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Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
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Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
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Customer Comments
katknit has commented on (46) products
People of the Book
by
Geraldine Brooks
katknit
, November 14, 2009
People of the Book is not a page turner, a suspense novel, or an adventure story. Author Brooks has taken what little is known about the Sarajevo Haggadah, with a focus on a few tiny artifacts evidently left behind, inadvertently, by some of the people who handled it in the past. The skeleton of the story hangs upon the stabilization of the book by Hanna Heath, a book conservationist working in the 1990's. As she discovers such minutia as a feather, a stain, and an insect wing, the author inserts compelling chapters in which their presence might be explained. It is these chapters, which begin during the second world war and gradually regress to the early medieval period, that make People the compelling historical novel that it is. The history of the Haggadah parallels that of the persecution of the Jews, but many of the major characters in each era are Christian or Muslim. In the end, it becomes clear that the production and preservation of a great religious work of art relies on the cooperative efforts of people of many faiths. This is a message that could not be more timely, and this is a book that is a pleasure to read and ponder.
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Rusty Nail
by
J A Konrath
katknit
, September 11, 2009
Rusty Nail is my first foray into the world of Lt. Jack (short for Jaqueline) Daniels, a forty-something police detective who cares about her job. She recently nabbed the uber-sadistic Gingerbread Man serial killer, but some recent developments are giving Jack a sense of deja-vu. Someone is delivering horrific snuff videos to her door, complete with personal taunts and death threats. Others who had been involved in the Gingerbread investigation feature prominently in these sick flicks. What I liked: Jack. She's a good, honest cop and a strong woman. Sure, she has her problems, but who doesn't? The basic plot. The attempt at humor and levity, although some of it fell rather flat. The Chicago setting. Mr. Whiskers, Jack's adopted cat. The final battle. What I disliked: Some of the characters descended into the realm of caricature. The sickening details of torture, which were heavily overdone to the point of becoming gratuitous. Final rating: Just OK. Will have to check out another in the series before deciding one way or the other on this series.
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Lorna Doone
by
R D Blackmore
katknit
, August 23, 2009
As a very young child, John Ridd encounters the equally young Lorna while fishing in Doone territory. The Doones, born noble, were deprived of their birthright, and now live in a fortress above the Somerset moors, sometimes emerging to pillage the countryside for food, money, and comely women. It's love at first sight for John, who, in spite of the fact that the Doones murdered his own father, falls hard for the enchanting Lorna. Blackmore's romance/adventure takes the couple through trials and tribulations, and the lowborn John sadly doubts that he can ever be worthy of Lorna. Little does he know of her true origins. Blackmore, naturally, wrote in the language of his times, a style that tends toward poetical effusion. The modern reader must summon up the patience to work through the verbosity to find the gem of a story beneath. It's well worth the effort, and flashes of gentle satire and humor help make the journey a satisfying one.
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Obedience
by
Will Lavender
katknit
, July 19, 2009
Reading Obedience is similar to walking through a fun house full of distorting mirrors and churning floors. The premise is a simple one. Professor Williams presents his logic class with a single assignment: to prevent a murder that will otherwise happen when the course ends. As the students begin to ponder the clues that Williams doles out piecemeal, they grow increasingly uncomfortable with the strangeness of the scenario, and little by little, their abilities to maintain a grasp on reality begin to shred. A few of the students become obsessed, and it is their experiences that form the nucleus of this complicated, sinuous mystery. There are some contrivances in this plot, but basically, it holds together well, and the reader, if willing, can be easily drawn into the general aura of apprehension that permeates this tale. It’s difficult to perceive what logic has to do with the puzzle, but ethics – or lack thereof – do play a prominent role. Obedience is a strong first novel, and I look forward to Lavender’s next outing.
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Stone Virgin
by
Barry Unsworth
katknit
, July 13, 2009
Simon Raikes is restoring an enigmatic stone Madonna that graces the front of a medieval church in Venice. As he prepares his work, he is overtaken by visions, and he soon becomes obsessed with discovering the history of the unusual, subtly erotic statue. Simon’s own fate becomes inextricably enmeshed with that of the original sculptor, and he finds himself making choices that would previously been abhorrent to him. Stone Virgin is a complex, proficient morality tale that examines the dark underside of desire, whether it be carnality, pride, ambition, or cupidity. Within these pages, the age old adage that history repeats itself plays out in the lives of individuals, rather than on the world stage. How easy it is to succumb to temptation when one’s secret heart’s desire is within reach.
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Rising Tide
by
Jeff Shaara
katknit
, July 09, 2009
Jeff Shaara made an admirable attempt to complete his father's Civil War series, but his sequels, valuable though they are, could not hold a candle to The Killer Angel. Well, Jeff has done a lot of writing since then, and his WWII series, if The Rising Tide is a fair indication, matches the work of his father. What Michael Shaara did for the Civil War, his son is doing for the Second World War. One of the marks of good historical fiction, for me, is the way it prompts me to start researching stuff on the internet. And that's what I found myself doing in Tide. Another of telling sign happens when I find myself living what the characters are going through, and in Jeff's chapters on the tank battles between Rommel and the Allies, I felt the awe. To a lesser extent, only because this topic receives less coverage, is his portrayal of the training and daring of the paratroopers. There are many similar scenes in Tide - POW camps, stress disorders, command failures - that truly bring home the complexity of the topic to readers who have never experienced warfare at any level. The only other WWII series that does this so well is Herman Wouk's Winds of War, and War and Remembrance. The Rising Tide is a valuable addition to WWII fiction.
