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| The Coroner's Lunch
by Colin Cotterill | Dr. Siri Paiboun is a 72-year-old doctor who is picked to be the national coroner of Laos in 1976. Inexperienced and out of his depth, he has one asset that no one else seems to have -- curiosity. He also has a disturbing secret -- the dead come to him in his dreams. Navigating the muddy waters of a revolutionary political nightmare and the corruption of his country, Dr. Siri searches for the truth wherever it lies. An excellent first in a series -- enjoy! - Review by JR |
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| Death Comes to Pemberley
by P.D. James | Having read a number of Jane Austen wannabes, I approached this book with a certain amount of trepidation. However, James won me over. Using many of Austen's original characters, James manages to be true to them and to the mystery plotline that is both taut and thoughtful. A great read! - Review by JR |
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| Still Life
by Louise Penny | Inspector Armand Gamache is a thoughtful, sensitive man who is always surprised at the brutality of murder. He is also shrewd, perceptive, and dogged in his determination to see justice done. In the first of this series, Gamache is tasked with finding the killer of a member of a small community in Quebec, filled with artists and their work. Penny's work is a joy to read and evokes the beauty of the Canadian woods. - Review by JR |
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| Wicked Autumn
by G.M. Malliett | Part parody of the English cozy murder mystery and part intriguing story, Malliett's Wicked Autumn introduces us to Max Tudor, vicar and former MI-5 operative. When a murder occurs in his small town of Nether Monkslip, Father Max works behind the scenes to catch the killer. A satisfying read. - Review by JR |
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| The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
by Rebecca Skloot | OK, I really don't know why I waited so long to read this book -- it is wonderful! Ms. Skloot lets everyone have their own voice and gives a face to the cells that have changed health science forever. Never preachy, always interesting, this book should be on everyone's must read list. - Review by JR |
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| Wicked Bugs by Amy Stewart | Just in time for summer is a book that will make you think twice about the bugs in your yard. Wicked Bugs is about those creepy crawlies that cause destruction, pain, discomfort or death. Strangely beautiful etchings accompany the darkly humorous chapter headings. Enjoy! - Review by JR |
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| Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer | The true story of Christopher McCandless who decided to leave the comforts of normal society, getting rid of all possessions except what he carried on his back. The author carefully reconstructed the journey that McCandless actually took and adds his voice in with that of the youthful vagabond. A cautionary tale of youthful exuberance that still leaves one wondering, “Could I survive in the same circumstances?” An inspiring read for anyone who ever wanted to escape the structure and materialism of modern society and test themselves against nature. - Review by LL |
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| The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth: Popularity, Quirk Theory, and Why Outsiders Thrive After High School by Alexandra Robbins | As a card-carrying member of the cafeteria fringe, I could truly identify with the outcasts depicted in this book. Robbins uses an almost Gossip Girl way of describing instances in students' lives and intersperses these with observations on the different groups, the nature of popularity, and the ways in which we can learn to move past our labels. Should be required reading for all who work with teens. - Review by JR |
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| The Fifth Witness by Michael Connelly | A new Michael Connelly book is always hotly anticipated -- and this one is a doozy! The "Lincoln Lawyer," Mickey Haller, is back, and what starts out as a foreclosure defense quickly turns into a murder case. Twists and turns, and a diverse cast of characters make this an exciting read. You'll want to stay up at night to read this one! - Review by JR |
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| Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination of Ronald Reagan by Del Quentin Wilber | History that reads like a thriller, this new book on the failed assassination of Reagan covers a lot of ground. Wilber details the President's humor in the face of adversity, the consequences for others who were shot, political ramifications, and the capture of the shooter. By interviewing many of the Secret Service agents who worked with the President and First Lady, Wilber brings an almost "you are there" atmosphere to the book. Great read! - Review by JR |
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| American Rose, A Nation Laid Bare: The Life and Times of Gypsy Rose Lee by Karen Abbott | Karen Abbott is the author of sizzle history -- social history as seen through the sexual and social mores of a particular time. Her latest, "American Rose," talks about the heyday of burlesque through its most famous entertainer, Gypsy Rose Lee. Gypsy's personal history is fascinating and the tales about her Mama Rose are true -- and then some. Great history with a little sizzle! - Review by JR |
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| At Home: A Short History of Private Life by Bill Bryson | Bill Bryson, the knowledgable author of A Short History of Everything, is back with a new look at our homes and the things they hold. Bryson's ability to make even salt and pepper interesting is a testament to his narrative skill. The great thing about this book, though, is the fact that you can go to any section and read about something you've never known (but had often wondered about). I enjoyed this book and even found it stolen by my husband on a few occasions. - Review by JR |
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| Wicked Appetite by Janet Evanovich | Any new Evanovich is a welcome treat and this new series is no exception. Lizzy, a hunk named Diesel, a ninja cat, and a very rude monkey all try to find stones linked to the seven deadly sins. First stop: gluttony. Although I'm wary of established authors jumping on the paranormal gravy train, the novel contains all of Evanovich's characteristic humor and fun. Enjoy! - Review by JR |
