Writing superb in spy thriller doms, the Panty of the Month 28 - Wednesday, December 28, 1988 — North Shore News WELL, HERE it is: the final edition of the BOOKS NOW holiday season wrap-up, part three in the saga of books galore in our local stores. Topping the list of recommended titles is The Stalking Horse, a tale of espionage torn from the pages of the Cold War annals. The Stalking Horse (Random — House; 289 pp:; $22.95) is, amaz- ingly, the first published novel of a 33-year old Ottawa writer whose previous experience {if any) is so inconsequential that Randam House excludes any mention of it either in pre-release promotional blurbs or on the book’s jacket. Considering author Brendar. Howley’s command of descrip- tion, character development and plotting, this is in itself a major mystery. . The decidedly odd thing here is that Howley seems to have sprung out of. nowhere, a writer with the deft hand of Len Deighton but a background as sparse as that of any publicity-shy spook. ‘The fact that the story-line is a bit shopworn (basically white hats versus black hats with more than a few grey hats thrown in for jaded measure) is irrelevant: Howley’s prose is so solidly professional that The Stalking Horse’s greatest MIKE STEELE book reviewer strength lies in its rich description of action and setting. Time and again as\Howley‘s main character (a retired police detective coerced into dirty work by a U.S. intelligence agency) ca- reens around Europe trying to keep a Russian military agent alive, _ the reader is seduced anew by the” almost sensuous feel for realism _ that permeates every blessed phrase. While ! must admit that i was Curious as to the novel’s reso- lution, the question uppermost in my mind right to the very end was ‘Who the heck is Brendan Howley?’ ee The next book is one | approach with equal measures of sadness _and joy: Song of The Paddie (Key Porter; 186 pp.; $19.95 in paper- back - $29.95 in hardcover) is yet - another stirling outdoors volume from one of Canada’s best-known chroniclers and proponents of the wilderness experience: Bill Mason. Regrettably it is also his last. Bil] Mason, author of what many have called the best guide to the art of canoeing ever written (Path of The Paddle) and reknowned for his work on nature films, died this fall with fittle media recognition of his passing Song of The Paddle is replete with general canoeing tips but concentrates on wilderness camp- ing, leaving no detail of the latter to chance. Food, clothing, equip- ment (including inexpensive alter- natives to the Yuppie-driven, hi- tech innovations inundating the outdoors market), campfires, safe- ty — all appear in this com- prehensive guide. Even the most experienced backwoods explorer will find invaluable tips in Song of The Paddle, secure in the knowl- edge that each has been tested by one of natural Canada’s greatest authorities. eR One book to avoid this holiday season is Maynard Collins’ Lightfoot — if Yor: Could Read © His Mind (Deneau; 247 pp.; $24.95 in hardcover), an unauthorized biography with a ‘Bitter Green’ thread of spite run- ning through it that sits Cold On ‘The Shoulder and elsewhere for this reviewer. Collins seems to have little in- terest in his subject and even less admiration, painting a picture of the quintessential Canadian folk singer and composer as an in- secure, money-grabbing, calculating song-huckster. One wonders as to the Wherefore and Why of this writing effort but, gee, it does have a nice dust jacket picture so all is not lost. A strong word of warning: give Lightfoot to a confirmed Gordon Lightfoot fan and it will be a Black Day in July before you get a thank-you note. sem Feel like getting in on Santa’s jolly act? Try Lewis Grizzard’s hi- larious, side-splitting Don’t Bend Over In The Garden, Granny, You Know Them Taters Got Eyes, surely one of the funniest books of the year and a major contender for the prize for book-length titles. Grizzard, author of When My ‘CLOSE OUT tit . YOUR LAST CHANCE FOR-BEST BARGAINS: OF BEAUTIFUL FABRICS. 1849 WELCH. ‘ST. N.VAN. | - ~ 985- 5576 | . “(Between Pemberton & Capilana: Road) Daily 10- om CASH ONLY” DAYS” fT. DEC. 31 Love Returns From The Ladies Room, Will t Be Too Old To Care? and Shoot Low, Boys — They’re Ridin’ Shetland Ponies tackles nothing less than the foibles of human physical relationships in this latest book, and the humor quotient couldn’t be higher. Don’t Bend Over . eos is Griz- zard’s attempt to “’...take sex on head-first because there's no other topic in the world that would let him write about: honeymoons, German sex shops, a stripper named Fonda Love, buying con- Park & Tilford Centre. Kids Fashions. It’s a shoppers’ Oasis. White Spot. 3 (EOS AER Gets Rime ate: SORE gee January 6th, 1989. CENTRE HOURS: ‘Mon., Tues., Wed. and Sat.: 9:30 am - 6:00 pm. Sun.: 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. ys “Se stop are, ee OO > te ugg Once, the people of North Vancouver had to travel far and wide for shopping choice. 2 No more! Now it’s right at your doorstep at 4 & Meet fhe merchants, ©. This very central centre is an oasis of convenience. 3 Now doing business are Save-On-Foods and Drugs, Woodwynn, Marlin Travel, Aiko International, Pa Save-On Cuts, Anthony-Bennett Insurance, Pa Park & Tilford Florist, Cineplex Odeon, Goody's q Cleaners, MillionHairz Styling Salon Ltd., Park & %, Tilford Dental Centre, Silver’s Smoke Shop, Super *%, Save Gas, Universal Gifts, and Whip'er Snap ers When it's time for a break, relaxin our garden paradise! Built over 20 years ago, we've now re- stored it to its origina! beauty. In keeping with the - season, the gardens are decked out with thousands = * of decorative lights and your favourite Christmas = scene. Don't miss it! We turn off the lights by Thurs. and Fri.: 9:30 am to 9:00 pm. ¢ . GARDEN HOURS: 9:00 am-9:00m hommes immed will be held na sy," and 9:00 pm 333 Brooksbank Avenue, orth Van. B.C, THE SHOPPERS’ OASIS AT COTTON AND BROOKSBANK/NORTH VANCOUVER. DRAW RULES The draw is open to all B.C. resi- dents, 19 years of age and over, except employees of Park & Tilford Centre, their families or agencies. Enter in person, no purchase necessary. “Surprise Draws” for gift certificates between November 20th, 1988 and January 6th, 1989. From all eligible en- tries received between noon on November 20th, 1988 January 6th, 1989, one entry will be drawn- on January 7th, 1989 for 2 airline tickets to London, England, sponsored by Marlin Travel, plus $900. Cdn. spending money. You may enter by clipping the entry form in our newspaper ads or requesting entries from any of the Park & Tilford mer- chants. Drop your entries in any of the ballot boxes located in all participating stores at Park & Tilford Centre. ya" — The Grand Prize Winner is required to answer a time-limited, skill test- ing question and must agree to both name and photograph being used for promotional purposes. (0*3+2—-20+5= ) All prizes must be accepted as offered. No cash equivalents, no substitutes. (Villard Books/Random House; 245 pp.; $21.95 in hardcover). a ee ie Te RRR Re dal Rh ah A able LA ne saat iE Bhd MADRS Lanta Singer ect om maar neath rrhdaaentncsenlomene sat ahr tse nssncseartscle acon +: