Fiction Reviews, Oct 1, 2010
Oct 1, 2010
Bourne, Sam. The Final Reckoning. Harper: HarperCollins. Dec. 2010. c.432p. ISBN 9780061875748. $26.99. F
Warned of a possible terrorist targeting the United Nations building in New York City, a security guard shoots a possible suspect only to discover that he was a senior citizen, Gerald Merton, visiting from London. Working swiftly to avert a media scandal, the UN legal counsel brings in a former employee from their department, Tom –Byrne, to shadow the NYPD's lead investigator, Jay Sherrill. Tom is sent to London to smooth things over with Merton's bereaved daughter, Rebecca. Then Jay discovers that Gerald may not have been as innocent as originally thought. As Tom and Rebecca quickly discover her father's past involvement with a covert group of Holocaust survivors, they become targets for those who would do anything to protect their secrets. VERDICT By alternating between the past and the present, Bourne (The Righteous Men), aka British journalist Jonathan Freedland, has crafted a dark and intensely gripping thriller that vividly captures the emotional maelstrom and physical destruction of World War II Europe. His latest will stay with readers long after they have closed the book.—Joy Gunn, Henderson Libs., NV
Brown, Eleanor. The Weird Sisters. Amy Einhorn: Putnam. Feb. 2011. c.368p. ISBN 9780399157226. $24.95. F
This lovely debut novel is a tale of three sisters: Rosalind, Bianca, and Cordelia. Named by their father, a famous Shakespeare professor who communicates primarily in Shakespearean verse, they grew up surrounded by books near the campus of a small Midwestern college. Rose, the oldest, stays close to home and follows her father into academia. Bean, the middle child, leaves home for an exciting life in New York City. Cordy, the youngest, drifts aimlessly across the country. Life isn't turning out to be what the sisters expected, so each decides separately to return home to care for their sick mother. The sisters are less than thrilled when they learn all three have run home. Unfortunately, the key to starting the next chapters of their lives isn't hiding between the pages of one of their beloved books. VERDICT This novel should appeal to Shakespeare lovers, bibliophiles, fans of novels in academic settings, and stories of sisterhood. The narration is a creative and original blending of the three "Weird Sisters" as one.—Shaunna Hunter, Hampden-–Sydney Coll., VA
Burton, Mary. Senseless. Zebra: Kensington. Jan. 2011. c.416p. ISBN 9781420110197. pap. $6.99. F
Ten years after surviving a brutal attack that led to her subsequent arrest and ten-year imprisonment because of the death of her attacker, Eva Rayburn returns home to Alexandria, VA, to rebuild her life. Only now bodies are being discovered, and they're somehow related to that long-ago crime, an event she could never fully remember. Homicide detective Deacon Garrison must battle his attraction to Eva and figure out whether she's involved in these new killings, and if so, why. VERDICT In the first of two linked novels, rising romantic suspense star Burton (Dying Scream) gives us a fast-paced thriller with a touch of romance. With hard-edged, imperfect but memorable characters, a complex plot, and no-nonsense dialog, this excellent novel will appeal to fans of Lisa Gardner and Lisa Jackson. [Merciless, the second book, will be published February 2011.—Ed.]—Debbie Haupt, St. Charles City/Cty. Lib. Dist., St. Peters, MO
Child, Lee. Worth Dying For: A Reacher Novel. Delacorte. Nov. 2010. c.400p. ISBN 9780385344319. $28. F
Having survived the near-cataclysmic ending to 61 Hours, Jack Reacher is on the prowl again. It's only a few days later, still bitterly cold, and Reacher is in Nebraska, where he finds a community ruled by a family of crooks. The Duncan clan specializes in beatings, murder, child molestation, and smuggling. They are also protected by a bunch of ex-linemen from the University of Nebraska, who are large, strong, and not very smart. However evil and sadistic the Duncans are, they are small fish in the world of smuggling and fearful that their sleazy empire will collapse. Thus, when a totally annoyed Reacher starts to dismember both it and the goons, the Duncans become increasingly desperate, calling for outside help from the Mafia and sordid Middle Eastern partners. With Reacher outnumbered about 20 to one, the odds just don't seem fair—to the bad guys, that is. VERDICT Reacher's growing number of fans will enjoy this one. Unless, of course, they went to the University of Nebraska. Highly recommended. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 5/1/10.]—Robert Conroy, Warren, MI
Corona, Laurel. Penelope's Daughter. Berkley: Penguin Group (USA). Oct. 2010. c.352p. ISBN 9780425236628. pap. $15. F
