Fiction

By Staff -- Library Journal, 6/15/2006

Arana, Marie. Cellophane. Dial: Random Jun. 2006. c.384p. ISBN 0-385-33664-0. $24. F

On the banks of the Peruvian Amazon in the late 1940s, Don Victor Sobrevilla presides over a paper factory and farm, a small village of his workers, and his sprawling, garrulous family. His regular visits to his shaman elicit alarm from the local priest, but overall life in Floralinda is everything Don Victor dreamed of as a city boy mesmerized by engineering, paper, and the Amazon. His wife, Dona Mariana, ably runs the household and copes with her three grown children's failed marriages and her daughter-in-law's mental illness. Then, Don Victor perfects his recipe for cellophane and turns his factory over to its production. Seemingly overnight, as the mesmerizing beauty and transparency of his invention invades and uncovers their insulated world, the Sobrevillas find themselves taken by irresistible urges to confess past transgressions and passions and to seek more satisfying and authentic relationships. As the family upheaval grows, the dictatorship of Manuel Odria threatens the autonomy and safety of Floralinda itself. Acclaimed Peruvian American author Arana (American Chica) treads the ground between the stark realities of midcentury Peruvian politics and changing social mores and the sensitive and honest portrayal of a family in chaos as adroitly as the giants of the genre, including Gabriel García Márquez and Isabel Allende. A powerful debut with broad international appeal, this is highly recommended for both public and academic libraries. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 3/1/05.]—Jennifer Stidham, Houston Community Coll., Northeast

Eleanor is just 15 when her father, the Duke of Aquitaine, dies, leaving her Europe's most titled and landed young heiress. The eldest of two surviving children (both daughters), Eleanor has been well instructed in the arts of politics and diplomacy. But after she weds the crowned prince of France, her life takes unexpected turns. From a strained marriage to a man who had prepared for a life in the Church to criticisms of her behavior by Abbot Suger and the people of northern France to a crusade that takes her all the way to Constantinople, Eleanor exhibits strength of character and a firm resolve to have her own way. Ball (who has collaborated with Anne McCaffrey on such books as Acorna's Quest) offers a fair rendering of the early life of Eleanor (who lived well into her eighties). There is a light touch of fantasy here as well—Eleanor has several visions whose meanings are not always clear. Well paced and with fascinating characters, this novel is recommended for larger public libraries with historical fiction collections.—Anna M. Nelson, Collier Cty. P.L., Naples, FL

In Barnett's (Sentimental Journey) first novel in four years, the effects of a car accident reverberate across three generations and 45 years. In 1957, drunk financier Rudy Banning kills himself, his wife, and two others when his car plows into a musician's station wagon. Banning leaves two young boys to be raised by their tyrannical grandfather. The musician's widow, Kathryn Peyton, would have committed suicide except for her four-year-old daughter, Laurel. Thirteen years later, brothers Cale and Jud Banning are rivals, their powerful grandfather having pitted them against each other. Both men fall for Laurel when they meet on Catalina, and she's torn between them until a tormented Kathryn reveals the truth about the Banning relationship to the Peytons. Laurel's decision to flee will change everyone's lives. When a building project brings Laurel's daughter and Cale's son together years later, Laurel must decide to make peace with the past or allow her mother's obsession with the Bannings to destroy another generation. This absorbing romance is filled with engaging characters whose eventual maturity changes the course of family history. Their lives are all changed, not only by time, but by the relationships they formed when they were young. It's unusual for a romance reader to have the opportunity to observe the changes in characters over a long period of time, and Barnett handles the span of time with skill. Highly recommended for public libraries collecting romance.—Lesa M. Holstine, Glendale P.L., AZ

Forced into early retirement and then fired from his last menial job, Stanley Johnson is at loose ends. His life has not been easy: a son, born in 1975 on the same day someone tried to assassinate President Ford, was kidnapped on election day in 1980 and found in a shallow grave on the day President Reagan was shot; Stan's wife later committed suicide. Most of the tragedies in his life seem to be connected to political events, and now, with a presidential election in the balance, Stan finds himself on edge. When he discovers a child's head in the dumpster outside his apartment, he comes apart. Surreal nightmares follow, sleepwalking episodes, a series of mind-bending events that begin to propel him, puppetlike, toward the assassination of a presidential candidate. But is that what the powers manipulating him really want? Beres (Grand Traverse) goes one step beyond The Manchurian Candidate in this engrossing thriller, which sometimes seems too obvious but then foils expectations by twisting the reader's mind along with that of the protagonist. Recommended for all popular fiction collections.—Ronnie H. Terpening, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson

In this novel about two young women caught up in the world of flamenco, Bird (The Yokota Officers Club) never quite manages the ambitious task of overlaying their personal story onto the passion of the insular dance world. Albuquerque high schoolers Cyndi Rae and Didi are best friends but complicating their already volatile relationship is a love triangle completed by flamenco guitarist Tomás Montenegro. Both major and minor characters seem to bounce off each other rather than make emotional or intellectual connections. The most engaging aspect of the book is Doña Carlota, Tomás's great-aunt. Her Gypsy background and vivid storytelling perhaps should have been the real heart of the story. Readers of Bird's other books might enjoy her salty dialog and quirky characters, but the tale is ultimately unsatisfying because it never offers enough of Didi and Rae, and the fiery passion of flamenco never heats up on the page. Recommended only for public library collections that have an established Bird readership.—Andrea Wyman, Edinboro Univ. of Pennsylvania Lib.

