Fiction Reviews, June 15, 2011
Jun 15, 2011Abbott, Jeff. Adrenaline. Grand Central. Jul. 2011. c.402p. ISBN 9780446575171. $24.99. F
Undercover spy Sam Capra is the prime suspect when a bomb goes off in his London office and his pregnant wife, Lucy, disappears. After harrowing weeks spent in a secret prison trying to convince the CIA of his innocence, Sam can either resign to a staid, suffocating shell of a life in which he must constantly look over his shoulder, or escape to London to retrace his steps, find his wife, and clear his name. With aid from an unlikely source, Sam travels from New York to Amsterdam to London, uncovering clues and chasing down suspects, with the CIA hot on his trail. But the closer Sam gets to the truth, the more he realizes that he can never go back to his old life. VERDICT Abbott’s (Panic) 13th thriller is the first in a series featuring Sam Capra. Fans of the thriller/spy genre will enjoy the characteristic bad guys, unexpected plot twists, requisite action sequences, and fast pace and will want to follow Sam throughout the series as he tackles the questions that remain unanswered at the novel’s finale. [See Prepub Alert, 12/21/10.]—Natasha Grant, New York
Ali, Monica. Untold Story. Scribner. Jun. 2011. c.272p. ISBN 9781451635485. $25. F
In Ali’s (Brick Lane) latest novel, Princess Diana has faked her own death and is living under an assumed name, Lydia, in Kensington, a small American town. She has four stock-character friends and a boyfriend to whom she can’t commit, for fear of revealing her secret. Now, a paparazzo may have found her. The novel is narrated from three perspectives: Lydia’s, on her life in the suburbs; a series of journal entries by Lawrence, Lydia’s private secretary and accomplice, as well as correspondence between Lydia and Lawrence; and by John “Grabber” Grabowski, the paparazzo who made his name taking pictures of Diana. VERDICT Readers who are not already invested in the Princess Diana story will not have much to work with here. The lackluster character development and absence of tension make this a bit of a slog. As a celebrity novel, it is more successful. Fans of Diana may appreciate the bland character as it allows them to flesh out the Princess of Wales with their own ideas.—Pamela Mann, St. Mary’s Coll. of Maryland
Alison, Rosie. The Very Thought of You. Washington Square: S. & S. Jul. 2011. c.336p. ISBN 9781451613971. pap. $15. F
In 1939, Roberta Sands sends her young daughter, Anna, off to the English countryside when it appears as if England might be drawn into war with Germany. The rest of Anna’s life is shaped by her experiences during the years she spends at the Yorkshire estate of Thomas and Elizabeth Ashton—the unwitting part she plays as an accomplice to a love affair and the unraveling of a marriage, her longing to be reunited with her mother, and the happiness she finds on the estate despite the war raging across Europe. Originally published in Great Britain and shortlisted for the 2010 Orange Prize, Alison’s debut is a haunting, meandering tale of the unforeseen repercussions of war as her cast of characters search for love, at times finding it in all the wrong places. VERDICT This relationship-heavy novel may appeal to World War II historical fiction buffs, though very little war action is described. Comparisons might be drawn to Ian McEwan’s Atonement. There is plenty for book groups to discuss; a reading group guide is included. [See Prepub Alert, 12/20/10.]—Julie Pierce, Fort Myers–Lee Cty. P.L., FL
Avigur-Rotem, Gabriela. Heatwave and Crazy Birds. Dalkey Archive. Jun. 2011. c.408p. tr. from Hebrew by Dalya Bilu. ISBN 9781564786432. pap. $15.95. F
Despite the expectation that she would follow in the footsteps of her archaeologist father, Loya Kaplan has chosen a rootless existence as a flight attendant. After 25 years of self-imposed exile abroad, during which she severed all ties with her past, Loya must return to Israel in the mid-1990s to carry out a directive in the will of an old family friend. The first three-quarters of the novel can be frustrating, as the author imparts information very slowly, and the reader is left confused by the stream of consciousness and often wondering about the shifting identity of the “you” addressed by the narrator. One gets the sense that the disorientation is deliberate, however, as Loya is a stranger in her own land, assaulted by childhood memories that she and the reader must piece together into a narrative. Loya becomes a reluctant archaeologist of her own family history, digging deep into her parents’ experiences during the Holocaust, which were never discussed at home. VERDICT Bilu’s new translation of Israeli author Avigur-Rotem’s 2001 novel is an extended rumination on history and family. Though the wait is long, the payoff is great.—Lauren Gilbert, Sachem P.L., Holbrook, NY
Baker, Nicholson. House of Holes: A Book of Raunch. S. & S. Aug. 2011. c.288p. ISBN 9781439189511. $25. F
If you are familiar with Baker’s work (e.g., Vox), you understand that his prose ranges from the sexually provocative to the obscene, depending on the paragraph. At the same time, underneath the pornographic veneer of Baker’s writing is an engaging commentary on society’s distinction between sexual and aesthetic experience. Here, he uses an alternative reality, the house of holes, as a playground of latent desires in which characters experience their most erotic fantasies. The characters travel to this place, drawn with a touch of the magical, through portals such as washing machines and wooden sculptures. A world seemingly constructed from sexual energy, the house of holes encourages individuals to indulge rather than repress their sexual desire. Though roles and duties exist in this world, taboos are nonexistent. Purposefully explicit and outlandish, Baker playfully critiques the modern, mechanical portrayal of sex with unrestrained erotic experience. VERDICT The casual reader may find Baker’s sexually charged diatribe overwhelming, while others will find this open expression of eroticism refreshing and honest. [See Prepub Alert, 2/21/11.]—Joshua Finnell, Denison Univ. Lib., Granville, OH
Ballard, J.G. Millennium People. Norton. Jul. 2011. c.304p. ISBN 9780393081770. $25.95. F
This posthumous novel by master of edgy fiction Ballard is as intriguing as it is perplexing. Opening with a lethal bombing at Heathrow Airport, the plot proceeds in an evolution of increasing violence verging on farce, as a middle-class revolt unfolds in the Chelsea Marina housing complex in London. Led by a likable pediatrician who turns out to be more evil than genius, well-to-do people are leaving their jobs, burning their cars, torching their foreclosed houses, and bombing public landmarks in a reaction against meaningless bourgeois culture. The tale is narrated by psychologist David Markham, who joins the protestors in an effort to get to the bottom of things after discovering that his ex-wife was among the victims in the initial Heathrow bombing. This work echoes the themes of Ballard’s more controversial Crash but in a much less visceral way. However, though the sex may be secondary and the violence abstract, there is the same sense of subversive risk and the same focus on accidental wounds and their psychological effects. VERDICT Important Briticisms may be lost on American readers, but no library should pass on this last quirky take on the problems of the new century from one of the great virtuosos of 20th-century fiction. [See Prepub Alert, 1/10/11.]—Henry Bankhead, Los Gatos P.L., CA
Banks, Russell. Lost Memory of Skin. Ecco: HarperCollins. Oct. 2011. c.432p. ISBN 9780061857638. $25.99 F