Born after her famous father, Odysseus, followed Menelaus to Troy to bring the city to its knees and Helen home to Sparta, Xanthe enjoyed an idyllic childhood. As the years passed, however, and Odysseus failed to return home to his kingdom of Ithaca, his wife, Penelope, was forced to endure an invasion of suitors hoping to win her hand and the kingdom. Still, Xanthe was not in personal danger until she reached age 11 and was deemed old enough to wed, by force if necessary. Sent to live with Penelope's cousin, Xanthe spends her youth in hiding. There is no mention of a daughter in Homer's epic poem, nor is there historical evidence that Odysseus and Penelope had a second child, but as the Greeks with whom Corona spoke during her extensive research said, "If it makes a good story, why not?" VERDICT Corona's second historical novel (The Four Seasons) is indeed a good story—well researched, filled with strong, fully developed female characters, and an insightful look at the secret lives of the women of ancient Greece during an era that was pretty much all about the men. Sure to attract readers of Anita Diamant's The Red Tent and Pilate's Wife by Antoinette May. [A British newspaper recently reported (bit.ly./cKLrlf) that Greek archaeologists may have found Odysseus's palace on the island of Ithaca.—Ed.]—Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage P.L., AK
DeWitt, Abigail. Dogs. Lorimer, dist. by Partners. Nov. 2010. c.252p. ISBN 9780982617144. $24.95. F
Who knew a "bad girl" could be so innocent, so smart, so complex? Before she is ready emotionally to handle what sex is all about, Molly Moore sees herself as a bad girl, with serious consequences. Between her parents' inattention and the drama her four older siblings cause, no one really knows Molly, with one exception—her clever yet poor friend, Becky. DeWitt's engaging second novel (after the well-received Lili) depicts one young woman's many explorations—of love and sex in the age of the sexual revolution; of how to love a deeply flawed parent; of family dysfunction; and of accountability for the past. VERDICT This coming-of-age story is a good selection for most collections because of its strong narrative and poignant characterization.—Gwen Vredevoogd, Marymount Univ., Arlington, VA
Evison, Jonathan. West of Here. Algonquin. Feb. 2011. c.496p. maps. ISBN 9781565129528. $24.95. F
Evison (All About Lulu) deserves national acclaim for his latest novel, which is set in the fictional town of Port Bonita on Washington's Olympic Peninsula. Chapters that alternate between the 1890s and the present result in a Northwest historical novel with modern counterpoints, like Sometimes a Great Notion meets Citizen Vince. At its beginning, Port Bonita was a town of hope and industry. James Mather sets out to explore the rugged interior of the Elwha River valley; Ethan Thornburgh envisions a mighty dam powering a bustling city; his estranged lover, Eva Lambert, prefers a more utopian vision of a commonwealth colony. Flash forward a century, and Port Bonita's residents have less lofty goals: "Krig" Krigstadt thirsts for a steady supply of Kilt Lifter ale; ex-con Timmon Tillman wants to be left the hell alone; his parole officer, Franklin Bell, just wants a woman to date. VERDICT Fans of Jess Walter and Jim Lynch will be thrilled to find another author whose love for the Pacific Northwest and its people shines through with humor and clarity. [Ten-city tour; this title was a pick at BEA and ALA "Editors Buzz" panels.—Ed.]—Christine Perkins, Bellingham P.L., WA
Gately, Roberta. Lipstick in Afghanistan. Pocket Bks: S. & S. Nov. 2010. c.288p. ISBN 9781439191385. pap. $15. F
Drawing on her own experiences as a humanitarian relief nurse, debut novelist Gately presents the story of Elsa Murphy, a young Boston nurse posted to an Aide du Monde clinic in rural Afghanistan. As a teenager, Elsa saw photos of starving Rwandan children in an issue of Time and immediately knew her calling. She faced many obstacles to obtaining her dream: she was living in poverty and helping her mother raise the disabled daughter of Elsa's drug-addicted older sister. But she persevered, gaining confidence from her use of cheerful lipsticks, and graduated nursing school; the day she completed her requisite year of emergency room service, she applied to Aide du Monde. Once in Afghanistan, Elsa makes friends widely. Among them is a plucky young widow, Parween, who has memories of happier days wearing lipstick and exploring the Buddha caves before the Taliban came to power. Elsa and Parween stand out in a cast of engaging characters. VERDICT Gately reveals a much smaller slice of life than Khaled Hosseini shared in A Thousand Splendid Suns, but hers is still an informative glimpse into the lives of women in challenging times. Recommended for readers who like to explore unfamiliar worlds. Appended questions make it also an appealing choice for book clubs.—Debbie Bogenschutz, Cincinnati State Technical & Community Coll. Lib.
