Page 2 April 11, 2019
Watcher in the Woods
by Kelley Armstrong
Review by Kim Harris, El Segundo
Middle School Librarian
Watcher in the Woods is the fourth Casey
Duncan novel and is set deep in the Yukon
Territory in Canada. Casey is the only detective
for the city of Rockton, population 200.
The police team has three members: Sheriff
Eric Dalton, Casey and Will Anders. Rockton
is both technologically and structurally camouflaged,
so you would not be able to see it
flying over the town or even know that anyone
lived there. Rockton is fascinating because it
is like living off of the grid. It has outhouses,
no cell service and no electricity. The residents
use wood stoves, fireplaces and lanterns for
light, and use a generator sparingly.
All of the residents pay for the privilege of
living in Rockton because they want to escape
their pasts. Some are white collar criminals, some
are escaping to a better life, and others are
hiding from bad situations. The majority of
the townspeople are only in Rockton for about
two years. They do their assigned jobs and
then move on. Some want to stay longer, like
Kenny, who was shot but doesn’t want to leave
because he is afraid he can’t return to Rockton.
The book starts by having Casey and Eric
fly down south to Vancouver to convince her
sister April, who is both a neuroscientist and
a neurosurgeon, to help save Kenny because
Rockton no longer has a doctor. When they
return to Rockton, they discover that a U.S.
marshal found Rockton and wants to bring back
one of the residents. The marshal wouldn’t say
which resident and gets shot before he can find
his fugitive. After the marshal dies, it is up to
Casey to figure out who killed him and how
the marshal located Rockton.
I have a friend who says a mystery isn’t a
mystery unless a murder occurs within the first
50 pages of the book. This book definitely fits
that description! There are numerous suspects:
April, who was smuggled in to town to fill in
as the doctor, as well as the majority of the
residents of Rockton. The sheriff has a dossier
on everyone who lives in Rockton, but the
majority lied to get in -- so their stories aren’t
necessarily believable. It is up to Casey to find
the killer and keep the rest of the residents safe.
No one is who he seems to be in Rockton, and
Casey and Eric have to determine who has
motive and means to kill the marshal.
The book is really enjoyable because the author
does a great job with setting and character
development. It is definitely action -packed! The
reader can picture what life is like in Rockton
and Casey is a strong and intelligent detective.
Sheriff Eric Dalton is the only resident
who has lived in Rockton his entire life. It is
interesting to see what technology and modern
conveniences are through his perspective.
To read this book and others in the Casey
Duncan series, stop by the El Segundo Public
Library and check it out! •
Check It Out
Watcher in the Woods by Kelley Armstrong.
Kim Harris
Entertainment
Film Review
Ryan Rojas.
“Reading is essential for those who
seek to rise above the ordinary.”
– Jim Rohn
Amazing Grace Review:
Bursting With Soul
By Ryan Rojas
for www.cinemacy.com
Bursting its way onto the big screen,
Amazing Grace is a concert film that will
blow you away. While audiences may be
familiar with Aretha Franklin’s hits, few
have heard the “Queen of Soul” sing Gospel.
And to not only hear her but also watch
her sing Gospel is to witness the divine.
Taking place over two nights at the New
Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los
Angeles, Amazing Grace is a collection of
moments where you’re clapping and dancing
in your chair, feeling the tears stream down
your face, or trying to catch your breath.
The live recorded album – backed by a full
band – would go on to become the bestselling
Gospel album of all time.
Shot by famed film director Sydney Pollack
in 1972 with the backing of Warner Brothers
Music, over 20 hours of footage were captured
to bring this epic anthem to life. However,
for technical difficulties and monumental
editing challenge -- like matching Aretha’s
vocals to the picture (Pollack didn’t use a
clapboard to sync the takes) -- the film was
ultimately shelved. Until now.
Amazing Grace features Aretha singing
alongside the Southern California Community
Choir, which is collectively as equal a force
to Aretha. Also a great presence is conductor
Alexander Hamilton and Aretha’s brother,
Reverend James Cleveland, who plays piano
and evangelizes throughout the film.
Then there is Aretha herself. At just
29 years old then, to watch her sing is so
immaculate and divine. Her voice is like
having heaven’s presence on earth for an
hour and a half, and this story is further
proof that legends like her can inspire,
touch, shake and move humanity. Amazing
Grace captures a moment in time that should
inspire this and future generations for time
to come.
Amazing Grace is 87 minutes. Rated G.
Now playing at ArcLight Hollywood, The
Landmark, and Rave Cinemas Baldwin Hills
Crenshaw Plaza 15 + Xtreme. •
Amazing Grace, Courtesy of NEON.
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