Death of a Pope

"Death of a Pope" by Piers Paul Reed is a thoughtful book. It takes the reader from a trial in the Old Bailey to Rome, Africa, Rome and back to London. The premise is serious: is the Catholic Church at the root cause of the spread of famine and AIDS in Africa? And, if so, what can be done?

When Kate Ramsay covered the trial for terrorism of Juan Uriarte, a Basque ex-priest; she became interested in his causes. Did he purchase Sarin gas in order to kill people in Darfur? Did he really mean to only kill their camels as a show of protest? When Juan is acquitted of all charges, Kate decides to write about him and his work. She meets him in Rome in order to travel with him to one of his camps in Uganda. She is appalled and embarrassed by the camp conditions and does her best to help care for the dying. She also falls for Uriarte.

In the background of this story is the impending death of Pope John Paul II and the approaching enclave to choose his successor. Some think a more liberal Pope would help end the spread of AIDS by allowing Catholics to use condoms. Some feel they should stay the course the church has held since Vatican II.

The novel is not one you can read quickly, it needs to be absorbed and thought about along the way. Kate's confusion about her religion and her life, Uriarte's real purpose in his adventures and Kate's uncle Father Luke Scott's past and worry over his niece's agenda. All compiled into an wonderful story full of information and mystery.

Tasting Fear

http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href= Fear by http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href= McKenna

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/59572515">

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
WHOOOAAAA! This is not a small book and I read it in one day! What an excellent time I had! The story is about 3 sisters, not related by blood; but adopted by the same woman. Part 1 is about Nancy, the oldest. She spends her time babying Celtic musicians and gets nothing for herself. When her mother, Lucia D'Onofrio, passes away under suspicious circumstances, she and her sisters are determined to find out what exactly was going on. Liam, a rennovation carpenter is Nancy's help in her quest. Antonella (Nell) waitress cum graduate student cum night class teacher also lives on the edge of poverty. Her mother was a drug addict and she is always cautious about who she is with and why. When she meets Duncan Burke and agrees to help him with his video game she has no idea what she is in for! Vivi, the youngest (aka Vivien) is a sculptor, jewelry designer who the older sisters decide needs protection so they ship her off to a friend of Duncans in Oregon. She is not at all what Jack is expecting and the tension mounts even before they get her van pulled out of the mud.

All in all, this was a splendid story. Ms. McKenna gets a huge A++ on this one and I suggest you pop out right now and buy it.

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Don't Call Me a Crook! by Bob Moore

"Cause I'm a picker I'm a grinner I'm a lover And I'm a sinner I play my music in the sun. I'm a joker I'm a smoker I'm a midnight toker ...." I'm fairly sure Bob Murphy wasn't a midnight toker but he certainly was everything else on Stve Miller Band's list. This was a grand tale of adventure, con games, thievery and other misadventures going on all over the world in the 1920s.

Bob's theory of life is pretty simple- if he likes it he WILL find a way to get it. But, as he says, he isn't a crook per se, he "swipes" things. The Chicago mob had nothing on Bob Murphy. He cheated, lied, swiped and made his way across the Eastern US, China, Singapore and Glasgow, his home.

I truly enjoyed this book - it was a great tale or great true story - you'll have to decide for yourself. However, there was one thing about this I did not enjoy and that would be the footnotes. Every page has 'em. We really don't need 'em and they are annoying! But I still loved the story.