Haig, Matt. The Radleys. Free Pr: S. & S. Dec. 2010. c.384p. ISBN 9781439194010. $25. F
Dark humor pervades Haig's (The Possession of Dr. Cave) entertaining vampire family soap opera. While Helen was engaged to Peter Radley 17 years ago, his brother Will secretly whisked her off for one sex-filled "vampire conversion" night in Paris. A pregnant Helen then told Peter the baby was his, and together they decided to live like normal people and follow the guidelines set down by the Abstainer's Handbook, written for those who no longer wish to live the traditional vampire life. Complications arise as their children, Rowan (Will's biological son) and Clara, begin to acquire vampire characteristics. Clara is the first to change when one night a thuggish classmate attacks her. The fangs pop out, and Clara does what any vampire would naturally do. At last Helen agrees with Peter that it is time to explain their heritage to the children. At first the Radleys seem to be the stereotypical dysfunctional family, but each of them gradually shows a depth of character that helps them to pull together when outside forces attempt to destroy them. VERDICT This witty novel offers a refreshing take on an oversaturated genre. Already optioned by director Alfonso Cuarón (Children of Men; Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban), this is sure to attract reader attention. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 7/10.]—Patricia Altner, Columbia, MD
Hayder, Mo. Gone. Atlantic Monthly. Feb. 2011. c.416p. ISBN 9780802119643. $23. F
DI Jack Caffery and Sgt. Phoebe "Flea" Marley, a police diver, return in Hayder's latest thriller. This is the fifth appearance for Caffery, who debuted in Birdman, and the third for Marley. The events of the previous novel, Skin, have eroded their personal and professional relationship, and Marley and her team are under scrutiny. A new case brings them together, and the two struggle with their partnership and with the brutal criminal they face. What appears to be an accidental kidnapping during a carjacking turns more sinister when the child is not released, a pattern of similar attempted incidents emerges, and they receive a letter from the kidnapper outlining what he's done and what he's planning. VERDICT Readers who can tolerate some graphic descriptions of violence (or skim past them) will be rewarded with a complex, fast-paced, well-written mystery with interesting characters fighting personal and external demons. Recommended for those who enjoy Karin Slaughter and John Connolly.—Beth Blakesley, Washington State Univ. Libs., Pullman
Hill, Kathleen. Who Occupies This House. Triquarterly: Northwestern Univ. Oct. 2010. c.272p. photogs. ISBN 9780810152113. $26.95. F
Here's a slice of human history as lived within the walls of an old house. Hill (writing program, Sarah Lawrence Coll.; Still Waters in Niger) writes of a family that deals with loss by clinging to a legacy of bereavement. Piecing together personal diaries, faded photographs, snippets of poetry, and strings of memories, Hill digs deep into several generations of an Irish American family. Their home is a grand old place just outside New York City, with massive, sheltering trees. The family's ownership has run its course, and the epitaph of the place is being imagined before the new owners take over. In telling the history of the house, Hill examines the interior lives of the generations who have resided there. Their defining moments are often marked by death and its resulting sorrow; sadly, the bereaved become so immersed in their losses that they end up nurturing their grief rather than their surviving family members. VERDICT This highly literary examination of a family's interior life may appeal to readers of Elizabeth Berg or Anita Shreve.—Susanne Wells, P.L. of Cincinnati & Hamilton Cty.