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Last Van Gogh
by
Alyson Richman
katknit
, June 27, 2009
Marguerite is 21 when Vincent Van Gogh arrives at her father’s door for medical/psychological treatment. Dr. Gachet practices from his home, so Marguerite has ample opportunity to interact with the artist. She is drawn to Vincent, who is enormously talented but emotionally fragile, and in a very short time, they fall in love, in spite of the disapproval of her father and brother. Their romance is the pivot around which this novel revolves. What works best in this story is the depiction of the plight of women around the turn of the twentieth century. Dr. Gachet, as portrayed here, is an incredibly selfish man with questionable personal and professional ethics. The life of Marguerite, as well as those of her father’s mistress and illegitimate daughter, are under his absolute control, which he wields with chilling disregard for their own preferences or ambitions. He cultivates artists as patients because it gives him access to their paintings, which he covets and accepts as payment. He makes liberal use of homemade herbal tinctures with limited understanding their pharmacology. What does not work particularly well is the author’s characterization of Vincent, who in this book serves as the catalyst for Marguerite’s story and not as a fully developed protagonist. His tragic struggle with depression is described rather than shown, and he comes across as more ghostly than vibrant in the scenes in which he is physically present. The Last Van Gogh is a bittersweet love story, but those wishing to know more about the artist will find little of value here.
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Of Bees & Mist
by
Erick Setiawan
katknit
, June 25, 2009
Of Bees and Mist is a fairy tale for adults, full of fanciful features meant to symbolize pieces of the life of the main character, a young woman named Meridia. It is also something of a coming of age story. While many readers seem to find the book enchanting, for me the "magic" and metaphors were ludicrously exaggerated. Meridia's life is a misery from first page to last. Her parents come across as barely human, and they raise their daughter in a cold, misty void. Meridia's only "friend", Hannah, is obviously Meridia's inner self, the strength that lies buried within. Her husband is spineless, her mother in law a gross caricature of a harpy from hell (she's the one with the bees, an endless, malevolent supply of them.) The more minor characters are treated as pawns. For me, reading Of Bees and Mist was a bleak, disagreeable experience. I cannot recommend it, but would suggest to those considering giving it a try that they read the positive reviews as well, before making a decision one way or another.
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Bleeding Heart Square
by
Andrew Taylor
katknit
, June 22, 2009
London socialite Lydia Langstone takes refuge from her abusive husband with her estranged father, who resides at number 7, Bleeding Heart Square. Her new surroundings are daunting to one accustomed to a life of privilege. The landlord, Joseph Serridge, takes quite an interest in Lydia, even setting her up in her first ever job. Among the tenants is Rory Wentworth, an unemployed journalist engaged to the niece of the building’s now missing previous owner. Rory has been poking his nose into Serridge’s past, at the behest of a local bobby who has a grudge against Serridge and is trying to pin a murder on him. The atmosphere of this multi-layered novel is instantly set by the delivery to number 7 of a decaying animal heart wrapped in brown paper. The year is 1935, in the midst of the depression, and England is struggling to recover from the aftereffects of WWI. Local Fascists are trying to gain control of England’s government, and they are not averse to using violence. The seedy neighborhood and a myriad of slightly creepy characters contribute to the sense of menace, and chapter by chapter, the suspense ratchets up a notch. Lydia is slowly drawn into the action, only gradually realizing how much of her life till now has been heavily wrapped in secrets. Author Taylor has been compared to Dickens, a comparison that is apt. Taylor is a skilled writer, deft with dialogue and description. His plot device here, that of an unknown reader perusing the victim’s diary, sustains the mystery and increases apprehension to the very last page. Don’t miss it.
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Darling Jim
by
Christian Moerk
katknit
, June 08, 2009
For centuries, storytellers have crisscrossed Ireland, weaving spells in the homes and pubs of towns and villages in return for room, board, and a little money. A few of these bards still remain in this age of instantaneous communication, and when a handsome young beguiler blows into quiet Castletownbere on his vintage motorcycle, the entire town, especially its women, falls subject to his charms. Author Moerk imbues his tale with malevolent fairy tale and mythic elements, weaving a spell of mystery and menace from the very first page. Darling Jim is no mystery - we know who ends up dead - but, as the truth is unveiled via two diaries, the atmosphere grows increasingly sinister. There is more than one monster in this book. Highly recommended to fans of subtle horror. (Note: Those who are easily offended by language and sexual content will not enjoy Darling Jim.)
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37th Hour
by
Jodi Compton
katknit
, June 05, 2009
Recently promoted Detective Sarah Pribek is also a new wife. While she's known her husband Shiloh for five years, what she doesn't know about him probably exceeds what she does. Their marriage is only two months old when he disappears, after having encouraged her to make an overnight visit to her traumatized partner, Gen. Naturally, Sara sets out to find her husband, and she hasn't many clues to follow. Bit by bit, it becomes evident that the murder of partner Gen's teenaged daughter, which happened in the recent past, is somehow connected to what happened to Shiloh. The 37th Hour gets off to a strong, promising start, but fails to fulfill that promise with a slow middle and a weak, rather rushed conclusion. Threads raising questions about relationships, morals, revenge, and forgiveness wind up muddled and unresolved, and the book's final chapter leaves the reader hanging. A sequel seems likely, but author Compton would do well to strengthen her plotting skills before publishing again.
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Dust & Shadow An Account of the Ripper Killings by Dr John H Watson
by
Lyndsay Faye
katknit
, June 04, 2009
New novelist Lyndsay Faye has done what few have managed before. She has resurrected Sherlock Holmes and company. Faye succeeds admirably in creating the ambience of the original novels, and by pitting Holmes against Jack the Ripper, presents him with a challenge worthy of his talents. The world’s greatest detective emerges true to form, with arrogance and foibles intact. Dr. Watson, dear as ever, remains at his side, but in this tale, he takes a more active role than was his wont. The usual lovely woman, in this case a fallen but by no means helpless one, assists with some hitherto hidden investigative skills, and may just find a life off Whitechapel’s streets. And off course Lestrade and Mycroft have their days under this new sun. Faye has also created a theory about what might have happened to Jack, who in real life seems to just have up and vanished. And Faye’s scenario is more than elementary, it’s plausible. Dust and Shadow is a genuine page turner, rich in foggy Victorian atmosphere and a delight in which to lose yourself for a few suspense filled hours.
