Good Reads - Fiction

What We're Reading

2003 Archives

December

FICTION/CASE
Case, John - The Genesis Code
This 1997 novel begins in rural Italy, with the shocking, death-bed confession of a renowned local scientist. Deeply troubled by the implications of what was disclosed, Father Azetti, the local priest, is compelled to inform the Vatican, and immediately leaves for Rome. The action moves abruptly to Washington D.C., where private investigator Joe Lassiter learns of the murder of his only sister and her young son. He soon uncovers a string of similar, unsolved murders, and a connection to an Italian fertility clinic previously run by the dead scientist. The race is on to save the lives of the only remaining clinic patients, who are currently in hiding. Church artifacts and a provocative plot involving genetics engineering add to the appeal of this fast-paced thriller that's sure to appeal to fans of The Da Vinci Code. Debbie Deady

YA FICTION/CHABON
Chabon, Michael - Summerland
Eleven-year-old Ethan Feld is known to his baseball team as "Dog Boy" – just waiting around for a walk. However, he is just the player that ancient scout Ringfinger Brown is looking for. Ringfinger doesn't scout ball players, he scouts heroes. So it begins that Ethan, his spitfire best friend Jennifer T. Rideout, and Thor Wignutt, a self-proclaimed boy android, are drawn out of their familiar ball field and into the alternate reality of the Summerlands on a quest of epic proportions. Drawing on elements of traditional fantasy, Native American mythology, and baseball lore, Chabon creates an entertaining tale of adventure and family ties with a satisfying resolution. A great bedtime story choice. You may find yourself reading ahead long after your child has drifted off to sleep. Heather Booth

FICTION/DRABBLE
Drabble, Margaret - Seven Sisters
Betrayed by her husband, Candida Wilton divorces him and moves to a small flat in a somewhat seedy part of London. She entertains herself by attending an adult education class studying Virgil's The Aeneid, while also chronicling her new life and examining her past in a journal. An unexpected windfall allows her to take some members of her now defunct Virgil class and two old friends to trace Aeneas's journey from Carthage to Italy. An absorbing, character-driven novel of a woman in late middle-age trying to understand her past while looking forward to her future. Sue O'Brien

FICTION/ERICKSON
Erickson, K.L. - The Last Witness
Set in Minneapolis, this is the third in a series featuring police detective Mars Bahr. On his last few days as a homicide detective, before being transferred to the "Cold Case" division, Bahr picks up a high profile case in involving a well-known sports personality whose wife was brutally murdered. His alibi—he was in a meeting discussing his divorce settlement. Convinced that T-Jack "Jackman" of the Minnesota Timberwolves is guilty, Bahr becomes obsessed with pursuing each lead till he proves his case. This fast-paced police procedural keeps the reader guessing till the very end. Sheila Guenzer

MYSTERY/HART
Hart, Erin - Haunted Ground
In this debut mystery peat cutters in rural Ireland discover a head preserved in the peat. Where's the body? And what is the story behind this young woman's death. This historical crime is deftly tied to a contemporary missing person's case, as an Irish archaeologist, and American pathologist working in Ireland, and the maverick local detective work together to solve the crimes, past and present. A fascinating look at Irish folklore and music, as well as the forensic details and the properties of peat. For readers of Sharyn McCrumb's atmospheric Ballad mystery series, Val McDemid's haunting psychological suspense, and even Daphne DuMaurier's classic romantic suspense. Joyce Saricks

SCIENCE FICTION/FANTASY ODOM
Odom, Mel - The Rover
A Delightful Tolkienesque fantasy features Edgewick Lamplighter who is stuck as 3rd level librarian in The Vault Of All Knowledge. Edgewick just can't seem to please the head librarian, who says he's too inquisitive. Constantly sidetracked by an odd bit of history or trivia, he finds it quite difficult to advance in the library. But when he falls (literally) into an adventure, escaping from pirates, goblins and boneblights, it turns out that his inquisitive nature; knowledge of history, adventure and especially trivia, just might save the day. Terri Williams

FICTION/ORRINGER
Orringer, Julie - How to Breathe Underwater: Stories
Each of these nine short stories tells a compelling, realistic tale of young women trying to cope with love and loss. In "The Isabel Fish," the heroine, 14-year-old Maddy, is the sole survivor of a drowning accident that killed her older brother's girlfriend. "Pilgrims" is told from the point of view of children who are together for a Thanksgiving celebration, as their parents explore alternative treatments for cancer. In the midst of all the sadness and raw emotion in these stories, the author adds just enough humor to keep you reading. People who enjoy Joyce Carol Oates' short stories will enjoy this collection. Marianne Trautvetter

November

FICTION/ALTMAN
Altman, John - A Gathering of Spies
With a twist at every turn, events compel a variety of players to converge on the eve of D-Day in 1943: A British man, hoping to bargain for his wife, a female Nazi agent with knowledge of plans at Los Alamos, a British spy master working to bolster illusions to mask D-Day preparations, and a member of the Nazi high command culling for news of an Allied invasion. Each has a role to play in the tumultuous eye of the storm. Terri Williams

FICTION/ALBOM
Albom, Mitch - The Five People You Meet in Heaven
On the occasion of his 83rd birthday, Eddie, a maintenance man for the Ruby Pier amusement park, is killed while attempting the rescue of a young girl standing beneath a falling cart. Eddie is immediately transported to heaven, where he meets five individuals whose earthly lives intersected with his own, and thus discovers the impact his life had upon others. This short novel paints a somewhat provocative (albeit gloomy) picture of heaven, which may alienate some readers. Albom is also the author of the nonfiction bestseller, Tuesdays with Morrie. Debbie Deady

636.0889/BRA
Brazaitis, Peter - You Belong in a Zoo: Tales from a Lifetime Spent with Cobras, Crocs, and Other Creatures
In exasperation over his pet snakes, Peter Brazaitis' stepmother tells him he belongs in a zoo, so immediately after his high school graduation he applies for and lands a job as an animal keeper in the reptile house at the Bronx Zoo. This book details his 30-year career working with his favorite animals, from his adventures catching an animal thief in the reptile house, to capturing giant frogs in the Cameroon, to ridding an apartment of venomous creatures kept as pets, so the police may safely investigate two deaths within. Readers who would enjoy a behind-the-scenes peek at the workings of a zoo or would like to learn about reptiles and the issues they face will appreciate this humorous, fast-paced memoir. Sue O'Brien

