Tuesday, 23 July 2024

Why Does Mary Wear Blue - Pierpaolo, Ettore and Mattia Finaldi - CTS Children’s Books

Why Does Mary Wear Blue
Pierpaolo Finaldi
Ettore & Mattia Finaldi (Illustrations)
ISBN 9781860826948
ISBN 1860826946
CTS Booklet CH30

Why Does Mary Wear Blue - Pierpaolo, Ettore and Mattia Finaldi - CTS Children’s Books

As of the reading of this book over the last few years I have read over 396 volumes from the Catholic Truth Society. This is one of only a few books in the CTS Children's Books I have read, but I will be tracking down more.

The description of this book is:
 
“Why does Mary wear Blue?
And other Questions

Real questions about Our Lady, asked by school children are answered in a simple language infused with Catholic wisdom and tradition. Illustrated throughout with classic art, photographs and Children’s own pictures."

We are informed that the illustrations are by Ettore & Mattia Finaldi and the children of Year 5, Holy Cross School, Catford. And they make this a magnificent little volume.

The sections in this book are:

'Mother of Jesus and Our Mother' 
Who were Mary's parents? 
Why was Mary chosen to be the Mother of God? 
Did Mary have any other children?
Why has Mary appeared to people like St Bernadette and the
three children in Fatima?
Why is Mary called the Immaculate Conception? 
Why do we pray to Mary? 
Why do we say so many Hail Marys in the Rosary? 
Why does Mary wear blue? 
Why is Mary sometimes shown standing on a serpent? 
How did Mary die?

Each question and answer spans a two page spread. Each also contains a photo or replication of famous artwork as well as an illustration from a child. At the bottom of the second page is a question to see if the child or children the book was being read to are paying attention. 

This is a wonderful little picture book. My children are well past the age of picture books but I have loved this and the other CTS Children’s Books I have picked up we donate to their school library. My youngest finished grade 8 (or year 9) this spring but I will continue to pick up CTS Children’s books to give them to the school library. The librarian and teachers have loved them. 

A sample section from this volume:

“Why was Mary chosen to be the Mother of God?

E very one of us has been chosen by God to do some special job that only we can do. We are free to say yes or to say no to his plan and do only what we want. It is a mystery why God chooses us, but he always has a plan to help us and the people around us to get to heaven.

In Mary's case God had been planning to save all of mankind from the beginning of time. She had been prepared from before her birth for the great task that God would ask her to do. God wanted to show how much he loved the human beings he had created by becoming one of them. He wanted his son to be born from a woman just like every other child.

When the Archangel Gabriel asked Mary if she wanted to to be the mother of the son of God she was full of fear but trusted God and said yes. Her 'yes' was what made Mary worthy to be the Mother of God!

‘Why was Mary chosen to be the mother of God?’”

We enjoyed this much we donated the copy we tracked down to the School Library, the primary school our children have attended has a resource section for the teachers and we thought this would be a wonderful addition. I hope the sample station give you a feel for this volume. This is another excellent resource from the Catholic Truth Society. I am very thankful I picked it. A great resource I can easily recommend for church, home, or school library. I am looking forward to reading other CTS Children’s Books and books by Pierpaolo Finaldi.

Why Does Mary Wear Blue - Pierpaolo, Ettore and Mattia Finaldi - CTS Children’s Books Sample 1

Why Does Mary Wear Blue - Pierpaolo, Ettore and Mattia Finaldi - CTS Children’s Books Sample 2


Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2024 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

For reviews of other books in the CTS Children's Books series click here.

Book by Pierpaolo Finaldi:
…

Books In Polish:
Moja Mala Ksiazeczka do Nabozenstwa
Mój Mały Modlitewnik
…


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Monday, 22 July 2024

Praying the Rosary with Icons - Sr Marie-Paul Farran - CTS Prayers and Devotions

Praying the Rosary with Icons
Sr Marie-Paul Farran
Simone Finaldi (Translator)
ISBN 9781860826863
ISBN 1860826865
CTS Booklet D732

Praying the Rosary with Icons - Sr Marie-Paul Farran - CTS Prayers and Devotions

I have read over 80 books and booklets that are part of the CTS Prayers & Devotions Series. Some of the earlier ones are just mark CTS Devotions, but more recent ones have both Prayers and Devotions listed as the series name. This series has spanned decades. It has had books come in and out of print. This volume was published in the 2010, translated from the original Italian by Simone Finaldi. All of the icons in the volume are from Sr Marie-Paul Farran. 