From his makeshift tent in the shantytown under the causeway, the Kid can see the sun rise over the city of Calusa and feel the Atlantic breeze riffling the royal palm fronds. But the dichotomy between paradise and the squalor of the encampment is not lost on him. The only area within the city limits that is more than 2500 feet from a school, park, or library, the causeway bridge shelters homeless sex offenders on probation with nowhere else to go. Living in anonymity, the damaged group runs the gamut from a politician with a penchant for little girls to this lonely, asocial boy, whose only sexual relationship took place in an Internet chat room. When the Professor arrives to interview the Kid for a sociological study, the Kid wants to trust the man, and we hope he’ll be saved through human interaction. But the Professor has his own demons. VERDICT Multiaward winner Banks (Affliction) has written a disturbing contemporary novel that feels biblical in its examination of good and evil, penance and salvation, while issuing a cri de coeur for penal reform. The graphic language may be off-putting for some but necessarily advances the theme of illusion vs. reality in the digital world. [See Prepub Alert, 4/18/11.]—Sally Bissell, Lee Cty. Lib. Syst., Ft. Myers, FL
Bohjalian, Chris. The Night Strangers. Crown. Oct. 2011. c.400p. ISBN 9780307394996. $25. F
Chip Linton, an airline pilot suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after a tragic crash from which he is one of only nine survivors, retreats with his family to a Victorian house in New Hampshire, but peace proves elusive. Why do the town’s “herbalists,” a group of gardening women who all have the first names of plants and flowers, take such an intense interest in the family, particularly Chip and Emily’s ten-year-old twin daughters? And what is behind the mysterious door bolted shut in the basement? VERDICT Bohjalian (Secrets of Eden) has crafted a genre-defying novel, both a compelling story of a family in trauma and a psychological thriller that is truly frightening. The story’s more gothic elements are introduced gradually, so the reader is only slightly ahead of the characters in discerning, with growing horror, what is going on. Fans of Alice Sebold’s The Lovely Bones and Margaret Atwood’s Cat’s Eye and The Robber Bride will find similar appeal here. [See Prepub Alert, 4/18/11.]—Christine DeZelar-Tiedman, Univ. of Minnesota Libs., Minneapolis
Casey, Jane. The Burning. Minotaur: St. Martin’s. Sept. 2011. c.336p. ISBN 9780312614171. $24.99. F
Maeve Kerrigan, an ambitious junior detective constable with the London police, works as part of the team investigating a serial killer dubbed the Burning Man because he torches the bodies of the young women he murders. When a fifth victim, Rebecca Haworth, who doesn’t quite fit the Burning Man’s MO, is found, Maeve is sidelined from the main investigation and assigned to look into the latest victim’s background. She discovers that Rebecca’s past hides many secrets, and the possibility of a copycat murderer seems more likely as Maeve gathers evidence. VERDICT Told from the perspective of both Maeve and the victim’s enigmatic best friend, Casey’s (The Missing) excellent series debut features sophisticated plot development and intriguing characters. Maeve is especially engaging as an attractive woman in a male-dominated world with real empathy for the people she encounters. Fans of British crime thrillers by S.J. Bolton, Val McDermid, or Elizabeth George will look forward to more adventures with her. [Minotaur First Edition selection; library marketing.]—Lisa O’Hara, Univ. of Manitoba Libs., Winnipeg
Close, Jennifer. Girls in White Dresses. Knopf. Aug. 2011. c.304p. ISBN 9780307596857. $24.95. F
Isabella, Mary, and Lauren are three friends in New York City navigating relationships, careers, early adulthood, and other people’s weddings. Lauren is a real-estate agent who meets a man who could be Mr. Right—or a sociopath. Isabella is an assistant at a publishing house who suffers through a bad relationship, then meets a man who seems perfect until he asks her to move to Boston with him. Mary is a serious lawyer, married with two kids, whose husband is a perennial mama’s boy incapable of grocery shopping on his own. Mixed in with the trials and tribulations of the protagonists are humorous vignettes from the lives of some of their other friends and acquaintances—many of whom are on their way to the altar or trying to find a way to get there. VERDICT This series of linked short stories is reminiscent of Melissa Bank’s The Girls’ Guide to Hunting and Fishing. It is modern and funny, with original, wry observations. Close’s debut novel will appeal to both fans of contemporary women’s fiction with a hip vibe and readers who enjoy old-school chick lit. [See Prepub Alert, 2/14/11.]—Karen Core, Detroit P.L.
Coleman, Rebecca. The Kingdom of Childhood. Mira: Harlequin. Oct. 2011. c.352p. ISBN 9780778312789. pap. $15.95. F
Immersed in the educational philosophy of her Waldorf school, teacher Judy McFarland spends her days preserving the innocence of her kindergartners while yearning to recapture her idyllic childhood in Germany. In her attempts to return to her youth, Judy begins an affair with Zach, a 16-year-old student at her school. As Judy and Zach are drawn into inescapable sexual obsession, Zach finds himself growing up too fast, while Judy is liberated and consumed by their relationship, on the brink of madness. Told in Judy’s and Zach’s voices, as well as secrets-revealing flashbacks, the narrative divulges that sometimes in trying to relive the innocence of childhood we destroy everything. VERDICT Coleman’s debut novel is a disturbing yet enthralling read that attempts to illustrate why a teacher might decide to begin a sexual relationship with a student. Recommended for fans of Jodi Picoult’s realistic, ethics-driven novels, as well as book clubs looking for interesting debate. With a reading group guide.—Katie Lawrence, Chicago
Colfer, Eoin. Plugged. Overlook, dist. by Penguin. Aug. 2011. c.288p. ISBN 9781590204634. $24.95. F
Colfer, the author of the “Artemis Fowl” YA fantasy series, makes his adult crime fiction debut with this tale of Daniel McEvoy, who might be a doorman at a low-rent casino in Cloisters, NJ, but who once upon a time served two tours of active duty in the Irish army. The most excitement he’s had in some time, though, is getting hair plugs from his unlicensed doctor friend, Zeb. Then Daniel finds one of Irish Mike’s lieutenants waiting at Zeb’s place of business, with a stiletto handy. After a bit of lethal self-defense and accompanying cover-up, Daniel returns to the club to find Connie, the hostess and potential girlfriend, dead in the parking lot. He’s not sure whether to suspect the work of Irish Mike, or whether an irate customer could be to blame. The body count rises steadily as Daniel gets himself into various situations both dangerous and hilarious involving good and bad cops, crooked lawyers, barrels of steroids, and assorted mayhem. VERDICT Carl Hiaasen and Elmore Leonard fans should enjoy this hard-boiled novel with a dash of humor. [100,000-copy first printing; national tour.]—Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Lib., Wisconsin Rapids
Cullen, Lynn. Reign of Madness. Putnam. Aug. 2011. c.448p. ISBN 9780399157097. $25.95. F
Set at the dawn of Spain’s Golden Age, this is the story of Juana of Castile (1479–1555), known to history as Juana la Loca (Juana the Mad). Cullen’s page-turning account depicts the intelligent, caring woman behind the legend. The novel opens in 1493 at the court of Juana’s parents, Isabella and Ferdinand. Cristóbal Colón has just returned from his voyage to the Indies, and Spain is positioned to become a major European power. Juana’s parents marry her to Philippe the Handsome, Duke of Burgundy, in order to cement a political alliance with the Habsburgs. The initially passionate marriage turns sour when Philippe becomes abusive and seeks to rule Spain as its king, not merely Juana’s consort. VERDICT Cullen’s second historical novel (after The Creation of Eve) is a sweeping study of political intrigue. But an equal focus on character development and plot makes for a satisfying blend of romance, family drama, and royal machinations. While not as well known to American readers as her mother, Queen Isabella, or her son, Charles V, Juana is a sympathetic heroine, and lovers of historical fiction will enjoy her story. [For another take on Juana, consider C.W. Gortner’s The Last Queen.—Ed.]—Carly Thompson, Chicago Ridge P.L.
