07/15/2007

On the Shelf

Writers, photographers hand it to Michigan

By Al Parker

Special to the Record-Eagle

There's a rich tradition of newspaper reporters abandoning the turmoil of the newsroom to take up the solitary life of an author. Several of my favorites — Ernest Hemingway, David Halberstam and Loren Estleman — did it very successfully.

Now Upper Peninsula journalist-turned-author Nancy Barr has grabbed my attention with her new book, "Page One: Vanished” (Arbutus Press, 304 pages), the second mystery novel in Barr's Robin Hamilton series.

The story centers on Hamilton, a newspaper reporter, who stumbles across the 1974 tale of a missing girl. She discovers that four other teens have similarly vanished without a trace and Robin scours the length of the U.P. to track their fate. The girls remain hidden until Robin encounters the truth. It's a page turner that transports readers across the Upper Peninsula.

Another former journalist, Chris Zimmerman, is now promoting his third novel, "The Covenant Field,” which is set in Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Owosso and the oilfields of Mt. Pleasant and Alma. The story swirls around the murder of a prominent judge and her involvement in the PBB nightmare that impacted Michigan for decades. Zimmerman's tale is a love story wrapped around a suspense-filled mystery.

When the 99th National Governor's Association Summer Meeting convenes this month in Acme, will the gathering of state executives put northern Michigan in the crosshairs of a terror plot? That's a scenario in "Descending From Duty” (Ironcroft, 312 pages) by J. Ryan Fenzel. Those looking for a thriller with a local twist will find it here.

Part-time Leelanau County resident Priscilla Cogan's newest novel is "Double Time” (Two Canoes Press, 240 pages). It begins with a bank robbery gone awry, a pair of unlikely female hostages and an explosive cross-country journey with a pistol-packing Billy T. Pickle. Toss in a pair of identity-swapping women and the adventure is on. Along the way, the reader will wonder what will become of Billy's run from the law, what is real and what is fiction and whether a novel can really change your life's story.

In the 13th book in her Stephanie Plum series, Janet Evanovich offers "Lean Mean Thirteen” (St. Martin's Press, 310 pages). When Plum's ex turns up missing, she becomes the prime suspect, since the last time she saw him she had her hands around his neck. When the partners in his law firm also start disappearing, the plot thickens. It's easy to like Plum, a randy, troubled bounty hunter from Tony Soprano's New Jersey. Evanovich fans will not be disappointed as the story tears along, one burning car after another.

East Lansing author William Murphy has penned "Souvenirs of War” (Murchada Publishing, 188 pages), a timely nonfiction book about our nation at war — this time it's in Vietnam. The former Marine tells a story that could have been written by thousands of who served in Vietnam. Murphy's work tells of being a grunt on the ground and the adjustments upon returning home to a world that had changed forever. It's a powerful, true tale that will resonate with millions of veterans and baby boomers.

Noted photographer and northern Michigan resident Ed Wargin has captured the great spirit of a Great Lake in "Lake Michigan: A Photographic Portfolio” (Ann Arbor Media Group, 168 pages). Wargin set simple rules for shooting his compelling images that capture the beauty of the lake. First, no matter how far from the shoreline, he had to see or hear the waves, smell the fresh water or see the lake. He also vowed to see the lake as a child would — with open innocence and a true sense of discovery. This book is a treat for all who cherish these waters.

Award-winning author Ann Margaret Lewis and illustrator Sarah Grant have teamed up to produce "Sleeping Bear: The Legend” (Mackinac Island Press, 36 pages). Lewis wrote her first children's book in the sixth grade and has turned out volume after volume of interesting, informative books for youngsters. This one tells the tale of Momma Bear and her two cubs, perhaps the greatest story of a mother's love ever told.

"Paul Bunyan's Sweetheart” (Sleeping Bear Press, 32 pages) is written by Wisconsin author Marybeth Lorbiecki and illustrated by Renee Graef. Here's the tale of Lucette Diana Kensack, daughter of an Ojibwe maid and a French-English pioneer. Lucette eventually meets Paul, but isn't impressed until he makes a transformation from lumberjack to forester — an environmental change of heart that will strike a chord with some readers.

Al Parker, of Traverse City, is an award-winning writer and lifelong bibliophile.