The description of this volume is:

“Pray the Rosary with beautiful icons and scripture passages.

In this beautifully illustrated, full-colour booklet Sr Marie Paul Farran's beautiful icons, tell the story of the mysteries of the Rosary and help to deepen our reflection, allowing us to delve into the pages of the gospels to search for hidden treasures. If we look closely and at attentively at the icons, they can become a meeting point between us and God, a place of supplication, healing and of love.”

About the artist and author we are informed:

“Sr Marie-Paul Farran belongs to the Order of the Benedictines of Our Lady of Calvary, and works from her convent in Jerusalem near the Mount of Olives. She has been writing icons since 1982. Her icon of the Holy Family is known throughout the world.””

The chapters and sections in this volume are:

Introduction 
THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES 
(Monday and Saturday)
     The Annunciation 
     The Visitation 
     The Birth of Jesus 
     The Presentation in the Temple 
     Finding Jesus in the Temple 

THE MYSTERIES OF LIGHT 
(Thursday)
     The Baptism of Jesus 
     The Wedding at Cana 
     Procla iming the Kingdom of God 
     The Transfiguration 
     Instituting the Eucharist 

THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES
(Tuesday and Friday}
     The Agony in the Garden
     The Crowning with Thorns
     The Crucifixion
     The Death of Jesus
     The Burial

THE GLORIOUS MYSTERI ES
(Wednesday and Friday}
     The Resurrection
     The Ascension
     Pentecost
     The Assumption of Mary
     Mary, Queen and Mother

Hail Holy Queen
Litany of Loreto

MARIAN PRAYERS
     Holy Mother of the Redeemer
     Under your protection
     Act of Dedication to Mary

Concluding reflection

In the introduction we are informed:

“The Word and the Icon. These are the two paths along which we will contemplate the mysteries of the Rosary.

The Word, the first cause, is the 'Word made flesh' in Jesus of Nazareth. This word is written on every page of the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. These twenty reflections, taken from the four gospels, will illuminate our journey. We will reflect
on the most significant episodes of Jesus' life, - the joyous, luminous, sorrowful and glorious episodes. Our journey will culminate in the mystery of his passion, death , and resurrection, and in the Holy Spirit poured out on every believer. We need to listen to the Word in order to accept and understand it.

The icon is a pre-eminent means of contemplation; it is a word written using an alphabet of colours; it is a spring that rises from a long tradition binding east and west together.”

A sample mystery is:

“III The Crucifixion

When they had finished making fun of him, they led him away to crucify him. On their way out, they came across a man from Cyrene, Simon by name, and enlisted him to carry his cross. When they had reached a place called Golgotha, that is, the place of the skull, they gave him wine to drink mixed with gall, which he tasted but refused to drink. When they had finished crucifying him they shared out his clothing by casting lots, and then sat down and stayed there keeping guard over him. Above his head was placed the charge against him; it read: 'This is
Jesus, the King of the Jews'.

At the same time two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left.
(cf Mt 27:31-38)

Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, Glory Be

Prayer
Lord Jesus, you carried our sins onto the cross, you are the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Give me the grace to hand my sins over to you and to unite my crosses, both large and small, 'good' and 'bad', with yours.”

Over the years I have read many books about the Rosary or books on Marian prayers. I have also read about icons and have started collection replica icons a few years ago. This was an excellent little volume. I prayed my way through it twice and know it is one I will return to again. 

I only have 2 wishes regarding this book, I would love to see the CTS release an updated edition and have it available as an eBook. I would also like to see the opening and closing prayers of the rosary included, because we jump from the introduction right to the first mystery.

