Picks of the Week

LOVERBOY, by Victoria Redel

(originally posted on March 25, 2007)

Reading Redel's debut novel is not unlike hearing a single-line piano piece repeat a short section over and over in seemingly melodious fashion until one of the notes steps out of tune, then another until the entire piece is jarringly discordant. A brilliant example of the consuming obsession that can be a mother's relationship to her child taken to disturbing heights.

AFRICAN PSYCHO, by Alain Mabanckou

(originally posted on March 25, 2007)

Not only is this an excellent example of how to utilize first person narration to its fullest extent, Mabanckou's stylized portrait of a would-be murderer builds and builds with unbearable suspense to an ending that seems to shock - but is also utterly right. In a weird way, this PSYCHO bears more chilling resemblance to a true serial killer than does Patrick Bateman.

BAD LUCK AND TROUBLE, by Lee Child

(originally posted on March 25, 2007)

Jack Reacher kicks ass. Enough said. But this time he's leading a team of old army cohorts (including Frances Neagley, making a welcome return with several surprises up her sleeve) to figure out why the rest of the group is dying off with alarming quickness. For so long we've seen Reacher behave as an independent unit that his leadership qualities seem brand new, even if they've merely been untapped facets of his ethos and personality. This may well be one of my favorites in the series.