The author of three novels, four story collections, a children's book, and countless articles as a columnist for Spain's El Mundo newspaper, Bonilla won the prestigious Biblioteca Breve prize for this work. In his latest novel, protagonist Moises Froissard narrates his life in an incredibly irreverent, self-absorbed tone that keeps the story unexpectedly lighthearted, though it easily could be tragic. After working a short stint as a humanitarian in Bolivia, Froissard realizes he is not cut out for that type of missionary work and moves on to his dream job—making a small fortune traveling around the world's slums and scouting beautiful people among the forgotten to serve as whores, or “models,” in Madrid. Froissard believes his job saves lives and that those he recruits are much better off in their new setting. However, when he is hired to find a Nubian prizefighter, he temporarily locates his depleted conscience and starts questioning his life and career. Bonilla does a wonderful job of taking a character the reader could and maybe should easily hate and turning him into a somewhat likable (if still disgusting) narcissist. Owing to its sexually explicit theme, this novel is recommended for larger or more venturesome public libraries.—Stephen Morrow, Amherst, MA

Tormented by past tragedy and now searching to understand the good and evil natures of humanity, a stranger targets the remote town of Viscos for a spiritual experiment that involves tempting the youngest resident, the discontented Chantal Prym, with gold bars to see if she will hold fast to her religious beliefs or cast all aside for monetary gain. As part of their bargain, Chantal is required by the stranger to tell the town members of the gold, which will be freely offered to revitalize their declining town if they will break a commandment and kill one of their own. This enticing proposition throws all the townfolk into a grave moral crisis. Internationally renowned Brazilian novelist Coelho completes his “And On the Seventh Day” trilogy (By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept; Veronika Decides To Die) with a spiritually intricate tale told in a simple, straightforward manner that allows all to absorb and contemplate. Recommended for popular fiction collections. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 3/15/05.]—Joy St. John, Henderson Dist. P.L., NV

Lincoln Rhyme and his partner, Amelia Sachs, find themselves literally running out of time in Deaver's (The Twelfth Card) latest, in which they must stop the Watchmaker, a diabolical mastermind who leaves behind a calling card of a moon-faced ticking clock at his crime scenes. The Watchmaker is a true genius who plans for every eventuality with timepiece precision, keeping steps ahead of his pursuers. As Rhyme and Sachs race to stop his next murder, Amelia must balance the assignment with her first solo homicide case, which will have ramifications to her past and future career in law enforcement. Could it also jeopardize her personal and professional relationship with Rhyme? Deaver is a master of manipulation and the straightforward story is miles away from the narrative's real undercurrent. Readers will be shocked and amazed at the end result of this ingenious way to pass the time. For all fiction collections.—Jeff Ayers, Seattle P.L.

Grace lives on a lovely but crumbling English estate. Newly divorced, she has no prospects for getting the money it will take to repair the dry rot that's threatening to ruin the house. Ellie, a newly single and pregnant artist, has nowhere to live. When Ellie tries to sell Grace a painting of the house, the women form a fast friendship and quickly realize they can help each other out if Ellie were to move in. Then Ellie uncovers antique wall murals in the house that could be valuable, and unexpectedly falls for the restoration expert on whom she calls. Meanwhile, Grace finds herself attracted to the handsome new stranger in town. London Times best-selling author Fforde (Paradise Fields) has crafted another charming, lighthearted romance that belongs in most public libraries, especially where Fforde's others novels have been popular.—Rebecca Vnuk, River Forest P.L., IL

“Now say goodnight, Martha, to your housekeeping Gestapo and give the president a blowjob before I invade another country.” The President and the First Lady are having a tawdry, profane, troubled affair. No, not that George and Martha, but Dubya and the First Lady of Domesticity, Martha Stewart. As George awaits his nomination to a second term and Martha prepares for incarceration they bicker, drink, and make troubled stabs at kinky sex. Martha both revels in and reviles her role as the dominant Mother, fueling infantile George's oedipal fantasies. Performance artist extraordinaire Finley (Shock Treatment) enhances minimal narrative and crisp, hilarious dialog with over a hundred crude but amusing drawings to create an experience nearly as vivid as one of her live performances. George & Martha is far more than just ear candy best read aloud; it's a satirical romp that skewers contemporary America's phony politics, hypocritical religion, hollow consumerism, dysfunctional families, hidden addictions, and twisted gender and sexual relations. This sure-to-be-controversial send-up is recommended for all public and academic libraries.— Jim Dwyer, California State Univ., Chico