This booklet is an excellent read. It was wonderful to pray the 20 mysteries with these icons. It is another great read from the CTS.

Praying the Rosary with Icons - Sr Marie-Paul Farran - CTS Prayers and Devotions Sample Mystery 1

Praying the Rosary with Icons - Sr Marie-Paul Farran - CTS Prayers and Devotions Sample Mystery 2

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2024 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

For reviews of other books in the CTS Prayers & Devotions series click here.
For reviews of other volumes about the Rosary click here.
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Saturday, 20 July 2024

Prayer of the Day Fatima Prayers

Prayer of the Day Fatima Prayers

My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love Thee! I ask pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love Thee.

Most Holy Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit - I adore Thee profoundly. I offer Thee the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges, and indifferences whereby He is offended. And through the infinite merits of His Most Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of Thee the conversion of poor sinners.

Oh my Jesus, I offer this for love of Thee, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Oh My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of Thy mercy.


I have tried to pray these prayers every day since I encountered them in a book many years ago. I believe I started praying them after reading in 2017:

Saints Jacinta and Francisco Marto: 
Shepherds of Fatima
Encounter the Saints Series
Anne Eileen Heffernan
Patricia Edward Jablonski
Mari Goering (Illustrator)
Pauline Books and Media
ISBN 9780819890962

Saints Jacinta and Francisco Marto: Shepherds of Fatima - Anne Eileen Heffernan and Patricia Edward Jablonski - Encounter the Saints


Books and articles about Fatima:


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Friday, 19 July 2024

How to spread the Gospel Advice and encouragement from Pope Benedict XVI - Fr Donncha Ó hAodha

How to spread the Gospel: 
Advice and encouragement from Pope Benedict XVI
Fr Donncha Ó hAodha
ISBN 9781860827518
ISBN 1860827519
CTS Booklet Do 847

How to spread the Gospel Advice and encouragement from Pope Benedict XVI - Fr Donncha Ó hAodha

Over the last few years, I have read a number of books by and about Pope Benedict XVI. Of the popes in my lifetime, I find his writings of immense spiritual benefit. I would state that I underappreciated him until his resignation. And since then, I have read much. And with each piece I read I appreciate his wisdom, faith, and stand against modernism. This work is different in that it was compiled by Father Donncha Ó hAodha taken from homilies, Angelus reflections, Audiences, Regina Caeli, between 2008 and 2010. This is an excellent read. 

The descriptions of the book is:

“We are all called to spread our faith. In this virtual dialogue, an imaginary Catholic considers the challenges raised by evangelisation. The questions that he asks raise issues we might all encounter whilst trying to spread the Gospel successfully. The responses offered are taken from different instances of the preaching of Pope Benedict. This teaching is joyful and filled with hope, and makes evangelisation a service rather than a hardship, affirming everyone in their mission to be a fruitful apostle.”

About the editor we are informed:

“Fr Donncha Ó hAodha is a priest of the Opus Dei Prelature working in Dublin. Currently he works as a chaplain to a boys’ secondary school and also to a youth centre run by Opus Dei.”

The chapters in this edition are:

A virtual dialogue
Why should I evangelize?
Who is called to evangelize?
What is the message I should be spreading?
How should a Christian spread the Gospel?
Where should I try to spread the Gospel?

This is a wonderfully crafted volume. It has the goal of presenting a dialogue and it does just that. While reading it; it felt like sitting in on a conversation or overhearing a conversation in a coffees shop or pub. It was so hard to put down. I read it in 2 sittings on a single day, and I know I will return to it and read it again. It is easy to digest and packed full of great information. 

When I was in university, I was involved with Campus Crusade for Christ, there was a series of booklets by the founder Bill Bright, called Transferable Concepts, and by reading them many times you could almost memorize them and the message so that you could share it. This volume reminds me a lot of those books. In fact one of those books by Bill Bright was called How To Give Your Faith Away. I could easily see rereading this every month for a year. 