de los Santos, Marisa. Falling Together. Morrow. Oct. 2011. c.368p. ISBN 9780061670879. $25.99. F
Following Love Walked In and Belong to Me, de los Santos’s third novel embraces the draw of college friendships. Catalina, Will, and Pen (short for Penelope) meet on a drama-filled night their freshman year and from that moment are completely inseparable, a solid trio whose bonds seem unbreakable. But something serious does come between them, and after college the friends stop speaking to one another. Yet each one feels the others’ absence deeply. Until one day when Pen and Will receive a curt email from Cat: “Please come to the ten-year reunion, I need you.” It’s a mystery that neither Pen nor Will can ignore. What they find at the reunion is unexpected. This novel is partly a deep look into a friendship and what strengthened it as well as what ruined it, and partly a mystery that sends Pen and Will halfway around the world to the Philippines. The story unfolds in pieces—why the friendships fell apart and what reunites the friends in ways they would not have thought possible are slowly unveiled. While the characters are lovely and the writing is heartfelt, the pacing can be slow. VERDICT The author’s fans will enjoy this nostalgic mystery with romantic elements. [See Prepub Alert, 4/18/11.]—Beth Gibbs, Davidson, NC
Deane, John F. Where No Storms Come. Blackstaff. Jun. 2011. 258p. ISBN 9780856408588. pap. $18.95. F
Dorothy Lohan and Patrick Brennan live in a small rural community on the west coast of Ireland. Though they reside in different social and economic worlds—Dorothy’s family is well-off and Patrick’s is poor—they become friends. As they grow into adulthood, they seemingly share a life rooted in the magic and mystery that infuse the very air they breathe. Their wonder manifests itself as spiritual yearning, and they both embrace religious vocations. Yet even the rich traditions and rituals of the church do not fulfill their shared sense of destiny with each other. VERDICT Deane’s third novel (after Undertow) is both a stunning evocation of nature’s transcendent beauty and a convincing account of the personal struggles that form a human conscience. While the epilog seems gratuitous, the sometimes Lawrencian descriptions, especially of the west Irish countryside and its wildlife, are rapturous throughout. While Deane is known primarily as a poet, here he proves himself a master of lyrical prose as well.—J. Greg Matthews, Washington State Univ. Libs., Pullman
Delinsky, Barbara. Escape. Doubleday. Jul. 2011. c.320p. ISBN 9780385532723. $25.95. F
Frustrated with her life, 32-year-old Manhattan lawyer Emily Aulenbach impulsively decides to take a personal and professional leave of absence, much to the dismay of her husband, boss, sister, parents, and friends. She gets in the car and drives, eventually reaching the New Hampshire town where she spent one college summer. Although this town is loaded with good and bad memories, she feels it’s the only place where she can figure out what kind of life and work she wants to pursue. A former lover, an animal refuge, and a woman in need of legal advice are distractions that help Emily figure it all out. VERDICT Best-selling author Delinsky’s (Not My Daughter) latest novel features a scenario many readers likely fantasize about, but it also has a protagonist whose actions may induce mixed feelings. While Emily puts her happiness first and escapes the life she no longer wants, her selfishness affects others, especially her husband. Ultimately, this thought-provoking book will be popular summer reading. [See Prepub Alert, 1/9/11.]—Samantha J. Gust, Niagara Univ. Lib., NY
Donnelly, Jennifer. The Wild Rose. Hyperion. Aug. 2011. c.640p. bibliog. ISBN 9781401301040. $25.99. F
As in Donnelly’s The Tea Rose and The Winter Rose, a pair of lovers must survive misunderstandings, betrayals, physical dangers, and emotional upheavals before they find happiness. After a climbing mishap on Kilimanjaro, Seamus Finnegan manages to save Willa Alden’s life, but she loses one of her legs. Embittered and despairing, Willa seeks refuge in Tibet, while Seamus gains fame through polar expeditions. When the novel opens eight years later, in 1914, Europe is poised on the brink of war. Amid social and political ferment, Seamus marries Jennie Wilcott, pregnant with his child. Willa’s return for her father’s funeral results in a passionate affair that ends abruptly when Willa’s brother confronts her. By 1918, Willa is using her photography skills in Arabia to support Tom (T.E.) Lawrence’s spy network, while Seamus commands a navy ship in the Mediterranean. Their paths converge at several points as they survive disasters such as a plane crash, a submarine attack, imprisonment, and torture. Familiar characters from the earlier novels also reappear. VERDICT Donnelly skillfully integrates historical detail while entwining multiple plotlines in a fast-paced narrative. Readers of the earlier books will be especially eager for this volume, which should also earn the author new fans.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State Univ. Lib., Mankato
Dunmore, Helen. The Betrayal. Black Cat: Grove. Sept. 2011. c.336p. ISBN 9780802170880. pap. $14.95. F
Celebrated and award-winning author Dunmore brings readers back to afflicted Leningrad, the heroic Russian city that barely survived the appalling siege she chronicled in her 2002 novel, The Siege . Picking up with heroine Anna in 1952, Dunmore portrays a city under siege again, this time gripped by Stalin’s terror. A young patient with an aggressive case of cancer becomes a patient of Anna’s husband, Andrei. The boy’s father is head of the secret police, so the staff treads cautiously. Soon, though, Anna, now a nursery school teacher, and her brother Kolya are sucked into the vortex of rage when the boy’s treatment falters. Incorporating painstaking research both about the security apparatus and about the medical environment, Dunmore portrays the anguish of good-hearted people trying to live normal lives under a viciously capricious government. VERDICT Advise readers to delve into The Siege first to get the best value from the sequel. Enormously readable, this novel personalizes in intimate detail a harsh and important period of modern Russian history for YA and adult readers. [See Prepub Alert, 4/4/11.] —Barbara Conaty, Falls Church, VA
Giraldi, William. Busy Monsters. Norton. Aug. 2011. c.224p. ISBN 9780393079623. $24.95. F
Charlie Homar is a memoirist for a slick national magazine and a haplessly unlucky soul in love. When he meets Gillian at a carnival in his Connecticut hometown, he feels he’s finally found the love of his life, and their relationship goes along quite happily until she takes off unannounced and pursues her lifelong passion to bring back a giant squid. With Gillian at sea hunting a monster of nature, Charlie is left at sea romantically and spiritually, so he embarks on a quest to try to find a way to win her back. Seeking advice and counsel all across the country, he confronts Bigfoot in the Northwest and UFOs (and UFO hunters) in Seattle, all the while battling his own equally dangerous internal monsters. VERDICT Charlie’s last name is no coincidence as here we have a seriocomic picaresque that references everything from the Odyssey to medieval romances to Don Quixote and Moby-Dick. A brilliant first novel that may well be in the running for 2011’s literary awards.—Lawrence Rungren, Merrimack Valley Lib. Consortium, North Andover, MA
Gómez-Jurado, Juan. The Traitor’s Emblem. Atria: S. & S. Jul. 2011. c.336p. ISBN 9781439198780. $24.99. F
In 1940 in the Strait of Gibraltar, a Spanish captain rescues a group of German castaways; one of them begs not to be returned to Germany and gives the captain a unique medallion. Years later the captain’s son learns the history of this object after refusing to sell it. The story begins in Munich in 1919 as Paul Reiner, whose family has fallen into disgrace, works as a domestic at his half-brother Jürgen’s birthday party. There he gallantly extricates Alys Tannenbaum from Jürgen’s clutches, embarrassing Jürgen and sealing his own fate. Jürgen displays the violence and cowardice that have become fictional clichés in the portraits of nascent Nazi youth. Over time Paul flourishes in business, while Jürgen, fueled by jealousy and hatred, rises in the Nazi Party. We witness the rise of Hitler’s influence as virulent anti-Semitism and anti-Freemasonry sentiments emerge. VERDICT From the misleading title, readers would expect this thriller to be about the medallion, but family intrigue and the quest for revenge dominate the tale. Although Gómez-Jurado is a good storyteller, for artifact provenance stories Steve Berry is the reigning maestro. If you want a peek at secret Masonic handshakes and rituals, however, Gómez-Jurado may have just lifted the veil. [See Prepub Alert, 1/24/11.]—Laura A.B. Cifelli, Ft. Myers–Lee Cty. P.L., FL
