Desire Lines Workshop by Heather King

Hey, "creatives"! Here's a half-day workshop led by Catholic writer Heather King. It takes place December 5 via Zoom. Check out her introductory video below.

 

 

I only know of Heather through her writings for the Magnificat daily Mass and office readings - a yearly subscription gift from my dear friend Allanagh.

 

She (Heather) seems like a very interesting person to get to know. I hope to do so this winter through her book-length writings, which I would encourage you to also look at. I assume they are available everywhere, including on her website, in both print and digital formats.

 

While on the subject, check out Heather's website: https://www.heather-king.com/ 

The Need for Catholic Friends

I've discussed this view before, at conferences, in private conversations and with other Catholic friends: due to the Devil's ruling of the world, it is important, it is imperative, that Catholics hang out with other Catholics, in order that we may reinforce each other against the Devil and his ways.

I was therefore comforted when I prayed today's Morning Office and was reminded of this fact by the Psalmist, who wrote in Psalm 101:

I will walk with an innocent heart

  through the halls of my palace.

I will allow no evil thing in my sight.

  I will hate the man who retreats from perfection:

  he may not stay near me.

The wicked of heart must leave me;

  the plotter of evil I will not acknowledge.

The man who plots against his neighbour in secret:

  I will suppress him.

The haughty of eye, the puffed-up and proud –

  I will not support them.

I will turn my eyes to the faithful of the land:

  they shall sit with me.

Whoever walks in the way of perfection –

  he shall be my servant.

The haughty shall not live in my palace;

  the slanderer shall not stand in my sight.

Each morning I will suppress

  all the wicked of the land.

I will rid the city of the Lord

  of all that do evil.

"I will hate the man who retreats from perfection: he may not stay near me." In the same way that we are asked not to be scandalous, we have to acknowledge the scandalous ways of our acquaintances, coworkers, friends. Having done so, having warned them of God's love for the good, and his dislike of the wicked, we can do no more than turn our backs on them. Not literally, of course, that would not be compassionate or charitable, but spiritually, we must mark these people as someone who does not have our best interests at heart.

Psalm 101 offers such powerful, insightful words. The Psalmist teaches us how to behave, what to look for in friends, what to look for in enemies (of the Lord and the Lord's ways). We are also given our mission in the last line I quote: "I will rid the city of the Lord of all that do evil." Is that not the Church's mission, to bring about the Kingdom of God? Does "Thy kingdom come..." from the Lord's Prayer ring any bells?

Don't kid yourself. This attitude is not at all politically correct! However, I seriously doubt that when I die Jesus will pull me aside and tell me that I don't belong at the Heavenly Banquet because I wasn't politically correct during my life. Now, he might very well tell me that I wasn't compassionate or loving enough toward my enemies (and car tailgaters, grrr!), and he would have a valid criticism. But no one acting on his/her concern for social graces alone will ever get into Heaven. How do I know this? Jesus was killed for living his life opposing Jewish social customs, for saying that instead of stoning each other for perceived sins, we should love one another and forgive each other. He has already told us that this world is not ours, its ways are not our ways.

Even though we must give to Cesar what belongs to Cesar, we are not obliged to give Cesar any more than that, including our fealty, our love, our souls.

So, spend some time with your Catholic friends, teach each other about your faith, arm yourselves against the world and its evil ways. Be friendly, compassionate, loving (philia, agape) with your other friends, but don't get dragged down into their muck if they are unwilling to rise above it.

Halloween Post - Better Late(ran) Than Never

Today is the feast day commemorating the dedication of the Lateran Basilica, hence the title of this post, nearly two weeks past Halloween.

And for more information on this feast day, click on the link: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/dedication-of-saint-john-lateran/

Book Review: A Letter to the Friends of the Cross

The Letter to the Friends Of The Cross by St. Louis de Montfort
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was truly a Lenten surprise! I previously read St. Louis Marie de Montfort's True Devotion to Mary, and although I found it quite enriching, it proved to be one of the most difficult books I had ever attempted to read - this coming from someone who has studied Phenomenology! So, my expectations were quite low, and even though this booklet was a gift to my wife by a Monseigneur friend of ours, I did not rush to open it and read it.

One of the things that attracted me to this book was its length. It comes in at under 40 pages, the main text is actually 25 pages long, and then there's an eight page ode to the Cross at the end.

