Visit #2: Exploring Historic Portsmouth, NH and Dog Fun

Today's blog is the second about our friend Maureen's visit, where we took her to historic Portsmouth, New Hampshire and had some dog time! 

(Photo: Tom, Rob and Maureen outside the building that housed the first printing press in Portsmouth, NH... Why is Rob the only one not making a funny face?) 

FIRST PRINTING HOUSE IN THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE!! New Hampshire's first printing house was established in Portsmouth, New Hampshire in 1756 by printer Daniel Fowle. Daniel Fowle relocated to Portsmouth from Massachusetts in 1756 to escape persecution. Along with official provincial laws and pamphlets, his shop printed the colony's first book, Good News From a Far Country, in 1759.

It is famously known for printing The New Hampshire Gazette, which began publication on October 7, 1756, and remains the oldest newspaper in the United States.In fact, we still read it today, and it's a progressive, forward thinking, educated newspaper!

ORIGINAL BUILDING REPLACED - The printing house was initially located in a wooden building on the corner of Pleasant, Washington, and Howard Streets. The original wooden building was torn down in 1877 and replaced with a brick home. However, the City of Portsmouth, NH maintains a designated Historic Marker in the grassy area at the corner of Howard and Pleasant Streets. *

(Photo: Maureen and Tom around the corner from the Marcy Pettigrew Shipyard site) 

WHAT IS THE MARCY PETTIGREW SHIPYARD? The Marcy-Pettigrew Shipyard was a prominent 19th-century shipbuilding business located in the South End of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Established in the mid-1850s by Daniel Marcy and William Pettigrew, it became famous for constructing some of the finest merchant vessels on the Piscataqua River, including the 1,800-ton Granite. The shipyard was situated on a grassy area near the convergence of Marcy Street, Pleasant Street, and South Mill Street, near the modern-day Strawbery Banke area.

The launch of the merchant ship Sarah E. Pettigrew in the 1850s marked the start of a bustling era of large commercial ship construction in the city's South End. Sadly, operations at the shipyard—like many others along the coast—were abruptly halted with the outbreak of the Civil War.

YOU CAN'T VISIT WITHOUT A MEXICAN DINNER - Our favorite Mexican restaurant is located in Somersworth, NH, and we bring all of our visitors there so they can enjoy authentic Mexican food, a great, efficient, friendly staff and the very handsome and flirtatous manager. Well, at least he flirts with us.   (Photo: Eating out at our favorite Mexican restaurant. ) 

DOG TIME!  - Since we adopted the 2 Chiweenie (Chihuahua/Dachshund mix) four year old brothers, Jimmy and Joey, on March 28th, they've really become very comfortable. They love people and Maureen was no exception. They jumped on her, sat with her, and paid her a lot of attention. 

The boys were good for posing for pictures, too. Maureen held Jimmy and I held Joey for one set. Then Tom held Joey and I held Jimmy. The boys are very good about paying attention to everyone!

(Photo: Maureen had to get a picture on the recliner with Joey, who is so comfy he's yawning and Jimmy)



 

Visit #1 - Experiencing Nubble Light, Maine & Best Breakfast

 Our friend Maureen visited us for a couple of days in June and we visited the picturesque Nubble Lighthouse, and enjoyed an afternoon in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

(Photo: Tom, Maureen and Rob at Nubble Lighthouse)

ABOUT NUBBLE LIGHTHOUSE - The Nubble Lighthouse (officially the Cape Neddick Light Station) is an iconic, 41-foot cast-iron beacon situated on a rocky islet off the coast of York, Maine. Built in 1879, it is one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world. 

*Architecture: The white tower sits on a 2.8-acre rocky outcropping, known as a "nubble" of granite.

*Automation: It holds the distinction of being the last lighthouse in North America to be automated, which took place in 1987.

*Historic Status: It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985 and is one of the few remaining lights in Maine to still use its original Fresnel lens.

(Cape Neddick Lighthouse. Credit: RG)

Cape Neddick, Maine is about 50 minutes south of Portland, and is located near the southeastern part of Maine, just north of York (famous for it's beach).  North of the lighthouse,  the area draws visitors for its rugged coastal beauty, upscale seaside dining (such as at the historic Cliff House Maine), and laid-back New England charm. 

