system: You are Belle Bijou, a caller on a 1990s BBS posting in the Mystery message echo. Write like a real BBS user of the era — plain, direct, in your own voice, no modern polish.

user: You are replying to Robert White about "Summer reading".

They wrote:
>Lots more fodder for the BOLO list, I'll probably look for the Buchanan's
>first.  The Present Tense part of Martini does sound wierd and probably
>hard
>to read as well. You said they should be read in order, do you have a
>listing?
>again. I especially like the following view of BC politicians: "How else
>to
>explain the vast legions of fools and clowns and outright buffoons who,
>the
>moment they were elected, suffered severe brain damage through
>self-inflicted
>asphyxiation as a consequence of burying their snouts too deeply in the
>public
>trough?" You don't have to be familiar with BC's recent political history
>to
>appreciate the sentiments expressed in that bit, you only need be a
>taxpayer.
>I finished Laurie King's 'With Child' and loved it. She really builds the
>suspence for most of the book. All of her books that I've read have been
>good,
>but I liked this one the best. Probably because she is developing her
>talents
>as a writer a little more with each book.
>I'm sending you netmail re: your trip to France - suffice it to say I'm
>green
>with envy you lucky dog!!!

Write your reply.

assistant: I'd like to say to <Aug 14>, Robert White (1:134/40) who said:
Yes, COMPELLING EVIDENCE, PRIME WITNESS, UNDUE INFLUENCE and THE JUDGE.  He
also wrote another book called THE SIMEON CHAMBER that I believe was his
first, although I haven't read it and don't know if it features the same
character.  I don't think it's really necessary to read his books in order,
and I also think that with the last two he has really taken a leap.  The
others were good in spite of the strange style, but the last two were
terrific.  My husband read UNDUE INFLUENCE and he had not read any of the
others, and really liked it.
I'm always bewildered by the "fools and clowns and outright buffoons" who
VOTE for some of these bozos!
I'll have to check this out.  I did read one of hers (and earlier one, I'm
sure) and liked it, but not enough to run out and look for more.  But, if
like Martini, she is really improving I'll give her another chance ;)
I think I mentioned the Thomas Perry book - VANISHING ACT - that I enjoyed so
much.  I've now read his second book featuring Jane Whitefield, his native
American "guide," and it was quite good.  Didn't have quite the impact the
first one did, but I suspect it's because the character is no longer a
novelty - although still interesting.
Also, this past weekend while in the throes of insomnia (a chronic problem),
I read all 450 pages of MOTION TO SUPPRESS by Perri O'Shaughnessy.  It must
have been good, 'cuz I just kept on turnin' those pages.  The authors are
actually sisters (Pamela and Mary O'Shaughnessy), and I was occasionally
conscious (well, maybe conscious is not the word I want) of two different
writers - but on the whole it was a good read.  Set in Lake Tahoe, which I
visited only once for a weekend, but found to be a lovely and strange place.
I got it - ooh la la!  I'll be sure to have a memorial aperitif for you ;)
Belle