Gary Peterson > Recent Status Updates

Good stuff, even if all review for seasoned saints. Kevin's writing reflects his management background with clarity and economy of expression, bullet point and numbered lists, and eye-appealing graphics. Interesting account of his going A/G, which finds us running along parallel tracks.

Very different in tone from the Saturday book, reflecting the cultural tumult between 1966 and '69. The academic party and showdown with black radical was a compelling scene--and still timely--and demonstrates Kemelman's evolution as a writer.

Very good story. Maybe even better than Aincrad? No, that's going too far, even if only barely. There are more immediate stakes here with Asuna in need of rescue. Suspense of Sugu and Kirito not knowing who the other really is a lot of fun.

Well written--better than expected--and engaging, as a spy thriller should be. Eliminating a traitor in the ranks, sacrificing an innocent chauffeur... all in a day's work for Joe Gall.

Even better than the awesome anime. Lots of insights into the characters and details on Alfheim.

The Rabbi is lost in the flurry of new characters! Political activist takeover of the temple? Bowling alleys, land deals, police searching for pot? Big changes in subject and tone from previous two books.

Asuna in the Big Birdcage! Kirito deep dives into ALfheim Online to rescue her. Strange stuff with the sister-cousin Sugu...

Like the cynical take on Archie Comics' Chok'lit Shoppe with grumpy old man Begg selling condoms to a football player named Moose (of course!). Rabbo makes himself disagreeable as always, reading a book on the couch wile Mirian handles the kid and householding.

Joe Williams' harrowing experiences after going AWOL from the Navy, from predatory homosexual to abusive treatment at hands of British police and military. This sure is a depressing book!

Bought to read over my Cloisters retreat July 2-5. A very thoughtful book that shouldn't be rushed. Made it through 80 pages there and will press ahead with the remaining 200-plus pages at home. Enlightening and enjoyable thus far...

Completed on retreat @ the Cloisters.

Charley's story a discordant dud. Bum way to end the book.

Was it accidental death... or murder? That double indemnity clause points to the latter. Okay, Kemelman's gimmick is explaining Judaism to his shiksa wife and other goys, like Ike Hirsh's boss. But enough is enough already: two-plus pages about the traditions of naming children? Miriam is fed up with him, Mort Schwarz is livid with the "smug and sanctimonious" rabbi who, yeah, is not very likeable in this book.

Wild n' woolly: The Great War is underway, and J. Ward Moorhouse and Eleanor Stoddard--platonic lovers--sign on to help in any way the can. Janey listened to Joe, who knows firsthand war is a big con by the big money power brokers. Only one chapter to go, introducing a new character, Charley Anderson.

Dagny and Ellis patch things up. Dagny and Hank dream big on a cold mountain in Colorado. But why did he lie to Dagny about flying to Minnesota when he flew to NYC? Not cool, Hank. I'm Team Frisco at this early point as it's clear he's ahead of Dagny and Hank in enacting Galt's plan to stop the motor of the world.

The end of Janey's story? getting involved in a asset-hiding scheme with J. Ward, elevating her hopes of a Krystle and Blake Carrington romance, so she rejected Barrows' proposal. Her friends the Tingleys are a bunch of pompous high hatters, and her brother Joe is a dissolute loser. Now she's sidelined her old friend Alice as a social impediment. Oh, Janey, what a tangled web you're weaving...

Started reading on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Over a year has one since the last book ended. The story opens on Friday, September 9, 1966. Yom Kippur/Day of Atonement begins at sundown. Miriam is nine months pregnant and Mortimer Schwarz is president of the congregation (what happened to Jacob Wasserman?). Too many data dumps on Judaism, but then again that's Kemelman's gimmick.

Mac meets Moorehouse and Janey in Mexico City. The revolution is coming and Mac thinks about fleeing to the US but loves his galpal Concha too much to leave her.

Surprise ending! I overlooked the clues and chased the red herrings, as I always do in my Perry Mason mysteries.

Read the entire "Non-Commercial" chapter this evening. Compelling stuff. It all unfolds at the Reardons' eighth wedding anniversary party. All the old players are there--Dagny and Frisco--and new ones are introduced like Bertram Scudder. We also learn of the pirate Ragnar and of the legend of John Galt discovering Atlantis and sinking his ship on the spot. Frisco says the legend is fact....

Second guessing my suspect Mel Bronstein... he and Elspeth just met that night. Surely the killer was the impregnator, eliminating the revoltin' development in their illicit relationship. Joe Serafino's too obvious. Suspecting Celia because she had a firm handshake? C'mon, Lanigan. Maybe that's to show why they need the Rabbi's help in solving this puzzler.

Finally...! On page 54 the murder is committed. On page 57 Lanigan shows up on Rabbi Small's doorstep in what proved the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Maybe too much congregational drama? At times the mystery feels like it's intruding on a story about an embattled rabbi in a ritzy New England temple cum social club.