Piker Press — Weekly Journal of Arts and Literature
March 16, 2026

Opinion

Opinion pieces published in Piker Press, a weekly journal of arts and literature.

1,093 articles — page 6 of 37


Iron House: Book Review by Wendy Robards

Deep secrets must be uncovered to solve a mystery and give two brothers a second chance in John Hart's gripping novel, "Iron House."

The Sentry: Book Review by Wendy Robards

"The Sentry" is Robert Crais at his best -- a fast paced, twisty plot with lots of violent interactions.

The First Rule: Book Review by Wendy Robards

The murders of a man and his family bring a different style of justice in this second Joe Pike novel by Robert Crais.

Perfect: Book Review by Wendy Robards

Eleven-year-old Byron and his sister and mother are driving through a summer fog. Something happens that changes everything, and only Byron can make it all okay again. "Perfect" is Rachel Joyce's second novel.

The Lego Movie: Movie Review by Bernie and Sand Pilarski

Can a 90-minute cartoon about building blocks be any good? Well, it depends on what you build with them...

The Watchman: Book Review by Wendy Robards

The first of Robert Crais's Joe Pike novels, "The Watchman," is fast-paced, edge of your seat entertainment.

Nebraska: Movie Review by Bernie and Sand Pilarski

Hoping to get in step with the nominations for the Academy Awards, Bernie and Sand check out the black and white film, "Nebraska."

Tracks: Book Review by Wendy Robards

"Tracks" is a deeply personal journey into Genni Gunn's childhood memories -- memories triggered by travel.

A First Nations Perspective by Christine Miskonoodinkwe Smith

Christine Smith(McFarlane) writes about issues that will hopefully bring about awareness of what is happening with Canadian First Nations.

American Hustle: Movie Review by Bernie and Sand Pilarski

Tantalized by the nominees for 2014 Acadamy Awards, Sand and Bernie trundle off to observe "American Hustle."

Holy Orders: Book Review by Wendy Robards

"Holy Orders" is perhaps Benjamin Black's most darkly psychological novel to date in his acclaimed Quirke series, haunting and resonating with a sense of doom and catastrophe.

IMHO ... Evangelization and the BBC by Bernie Pilarski

Dr. John Gray, a British writer, philosopher and atheist, maintains that evangelists have been blight on civilization. Piker staff writer Bernie, who considers himself an evangelist, agrees, and commends the BBC for providing a forum for civil discourse.

Vengeance: Book Review by Wendy Robards

A convoluted and complex relationship between characters fuels this fifth installation in the Quirke mystery series written by John Banfield.

Elegy for April: Book Review by Wendy Robards

Benjamin Black's third novel in his Quirke series, "Elegy for April," sets the disappearance of his daughter's friend in Dublin, as Quirke himself struggles with his alcoholism.

Pretty in Patchwork Holidays: Book Review by Wendy Robards

"Pretty in Patchwork" is a book of patchwork sewing projects to last the whole new year.

Enon: Book Review by Wendy Robards

Paul Harding offers deep insight into the passage of time, loss, and the importance of family in this highly literary work of fiction, "Enon."

Saving Mr. Banks: Movie Review by Bernie Pilarski

Merry Christmas popcorn! Let's go see some fine acting by Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks!

After Her: Book Review by Wendy Robards

The investigation of a serial killer near Mt. Tamalpais threatens and shapes the life of a thirteen-year-old girl in Joyce Maynard's novel, "After Her."

Adé: Book Review by Wendy Robards

Violence, political upheaval, and illness are the reality which begins to intrude on Farida's dreams of life in Africa, and she must wrestle with love and make a heart-wrenching decision in Rebecca Walker's debut novel, Adé.

Quiet Dell: Book Review by Wendy Robards

Jayne Anne Phillips brings back to light the haunting story of serial killer Harry Powers in her novel, "Quiet Dell."

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire: Movie Review by Bernie and Sand Pilarski

The second movie in "The Hunger Games" series lures us into the theater for one of the fastest 2 1/2 hours on record...

Chasing the King of Hearts: Book Review by Wendy Robards

Hanna Krall's novella, "Chasing the King of Hearts" is a story of love and survival during the horror of the Holocaust.

What the Dog Knows: Book Review by Wendy Robards

Part memoir and part science, "What the Dog Knows" is Cat Warren's journey with a bigger-than-life dog as they go from novices to professionals in the world of the working K9.

Thor: The Dark World: Movie Review by Bernie and Sand Pilarski

Bring on the Dark Elves and the popcorn, we're gonna watch Thor slam the bad guys!

The Last Winter of Dani Lancing: Book Review by Wendy Robards

P. D. Viner examines the weight of grief and its destruction of a family in the wake of a child's death, in this debut novel, "The Last Winter of Dani Lancing."

Ender's Game: Movie Review by Bernie and Sand Pilarski

How much of a difference will there be between viewers who have and viewers who have not read the book?

The Orchardist: Book Review by Wendy Robards

A solitary orchardist in the Pacific Northwest, grieving for his sister's death, finds two traumatized young girls on his property in Amanda Coplin's novel, "The Orchardist."

Gravity - Redux: Movie Review by Bernie Pilarski

What, the cheapskate Bernie coughed up the bucks to see a movie twice? Oh, the 3-D...

Captain Phillips: Movie Review by Bernie and Sand Pilarski

Bernie and Sand take their popcorn habit to check out Tom Hanks and the ocean in the movie "Captain Phillips."

Gravity: Movie Review by Bernie and Sand Pilarski

Sandra Bullock and George Clooney turn in superb performances in the science fiction movie "Gravity."