FICTION/FORSYTH
Forsyth, Frederick - Avenger
Small town lawyer Colin Dexter's daughter was kidnapped and killed, and his wife then committed suicide. As a result he works independently, as a gun-for-hire of sorts, to avenge injustices and thus becomes involved with a multi-millionaire whose grandson was killed by Bosnian rebels. Forsyth has a real knack for packing a story with fascinating details—from the lives of "tunnel rats" in VietNam, whose job was to ferret out the VietCong who hid there, to the step-by-step preparations for his final mission. The last quarter of the book is as marvelous and intense as Forsyth's best, The Day of the Jackal, and Dexter plans his elaborate, red-herring-filled assault. Joyce Saricks

FICTION/GRISHAM
Grisham, John - Bleachers
This short novella is a departure from Grisham's legal thrillers, but readers looking for a sentimental story will enjoy it. High-school football hero Neely Crenshaw returns to his hometown of Messina, as his former football coach Eddie Rake lies dying of cancer. Messina is a small town that takes its football games seriously, and the high school team has the support of the whole town. Former players of Coach Rake's team gather at the bleachers to remember the six year undefeated record of the team as well as the tragedy that ended the coach's career. Crenshaw learns to reconcile his past in order to move on with his future. Marianne Trautvetter

FICTION/MARQUIS
Marquis, Christopher - A Hole in the Heart
Bean Jessup needs a change in her life, so she packs up and moves to a small town on the southern Alaskan coast to teach elementary school. She meets, falls in love, and marries Mick, who seems to bring out the best in Bean, despite her difficulty adjusting to marriage. Bean is finally happy when a tragic climbing accident kills Mick. Hannah, Mick's mother, arrives for the funeral, and the two begin a rather tenuous but satisfying relationship. She accompanies Bean back to San Francisco and moves in with her. Life takes another turn for Bean as she struggles to find herself with Hannah's help. Quirky characters and the landscape of Alaska combine to make this a satisfying story. Sheila Guenzer

M/PARKER
Parker, Robert B. - Family Honor
This is the first book in a new series featuring Sunny Randall, young Boston cop turned P.I. Sunny is hired by a wealthy family to locate their missing teenage daughter. Sunny soon finds herself the bodyguard for a difficult teenager who refuses to return to her family. The teenager is in danger because of the secrets she knows. Sunny tries to keep her safe and get to the bottom of a crime involving politics, blackmail, conspiracy, and the mob. There are plenty of rough characters in this mystery, but Sunny deals with them all with the help of some very interesting friends, including her ex-husband whose family is also connected to the mob. This is a fast-paced novel with a smart and sexy empathetic main character. Nana Oakey-Campana

October

FICTION/ABU-JABAR
Abu-Jaber, Diana - Crescent
While the UCLA area of Los Angeles is the geographical setting, this novel takes readers to the Middle East–through food, stories, and people. Chef Sirine, an Iraqi-American, creates her flavorful feasts at a nearby Lebanese restaurant. Her parents died when she was young, and she was raised by her Iraqi uncle, a consummate storyteller, whose tales open each chapter. Unmarried at 40, Sirine's life is thrown into confusion when she meets a handsome Iraqi professor and falls in love. Gorgeous, seductive language combines with the scents and flavors of the Middle East to weave a sensuous spell in this provocative, romantic novel. Joyce Saricks

YA/FICTION/BRASHARES
Brashares, Ann - The Second Summer of the Sisterhood
In this sequel to The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants the same four friends begin their second summer with the magic jeans. Bridget impulsively sets off for Alabama to face the truth about her family. Carmen discovers that her mother is falling in love and fears being left behind. Tibby enrolls in a college film program to make new friends and make a movie she can be proud of. Lena has spent months hiding from love but now is ready to accept romance. Each girl starts out the summer as someone she isn't proud of. By the end of the summer, each girl has learned to see beyond appearances and to value what is worthwhile. This lovely novel, filled with heartbreak and joy, will appeal to women of all ages who know the power and wonder of friendship. Nana Oakey-Campana

FICTION/EDGERTON
Edgerton, Clyde - Lunch at the Piccadilly
While tending to his favorite aunt Lil at the convalescence center, tender-hearted bachelor Carl finds his life filling up with quite a cast of characters. After all, Rosehaven Convalescence Center in Listre, North Carolina, is a nursing home with a lot of living going on. With a lively cast of characters, each with their own foibles, this is southern fiction at its quirkiest. Terri Williams

FICTION/HULL
Hull, Jonathan - The Distance from Normandy
When his 16-year-old grandson, Andrew, is expelled from school for threatening a fellow classmate with a knife, Mead agrees to take the boy in for three weeks to try to set him straight. Since his beloved wife Sophie died from cancer, Mead has isolated himself from his neighbors and denied himself any joy in life. Mead isn't prepared for Andrew's angry attitude or moodiness and is unaware of the turmoil in Andrew's life since his best friend committed suicide. While trying to understand what Andrew is going through, Mead reflects back to when he wasn't much older than Andrew and served in Normandy during World War II. Andrew is befriended by Evelyn, a widowed neighbor, who tries to bridge the gap between Mead and Andrew. Hull does a wonderful job of weaving a contemporary story with the realistic memories and emotions from World War II. Marianne Trautvetter

FICTION/ILES
Iles, Greg - The Footprints of God
Scientist David Tennant is unwittingly thrust into an intense, run-for-his-life situation when his secret, government-funded project to help create the world's first artificial intelligence supercomputer, becomes a dangerous reality. David, who becomes the lone, ethical voice on the project, following the suspicious death of a fellow scientist–is also in a race against time to prevent the "all-powerful" Trinity computer from initiating a nuclear Armageddon. David's personal psychiatrist, Rachel Weiss, is innocently entangled in the chase, and as one might expect, romantic sparks fly in this fast-paced story of good and evil. Debbie Deady

