, I find it refreshingly candid, full of humor and great tips for getting the most out of life and how to avoid common mistakes in self perception, finances, buying clothing, living with dignity, and seeing the humor in some of our situations instead of taking ourselves so seriously. It has a feminist slant, believe it or not, in wanting each of us to appreciate who we are and value ourselves as pearls beyond price. Another book I really appreciated reading for the fun of it and some great tips was The Bombshell Manual of Style by Laren Stoner.

Fun book with lots of advice and information for women. There are tips about decorating you home, makeup, and romance, plus other topics. Great read!

It's hard to understand who might benefit from buying this book for (probably) herself. It comprises a series of vague exhortations to do this or that (such as change the makeup you use as you age) in situations here or there, with an extreme dearth of specifics.
There was a lot of information here that was new to me (e.g., how and why to hand bias-cut clothing in a closet), but I suspect that most of the information was new for me because I'm a man and do not often deal with many of the issues covered here. It would be unlikely that women who do deal with the topics covered have not come to the same conclusions Johnson does; hence, there doesn't seem to be much utile here. On the other hand, it seems more or less harmless.
The book would serve best as a gift for someone you don't know very well insofar as it looks nice and even interesting when you skim its pages. It's a different story when you scan the book, but with gifts it's the thought that counts. Giving this as a gift will convey the thought that the recipient is more or less competent in living her life but not averse to receiving advice on how to conform to the commonly accepted expectations in mainstream feminine society in the West. If you're looking for something useful for yourself, however, look elsewhere.

This book has some wise advice in it, and I refer to it often. I've owned it for about 5 years now.

I wouldn't recommend this book, however, because there are some things in it that I feel are inappropriate. I did physically remove one entire chapter of it, so that when someone pulls it off my shelf and thumbs through it, they won't be offended as I was when I first read it (though, I must confess that most of the books of this genre suggest or even encourage irresponsible behavior). I also exercised some artistic license and (armed with white-out and a black pen) drew clothes on some of the illustrations -- which turned out nicely.

All in all, though, the advice and illustrations are sound and charming, respectively. Just be aware that there will be some unwholesomeness to remove, if you are of the opinion that books you read should be wholesome. I check regularly to see if Anna Johnson has written any more books, because I really do enjoy her writing style and the organization she uses.

Bender turns a story on its ear so you can enjoy an ephemeral experience with characters that flit in your periphery while revealing an honest look at what it means to be human

Skip marzipan. That's pretty much the skinny. Don't read quiet please in public. Drunken mimi is to the war lips guy what BUTTER is to national security. But the whole reason to even pick this book up is one called "Loser". I've never done drugs, but i've heard this and that about it. I can't imagine rolling x would have put me in any better mood than the first night I read Loser.

It took me a few pages to warm up to this story collection, but soon I was reading almost nonstop until I had finished. In most of these stories, the characters are absolute freaks, completely alien to anything in our "normal" world...yet through them, Bender expresses many deep (and sometimes dark) universal human emotions. I think it takes a lot of talent and skill to be able to pull that off.

The librarian story was fantastic - just hilarious what she did, and then the image of her on that couch with the pencil! My favorite story might be the one about the mother giving birth to someone rather unexpected. I loved the mother's character (her line while doing sit ups still cracks me up) and I adored the ending and the importance of that piece of cake. But I wasn't sure how the father and his, um, peculiar medical predicament quite fit in. Sometimes I felt like Bender was trying to slap us with too much symbolism. Or maybe she was just having fun. I sure hope it was the latter.

I also enjoyed "Skinless" and the story about the fire and ice-handed girls. Bender has this surreal fairy tale-like quality that I often enjoy. At times, however, the stories did feel a bit unformed. The first story, with the reverse-evolution boyfriend, did not feel completely whole. Same with the title story. While I love the image of the girl in the flammable skirt, it felt like this section was just kind of tossed in at the end. It left me with kind of a disjointed feel when I finished the collection.

Overall, a very fun read. Since most of the stories were so short, I knew I could take a brief break from whatever I was doing to enjoy one. The problem, of course, was that I usually ended up reading two or three or four instead.

When, oh when will customers learn that reviewing a book has nothing to do with how much you like it? It involves analyzing and, if necessary, critiquing, the author's writing within their chosen genre. Bender is, if not a surrealist, at least influenced by surrealism, so her writing is not an accurate reflection of reality -- well, physical reality, at least. Her stories have an emotional echo that you would be hard pressed to find in any of her more realistic contemporaries.
This is not to say that all of her stories are easily accessible. And, unlike the Grimm fairy tales that they are so often compared to, none of them has a neat and tidy moral. They contain instead some essential human truth. Reading a Bender tale is like finding a pearl inside castanets: bizarre and unlikely, but no less beautiful for the strangeness.