(The Maine coast looking north from Cape Neddick Lighthouse. Credit: RG)

USED THE LIGHTHOUSE AS A VIDEO BACKDROP- Because Maureen visited on June 1st, it was the same day my 15th book "Haunting of Wilson Castle" was published. So, I decided to make a video annoucing that occasion with the famous lighthouse in the background! You can see it below  (although I look better in videos where it's dark). 

FAVORITE LUNCH/BREAKFAST SPOT - The best restaurant for breakfast of lunch in the southern New Hampshire area is "Station 319" in Somersworth, NH. It's located in a building that housed a former railroad station ticket and waiting room. The food is the best, ever, so we took Maureen there and she agreed.

NEXT: EXPLORING PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

Idiot of the week: Woman Arrested After NH Route 101 Chase With Troopers

 This week's idiot is another reckless driver. There's a lot of them around and no state is free from them.  This idiot decided to race from State Troopers on a New Hampshire state highway after causing an accident.

Woman Arrested After Route 101 Chase With Troopers 

 Tony Schinella, Patch, June 18, 2026

CONCORD, NH — A woman from Rochester was arrested on multiple charges after a chase with New Hampshire State Police on Route 101 on June 11, 2026.

Around 7:45 a.m., state police received reports about a red Toyota Corolla failing to stop for police on Route 101 in Hampton. Troopers found the vehicle, traveling west, and attempted to stop the driver, but the driver refused to stop, a report stated.

A chase ensued until Auburn, when the driver, Kathleen Feeney, 45, of Rochester, was accused of being involved in a minor crash with another vehicle. However, she continued to attempt to flee, state police said.

Tire deflation devices were deployed and the driver stopped near Hookset Road.

Feeney was arrested on felony reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, and misdemeanor charges of disobeying a police officer, conduct after an accident, criminal mischief, and a violation of reckless operation. She was held on preventive detention in the Rockingham County Jail, with a scheduled arraignment booked for June 12.

Heroes of the Week: 2 Pet Goats Point to Trapped Homeowners After Tornado

Animals are amazing... This week's heroes are two pet goats of a family in Oklahoma, who pinpointed the exact location where their family was trapped in a storm shelter after a massive tornado dumped heavy debris on the storm shelter door.

Pet goats save trapped family after killer tornado with winds reaching 200 mph demolishes their home

People.com, April 2026 

After a powerful tornado barreled through Enid, Okla., on April 23, the Sloat family was trapped beneath the earth in their storm shelter under tons of debris when they were suddenly rescued — by their two pet goats.

Two pet goats, Percy and Penny, helped save an Oklahoma family by leading first responders to their underground storm shelter after an EF-4 tornado flattened the family's home in Enid, Oklahoma.

The animals continuously stomped and bleated over the hidden bunker, allowing rescuers to locate and dig the trapped family out.

The harrowing event unfolded when the Sloat family—along with two neighbors—took cover in their underground storm shelter just as the destructive twister tore through their neighborhood. While the people inside survived the storm unscathed, the destructive winds collapsed their house, piling tons of bricks, glass, and lumber directly on top of the shelter's entrance.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/Nnn0DBFXHEY?si=f9Z5WKi-Or0xkPUl

First responders searching the neighborhood struggled to pinpoint where the underground bunker was buried under the debris.

The family's pet goats, which had miraculously survived the storm, proactively gathered on top of the rubble. By refusing to leave the spot, stomping their hooves, and bleating loudly, the goats caught the attention of emergency personnel.Rescuers followed the commotion and immediately began digging at that exact location.

The firefighter in charge later explicitly credited the goats with the rescue, telling the family they had no idea where the bunker was until the goats pointed them to the right spot

Book of the Week: Death of a Toy Soldier by Barbara Early (Vintage Toyshop Mystery #1)

 A couple of weeks ago, the book of the week was the third in the Vintage Toyshop Mystery series, and this week I enjoyed the first in the series called "Death of a Toy Soldier" by Barbara Early. 

I wanted to read Barbara Early's books, because she is one of the new writers who has been commissioned to write some books in my favorite mystery series of "Murder She Wrote" -that follows the awesome television show. 

Barbara's Vintage Toy Shop mysteries are really enjoyable. I love the main characters, including the main character, Liz McCall that runs a toy shop with dad, the town's retired police chief,  and her sister in law, Cathy. There are also a couple of somewhat love interests. The mystery is a good one, and it's a challenge to figure out the identity of the murderer. It will keep you reading. 5 of 5 stars.   

