I Shall Not Want -- Elizabeth Spencer-Fleming, and some bookselling irony

It was a little strange to read this one on the heels of reading Elizabeth George's Careless in Red because of the thread they share -- both authors brazenly violated an unwritten rule of series fiction (albeit to great effect) in their last series books, and both have created characters about whom their fans are emotionally attached.

I Shall Not Want finds Episcopal priest and newly re-upped National Guard pilot Clare Fergusson in the middle of yet another violent series of events, this time centering around the plight of illegal immigrants. She and Russ Van Alstyne are doing their best to maneuver around the shocking events of All Mortal Flesh, and a charming new character (whom I hope recurs) by the name of Hadley Knox breathes some fresh air into the community. Like George's book, I would be hard pressed to say this is the best in the series, but that sure didn't stop me from racing through it to solve the mystery and to follow along as Russ and Clare stumble to and away and to and away from each other again. (And don't take that as a hint as to how the book ends, by the way!)

For devotees, you'll find this one considerably spicier than the earlier books in the series, but I'm not complaining!

The mystery itself is just as tightly wound as the others -- enough red herrings to keep you guessing but not so many as to become a distraction, and in her trademark fashion Spencer-Fleming brings to the reading table a pressing social issue and puts flesh to it.

Most assuredly worth the read!

****

We were all shaking our heads today at the delivery of a book we had ordered that has to do with becoming more "green." We had ordered this one in carton quantity, which generally means that the publisher stamps a shipping label on the outside of the box in which the book comes from the printer -- but not THIS one. I opened the outside box, fought my way through plastic-encased styrofoam packing materials to find the printer's sealed carton-quantity box inside. Inside THAT box were more packing materials. We got a bit of a chuckle out of that one. Oh, and did I mention that the books are not pre-priced? This means that we will have to use pricing stickers to put them on the floor for sale. We all got another laugh out of this.

The final irony is that the book we ordered? There's a chapter on responsible consumerism, and one of the author's top 10 ways to save the planet is to QUIT BUYING BOOKS.

Did I mention that the author is scheduled for a book signing with us? Should we advertise, or ask people to stay away?

My head hurts a little.