Tulsa Time

Rating:
Summary: Local color, and a good read too
Review: I read this book in one sitting. It's full of great details about life in the heart of the Cherokee Nation, as well as what it's like being married to a would-be rock star and to work for a small local paper. The mystery aspect is a lot of fun. Viv Powers is one memorable narrator!

Rating:
Summary: Not usually a mystery reader...
Review: I'm not historically a lover of mysteries as I have found them to be too plot-driven for my taste. A few exceptions are Elizabeth George's books and Janet Evanovich's "One for the Money" series, both of which have me hooked because of the complex, likeable characters and the excellent writing. I admit that I was skeptical about "Tulsa Time" when my grandmother recommended it; I figured she was biased because the author is related somehow (fifth cousin to me, I think). But I dutifully read the book and was quickly pulled into the life of Viv and her relationship with Charley and completely related to her hard-headed determination to uncover the truth of his charges in spite of his warnings for her to keep out of it. I also must admit that I smugly thought I had it all figured out about 1/3 through the book, but didn't care because I was no longer in it for the mystery but for the great read. I as wrong anyway. I loved how it ended with the mystery solved although with some acknowledged loose ends and a realistic aversion to a pat all's-well ending. I would definitely like to read more by Letha Albright -- another mystery with the same lead character would be terrific, but I'd love to follow wherever the author is inspired to go, too!

Rating:
Summary: Not usually a mystery reader...
Review: I'm not historically a lover of mysteries as I have found them to be too plot-driven for my taste. A few exceptions are Elizabeth George's books and Janet Evanovich's "One for the Money" series, both of which have me hooked because of the complex, likeable characters and the excellent writing. I admit that I was skeptical about "Tulsa Time" when my grandmother recommended it; I figured she was biased because the author is related somehow (fifth cousin to me, I think). But I dutifully read the book and was quickly pulled into the life of Viv and her relationship with Charley and completely related to her hard-headed determination to uncover the truth of his charges in spite of his warnings for her to keep out of it. I also must admit that I smugly thought I had it all figured out about 1/3 through the book, but didn't care because I was no longer in it for the mystery but for the great read. I as wrong anyway. I loved how it ended with the mystery solved although with some acknowledged loose ends and a realistic aversion to a pat all's-well ending. I would definitely like to read more by Letha Albright -- another mystery with the same lead character would be terrific, but I'd love to follow wherever the author is inspired to go, too!

Rating:
Summary: Not usually a mystery reader...
Review: I'm not historically a lover of mysteries as I have found them to be too plot-driven for my taste. A few exceptions are Elizabeth George's books and Janet Evanovich's "One for the Money" series, both of which have me hooked because of the complex, likeable characters and the excellent writing. I admit that I was skeptical about "Tulsa Time" when my grandmother recommended it; I figured she was biased because the author is related somehow (fifth cousin to me, I think). But I dutifully read the book and was quickly pulled into the life of Viv and her relationship with Charley and completely related to her hard-headed determination to uncover the truth of his charges in spite of his warnings for her to keep out of it. I also must admit that I smugly thought I had it all figured out about 1/3 through the book, but didn't care because I was no longer in it for the mystery but for the great read. I as wrong anyway. I loved how it ended with the mystery solved although with some acknowledged loose ends and a realistic aversion to a pat all's-well ending. I would definitely like to read more by Letha Albright -- another mystery with the same lead character would be terrific, but I'd love to follow wherever the author is inspired to go, too!

Rating:
Summary: Tulsa Time
Review: I've been told a mark of a great book is when the characters remain in your head after you have finished reading the book. This book qualifies as a great book, I'm still thinking of Viv and the towns mentioned in the book.

Rating:
Summary: Tulsa Time
Review: I've been told a mark of a great book is when the characters remain in your head after you have finished reading the book. This book qualifies as a great book, I'm still thinking of Viv and the towns mentioned in the book.

Rating:
Summary: a mystery book that satisfies...
Review: It's hard to tell if Letha Albright should be labeled an "up-and-comer" - it's just too early. Her first published novel, Tulsa Time, is a wonderful book, but it almost seems as something that can't (or shouldn't) stand alone.

That's not an insult by a long shot. It's just that Viv Powers, the book's main character, has not developed herself enough in Albright's debut effort to satisfy most readers.

Such is the frustration with such well-crafted first-time novels. Viv is so utterly interesting, the depth of her character could easily be explored over a half-dozen more books. At the end of the novel, the only things noticeably lacking are sequels.

Viv, a small-town journalist, is thrown into a world of trouble when her significant other (Charlie) is charged with murdering Gil, his band's manager. With Charlie maintaining silence even to his lover, Viv decides to investigate (the mark of a true journalist!) and begins to uncover Charlie and his band's rocky past.