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Life in a Medieval City. Illustrated by York in the Xvth Century
by
Edwin Benson
katknit
, May 30, 2009
Originally published in 1920 and long out of print, this short but comprehensive overview of the various facets of 15th century life is deservedly available once more. Edwin Benson divided his work into five chapters: important historical factors, appearance of the town, civic and national life, business life, religious life, and education and entertainment. Each chapter is subdivided further into topics that include a description of streets and diverse buildings, York's status as a royal city, the function of guilds and the rise of the merchant middle class, food and clothing, pageants and holidays, and the treatment of lepers. The organization of the book makes it an interesting and accessible reference. Recommended for general readers interested in the late middle ages, or as an introduction to the study of medieval York.
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Private Patient
by
P D James
katknit
, May 30, 2009
If The Private Patient is truly PDJ’s final Dalgliesh novel, she’s taking him out in style! AD has always been the most human, humane, and cultured of the detective genre, and at long last, he’s gained some well deserved happiness. Although most of his cases have been firmly closed at the end of each story, in this one, James has left some wiggle room. This is a fine police procedural/human interest story, as beautifully written and atmospheric as we’ve come to expect from her. Five stars for yet another thoroughly enjoyed little masterpiece.
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Villette
by
Charlotte Bronte
katknit
, May 25, 2009
The heroine of this lesser known of Charlotte Bronte’s novels is called Lucy Snowe, which means “light” and “cold”. Thrown upon her own resources at the tender age of 14, Lucy sets out for France and, by the skin of her teeth, lands a job at a girls’ school in Villete. As her name suggests, Lucy holds herself aloof from all the usual interests of young women. Coincidence and improbability plays major roles in the plot of this novel, and if the reader is intolerant of such, the book will not satisfy. Rich in symbolism, Villette serves as a metaphor for the lives of women in Victorian Europe. Particularly striking is the mystery of the spectral nun who appears in garret and garden cloister. For the modern reader, Villette suffers from too much “sermonizing.” It’s possible, however, to balance the religiosity with the humor invested in relatively minor characters, such as the proto-feminist Ginevra Fanshawe, who “has suffered less than any” other woman in Lucy’s world. Ginevra is refreshingly, sometimes comedically, unrestricted by the conventions of her society. It requires but little imagination to hear the voice of Charlotte herself, who indeed lived much of her life in similar circumstances, in the thoughts and soliloquies of Lucy. In the end, Lucy’s defensive remoteness is breached, but the reader is left to decide exactly how her story plays out.
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Figures In Silk
by
Vanora Bennett
katknit
, May 16, 2009
“The more things change, the more they stay the same.” Figures in Silk, a book about surviving life in London during the reigns of Edward IV and Richard III, certainly validates the old saying. Sisters Isabel and Jane experience first hand the effects of political turmoil, one from the outside, and the other from the inside, of court life. Both girls are unwillingly married at a young age, but neither marriage survives. One sister goes into the silk trade with her dynamic mother in law, and the other becomes mistress to the king. The plot is fairly standard issue for historical fiction with women protagonists, but its emphasis on political infighting, intrigue, and machinations, is its driving force. The author’s treatment of Richard III is balanced, and major and supporting characters alike are well developed. Three dramatic but credible surprises make for a satisfying conclusion and an enjoyable reading adventure.
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Ireland
by
Frank Delaney
katknit
, May 07, 2009
Frank Delaney’s Ireland is my kind of novel. Rich with character, history, and lyrical language, it is at once the chronicle of a nation and the coming of age tale of a young man. The story opens with the arrival of a man who may be Ireland’s last itinerant storyteller, and from the moment he lights his pipe by the fireside, and begins describing the evolution of prehistoric New Grange, his audience is enthralled. As is Ronan, who from that evening on finds his career and his very life shaped by this enigmatic, nameless wanderer. The millenium-long, traumatic epic of a nation’s building, the travails of a single 20th century family, the beauty of the landscape, the pain of loss, forgiveness and love, poets and leprechauns – it’s all here, fascinating and beautifully expressed. If the book has a flaw, it’s in its length. Though it bogs down after the halfway mark, Delaney’s riveting conclusion more than makes up for that. Highly recommended for lovers of good historical fiction.
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Physick Book of Deliverance Dane
by
Katherine Howe
katknit
, May 05, 2009
There has never been a genuine grimoire, aka book of shadows or spell book, found in the US. When Harvard doctoral student Connie Goodwin moves Marblehead, MA to rehabilitate her grandmother's historic home, there are many signs and portents that suggest that Connie may be hot on the trail of the first American grimoire. Her major advisor, Manning Chilton, shows a particularly intense interest in her search, and when Connie's new guy, Sam, has a surprising accident and falls prey to uncontrollable seizures, she is forced to take actions that she would otherwise consider insane. In the course of the crisis, Connie discovers who she is. Katherine Howe had turned out a compelling modern/historical mystery that is, for the most part, well grounded in fact. Deliverance Dane is a genuine thriller, one that requires an open mind, but is ultimately satisfying.
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All The Colors Of Darkness
by
Peter Robinson
katknit
, April 23, 2009
Peter Robinson has developed one of the genre's most appealing investigators in Alan Banks. He's lived a lot, learned from his experiences and mistakes, and remains ineffably real and humane. Bank's has a lot on his plate in Colors of Darkness. Just as he seems to have found genuine happiness with Sophia, he finds himself immersed in a case that's patently straightforward, but his instincts keep telling him that how deceiving are appearances. The Cold War is over, but now its replacement, the ever-present terrorism threat, has grown even more complex and perilous, and Banks is unnervingly unsure of the rules. All the Colors of Darkness is an expertly crafted, knotty mystery, with elements of darkness, as well as plenty of zigs, zags, and human interest. Highly recommended.