Jen, Gish. World and Town. Knopf. Oct. 2010. c.400p. ISBN 9780307272195. $26.95. F
Hattie Kong, a 68-year-old high school teacher, seeks solace both from 9/11 and her own personal tragedies in Riverlake, a small New England town. It's been two years since she buried her husband and best friend within a wrenchingly short time, leaving Hattie with her dogs and a crushing loneliness. The daughter of an American missionary and a Chinese father, Hattie befriends the Chhungs, her Cambodian-refugee neighbors, offering tutoring and advice as they struggle with post-–traumatic stress disorder, teens in trouble (one is in a gang, two are in foster care, and 15-year-old Sophy is drawn into a Christian fundamentalist church with cascading devastating consequences). Carter, Hattie's long-ago lover, has also settled in Riverlake. A former neuroscientist, he is now teaching yoga and trying to resolve old business with Hattie. The ripple effects of 9/11 on Hattie and company are compounded by the insularity of their community. VERDICT Riverlake serves as a road map through the minefields of prejudice and fear planted in post-9/11 America. Jen's (The Love Wife) sensitivity and charming humor should vault this to the top of book groups' must-reads.—Beth E. Andersen, Ann Arbor Dist. Lib., MI
Kennedy, Cate. The World Beneath. Black Cat: Grove. Feb. 2011. c.352p. ISBN 9780802170712. pap. $14.95. F
In a small Australian town, Sandy muddles through life as an unemployed single mother pining for the heady days of her activist youth. Sandy frequently reminisces about her role in a famous 1980s environmental protest in Tasmania. Sophie, her troubled teenager, listens grudgingly because her mother's stories are a link to her estranged father, Rich, who met Sandy there. Unexpectedly, Rich invites Sophie to go bushwalking in Tasmania, and Sandy's worst fears are realized when the father-daughter trek goes dangerously wrong. Alternately narrated by an unflinching, angry Sophie and her hapless parents, this polished novel from Australian poet and short story writer Kennedy (Dark Roots) evokes a more lyrical version of Jodi Picoult. Kennedy particularly shines in her portrayal of the rocky relationship between Sandy and Sophie, hitting the reader with raw, heartbreaking, sometimes hilarious prose. Occasionally the narrative becomes bogged down by lengthy stream-of-consciousness paragraphs, but this is a minor flaw in what is otherwise a wise and graceful debut novel. VERDICT Sure to be a hit with fans of contemporary social fiction; Kennedy is an author to watch.—Kelsy Peterson, Prairie Village, KS
Leonard, Elmore. Comfort to the Enemy and Other Carl Webster Stories. Harper: HarperCollins. Oct. 2010. c.208p. ISBN 9780061735158. pap. $14.99. F
Two linked short stories that provide a much-needed introduction to the title novella expand the legend of U.S. Marshall Carl Webster (The Hot Kid; Up in Honey's Room). The year is 1944, and Carl is back in his marshal uniform after recovering from an injury incurred while serving in the U.S. Navy. His assignment: to investigate the death of a German prisoner of war at Camp Deep Fork near his home in Oklahoma. Carl approaches the job patiently and methodically, displaying a maturity not readily apparent in his earlier "Hot Kid" years, yet he deals swiftly with a couple of paid gunmen when the time is right. A German POW who escapes and returns to camp at will, a beautiful prostitute who provides his motivation, a Jewish gangster who wants access to the POW camp, and a wannabe Hot Kid who is assigned to assist in the investigation test Carl's patience and his skills, providing both challenge and humor. VERDICT This volume is the logical next episode in the charmed life of one of Leonard's most famous characters, and Carl Webster fans will certainly clamor for this latest installment. [Oct. 11 marks Leonard's 85th birthday, and his 44th novel, Djibouti, also publishes this month.—Ed.]—Thomas L. Kilpatrick, formerly with Southern Illinois Univ., Carbondale