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| Heresy by S. J. Parris | In late 16th century England, it was dangerous to speak one's mind. Into this world of political and religious barbarism, comes Giordano Bruno, a monk who has outrun the Inquisition to Oxford. As murders multiply among the Oxford elite, Bruno races to solve the crimes and bring the killer to justice. Parris' debut novel is wonderfully evocative and depicts a man ahead of his time trapped in an ignorant world. - Review by JR |
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| Geek Dad: Awesomely Geeky Projects and Activities for Dads and Kids to Share by Ken Denmead | You know who you are: the geek dad who saves machine parts so that you can build a robot someday. Well, that time is now! Geek Dad shows you how to make cyborg jack-o-lanterns and create LEGO lighting from repurposed parts. Summer is here -- amaze your kids with your geekdom! - Review by JR |
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| The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson | Larsson's brilliant but socially awkward protagonist, Lisbeth Salander, comes into her own in this powerful ending that shows that Larsson saved the best for last. If you are unfamiliar with Stieg Larsson's Millenium trilogy, start with The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and work your way forward. Even if you've read the first two books in the series, Larsson still takes you on the ride of your life. - Review by JR |
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| Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick | North Korea has been a mystery to most of us. This book certainly puts many things in perspective: from schoolchildren learning propaganda songs to adults scrambling for one last grain of rice during a famine. The struggle of the North Korean people to retain their humanity in the face of misery is brilliantly portrayed here. - Review by JR |
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| Losing My Cool: How a Father's Love and 15,000 Books Beat Hip-Hop Culture By Thomas Chatterton Williams | While other 7-year-olds were enjoying their summer evenings, little Tom was studying. Tom's father was a well-educated man who believed that his children could transcend the hip-hop culture that he felt threatened to absorb all black youth. Williams' escape from that "predetermined" life and his take on social and cultural mores in the black community are profound and thought-provoking. - Review by JR |
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| A Curtain Falls by Stefanie Pintoff | Old New York is showcased in this follow-up to Stefanie Pintoff's Edgar-award winning debut. Both burgeoning forensics theory and the theater scene take center stage as Ziele races against time to save an actress from a thespian-minded serial killer. Enjoyed the storyline and the creepy solution! - Review by JR |
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| Curtains: Adventures of an Undertaker-in-Training by Tom Jokinen | Did you ever wonder what happens between the death certificate and the funeral? Tom Jokinen takes the reader on a very interesting tour of the mortuary world where he interned for a year. His first observation: Never take a hearse through the McDonald's drive-thru -- it sends the wrong message. Sometimes humorous and sometimes scary, a new and different take on the classic Jessica Mitford outing. - Review by JR |
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| A Murderous Procession by Ariana Franklin | Adelia Aguilar, Sicilian doctor and ward of King Henry II, is in a tough spot. She is supposed to help escort the Princess Joanna to Sicily to marry the Sicilian king. Unfortunately, there is someone in the royal party who wishes her dead and will do anything to accomplish it. The fourth of the Mistress of the Art of Death mystery series, this one had me hopping until the end. Enjoy! - Review by JR |
 | The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York by Deborah Blum | Quite frankly, this is one of the best true crime books I've read in a while. This book simultaneously outlines the history behind the medical examiner's office in New York, details the chemistry behind the crimes, and provides enough criminal detail to keep the reader fascinated. All the usual suspects are here (arsenic, cyanide, mercury) with a few new ones (radium, thallium) thrown in for good measure. - Review by JR |
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| Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin | For anyone interested in how a presidential campaign really works, this is the book for you. Backroom negotiations, sniping, scandal, and, yes, game changes are all outlined in this bestseller that packs a visceral punch. It also outlines the John Edwards scandal that is fleshed out more fully in The Politician by Andrew Young. Incredibly interesting portraits of a campaign in the making! - Review by JR |
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| Saving Ceecee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman | Ceecee Honeycutt lives in a home with her crazy mother who has a penchant for dressup. After tragedy strikes, Ceecee is sent to live with her female relatives in Savannah and her healing begins. With shades of The Help and The Secret Life of Bees, this novel was funny and heartbreaking by turns. - Review by JR |
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| Murder in the Palais Royal by Cara Black | Can't get to Paris this year? Cara Black's latest mystery featuring ultra chic detective Aimee Leduc is here! This latest has Aimee trying to prove her innocence and getting shot, strangled, and computer hacked in the process. Cara Black's portrayal of Paris shows what's beyond all the tourist glitz. Great addition to the series! - Review by JR |
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| Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl | Fans of creepy Southern gothic will love this paranormal romance set in a small southern town complete with graveyards, bizarre portraits and Spanish moss. All comparisons to Twilight aside, I devoured this book in a few days and had teens asking if I was done yet -- so they could check it out. Although written for the young adult crowd, this older adult truly enjoyed it and can't wait for the sequel. - Review by JR |
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| Bryant & May On the Loose by Christopher Fowler | Fowler's crime-fighting octogenarians are back and this time the Peculiar Crimes Unit is searching for a unique suspect -- he wears a stag costume and carries off young women. If you've never read a Bryant & May mystery, definitely start with their first, Full Dark House, and progress from there. There are so many references to past cases and jibes at authority that you may need a playbook. But the effect of these two nose-thumbing detectives combined with gothic mystery is magical! - Review by JR |
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