This may be Lowell's greatest book yet. From a purely mechanical point of view, it's his best-crafted, best-written and best-edited book. And it doesn't hurt that we've been tracking the progress and shenanigans of these characters for years.

I think that may be one thing that makes it difficult for someone new to the series to pick this one up and enjoy it as well as I did. You see, readers of the series have tracked Pip and Ish for more than twenty years, since they were eighteen or nineteen, through crises, successes, failures, depression, lies, betrayal, challenges and mountain-top experiences. And to some extent, many of the other characters, too: Al, Zee and Nat, Sifu Newmar, Chief Stevens, Ms. Torkelson and Ms. Sharps, just to name a few.

So, when I allow myself to think about it, there's an ache somewhere when I'm waiting for another installment from Lowell in this series. I'm invested in these characters. (I've already read Darkness Forged through once and parts of it three or four times.) When Ishmael gets his head in the right place, we celebrate with him. When Carstairs is left speechless for the second time in his life, we respond, too.

So, pick up this book, read it and, if you're still intrigued, go see how Ishmael makes coffee for the first time over on the Lois. I don't think you'll regret it. ( )