While it's clear Ms. Bender can write and write cleverly, it wasn't enough to hold my attention in this quirky collection. I found myself waiting for the next oddity rather than the next revelation. And, sadly, towards the end, I was just waiting for it to all be over. I found this especially true in her novel, which was just a very very very long quirky short story. I'm a little tired of quirky and clever, so forgive me if this review is too strident. If quirky and clever is your thing, then by all means.

I used to love reading advice books for teens about life, love, and all that jazz. Now that I'm older with some experience and ideas of my own, I can't stand books like these. Even while I enjoyed this sort, I didn't like Boys Will Put You On A Pedestal (so they can look up your skirt) by Philip van Munching.

There are some good points he makes about fate and astrology. As someone who used to invest their time in the meaning of dreams and the stars, I pretty much have discarded that as a waste of time and energy, so I could see where he was coming from there. And I was glad he pointed out on love and relationships because movies, music, and teen fiction tends to depict love as fluffy, cute, and easy. I'm in a relationship of my own and it's a lot of fun, but some times are hard and like nothing I saw on the Notebook or 13 Going on 30.

However, van Munching reflects on past experiences to drive the point home, but it came across to me like his perspective was very limiting and somewhat negative. That's fine if he's the type of person he is, but it's not fair to expect everybody else to be the same way. Everyone's life is personal and wildly unique, but he writes as if he expects all people's lives and experiences to be exactly the same.

I understand that for some girls this book would be a gem, if they don't have a father figure in their life. I live on the other side of the country from mine and I have a close, healthy relationship with him. He's able to talk to me as a person and I respect and honor the advice he gives me, but he never goes out to fix my problems. He's always encouraged me to make my own decisions and follow my heart, and I think van Munching should do the same with his own kids and stop focusing so much on guiding everyone else's daughter. I know many a father who thinks it's lowly and immature to meet a boy with a shotgun and play the role of the parnoid, overprotective dad, as if they're Steve Martin from Father of the Bride.

Girls, look to your legal guardians for support and, if not them, somebody you are close to and trust to teach you good, solid ideals. And make some decisions on your own once in a while to practice for those times when you can't find anybody to fix your problems. Be strong, have spine, be a real woman!!

This book is one that is extremely easy to read. It is not very long, but provides a lot of helpful insight for a father to read and then pass along to his daughter.

I got this book for my teenage daughter which she read right away. She seemed to enjoy the book and understand the wisdom behind it. When it comes to girls anything is helpful.

This is pathetic. Cute. Funny. But should never be a substitute for developing and nurturing a relationship with your daughter. As 1 of 4 girls growing up and the mother of 2 daughters, I know what a girl needs: open communication with her father; unconditional love and support; and the self confidence it takes to judge each situation rationally and self assuredly. Dad, if you have to give your daughter this book to read so she knows what to do when the S-word becomes an issue, then you're NOT doing your job as a parent.

Not to mention that my son (whose older sisters, mother and father certainly made sure he respected girls!) would be totally insulted to know that any one would think he is only interested in the opposite sex so that he can get take advantage of her?? He and his college buddies think girls are great just because they are. And once he's read it, I'm sure he'll be happy to share his opinion!

This book is pretty much for silly parents who aren't comfortable raising their kids. Or for woman who are NOT ok with making sound judgments about men and simply saying, 'no, thanks'. It is certainly not appropriate as a 'advise handbook' for young girls.

Although my daughter doesn't quite appreciate nor understand it, I enjoy reading this simple yet touching book. Yes, most of it is common sense, but not everyone has the mind to write a book of sound advice for their kids.

I love this book. I have loved their two previous books on sweaters and shawls. I have alwready made a skirt out of one of the patterns. Quick and easy for all knitting levels.

Love the book. Skirts are lovely & there's a wonderful variety. As always the women from Tricoter have done a terrific job of style, color and technique. My one quarrel, and it's a serious one, is that the skirts in general are sized to fit only up to a 40" hip. There's perhaps one that is larger. If you are plus size ior even slightly larger than medium size, this book is not for you.