Gupta, Sunetra. So Good in Black. Clockroot. Jun. 2011. 320p. ISBN 9781566568531. pap. $18. F
Professor and novelist Gupta’s latest work in a decade (after A Sin of Color) is a poetic journey of discovery. Each page slowly and elegantly reveals the history leading up to American travel writer Max Gate’s return to Bengal, India, where he attends a funeral and reunites with old acquaintances, among them his ex-brother-in-law and college friend Piers O’Reilly; wealthy businessman and alleged criminal Byron Mallick; and Max’s former lover Ela, a cousin of the deceased. Reminiscent of the movie Memento, minus the amnesia, this novel requires readers to fit together the pieces of the past and present to discover the bigger picture behind Gupta’s story, her characters, their pseudoaristocratic lifestyles in both London and India, and their relationships with one another. VERDICT Aside from the mildly annoying repetitive use of the characters’ full names throughout, this is an effortless read. Not for all readers, but those who enjoy puzzles and relational stories are likely to find satisfaction once they’ve connected the various plotlines that this work comprises.—Shirley N. Quan, Orange Cty. P.L., Santa Ana, CA
Harper, Paul. Pacific Heights. Holt. Jul. 2011. c.400p. ISBN 9780805093933. $25. F
Dr. Vera List, a prominent psychoanalyst in affluent Pacific Heights, San Francisco, has discovered something unsettling about two of her clients. Elise and Lore, wealthy trophy wives, are unwittingly having affairs with the same man, Ryan Kroll. Kroll has the uncanny ability to see inside their heads and anticipate their darkest fantasies and fears. The only conclusion Vera can come to is that he is breaking into her office, reading her patients’ personal files, then using their psychosis against them. Torn between her concern for Elise and Lore and her profession’s rules of patient confidentiality, Vera hires someone who works under the radar—Marten Fane, a former Special Investigations Division detective. VERDICT This series debut by a pseudonymous New York Times best-selling author offers a great premise and fast-paced read. Thriller fans will eagerly anticipate the next installment. [Tour; library marketing; see Prepub Alert, 1/10/11.]—Jennifer Funk, McKendree Univ. Lib., Lebanon, IL
Harstad, Johan. Buzz Aldrin, What Happened to You in All the Confusion? Seven Stories. Jun. 2011. c.480p. tr. from Norwegian by Deborah Dawkin. ISBN 9781609801359. $30. F
This courageous, deeply moving, and extraordinary novel is the first of acclaimed Norwegian writer Harstad’s books to be translated into English. At the center of the story is a troubled young man named Mattias who, over the course of a few months, suffers a series of catastrophic losses and plunges into suicidal depression. Readers are taken on a harrowing journey into the world of mental illness and then on to tentative, precarious recovery as Mattias, surrounded by a small group of equally fragile friends, struggles to cobble together a new life for himself. This terrifying and inspiring book is about love and friendship, madness and sanity, and making our way in a difficult world. Harstad engages these themes masterfully. VERDICT An expertly crafted and emotionally complex novel—a work of considerable power and beauty. Essential for fans of literary fiction.—Patrick Sullivan, Manchester Community Coll., CT
Hart, John. Iron House. Thomas Dunne: St. Martin’s. Jul. 2011. c.432p. ISBN 9780312380342. $25.99. F
Michael is an assassin for the mob; he’s expectedly ferocious and cunning yet equally loyal, sensitive, and even loving—the unlikeliest of heroes. Yet it is Michael at the center of this complex, action-packed thriller that moves between the back mountains of North Carolina and its rolling estates and the mean streets of New York City. The story is built around children living a Lord of the Flies existence, schizophrenia, familial relationships, dirty politics, and revenge. Hart has the skill to create multifaceted characters and weave them into multiple plotlines, creating a spellbinding story that is impossible to put down or to forget. This is only his fourth novel, and it is easy to see why he has won numerous awards for his previous three, including his Edgar Award–winning Down River and The Last Child. VERDICT Hart continues to build his legacy as one of the brightest stars in crime fiction. He’s at the top of his game with his darkest novel yet, and fans of Michael Connelly, James Lee Burke, and Elmore Leonard will appreciate his style. [See Prepub Alert, 1/24/11.]—Stacy Alesi, Palm Beach Cty. Lib. Syst., Boca Raton, FL
Hoffman, Alice. The Dovekeepers. Scribner. Oct. 2011. c.512p. ISBN 9781451617474. $27.99. F
Only two women and five children of more than 900 people survived the Roman siege of Masada in the year 73 C.E. after the suicide pact of the Jewish rebels there, according to the historian Josephus. In this well-researched novel, Hoffman (The Red Garden) vividly brings this tragedy to life, as four women who take care of the dovecote at the fortress tell their stories. Seeking refuge at Masada after the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple are Yael, the daughter and sister of Sicarii, professional assassins, and Revka, who with her two mute grandsons has just witnessed the horrific murder of the boys’ mother in the desert. Shirah and her warrior daughter Aziza come from Moab. Considered a healer and a witch, Shirah still worships the ancient goddess Ashtoreth. Hoffman finds poetry and beauty, dignity and honor, even in those perilous, blood-soaked times. VERDICT This powerful and gripping novel about survival and endurance will stay with you for a long time. [See Prepub Alert, 4/25/11.]—Leslie Patterson, Rehoboth, MA
Johnson, Denis. Train Dreams. Farrar. Sept. 2011. c.128p. ISBN 9780374281144. $18. F
National Book Award winner Johnson (Tree of Smoke) has skillfully packed an epic tale into novella length in this account of the life of Idaho Panhandle railroad laborer Robert Grainer. Born in 1886, orphaned by age six and placed with cousins, he’s not outwardly remarkable or compelling as the episodes of his life unfold. He marries Gladys and fathers Kate while working for a timber company, and he witnesses disparate events and characters from influenza epidemics and the advent of automobiles and airplanes to an unscheduled area stop by a young Elvis Presley. Few if any of these leave much of an impression on Robert or on a reader; instead, the appeal here lies in setting and mood. The gothic sensibility of the wilderness and isolated settings and Native American folktales, peppered liberally with natural and human-made violence, add darkness to a work that lingers viscerally with readers. VERDICT Fans of the literary end of historical fiction (with a dash of magical realism), American West/Pacific Northwest settings, or authors like Bret Harte or Cormac McCarthy should appreciate this one. Highly recommended. [See Prepub Alert, 3/7/11.]— Jenn B. Stidham, Houston Community Coll. Northeast, TX
Kaschock, Kirsten. Sleight. Coffee House, dist. by Consortium. Oct. 2011. c.330p. ISBN 9781566892759. pap. $16. F
Poet and choreographer Kaschock imagines an art form called “sleight” in this inventive debut novel. The story stars sisters Clef and Lark Scrye, whose lives revolve around sleight composition and performance, and culminates in one ultimate, communal sleight performance, which is based on Lark’s experiences with pain but shaped by the performers’ reactions to a shocking local tragedy. Kaschock’s work stands out for the originality of its concepts, narrative structure, and, particularly, language, as the author redefines words in relation to her art and boldly breaks from traditional grammatical constructions. Kaschock’s intimate knowledge of dance is an asset, helping her bring the sleight performers vividly to life. VERDICT Not for the general reader, Sleight is to the traditional fiction narrative what alternative music is to mainstream pop. Readers who enjoy the challenge of an innovative, unconventional style will take pleasure in this selection.—Catherine Tingelstad, Pitt Community Coll. Lib., Greenville, NC
King, Laurie R. Pirate King: A Novel of Suspense Featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes. Bantam. Sept. 2011. c.320p. ISBN 9780553807981. $25. F