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Alchemists Daughter
by
Katharine Mcmahon
katknit
, April 23, 2009
More a coming of age story than a bodice ripper or genre romance, The Alchemist's Daughter tells of the early experiences of a sheltered young woman with a remarkable education. Emily is an expert in the science of alchemy, the study of the forces of nature, but knows next to nothing about living her life or human nature. This novel follows her as she leaves her father's home for the first time as the starry eyed wife of an unscrupulous fortune hunter, about to learn the hard way about love, morality, and trust. Author McMahon plays out Emily's story against a vivid background of London society and backwater village. By the end of the novel, Emily's metamorphosis is underway. Could a sequel be in the offing?
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The Night Villa
by
Carol Goodman
katknit
, April 20, 2009
Carol Goodman's mysteries share two common elements: her protagonists are accomplished, American, female academics, usually in literature, who are drawn into complex projects in which a hidden conspiracy exposes them to great danger. Goodman is adept at layering her modern day thrillers over firm historical/mythological underpinnigs. In The Night Villa, Classics Professor Sophie Chase is lured to Italy for a chance to study newly discovered, ancient scrolls pertaining to the subject of her dissertation, Roman slave girl Petronia Iusta, whom Sophie sees as a woman ahead of her time. The others on her team have their own particular agendas, and not all of them are benign. Readers intrigued by mysterious cults and rites, arcane signs and symbols, labyrinths and grottos, and esoteric manuscripts, not to mention Herculaneum, will thoroughly enjoy The Night Villa, which has moments of genuine suspense despite a somewhat improbable denouement. Goodman's a first rate writer.
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Big Dig Carlotta Carlyle
by
Linda Barnes
katknit
, April 09, 2009
PI Carlotta Carlyle goes undercover in this outing, and that’s not exactly an easy task for a 6-foot tall redhead! Hired by a former colleague, she’s trying to determine the validity of fraud accusations lodged against a construction firm working Boston’s infamous Big Dig. Never a 9 to 5-ver, Carlotta’s also moonlighting on a missing person case. Rats, dogs, and lots of water play a major role in her investigations, which strangely enough, begin to merge. Carlotta relies nearly as much upon her instincts that her evidence, as none of the principals seems willing to level with her. When new love interest enters the scene, even he is not what he appears to be. More mystery than a thriller, The Big Dig is a light unprepossessing novel that in me, at least, evoked a bit of the spirit of Sam Spade.
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Luncheon of the Boating Party
by
Susan Vreeland
katknit
, April 04, 2009
What goes through an artist's mind during the act of creating a painting? Susan Vreeland makes that question the theme of Luncheon of the Boating Party. Generally agreed to be one of Renoir's masterpieces, Luncheon is a huge canvas depicting fourteen people enjoying a repast at an inn along the River Seine. Renoir is depicted at the pivotal point in his career when he was struggling to decide whether to persist with the impressionist genre, or to incorporate more formal techniques and styles. Provoked by a critical comment from Emile Zola, he embarks upon a quest to produce a work to serve as the definitive rebuttal. Vreeland immerses her readers within the heart of Montmartre and the romantic Parisian ideal of "modern life". A joyous commingling of street scenes and cafe society, artists and models, dealers and yachtsmen, Luncheon is an earthy, incandescent evocation of one of the art world's most momentous eras. Enjoy!
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Shakespeare's Wife
by
Germaine Greer
katknit
, March 27, 2009
For centuries, admirers of the Bard have been wondering why he married Ann Hatheway only to leave her for most of the rest of his life. Historically, scholars have almost universally blamed Ann, primarily through the mechanism of applying passages from Shakespeare’s works to his wife, particularly if they are critical in content. Germaine Greer justifiably found this practice unacceptable. Using documentary evidence, the genuine tools of credible biography, Greer has written the first comprehensive overview of Ann Shakespeare’s life. Regrettably, very little documentation exists. Greer studied that which she could uncover, and thoughtfully blended it with factual information about the lives of typical, plebian women of the Elizabethan eras. The result is a plausible hypothesis about how Ann might have managed her situation as a woman left on her own to care for herself and her young children. And plunking herself down on her in-laws, as her detractors surmise, was not the option she selected. Greer presents her reader with an independent, capable Ann Shakespeare, one who was probably an astute business woman who did more than simply manage. Greer, a Shakespeare scholar in her student days, also reinterprets passages of his writing, more favorably with respect to women and marriage. Where she misses her mark is when she overindulges in speculation, as, for instance, when she theorizes that the lengthy separation of Will and Ann could have been due to his having contracted syphilis. This is not a new idea, but Greer went overboard in imagining his medical treatment and early death, in great detail. Similarly, Greer devoted too much space to elaborating on business deals and other minutia not directly impacting Ann herself. Flaws notwithstanding, Greer has done a service to women’s history by offering the world an Ann Shakespeare who was more than a discarded wife who made miserable the life of her husband.
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Almost Home
by
Pam Jenoff
katknit
, March 09, 2009
It’s difficult to believe that Jordan Weiss is an intelligence officer. In Almost Home, she is introduced as such, with allusions to dodging hails of gunfire and helicopter escapes in Liberia. The plot of this novel is an intriguing one, and it plays out with a fair measure of success. Jordan returns to London ten years after earning her Cambridge degree, ten years after the tragic, seemingly accidental death of Jared Short, the man she had hoped to marry. Now she finds herself enmeshed in a case involving money laundering by terrorists. To complicate matters, Chris, Jared’s best friend, has discovered that he was murdered, and lures her into helping him uncover the truth about his death. Jordan accepts her new assignment, but for such a seasoned operative, in this story she copes with stress by running away - literally. She impresses as a bumbler, incapable of asserting her own will, being pulled hither and yon by whomever she is with at the moment. Death follows in Jordan’s wake. Often verging on hysteria, it’s a wonder that, eventually, she does resolve the mysteries, but not without a lot of help. The book is also plagued by annoying little inconsistencies, as when on one page, a colleague’s sweater is blue, then paragraphs later, pink. Five stars for plotting and writing style, three for characters and attention to detail.
