Chain Thinking (Smalltown Mysteries, 2) [Hardcover]

Elliott Light (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2003 | Series: Smalltown Mysteries, 2

Small-town lawyer Shep Harrington should have known nothing good could come of a sudden visit from a stranger. When former soap-opera star Sydney Vail lands on his doorstep all keyed up, Shep figures he should help the damsel in distress, going so far as to agree to baby-sit her companion, a very intelligent chimp named Kikora. Problem is, Sydney doesn't return, and soon Shep learns that she stole Kikora from a drug-testing laboratory and is being sought in connection with the murder of the lab's head scientist. With the help of close friends, a very persistent investigative reporter, and one crotchety old attorney, Shep decides to help defend Sydney, all the while becoming enlightened about the plight of laboratory animals.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Small-town lawyer Shep Harrington should have known nothing good could come of a sudden visit from a stranger. When former soap-opera star Sydney Vail lands on his doorstep all keyed up, Shep figures he should help the damsel in distress, going so far as to agree to baby-sit her companion, a very intelligent chimp named Kikora. Problem is, Sydney doesn't return, and soon Shep learns that she stole Kikora from a drug-testing laboratory and is being sought in connection with the murder of the lab's head scientist. With the help of close friends, a very persistent investigative reporter, and one crotchety old attorney, Shep decides to help defend Sydney, all the while becoming enlightened about the plight of laboratory animals. This second installment in Light's Shep Harrington series presents a respectable balance between the mystery and the cause, never turning preachy yet always making clear Light's stance on the issue. Entertaining and enlightening. Mary Frances Wilkens
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"A respectable balance--never turning preachy yet always making clear Light's stance on the issue. Entertaining and enlightening." -- Booklist

"Chain Thinking’s success could mean many people will develop a more thoughtful attitude." -- Lori Kettler, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

"Seamlessly weaves together fiction and a social issue--animal rights." -- Martha Grimes, Bestselling Mystery Author

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 211 pages
• Publisher: Bancroft Press (September 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890862215
• ISBN-13: 978-1890862213
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,913,615 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Hero for Our Times, September 18, 2003

By 

Rick Bogle (Madison, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chain Thinking (Smalltown Mysteries, 2) (Hardcover)

One reason that society's ethics advance so slowly is that the reasons for advance are hidden behind the facts and figures of dry scientific papers and textbooks that remain unread by anyone but scientists and a few geeks like me. The facts and figures generated by the African slave trade were ample cause to end such an abomination, but it was not until Uncle Tom's Cabin came along that people actually sat up and took notice.

Elliott Light's new mystery novel, Chain Thinking, has the potential to awaken the public to the plight of chimpanzees being used in biomedical research in a way that scholarly publications simply have not done. In this story, the newest addition to his Shep Harrington Smalltown Mystery series, Light introduces his readers to a world of corporate greed that has little concern for the suffering it leaves in its wake.

Like all good mysteries, Chain Thinking compels the reader to turn yet another page and follow the story through its unexpected twists and turns. Whether you are a mystery aficionado, a Shep Harrington fan, or someone interested in the animal research industry's darker secrets and devious behavior, you will surely find Chain Thinking an eye-opening and surprising story. Shep Harrington is a hero for our times.

For the animal rights crowd, Chain Thinking will make a great gift for friends and family members who refuse to read a graphic expose. Before they know it, they will be cheering for the animals. Go Shep!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thought Provoking, January 2, 2004

By 

Wendi Givens (Reach Out and Touchable) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chain Thinking (Smalltown Mysteries, 2) (Hardcover)

Elliot Light's second book in the SmallTown Mystery Series is a quick and easy read that leaves you with plenty of thoughts to chew on long after you put the book down. I can't wait to see what the next book holds for Shep circumstantially (as things just seem to fall into his lap) and personally.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Perfect Tapestry, September 19, 2003

By 

Shauna Wertheim (Bethesda, MD United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chain Thinking (Smalltown Mysteries, 2) (Hardcover)

Elliott Light's CHAIN THINKING was the perfect tapestry of mystery, drama, animal rights, and the law. The story begins with a 'big bang' and doesn't stop running from there. I was drawn to his protagonist Shep Harrington, the reluctant hero/detective/lawyer, through whose eyes and voice we are reminded of the injustices our society imposes upon chimpanzees and other animals for our own selfish purposes. Mr. Light is able to convey a strong message without being preachy. I also enjoyed Shep's dry sense of humor. I promise you'll pick up the book and finish it in one read.