A good mystery should have two things. First, it needs a likeable (or at least interesting) hero(ine). Second, it needs the hooks and barbs that keep readers interested and guessing "whodunit." Tulsa Time succeeds on both accounts.

Viv reminds me much of another mystery heroine - Kay Scarpetta from Patricia Cornwell's books (From Potter's Field, Cause of Death, etc.): strong-willed, stubborn, passionate.

The book holds interest well with short chapters and many twists. It describes with great beauty and care the setting of Talequah and Tulsa, Okla., with out drenching the reader in detail. Several other people who have read this book agree that it is nearly impossible to guess the culprit until the last 10 pages or so.

Get a copy of this book - it's worthy of two reads (at least) - and keep your fingers crossed for a sequel. (4.5 stars)

Rating:
Summary: a mystery book that satisfies...
Review: It's hard to tell if Letha Albright should be labeled an "up-and-comer" - it's just too early. Her first published novel, Tulsa Time, is a wonderful book, but it almost seems as something that can't (or shouldn't) stand alone.

That's not an insult by a long shot. It's just that Viv Powers, the book's main character, has not developed herself enough in Albright's debut effort to satisfy most readers.

Such is the frustration with such well-crafted first-time novels. Viv is so utterly interesting, the depth of her character could easily be explored over a half-dozen more books. At the end of the novel, the only things noticeably lacking are sequels.

Viv, a small-town journalist, is thrown into a world of trouble when her significant other (Charlie) is charged with murdering Gil, his band's manager. With Charlie maintaining silence even to his lover, Viv decides to investigate (the mark of a true journalist!) and begins to uncover Charlie and his band's rocky past.

A good mystery should have two things. First, it needs a likeable (or at least interesting) hero(ine). Second, it needs the hooks and barbs that keep readers interested and guessing "whodunit." Tulsa Time succeeds on both accounts.

Viv reminds me much of another mystery heroine - Kay Scarpetta from Patricia Cornwell's books (From Potter's Field, Cause of Death, etc.): strong-willed, stubborn, passionate.

The book holds interest well with short chapters and many twists. It describes with great beauty and care the setting of Talequah and Tulsa, Okla., with out drenching the reader in detail. Several other people who have read this book agree that it is nearly impossible to guess the culprit until the last 10 pages or so.

Get a copy of this book - it's worthy of two reads (at least) - and keep your fingers crossed for a sequel. (4.5 stars)

Rating:
Summary: Decent Read, Rationally Done
Review: Letha caught my attention from the opening paragraphs throughout. I enjoyed Viv's rather logical, organized point of view. She's written a sort of no-nonsense work by a reporter..a media member. Now, just how unusual is that? Very. It made me want to keep reading and I enjoyed the read. In addition, interesting and unique names for characters shifted through the book, often used next to more ordinary names. I liked Tapply and Viv, Mica, Allan Jakes, and, of course,the more usual, Charley. I hope Letha keeps writing and keeps expanding her knowledge and craft. If she does, I will keep reading them.

I have written and had publsihed two mysteries and I appreciate her economical style and use of words. As a fellow author, I appreciated her more or less absence of gimick and what I considered the directness of the story. Since I used to live in Wichita and would drive into Oklahoma, I can appreciate her setting and relate to it. She's a fair author, ought to be on a screen credit for a tv movie sometime for this one.

Thanks, Letha, and you and the other Diva's keep on penning 'em! I'll keep on buying 'em when you write 'em.

Lance Pearson

Rating:
Summary: Decent Read, Rationally Done
Review: Letha caught my attention from the opening paragraphs throughout. I enjoyed Viv's rather logical, organized point of view. She's written a sort of no-nonsense work by a reporter..a media member. Now, just how unusual is that? Very. It made me want to keep reading and I enjoyed the read. In addition, interesting and unique names for characters shifted through the book, often used next to more ordinary names. I liked Tapply and Viv, Mica, Allan Jakes, and, of course,the more usual, Charley. I hope Letha keeps writing and keeps expanding her knowledge and craft. If she does, I will keep reading them.

I have written and had publsihed two mysteries and I appreciate her economical style and use of words. As a fellow author, I appreciated her more or less absence of gimick and what I considered the directness of the story. Since I used to live in Wichita and would drive into Oklahoma, I can appreciate her setting and relate to it. She's a fair author, ought to be on a screen credit for a tv movie sometime for this one.

Thanks, Letha, and you and the other Diva's keep on penning 'em! I'll keep on buying 'em when you write 'em.

Lance Pearson