I have a number of volumes form the CTS by Pope Benedict XVI I am trying to track down that are proving most elusive. The CTS had a wide range of booklets based on his sermons, audiences, and papal visits. I have been working on tracking them down, and some are very hard to find at a reasonable price or at all. I was glad to track this one down, for it was an excellent read. 

If you can lay your hands on it, it is well worth a read.  

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2024 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.


Books by Benedict XVI:
Jesus, the Apostles and the Early Church and Church Fathers 
...                 

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Thursday, 18 July 2024

Columbo TV and Movie Review

Columbo Review
Years 1968, 1971, 1971-2003
Director: Richard Irving
Writers: Richard Levinson, William Link
Production Universal Television 
1968-1978, 1989-1997
Studio USA 
1998-2001
Universal Television Network 
2003


I recently watched the entire run of Columbo from the two pilots or made for TV movies, through the first run, and then the reprisal of the role. The series originally ran from 1968-1978 on NBC, then on ABC from 1989-2003. There are few who would not recognize the title character in this trench coat and with his cigar. The show has been rebroadcast in 44 countries. 

I started watching the series in order in the fall of 2023 and finished in Spring of 2024. At first I was alternating 2 seasons of M*A*S*H with a season of Columbo, but by season 5 of Columbo became addicted especially to it and watched it through to the end. I must admit I do not watch a lot of TV, or even Movies any more. Most of what I watch I watch with my kids or family. But I started the two series named above, and often watched while I prepped lunch and ate while working from home, and often an episode could spend 2 or 3 lunch breaks. Which reminded me a lot of watching it on A&E; 30ish years ago, where an episode was spit across 2 days.

I became fascinated with the show and the man. I have since read a biography of Peter Falk, have his autobiography and have picked up the first novel by William Harrington, and even the volume Cooking With Columbo Suppers With The Shambling Sleuth by Jenny Hammerton.

Both IMDB and Wikipedia List the show as running 10 seasons plus a series of special TV Movies that are listed as an extension of season 10. 

The episodes are:

Pilots
Prescription Murder
Ransom for a Dead Man

Season 1
Murder by the Book
Death Lends a Hand
Dead Weight
Suitable for Framing
Lady in Waiting
Short Fuse
Blueprint for Murder

Season 2
Étude in Black
The Greenhouse Jungle
The Most Crucial Game
Dagger of the Mind
Requiem for a Falling Star
A Stitch in Crime
The Most Dangerous Match
Double Shock
Murder Times Two

Season 3
Lovely but Lethal
Any Old Port in a Storm
Candidate for Crime
Double Exposure
Publish or Perish
Mind Over Mayhem
Swan Song
A Friend in Deed

Season 4
An Exercise in Fatality
Negative Reaction
By Dawn's Early Light
Troubled Waters
Playback
A Deadly State of Mind

Season 5
Forgotten Lady
A Case of Immunity
Identity Crisis
A Matter of Honor
Now You See Him...
Last Salute to the Commodore

Season 6
Fade in to Murder
Old Fashioned Murder
The Bye-Bye Sky High I.Q. Murder Case

Season 7
Try and Catch Me
Murder Under Glass
Make Me a Perfect Murder
How to Dial a Murder
The Conspirators

Season 8
Columbo Goes to the Guillotine
Murder, Smoke and Shadows
Sex and the Married Detective
Grand Deceptions

Season 9
Murder: A Self Portrait
Columbo Cries Wolf
Agenda for Murder
Rest in Peace, Mrs. Columbo
Uneasy Lies the Crown
Murder in Malibu

Season 10 
Columbo Goes to College
Caution: Murder Can Be Hazardous to Your Health
Columbo and the Murder of a Rock Star
Death Hits the Jackpot
No Time to Die

Movies
A Bird in the Hand...
It's All in the Game
Butterfly in Shades of Grey
Undercover
Strange Bedfellows
A Trace of Murder
Ashes to Ashes
Murder with Too Many Notes
Columbo Likes the Nightlife

I recalled many of the episodes and only a few had I never see before, one that really caught my attention was It’s All in the Game from 1993 featuring Faye Dunaway and Claudia Christian. I have been a huge fan of Claudia’s work since Babylon 5. And I know this was an episode I had not previous seen. It is also one of only 2 episodes where he lets the murder or an accessory get away with it. 