In 1977, French made waves with The Women's Room, a novel about women and the strides they had made toward freedom and equality at the time. This work is something of an update or a sequel. Four women of different ages, different backgrounds, and different lifestyles find themselves in a small town in the Berkshires. They become friends and support one another through life's ups and downs while sharing insights about the place of women in the world from ancient times to the present. The older women are bitter about the lives they were forced into, while the younger women are just finding themselves in lives previously ruled by men. Together, they grow, change, and improve. French is both an academic and a novelist, and her fiction forms a very thin veil over the history and sociology of the feminist movement, with dialog and stream-of-consciousness monologs that are preachy and pedantic. In addition, the setting is artificial and the happy ending a little too sweet. Recommended primarily for readers of feminist fiction.—Joanna M. Burkhardt, Univ. of Rhode Island Lib., Ashaway

Six-year-old Lizzie Grace sits in the syringa tree in her South African backyard whenever she's troubled. From there, she watches her Afrikaner neighbors and the black workers her part-Jewish family employs. Although her parents—an always-busy doctor father and a depressed mother—have tried to insulate themselves and their staff, it is impossible to shield Lizzie from the racism that permeates daily life. Indeed, as the meaning of apartheid unfolds, Lizzie struggles to understand racial laws that force her nanny to carry work papers and hide from the police. Through her eyes, readers see South African townships and experience the indignities that provoked underground resistance movements. Although the protagonist is occasionally cloying, this is part of the book's charm. Nonetheless, there are spots where the child's perspective weakens the text and leaves the reader hungry for more. For example, Lizzie's grandfather is murdered by a Rhodesian rebel, but the reason for this political crime remains unclear. South African–born Gien, who created this novel from her Obie Award–winning play of the same name, here illuminates a shameful history of a country by highlighting the juxtaposition of race, anti-Semitism, and class privilege. Highly recommended.—Eleanor J. Bader, Brooklyn, NY

Reminiscent of Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, this work is a worthy successor to Hyland's critically acclaimed first novel, How the Light Gets In. Set in 1972, the novel relates the moving and troubling tale of John Egan's 11th year. Egan lives in Gorey, in southeast Ireland, with his mother, father, and grandmother. They coexist in a tenuous domestic peace threatened by resentment between the adults and Egan's confusion about others' shifting expectations of him. Hyland credibly evokes Egan's agony in a plaintive, perplexed, resolute, and, at times, smug voice. Convinced that he possesses the “gift of lie detection,” Egan tests people to prove their truthfulness. Yet he himself stretches the truth in order to defend himself and exert some control over swiftly deteriorating personal circumstances. Egan's truth experiments ultimately culminate in cruelty and violence. Whether his family's love exonerates Egan remains ambiguous, but he does revise his rigid notions of truth to include the necessity of omission and the grace of leaving some things unsaid. Recommended for public and academic libraries.—John G. Matthews, Washington State Univ. Libs., Pullman

With its descriptions of the hardships of rural mountain life in an historical setting and a strong Southern woman survivor theme, this new voice in Appalachian fiction echoes Robert Morgan (Gap Creek) and Charles Frazier. Mary Seneca “Sen” Steele is born and raised in early 20th-century Charleston, but her family ties to the mountains through her father are always strong. Long after his death, she escapes an abusive and dissolute husband with two young children in tow by driving deep into the mountains with only a vague idea of where to go to find the relatives she's never met. With a lot of help from strangers who all turn out to be related, she manages to inhabit an abandoned family homestead and develop a new life. Amidst family dramas of life and death, love interests, storms, and deprivation, this regional tale with a thick local accent develops into an entertaining saga. It should find an appreciative audience in Southern fiction fans.—Ann H. Fisher, Radford P.L.,VA

Mitch Rafferty is just an ordinary guy with a landscaping business until the day he gets the chilling call from kidnappers who have taken his wife, Holly. And to prove that they are serious, the kidnappers fatally shoot a man who is standing across the street from Mitch. The kidnappers want $2 million, or Holly will die a horrible and prolonged death. Oh, yes, if he goes to the cops, Mitch will be framed for Holly's murder. Meanwhile, the police discover that the sniper victim was an old acquaintance of Mitch, and, since they don't believe in coincidences, they are suspicious of Mitch, who now must either come up with the money or find Holly and the kidnappers. The question arises: why did the kidnappers even think a working stiff like Mitch could come up with $2 million in the first place? It seems there are secrets, twists, and betrayals at every turn. Koontz's exciting new novel (after Velocity) will not disappoint his fans. Recommended for popular fiction collections. [Movie rights were picked up by Focus Films and Random House Films.—Ed.]—Robert Conroy, Warren, MI