The impetus of the book is Christ's admonition to us: "If any one wishes to come after Me let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me." (Luke 8-23)

De Montfort takes this message to heart and shows us that we cannot be followers of Christ (who was not spared His Passion), and expect not to suffer along with Him. If He, God's perfect Son, suffered, then we, imperfect beings that we are, should expect as much.

This is not a book for every Catholic. Those who embrace de Kempis' Imitation of Christ (one of my favorite Lenten spiritual readings) will also embrace the spirituality contained in this booklet. In fact, de Montfort cites The Imitation in one passage.

If you are looking for a short spiritual work to help you contemplate the Cross, this is it.

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Review: Angels and Saints: A Biblical Guide to Friendship with God's Holy Ones

Angels and Saints: A Biblical Guide to Friendship with God's Holy Ones by Scott Hahn
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Like many of Scott Hahn's books, this one, too reads like a convert's guide for other converts to the Catholic Church. This book happens to focus on the Magisterium's historical teaching on angels and saints. As a cradle Catholic I wasn't particularly enlightened nor enthused by the odd choice of saints that make up the better part of this small book.

The Catholic Church has been around for over 2000 years, and we probably celebrate a dozen or so saints every day of the year so, other than out of some personal attraction to one saint or another, it seems difficult to understand Hahn's featuring of these saints.

Still, if you know nothing about the Catholic Church's position on saints and angels (and you actually want to learn what the Church teaches) this is probably not a bad place to start your research.

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Review: The Name of God is Mercy

The Name of God is Mercy by Pope Francis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed reading yet another book by Pope Francis. I especially found it rewarding to learn a bit more about what influenced the Pope's views on the virtue of mercy. Following a format used in publishing some of his previous books, a Vatican journalist submitted a list of questions to Pope Francis and he answered them at his leisure. So, (thankfully) no off-the-cuff comments from the Pontiff in this missive. Anyone familiar with the Pope's views on mercy, especially as they relate to the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, will find his personal answers heartwarming and full of practical advice.

Unfortunately, this book was released before the publication of Pope Francis' latest apostolic exhortation, Amoris Laetitia, so there is no discussion of any of the controversies contained in that text.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning why the Pope (and the Catholic Church) believes that God's mercy is such a necessity for people (believers and non-believers alike) navigating our secular modern world.

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Book Review - Pray for Me

Pray for Me: The Life and Spiritual Vision of Pope Francis, First Pope from the Americas by Robert Moynihan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is an interesting book that explores Pope Francis' childhood influences, adult religious influences and some of his thoughts on a variety of topics affecting the Church. Moynihan also goes out of his way to show the theological continuity between Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Pope Francis.

Although I would not classify this book as "must read" for Catholics, it is an important book that helps to explain the sources of Pope Francis' more popular/controversial comments and actions which at first might appear to go against Church doctrine or tradition.

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Book Review: Five Loaves & Two Fish

Five Loaves & Two Fish by Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A truly amazing and inspiring book.

For anyone feeling overwhelmed over the assaults on our Faith, this collection of prayers and autobiographical reflections by persecuted Vietnamese Catholic Bishop Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan will lift your spirits and open your heart to discipleship.

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Review: Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’ of the Holy Father Francis : On Care for Our Common Home

Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’ of the Holy Father Francis : On Care for Our Common Home by Pope Francis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I understand that the Church (and especially Pope Francis, taking his name from St. Francis) has to make a formal statement about the Church's social doctrine and this is the optimum time to say something about the pastoral care of our planet and its varied cultures and denizens, but I question the efficacy of disseminating this message in an encyclical.

First of all, Laudato Si' could use an edit. It is at least twice as long as it needs to be. I found it repetitive and tedious.

Also, the Pope's message is intended for everyone, yes, but he mostly addresses the issues of two social groups: the disenfranchised poor and the consumer/capitalist-oriented rich; the haves and the have-nots; first-world and third-world peoples. The main problem is that these two groups have different lived experiences and so speak different languages. For example: what do people in North America know about digging through mountains of garbage to find the day's food? What do third world people know about shopping at Wal-Mart and being faced with the "choice" of thirty different chewing gums?

I fear that each group will only be able to relate to their own situation and, as the Pope warns, the poor (who have no political clout) will continue to suffer for the rich's selfish consumerism.

The text had barely been released and critics (American media) were already criticizing the encyclical's communist-leaning themes. So much for the worldwide collaborative effort to eliminate the problem at the geo-political level.

The Church does not need yet another document outlining its social doctrine, or bemoaning the destructiveness of miss-used technology. The track record speaks for itself, especially in Gaudium et Spes - the Pastoral Constitution of the Church in the Modern World.

Sadly, as far as the issue of the Earth's care is concerned, no dire words of warning issued from the Vatican (a moral voice that even many misinformed Catholics are ignoring more and more these days) will create the necessary economic or social revolution.

Consumers will simply not delay instant gratification for a 'possible' environmental change to be enjoyed by a 'possible' future generation.

Pope Francis, and all idealists, welcome to the future: it is now.


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Review: Searching for and Maintaining Peace: A Small Treatise on Peace of Heart

Searching for and Maintaining Peace: A Small Treatise on Peace of Heart by Jacques Philippe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book doesn't crack my Top Five Essential Catholic Books to Read, but I would put it in sixth or seventh spot. This is the first book/treatise by Father Jacques Philippe that I've read, but I will be reading many more. Searching for and Maintaining Peace is a book that does exactly what it says it will do. I enjoyed Fr. Philippe's straightforward commonsense, yet profoundly theological, style and approach to finding peace and maintaining it both in everyday life and in a Catholic context. Explaining and understanding the issue of sin is fundamental to his treatise. Fr. Philippe is not a Carmelite, but he draws time and again from St. Thérèse, St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross. I highly recommend this short treatise to anyone who might be interested in deepening their Catholic spirituality.

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Book Review - The Hidden Treasure

The Hidden Treasure: Holy Mass (with Supplemental Reading: Novena of Holy Communions) [Illustrated] by St. Leonard of Port Maurice
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In this book St. Leonard argues against the common view expressed in the sentiment: "What's one more Mass, more or less?"

He presents numerous arguments why it does make a difference, and why the believer should attend as many Masses as possible for the safety and care of his/her soul.

Along with these arguments, the small book contains prayers and acts, along with a novena.

Besides prayers to pray during the Mass (Chapter IV) there is also a chapter on spiritual exercises in preparation for Holy Communion and Confession (Chapter V). Chapter VI lays out a program of rules for living well.

This book is definitely worth reading, but if you don't already attend Mass every day, St. Leonard probably won't convince you to change your ways - although, who knows, the reader might be convinced to attend more than once a week on Sundays.

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Where Were You, Lord - Prayer

I've been inspired lately to write some prayers. Here's the first:

Where Were You, Lord,

I asked,

when I knelt for hours and prayed for your guidance?

The Lord answered:

Did you not feel me in the cool breeze I sent you?

No, Lord. I got cold and went inside.

The Lord replied:

Did you not hear me in the Robin's song?

No, Lord. I found the birdsong distracted my prayer and

I shut the windows.

The Lord replied:

I sent the warm rays of the sun to shine on your face.

But, Lord, I got uncomfortably hot.

So I closed the blinds and turned on the air conditioning.

The Lord replied:

I am here now, and always will be.

No, not right now, Lord.

I've too many things to worry about.

~JT~

Book Review - Crossing the Threshold of Hope

Crossing the Threshold of Hope by Pope John Paul II
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Be not afraid! (to read this book).

I loved this Q & A between an Italian journalist and St. John Paul II, but it did present some challenges. This book is unique in that the style is informal, yet the content ranges from deep philosophical theories (JP II's patented phenomenological background) to theology (in his replies he refers to many of the Church's Encyclicals and the Magisterium's documents issued after the Second Vatican Council).

The range of topics covered (the renewed Marian devotions, human rights, abortion and the culture of death, ecumenism, attitudes regarding Muslims and Buddhists, the Church's relevance in the modern world, the problem of good and evil, etc.) offers a goldmine of information on John Paul II's own personal views and those views are complimented with the Church's official position. The answers provided are succinct, yet complete.

Although it is clear that this interview takes place at the close of the twentieth century, most of the topics covered have been debated and explored by the faithful since Jesus' time.