FICTION/SOLOMON
Solomon, Nina - Single Wife
Charming Laz Brookman has a habit of leaving home for a few days or a week, with no explanation on his return for his wife Grace. This time his absence stretches into weeks, and Grace decides it's easier to hide the fact he's gone than to tell people. She dumps his "dirty" clothes in the hamper for the maid and tells their parents and friends Laz is out-of-town when he's unavailable for social events. As time passes, Grace learns secrets from Laz's past, and she realizes Laz and their marriage may not be as wonderful as she had thought. Coming out from behind Laz's shadow finally allows Grace to decide what she must do to take back her life. Sue O'Brien

FICTION/WALDRON
Waldron, Ann - Princeton Murders
A fun gastronomic mystery featuring Tallahassee reporter, McLeod Dulaney, who has just won a Pulitzer Prize and has been asked to teach a class at prestigious Princeton University. What starts out to be a rather bland assignment turns into anything but that, when three professors die and Dulaney and her class suspect foul play. There is no lack of suspects, and after tracking several false clues, the group is more determined than ever to prove their theory, before Dulaney herself becomes the fourth victim. The culprit is revealed in an unexpected ending. A cozy mystery with recipes included. Sheila Guenzer

September

MYSTERY/CRAIG
Craig, Philip R. - A Vineyard Killing: A Martha's Vineyard Mystery
Craig's 14th in the series set on Martha's Vineyard takes place in March, giving the reader a flavor of what the island is like in the off-season. Part-time PI J.W. Jackson is enjoying his lunch at a Vineyard Haven deli when J.W.'s quick action shoves Paul Fox out of harm's way after Paul is shot at while leaving the deli. Is Paul the intended target or is it his former Olympic champion brother, real-estate tycoon Donald? Donald, who has many enemies on the island, has a reputation for buying up land and trying to swindle locals who have questionable titles on their properties. The Fox brothers hire J.W. to find out who is behind the shooting. Neither fans of the series, nor first-time readers, will be disappointed with the suspenseful storyline, details about fencing, and delightful humor. Marianne Trautvetter

FICTION/FFORDE
Fforde, Katie - Highland Fling
Virtual assistant Jenny Porter is sent to Scotland by her boss to determine whether or not a struggling textile mill should be closed. Jenny quickly becomes involved in the lives of the owners of the mill, the Dalmain family, as well as the operation of the mill, coming up with an idea on how to make it profitable once more. Several romances, quirky characters, humor, and numerous happy endings make for a satisfying story. Sue O'Brien

MYSTERY/HILLERMAN
Hillerman, Tony - The Sinister Pig
Who is the dead victim found on the edge of the Jicarilla Apache natural gas field? And why is the FBI so interested in this case? Sgt. Jim Chee unknowingly becomes a part of the investigation of the embezzlement of billions of dollars from the Indian Tribal royal trust in the Department of the Interior. Bernie Manualito, Chee's unofficial girlfriend, puts herself in great danger by sending Jim Chee some photographs, and the legendary Joe Leaphorn connects all these events to solve the case. This novel is for Hillerman followers who enjoy the same interesting characters in the Native American southwest. A very satisfactory ending, with a little romance, makes the story even more appealing. Nana Oakey-Campana

FICTION/KIRCHNER
Kirchner, Bharti - Pastries: A Novel of Desserts and Discoveries
Luscious desserts abound in Sunya Malhotra's cozy Seattle bakery, until she is thrown off-track by a series of traumatic events: her live-in boyfriend Roger has left her for a mutual friend; a competitive bakery giant has plans to open a branch in her neighborhood; her prize pastry chef has taken a personal leave; and Sunya has inexplicably lost her zest for baking. She finds that she must re-learn as well as re-think many aspects of her personal life in order to put things right. Rather a "sweet" read! Debbie Deady

Preston, Douglas and Lincoln Child - Still Life with Crows: A Novel
The dusty dry cornfields of August surrounding Medicine Creek, Kansas, offer the perfect setting of isolation for this eerie thriller. A body, found murdered and ritually arranged in the midst of endless cornfields, lures FBI Special Agent Pendergast to southwestern Kansas for this latest case. A monster is loose in this small town, and, as the number of murdered residents in the community rises, the race to locate the monster responsible becomes more desperate. Pendergast finds he must rely not only on his uncanny powers of observation and concentration to sort clues from the past with the grizzly murders taking place now, but also on the knowledge of a young outcast, if he hopes to capture this killer. Terri Williams

MYSTERY/RICE
Rice, Robert - The Nature of Midnight
When a postal worker and a customer are found dead in a rural Montana post office, Postal Inspectors Gillian Loomis and Max Dombrowski are called in to investigate. It soon becomes clear to Gillian and Max that what first appears as a botched robbery is really much more. The deaths seem to have a connection to an cache of old letters, which were written by a recluse living the area and lynched in 1918. The letters appear to have something to do with the sinking of the Lusitania. An interesting, well-told story and likeable characters make this page turner a rewarding read. Sheila Guenzer

FICTION/TRIGIANI
Trigiani, Adriana - Lucia, Lucia
Lucia Sartori, the prettiest girl in 1950s Greenwich Village, comes from a strict Italian family and community, in which girls are expected to take their husband's name when they marry and stay home and have children. Lucia, who works as a seamstress in B. Altman's custom department, has other ideas. Fans of Trigiani's Stone Gap trilogy will find a more cosmopolitan setting but the same heartfelt emotions in this touching, often humorous story, set primarily in a time when one could judge the change of seasons from the change in women's hats. Joyce Saricks

August

YA/FICTION/ BRASHARES
Brashares, Ann - The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Quirky, irreverent, and written from the heart, this young adult novel is the story of four high school friends, their first summer apart, and the magic jeans that tie them all together. Lena wears the jeans in Greece to overcome her shyness. Tibby wears the jeans to appreciate what she has. Bridget wears the jeans to fall in love. And Carmen wears the jeans to erase her image as the wicked stepdaughter. This very funny and very serious book of self-discovery is for women of all ages who treasure lasting friendships. Nana Oakey-Campana