Kraft's (Passionate Spectator) latest pseudo-memoir by Peter Leroy, a quirky, intelligent, and admittedly unreliable narrator, recalls the summer he was 15, when he built an aerocycle in his garage and traveled 4000 miles from his hometown of Babbington, Long Island, to New Mexico and back. Leroy, a self-described hapless dreamer, is now a “seat-of the-pants memoirist.” As he puts it, “You don't write about your life; you live your memoirs.” After receiving a cryptic postcard from a childhood classmate, Peter and his wise, ever-indulgent wife, Albertine, return to Babbington to find that city planners have re-engineered the town to its full 1950s glory. Central to the myth is Leroy's legendary flight as the Birdboy of Babbington, which overlooked some technicalities that Leroy has been meaning to clear up for decades. This is an earnest, warmly nostalgic flight of fancy dotted with philosophical musings on the nature of fiction vs. reality, memory, and loss. Unfortunately, as the first of a planned trilogy, it seems slight, and the abrupt cliff-hanger disappoints. Buy where Peter Leroy's other screwball adventures are popular.—Christine Perkins, Burlington P.L., WA

When documentary filmmaker Angelina Mangiamele's production company, Tied to the Tracks, is contacted by Ogilvie College in Georgia to produce a movie about prominent faculty member and literary celebrity Zula Bragg, she jumps at the chance—even though her ex-lover, John Grant, has recently accepted a position as chair of the college's English department. Angie's arrival in Ogilvie sets in motion a series of events that affect the lives of the townspeople, each of whom—including the secretive Zula—has something to hide. As Angie and John slowly come to terms with their shared past, John finds his relationship with his fiancée, a fellow faculty member, falling apart. Lippi's (Homestead) Ogilvie is a quirky and picturesque Deep South town populated by characters both believable and outlandish. The writing is solid and the pace pleasantly leisurely, though the abrupt ending is a bit unsatisfying. Readers accustomed to Lippi's faster-paced historical fiction, written under the pseudonym Sara Donati, may be disappointed by this mannered slice of college-town life. Recommended for most fiction collections.—Nanette Wargo Donohue, Champaign P.L., IL

Readers who enjoy epic, historical family sagas will not be disappointed with Lustbader's debut, which spans three generations and uses significant historical events as background plots. Two completely different New York families who would have never become intertwined except for fate are introduced during the changing times of World War I and the Roaring Twenties. When David Warshinsky's sister is killed in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911, his family's life changes forever. World War I plays an integral role in the relationship between David and his friend Jed Gates. Other elements of historical relevance that Lustbader manages to weave into the story are Christian Science, alcoholism, unrequited love, homosexuality, the rise of feminism, and the arrival of major department stores. The fully dimensional and deftly drawn characters—especially Jed's grandfather, Joseph, and mother, Sally—keep the reader entranced with their conniving and duplicity. This hard-to-put-down, historically accurate tale is filled with conversations that are both realistic and entertaining. Recommended for all collections. [The author is the wife of novelist Eric Van Lustbader.—Ed.]—Marianne Fitzgerald, Severna Park, MD

Max Berman's family fled Austria prior to the onset of World War II, leaving behind a house that symbolized better times and fond memories of his family. As an adult, Max journeys back to Austria to recover the house and explore his family history. Although Mitgutsch (Three Daughters) effectively describes the impact of war, dislocation, and destruction of families, the novel fails to resonate with the strength and passion of other works that explore similar themes. Max never really rises off the page, and his blandness seems to underwhelm the narrative itself. Perhaps it is his naïveté in thinking that in restoring the house he can somehow restore the past and create a new present that fails to engage the reader. Further, lethargic pacing and single-dimension characters detract from a novel that does present some intriguing ideas about dislocation caused by war. While of interest to collections specializing in Holocaust or World War II fiction, this novel is one that should be better than it is.—Caroline Hallsworth, City of Greater Sudbury, Ont.

Published in Ireland in 1982, this work is a brutal, lyrical meditation on the history of abuse shared by Esther and Sara Kavanagh, mother and daughter. In alternating chapters spanning the late Fifties to the early Seventies in an unnamed part of Ireland, they describe their suppression under Joe, brutal husband and father. His death moves both women to acknowledge his cruelty as a source of despair and mental distress. Maggie, a banshee-like manifestation of Sara's response to Joe's sexual and physical abuse, embodies Sara's rage about Esther's abandonment and her own helplessness. Maggie's dark presence also undermines the traditional view of marriage and the Church as foundations of personal fulfillment and civilization. The city of the title is an oppressive, symbolic netherworld where imagined revenge, not justice, is the sole, universal response to the inequality and violence sponsored and perpetuated by social institutions and arrangements based on gender, status, and wealth. Nelson's (Tar and Feathers) disturbing and powerful novel invites comparisons with Euripidean drama and the work of Faulkner and Cormac McCarthy. Recommended for all literary collections.—John G. Matthews, Washington State Univ. Libs., Pullman