Be warned, however, that one will walk away from reading Crossing the Threshold of Hope with a fairly extensive reading list.

This small volume of insights is essential reading for Catholics who take their faith seriously and for readers interested in further exploring Catholic theology and social doctrine.

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Review: The Interior Castle

The Interior Castle by Teresa of Ávila

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



St. Teresa of Avila explains, in her own personal way, the subtle rooms of the soul as one delves deeper into one's faith in search of God - who dwells at the center of the soul.

There are a great many perils to be frought and to be overcome along the way, but the fight is a worthwhile one, since Jesus is waiting to welcome us into the seventh and final room.

I enjoyed this biography/how-to book although, to be honest, my initial incentive to read it was only as a prelude to reading St. John of the Cross' Dark Night of the Soul.

Given St. Teresa's frequent references to her previous biography "Life" I will now read that one before reading St. John of the Cross.

The Interior Castle is the perfect book for Catholics looking to read a Church classic during Lent.



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Miracles, Everywhere!

It amazes me when I hear people complain that God has abandoned us, how there are no miracles. Are they serious?

If they went into any Catholic Church to celebrate the Mass they would actually witness and participate in a miracle. During Mass the priest, by virtue of the sacramental power of ordination Jesus gave to Peter 2000 years ago, consecrates the bread and wine and in so doing opens up the space between Heaven and earth as the species become the actual body and blood of our Lord!

The Last Supper by Salvador Dali

And this isn't a one-time-only event! This miracle happens at every Mass, in every Catholic Church around the world, every day of the week, not just on Sundays! That being said, there are literally too many miracles to count.

Also, outside of Mass, people can always visit with the real presence of the Lord, either in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during exposition, or by locating the Tabernacle which always houses a consecrated Host - the Living God.

The Blessed Sacrament

The Tabernacle (from the Hebrew's Holy of Holies) is found in every Catholic Church around the world, and can usually be located near the lit red candle called the Sanctuary Lamp.

Sanctuary Lamp and Tabernacle

The Catholic Faith overflows with miracles, and the Universal Church is eager to share our miracle-giving God with everyone!

Blessings,

~JT~

Advent is Here!

Finally, the Christmas season is underway: Sunday November 30 is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent consists of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. Then we (Catholics) celebrate the Octave of Christmas, which consists of the eight days following December 25.

Advent wreath

I love the season of Advent for the simple reason that it prepares us spiritually for Christmas and the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. For the first two Sundays we witness the lighting of royalty-purple candles at Mass (and at home). The pink candle is lit on the third Sunday of Advent. The last Sunday before Christmas the last purple candle is lit.

Why a Wreath?

From Catholic.org:

The wreath's symbolism of the advent (coming) of Light into the world is clear. The gradual lighting of the four candles, one on each Sunday of the Advent season, combined with the liturgical colors of the candles (purple is the penitential color used during Advent and Lent; rose is a liturgical color used only on Gaudete Sunday in Advent and Laetare Sunday in Lent) help to symbolize not only our expectation and hope in Our Savior's first coming into the world, but also in his Second Coming as Judge at the end of the world.

The wreath itself is also symbolic. The circle of evergreen in which the candles are placed represents everlasting life. The seedpods, nuts and cones used to decorate the wreath are symbolic of resurrection, and fruits represent the nourishing fruitfulness of the Christian life.

Purple, Pink. What's in A Color?

From Catholicculture.org 
The rose or pink candle is lit for the Third Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudete (rejoice) Sunday. The name is taken from the entrance antiphon or Introit "Rejoice (gaudete) in the Lord always, again I say, rejoice." It is reminding us that the end of Advent is almost here, and we can hardly contain our joy.

Blessings for this Season of Advent. I hope that you will find it to be a time of deep contemplation and renewal of faith.

~JT~ 

Review of To the Heights: A Novel Based on the Life of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati

To the Heights: A Novel Based on the Life of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati by Brian Kennelly

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I've often wondered what my life would've been like by now had I followed, as a young boy, the call of God's voice. Erroneously believing that a life of pain and hardship lay in that direction, I hardened my heart and adopted a more "realistic" attitude toward my future.

To the Heights, Mr. Brian Kennelly's novelization of Bl. Pier Giorgio Frasseti's life, showed me what such a life devoted to caring and loving, begun at a very early age, would have looked like. Pier Giorgio simply and humbly believed that no one is ever too young to love and to care for others, especially for the marginalized, the poor and the disenfranchised.

