Picks of the Week

DEATH'S LITTLE HELPERS, by Peter Spiegelman

(originally posted on July 6, 2005)

Spiegelman's debut, BLACK MAPS, introduced a PI who probed the murky worlds of finance. Now John March is back and everything -- plot, characterization, pacing, writing style -- is markedly improved, as March investigates the disappearance of a noted businessman who not only doesn't seem to want to be found, but his nearest and dearest aren't particularly interested, either. With this much difference between #1 and #2, it sure bodes well for the next installment.

YELLOW, by Janni Visman

(originally posted on July 6, 2005)

Sometimes the best books come in small packages. This is a tiny, devastating portrait of a woman so desperate to control every aspect of her life that all it takes is one tiny change -- the discovery that her lover once loved someone else long ago -- to undo her completely. Visman expertly makes use of all the senses, even smell, to demonstrate Stella's slow unraveling. Brilliant stuff.

THE DRAGON SCROLL, by I.J. Parker

(originally posted on July 6, 2005)

In this age of tortured protagonists and social consciousness, a mystery novel that's more traditional in scope has to work overtime to attract discerning readers, but in this, the return of 11th century Japanese shamus Sugawara Akitada, Parker does everything right -- the plot is tight with lots of surprises, the writing is crisp and lively and there's a perfect balance between action, dry humor and quiet moments. I'm looking forward to catching up with earlier volumes and waiting for new ones.

THE DRAGON SCROLL, by I.J. Parker

(originally posted on July 6, 2005)

In this age of tortured protagonists and social consciousness, a mystery novel that's more traditional in scope has to work overtime to attract discerning readers, but in this, the return of 11th century Japanese shamus Sugawara Akitada, Parker does everything right -- the plot is tight with lots of surprises, the writing is crisp and lively and there's a perfect balance between action, dry humor and quiet moments. I'm looking forward to catching up with earlier volumes and waiting for new ones.

COLD GRANITE, by Stuart MacBride

(originally published on June 26, 2005)

How does a 450 page novel move so damn fast? Whatever formula MacBride has stumbled on for keeping the pace consistently speedy and engaging is one I'd really, really like to buy. But plot-driven as this debut is, there's no skimping on character development and on the bitter fate that befalls the parents of a dead child. The hype's definitely warranted, but Logan McRae is cut more from the Tom Thorne cloth rather than from Rebus's.

SIX BAD THINGS, by Charlie Huston

(originally published on June 26, 2005)

Think Hank Thompson went through the ringer in his first appearance (the stellar CAUGHT STEALING, which I only read recently)? Well think again. It's three years later and he's killing time and chilling out in Mexico...and then this Russian backpacker shows up. Next thing you know, Hank's run back to New York, his parents are in danger and he has to finish what he started all those years ago. The action is relentless and it's pretty damn hard to put this book down -- but then again, why would you?

36 YALTA BOULEVARD, by Olen Steinhauer

(originally published on June 26, 2005)

Steinhauer's novels have always been a cut above the usual political thriller fare because of two things: the writing, which can be damn near beautiful at times, and the level of intelligence that comes through in how the story is told and how the main characters interact. So it goes with this one, featuring Brano Sev, a man whose edict of following orders -- no matter what -- lands him in serious trouble as he tries to figure out why his beloved government is hanging him out to dry.

THE GREATEST MAN IN CEDAR HOLE, by Stephanie Doyon

(originally published on June 21, 2005)

If Jean Shepherd had allowed Ralphie ("you'll shoot yer eye out!") to compete against an adversary and then grow up and take his rightful place in town, then the result might have resembled Doyon's debut novel for adults -- a wonderfully pointed, sprawling tale infused with great humor, memorable characters adn choice insight into how much potential a person really has, no matter what stage of life he or she is at.