April Showers Bring Exciting Reading And an Enlightening Travelogue

THE RED DOOR By Charles Todd William Morrow, $24.99

To fully appreciate this 12th Inspector Ian Rutledge mystery by the mother-son team, known as Charles Todd, you’d best read some of the earlier volumes in the series. Not to say this one is not enjoyable on its own, it is, but it’s difficult for first time readers to get to know the inspector who suffers from wartime trauma and is haunted by the voice of “Hamish,” a soldier he had shot for refusing an order.

In this case, a prominent missionary goes missing but later returns unaware of where he’d been. In the meantime, a woman who lived in the house with the red door is found brutally murdered. The two, along with several others, all seem to be somehow related, further complicating the story. Still, if you love English mysteries you’ll find plenty to enjoy in this one.

THE UNNAMED By Joshua Ferris Reagan Arthur-Little Brown, $24.99

Tim, a middle age, successful New York lawyer with a loving wife, Jane, and daughter, Becka, goes for a walk one day and keeps walking until he’s exhausted and collapses. It’s happened twice before the book opens and now, it’s back, this obsessive compulsion to just keep walking that puts his marriage and law partnership in jeopardy. No doctor, psychiatrist, MRI, X-ray or CT scan can diagnose his condition.

Eventually, he leaves for months walking across state lines, occasionally talking with daughter Becka by cellphone, which is how he learns Jane, is dying with cancer. Determined to go to her side he, nevertheless, refuses a ride and begins his long walk home.

LAST WORDS By George Carlin with Tony Kendra Free Press, $26.99

Thankfully, Carlin was working with talented Tony Hendra on his biography for the 10 years before he died in June 2008. Otherwise we wouldn’t have this delightfully funny, poignant view of one of the funniest comedians ever.

I’ve enjoyed him ever since hearing his “hippy dippy” weatherman’s forecast for night… “DARK.”

He, unfortunately, gained fame from the FCC’s condemnation of his “Seven Words You Can’t Say on TV.” (With advent of cable TV, he could say them.) But there was much more to Carlin’s comedy than offensive language. He was a comedic genius. It’s a rags-to-riches story of family problems, drugs and alcohol and rehab, but in the end he was clean and celebrating his record 14 HBO specials, five Grammys and three bestseller books.

ST. FRANCISVILLE Photos by Bevil Knapp & Introduction by Danny Heitman LSU Press, $34.95

The Hills, the Bluffs and the River blend to form one of the most beautiful places in Louisiana, St. Francisville. Knapp’s photographs are resplendent in color with close-ups of the scores of birds that make West Feliciana their home. The many magnificent plantation homes, some now operated as B&Bs, are included.

Oakley House where John J. Audubon lived for a short time and where he photographed the pictures in “A Summer of Birds,” is featured. (See next entry.)

A SUMMER OF BIRDS By Danny Heitman LSU Press, $26.95

This slim book presents in substantial detail, John James Audubon’s stay at Oakley House in West Feliciana Parish in the summer of 1821. Audubon, whose Mill and Store had fallen on hard times, accepted an offer to tutor 15-year-old Eliza Pirrie, and despite his embarrassment at having to work for wages, he was excited at having the opportunity to study and sketch the multitudes of birds on the plantation.

His 23 paintings of birds there, some misidentified by Audubon, are included in this excellent reference.

JUSTIN WILSON’S EASY COOKING By Justin Wilson Pelican Publishing, $25

Mon Cher, having a party? Then try dese recipes from dat late star of stage and stove; Justin Wilson, whose TV show is now re-released on PBS. Because Wilson believes food should be enjoyed while you’re having fun, these 150 recipes are just right for your next party or get-together and are easy to prepare. Where else are you going to find “Oysters and Link Sausage in Wine”? Hunh?

To quote Justin, “Dis is so easy to cook and it tastes so good, you gonna think somebody lied to you about how good it is, I garontee.”