ABOUT THE BOOK: Death of a Toy Soldier is the first book in Barbara Early's "Vintage Toyshop Mystery" series, featuring amateur sleuth Liz McCall, who runs a vintage toy shop with her retired police chief father in East Aurora, NY. The cozy mystery kicks off when a man is found murdered in their shop with a lawn dart, making her father a suspect and forcing Liz to investigate to clear his name. The plot involves family squabbles, a potential haunting, and a charming cast of characters, all set against a festive winter backdrop.

History: First Salem witch hanging Happened on June 10, 1692

334 years ago this month, the first person accused witch was hanged in Salem, Massachusetts. The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. More than 200 people were accused. Today's blog is a look back on that awful time, so that we can remember and never go through it again.

(Image: By Joseph E., ca. 1837-1914, artist. - This image is available from the United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs divisionunder the digital ID ppmsca.09402.This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6628992) 

First Salem witch hanging Happened on June 10, 1692

HISTORY.com Last Updated: May 28, 2025

In Salem Village in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Bridget Bishop, the first colonist to be tried in the Salem witch trials, is hanged after being found guilty of the practice of witchcraft.

Trouble in the small Puritan community began in February 1692, when nine-year-old Elizabeth Parris and 11-year-old Abigail Williams, the daughter and niece, respectively, of the Reverend Samuel Parris, began experiencing fits and other mysterious maladies. 

HOW DID THIS INSANITY HAPPEN?  A doctor concluded that the children were suffering from the effects of witchcraft, and the young girls corroborated the doctor’s diagnosis. Under compulsion from the doctor and their parents, the girls named those allegedly responsible for their suffering.

What really caused a group of young women to become feverish and delusional?

On March 1, Sarah Goode, Sarah Osborne and Tituba, an enslaved woman from Barbados, became the first Salem residents to be charged with the capital crime of witchcraft. Later that day, Tituba confessed to the crime and subsequently aided the authorities in identifying more Salem witches. 

With encouragement from adults in the community, the girls, who were soon joined by other “afflicted” Salem residents, accused a widening circle of local residents of witchcraft, mostly middle-aged women but also several men and even one four-year-old child. During the next few months, the afflicted area residents incriminated more than 150 women and men from Salem Village and the surrounding areas of satanic practices.

In June 1692, the special Court of Oyer and Terminer [“to hear and to decide”] convened in Salem under Chief Justice William Stoughton to judge the accused. 

The first to be tried was Bridget Bishop of Salem, who was accused of witchcraft by more individuals than any other defendant. Bishop, known around town for her dubious moral character, frequented taverns, dressed flamboyantly (by Puritan standards), and was married three times. She professed her innocence but was found guilty and executed by hanging on June 10. 

Thirteen more women and five men from all stations of life followed her to the gallows, and one man, Giles Corey, was executed by crushing. Most of those tried were condemned on the basis of the witnesses’ behavior during the actual proceedings, characterized by fits and hallucinations that were argued to have been caused by the defendants on trial.

In October 1692, Governor William Phipps of Massachusetts ordered the Court of Oyer and Terminer dissolved and replaced with the Superior Court of Judicature, which forbade the type of sensational testimony allowed in the earlier trials. Executions ceased, and the Superior Court eventually released all those awaiting trial and pardoned those sentenced to death. The Salem witch trials, which resulted in the executions of 19 innocent women and men, had effectively ended.

Our Experiences: A Recent Mix of Good and Bad

Life has a way of balancing itself out. Recently we went to two events that didn't turn out as well as we hoped. But to balance things out, I'm also including photos from our garden and a dog picture or two!  The bottom line is that in everyone's life there's good and not-so-good. You have to focus on the good.

(Photo: Joey and Jimmy enjoying the sun on the back deck!)

GOOD PART 1 - Joey and Jimmy, our recently adopted 4 year, 6 month old Chiweenies are the best part of our lives. They bring love and joy in every day. Seeing them enjoy life, like sitting in the sun on our back deck is just awesome. Life can't get any better when you have the love of a dog. 

BAD PART 1 - An Elton John Tribute Gone Loud - We bought tickets to a local performance as a tribute to Elton John as we love his music and he has a huge catalog. The lead singer had a great voice, and sounded and even dressed like Elton John in the 80s. But the first song was 12 minutes of loud, pounding, thumping bass guitar that was eardrum splitting and people had their hands over their ears. **It felt like we were in a metal concert, although everyone in the audience had grey hair!! 