FICTION/BROADBENT
Broadbent, Tony - The Smoke: A Creeping Narrative
This suspenseful tale takes readers to post World War II London, where cat burglar Jethro has successfully—and at great risk—taken jewels from an Eastern European embassy. The problem is that he's also taken someone's burglar tools and a notebook, which he belatedly discovers contains a highly sensitive code. But he doesn't get away scot-free: His Majesty's Secret Service learns of the heist and forces him to go back, and this time he's also hunted by the thief whose tools and code he stole. This extraordinarily suspenseful and gritty tale combines history, mystery, a clever caper, spies, and the denizens of London's underworld, not to mention lots of atmosphere and cockney slang. Joyce Saricks

FICTION/FIELD
Field, Carol - Mangoes and Quince
In this moving story of family relationships and personal struggles, Anton and Miranda, along with young daughter Diana, have returned to their ancestral home in Amsterdam after ten years in the South Pacific. Anton, however, is restless and eventually disappears altogether, forcing his family—which includes overbearing matriarch Ria—to take in boarders in order to make ends meet. Eventually there's a restaurant, while Diana (inseparable from pet monkey Majine) is challenged to make sense of her father's disappearance, her strained relationship with her mother, and a personal identity crisis, through it all. Reminiscent of Joanne Harris' Chocolat, bestselling cookbook author Carol Field's first novel is both deliciously and mystically appealing. Debbie Deady

FICTION/ JOYCE
Joyce, Graham - The Facts of Life: A Novel
Three weeks after V.E. Day in what was left of the center of Coventry after the blitz, Frank Vine was meant to be handed over, a bundle of joy for some one else to raise. The baby's father was an unknown G.I., his mother Cassie, a lovely (but not entirely earthbound) girl, likely to take off on flights of fancy at any given moment. The logical choice: give the baby to a loving stable family. But, Cassie couldn't bear it; she took Frank home instead, to be raised by her mother and six sisters. For his first ten years, Baby Frank was passed from family to family, each sister taking her turn, each leaving her quirky but loving stamp on his young life. A lovely novel with a touch of magical realism and lots of unusual characters. Terri Williams

FICTION/ MORIARTY
Moriarty, Laura - The Center of Everything
To 10-year-old Evelyn Bucknow, her hometown of Kerrville, Kansas is the "center of everything." Evelyn lives with her single mom Tina who is trying to do the best she can for her daughter while still needing to grow up herself. Tina gets herself in deep financial straits when her failed romance with her married boss leaves her pregnant and jobless. Evelyn looks for help from her Bible-thumping grandmother Eileen, who exposes Evelyn to religion at "The Church of the Second Ark." Often forced to be more mature than her years, Evelyn struggles with peer pressure, a younger brother who is disabled, and her first love. This book will make you laugh and cry, all in the same page. Marianne Trautvetter

MYSTERY/PHILLIPS
Phillips, Clyde - Sacrifice
This engrossing mystery set in San Francisco features Lieutenant Jane Candiotti and her new husband, Inspector Kenny Marks. Their current cases include the double murder of a prominent philanthropist and a down-and-out homeless man. Jane must first determine if the murders are connected, or if a serial killer is on the loose. Jane and her team tirelessly track down endless clues, only to eliminate suspect after suspect, while the real culprit continues to elude them. During this intense investigation, they also continue to struggle with personal conflicts arising from working and living together. An excellent police procedural with strong characters whose lives you care about and an ending you won't soon forget. Sheila Guenzer

FICTION/TESSARO
Tessaro, Kathleen - Elegance
Louise Canova finds an old fashion guide, Elegance, in a secondhand bookstore in London and decides to follow the example of its well-groomed author, Genevieve Dariaux. With her marriage unraveling and bored with her current life, Louise follows the book chapter by chapter, recreating herself by changing her appearance and then her life. She begins to dress better, work out, and finds a more appealing job, as well as a new love interest. Each chapter opens with an excerpt from Elegance with Louise putting the advice to the test in the rest of the chapter. The story moves briskly as Louise learns how she wants to live the rest of her life. Sue O'Brien

July

FICTION/BERG
Berg, Elizabeth - Say When
Once again Berg writes about a couple with marital problems, but this time the story is told from the husband's point of view. Frank and Ellen Griffin have been married 10 years and have an eight-year-old daughter, Zoe, whom they both adore. The marriage has become stagnant, and Ellen, who is an isolated, stay-at-home mother, has an affair with a much younger man. When Ellen tells Griffin that she has had an affair and that she wants a divorce, he refuses to leave their home and insists they live as roommates, sharing their daughter's care. While still feeling betrayed, Griffin tries to please Ellen with little acts of kindness, and he works part-time as a Santa at Christmas to fill some of his extra time. The book balances realism and humor, as the couple tries to decide if their marriage is worth saving. Marianne Trautvetter

FICTION/BINCHY
Binchy, Maeve - Silver Wedding
Desmond and Deirdre Doyle will have been married twenty- five years, and Anna, the oldest daughter, must organize the celebration. At the same time, she must deal with her own problems: her demanding boyfriend, her distant brother, and her very unpredictable sister. Irish author Maeve Binchy weaves together past secrets and present fears among friends and family. The silver wedding party is the culmination of this heart warming portrayal of family life. Nana Oakey-Campana

FICTION/DAUM
Daum, Meghan - The Quality of Life Report
Twenty-nine-year-old Lucinda Trout appears to have landed a dream job as an associate producer for the New York Up Early news magazine television show. However, when she is assigned to cover a story about drug addiction in the Midwest (by her semi-literate, pretentious senior producer), she is immediately seduced by the romantic notion of the "living the simple life" in small town America. Lucinda quickly manages to convince her boss to arrange a year-long series of programs aptly named "The Quality of Life Reports" which necessitates a move to what she dreams will be a rural paradise. Rather, Lucinda (befriended by an assortment of oddball characters) struggles to survive a year of both unexpected and amusing surprises! Debbie Deady