Némirovsky (1903–42), a Sorbonne-educated Jewish émigré born into a wealthy Russian family, had planned to write a five-part novel documenting the turmoil of Nazi-occupied France. Instead, she was deported in 1942 and died in Auschwitz. Her daughters hid their mother's notebook in a valise, and it remained unread for over 60 years. This Knopf edition includes the first two books of the projected quintet, as well as appendixes with the author's notes and correspondence, and the preface to the French edition. The latter includes biographical information that tells the remarkable story of the book's provenance. Part 1, “Storm in June,” describes the panic and confusion accompanying several Parisian families' exodus to the countryside as the Germans enter Paris. The pettiness of an arriviste banker and his mistress contrasts sharply with his employees' acts of courage—the kind of heroism of ordinary people that history generally does not record. Part 2, “Dolce,” relates the complicated relationships between the occupying Wehrmacht army and French peasants, village merchants, and ruling class aristocracy. Some resisted, some cooperated as necessary, while others welcomed the conqueror into their arms. “Dolce” illuminates wartime economies of scarcity, the brutality of martial law (anyone caught with a radio risked immediate execution), and cultural hegemony (church bells were reset to German time). Throughout the narrative, the uncertain plight of two million French prisoners of war and painful memories of previous invasions haunt the characters. In a notebook excerpt, Némirovsky reminds herself to “simplify” the language and the narrative. The result is a world-class “you-are-there” proto-epic that is essential for all fiction and European history collections.—Mark André Singer, Mechanics' Inst. Lib., San Francisco

This book was a best seller when it was published in Iran in 1989, but all of Parsipur's works are currently banned there, and the author herself had to flee her native country for the United States in the 1990s. Both a sweeping chronicle of modern Iranian history and a study of the plight of 20th century Iranian women, it traces the country's history from both Russian and British colonization during the Qajar dynasty through the coup led by Reza Khan, forebear of the Pahlavi family who held power in Iran prior to the revolution led by the Ayatollah Khomeini. Parsipur subtly conveys her commentary through Touba, a woman born into an upper-class family who marries young to secure her family's financial future. Though marital success eludes Touba (she was trapped twice in a loveless marriage), she grows intellectually and spiritually throughout her eight decades. With each passing year, she gravitates more toward Sufism, a tradition of mysticism based in Islam. Readers familiar with Parsipur's Women Without Men will recognize her deft utilization of magical realism and Persian myths. They may be less familiar with Sufi symbolism or references to lesser-known works of Persian literature. However, this lack of expertise will not detract from an enjoyment of Parsipur's rich and well-crafted narrative. For all fiction collections.—Faye A. Chadwell, Univ. of Oregon Libs., Eugene

Ancient philosophies clash with major scientific discoveries in Rollins's (Map of Bones) latest adventure, which tackles the debate over intelligent design. A mysterious plague in the Himalayas sends medical doctor Lisa Cummings to a monastery where all of the monks have died. There she meets the director of Sigma Force—a covert arm of the Department of Defense—who has been exposed to the disease but is still alive. Meanwhile, when another Sigma Force operative helps a teenage girl in possession of Charles Darwin's Bible, they both become the target of assassins who want the notes scribbled in the margins. These notes will tie in to the disease at the top of the world—Mt. Everest—and a conspiracy that began at the tail end of World War II. All of these diverse elements blend seamlessly in Rollins's hands. Readers will eagerly await the fourth “Sigma Force” installment. For all fiction collections. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 3/15/06.]—Jeff Ayers, Seattle P.L.

This is a gloriously intelligent exploration of what might have happened to Sigmund Freud during his only visit to America. The tortured body of a young society woman is found in a posh New York apartment in the summer of 1909. A day later, beautiful Nora Acton is found with similar marks, only she has managed to survive the brutal attack. Freud, en route with Carl Jung to a speaking engagement in Boston, finds himself drawn into the investigation. He asks an American colleague to psychoanalyze Nora, who has repressed all memory of the attack. Meanwhile, a determined if inexperienced police detective follows another trail. Can Freud and his fellow psychoanalysts find the killer before he strikes again? Filled with period detail, this historical thriller challenges the reader to reason out the mystery. Rubenfeld (law, Yale Univ.; Revolution by Judiciary: The Structure of American Constitutional Law) shows great talent for psychological suspense and uses shifting viewpoints to build tension. Fans of Caleb Carr will adore this work. Given the publicity planned, it is highly recommended for all fiction collections.—Laurel Bliss, Princeton Univ. Lib., NJ

To some, being maid of honor to the heir's wife might seem like the ultimate in luxury and influence. For Sarah Jennings, whose family has been left penniless by war, it is the very opposite of a secure and comfortable position. Instead, she and her beloved John Churchill struggle to weather the political and religious storms that wash over the household of James II of England. These two commoners, who rose to become the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, know the tenuous and dangerous nature of such seeming security and how far the fall from favor can be. Prolific historical novelist Scott's elegantly crafted story of two charismatic soul mates who gave up the chance to marry others, preferring wealth and advancement, is sure to appeal to lovers of good historical fiction.—Cynthia Johnson, Cary Memorial Lib., Lexington, MA