There was a sense of melancholy as I watched the final season and the movies that came after it. After having read Beyond Columbo: The Life and Times of Peter Falk by Richard A. Lertzman and William J. Birnes and being aware of his alzheimer's. It was a very different feel to watching those stories. As well as knowing that he had planned a 70th episode that would could not be completed on because of the illness. 

At the end of the episode Last Salute to the Commodore, 1976, Columbo starts whistling This Old Man, it plays a role in most episodes from that point on. Including Columbo asking a musician to teach him it so he can play it for his wife in the penultimate episode Murder with Too Many Notes, 2001, because she hums it constantly while cleaning and cooking.

There are many quirky things about the show. First Columbo wears the same suit in every episode. And his recognizable jacket is now in the Smithsonian, in the Americana display. His comments a few times about quitting cigars and the bad habit they are but persisting in smoking them, much as Falk himself did. Also in most instance we know who the killer is and how they did it, often seeing the murder in the first few minutes. But the show is intriguing as we watch Columbo put the pieces together and seeing what stand out or if off. For example a supposed suicide who had just used mouth wash and trimmed his toenails. Also the many co-stars or special guests who graced an episode or more than one. William Shatner playing the villain in episodes many years apart spanning 18 years. Leonard Nimoy, Johnny Cash and the list goes on. In fact these actors all played the bad guy more than once: Patrick McGoohan, Robert Culp, Jack Cassidy, George Hamilton and William Shatner. To taking a while to figure out where I knew Greg Evigan from. 

The show had 49 award nominations and 23 wins. And Falk played the character for 35 years. For a non-soap opera it is astounding. Watching this series from beginning to end was a great experience, it it got me thinking about other shows from my youth, for a few years I have been trying to track down a way to watch Qunicy ME, T.J. Hooker, Rockford Files and other shows from my youth. Watching this was like a throwback to watching it with my father. I love the show and have a greater appreciate for Falk.  


Books about Peter Falk or Columbo:
Columbo Phile - A Casebook - Mark Dawidziak
Shooting Columbo - David Koenig
The Columbo Companion, 1968-78: Investigating Every Detail of All 45 'Classic Era' Columbo Adventures - The Columbophile
...

Columbo Books:
A Christmas Killing - Alfred Lawrence
The Dean's Death - Alfred Lawrence
Any Old Port in a Storm - Henry Clements
By Dawn's Early Light - Henry Clements
Murder by the Book - Lee Hays
A Deadly State of Mind Book - Lee Hays
The Columbo Collection – William Link
…

Columbo Novels by William Harrington:
Grassy Knoll (1993)
…

Related Posts:
...
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Wednesday, 17 July 2024

The Memorare Moment - Francis J. Hoffman aka Fr Rocky

The Memorare Moment:
The 30 Second Prayer That Will Change Your Life - and the World
Francis J. Hoffman
ISBN 9798988066712
ISBN 9781594174933

The Memorare Moment - Francis J. Hoffman aka Fr Rocky

TThis volume was originally published in 2012 by Relevant Radio, under the title For Immediate Assistance, Pray the Memorare it was reprinted by Scepter Publishers in 2022 under the current title. I received a copy to review many months ago, I took it on a short vacation to read and absolutely loved it. My only regret is that there is no eBook edition of this or Mary at the Crossroads of History, I have a dual form of dyslexia and prefer eBooks so I can change the font, and the colour of the font and the page, to make reading easier. But even with there being no eBook edition I consider this an excellent volume and one of the best books I have read this year. At the reading of this volume I have read 192 books in nearly the first half of this year. This is a volume I will be sharing with friends for a long time to come.

The description of the book states:

“You may be very familiar with the Memorare, a devotional prayer to Our Lady that asks for her intercession in times of need. Or maybe you’ve never even heard of the prayer but are interested in new ways to grow in devotion to Mary.

