I received this book in a LibraryThing Book Reviewer giveaway some months ago. I had planned to review it right after I'd read it, but life intervened and had other plans. Now, I am here to write this review because, quite simply, this was an exceptional read and the story has stayed with me and I want to share my good fortune in having found this book and author.

The subject matter was unlike anything I'd encountered before in this genre. It mixed the best of so many of my interests and rolled them all up and delivered a tightly woven tapestry of characters and plot. Unlike many novels, I really was guessing every which way throughout the story as to where the plot would take me, and I was surprised often as I turned the page and peeled back another layer.

I don't want to give anything away which might spoil the story for you. I will tell you to go. Now. Get this book. It is filled with surprises and it is very clear that the author has done her research.

It is an excellent read, well written, unusual in the subject matter, the protagonist, and the plot. I really couldn't put it down, and as I mentioned at the beginning of this review, the story has really stayed with me. Well done!

Excellent. When I first began reading this volume of prose, I was surprised. I was initially surprised because Mr. Nadolny has a gift for prose. His writing is tight, and a pleasure to read.

The real surprise came when I realized that this man has a firm grasp... of what it means to be a woman... to live a woman's life... to have doubts... to have fear... to have pain... to have sorrow... to have regrets... to have redemption... to have restoration... to have peace... to find joy.

Somehow he has captured the minutes, the moments, and unique snippets of experience and distilled them down to their very essence. He has captured the tribal and the spiritual. I enjoyed his word choices and his imagery. I delighted in each twist and turn. I felt the stabs of pain, the strength, and the power.

I can only imagine that Mr. Nadolny has lived this story in a previous life, as every word rings true.

In a word, superb. I received the book in a member giveaway/early reviewer drawing. Having grown up in the Los Angeles area and having studied this particular genre, I thought I might be disappointed by the book. Boy, was I wrong! Well written, tightly crafted and steeped in the lore and mystery of the time, this book is amazing. The plot and story are original, fast paced, and the dialogue is spot-on. As a student of the hard-boiled detective novel, I am pleased by Ms. Cooper's dedication to the integrity of the genre; in fact, this rates right up there with Mr. Chandler's own work. The intertwining of real facts, real places, and fictional and real-life characters made this a great read. I honestly couldn't put it down. Write on, Kim Cooper!

This novel from Ms. Fishman was a pleasurable read. The author has combined parapsychology with the daily struggles of a single mother trying to make ends meet while raising two children - one a college-bound high school senior. This is not a formulaic or predictable novel; interesting well-drawn characters, unexpected plot twists, and a bona-fide treasure hunt made this novel a lot of fun. [Note: I received this book in a member giveaway. I am writing this review freely and with pleasure because I genuinely enjoyed the book.]