>>>>>>The Illuminator and The Mercy Seller by Brenda Rickman Vantrease
>>>>>>The Skull Mantra by Eliot Pattison
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Different stories in different places in a different time. Many parallels...
>>>>>
>>>>>Have you read Pattison's subsequent Shan books? They're all good. The man can write and the atmosphere is almost breathable.
>>>>>
>>>>>Still, if you've never read Paul Goddard, do yourself a huge favour.
>>>>
>>>>Is it for everyone or would be interesting to native speakers only? I haven't heard of any of these authors, but will now probably take a look.
>>>
>>>Before you do, Paul Goddard should be Robert Goddard. I don't know where I got Paul from, unless I was thinking of Paulette Goddard, but I'm not aware she ever wrote any mysteries. ;)
>>>
>>>On Robert Goddard, they're all good, but if you can find a copy of "Caught in the Light", go for it. Actually, I haven't yet read his latest book. I have it, but it remains uncracked for the moment.
>>>
>>>I too am not familiar with Brenda Rickman Ventrease, so I'll look her up. Eliot Pattison is truly different, and quite superb.
>>
>>That would explain why I couldn't locate any mysteries by him... :o) Perhaps you got him mixed up with the actor? I'll read a couple. Thanks for the recommendation.
>
>Yeah, Paulette. Weird. I introduced a friend of mine to his books, and she gobbled up three or four of them one after the other, but now, I find one of his sitting there and ask if she's read it. She says she's saving it. She loves his books, but she doesn't read them right away any more because she says that then they are over and she doesn't have them to look forward to. I can't imagine myself doing that. As soon as I finish what I'm reading now, I'll read his latest one.

I can sympathize with her. I read the Skull Mantra in one day and then it was over :o)