I found the life of Bl. Pier Giorgio Frasseti incredibly inspiring. I admit that before reading To the Heights I had not heard of this popular third order Franciscan. I'm not offering this observation as either a criticism or a complement, but having read Kennelly's masterful writing I still do not know where facts end and fiction begins. It simply doesn't matter.

Mr. Kennelly does a great job fleshing out Pier Giorgio Frasseti's love for his family along with his passion for the Catholic Church; his pious devotions to praying the Rosary, attending daily Mass and spending time in adoration of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. It is important to show, especially to young Catholics, the rewards of a strong lived faith. This book does just that. To the question: given the current state of the world, how can I believe in a God? Mr. Kennelly replies, through Pier Giorgio Frasseti's humble actions and words: take account of all the graces in your life. How can you not believe in God?

As a Vincentian, I was heartened to read of Bl. Pier Giorgio Frasseti's work in the St. Vincent de Paul Society. The spirit of caring and charity rings true on every page. In a moving passage Pier Giorgio explains to someone seemingly indifferent to serving the poor, “There is a special light behind the poor and unfortunate, one we do not have, one that has nothing to do with riches and health. I urge you to see that light tonight, not with your eyes, but with your heart.”

There are many echoes of past saints and sanctifying grace in the young man's life: his fondness for hiking reminded me of Pope St. John Paul II's passion for the outdoors; Pier Giorgio's love of the poor and the sick, and the selfless acts of kindness with which he filled his days, brought to mind St. Vincent de Paul and St. Thérèse of Lisieux (especially in his love of flowers), and his limitless charity towards the poor is exemplary of St. Francis' concerns.

But Mr. Kennelly also shows us that the tenderhearted and pious young man was no stranger to physical confrontations. Pier Giorgio (1901-1925) lived through WWI and the chaotic political aftermath in Italy which gave rise to Mussolini's infamous fascist (and anti-Catholic) Black Shirts. Pier Giorgio did not back down from unjust confrontations, although he would only fight when all peaceful avenues had been exhausted. In reaction to the Black Shirts, he remarked, "It's a sad day when Catholics cower to evil and treat the teachings of their Church as if they are merely suggestions, abandoning them without the slightest sign of a troubled conscience.” How prophetic and timely this warning, as our Church continues to face relentless assaults from the secular world.

I truly enjoyed To the Heights and I will be recommending it to everyone for years to come. Mr. Kennelly not only understood what was in Bl. Pier Giorgio Frasseti's mind, he showed us the care, love and charity alive in the blessed's heart. We are grateful to such a talented author for revealing these graces. I also enjoyed the book's short chapters, and I liked that Mr. Kennelly includes some actual prayers in the text, introducing some of the Church's treasures, such as the Tedeum, to readers.

If you know someone, especially a young person concerned about the plight of the poor or injustice in the world, you must inspire them to action with a copy of To the Heights.

Note: This review was originally published at AmazingCatechists.com

To the Heights buy links:

From Tan Books 

https://tanbooks.benedictpress.com/index.php/page/shop:flypage/product_id/1369

At Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/To-Heights-Blessed-Giorgio-Frassati/dp/1618906321

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Review: Fill These Hearts: God, Sex, and the Universal Longing

Fill These Hearts: God, Sex, and the Universal Longing by Christopher West

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



This is one of my favorite Christopher West/Theology of the Body (TOB) texts. In Fill These Hearts the complex theological doctrine of the TOB is simplified and rendered readily accessible. The theme of the book is how the ideas of the Theology of the Body pervade our popular culture, including lyrics in popular pop songs. West begins each chapter by quoting from such pop groups as U2 and Steve Winwood (among many others) and then discusses in a very informal way central points in the TOB doctrine that can be found in movies, songs and art - namely, in all facets of contemporary culture.

The informal way that the TOB is presented leads me to believe that this book grew out of a series of presentations. The book also contains some of West's personal experiences (humbly presented as lessons from real life). These are some of the book's best assets.

For the reader familiar with basic TOB doctrines, West's book shows how down-to-earth and realistic a role this theology is meant to play in a devout Catholic's life.

Fill These Hearts should be read by anyone interested in how Saint John Paul II's Theory of the Body is an attainable theological way of life. For those unfamiliar with the TOB, I would recommend reading some of West's more academic books on the subject before reading this one, but Fill These Hearts is a must-have addition to any serious Catholic's bookshelf.



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Review: Rediscover Catholicism

Rediscover Catholicism by Matthew Kelly

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I enjoyed this inspirational book on the basic tenets of Catholicism. Rediscover Catholicism is meant for Catholics wanting to reconnect with the beauty and genius of their faith.

As he explores the whats and the whys of our faith, Matthew Kelley comes across as a very knowledgeable, inspirational and motivating writer/speaker. The book reads as a series of talks on a variety of Catholic faith topics, and each section is interspersed with anecdotes of Kelly's own journey of faith.

The topics covered are easily accessible to everyone, and I personally enjoyed the section on the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Why the need for this book? Because Catholics everywhere are now being asked to respond to the call to the New Evangelization. Why the need to re-evangelize Catholics? The simple answer is that our beautiful Church is being consistently and relentlessly attacked. In Matthew Kelly's own book summary:

"...it seems that the only acceptable prejudice in this hypersensitive, politically correct modern climate is anti-Catholicism. This prejudice is growing as it is subtly--and not so subtly--nurtured by the arts and the media, and furthered by the way prevailing philosophies [of individualism, hedonism and minimalism] undermine Catholicism.

"Tolerance is proclaimed as the ultimate secular virtue. And yet, those who espouse tolerance are completely intolerant of all things Catholic and Christians...

"In the midst of this blatantly obvious anti-Catholic environment that our culture has created, it is easy to overlook some fundamental and practical realities. The world needs the Church today more than ever before. And this trend shows no signs of slowing. In a modern schema in which people are becoming more self-absorbed and completely fixated on the fulfillment of their own selfish desires, the Church is only going to be needed more and more.

"The Catholic Church feeds, clothes, houses, and educates more people than any other organization in the world. And when modern media and the secular culture have finished tearing down the Church as best they can... who will take our place? Who will feed the hungry? Who will clothe the naked? Who will visit the lonely and imprisoned? Who will house the homeless? Who will comfort the sick and dying? Who will educate the masses?" (Rediscover Catholicism, Beacon Publishing, 2010, p. 308)

Catholics everywhere need to read this inspiring book.





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Review: Don't You Forget About Me

Don't You Forget About Me by McCole Cupp, Erin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I really enjoyed this Catholic-themed novel.

Ms. McCole Cupp's Don't You Forget About Me is a romantic murder mystery immersed in a Catholic environment and the story touches on all things Catholic. Literally, every issue that concerns modern Catholics is confronted, explored and explained in this fast-paced novel. We have the fallen-away Catholic who is on The Pill, characters reciting Latin prayers, many Catholic rites and sacramentals (such as Gene's' brown scapular), Catholic Liturgy, parts of the beautiful Rosary, nuns, etc.

I found the characters interesting and believable, the Catholic theology sound and I was impressed with the plot which managed to develop this romantic murder mystery while conveying Catholic sentiments without being too preachy. Let me explain: I didn't personally find it preachy, but I could see a non-Catholic reader draw that erroneous conclusion. Having said that, I would recommend Don't You Forget About Me to anyone who enjoys romantic mysteries.

Oh, I forgot about one issue I experienced while reading: the prologue is written in the present tense and I didn't think it needed to be, especially given that it's a flashback. Okay, just one more issue: early on in the story there appears to be some tension in the writing with respect to the use of the past subjunctive mood (for example; I wish he were... vs I wish he was...) This stylistic intrusion is even alluded to at one point, when the fictional author corrects her friend on its proper grammatical usage. But offsetting those issues is clever, witty dialogue and vivid descriptions along with a believable plot based on (what I can only assume) the author's solid research into the fields of pharmacology and chemistry.

(The problem with reviewing a mystery is that I can't say anything about the plot without giving away key elements.)

Suffice to say, in Don't You Forget About Me Ms McCole Cupps hits all the right notes and I'm looking forward to reading more of her books.

I also have to mention another favorite part of the book - the title and all the chapter titles have cool 1980s song subtitles: Don't You Forget About Me, indeed!




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