Marshall Cook

Well written, focused, not cutesy like so many business how-to books are nowadays, and filled with practical suggestions and helpful examples. Unfortunately, reading it revealed the extent to which I've limped along as a marginal coach and supervisor for far too long!

In [book:Obsessions|3697059], book 4 of the Monona Quinn mysteries, author Marshall Cook rebounds from the mediocrity of books 2 and 3 with engaging characters, a snapshot into life "up North", and, yes, a murder to solve. We meet the various students, teachers, and director of the summer writer's workshop as well as the local residents of the resort town that hosts the annual event. A few puzzles are presented but not all are solved as neatly as the murder. Of the four Monona Quinn show more mysteries I've read, only the first and this one rise to 3 star level. I don't know if Cook has enticed me into reading any further adventures of Mo Quinn. show less

** spoiler alert ** Although I find Monona Quinn to be engaging as a character, these books are supposed to be mysteries, and that's where this book falls short. The murder victims are never made real, and the motives for the killings, although made known, are not fully explained.

I enjoyed finding out more about Mo's family and her growing-up years in small town Iowa. But in my mind, those factors should be the side dishes, the complements, to the main course--the mystery. And that didn't show more happen in _...more Although I find Monona Quinn to be engaging as a character, these books are supposed to be mysteries, and that's where this book falls short. The murder victims are never made real, and the motives for the killings, although made known, are not fully explained.

I enjoyed finding out more about Mo's family and her growing-up years in small town Iowa. But in my mind, those factors should be the side dishes, the complements, to the main course--the mystery. And that didn't happen in _Twin Killing_.

I also found the gulf in Mo & Doug's marriage to be rather sudden and inexplicable, based on the events of the first two Monona Quinn mysteries. It was convenient for one of the subplots in this book, but didn't seem to be realistic. show less

I originally read this when I was a creative writing undergrad. I remembered liking it pretty well, so I picked it up again recently as I attempt to inject my fledgling writing career with a fresh dose of focus and inspiration. I'm very glad I did. A good deal of the advice is the same as what can be found in other books on writing, but Cook offers some good specific suggestions and practices that I actually do use in my own writing. His friendly, conversational tone makes this an easy read, show more and he's so obviously passionate about writing that it's hard not to be inspired. show less