MYSTERY/LEON
Leon, Donna - Acqua Alta
The beating of an American art historian, Brett Lynch, brings back Venetian police commissario Guido Brunetti to investigate this complex case that involves forged Chinese antiquities, the indiscretions of a corrupt museum director, and the mafia. Leon skillfully blends scenes from Brunetti's family life, sensitive details of Lynch's relationship with her lover and glimpses of corporate and government corruption in Italy with fascinating details of art, opera, and Venice's winter floods to create an evocative and atmospheric mystery. Joyce Saricks

MYSTERY/MEIER
Meier, Leslie - Father's Day Murder
Lucy Stone, newspaper reporter, wife, and mother of four, is in Boston for a week to attend the Northeast Newspaper Association conference. After the guest of honor is murdered at the banquet, Lucy feels the wrong person has been arrested for the crime. She investigates the case on her own, while things seem to be falling apart at home in Tinker's Cove, Maine during her absence. A pleasant cozy mystery series, with the earlier ones being set in Tinker's Cove, where Lucy solves mysteries while juggling family responsibilities and her job in a charming seaside village. Mail-order Murder is the first in the series. Sue O'Brien

FICTION/RIORDAN
Riordan, Rick - Cold Springs
Complex thriller filled with plot twists and turns that leave the reader guessing until the very end. The central character Chadwick loses his daughter to an overdose while she is babysitting Mallory, the daughter of Chadwick's best friends. Fast forward nine years, and Chadwick is now rescuing teens in trouble and depositing them in a boot camp called Cold Springs. His next assignment is none other than Mallory, who is now 15, a drug addict and is supplied with her drugs by none other than the brother of the dealer who supplied Chadwick's daughter. When Mallory arrives at Cold Springs, however, things begin to fall apart. Her mother is accused of embezzling millions from the school she heads, her father is being blackmailed, and Mallory herself becomes the target of a ruthless killer. Sheila Guenzer

FICTION/ VALDES-RODRIGUEZ
Valdes-Rodriguez, Alisa - The Dirty Girls Social Club
Friends for life, the Sucias (dirty girls) meet twice a year, no matter what, for a quick catch up on their lives, loves and careers. The Sucias are six young successful Latinas, all graduates of Boston University: a journalist, a publisher, a mom, a rock star, a morning anchor, and a fund raiser, each successful in their careers, and floundering (sometimes miserably) in their love lives. But with a little help from her friends, these Latinas ditch the bad guys and live happily ever-after! This is one fun summer read! Terri Williams

June

MYSTERY/ABRESCH
Abresch, Peter - Tip a Canoe
James P. Dandy and his lady friend Dodee Swisher meet for their third Elderhostel—a South Carolina canoe trip. While canoeing away from the group, they discover a body in the swamp. Did the man drown or was he murdered? Dodee draws a reluctant Jim into an investigation of the death, an empty dynamite box, and a possible sabotage plot. Rich in details of South Carolina swamps, likable older characters and their romantic relationship, and a clever premise distinguish this third entry in the series. Sue O'Brien

FICTION/CHALLIS
Challis, Sara - Turning for Home
Twenty-something Maeve, with only 35 pounds to her name, decides to accept a job as caregiver to Lady Pamela in the English countryside. Lady Pamela's daughter-in-law Bunty, however, can't wait to get Lady Pamela into a retirement home and be the lady of Charlton House herself. Maeve and Lady Pamela become good friends and Maeve gives Lady Pamela a new lease on life by getting her to race her horse Irish Dancer, who has been several years out of action. Maeve also introduces Lady Pamela to her best friend Sophie and her young twins Flora and Freddy. Country vet Matt, his father Commander Digby, Lady Pamela's boyfriend Sam from London and Maeve's Egyptian friend Mohammed round out the cast of characters in this novel about intertwining lives. For readers of Rosamunde Pilcher and Joanna Trollope. Lora Bruggeman

FICTION/DEAVER
Deaver, Jeffery - Vanished Man
Deaver's latest novel featuring paraplegic police consultant Lincoln Rhyme and his assistant Amelia Sachs is a fast paced thriller full of twists and turns. A master magician, unable to perform publicly, turns into a serial killer who uses magic techniques to murder his victims. A master of illusion and misdirection, this killer has even Rhyme baffled. Rhyme enlists the aid of an apprentice magician, Kara, who explains the magic and helps Rhyme track the killer. The "Conjurer," as he is dubbed, is often one step ahead of the police, and Rhyme knows that it is just a matter of time before he stages his final act. Sheila Guenzer

FICTION/FRENCH
French, Nicci - Land of the Living
Interior designer Abbie Devereaux has no memory of being taken hostage, yet she awakens to find herself bound, gagged, blindfolded, and alone with an unknown assailant who enjoys talking about other women he claims to have murdered. Abbie narrowly escapes, only to find that the police don't entirely believe her story. She is still unable to recall the days before her abduction and soon realizes that her only hope in finding the meaning behind her attack—as well as her attacker—is to retrace her steps. Once Abbie discovers that her roommate is missing, she feels certain there is some connection, or is there? Loads of suspense in this interesting thriller! Debbie Deady

FICTION/HELLER
Heller, Jane - Lucky Stars
Heller's latest novel is the perfect summer read; it will keep you chuckling as you turn the pages. Stacey Reiser is a struggling Hollywood actress waiting for her big break in show business. If things aren't bad enough in Stacey's life, her worst nightmare is about to come true— her widowed, overbearing mother Helen decides to move to L.A. to be closer to Stacey. As luck would have it, Helen becomes a celebrity after a complaint letter to a tuna company lands her a starring role in their commercial. Marianne Trautvetter

FICTION/TRACY
Tracy, P.J. - Monkeewrench
This first novel by a mother-daughter team spins a convoluted, suspenseful tale of cybercrime, with brutal murders following the pattern of a soon-to-be-released computer game. Police focus on the game's creators, a team of likable eccentrics who seem to have no past. They try to help in the investigation, but they are being stalked by the murderer, via computer. High tension, some violence, a touch of romance, and broad humor—the East Indian medical examiner relies heavily on his How to Speak Minnesotan phrase book—make this a quick read. Joyce Saricks