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Among The Mad Maisie Dobbs
by
Jacqueline Winspear
katknit
, March 08, 2009
Fifteen years after the close of WWI, psychologist/investigator Maisie Dobbs finds herself reliving old horrors from the days when she served as a nurse in military mental wards. “Shell shockâ€, the generic term for psychological damage incurred on the battlefield, is a relatively new concept, and, sad to say, the government has essentially washed its hands of the hundreds of thousands of former soldiers who suffered nerve damage and crippling neurosis. Now, as 1931 draws to a close, the Great Depression has magnified the deprivation and desperation of these lost men. And one of them has decided to fight back, with weapons only he is capable of devising. Seconded to the Special Branch of Scotland Yard, Maisie takes her spot on an elite team who must race against the clock and the machinations of the unknown killer. Using her unique experiences and perceptual talents, she must re-immerse herself into the world of those who have lost their souls. But who is more “madâ€, the victims of the war, or those who refuse to ameliorate the suffering? Author Winspear does an admirable job of dramatizing the central issues of this novel, from depression to government corruption and the self imposed blindness of society. (The subject of chemical warfare is particularly timely.) Her characters, as usual, are infused with credibility. Maisie, of course, accepts her responsibilities and never deviates from her ideals and principals. Sometimes one wishes that her formidable self discipline would totter a bit, but there are some cracks becoming visible in the shell that she needed to erect to survive. Among the Mad is a fine addition to an engaging and relevant series.
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As Simple as Snow
by
Gregory Galloway
katknit
, March 02, 2009
As Simple as Snow is touted as anything but simple, full of mystery and subtle sorcery. For most readers over a certain age, however, (let's place it high at 35), it's nothing more than a slight twist on the typical, angst filled coming of age story. Ordinary, self-consciously unimaginative boy meets intellectual, ostentatiously quirky girl. She lures him with enigmatic word and number games, he falls into sophomore- year love with her, then she up and disappears. The town is frantic, thinking she's been murdered, but the enigmatic games continue in the form of cryptic messages, while taxpayers' money goes down the drain. Not surprising in the world of adolescents, the boy's only other friend also disappears. While this plot, for a while, generates interest as to their fates, what passes for resolution is, annoyingly, merely more questioning and angst. At the end of the interlude, a period of about six months, the boy has matured into a whole new identity because of what this girl taught him, and by implication, will grow into literary and personal greatness. The unnamed sophomore is a nicer kid than Holden Caulfield, but the drama's the same. Recommended for the "young adult" genre.
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What Would Barbra Do How Musicals Changed My Life
by
Emma Brockes
katknit
, March 02, 2009
Emma Brockes was raised in England by a mom who would break into show tunes at the drop of a hat. Growing up in the age of DVDs, Emma and her girlfriends were free to to watch their favorite musicals ad infinitum , and boy, did they ever (imagine seeing Mary Poppins 150 times). Now she describes the influence that the shows and songs have had on certain aspects of her life. Wry and witty, Brockes deconstructs the genre, analyzing plots, messages, the good (five of Rodgers and Hammerstein's), the bad (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers), and the worst of all time (Xanadu). The book is sprinkled heavily with comic incidents and observations, a tongue-in-cheek yet authoritative survey of the history of musicals in all their spectacular, impossible glory. And yes, they have influenced the development of the American "character", in both senses of the word.
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Abortionists Daughter
by
Elisabeth Hyde
katknit
, March 02, 2009
Abortion. Pornography. Malfeasance in the justice system. Illegal/legal drug abuse. Stalkers. It's all in The Abortionist's Daughter. Title notwithstanding, this crime novel has no primary protagonist. From chapter to chapter, the spotlight focuses upon several different characters - the daughter, two detectives, victim's husband, ex boyfriend, the victim herself, antiabortion activist -, throwing light upon their personal points of view with respect to the murder, and with respect to their relationships with the others who are enmeshed in the case. As in real life, each has his/her own virtues and faults, and some are likable while others are not. In some ways this book is reminiscent of Jodi Picoult's. Author Hyde has an intelligent writing style, a layman's understanding of psychology, and a talent for infusing her characters with authenticity. While it becomes evident early on who the culprit is, motive and method do not. The Abortionist's Daughter has the makings of a made-for-TV movie, with lots of drama and juicy plum roles.
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Assassins Accomplice Mary Surratt & the Plot to Kill Abraham Lincoln
by
Kate Larson
katknit
, February 24, 2009
Author Kate Clifford Larson has had the courage to examine a historical question that still has the power to raise hackles: Was Mary Surratt guilty of conspiracy to murder the president, and if so, should she have been executed. In doing so, she has provided a valuable service in clarifying the evidence and coming down on the side of the courts. Whether or not the Lincoln assassination conspirators should have been tried by a military court is no longer the issue. Larson convincingly shows that Mrs. Surratt was an active participant in Lincoln’s murder. Her age and gender, which caused considerable controversy at the time, should no longer color opinion of the outcome of her trial. Was she guilty? It appears, beyond reasonable doubt, that she was. Should she have been executed? That depends on one’s opinion on the subject of capital punishment. Larson has provided a lively, objective case study based upon available documentation.
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Darker Domain
by
Val McDermid
katknit
, February 24, 2009
A badly botched kidnapping, and a long-missing person are the two latest cases brought to the recently formed Cold Case Review Team, headed by newly promoted DI Karen Pirie. These cases are more than 20 years old, one brought back to the surface by a mother desperate to locate a donor for her medically fragile son, and the other by a well known investigative reporter who stumbled upon a crucial piece of evidence while vacationing in Italy. Unfortunately, DI Pirie’s boss is more interested in public relations and budgetary issues than he is in stirring things up. Not one to become too concerned with riling up the boss, ignoring the rule book, or stepping on important toes, however, Karen is determined to get to the bottom of things. Val McDermid has produced a page turner here, expertly revealing bits of evidence via the technique of interspersing chapters about then amongst the chapters about now. The reader gets the evidence as soon as the tecs do, and puzzling yet intriguing bits they are. The Italian bureaucracy, the ethics of journalism, the corrupting power of money, and the refusal to cave under any of these pressures, drive this plot to a truly surprising conclusion. A Darker Domain is crime fiction at its best, and McDermid is at the top of her game.