When beautiful, promiscuous May leaves 17th-century England to marry an unknown distant cousin in the New World, her plain but brilliant sister, Hannah, is heartbroken, but vows to follow her sister to America someday. In the meantime, Hannah cares for their physician father, who secretly passes his knowledge of medicine on to her. Letters are exchanged between the sisters at the rate of only one or two a year, telling much of May's new life but remaining oddly silent about her new husband, Gabriel. When the girls' father dies, Hannah leaves England intending to reunite with her sister. On arriving in America, however, she does not find May, but Gabriel, with whom she falls in love. Hannah and Gabriel attempt to carve a new, happier life for themselves—until Hannah can no longer ignore her doubts about Gabriel's part in May's disappearance. This extremely compelling, well-researched, and intensely written tale by Sharratt (The Real Minerva) is packed with fascinating historical information. Its only fault is that the narrative switches perspectives between characters, which in itself would be fine, except that the events are related out of sequence. This is not only somewhat confusing but also unnecessary, but despite this drawback the book is recommended for public libraries.—Wendy Bethel, Upper Arlington P.L., OH

Eccentric but somehow familiar multilayered characters fill the pages of this richly textured, insightful novel by Shelton (What Comes After Crazy). As an advice columnist, Lily Brown should know that bad things come in threes. Her problems start with a disastrous home hair-dying job. Next, Lily's ex-husband, Teddy, who lives in the same duplex, starts making noises about getting back together again. And, finally, Lily's sister, Dana, who ran away from home ten years earlier at age 18, has shown up as suddenly as she left—and as messed up. In her column, Lily doles out advice left and right, but she can't seem to get a handle on her own problems. Shelton's humorous, touching story fully engages the reader as Lily's Cheetos®-orange/rotten banana–yellow hair and its journey back to normalcy become a metaphor for the character's own life. A welcome addition to library fiction collections of all sizes.—Shelley Mosley, Glendale Community Coll. Lib. Media Ctr., AZ

A group of young twentysomething tourists vacationing in Cancun impetuously agrees to make an expedition into the wilds when one of their group fails to return from his day trip to the Mayan ruins. Following a hand-drawn map that evokes strong negative reactions from assorted locals (the language barrier doesn't help), the tourists quickly find themselves ill-prepared for the task. No longer does the trip resemble a television-style reality show; now it's more like a haunted jungle. Their plight becomes increasingly dire as they are herded off to a mountaintop and held hostage by armed Mayan-like people they realize are the same villagers who killed their lost cohort. The horror factor ratchets up as unexplainable, creepy elements compete with the basic fight for survival. And did we mention the problem of the local vegetation? Once again, Smith (A Simple Plan) deftly explores psychological tension and insidious fears. Fans of Alex Garland's The Beach and Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park won't put be able to put this one down. A perfect beach read; just don't stray too far from the lifeguard. For all popular fiction collections.—Teresa L. Jacobsen, Solano Cty. Lib., Fairfield, CA

Teeming with ideas and fresh vistas, this first novel offers up the complexity of modern Taiwan through a singular character, the aging scholar and artist Teacher Li. His tragic-comic efforts to set up a traditional hermitage in a rural home are full of the same yin-yang polarities that beset his country, pulled between American and Chinese culture, between ancient traditions and hypermodernity. Li himself is on one hand a master of traditional arts like scroll painting and on the other owner of an apartment in New York City and devotee of American slang. He is both a moralist and an adulterer, whose midlife crisis includes anguishing over his nation's identity. Balance, it seems, is hard won. Standridge's prose is lucid and her dialog lively, and she has a hawk eye for personality quirks and vivid detail (e.g., new construction looks “like plastic castles designed for young girls and their princess dolls”). The author's intelligence outweighs the book's minor flaws (a discordant shift in point of view disrupts the narrative a bit), providing novel insights into a culture most Americans know little about. Recommended for public and academic libraries.—Laurie Sullivan, Sage Group Int'l, Nashville

This is two-time Bram Stoker Award nominee Trotter's (The Sands of Pride) third novel and 15th book. Here he plays modern skald (medieval Scandinavian poet) to relate Allen Warrener's saga of sex, drugs, and sea monsters—a birth-to-death account of a hero's adventures. Because this is a modern American version of an old Norse tale, it must naturally be way over the top in almost every conceivable way. Warrener's expedition to the remote island of Vardinoy in search of a legendary sea monster turns into a thriller of a battle with overtones of Ragnarök (a Nordic fantasy online game). Mixed with the monster story is a scathing indictment of self-indulgent American culture—a culture that may well be as big and horrible a monster as Warrener's Beastie. Recommended wherever sex, drugs, and high adventure are appreciated.—Ken St. Andre, Phoenix P.L.