FICTION/TROLLOPE
Trollope, Joanna - Marrying the Mistress
What happens when the head of a family—a judge no less—announces he is leaving a decades-old marriage to marry a woman with whom he has been having an affair for seven years? Viewed from the perspective of the men in the family, this novel captures the ripple effect of a decision that changes everything in the family. Fans of Joanna Trollope will enjoy this novel dealing with empathy and respect in family relationships. Nana Campana

May

MYSTERY/CORNWELL
Cornwell, Patricia - The Last Precinct
Virginia's Chief Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta continues her investigation into the Werewolf murders. However, when a new prosecutor takes over and the case moves to New York, Scarpetta finds herself accused of the unthinkable in a criminal investigation, and she retreats to the Last Precinct, the place to go when there is nowhere else to turn. Scarpetta fights to prove her innocence against the considerable evidence against her as she begins her new life in New York City. Fans of Scarpetta and her colleague Captain Pete Marino will enjoy this novel of forensic details and the importance of friendship. Nana Campana

MYSTERY/KAMINSKY
Kaminsky, Stuart - Not Quite Kosher
If you know Kaminsky's more famous detectives—Toby Peters and Porfiry Rostnikov—you should also meet his police detective Abe Lieberman, who offers a fascinating glimpse at the changing streets of Chicago. In this 7th installment personal and professional problems weave together, as Lieberman and his long-time partner Bill Hanrahan (the rabbi and the priest) track down two hapless thieves, complete a sting operation, solve another murder, and deal with domestic issues—the expenses of Lieberman's grandson's bar mitzvah and Hanrahan's sudden decision to marry girlfriend Iris Chen, which incurs the wrath of a member of the Asian crime syndicate. Satisfying, character-centered, complex puzzles are the hallmark of Kaminsky's diverse series, and this is no exception. Joyce Saricks

FICTION/MARGOLIN
Margolin, Phillip - Ties That Bind
Amanda Jaffe, the defense attorney from Margolin's Wild Justice (2000), returns to defend another violent criminal. While being held for the murder of a U.S. senator, Jon Dupre, a high-class pimp, finds himself framed for the murder of his lawyer. Amanda reluctantly agrees to represent Dupre, and as she investigates the case, she starts to believe Dupre's wild story of a secret society of ruthless, powerful men who have banded together to promote their own corrupt political agenda. Winning this case will surely help to promote prosecutor Tim Kerrigan's future political ambitions, but in order to save his own skin Dupre blackmails Kerrigan with information he holds that will damage Kerrigan's future, both personally and politically. This thriller will keep you guessing until the very end. Marianne Trautvetter

MYSTERY/ PETERS
Peters, Elizabeth - Children of the Storm
Amelia is back! Once again the intrepid Amelia Peabody Emerson and her merry band of Egyptologists keep their very British wits about them as they diligently uncover treasures of the past while solving any evil happenings, or murders, they may happen across. The 15th book in this delightful series (which began with Crocodile on the Sandbank) finds family and friends of the Emersons, back in Egypt shortly after the close of WWI, with every expectation of a very productive season in the Valley of the Kings. Unfortunately, evil is in the air, and Amelia, Emerson, and crew must put a hold on archeological excavations into the mysteries of the past, till the mysteries of the present are solved. Terri Williams

FICTION/SATRAN
Satran, Pamela Redmond - The Man I Should Have Married
Kennedy's life is at a crossroads; her husband, Frank, has left her and their children for his high school sweetheart and has decided to give up his career as a lawyer to become a yoga instructor. Kennedy starts reminiscing about her life in New York City before she married Frank and moved with him to suburban New Jersey. She dwells on Declan McGlynn, an Irishman, who was the owner of the bar where she worked as a waitress. On a lark, she goes to the bar, sees Declan, and they start a relationship. Things soon become complicated. Kennedy's older daughter Maya (from a previous relationship) reveals her wish to meet the father she never knew. Further, Kennedy decides to buy a rundown house with lots of potential and fix it up herself, despite knowing nothing about home repair. Declan adds another twist when he reveals that he had been seeing someone in California before Kennedy came back onto the scene. Will Kennedy be able to sort out her life and find happiness? For readers who enjoy novels about women's relationships with a bit of humor, similar to Katie Fforde's Wild Designs and Shelley Taylor Mickle's Replacing Dad. Lora Bruggeman

FICTON/SMITH
Smith, Frank - Acts of Vengeance
When DCI Neil Paget escorts a female co-worker to her car, he has no premonition of the evil about to befall him. Paget is brutally attacked, his throat cut with a razor in the police parking lot. Except for the quick thinking of a young colleague, Neil would be dead. The entire station is involved in the investigation, but no one suspect emerges. While home recuperating, Paget searches both his past and present for a motive. He and the other detectives come upon multiple dead ends, till another throat slashing comes to Paget's attention. He is convinced of the connection, and soon it becomes known that a long ago case holds the key to multiple murders. Excellent British police procedural, with a complex plot and well developed secondary characters. Sheila Guenzer

FICTION/WEISBERGER
Weisberger, Lauren - The Devil Wears Prada
Andrea Sachs lands the job as editor Miranda Priestly's junior assistant at the fashion magazine Runway, where she is repeatedly told, "A million girls would die for your job." However, Miranda's unreasonable demands and the unrelenting stress of the job cause Andrea to have less time for family and friends. But it will all be worth it because Miranda's assistants always receive plum jobs at the end of their year of servitude. Or will it? Andrea copes, running from one Miranda-manufactured "crisis" to another, as she learns what really matters to her and how much one person can tolerate in this biting exploration of the fashion magazine business. Sue O'Brien

April

MYSTERY/CRAIS
Crais, Robert - The Last Detective
Private eye Elvis Cole is watching Ben, the son of his girlfriend Lucy Chenier, while she is out of town. One afternoon, Ben is kidnapped. His abductors claim it is payback for Elvis' actions in Vietnam. With the help of sidekick Joe Pike and the L.A.P.D., Elvis examines his own past while searching for clues about Ben's disappearance. When it is revealed that the kidnappers are psychotic soldiers of fortune who are wanted for war crimes, Elvis knows it's a race against time to save Ben. Lora Bruggeman