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Puck Of Pooks Hill
by
Rudyard Kipling
katknit
, February 17, 2009
With all the renewed interest in fantasy over the past decade, the 102 year old historical fantasy, Puck of Pook's Hill, deserves consideration. Two early 20th century children, living in Pevensey, England, have a chance encounter with the legendary Puck, who undertakes to bring them a series of first hand accounts of the history of their region. Puck introduces them to eye witnesses to such events as the Norman Conquest, the waning of the Roman occupation, and the dissolution of the monasteries. As the historic individuals relate their tales, they are suitable impressed with the children's abilities to resolve some of the mysteries that were not understood in their times. The selections of Kipling's poetry that accompany each chapter are related thematically, and pleasingly rhythmic.
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Daughter Of York
by
Anne Easter Smith
katknit
, February 17, 2009
Life in two medieval courts, those of England's Yorkist King Edward IV and the Duke of Burgundy's Charles the Bold, is the focus of Daughter of York. As the youngest sister of the King of England, Margaret has no life of her own, subject to the decisions of her brother, and later, her husband, a man she would never have chosen for herself. But duty prevails over the dictates of the heart, and Margaret becomes Duchess of Burgundy, wife of the brutish Charles. Unable to find happiness in her marriage, Margaret is forced to find solace elsewhere - in the loyalty of her favorite servant, the dwarf Fortunata, in the memory of her true love, the already married Anthony Woodville, in her devotion to the welfare of England, Burgundy, and the poor and sick, and in her genuine love for her stepdaughter Mary. Daughter of York chronicles Margaret's personal and political experiences, as well as her on-again, off-again romance with the unattainable Anthony, in vivid detail. What is missing from this long novel is movement, with the first third of the plot devoted to Margaret's longing for a husband, and the rest devoted to her suffering with her dastardly, boorish husband and her unfulfilled hopes for a child. Although her personal situation leaves much to be desired, Margaret has been well trained by her mother to political astuteness. Indeed, if this historical bio can be believed (the romance with Anthony is not based upon fact), her intelligence and diplomatic skills rival those of her more famous predecessor, Eleanor of Acquitaine. The novel has a cliffhanger of an ending, with a puppy and a promise of happiness to come. There must be a sequel in the offing.
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The Best Defense: Barbara Holloway 2
by
Kate Wilhelm
katknit
, February 08, 2009
A few months back, I read and enjoyed Death Qualified, the first of the Barbara Holloway series. With The Best Defense, I listened to the audio version, skillfully narrated by Anna Fields, one of the best readers out there. The difference between the 2 experiences is striking, particularly with respect to the courtroom scenes, which occupy a good percentage of these books. Barbara reluctantly takes on the case of a woman accused of killing her little daughter and burning down the safe house where they've taken refuge from her abusive husband. Public opinion, fanned by some sensational journalism, is that she is undeniably guilty. The buildup to the trial makes for interesting reading, but the story bursts into life during the trial. Fields conjures Barbara out of the pages as a brilliant, impassioned defense attorney, willing to endure significant personal risk, and psychological pain, in her determination to see that the truth prevails. The courtroom scenes are rivetting. Barbara abhors the fact that cross examination frequently forces a lawyer to become a "shark", cutting the witness to pieces. Her struggle with her two conflicting impulses, to achieve justice and to preserve her own humanity, forms the central theme of this novel. As in real life, there are no real solutions, and Barbara must find a way to come to terms with these facets of her personality. 5 stars, one of the best in the genre.
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Book Of Unholy Mischief
by
Elle Newmark
katknit
, February 07, 2009
Venice in the early Renaissance was a perilous in the extreme. Innocent or guilty, prominent or poverty stricken, an individual could be destroyed in the blink of an eye, if it suited the aims of the politically powerful. The age of scientific enlightenment was dawning, but superstition and âheresyâ still abounded under the iron rule of the church. Luciano, a street urchin, is offered a rare opportunity to transform his life by the chef of the doge, who is not merely a culinary master. Chef Ferraro is one of the Guardians, a network of educated men who are living and dying to preserve priceless knowledge that church and government are eager to obliterate. Together, Ferraro and Luciano undertake the perilous task of preserving this knowledge and denying it to the autocrats. The Book of Unholy Mischief is chock full of mystery, intrigue, hope, and violence. It is also an argument for âfree thinkingâ, in such a way that the religious sensibilities of some readers will be offended. Those who can approach it with open mind will discover much to enjoy: vivid characters, food for thought, great atmosphere and period detail, an appreciation for humanistic values. Life in the kitchen of the dogeâs palace is portrayed so expressively that the mouth waters. While the plot sometimes loses its tension, its underlying message, that true magic lies not in sorcery but in learning, is beautifully conveyed.
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Agnes Grey
by
Anne Bronte
katknit
, February 03, 2009
Less dramatic than her own Tenant of Wildfell Hall, and less read than her more famous sisters' works, Agnes Grey is a straightforward, semi-fictional chronicle of the experiences of a governess in 19th century England. Agnes is the younger daughter of a mother whose wealthy family disowned her for loving marrying an impoverished clergyman. To help ameliorate her family's dire financial condition , Agnes chooses to seek a situation as companion and teacher to the children of wealthier people. Though she understands well how to raise responsible children, their selfish parents undermine her attempts by neglecting yet overindulging them. Treated as underling by her employers, ignored by their servants, and plague by her students, poor Agnes must struggle alone under impossible working conditions, determined to help her own family regardless of the cost to herself. Her story comes to a happy conclusion, but Bronte was not interested in writing about "felicitous" times. Her intention with this book, to reveal some of the injustices of the class system, is achieved by example rather than preaching. Reminiscent of some of Jane Austen's stories, particularly Persuasion, Agnes Grey is a gracefully narrated, unpretentious story told with impressive effect.