Tyree's (Boss Lady) latest novel features male model Terrance Mitchell, who is past 30 but still in peak condition. Gorgeous women throw themselves at Terrance and call him day and night. Irritatingly, most of them seem to want him to commit, but Terrance, who thinks about commitment between bouts of increasingly “freaky” sex with various women, doesn't see how he'd benefit. Eventually, though, the combinations and positions get too kinky for him and Terrance realizes that settling down with one woman might not be so bad after all, as long as she's as attractive as he is, and keeps herself toned. This book has enough sex scenes to keep fans happy but consists mainly of Terrance's rambling conversations with the women in his life, tediously reported verbatim. Terrance is too shallow to give any real weight to the issues he is meant to deal with, but his story will be in demand. A required purchase for any collection that includes books by popular African American authors like Zane. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 3/15/06.]—Laurie A. Cavanaugh, Brockton P.L., MA

Corporate lawyer Elinor Mackey, now 40, wonders why she didn't try to have kids earlier. She and podiatrist husband Ted have only been married three years, but children, despite repeated IVF treatments, seem to be elusive. She funnels her sadness and fears into doing laundry. He responds to her withdrawal with frustration and by going to the gym, where he meets and eventually beds fitness instructor Gina. Elinor discovers the affair early on in this sophomore effort from Winston (Good Grief). It's where the couple go from there that captivates and engages the reader. The Mackeys even try to recover, but Gina's belligerent ten-year-old son, Toby, meets Ted and wants him for his math tutor. Ted loves his wife, but he can't stop thinking about having sex with Gina. Where does this leave Elinor? Finding solace under the diseased oak on her front lawn. “Ted's dating a ten-year-old,” she says to neighbor Kat. “Fine. I'm dating a tree.” Elinor, Ted, and Gina are well-drawn characters whose responses are intensely felt and perversely funny in Winston's bittersweet evocation of life's possibilities and disappointments and the slippery slope of being in love. Her unanticipated but still optimistic solution will resonate with readers. Highly recommended. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 4/15/06.]—Bette-Lee Fox, Library Journal

Short Stories

This anthology opens with a foreword by Japanese American author Ruth Ozeki (My Year of Meats) that sets the stage for an important showcase of eight short stories by contemporary Japanese women writers. Although the contributors are all known in Japan, here their power and style is introduced into English. The stories don't focus on the stereotypes of old Japan but explore the issues of female identity in modern Japan. The title piece by Rio Shimamoto is an intimate portrait of a teenage girl's first sexual experience in the midst of her parents' divorce. Shungiku Uchida's “My Son's Lips” follows the travails of a working mother. Amy Yamada (Bedtime Eyes) adds a sophisticated psychological piece, “Fiesta,” about a sexually repressed woman. The span of the collection ranges from the sexually explicit to the sophisticated and subtle. Featuring the work of a group of powerful writers, it will fit well into academic and literary collections with a focus on Asian studies and women's literature.—Ron Samul, New London, CT

Ranging from purely imaginative to autobiographical, each of the 18 short stories in this collection touches on some aspect of growing up multiracial, often focusing on the difficulties encountered by children of ambiguous ethnicity. Peter Ho Davies uses the metaphor of the Minotaur as he examines the tension that exists between a son, half-bull and half-man, and his stepfather (half-father). In Stewart David Akeda's “Shadey,” that the family is multiethnic is alluded to but not stated directly. Danzy Senna writes mutliple versions of the same story, each featuring a protagonist of a different ethnicity. Here the story only differs from the point of view of the observer, not from within the characters, theme, or action of the story. This collection makes it clear that there is no single experience when it comes to multiracism. Also contributing to its diversity are the authors' varied styles and approaches. Because the story of America is the story of ethnicity and identity, this collection will find an appreciative audience, especially among those wanting to examine aspects of our multicultural society.—Rebecca Stuhr, Grinnell Coll. Libs., IA

Last-Minute Mystery

The debut of Scandinavian best-selling author Holt is sure to catapult her into the mystery spotlight. A serial killer is running rampant in Norway. Children are being abducted, returned to their parents murdered but with no apparent cause of death, and accompanied by cryptic notes proclaiming, “Now you've got what you deserved.” Norwegian Detective Inspector Adam Stubo solicits former FBI profiler Johanne Vik to confer on the case, but as the mother of a special-needs child, she is reluctant to enter the emotionally charged investigation. To complicate matters, Vik is already on a mission—spurred at the request of a dying woman—to exonerate an innocent man of an old murder conviction. Stubo, no stranger to personal hardship himself, finally persuades Vik to consult on his case. As the story progresses, Vik's two cases become entangled and fast-paced twists and turns plunge the reader into a nail-biting ending. Holt provides a gripping crime mystery in this first of a three-book series featuring Stubo and Vik. Highly recommended for all public libraries.—Mary Todd Chesnut, Northern Kentucky Univ. Lib., Highland Heights

Hosp delivers another satisfying mystery, living up to the promise of his first novel, Dark Harbor. This time he tells the story of Sydney Chapin, who returns to Washington to be closer to her family only to learn that her sister, Elizabeth, has been brutally murdered. Raised by a hugely wealthy family, the sisters had chosen to lead independent lives, Sydney attending law school and Elizabeth working as a reporter. Elizabeth's murder at first appears to have resulted from a break-in by a druggie looking for cash, but its true nature suggests itself after Sydney speaks to people Elizabeth saw during her final days. For help, Sydney turns to the detectives investigating the murder, but the true murderer seems always to be one step ahead of them. As the plot unfolds, the suspects range from a drug-dealing ex-convict to a presidential hopeful. Amid the political pressures of Washington, nothing is what it seems, and readers are left guessing until the very end—unless they've read Hosp's first novel and already know to expect the unexpected!— LisaO'Hara, Univ. of Manitoba Libs., Winnipeg