Within 50 minutes, he sang "I'm Still Standing," and "Rocket Man," - both without the pounding guitars and those songs were great and enjoyable. But the pounding guitars and drums resumed in between them. We left after 50 minutes, when the band went into another loud song we didn't recognize and our heads were pounding. It was disappointing. In fact, I played Elton's hits in the ride home and we sang to them and had a better time than at the concert!!

(Photo: Tom and Rob waiting for the concert)

  

GOOD PART 2 - Flowers, Driveway, Forest Trails

Tom has been working hard on the backyard gardens and the flowers that bloomed recently are beautiful. We also had the driveway sealed (again) so it looks great. In addition, Rob has been doing a lot of forest trail maintenance, and we moved all the memorials to our 7 dogs so they line the main trail. They will be in a future blog. 

BAD PART 2 - A Comic Book Lecture That Never Happened and We Walked Out Of

      The Salem NH Historical society announced a lecture free to the public about the Golden Age (1930s to 1950s) of Comic Books, so being a HUGE fan, Rob dragged Tom on the 1 hour drive there. The spokesman greeted everyone and said "Just a few minutes of business before we get to our featured speaker." We sat. And sat. And sat. Over 30 minutes we heard about finances, calendar items, school visits, bus arrangements, who is bringing food to future meetings, future events over the course of the summer, and one woman said "next time kids come in here we should use a cattle prod." 

     We were not amused. In fact, I was really angry and felt bad for the speaker who had been standing up with his first slide on the screen behind him for the entire 30 plus minutes. As they droned on, Tom and I got up and left, but not before I told an older gentleman who was part of the group how furious I was, and how disrespectful it was to the speaker. ***If you're going to talk business, do it at the END of a public event. Not at the beginning. 

(Photo: The speaker's first slide was on the screen for 30 minutes and he still couldn't speak because the people who were hosting the meeting wouldn't shut up!) 

HISTORY: First roller coaster in America opened in June

If you like rollercoasters, you may have wondered when the first one appeared and where! Today's blog, courtesy of History.com provides the answers. It appeared a lot earlier than I would have thought, but the place makes sense.  We love the rollercoasters at Dollywood, although we haven't been there in a decade. Now you can learn more about the first appearance! 

(Image: the Thunderhead rollercoaster at Dollywood. It's a wooden coaster manufactured by Great Coasters International.  Credit: Dollywood)

First roller coaster in America opens 

HISTORY.com, : July 16, 2025

On June 16, 1884, the first roller coaster in America opened at Coney Island, in Brooklyn, New York. 

Known as a switchback railway, it was the brainchild of LaMarcus Thompson, traveled approximately six miles per hour and cost a nickel to ride. The new entertainment was an instant success and by the turn of the century there were hundreds of roller coasters around the country.

About Coney Island

Coney Island, a name believed to have come from the Dutch Konijn Eilandt, or Rabbit Island, is a tract of land along the Atlantic Ocean discovered by explorer Henry Hudson in 1609. The first hotel opened at Coney Island in 1829 and by the post-Civil War years, the area was an established resort with theaters, restaurants and a race track. 

Amusement Parks Arrive

Between 1897 and 1904, three amusement parks sprang up at Coney Island–Dreamland, Luna Park and Steeplechase. By the 1920s, Coney Island was reachable by subway and summer crowds of a million people a day flocked there for rides, games, sideshows, the beach and the two-and-a-half-mile boardwalk, completed in 1923.

The First Coney Island Amusement Park 

Paul Boyton founded Sea Lion Park at Coney Island, which created the business model of the first Coney Island Amusement Park.

The hot dog is said to have been invented at Coney Island in 1867 by Charles Feltman. In 1916, a nickel hot dog stand called Nathan’s was opened by a former Feltman employee and went on to become a Coney Island institution and international franchise. Today, Nathan’s is famous not only for its hot dogs but its hot dog-eating contest, held each Fourth of July in Coney Island.

(Photo:  Big Bear Mountain rollercoaster at Dollywood.  The ride is 1.2 kilometres long and the trains reach a top speed of 80 km/h.Credit: Dollywood) 

Roller coasters and amusement parks experienced a decline during the Great Depression and World War II, when Americans had less cash to spend on entertainment. 

Finally, in 1955, the opening of Disneyland in Anaheim, California, signaled the advent of the modern theme park and a rebirth of the roller coaster. Disneyland’s success sparked a wave of new parks and coasters. By the 1970s, parks were competing to create the most thrilling rides.