FICTION/ELLIS
Ellis, David - Life Sentence
Murders past and present are the focus of this complex and intriguing legal thriller. Jon Soliday, chief counsel for his childhood friend Senator Grant Tully, is accused of murdering a colleague. As another friend prepares to defend him, Jon seems doomed by a twenty-year old secret. He had been accused of the rape and murder of a young girl in the summer of 1979, but Grant's influential father used his political connections, and the charges were dropped. Jon begins to doubt his own complicity in the earlier crime and also Grant's involvement. The final courtroom scenes reveal not only the answers to the present murder, but the dark details of their past. Sheila Guenzer

FICTION/GLASS
Glass, Leslie - Over His Dead Body
Cassandra Sales hopes to recreate the magic in her relationship with her husband by getting a face lift while he's away on a business trip. Unfortunately, Mitch returns home unexpectedly and collapses when he sees Cassandra just after the surgery. While Mitch is in a coma due to a massive stroke, Cassandra learns he was planning to marry another woman and leave her penniless. A handsome, but persistent, IRS agent complicates matters as he begins an audit of the family business. Now Cassandra is out for revenge as she uncovers the lies she has lived with over the years. Fans of Susan Isaacs will enjoy this novel of a woman taking charge of her life after learning of her husband's duplicity. Sue O'Brien

FICTION/KING
King, Laurie R. - Keeping Watch
Allen Carmichael returned from Vietnam a damaged man. To make amends for his actions there, he becomes part of an underground network that rescues abused children. He has found sanctuary on an island in the Pacific Northwest (Folly Island of King's earlier and linked novel Folly), and now, after 26 years as a civilian mercenary, he plans to retire. However, something about the last boy he rescued haunts him. Worrying that he has put good people in jeopardy, he retrieves the boy from the safe family—and finds himself in danger in this gripping novel of suspense. Readers will be reminded of Thomas Perry's Jane Whitefield novels. Joyce Saricks

SCIENCE FICTION/FANTASY/ MODESITT
Modesitt, L.E. Jr. - The Magic of Recluce
This first book in the Recluce fantasy series introduces a world where the choice between order and chaos is not as simple as it appears. On the island of Recluce, there is only one choice. The goal is perfection, perfect order. For young Lerris, perfection is not in his nature. Talented though he is, perfection is, very simply, boring. Thus he is sent from his home for the dangergeld, a quest fashioned to hone his inner strength and natural talent for magic, while he searches for his unique path between Order and Chaos. Terri Williams

FICTION/RAY
Ray, Jeanne - Julie and Romeo
As long as anyone can remember, the Roseman family and the Cacciamani family have hated each other, but no one knows why. When 60-year-old Julie and Romeo meet by accident and start dating, all the family members try to break up their relationship, as Romeo and Juliet is played out in the neighborhoods of Boston. Humorous characters—the grown children in both families, Julie's ex-husband, and especially Grandma Cacciamani—fill this touching story in which love, even at age 60, conquers all. Nana Campana

March

FICTION/DYER
Dyer, Chris - Wanderlust
Newspaper travel writer Kate Bogart travels the world keeping in touch with her best friend, a boyfriend, an ex-husband, her mom, and her boss via e-mail in this amusing romp of a story. Kate meets and begins dating Miles Maxwell at the same time things seem to be heating up again with her sexy ex-husband Jack. Told entirely by e-mails which draw the reader into Kate's life and loves, this charming book is full of quirky, witty characters who are always ready to offer advice, as Kate struggles to decide which man is for her. Sue O'Brien

FICTION/FURST
Furst, Alan - Red Gold
Furst is the master of the evocative, moody espionage thriller set World War II Europe. In this sequel to World at Night, French anti-fascist filmmaker Jean Casson eludes the Gestapo in 1941 Paris, where he becomes involved with a young Jewish girl and a plan to smuggle weapons to the Communists. This is a dangerous world in which it is almost impossible to tell heroes from villains, and Furst's world-weary, cynical hero fits perfectly into this suspenseful, atmospheric tale. Joyce Saricks

MYSTERY/ROBINSON
Robinson, Peter - Close to Home
Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks returns early from a holiday in Greece after the bones of a childhood friend who went missing thirty years ago are unearthed at a Peterborough building site. Despite not being a policeman in the area, Banks decides to help local cop Michelle Hart with the case. He is then called back to Yorkshire to aid detective Annie Cabbot with the similar disappearance of a teenage boy. In the midst of these investigations, he reflects upon memories of childhood, life in the mid-1960s, and a reminder of his own parent's displeasure at his choice of career. It also appears that someone is going to great lengths to make sure that his friend Graham's killer is never found. For readers who enjoy the mystery novels of Elizabeth George, Ruth Rendell, and Deborah Crombie. Lora Bruggeman

FICTION/ SMITH D.L.
Smith, D.L. - The Miracles of Santo Fico
Santo Fico, a small village in Tuscany chock full of history, charm and quirky characters, is the perfect setting for this delightful story. When Leo Pizzola left Santo Fico, Italy, for America, he planned never to return. When he did return, he planned a quick visit to sell his father's land, then a quick little scheme to make some pocket money. But things often don't go according to plan, at least not Leo's plan. It seems the harder Leo tries to get out of Santo Fico, the more he gets tangled up, tripping over his roots at every turn. Terri Williams

FICTION/VREELAND
Vreeland, Susan - The Passion of Artemisia
If you enjoyed Vreeland's Girl in Hyacinth Blue, you'll want to read this fictionalized story of the life of Artemisia Gentileschi, a female Italian painter during the post-Renaissance period. Artemisia's story begins at the age of eighteen when she is publicly humiliated during the rape trial of her father's painting partner, Agustino Tassi. In order to escape further ridicule in Rome, her father arranges to have her married to another painter, Pietro Stiatessi, who takes her to his home in Florence. The couple learns to care for each other and build a loving home for their daughter until Artemisia's success and fame of being the first woman to be elected to the Accademia dell' Arte causes them to drift apart. Vreeland artfully portrays in words the passion and genius of Artemisia as a painter and her desire to find love and contentment as a wife and mother. Marianne Trautvetter