Whether you’re looking to learn more about the prayer that you grew up praying or are brand new to the Memorare, The Memorare Moment by Father Rocky has something to offer to people at every stage of their spiritual lives.  

Encounter the profound and Christ-centered theology that underlines this quick, easy to memorize Marian devotion. Experience its impact through inspiring stories in history – and throughout Father Rocky’s life.

“The time has come for us to stand up and pray! Our friends, families, and world need to turn to this powerful prayer and our Blessed Mother’s guiding hand. This is the moment for Our Lady’s maternal intercession to bring about a change of hearts, a change of laws and a change of culture.” – Father Rocky.”

And about the author we are informed:

“Rev. Francis J. Hoffman, JCD (Fr. Rocky) is Executive Director of Relevant Radio.  Ordained as a priest for Opus Dei in 1992 by Blessed John Paul II, he holds a doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, an MBA from the University of Notre Dame, and a BA in History from Northwestern University.”

The chapters in this volume are:

Introduction: The Matter of a Moment
A Mother’s Prayer
Faith of a Father
The Mysteries of the Memorare
Behold Your Mother!
The Rock Prayer
Remember
O Most Gracious Virgin
Never Was It Known … Never Left Unsaid
Fled, Sought, Implored
In Your Mercy
Hear and Answer Me
Amen: The Marian Shape of History
The Memorare, Tomorrow and Forever
A Few Recommended Books

Father Rocky states in the introduction:

“In the first edition I made the historical and devotional case for this great Marian prayer. I drew from my own experience and from the lives of very recent sainst, and I begged readers to take that message and apply it specifically to a special intention: the eradication of legal abortion. I also asked them to log the number of their prayers on the ‘Memorare Meter’ created just for this purpose on the Relevant Radio website." 

At the end of the introduction he states:

“Our task is enormous, and it will not be the work of a day, But it is the matter of a moment, and the moment, I believe, belongs to the Memorare. Please join me in this prayer without ceasing and discover, as I have that prayer is more powerful than politics.

We need to go now to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who intervenes decisively at the crossroads of history. She will lead us and teach us. She will pray with us and console us. She will offer her infallible intercession for us, and we will live to see the difference it makes.

Maybe it’s been a while since you’ve gone to her. Even if it’s been an hour, it’s been too long! So remind her of who you are and why you’re here: Remember …”

The prayer at the centre of this volume is:

Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it
known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy
help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins,
my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and
sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my
petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Amen.

This story is part history of the Memorare and it’s uses down through history. It is also part biography of Father Rocky and his goring in faith his upbringing, discerning his vocation, and founding Relevant Radio, all while seeking the guidance and prayers of Mary. 

It is a very easy volume to engage with. It is a book any high school student could easily read. It is an amazing little volume that any Catholic would benefit from reading. It will challenge, encourage and inspire readers of all ages. A great volume to add to any home, school, or church library! I can easily recommend this book. 
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2024 Catholic Reading Plan! 

Books by Father Rocky:
For Immediate Assistance, Pray the Memorare
Marriage Insurance: 12 Rules to Live By
Treasures of the Rosary: Reflections by Those Who Pray it Daily
…


Mary at the Crossroads of History - Francis J. Hoffman aka Fr Rocky

The Memorare Moment - Francis J. Hoffman aka Fr Rocky
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Tuesday, 16 July 2024

Ghost Hotel - Arthur Slade - Canadian Chills Book 2 Reprint Edition

Ghost Hotel
Canadian Chills Book 2 Reprint Edition
Arthur Slade
ISBN 9781998273027
eISBN 9781998273034
ASIN B0CZJJ9KJ4

Ghost Hotel - Arthur Slade - Canadian Chills Book 2 Reprint Edition

This book and series are back in print in a new Shadowpaw Press Reprise edition. I am thankful this book and series are back in print. Walter the 'Wart' Bigger Bronson and Cindy his best friend witness a ghost in their school and they follow it to the historic Bessborough Hotel. While there, they are transported back in time to 1936. Walter and Cindy are twelve year old detectives and they investigate the paranormal.