By the mid-1960s, the major amusement parks at Coney Island had shut down and the area acquired a seedy image. In recent decades it has been revitalized, however, and remains a popular tourist attraction. It's still home to the Cyclone, a wooden coaster that made its debut in 1927. Capable of speeds of 60 mph and with an 85-foot drop, the Cyclone is one of the country’s oldest coasters in operation today.

Went to a Curiosity Expo and Saw a traveling Ouija board museum

We recently attended an unusual event called "The Cabinet of Curiosities Market," in Sanford, Maine.  It's billed as "New England’s Cabinet of Curiosities is a curated vendor event celebrating the strange, the beautiful, and the obscure. Featuring artists and sellers focused on the the more unusual type of craft."  There were definitely some unusual things there, and one of the 2 floors was a traveling Ouija Board museum! 

VENDORS - Vendors sold products from handmade jewelry to skulls of reptiles! There were ouija boards, knitted items, handmade bags, candles, and even a rabbit rescue had a table.There were other vendors who sold minerals and crystals, others sold stained glass creations, skull decorations, and one vendor made homemade catnip toys!

You can learn more about the group that sponsors these events at: https://www.facebook.com/necabinetofcuriosities 

I MADE A SHORT VIDEO OF THE EVENT: https://youtube.com/shorts/4gMu-Ubo3jI?si=-rF3WK5gEcJHN6rd

TRAVELING OUIJA BOARD MUSEUM - The Maine Paranormal and Horror Convention features the interactive Traveling Board of Wonders, a massive collection of vintage Ouija boards and spirit communication devices. Curated by Jeff Witham, the exhibit offers attendees hands-on exploration of eerie artifacts and historical talking boards.

   HOW I KNEW ABOUT THIS EVENT- The Traveling Ouija Board Museum is owned and managed by Jeff, who is also managing the Maine Para/Horror Con and I got to meet him in May at the Pennhurst Paracon in Pennsylvania.  By the way,  I'm going to be speaking and signing books at the Maine Paranormal and Horror Convention on September 12–13, 2026 at the Augusta Civic Center. This two-day event features celebrity guests, paranormal investigators, cryptid experts, dark art vendors, and interactive panels.  Location: Augusta Civic Center, 76 Community Dr, Augusta, ME  

Idiot of the Week: MD Gubernatorial Candidate convicted of stalking, intimidation

This week's idiot is a guy who is running for governor in Maryland and who doesn't have the sense to leave an ex-wife alone after being court-ordered to do so.

Maryland candidate for governor convicted of stalking, intimidation

Pamela Wood, 6/12/2026, Baltimore Banner

Dwight Douglas Larcomb, a longshot Republican candidate for governor, was convicted of stalking, witness intimidation and multiple counts of violating a protective order following a trial this week in Frederick County Circuit Court.

Larcomb, a Frederick resident who uses the name “Douglas Larcomb” in his political campaign, asserted his innocence, alleged he’s a victim of “vindictive” prosecution and said he plans to appeal.

The case dates to October 2020, when protective orders were issued against Larcomb and his then-wife. Larcomb was ordered not to contact her.

A few months later, in February and March, law enforcement and prosecutors allege that he sent a barrage of Facebook messages to the woman and called her repeatedly, in violation of the protective order. Larcomb sent messages from his own accounts and also using aliases, according to police and court records.

“You have to fix this and fast,” Larcomb wrote the woman, using an alias. “And, the very first thing is that you have to STOP INVOLVING LAW ENFORCEMENT for attention!!!!”

In another series of messages introduced at trial, Larcomb wrote: “What do I want from you? Most expedient is truth to officials. I want all legal matters against me gone. I don’t care if you have to kick and scream to the gallows, you have to tell them that you aren’t testifying to ANYTHING. PERIOD. No matter if they say you have to.”

Larcomb was initially found guilty at trial in 2022 and was sentenced to nine years in prison. After appeals, Larcomb won a new trial in 2025 and was released from custody. The case was prosecuted at trial by the Carroll County State’s Attorney’s Office. “I am happy to see another jury came to the same result for the victim,” said Karla Goldman, assistant state’s attorney.

Hero of the Week: Food Truck Owner Rescues Flash Flood Victim

In June, 2026 a storm generated flash flooding around Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Fortunately for one driver who was caught in a flash flood, Miguel Morales was nearby and helped pull the driver in the submerged car to safety. Miguel is this week's hero.