February

FICTION/BAKER
Baker, Kevin - Paradise Alley: A Novel
This historical novel brings a harrowing episode in American history to life as the New York City draft riots of 1863 are experienced through the eyes of characters from various of walks of life. When the draft was announced to supply the Union Army with fresh forces at the height of the Civil War, the city erupted, and Paradise Alley, a tinder box of immigrants and working poor, rife with all the problems that are bred in poverty, exploded in violent waves of hatred and fire. While the characters watch the riots unfold in terror and horror, each is drawn to look back as well. Each—Irish immigrants, a union soldier, an escaped slave, a prostitute and a reporter—has a path which led to this nightmare. Terri Williams

FICTION/COHEN
Cohen, Mark - The Fractal Murders
Former prosecutor and private attorney Pepper Keane is now a Boulder, Colorado private investigator. He is hired by math professor Jayne Smyers at the University of Colorado to find a connection between deaths of three math professors who were all doing work with geometric fractals. The police and FBI say that it's all coincidence, but Jayne feels otherwise. Pepper is somewhat of a free spirit now, but he takes his cases seriously, and after researching fractals and reviewing the murders, he begins to see motive. This is a first novel and the beginning of what is sure to be a series. Lynn McCullagh

FICTION/KELLY
Kelly, Lelia - False Witness
Atlanta Assistant District Attorney Laura Chastain is still recovering from her lover's murder when she leaves private practice to work for the prosecution. Her first major case involves the murder of Christine Stanley who was killed in a botched burglary attempt. Or was she? Things don't add up, and Laura comes to believe Christine's husband had a hand in her death, even though he has an airtight alibi. Twists and turns in the plot keep the reader guessing in this fast-paced legal thriller. Sue O'Brien

FICTION/CISNEROS
Cisneros, Sandra - Caramelo
Humor and pathos swirl together in this exuberant story of a Mexican American family. Celaya, the youngest in a family with six older brothers, is the repository of the family stories, and while she relates the family's history, she also weaves her own version of events, as carefully as her great grandmother created the title's silk scarf. This rich, often whimsical family saga, set in the years from the Mexican Revolution to the Viet Nam War, offers insights into characters and their secrets. Joyce Saricks

January

FICTION/BENNETT
Bennett, Alan - The Clothes They Stood Up In
Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Bennett have been married a goodly number of years, have no children, and live a quiet (some would say boring) life. On this night they have just returned from the opera to discover their Notting Hill apartment is empty. The casserole in their oven is gone—even the toilet paper has been removed from its roll by the robbers. What an outrage! But after they realize their possessions are all gone, they have the task of living life without all these material objects. Maybe having been stripped bare of all these accoutrements will give them the change they need for a more interesting life. A very amusing look at life. Lynn McCullagh

MYSTERY/EDDY
Eddy, Pamela - Killable Hours
Expatriate lawyer Amy Brown's demanding boss Daniel Blake dies from eating a piece of chocolate containing nuts, to which he is highly allergic. When the police rule the death accidental, Amy, who knows Blake would never have eaten the chocolates unless he believed them to be nut-free, begins her own investigation. Viewing her colleagues' mail and listening to their voice mail, Amy uncovers the soap opera qualities of life in the law office, but clues to the murderer are few and far between. Then strange and dangerous events begin to happen to the pregnant Amy, and she puts together the evidence to find the killer in this first person account that entwines a mystery with the workings of a London law office, chocolate production, and pending motherhood. Sue O'Brien

FICTION/GARCIA
Garcia, Eric - Matchstick Men
Roy and Frankie are grifters—slick con artists specializing in small and medium jobs. They have a good partnership, despite the fact that Roy is obsessive-compulsive, depressed, and under psychiatric care. As for the money they make, Frankie prefers to spend most of it, while Roy ferrets his away in a Grand Cayman bank account. Their relationship (both personal and professional) is compromised when Roy finds out he has a 14-year-old daughter Angela. As Angela and Roy become closer, he ultimately decides to go legit after one last job. Will it turn out as Roy plans? Lora Bruggeman

FICTION/ MARTEL
Martel, Yann - Life of Pi: A Novel
Pi, the son of a zookeeper from Pondicherry, India, spins the tale of his youth in this absorbing, prize-winning novel. From his adventures as a young child in India, where an unfortunate name played havoc with his social life, to his hellish, heart-wrenching, ordeal as a cast-away, afloat after a shipwreck, it is clear that Pi is creative, but above all, he is a survivor. Terri Williams

FICTION/PHILLIPS
Phillips, Susan Elizabeth - Breathing Room
Award-winning Naperville author Phillips writes smart and amusing contemporary romances, and this is no exception. Dr. Isabel Favor, respected psychologist, has lost everything—her reputation, her money, and her fiance. She escapes to Tuscany, where she hopes to find time and peace to put her life back together. Unfortunately for these plans, her landlord turns out to be sexy film star Lorenzo Gage, best known for the terrible villains he plays. Sparks fly between control-freak Isabel and laid-back Gage in this clever and sexy romantic comedy. Joyce Saricks

FICTION/ROBERTS
Roberts, Nora - Chesapeake Blue
This sequel to the original Quinn brothers trilogy tells the story of the youngest brother, Seth. After a five-year absence in Europe, Seth has returned home a successful painter. Welcomed by his family, Seth finds changes in his hometown of St. Christopher, Maryland, and is pleased to meet newcomer Dru Whitcomb Banks, the beautiful owner of a florist shop in town. Dru is reluctant to start a relationship with Seth, but he persuades her to pose for one of his paintings, giving him the chance to win her over. A secret from his past makes Seth a target for blackmail and threatens his relationship with Dru, as well as with his brothers and the extended Quinn family. Marianne Trautvetter

FICTION/TROLLOPE
Trollope, Joanna - Girl From the South
Gillian Stokes defies the expectations of her Charleston, South Carolina, family and heads for London to explore other possibilities. She decides to share a flat with a girl named Tilly and her live-in boyfriend Henry. All goes well, and when Gillian returns to Charleston to help with her sister's first baby, she jokingly invites Henry. To her great surprise Henry shows up and becomes captivated by the South and Gillian's family. The novel goes back and forth between London and Charleston, and the characters and their relationships with each other provide an interesting story. Sheila Guenzer