Mariuxi Avila Avila itibaren Akbasheva, Chelyabinskaya oblast', Rusija, 456895 itibaren Akbasheva, Chelyabinskaya oblast', Rusija, 456895

The one that started everything. I think I was top student in my school for Primary One, and the prize was that I would get to choose 2 books, in a magical room where all manner of books had been laid out on every possible surface for prize-winners. I don't remember why I chose this book when there was a picture of a skeleton hand on the cover that terrified me (and kept me away from all books for a long time). Eventually I read it, with much coaxing from my mother, and all the pieces fell in place.

I am on such a Robert Crais roll; thank you, El Dorado County libraries! I have one more to go after Sunset Express and two more coming (being sent "up the hill" from Placerville to South Lake Tahoe.) I'll have to find a new series; I'm so sorry that we lost Robert Parker.