Death Qualified

This is one of those mysteries that stays with you, that you think about even when you're not reading it, that you start thinking about when you wake up in the morning. And those are SO rare!! It's complicated, thoughtful, and the characters are well-drawn; detailed enough that you can differentiate them and remember them, even days later. This book was so well written, when I finished it, I ordered the only Kindle book available by the author in the series.

I mean this in many senses of the word - fantastic. I read this book some years ago and was absolutely fascinated by the theories of chaos, fractals and the Mandelbrot Set. At that time I went on the computer looking to see if I could find out more and I did. It was amazing. Several years later I am writing this as I am watching a show on Public Television on the Mandelbrot Set, and I recall I first heard of all this in this novel. Because I am curious, even novels send me on paths of exploration that are ultimately enlightening!

I found the book's beginning a bit boring, but soon found myself caught up with the story and wondering what was coming next. About halfway through the book, I didn't want to put it down! Wilhelm is a great storyteller, and knows how to create believable characters that have all the emotional complexity of 'real' people. She subtly introduces events or ideas that eventually turn the story a different direction, and when a new surprise happens, the reader later thinks, "Ach! I should have seen that coming!" Too many mysteries are either predictable in their storylines and endings, or too unbelievable, but not so with this one. I didn't expect the ending, and though I appreciate that she didn't tie eveything together in a nice little bow, I am hoping for a sequel, of sorts, to find out what happened with a few things.... such as with Celsy and Travis, and also, is what I think happened with Mike really what did happen... or is there another story to continue there? Much research obviously went into the book: legal and forestry related research, theories concerning mandelbrots, fractals and altered perceptions, and more. The book was not only entertaining, but educational. As an Oregonian, it was interesting to see many local issues included in the book: the timber industry vs. environmentalism, gay rights/acceptance, etc. Wilhelm manages to include issues and lean towards leading the reader to her opinion about them, but not in the preachy, dogmatic manner that is so often seen elsewhere. Conclusion: A very well done book--engaging, intelligent and quite interesting, too!

Wow, what a book. I could not put it down. Besides being written by a fellow Oregonian the story takes place near my birth place making it even more interesting. Kate Wilhelm is an awesome storyteller. She keeps you hanging on every word from the beginning of this book to the end...And speaking of ending - what a surprise you are in for. :-) Read this book if you don't read anything else.

Wilhelm's unique ability to speak from her character's minds has never been more striking than in this tense story which sweeps from a university campus in the rockies to the woods of oregon. This is a haunting story, chock full of complex, interesting characters carried along in a gripping plot. Buy this book! It will be reread..