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Keep
by
Jennifer Egan
katknit
, February 03, 2009
s it opens, The Keep zeroes in on Danny, who is forced to get out of town - fast, because he's screwed up royally once again. These initial chapters appear to be the set up for a romance novel, until they segue into the heart of the story. Serendipitously for Danny, his cousin Howard has provided him with an invitation and a one way plane ticket to a country (unnamed) in Eastern Europe. He makes a comically unceremonious arrival at his cousin's creepy, ancient castle, and the story becomes a tale of guilty secrets. Along the way the reader learns that Danny's adventure is being told to us by Ray, a maximum security prisoner serving time for murder and taking a writing class. With plenty of gothic detail and danger, relieved with absurd comedic passages, the suspense factor ratchets up. Has Howard lured Danny to his castle in order to exact revenge for a childhood incident? Why has he acquired this property at all? A subplot, involving Ray and his writing teacher, weaves in and out of Danny's adventure, raising questions about who is who and what is real. Egan has surrounded her main figures with a fun cast of quirky ancillary characters. The enigmatic conclusion, though unexpected, is strangely satisfying. The strength of this novel is its originality, but there is an element of confusion that sometimes distracts from the story. Recommended for readers willing to accept a dose of ambiguity.
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Arsonists Guide to Writers Homes in New England
by
Brock Clarke
katknit
, February 03, 2009
The Pulsipher family epitomizes the word dysfunctional. Not abusive, exactly, but profoundly disconnected. Their son, Sam, whom they've raised mostly via assigning him books to read, is an ex con, an "accidental" arsonist whose fire at the Emily Dickenson house killed a tour guide and her husband. Sam served his time and is now married, with 2 children, and his family believes Sam's parents are dead. Then the son of the Dickinson fire victims blows his cover, big time. Sam returns to his parents house, and now must cut his way through the jungle of lies that form the foundation of his life. The Arsonist's Guide is two books in one. The reader follows the memoir, falsely marketed as fiction, during which Sam relates his life story and also talks about his "nonfiction" guidebook. This is more than a simple novel. That Sam has been damaged psychologically by his upbringing is evident at once. Denial is his lifeline, but his heart is good. As his conquers the jungle of lies, he ponders the nature of love, of stories, of life, of guilt, and of forgiveness. Readers familiar with the landscape of New England will enjoy the countless references and descriptions, which, as a native New Englander, I can say are spot on. So is his skewering of modern suburbia - Sam buys his wife and kids a house in the "Camelot" subdivision. His neighbors are deeply offended when he mows the lawn shirtless. Readers familiar with symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome will wonder about Sam's unusual personality traits - his relentless literalism, his difficulties with 2 way relationships, his intense shyness. His little boy seems to share some of these characteristics. But Sam is far from alone in his strangeness - he is surrounded by maladjusted people. Arsonist's Guide is laugh out loud funny in places, satirical nearly everywhere, and tragic in others. Author Clarke has managed well the difficult task of bringing an original perspective to age old problems.
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Fortunate Age
by
Joanna Smith Rakoff
katknit
, January 30, 2009
First there was McCarthy’s novel, The Group (1991). Next came thirtysomething on TV, and then ten years of Friends. A Fortunate Age closely resembles those earlier productions, with its cast of former college pals trying to make a place for themselves in the world, in NYC. It also begins with a wedding, which shocks them all, including the bride, after which the reader follows along as the members of the clique explore relationships, sex, and professions (well, jobs.) Rakoff is a competent and fluent writer, but her plot leaves something to be desired. Rambling and disconnected, it is built upon chapters that focus on one of the group members at a time, and their interactions with friends both old and new. Mostly dialogue, with little genuine action, A Fortunate Age can leave the reader befuddled, trying to recall what came before. None of the characters is particularly engaging, all being rather shallow and whiny, the sense of entitlement that got each through college and grad school letting them down now that push has come to shove. More a series of short stories that share a few characters in common than a fully realized novel, this book has its moments, but in between the high points are nested long passages of narcisisstic ramblings, in which the friends wonder why they each feel so disconnected from it all. No one truly grows or changes, and the reader is left wondering, in the words of Burt Bacharach, “what’s it all about?”
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Black & White & Dead All Over
by
John Darnton
katknit
, January 25, 2009
Bad news staggers the already moribund New York Globe (Times?) when universally hated editor Ted Ratnoff turns up dead outside his own office, skewered on an editor's spike. This plum of a story is assigned to ambitious reporter Jude Hurley, but there are precious few leads, and it looks like an inside job. Among the suspects are Jude himself and many of his Dickensian-named colleagues, including food editor Dinah Outsalot (author of a self-help cookbook, "Eating Your Way Through Grief"), tabloid mogul Lester Moloch, blogger Nat Dreck, and gossip columnist Pat Lorn. Former newsman John Darnton pulls out all the cliches and inflates them into broad satire, some of which will be missed by readers not familiar with New York Times celebrity-staffers. Soon the bodies are dropping like the proverbial flies at Globe headquarters, all killed in gruesome ways using outdated publishing equipment. Can these heinous crimes be solved before the Globe ends up as part of Moluch's schlocky media empire? It is easy to picture this plot as a vintage movie, part screwball comedy and part murder mystery, starring such wise-cracking icons as Roz Russell and Jimmy Cagney, and delivering such lines as "Stop the presses" and "He's got ink in his veins". The parody is great fun (my favorite line is "If your mother says she loves you, demand a second source"), although the many red herrings, victims, and motives sometimes cause confusion.
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Casting Spells
by
Barbara Bretton
katknit
, January 23, 2009
The quaint, picture perfect town of Sugar Maple in rural Vermont is far from ordinary, though you wouldn’t guess by looking at it. You see, it’s populated entirely by otherwordly beings - faeries, trolls, and the like. And the magical town has been protected from harm for hundreds of years by a special spell, and not a single crime has ever occurred. Now the spell is losing its strength, and the fate of Sugar Maple is in the hands of single, mostly human, yarn shop owner Chloe. In Sticks and Strings, “yarn never tangles” and “you always get gauge.” But the natives are getting restless, and they want Chloe to produce an heir to the spell. When an outsider drowns one night in the icy skating pond, and the state sends in a detective to get to the bottom of it. This is a fluffy, whimsical plot that demands total suspension of any sense of reality. Recommended for those who enjoy light romance novels with a hefty dose of faery dust.