This book is a ghost story that is both intense and humorous. Walter states early in the book:

“The problem with Saskatoon is that no one believes it exists. Oh, sure, the people who live here, Saskatonians (or Saskatoonians or Tooners), know the place is real, but step outside the city limits, and no one believes there is, or ever was, such a place as Saskatoon.

“Didn’t it sink into the sea?” they say. “Was that the capital of Atlantis? Or was it covered by a volcano?” The Prime Minister never visits. The Queen was here once, but no one believes that. “Who in their right mind would name their city after a purple berry?”

Saskatoon is the Bermuda Triangle of the prairies. It’s also the ghost capital of Canada. People complain about ghosts in their cellars, popping up their laundry chutes, starting their lawnmowers at night (but never cutting the lawn—they’re lazy ghosts), and taking cabs and paying in old money that disappears seconds later. They even stride along the Meewasin Trail and tap couples on the back just as they’re about to kiss.

Hey, I’m not complaining—ghosts are good for business. Once I solved this mystery, I’d make the front page of The StarPhoenix, and my phone would be ringing off the hook with calls from little old ladies wanting to get the ghosts out of their pianos and mechanics trying to find the ghosts in their machines.”
 
When I tracked down a previous edition of these books we donated it to our kid’s school library. Now that it is back in print, my son and I am rereading them again together. It was fantastic to reread this book 14 years apart. I enjoyed it even more this second time through. The description of this book states:

“Can two modern-day kids solve mystery of the ghost that haunts the old hotel--or will they be trapped in the past forever?

Walter Biggar Bronson (a.k.a. Wart) and his friend Cindy meet a ghost one night after school. The small, mournful boy leads them across the Broadway Bridge to the gracious Bessborough Hotel. After a strange incident in the elevator, they find themselves still in the hotel–but back in 1936.

Some spooky things are going on. The room numbers are all mixed up. The library on the mezzanine is filled with hundreds of copies of the same book. And out on the street, the cars are all the same–vintage Studebakers.

Back in the present, Wart and Cindy follow their motto–“Gather, identify, solve”–as they attempt to crack the case, with help from Wart’s distinctly odd parents and the loan of his mother’s time-travel-proof cell phone.

If they fail, they may be trapped in the ghostly past forever...”

The story is mash up of ghost story, history, humour and of course friendship. It is a whole lot of fun. This is another excellent school story wrapped in a historic mystery filled with humour.

It is a great read and I can easily recommend it!

Books by Arthur Slade:
The Dragonfly's Journey (1996)
John Diefenbaker: an Appointment with Destiny (2000)
Dust (2001)
Tribes (2002)
Monsterology (2005)
Villainology (2005)
Megiddo's Shadow (2006)
Jolted (2008)
Shades: 17 Startling Stories (2011)
Flickers (2016)
Crimson (2018)
Death by Airship (2019)
Mr. Universe (2021)
...

Hunchback Assignments Series:
aka Modo Mission Clockwork Series:
The Hunchback Assignments (2009)
The Dark Deeps (2010)
Empire of Ruins (2011)
Island of Doom (2012)
Modo Embers End - Graphic Novel (2014)

The Northern Frights Series
Draugr (1997)
The Haunting of Drang Island (1998)
The Loki Wolf (2000)

Northern Frights Reprint Editions:
Draugr (2020)
Drang (2020)
Loki Wolf (2020)
...

The Canadian Chills Series
Return of the Grudstone Ghosts (2002)
Ghost Hotel (2004)
Invasion of the IQ Snatchers (2007)
...

The Canadian Chills Reprint Editions:
Ghost Hotel (2024)

Return of the Grudstone Ghosts - Arthur Slade - Canadian Chills Book 1 Reprint Edition

Ghost Hotel - Arthur Slade - Canadian Chills Book 2 Reprint Edition

Invasion of the IQ Snatchers - Arthur Slade - Canadian Chills Book 3 Reprint Edition


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