In the latest volume of Mary Russell’s memoirs (after God of the Hive), Sherlock Holmes’s young wife is sent to Lisbon by Scotland Yard’s Inspector Lestrade. Her mission: investigate possible criminal activities of the Fflytte Film Company and the whereabouts of the studio’s one-time secretary. Mary’s strong personality and wit, on which fans of the series have come to rely, serve her well as she makes her way through the day-to-day frustrations and calamities involved in film production. She is joined by Holmes as the company and her investigation wend their way to Morocco. Russell’s encounters with the cast and crew of Pirate King, along with her dislike of all things Gilbert and Sullivan, provide humorous conflict, while her crime-solving collaboration with Holmes, as always, gives readers a taste of their sharp intellect and clever deductions. VERDICT Recommended for series fans as well as devotees of historical mysteries. [See Prepub Alert, 3/7/11; Bantam will release in July King’s e-novella Beekeeping for Beginners, in which Holmes relates from his point of view Russell’s first weeks with him.—Ed.]—Nancy McNicol, Hamden P.L., CT
Kramer, Julie. Killing Kate. Atria: S. & S. Jul. 2011. c.322p. ISBN 9781439178010. $23.99. F
When Minneapolis TV reporter Riley Spartz (Silencing Sam) covers a local murder, she has no idea how close to home the story will strike. Discovering that she knows the victim, Riley unwittingly becomes the next prey for a serial killer targeting women across the Midwest. She also becomes immersed in an animal-neglect story that threatens her professionalism and more. When Riley’s murder investigation reveals connections to the legendary Black Angel monument in an Iowa cemetery, will it help identify the killer or lead to her own demise? Will the animal-neglect story come back to haunt her? Riley walks a thin line between good reporting and jeopardizing her own life. VERDICT Best-selling author Kramer surpasses her previous three Riley Spartz titles with this feverishly suspenseful, nail-biting thriller with a gutsy heroine. [See Prepub Alert, 12/20/10.]—Mary Todd Chesnut, Northern Kentucky Univ. Lib., Highland Heights
Matar, Hisham. Anatomy of a Disappearance. Dial: Random. Aug. 2011. c.240p. ISBN 9780385340441. $22. F
Whereas Matar’s debut, In the Country of Men (shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize), focuses on political brutality, this much subtler novel only hints at violence. Again, though, it is told from a child’s perspective, that of 11-year-old Nuri, who lives in exile in Cairo with his Arab father. A love triangle of sorts develops when the father marries a younger woman desired by the son. When the father goes missing, the son seeks answers and learns some surprising truths about his father’s life. Nuri’s relationship with his young stepmother, Mona, is the novel’s most compelling element; there’s plenty of tension as their connection changes over the years. The revelations in the final pages are compelling, too, with the book’s evocative tone of loneliness and displacement. Some mysteries, however, such as the cause of Nuri’s mother’s death, are left unresolved, and the scenes set at Nuri’s boarding school could be further developed. Still, this is an engrossing tale, made more so by the knowledge that the author’s father, an anti-Gadhafi activist, also disappeared. VERDICT Recommended for fans of Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner. [See Prepub Alert, 2/14/11.]—Evelyn Beck, Piedmont Technical Coll., Greenwood, SC
Menéndez, Ana. Adios, Happy Homeland! Black Cat: Grove. Aug. 2011. c.288p. ISBN 9780802170842. pap. $14. F
Menéndez follows her successful In Cuba I Was a German Shepherd with another collection of interrelated short stories. The conceit is that an Irish immigrant to Cuba, now director of the Poetry of the Americas section of the National Library, is presenting an anthology of stories and poems from Cuban writers. This premise is carried all the way through, to the contributors’ notes at the end. The stories include Elián Gonzáles’s saga, as presented by a revolutionary poet; a poet/historian’s tale of a small town whose inhabitants prosper by making parachutes during wartime but see their livelihoods destroyed with peace; and a “Zodiac of Loss” presented by an astrologer who cannot use the letter e. Included are a memo from the fictional authors ordering the anthologist to cease and desist, since he is neither a poet nor Cuban, and a short by Menéndez, who is identified as an imaginary writer and translator. VERDICT Not for the reader who demands a linear style, but many others will truly enjoy this innovative approach. A necessary purchase for Cuban American collections, this book should appeal to a wide audience. [See Prepub Alert, 1/31/11.]—Debbie Bogenschutz, Cincinnati State Technical & Community Coll. Lib.
Morgenstern, Erin. The Night Circus. Doubleday. Sept. 2011. c.384p. ISBN 9780385534635. $26.95. F
To enter the black-and-white-striped tents of Le Cirque des Rêves is to enter a world where objects really do turn into birds and people really do disappear. Even though visitors believe the performances are all illusion, they are obsessively drawn to this extraordinary night circus. Those who run and perform in the circus are its lifeblood. Marco Alisdair runs the operation from London as assistant to the eccentric proprietor. Celia Bowen holds it all together from her role as illusionist. As magicians, Marco and Celia are bound to each other in a deadly competition of powers, creating ever more fantastical venues for circus goers to marvel at. But falling in love was never part of the game, and the players struggle to extricate themselves from this contest while keeping the circus afloat. VERDICT Debut novelist Morgenstern has written a 19th-century flight of fancy that is, nevertheless, completely believable. The smells, textures, sounds, and sights are almost palpable. A literary Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, this read is completely magical. [See Prepub Alert, 3/7/11.]—Joy Humphrey, Pepperdine Univ. Law Lib., Malibu, CA
Ngugi, Mukoma Wa. Nairobi Heat. Melville House. (International Crime). Sept. 2011. c.224p. ISBN 9781935554646. pap. $14.95. F
This compact debut novel is set on a sprawling stage from East Africa to Wisconsin—and the issues it raises are just as large. Detective Ishmael, an African-born, American-raised black man, is investigating the death of a white woman found on the doorstep of an African professor—a noted activist who had rescued victims of the Rwandan genocide—in a very white suburb of Madison. A mysterious phone call sends Ishmael to Africa in search of the truth behind the professor’s humanitarian agency and Ishmael’s own ambivalence toward Africa. The story unfolds with minimal characterization but also offers scintillating, atmospheric descriptions of Kenya and sharp insights into the politics of postgenocide Rwanda. The author is a prize-winning poet (Hurling Words at Consciousness), essayist on African politics, and son of noted African writer Ngugi wa Thiong’o. Like his protagonist, Ngugi was born in Kenya and grew up in the United States. VERDICT This will appeal to fans of thrillers set in exotic locations and readers interested in exploring the experience of African/African American men in society as recounted in the works of Walter Mosley and other authors. [Highlighted in M.M. Adjarian’s mystery preview, “Dispatches from the Edge,” LJ 4/15/11.—Ed.]—David Clendinning, West Virginia State Univ. Lib., Institute
Pears, Tim. Landed. Counterpoint. Jul. 2011. c.240p. ISBN 9781582437293. pap. $14.95. F
A police report of a car accident and a progress report by an occupational therapist set the scene for a melancholic tale that unfolds as the result of a collision that occurs when the sudden appearance of a dog on the road causes the car to brake sharply and collide with a truck, severing the driver’s hand and killing his young daughter. Until that moment, life had been blessed for Owen and his wife, Mel, who are happily married with two children and a third on the way. Having been raised on his grandparents’ farm, Owen has learned to be independent and resourceful. Postaccident, his life goes into freefall as Mel blames him for their daughter’s death. His phantom limb pain ends his gardening business and leads to alcohol abuse. When Mel discontinues Owen’s visitation rights and announces her plans to take the children to Canada, his only hope of seeing them again is to kidnap them. VERDICT Like Cormac McCarthy’s The Road without the apocalypse, this story will seize readers’ hearts and have them rooting for the survival of a father and his children on the run. Pears (In a Land of Plenty) has produced another strong, sympathetic winner.—Barbara Love, Kingston Frontenac P.L., Kingston, Ont.