I enjoy making skirts - their construction is basic, and they're much easier to fit than slacks or pants -yes, I'm referring to sewing here, but it applies to knitted skirts as well. Most sewing classes start by making a skirt -it's about time that carried over into knittng. Once someone can knit a scarf or a hat, they have the skills to make a skirt (in my opinion). So, I was very excited to see a book that was full of (dedicated to) knitted skirts.
FINALLY, inspiration for knitted skirts!
OK, I'll take a moment to talk about the actual book/binding -yes, it's a hardcover, but poorly bound in my opinion. And the size is awkward (tall and slim -just over 11 1/2" tall, but only 6 1/2" wide) -I'm supposing they wanted to immitate a pencil skirt -at least that's the impression I'm left with -can't think of any other reason to make this book that size -awkward, but I won't take off any points for that.... because...
INSIDE this awkwardly sized/bound book, there are 16 Beautiful Knitted Skirts !
For instance, there's "Katerina" -a darling child sized (2 to 6 years) skirt that's a very quick knit. And, there's "Bella" -which includes some beading, and in their words "creates the gentle flared silhouette with the beads themselves" -I agree. There's "Naomi", with it's "bold use of color and crisp, geometric lines", and "Felicity", with it's "sophisticated" and "slim" look. There's "Madeline", the "basic ribbed skirt" that reminds me of the traditional knitted skirt, and is classy, with "visual interest as well". And, there's "Paloma" -if I had to choose a favorite (now that's hard, because I'm drawn to at least 10 of these styles)... but, if I had to choose just one, this would be it! "Paloma" was one of those 'thinking ouside the box' creations that "evolved as it was knit" -the "wrong" side actually became the "right side", and the tails that were left from the yarn changes actually became a feature (a lovely eye-catching feature) -and became a vertical fringe down one side of the front of the skirt. Well, I was going to end there, but had to include another favorite (I have many, but I'll stop with this one) -"Elaine". The "Elaine" skirt has a "touch of black net peeking out at the hemline", but even more beautiful is it's flared shaping at the bottom, that is set apart by a row of "mother-of-pearl buttons with seed-beading". I love using button-art on projects, and it is a wonderful detail on this skirt. In fact, this ("Elaine") is the one that is pictured on the front of the book.
OK, I have to talk about yarn. I find that for most knitting pattern books, the yarn that is given is usually unavailable by the time the book is published (or I purchase it), or if I can find the yarn, it's usually outside my budget. So, altho they do give the details of the yarns that were used (and they may still be readily available), they are also generous with their gauge information, for example "A yarn or combination of yarns that, when held tog as one, knits to 19 sts over 4" in St st on size 7 needle". THAT is the information that I want to know - give me enough gauge information so that I can find a suitable substitute -and I feel they do that -which, in my opinion, makes these patterns TIMELESS.
ALSO, with the sizes given, none of these skirts would fit me -is that a problem? Emphatically, NO! The construction of these skirts is basic and most shaping is done with changing needle size...
SO, Basic/Simple pattern/construction + Good Gauge information = any size you want, with any yarn that you like (within limits, we want to wear these beautiful skirts).
Again, skirt construction (whether sewing, knitting, crocheting...) - skirt construction is basic and simple, and easily adjusted for fit - more so than any other garment (in my opinion).
These skirts are eye-catching. They are also skirts that will be worn - yes all of them -all of them could be worn, and would look beautiful, and timeless. No 'over the top' skirts here. And there is not one that is too plain...
Now, that's not an easy task, but they did it, and bravo for that !
Yes, I am very pleased that I purchased this book - I'll even forgive the awkward sizing of the book, and it's poor construction -because it's full of diamonds... Finally, a book dedicated to knitted skirts -and all of them could be worn, and would look classy and/or beautiful... Yes, I'm very pleased, and although I like each and every skirt in this book, I do leave room that some might not find every skirt to their liking, but I would be quite surprised if they did not like most.

As usual, Hiatt and Ward have done a great job. This skirt book does more to describe fit, how to choose pattern and yarn to flatter and details of construction than any skirt reference I have seen in 30 years. They bring their considerable experience in designing and helping real women (not size 4 youngsters) to create and successfully wear a unique garment in their discussions in this book. There is a style to fit anyone's taste and lots of information to allow substitution of yarns that will inevitably go out of production in the next years. Worth the purchase; will be consulted often.