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Bloodprint A Novel of Psychological Suspense
by
Kitty Sewell
katknit
, January 22, 2009
Madeleine Frank’s a new psychotherapist with “issues” of her own. With a Cuban Santera and a famous artist as parents, she was brought up unconventionally in the Florida Keys. Now Madeleine lives in Bath, England, the city of her father’s birth and the location of hospital to which he’s committed her flamboyant but mentally ill mother. Madeleine’s beloved husband died in a hurricane, and she’s been trying to cope ever since. Although she relaxes by painting odd, detailed pictures of ants, she’s doing, as they say, as well as can be expected. When she acquires a new client, a frightened, chronically abused young woman, Madeleine’s suppressed memories of the daughter she once had, but lost, are shaken and stirred. And nothing will ever be the same. Bloodprint is a gritty, sharp edged tale of suspense, with two of the most malevolent antagonists a reader could wish for. The psychological climate is subtly eerie, with clairvoyance, necromancy, and intuition providing important, yet credible, elements of plot. Author Sewell keeps things taut, and her scenes in the mental hospital and the client’s home are particularly effective. Sinister and chilling, not for the faint of heart. Adult themes.
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The Stolen Child
by
Donohue, Keith
katknit
, January 12, 2009
These days the changeling myth has lost much of its fearsomeness, although parents who learn of it probably have fleeting thoughts about how terrible it could be. With The Stolen Child, author Donahue takes this ancient scenario out of the fantasy realm and into the real one. To immerse one's self into the narratives of Henry, the stolen child now trapped in a time warp, and other Henry, the hobgoblin who stole his identity and his very life, is to delve into the profound psychological effects that such a switch, if possible, might cause. Living forever and never aging sounds enticing, until the consequences, the gains and losses, are considered in their entirety. Similarly, the strain of pretending to be, and ultimately becoming, somebody else, would be equally burdensome. The Stolen Child is a tale that can be experienced on several other levels. There is the practical,eg, how could such an exchange be accomplished? There is the philosophical, eg, how could one be one's self and someone else at the same time? And would it be worth trying to adjust to the changes? There's the emotional, leaving one's home/family/clan and breaking/forming different bonds. And of course there's the simple adventure of it all. Real Henry's situation is complex enough, but the substitute Henry must cope both with his new life and with several others as they become manifest to him. Donahue is a skilled writer, creating enthralling characters, plots, dialog, and consciousness. More than a coming of age story, it's a study of human nature and basic needs. This debut novel is reminiscent of some of Neil Gaiman's work, though with less of the magical and more of the existential. But like Gaiman, Donahue explores the archetypal themes of loss, love, identity, survival, and moving on.
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Heretics Daughter
by
Kathleen Kent
katknit
, January 12, 2009
When studying the various phenomena of the Salem Witch Trials, it is close to impossible for today's reader to imagine the terror and the suffering experienced by the accused, including those who were not found guilty. In The Heretic's Daughter, author Kathleen Kent has done a powerful,creditable job of approximating just that. The daughter of the title is arrested after her mother, Martha Carrier, one of the "witches" condemned to death and hanged. As she tells of her involvement, Sarah recounts the horrors of the summer and fall of 1692, and its slow but relentless progression from suspicion to execution, from incredulity to helplessness. Her narrative is a simple one, but so affecting that the reader is drawn into the insanity together with Sarah and her family, who were all but destroyed by the madness. The physical and emotional underpinnings of the mass delusion are seamlessly woven into the story, which seems as real as if it happened only a few years ago. The Heretic's Daughter is a stellar work of historical fiction, by far the best novelization of this topic that I've encountered.
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Down River
by
John Hart
katknit
, January 12, 2009
Another North Carolinian, Thomas Wolfe, famously said that you can't go home again. Reluctantly returning to his home town 5 years after leaving in disgrace, Adam Chase tests that proposition, and finds it - nearly - impossible. In the tradition of southern writer, author John Hart places a family under the microscope to reveal darkness and dangerous secrets, viciousness and violence, and a hidden yet pervasive web of vengeance, jealousy, and greed. Adam is a brooding sort of anti-hero, his natural impetuosity fueled by the rage that has simmered since his mother's suicide. Other characters run the gamut from fragile southern belle to big daddy to high stakes gambler to small town cop. Those who inhabit this novel are much more than types, however, with fully developed personalities and individual faults and virtues. Loyalty is the theme underlying this tale, and nearly everyone must come to terms with issues of truth and trust along the way. Some lives are literally destroyed, while others will be capable of redemption. Down River is a skillfully written mystery filled with tension and suspense, providing a highly satisfying reading experience.
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Not In The Flesh
by
Ruth Rendell
katknit
, January 12, 2009
Reg Wexford is one of the good guys in English crime fiction. Humane and genuine, he has managed to avoid become jaded during the course of his long career. In Not in the Flesh, Wexford and his capable staff must grapple with the discovery of not one, but two, long dead bodies, in a secluded little village. There is no dearth of suspects among the eccentric, somewhat reclusive inhabitants. A compelling subplot centers upon the practice of female genital mutilation among England's Somali immigrant population. While this custom is against British law, many Somali families nevertheless find secretive ways to modify the bodies of their daughters. Wexford's daughter appeals to her father to help stem the practice. It is a pleasure to follow Wexford and his team as they, first, ferret out clues to crimes that occurred, in secret, a decade ago. Secondly, they must fit the disparate pieces into a coherent pattern, despite their certain knowledge that many of their interview subjects are less than truthful. The resolution of these plots relies upon coincidence in places, but the writing and the characterizations are so sharp that it's worth overlooking that factor. Careful attention is required to follow the twists and turns of this investigation.
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