Levithan, David. The Lover's Dictionary. Farrar. Feb. 2011. c.224p. ISBN 9780374193683. $23. F
YA author Levithan (Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist) enters the adult market with a novel posing as a dictionary. Written from the perspective of a man in an unnamed couple, each entry, from "aberrant" to "zenith," defines a word within the context of their relationship. The entries follow the couple from their online meeting forward into cohabitation. It's not all hearts and flowers: entries are philosophical or melancholic as often as romantic, documenting, among other things, his shyness and intimacy issues and her drinking problem. The results read like little prose poems or especially pithy Facebook posts. This is an easy book to zip through in one or two sittings, but be forewarned: a dictionary doesn't end with happily, or unhappily, ever after. It's a book of moments, not conclusions; reading them can get addictive. VERDICT This intimate, honest look at how one plus one can be both more and less than two is strongly recommended for readers who don't need a high degree of specificity or resolution. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 9/15/10.]—Neil Hollands, Williamsburg Regional Lib., VA
Maupin, Armistead. Mary Ann in Autumn: A Tales of the City Novel. Harper: HarperCollins. Nov. 2010. c.304p. ISBN 9780061470882. $25.99. F
This eighth installment of Maupin's "Tales of the City" series focuses on Mary Ann Singleton's return to San Francisco to recuperate from surgery and a wounded heart. Mary Ann finds refuge with her old friend Michael "Mouse" Tolliver while she comes to terms with her past actions and future hopes. Her arrival affects several others, including Michael's husband, Ben; transgendered assistant, Jake; Mary Ann's daughter, Shawna; and, of course, former landlady Anna Madrigal. Maupin interweaves chapters from the viewpoints of several characters, which adds to the atmosphere, as does his affectionate portrait of San Francisco. Like the recent Michael Tolliver Lives, this novel shows the beloved characters of Barbary Lane approaching middle age and beyond with grace and thoughtfulness. As always, the interconnectedness of the individuals is made explicit, if a tad coincidental in one case, but the charm of the Tales has not waned. VERDICT A must for fans, but new readers will find it an accessible entry point. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 6/15/10; a stage musical version of Tales of the City is set to premiere in San Francisco in 2011.—Ed.]—Devon Thomas, DevIndexing, Chelsea, MI
Mitchell, Rain. Tales from the Yoga Studio. Plume: Penguin Group (USA). Dec. 2010. c.288p. ISBN 9780452296916. pap. $15. F
Mitchell's debut novel, and first of a new series, focuses on five women whose lives are all centered around yoga and the studio they've grown to love. Lee, the owner and wonderful instructor, has a magical way of connecting with some of her fellow practitioners—Katherine, Stephanie, Graciela, and Imani—and they in turn bond and connect with one another. All of these women use yoga to heal their minds and their bodies; however, they still struggle to prevent their experiences from influencing their futures or shaping their internal doubts and fears. VERDICT Mitchell's strong beginning is entertaining and hard to put down, but her weak ending feels rushed and a little confusing. Novices and veterans of yoga alike will appreciate the rejuvenation these women begin to undergo and will be intrigued by what will happen next in the series.—Anne M. Miskewitch, Chicago P.L.