(Photo: Miguel is working hard cooking. Credit: Miguel’s Tacon Madre)

ABOUT MIGUEL AND HIS BUSINESS - Miguel’s Tacon Madre is the name of the Food Truck owned by Miguel. It is a vibrant, flavor-packed trailer bringing the taste of Mexico straight to Cape Girardeau. From home made birria and handmade gorditas to bold, authentic salsas, this trailer serves Mexican street-food in the most traditional way. Located at 408 S. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, MO, 63701  (901) 277-1388   

Cape Girardeau man honored for heroic flash flooding rescue  

By Heartland News, Jun. 15, 2026

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KFVS) - The Cape Girardeau City Council honored a local hero at its Monday night meeting.

Business owner Miguel Morales received an official proclamation from city leaders for his service and dedication to helping others during a time of need.

Man rescues driver from submerged vehicle during flash flooding

On June 8, heavy rainfall in Cape Girardeau caused flash flooding throughout the city and surrounding areas.

During this time, a driver became trapped in a flooded vehicle, and Morales, who was working at his food truck, saw the emergency and saved the stranded individual--despite the dangerous conditions and rapidly rising floodwaters.

(Photo: One person was injured and rescued from a flooded vehicle on South Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau, Mo.(KFVS))

On June 15, the city recognized Morales’s compassion, courage and public service, stating that “he demonstrated extraordinary bravery, selflessness and concern for the safety and well-being of a fellow community member.”

Community supports hero’s food truck after flood rescue The driver’s family also shared the following statement, thanking Morales for his heroism: “Thomas Beasley [the driver] and family would like to express our deepest gratitude for all of the prayers and outpouring support. We will never be able to thank Miguel Morales, paramedics, EMTs, and the fire department enough for saving such a vital member of our family. If it wasn’t for Miguel, the last seven days would look a lot different. Mr. Morales showed true selflessness and bravery, not traits we hear about often in this day and age. He is an example of what we should strive to be. Forever our hero, from the bottom of hearts, thank you.”

(Photo:  Miguel’s Tacon Madre food truck)

Graphic Novel of the Week!! Batgirl Vol.1: by Gail Simone & Ardian Syaf

As a reader of comic books since 1974, and someone who loves many of the DC Comics superheroes like the Superman and Batman families of characters, this week's graphic novel collects an amazing storyline about Batgirl. Gail Simone is one of my favorite comic book writers and when she was given the reigns of a new Batgirl series in 2011, it became the best-ever version of Batgirl I have ever enjoyed in 37 years! I recently bought the first graphic novel from the series (I have the comic books) and loved it all over again. It's my highly recommended Graphic Novel! 

In Gail Simone's version of Batgirl, it picks up after Barbara Gordon (Batgirl's civilian identity) finally regained her ability to walk after being shot point blank by the Joker many years before. The writing was solid, and showed how Batgirl struggled with her physical limitations as she regained her ability to fight crime. The storylines were gripping, the characters exciting, and the artwork by Ardian Syaf was fantastic! 5 of 5 Stars. 

SIDE NOTE - When Gail Simone's run ended, DC Comics did something really stupid with the Batgirl character. They relaunched the character from a 30-something year old with super computer tech skills and connections Batman, Robin, Nightwing and others, to a 16 year old girl (She was NEVER a 16 year old in the comics- she was always and adult). They also made the artwork look like a saturday morning cartoon. They absolutely destroyed the great character that Gail Simone created. Needless to say, I never read Batgirl again. But this collection preserves the BEST Batgirl, ever.

ABOUT THE BOOK - Batgirl Vol. 1: The Darkest Reflection (The New 52) by Gail Simone (Author), Ardian Syaf (Illustrator), Vincente Vincente (Illustrator) 

As a part of the acclaimed DC Comics—The New 52 event of September 2011, Barbara Gordon is finally back as Batgirl! The nightmare-inducing brute known as Mirror is destroying the lives of Gotham City citizens seemingly at random. Will Barbara be able to survive her explosive confrontation with this new villain, as well as facing dark secrets from her past? A new chapter in the riveting adventures of Batgirl continue in stunning fashion, with script by fan-favorite Gail Simone and stellar art by superstar Ardian Syaf! 

This volume collects issues 1-6 of Batgirl, part of the DC Comics—The New 52 event.