Lovely knits from Tricoter are back and this collection of skirts offers a range of styles from dressy to casual: some 16 designs knitted in the round, so they're seamless and easy to produce. The emphasis on changing needle sizes rather than increasing or decreasing lends especially well to novice knitters, making HANDKNIT SKIRTS an excellent pick for any general knitting collection. The slightly oversized shape and full-page facing color photos of each finished skirt are particularly inviting features, here.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Even though I have studied Women's history in college, I still found some information I didn't know. For myself, reading about multicultural women and the differences they have made in the world, makes me proud to be a woman. Every woman should know their history. This book is also a quick read.

OK, I read this book, and I fall out of the line of happy, snappy reviews. But, here are some of my problems with the book. First of all, stop with the alternative layout already! It's distracting, annoying, and detracts from the important content. I guess it's got many font heads etc to appeal to teens, but frankly I think it misses its mark. Also, I thought the book could have given more to Phyllis Wheatley than one line in a poem! There are also a number of other important female thinkers left out of this book such as Adrianne Rich, but Blondie makes it into the book. I guess if you only are going to put in 33 items, somethings gotta go! So cut Blondie. Some of the poetry choices that are to
enhance the nonfiction text were disappointing, or weak. I think that the editor could have done a better job to flesh out
that part of the book, because I like the idea of using poems
with nonfiction. So, with that, I do not recommend you buy this scrap book version of women's history.

Tonya Bolden has selected excellent articles, pictures, excerpts from historical documents, a journal excerpt, a poem, and a short story to help girls learn the history and perspectives of more than half of the population that have been either left out or trivialized for too long. The problem is that, with the exception of Chapter 20 "Girl Groups Mean Girl Power," these selections were not written in a style that would appeal to young girls; therefore, I don't believe that most of them would take the time to read the entire book.

Unfortunately, I wasn't exposed to any of these things until I was over 50 years old and earning a minor in Women's Studies in college, so it seems obvious to me that the information in this book should not be restricted to girls. Boys should also be learning this information that has been systematically left out of history classes. As long as books and classes continue to separate "women's" history from "men's" history, women's history will be ignored by men and boys as unimportant.

I ordered this book to give to my teenaged granddaughter, but after reading it, I was disappointed that it just wasn't presented in a way that would pique her interest or that of her friends. I would love for her and her friends to read Bolden's book, but I really doubt that they would take the time.

33 things Every Female Should Know About Women's History is a charming and insiteful book. It contains 33 chapters each on a different aspect of woman's history. I was pleased to find that there were things I never thought to associate with woman's history. For example, there is a chapter devoted to National Monuments and how few are dedicated to women. It gives the locations of a few and then suggests sending for a pamphlet published by the US Government on how you can suggest a National Monument.

Other chapters in this book include subjects such as magazine publishing, fashion, health issues, sports, short stories, politics and even a helpful book review.

The only problem I had with the book wasn't anything the authors could have helped. Because there is such limited information on women's history, the chapters seemed to repeat the same information over and over. I do give them credit for trying to present it all in a different light though. I am definately going to pass this book on to my daughters (and sons) so that they can read about and appreciate the struggles women in the past have made so that women of the present can be free to do as they please.

I thought this looked like something I should have on my shelf. Only a few chapters into it, there is an abridged version of "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. I read this in 1999 in a Women Studies course and remembered being affected by it. However,this time it totally FREAKED me out...all the bits about creeping women and being trapped. Eek!! (Although I had just seen the horror movie "The Grudge" so that may have influenced my emotions, too).

Despite my powerful response to that selection, this book is not as wonderful as I had hoped. Rather than a list of 33 top/most important things, or 33 rarely taught things, etc...it is just 33 pieces written by 33 different women. One is a poem inspired by a woman's immigrant mother, another a fictional tale of women on the frontier, etc. I mean, they are each sort of interesting, but there is little cohesion between the pieces. And, the order seems odd. Still, makes a quick "bathroom reader" or as something to read while uploading songs to one's computer.

I felt that the last third of the book was remarkably better than the first two-thirds. The pieces were more powerful and interesting, and lots of facts were introduced as well. Overall, this was not the greatest book I've read on these subjects, but it was fine. Also, perhaps this format makes these topics more accessible to someone who is not as familiar with them.

From personal experience, I can say that a cancer diagnosis, and the aftermath of treatments, out of control emotions, and fear, can leave us feeling VERY sorry for ourselves.

Enter one crazy, sexy, "CanSer Cowgirl", Kris Carr. In her newest book, Carr shines her encouraging light on anyone who is willing to look for a way out of the darkness that cancer brings into our lives.

I loved her first book, and this one did not disappoint. In every way, it lives up to its subtitle of "more rebellion and fire for you healing journey."