Mosley, Walter. The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey. Riverhead: Penguin Group (USA). Nov. 2010. c.288p. ISBN 9781594487729. $25.95. F
Best known and acclaimed for his Easy Rawlins mystery novels (Devil in a Blue Dress), Mosley occasionally transgresses into the philosopher/doctor role, offering his diagnosis and prognosis for pervasive social and racial ailments. In this latest foray into allegorical fiction, Ptolemy Gray, a 91-year-old African American struggling with dementia, painfully recalls joyful events. Old Coy, a former hero-figure/friend, bequeaths to Ptolemy a white man's stolen treasure that, if invested wisely, would correct racial transgressions foisted upon undeserving blacks. However, Ptolemy's confused memory and lost communication skills sap his intentions. Then a passionate lady/angel introduces our protagonist to a doctor/devil, who injects Ptolemy with an experimental drug that empowers him to correct these inequities but quickly takes his body and soul. VERDICT As with The Man in My Basement, this is another stylized commentary of little redemptive quality (its overall theme seems redundant rather than reflective), and it makes a rather weak contribution to the ongoing American racial debate. For Mosley's dedicated fans as well as comprehensive, contemporary American fiction collections. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 6/1/10.]—Jerry P. Miller, Cambridge, MA
Shreve, Anita. Rescue. Little, Brown. Nov. 2010. c.304p. ISBN 9780316020725. $26.99. F
Webster, a paramedic living with his parents in rural Vermont, meets Sheila Arsenault when he pulls her, bloodied and unconscious, out of a car wreck caused by her driving under the influence of alcohol. Her glossy brown hair draws him compulsively back, and he steadfastly ignores all warning signs as their relationship develops. Restlessness, a decidedly rocky past, and hints of alcoholism surround Sheila as their affair barrels into marriage and an unexpected pregnancy. An act of Sheila's finally causes their breakup, and Webster is left as the single father of two-year-old daughter Rowan. Years later, he must revisit decisions made during his marriage, as Rowan's teenage years begin to mirror her mother's history. Shreve, the best-selling author of The Pilot's Wife and Testimony, brings her usual balance of tension, family drama, and debatably likable characters to the mix in this story of love, duty, addiction, and loss. VERDICT For Shreve fans and all contemporary fiction lovers, this is a solid read, though not the author's most compelling or dazzling work. Excellent fodder for book clubs; there is plenty to discuss in the protagonists' motivations, decisions, and characterization. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 6/15/10.]—Julie Kane, Sweet Briar Coll. Lib., VA
Swift, Deborah. The Lady's Slipper. Griffin: St. Martin's. Nov. 2010. c.464p. ISBN 9780312638337. pap. $14.99. F
A lady of waning wealth, Alice Ibbetson develops a fierce passion for a rare orchid, the Lady's Slipper, found on the property of her Quaker neighbor, Robert Wheeler. When she steals the orchid in hopes of breeding it, her actions have far-reaching consequences. She must soon contend with the machinations of a power-hungry maid, the intimidating demands of the local medicine woman, and the threatening presence of her partner in crime, the wealthy and ruthless Geoffrey Fisk. A murder, a good dose of 17th-century politics, and an increasingly complicated relationship between Alice and the upright Robert round out Swift's debut novel. VERDICT Though written at a slightly plodding pace with long sections of tedious prose about the politics and history of the time, loosely disguised as dialog or character musings, The Lady's Slipper has all the characteristics of well-received historical romance. Recommended for fans of Philippa Gregory and Rose Tremain, as well as students of the English Civil War. [Library marketing campaign.]—Therese Oneill, Monmouth, OR
Yu, Charles. How To Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe. Pantheon. 2010. c.256p. ISBN 9780307379207. $24. F
Although the title suggests comfortable living in space, Yu leads the reader to an uncomfortable space on Earth, as his debut novel's narrative is quite experimental. In between many chapters, Yu inserts explanations of specific terms, using his fictional world to reflect upon reality and life's experiences. In the middle of the novel, he even pauses and becomes self-conscious about his creative process when writing, reading, and editing the text. In typical Brechtian fashion, he distances the reader from the story to induce contemplation of the issues the text may inspire. The deceptively simple plot can be told in one sentence: a time-travel-machine repairman wants to locate his missing father before his past catches up to him and shoots him dead. Our anxieties and fears are heightened as the protagonist's past gets ever closer. That the protagonist's father devoted his life to creating a time-travel machine allows us to ponder the dilemma of a brilliant person trapped in the role of a family man. VERDICT Fans of Ursula K. Le Guin and "social science fiction," as well as readers of an adventurous nature, will enjoy this book, which has the potential to become a cult classic.—Victor Or, Surrey P.L. & North Vancouver City Lib., B.C.