Pierre, DBC. Lights Out in Wonderland. Norton. Aug. 2011. c.336p. ISBN 9780393081237. $25.95. F
Gabriel Brockwell, the narrator of this impressive and entertaining novel, escapes from a rehab facility north of London, substance abuse habits intact. Vowing to end his life, he travels to Tokyo to hook up with fellow profligate Nelson Smuts for a massive bender. There is a death at the Tokyo restaurant where Smuts is chef, and he is charged with murder. The two contrive a drug-fueled scheme whereby Gabriel will travel to Berlin to set up some sort of apocalyptic feast for a network of international power brokers; in return, the shadowy figure behind this network, whom Smuts knows, will use his influence with the courts in Japan. The author intricately describes the ensuing debauchery and decadence. With the help of a cynical German girl he has fallen for, Gabriel decides that it’s time for the partygoers—and himself—to face reality. Man Booker Prize winner Pierre (Vernon God Little) is working on multiple levels. There are a world gone wrong owing to capitalism, hedonism, and ignorance; the coming-of-age of a young man with serious substance abuse and mental health problems; and a pilgrim’s progress tale of individual awakening and the birth of moral consciousness. VERDICT Cleverly detailed and skillfully written, this British novel is enjoyable and penetrating. [See Prepub Alert, 2/7/11.]—Jim Coan, SUNY Coll. at Oneonta
Polansky, Daniel. Low Town. Doubleday. Aug. 2011. c.384p. ISBN 9780385534468. $25.95. F
The protagonist of Polansky’s debut, the Warden, is a former cop who deals in drugs and derision. He rules the mean streets of the city not because of great strength but because he possesses more brains than the other street thugs and has a close relationship with the city’s wise magician, the Crane. When kids start disappearing, the oft-doped Warden heads deep into the underworld of corrupt cops and criminals to find out why. Sometimes this work reads like a futuristic dystopian novel—the plague only recently leveled the city’s population and morality. Most of the time, however, it reads like a confused mixture of past and present, fantasy and detective mystery. There are guns and war in flashbacks. But in the novel’s present, most of the fighting is done by hand, with blades and a vague magic. VERDICT Polansky has not yet mastered the trick of weaving various populations and languages into a cohesive narrative. The result is a sense of disorder and not the good kind that grows out of the postapocalyptic meaninglessness as in Nick Harkaway’s The Gone-Away World. Elements of fantasy and pulp fiction don’t mix well here, and the dialog often sounds forced. [See Prepub Alert, 2/7/11.]—Stephen Morrow, Ohio Univ., Athens
Savage, Sam. Glass. Coffee House, dist. by Consortium. Sept. 2011. c.210p. ISBN 9781566892735. pap. $15. F
Introspection is at the heart of this new novel from Savage ( Firmin: Adventures of a Metropolitan Lowlife), which effectively defines that jewel of a word, velleity (the lowest level of compulsion to act, a slight impulse to do something). Edna lives alone, typing away on a preface to the reissue of her late husband’s out-of-print novel. Though she can barely take care of herself, she inherits responsibility for plants, fish, and a rat, which sets the stage for a touching but often hilarious interplay between her interior life and the outside world. Edna’s life story is revealed gradually, interwoven with information about her daily experience and the scattered workings of her mind. As we enter into the bright river of her thought, we experience Edna’s compulsions to act (or not) and learn about her husband, her fears, and her childhood memories. VERDICT Reading like an intersection between Samuel R. Delany’s The Motion of Light in Water and Marlen Haushofer’s The Wall in its take on the overriding truth of memory and the heroic task of solitude, this is an original and compelling book. Highly recommended.—Henry Bankhead, Los Gatos P.L., CA
Schuster, Marc. The Singular Exploits of Wonder Mom & Party Girl. Permanent. Jun. 2011. c.280p. ISBN 9781579622084. pap. $28. F
What happens when an average suburban mom decides to start a casual cocaine habit? In this debut novel, Audrey Corcoran finds out. A divorced but loving mother and editor of a crummy newspaper, Audrey has always been a good girl. When the charmingly unreliable Owen enters her life, he introduces her to the joys of jazz and cocaine. Schuster builds Audrey’s drug habit with humor and authenticity, letting the dark reality of her addiction seep quietly into the story. The end result is a perfect blend of the sweet and the awful, the hilarious and the horrible. VERDICT This is an amazing read; truly funny, genuine, and compelling. It’s gut-wrenchingly intimate, showing the realistic detail of a decaying life as filtered through a likable but unreliable narrator. It is dark without punishing the reader, and the characters, even the gross ones, are fascinating. For a wide variety of readers.—Therese Oneill, Monmouth, OR
Schwartz, John Burnham. Northwest Corner. Random. Jul. 2011. c.304p. ISBN 9781400068456. $26. F
A postgame bar fight leaves college baseball player Sam on the run and wondering whether he and his estranged father share a violent streak or at least bad judgment. His father, Dwight, can never make up for the accident that took a boy’s life or repair his career or the family he left 12 years ago. Instead, he is going through the motions of starting over after serving his prison sentence until the day Sam arrives on his doorstep unannounced and troubled. In his fifth novel (after The Commoner), Schwartz explores the lives of characters damaged by circumstances and bad decisions, so it is gratifying when they move beyond crippling self-recrimination and begin their lives again. He adds depth to the characters he introduced in Reservation Road. VERDICT A well-crafted selection, ideal for readers with a taste for moral ambiguity. Readers of Reservation Road will enjoy continuing the stories of these two families, linked by tragedy, while those who haven’t yet discovered this powerful writer are in for a treat.—Gwen Vredevoogd, Marymount Univ., Arlington, VA
Shea, Christina. Smuggled. Black Cat: Grove.Jul. 2011. c.304p. ISBN 9780802170866. pap. $16.95. F
In the 20th century, Eastern Europe was ravaged by Nazism and then communism, a tragic history that forms the backdrop of Shea’s quiet second novel (after Moira’s Crossing). When Éva Farkas is five years old, she is smuggled out of Hungary in a flour sack by her desperate parents, who know what lies in store for them as Jews when the Germans invade during World War II. Éva lives in Romania with her father’s gruff sister and brother-in-law, who rename her Anca Balaj; she must forget her past and speak only Romanian. As the war ends and a new set of oppressors impose their rule, Anca suffers smaller sorrows, including an attack ending the Ping-Pong career that promised something better. Always, she aches for escape, but only with the fall of communism can she again become Éva and return to Hungary to claim her legacy. VERDICT Shea is less intent on showing totalitarianism’s horrors than its capacity to grind down the soul. At times too matter-of-fact, her story nevertheless delivers a sure sense of that grinding and pulls itself up with a luminous ending that will please most readers.—Barbara Hoffert, Library Journal
Simmons, Dan. Flashback. Reagan Arthur: Little, Brown. Jul. 2011. c.560p. ISBN 9780316006965. $27.99. F
Simmons (Black Hills) paints a dark picture of the world 20 years from now. America has not recovered from the financial collapse of 2008. The Muslims have nuked Israel. Weak governments here and abroad have caved in to the demands of the New Global Caliphate; a giant mosque stands on the site of the Twin Towers, and people celebrate 9/11 as the day America was humbled. The United States has lost five states to a resurgent Mexico, and 340 million Americans are addicted to a drug, flashback, that lets them reexperience past memories with total recall. A Japanese billionaire, head of one of the emergent zaibatsu (a large industrial conglomerate), hires former detective Nick Bottom to investigate the unsolved murder of his son. Nick takes the job to pay for drugs; he’s been addicted ever since his wife died in a mysterious accident. VERDICT This disturbing novel reads like a Tea Party manifesto writ soft, but it’s believable in a grim sort of way. As always, Simmons keeps the reader’s attention from start to finish. Midway between sf and detective fiction, this will appeal to aficionados of both genres. [See Prepub Alert, 1/17/11.]—David Keymer, Modesto, CA
Simpson, Penny. The Deer Wedding. Alcemi. 2011. 157p. ISBN 9780956012500. pap. $17.95. F