Kris Carr's chapters on diagnosis, treatment, mind, body, and spirit, offer suggestions and an upbeat philosophy that can help you cope even when you're feeling tired, overwhelmed, and very, very afraid. Her story, and the stories of her "cancer posse" are inspiring because they illustrate a tenacious WILL to live well--DESPITE cancer. (And there is the beginning of the end of the pity party.)

If you, or a loved one, have cancer, try this book. And light a fire under your own healing spirit.

An excellent companion book to the first book.The graphics are terrific and the text is entertaining as well as helpful. I am a huge fan of Kris Carr - her publications are an incredible boon to cancer patients.

My sister in law was diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia. She and I aren't very close (although I'm close with my brother). Struggling to find some way to express my feelings I decided to send her this book. Crazy Sexy Cancer says it all, it's a life affirming book that is more about surviving cancer than suffering from it. In an era with so much cancer, we're lucky to have such a smart, honest and touching book.

If you have cancer or you are a cancer survivor, this is one of the best books you can have in your arsenal!!!

I did not like this book, nor do I agree with the author's message. Really? Advice on feeling good from a cancer survivor who has never had an iota of treatment? The author has pissed a lot of people off, including those formerly in her circle, since she became a "cancerlebrity." Take this book and its message with a grain of salt. No pun. I am concerned for the legions of ill people who may be taking this girl's books to heart. Appearing on Oprah and jumping on a trampoline does not an expert make.

Tristan Egolf's Lord of The Barnyard was what modern lit badly needed someone not obsessed with overly perfect prose and crystal clear simple sentences. I worried the follow up would be a disappointment. Skirt in The Fiddle is a fun swift read with a main character-Charlie who is duped into accepting a gig playing for a band called Volstagg defined by Egolf as "corporate-Satanic Limburger metal" and abandons his violin playing ending up in a flophouse. He also ends up bagging rats through the sewers for money-he is paid by the rat just an example of the way Egolf finds the oddball in the oridinary. Another example of Egolf's prose is a line on page 55 "watching him yak and prattle" this is what I enjoyed about Egolf's writing these fun sentences and clever witty prose not just dry and informative language. This a nice comical romp.

I loved Lord of the Barnyard. This was not good, plain and simple. The chapters didn't connect with each other, therefore a coherent story was never formed. Another problem is that you never really care about the characters. The chapters are such "skits" that they never seem remotely real or compelling. Finally, there is zero follow-through in anything that occurs. Everything is what it is with no resonance or greater importance. I'm guessing his next book will be better.

This book is, above all else, very catching. I saw it while I was browsing at my local bookstore and started to read the first page. I had a great deal of trouble checking myself and remembering to buy the book instead of just reading the whole thing standing there. With moments of both insanity and downright strangeness, this book entertains from cover to cover.

After the absolutely amazing 'Lord of the Barnyard', i went into this book hoping for the best and, admittedly, expecting the worst. What i got was much closer to the former than the latter, but still this book is as nothing compared to Egolf's first book. I would definitely recommend this if you're not looking for too much meaning in a book. it's one of the most fun reads i've had in a long time, and it only took me one night, so if you're strapped for time, you've got a winner. however, i can't write this review without stating that Tristan Egolf's first book is the finest piece of literature i've ever had the pleasure of reading.

This book was my introduction to Egolf who is an interesting writer. At times this was so hip, I really wasn't sure what was going on. Charlie is a half Cambodian, half black, alcoholic violin virtuoso whose gigs fall through and decides to live in a flop house. He works at a deli and moonlights bashing rats in the sewer on a pay per carcass basis. He buddies up with his friend sometimes called Tinsel, sometimes called Greetz, who does not believe in bathing or cleaning, calls himself an anarchist, and dreams of robbing a bank someday. After several spurts of bad behavior, the guys meet up with Louise Gascoyne, a wealthy jetset reporter who circles the globe looking for danger. She lures the guys out to an elegant restaurant, dresses them in Armani, gets Tinsel to take a bath, and then suffers from crabs which she extracts from the anarchist. The boys create havoc for a movie crew filming just outside of the upscale hotel as Charlie falls for Louise. Escaping through the lobby, Tinsel steals Louise's purse and camera. To get back at him, Charlie goes back and robs the deli, steals their truck, and sets up Tinsel to rob a bank as revenge. It's a fast-paced, improbable, but quite fun romp, filled with lunacy. We don't really get a sense of character which is sacrificed for the witty barrage of dialogue and the ambiance of the street. Eglof handles dialogue exceptionally well. Maybe the sequel will allow us to know the characters' motivating force. This one goes down quick and sweet. Enjoy!

