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(originally posted on January 4, 2007)
After four books with FDLE agent Bill Tasker, Born goes in a completely different (and more serious) direction with the introduction of new series character Alex Duarte, former Iraq vet, ATF agent and chaser of serial bombers. This book is more expansive, more of a pure thriller, but best of all, Born really nails how clueless guys can be about women, especially guys so single-minded in their professional pursuits.
(originally posted on January 4, 2007)
Good god, what an acid satire of office life, jealousy and poison, all in just over 110 pages - but any longer and the effect would have been too much. Salvayre brilliantly captures the middle-aged woman's fear of irrelevancy and futility as those younger than her come in to take her place, planting seeds of despair and envy so deep that cruel acts can only ensue.
(originally posted on January 4, 2007)
Once again, Spiegelman shows why he has quickly become one of the best PI practitioners going with a tale blending the personal and the professional that really goes deep into what lengths family will go to protect, destroy, defend and betray each other. What works best is John March's fractured relationship with his brothers and sisters and how the black sheep will turn out to be the savior.
(originally posted on January 4, 2007)
Thought Hockensmith couldn't serve up a confection just as entertaining as his debut? Think again. The Amlingmeyer boys are back, traipsing through the Old West solving crimes in the best tradition of Old Red's hero, Sherlock Holmes, strengthening their sibling bond and finding all sorts of new ways to brighten up their spirits - and ours. Unlike so many, this series really does has the potential to go on for many, many installments.
(originally posted on January 4, 2007)
It's a shame that Stromme has passed because we're now robbed of more quirky, noirish novels like this, her last to be published (and only one published in America.) Take a "public" writer who becomes increasingly and overly curious about the lives of his clients, environmental shenanigans and a dry writing style with plenty of wit and melancholy and the result is wholly unexpected but quite affecting. I wish I had read this book sooner.
(originally posted on December 9, 2006)
It would be all to easy to say that this book can be judged by its fantastic cover, but it's true - there is nothing like a dame, whether it's Jean Spangler (whose mysterious 1949 disappearance is the basis for the novel) or Megan Abbott, whose cool, steely-eyed take on the underbelly of 1950s Hollywood is like no one else's. The song, as it turns out, is all who dared to dream and never got to see it play out.
(originally posted on December 9, 2006)
Too many people (myself included) have claimed the PI novel is on life support, but Chercover does a damn good job of resuscitation with his debut. Ray Dudgeon is world weary with a wry sense of humor, yes, but his quest to protect a film location manager who saw too much is infused with real velocity and momentum that suggests great things for both character and author. This book is everything I hoped for, and I clamor for more.
(originally posted on December 9, 2006)
I suppose Ephron doesn't need my recommendation, but there's nothing like a collection of concise, to-the-bone essays that excite your brain and get you thinking about certain topics (be they necks, apartments, or menopause) in a new way, but set you on a course to writing in plainer fashion. Magnifique.
(originally posted on December 9, 2006)
My dearest hope is that lots and lots of people read this book, discover how wonderful it is, and then pass it on to lots and lots and lots of other people. Dizzying ideas with a fresh perspective, a strong plot and a healthy attitude towards sex. I mean, what's not to love about this book?
(originally posted on December 9, 2006)
Yu's debut collection of stories explore identity themes with mathematical equations, lists and other po-mo techniques, but underlying the stylistic flourishes is serious talent that's curious about the world and how people relate to each other (and especially to their mothers.) The title story is the standout, but the others fare very well indeed.