The title of Simpson’s (The Banquet of Esther Rosenbaum) short novel refers to a painting by one of the main characters, Antun Fiskovic, a pupil of the great Croat sculptor Ivan Meštrovic´. The eyes of the deer in the painting are those of four people deeply important to the artist. The story alternates between 1998 and 1935–38, and both the recent war in the Balkans and the history of their native Croatia play an integral part in the characters’ relationships. In addition to the mysterious Antun, the cast includes Dagmar Petric; her estranged mother; and Tilde Eschenasi, Antun’s artistic inspiration. A beachfront production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest on the island of Hvar, in which Dagmar plays Miranda, proves an excellent vehicle for the solving of family mysteries, the establishment of personal and political rapprochements, and ending the tale. This short piece could easily have been doubled or tripled in length, with the characters—particularly Antun and his fascinating life—and the political history of Croatia developed in more depth. A glossary of native words would also have been helpful, although a pronunciation guide is provided. VERDICT The rather cursory portrayals of the protagonists leave the reader wanting more, but Simpson writes with elegance and makes phenomenal use of metaphors.—Lisa Rohrbaugh, National Coll. Lib., Youngstown, OH
Smith, Rupert. Man’s World. Arcadia, dist. by Dufour Editions. Jul. 2011. c.282p. ISBN 9781906413804. pap. $16.95. F
Robert and Michael are two gay men living in England—50 years apart. While Robert’s life is a whirl of work, gym, and clubbing, Michael struggles in the Royal Air Force as he hides his attraction to men. Despite the time difference, there are many parallels between the two, especially in their campy best friends Jonathan (in Robert’s case) and Steven (in Michael’s). In alternating chapters, we watch Michael negotiate a perilous world in which he can’t be himself, while Robert, who can be as open as he wants sexually, finds himself hemmed in by the social strictures of the gym and club sets. Both men get into trouble, professionally and romantically. This reader found Michael’s story more compelling, in part because it has a great sense of time and place; Robert’s superficial life is, well, superficial. But the connection between the men does hold in this enjoyable read with well-drawn characters. VERDICT At its heart, this is a novel about friendship and community. Older readers will appreciate the period detail, while younger readers will realize how lucky they are. [Smith was named Stonewall Award Writer of the Year.—Ed.]—Devon Thomas, DevIndexing, Chelsea, MI
Sotto, Samantha. Before Ever After. Crown. Aug. 2011. c.304p. ISBN 9780907719874. $23. F
Twentysomething Shelley’s world is shattered as she hears her husband being blown up while talking to him on the phone. Three years later, she’s made little progress in getting beyond her paralyzing grief when she opens the door to a man who looks so much like her husband, Max, that she faints. Paolo’s story is so utterly improbable—Max was his grandfather who never aged—that she can barely keep it together. The two grieving survivors head to Europe to retrace the offbeat continental tour that Max led five years before. As they slowly unravel the mystery of Max’s immortality and multiple reincarnations, Shelley and Paolo seem to be getting closer to finding the latest version of Max. VERDICT When a wildly romantic love story opens with a terrorist attack (based on the March 2004 bombing of the Atocha train station in Madrid) that claims one of the principals, readers are forewarned that hearts will be broken. First-time author Sotto’s lush literary gifts draw one in to the terrible beauty of her tale of immortality—is it too much to hope for one purely happy ending?—Beth E. Andersen, Ann Arbor Dist. Lib., MI
Squires, Constance. Along the Watchtower. Riverhead: Penguin Group (USA). Jul. 2011. c.320p. ISBN 9781594485237. pap. $15. F
In her debut novel, Squires, having grown up in a military family, provides an inside look at the life of an army brat. Teenaged Lucinda Collins lives on an army base in Germany in the post-Vietnam era. Her parents entered into a hasty marriage, and the ongoing strife of military life has eroded their fragile bond. Lucinda loves her father, but she detests the way he neglects his family. At school, all of the kids are constantly in transition; Lucinda meets a boy, Sydney, and falls in love within a few hours, but his family moves away three days later. Unable to form lasting ties, she discovers that rock ’n’ roll provides her with a context that can be transported anywhere. Though her family eventually splinters, her emotional toughness serves her well as she moves into adulthood. VERDICT A unique, compelling perspective on the dynamics of a military family, springing from the experience of someone who has been there.—Susanne Wells, MLS, Indianapolis
Strauss, Jacques. The Dubious Salvation of Jack V. Farrar. Sept. 2011. c.224p. ISBN 9780374144128. $24. F
A typical 11-year-old “too old to cry in front of my friends, but not too old to fake a stomachache at a sleepover if I was suddenly overcome with homesickness,” Jack Viljee is about to discover that the world is more complicated than he ever imagined. It’s been tough enough growing up near Johannesburg with an English mother and an Afrikaans father and an only friend who’s a bit too soft for either side of that fence. Jack’s one real solace has always been the family’s African maid, Susie, who loves him unreservedly but with outspoken toughness. Estranged from her husband, Susie has a troubled 15-year-old son, Percy, who comes to live with her, shaking up Jack’s life. When Percy catches Jack in an embarrassing moment, Jack exacts his revenge in a way that backfires spectacularly. VERDICT Yes, first novelist Strauss delivers a beautifully rendered coming-of-age story that simultaneously unfolds an understanding of life in apartheid South Africa, but what’s most remarkable here is the assured and fluid language. The ending is not melodrama but a quiet, brilliantly controlled bang. For all thoughtful readers.—Barbara Hoffert, Library Journal
Tobar, Héctor. The Barbarian Nurseries. Farrar. Oct. 2011. c.432p. ISBN 9780374108991. $27. F
Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Tobar (The Tattooed Soldier) presents an original story of modern Southern California. Maureen and Scott Torres-Thompson live with their children in upscale Laguna Rancho Estates. Despite Scott’s income as a computer game company vice president, bad investments and extravagant spending have forced them to fire their Mexican gardener and nanny. Housekeeper Araceli Ramirez must now do double duty. Though she’s a dazzling cook, she’s not up for child care, but her undocumented status forces her to accept the situation. Meanwhile, a disconnect is growing between Scott and Maureen. Without communicating to each other or to Araceli, they separately escape the pressures at home, and neither returns for four days. Araceli, alone and worried, has to do something, so she takes off with the two boys to Grandpa John’s, with only a vague idea where he lives in central Los Angeles. When Scott and Maureen finally return, they are devastated to learn that their boys are missing with an undocumented Mexican nanny and make a call that changes all their lives forever. VERDICT Tobar’s superb multilayered novel defines the social divide of Southern California, emphasizing in a complex and human way that there are no black-and-white answers in the immigration debate. [See Prepub Alert, 4/11/11.]—Donna Bettencourt, Mesa Cty. P.L., CO
Tuck, Lily. I Married You for Happiness. Atlantic Monthly. Sept. 2011. c.208p. ISBN 9780802119919. $24. F
Tuck opens her fifth novel (and her first since National Book Award winner The News from Paraguay ) with the sudden death of the main character, mathematician and professor Philip. His wife, Nina, spends the night reminiscing in brief episodic flashbacks that meander through their decades together from their meeting in Paris and the birth of daughter Louise to Philip’s various academic appointments and travels. Snippets from Philip’s mathematics lectures and Nina’s artistic sensibilities expose a passionate and complicated union. Tuck’s spare prose accelerates as Nina reaches morning, and we are left with a full and satisfying portrayal of a marriage and, perhaps, the discovery of the more poetic side of higher mathematics. VERDICT Fans of literary fiction should appreciate this one. Recommended to those who favor domestic fiction or a focus on personal relationships. Great fodder for readers who enjoy pondering life’s larger questions . —Jenn B. Stidham, Houston Community Coll. Northeast, TX
SHORT STORIES
Fantastic Women: 18 Tales of the Surreal and the Sublime from Tin House. Tin House. Aug. 2011. c.280p. ed. by Rob Spillman. ISBN 9781935639107. pap. $18.95. F