A worthy successor to Tabula Rasa, Weeping, Spent Matches and her other works, The Skirt Man should expand Shelly Reuben's cult of arson murder mystery afficianados to the general reader. It brings back local newspaper reporter Annie Bly, a younger Miss Marple, her state trooper husband Sebastian, and arson investigator Billy Nightingale and the Upstate New York town of Killdeer and its inhabitants. Ms. Reuben, a private investigatior, not only knows her subject, she's a crackajack writer who brilliantly captures what it's like today to live in less than idyllic James Fenimore Cooper country. Both the good guys and the bad guys come alive and the novel keeps you on the edge of your seat until the surprise ( you'll never guess it) and satisfying ending. You not only find out who murdered the Skirt Man, a local farmer, but why he wore a skirt as he plowed his fields on his tractor.

A fire, a suspicious death, a township of eccentrics and a changing real estate market set the stage for a blend of murder, conflicting worldviews, simple people and mixed motives in Reuben's The Shirt Man, a collage of personalities and agendas representative of the economic anomalies that infect the current urban landscape. In the village of Killdeer, New York, most folks not only remember the old days, they cling to them. The Skirt Man, Morgan Mason, is one of the old-timers, although no one can say why he wears a skirt to drive his tractor and perform his chores around the farm. He has for years.

The eccentric man accepted as integral to the local color of the village, it is a shock when Mason's house burns down, his charred remains found inside. The cause of death appears accidental, but after a short investigation, it's clear that this is murder. Enter Annie and Sebastian Bly, local residents, and Annie's brother Billy Nightingale, supervising fire marshal of the New York City Fire department, visiting for his niece's ballet performance. The three have worked together before (Tabula Rosa), their skill perfect for solving such a crime. Sebastian is a state police officer and Annie is a small-time newspaper reporter, a willing coconspirator to her husband and brother's adventures in crime solving.

With characteristic self-deprecating humor, Annie relates anecdotes about her job, her husband and her family, the characters that people the novel, some lovable, others unlikable, but all described from Annie's quirky perspective, the village of Killdeer and Hobby Hills Horse Farm, currently a weekend concert arena, plagued by petty crime and illegal drugs. Reuben approaches the murder in the patchwork style of the village residents, each with bits of important information that make no sense until put together, piece by piece, incriminating evidence that invites more than murder; there is the sale of illegal drugs, endangering of minors, tax fraud and corporate scams. Besides the mysterious death of an old man, a way of life is threatened, and it is Reuben's colorful characters that put a face on an urban tragedy. Luan Gaines/ 2006.

In the small town of Killdeer, New York, a town celebration is interrupted by the news that a local hermit, nicknamed the Skirt Man for the skirts he insists on wearing, has been found burned to death in his living room. While local television celebrity Creedmore Snowdon prefers to look at the death as a case of spontaneous combustion, state trooper Sebastian and his brother-in-law Billy, who is a New York fire marshal, regard it as a homicide. Told through the words of Sebastian's wife Annie, a local reporter and general busybody, their investigation and the details of the Killdeer inhabitants who knew the Skirt Man are exposed step by step until the truth emerges.

As a narrator, Annie projects the image of a passive, not-very-clever woman. Her interests are rooted in gossip that does not extend beyond her small sphere. In short, Annie is a boring, even annoying, narrator for readers who like their sleuths to have some spunk. She picks up pieces of information mostly through the interrogation techniques of her manicurist, Pam, and through the antics and observations of the slapstick duo of interracial stepbrothers Mo and Sonny Dillenbeck. The result is a frothy, thin mystery that carries the reader's interest mostly because it demands so little from the imagination. The final revelation of the killer is ill-prepared for, although the much fuller picture gained of the Skirt Man is partially worth the wait. If only Reuben had dug deeper into her issues, The Skirt Man could have been a satisfying cozy mystery. Reuben's ideas are interesting, even if she does not fully develop them.

Annie Bly is someone I would like to be best friends with. She is smart, she is so witty and very, very sharp. I was a little surpised to see one of the reviews lamenting the author's use of women as weak characters. I certainly did not get that feeling while reading this completely entertaining book.

The elements of fire in this story are so interesting, but made even more so by being inter-mingled in the ever-increasing mystery of who killed The Skirt Man. I feel like I learned a lot, but I also felt completely entertained and satisfied with a surprising outcome.