Short stories
Beattie, Ann. Ann Beattie: The New Yorker Stories. Scribner. Nov. 2010. c.528p. ISBN 9781439168745. $30. F
In this book of 48 of her short stories published in The New Yorker magazine, Beattie captures four decades of relationship difficulties. Beginning in the 1970s, the stories feature characters who have lost their way: pot-smoking, jobless drifters; spacey women in dying marriages; children caught in their parents' breakups. Beattie's staccato prose and abrupt endings leave one to wonder, not unpleasantly, what the future holds for these characters. In her later works, Beattie's voice warms and expands as her stories become richer and fuller, with an added sense of humor. Standout titles in this time period include "The Rabbit Hole as Likely Explanation," which relates a middle-aged woman's struggle to deal with her very funny aging mother; and "That Last Odd Day in L.A.," where a widower's sharp wit ostracizes him from everyone in Hollywood but his rich niece and nephew. VERDICT This is a fine collection of stories about characters whose failures to connect with others become Beattie's success as she astutely and wittily plumbs the depths of human relations.—Joy Humphrey, Pepperdine Univ. Law Lib., Malibu, CA
Hoffman, Alice. The Red Garden. Crown. Jan. 2011. c.288p. ISBN 9780307393876. $25. F
This collection of interrelated stories from the talented Hoffman (The Story Sisters) chronicles the 300-year history of Blackwell, MA, a mythical town tucked deep in the Berkshire Mountains. Bears, eels, and vigilant collies are among Blackwell's denizens, as well as a cast of characters both richly diverse and closely connected. From town founder Hallie Brady, a fearless woods–woman with an affinity for the ursine, to James Mott, the modern-day EMT who seems destined to tempt fate, these characters are singular and vivid: a beautiful baker who specializes in deadly sin cakes, a man so monstrously ugly he can't look at himself, a fisherman's wife with hair so long she can step on it, who has a strange connection to the eels that are the town's main natural resource. Linking them all is an extraordinary garden, where the greenest plant grows red and the answers to life's mysteries can be found. VERDICT Hoffman has done it again, crafting a poignant, compelling collection of fairy tales suffused with pathos and brightened by flashes of magic. Her fans, as well as those of magical realism in general, will be enchanted. [Ten- to 12-city tour. See Prepub Alert, LJ 9/15/10.]—Jeanne Bogino, New Lebanon Lib., NY
King, Stephen. Full Dark, No Stars. Scribner. Nov. 2010. c.384p. ISBN 9781439192566. $27.95. F
Acclaimed horror/thriller author King's latest release (after Blockade Billy and Under the Dome) is another collection of satisfying short stories. As with his other collections (Four Past Midnight and Everything's Eventual), this volume features four never-before-published novellas focusing on the theme of retribution, justice, and getting even. Offering fast reads, three tales run around 100 pages ("1922," "Big Driver," and "A Good Marriage"), while one story ("Fair Extension") weighs in at fewer than 50 pages. While not as subtle as some of King's other fiction, these novellas offer dark humor and to-the-point gore. VERDICT This quick and more brutal King installment will be in high demand for horror/thriller readers and dedicated King fans. Public libraries, order multiple copies. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 6/1/10.]—Carolann Curry, Mercer Univ. Medical Lib., Macon, GA
last-minute SF
Irwin, Stephen M. The Dead Path. Doubleday. Oct. 2010. c.384p. ISBN 9780385533430. $26. HORROR
Suffering from the recent death of his wife and haunted by the images of ghosts reliving their deaths over and over, Nicholas Close returns from London to his childhood home in Australia. But his steps are dogged by murders reminiscent of those that happened when he was a boy. Nicholas's childhood and adult fears collide as he races to uncover the evil stalking his hometown and family. VERDICT Exploring the dark corners where childhood nightmares become adult terror, this debut novel by an Australian filmmaker and screenwriter is a ghost story to please murder mystery and horror fans alike, as well as John Saul and Peter Straub fans. Memorable characters, beautifully crafted writing, and an adept hand at storytelling will have readers begging for Irwin's next book. Highly recommended. [This was published in Britain to great acclaim under the title The Darkening.—Ed.]—Colleen S. Harris, Univ. of Tennessee at Chattanooga Libs.