In this engaging anthology compiled by Tin House editor Spillman, with an introduction by novelist Joy Williams (The Quick and the Dead), standout stories by such literary stars as Aimee Bender, Judy Budnitz, Lydia Davis, Miranda July, Karen Russell, and Sarah Shun-lien Bynum rub shoulders with impressive work by lesser-known writers, such as Julia Slavin’s funny/sad, satirical tour de force “Drive-Through House” and Samantha Hunt’s “Beast,” in which a young wife in an adulterous relationship is transformed by night into a deer. Some stories, such as Gina Ochsner’s “Song of the Selkie,” offer elegant variations on old folk themes, while still others, such as Lucy Corbin’s “The Entire Predicament” and Gina Zucker’s “Big People,” tease the boundaries between domestic felicity and the theater of the absurd. VERDICT These stories will delight a range of readers—even those who have declared themselves allergic to the genres of fantasy, sf, and magic realism—and will challenge devotees of domestic realism to take a walk on the wild side. Readers who enjoy the boundary-straddling work of Joyce Carol Oates, Margaret Atwood, and Flannery O’Connor, among many others, will find this especially appealing.—Sue Russell, Bryn Mawr, PA
LAST-MINUTE MYSTERY
Elias, Gerald. Death and the Maiden. Minotaur: St. Martin’s. Sept. 2011. c.304p. ISBN 9780312678340. $25.99. M
This latest mystery from Elias (Danse Macabre), featuring almost-too-irascible-to-be-lovable Daniel Jacobus, a brilliant violinist whose career was ended by blindness, has a headline-based premise. In 2005, a violinist fired by the Audubon Quartet sued his former colleagues, causing some to lose their homes and even their instruments. Here, Jacobus’s former pupil Yumi now plays with the New Magini String Quartet, replacing an impossible colleague who had been forced out. The quartet is set to rehearse Schubert’s sublime “Death and the Maiden” for a multimedia event at Carnegie Hall, but first violinist Aaron Kortovsky is missing in action. Jacobus is drafted to find him, though he’s stymied by the musicians’ business-only attitude; even violist Annika hasn’t kept track of Kortovsky, and she’s married to him. Soon, Jacobus is on the phone with a chamber music–loving policeman in Peru, Kortovsky’s last known whereabouts, while worrying about that scorned colleague and the temporary replacement for Kortovsky, a wild Russian who happens to be the cellist’s son. VERDICT Though a few near caricatures might make some readers wince, this fast-paced and punchily written mystery will entertain most fans, even as it delivers a fluid understanding of classical music.—Barbara Hoffert, Library Journal
Raybourn, Deanna. The Dark Enquiry: A Lady Julia Grey Novel. Mira: Harlequin. Jul. 2011. c.400p. ISBN 9780778312376. pap. $14.95. M
Nicholas Brisbane has agreed to instruct his wife, Lady Julia, in the professional aspects of a private inquiry agent. If she can master these skills, Julia may increase her involvement. Unfortunately, Julia is more impulsive than patient and dons menswear to follow Nicholas on a case she believes involves her eldest brother. She follows Nicholas to a Spirit Club where Madame Séraphine leads séances, but before the investigation can begin, Séraphine is murdered. A wager is made on the successful identification of the killer, and Julia is determined to win, but at what cost? This reviewer cannot properly express the exquisitely giddy emotions this fifth Lady Julia Grey novel (after Dark Road to Darjeeling) provokes, from the satisfying glimpse behind the veil of mystery surrounding Nicholas’s past, to the subtle expressions of affection in the couple’s banter, and even to the foolishly fearless way our heroine jumps into trouble, both feet first. VERDICT Beyond the development of Julia’s detailed world, her boisterous family, and dashing husband, this book provides a clever mystery and unique perspective on the Victorian era through the eyes of an unconventional lady.—Stacey Hayman, Rocky River P.L., OH
Rosen, Leonard. All Cry Chaos. Permanent. (Henri Poincaré Mystery). Sept. 2011. c.332p. ISBN 9781579622220. $29. M
When American mathematical genius James Fenster is blown up in an Amsterdam hotel while at a World Trade meeting, veteran Interpol agent Henri Poincaré gets the case. He recently captured a Serbian war criminal who, now in prison, has orchestrated brutal retaliation on Poincaré’s family. Battered by these personal problems, as well as poor health, he finds himself confronted by a ruthless tycoon, a charismatic leader of world indigenous groups, religious militants awaiting the Rapture, and his own boss. In the meantime, Fenster’s ex-fiancée is missing and so is his grad assistant, the murder suspect. At the heart of the puzzle is a mathematical formula that could drastically change the world’s economic systems. Rosen has written nonfiction and radio essays, but this is his first novel, and it’s an impressive debut. VERDICT Weaving fractals and chaos theory into an international mystery that also confronts great moral and theological questions, Rosen crafts a literate, complex tale in this first of a series; a prequel will be next. Highly recommended and noteworthy for a scarcity of vulgar language. [See the Q&A with Rosen in M.M. Adjarian’s mystery preview, “Dispatches from the Edge,” LJ 4/15/11.—Ed.]—Roland Person, formerly with Southern Illinois Univ. Lib., Carbondale
CRIME IN SCANDINAVIA
Adler-Olsen, Jussi. The Keeper of Lost Causes. Dutton. Aug. 2011. c.464p. tr. from Danish by Tiina Nunnally. ISBN 9780525952480. $25.95. F
Following the success of other Scandinavian authors, Denmark’s best-selling crime writer makes his American debut with this first novel in the Glass Key Award–winning Department Q series. Department Q is a new section of the Copenhagen Police, dedicated to resolving Denmark’s most notorious unsolved crimes. A political solution to a bureaucratic problem, Department Q is further hampered by its only detective, Carl Mørck, who has lost his friends, his health, and his spirit in a recent shooting. His first case is to investigate the disappearance of a popular politician. After five years, everyone assumes she is dead, but Mørck and his assistant, Assad, who has his own political past to protect, begin to unravel her secrets. VERDICT Far from being just another morose Nordic crime writer, Adler-Olsen creates a detective whose curiosity is as active as his soul is tortured. The villain is a monster and the crime horrendous, but readers will root for the victim and for the belabored Department Q. This absorbing psychological thriller is recommended not only for fans of Henning Mankell, Jo Nesbø, and Stieg Larsson but for true crime aficionados who might like to try fiction. [See Prepub Alert, 2/14/11.]—Cathy Lantz, Morton Coll. Lib., Cicero, IL
Eriksson, Kjell. The Hand That Trembles. Minotaur: St. Martin’s. Aug. 2011. c.320p. tr. from Swedish by Ebba Segerberg. ISBN 9780312605056. $24.99. M
Sven-Arne Persson, a prominent Swedish commissioner, excuses himself from an afternoon meeting, never to return. Twelve years later, Persson is spotted by a former neighbor in India. Can this really be Persson? If so, what is he doing in India? Meanwhile, Uppsala homicide detective Ann Lindell investigates the grisly discovery of a woman’s foot, severed by a chainsaw. These double mysteries are blended together expertly in Eriksson’s latest entry in the acclaimed series featuring Inspector Lindell. It is a character-driven novel, and while there are a number of unusual personages in the tale, it is Persson and his secrets that will keep the reader absorbed to the end. VERDICT A satisfying read for those who enjoyed The Demon of Dakar and appreciate a modern mystery with finely tuned character development [Library marketing.]—Sally Harrison, Ocean Cty. Lib., Waretown, NJ
Fossum, Karin. Bad Intentions: An Inspector Sejer Mystery. Houghton Harcourt. Aug. 2011. c.224p. tr. from Norwegian by Charlotte Barslund. ISBN 9780547483344. $24. M
Psychiatric patient Jon Moreno is released for a weekend excursion with childhood friends Phillip Reilly and Axel Frimann. When the three young men row to the middle of a lake on a frigid Norwegian night, anxiety-riddled Moreno falls overboard and drowns, and the surviving duo try to pass off the incident as a suicide. But Insp. Konrad Sejer isn’t convinced. Guilt consumes the drug-addled Reilly while the reptilian Frimann struggles to maintain his composure as Sejer’s investigation uncovers a link between the men and a recent missing-persons case—a connection that may explain the secret behind Moreno’s mental illness and the baffling circumstances of his death. VERDICT Fossum checks in with the seventh installment of her psychologically acute Inspector Sejer series after taking a brief detour last year with the stand-alone Broken. Although her prose is as sharp as ever, the characterizations are uncharacteristically thin, and the steely Sejer appears only sporadically. Fossum is one of Nordic noir’s most skilled practitioners, but Sejer’s faithful fans might be disappointed by his lukewarm return. [See Prepub Alert, 2/14/11.]—Annabelle Mortensen, Skokie P.L., IL