When Mobile, AL, homicide detectives Carson Ryder and Harry Nautilus find a woman in her car with her throat slashed, a witness reports a mysterious hairy creature fleeing the scene. More deaths follow, with the trail seemingly leading to the Kincannons, a wealthy, dynastic family that gives charitably with one hand while demanding reimbursement with the other. Ryder's TV journalist girlfriend, it turns out, is involved with one of the Kincannons; a sociopath in the family's employ cleans up its messes, and both cops find that madness takes many forms. Veteran writer Kerley (The Hundredth Man) knows how to keep us and the protagonists guessing—often incorrectly—while heightening the suspense. In less skilled hands, the macabre events of this crime thriller might have been weighted down in melodrama, but Kerley's vivid scenery, bizarre characters, and multiple plot twists keep us turning pages ever faster. Ryder and Nautilus are likely to reappear, perhaps in a movie, but surely in another book in this appealing series. Recommended for all mystery collections.—Roland Person, formerly with Southern Illinois Univ. Lib., Carbondale

On her rounds as a crime reporter for the Scottish Daily News, Paddy Meehan visits the scene of a disturbance at a home in Beardsden, a wealthy suburb of Glasgow. There she finds an attractive couple who appear to be in the midst of a domestic dispute. The police give the couple a warning and, as they are leaving, the man presses a 50-pound note into Paddy's hand and asks her to keep the matter out of the paper. The next morning Paddy reads in the paper that the woman, a lawyer and political activist, has been murdered. The man was not her husband. Suddenly, Paddy has to confront the class prejudices that allowed her to leave another woman in a dangerous situation and decide what to do about the money she accepted from the murderer. Despite its intriguing premise, Mina's (Deception) crime plot never picks up much momentum, but Paddy Meehan is a refreshingly down-to-earth character, and her travails in the nightworld of Glasgow ultimately make for a more compelling story than the murder she tries to solve. Readers never get to know the murder victim very well, and the details of her death unfold rather anticlimactically. Recommended.—Jane la Plante, Minot State Univ. Lib., ND

Whether writing as Barbara Vine or under her own name, Rendell (Thirteen Steps Down) is an icon in the mystery-writing genre. With more than 50 novels to her credit, she shows no signs of slowing down—or losing her touch. In this, her 20th Chief Inspector Wexford mystery, Rendell lays out a complex story of murder in which maternal instinct goes awry. From two seemingly unrelated deaths to an intricate scam promising surrogacy services to hopeful parents, the plot is so complicated (and sometimes happenstance) that even the detectives in the story don't get it until the all-knowing Wexler explains it to them. Rendell continues to amaze with her ability to tie together seemingly unrelated plot lines and throw readers off. The tone is typically no-nonsense, with only a few token side trips into the personal lives of the protagonists. Rendell (and Wexford) fans will enjoy this latest offering, provided they can keep the impressively large cast of characters sorted out. Recommended for all public libraries.—Caroline Mann, Univ. of Portland Lib., OR

It's 1969, and a body has been found in a field after an outdoor rock festival. Detective Inspector Stanley Chadwick, a hardened and uncompromising man with a frank distaste for the counterculture crowd, is assigned to the case. In Robinson's (Strange Affair) latest series entry, scenes from this story alternate with the present-day experiences of Inspector Alan Banks, whose latest case entails finding the killer of a freelance journalist. Clues elude Banks and his coworker, Annie Cabbot, until an interview with the murder victim's girlfriend reveals that the journalist was writing a feature story on a popular 1960s rock band and had managed to secure a crucial interview before dying. Banks suspects the journalist might have uncovered information someone wanted to keep hidden. The unsavory and unromantic side of the hippie culture is woven into both investigations, as indiscriminate drug use and “free love” wreak havoc on the lives of several characters. Recommended.—Linda Oliver, MLIS, Colorado Springs

SF & Fantasy

By Jackie Cassada, Asheville Buncombe Lib. Syst., NC

In the latter part of the 21st century, the world collapses from environmental neglect and the manipulations of greedy men. Of the few survivors of the Great War, some maintain their humanity and will to save the world, while others devolve into ferals or become “once-men,” selling their souls to demons who prove real after all. When a young man named Logan, one of the elite Knights of the Word dedicated to preserving good and destroying evil, receives the mission to find a very special child, he knows that the timetable is set. Brooks, author of the enormously popular Shannara novels, captures the frantic atmosphere of a world on the edge of damnation. Recommended for every library.

Born the son of two of the Kingdom of Terre d'Ange's most infamous traitors, Imriel de la Courcel has grown to near-manhood under the loving care of the Comtesse of Montreve and her consort, two of the land's greatest heroes. Seeking to find his calling and gain experience as someone other than a “Prince of the Blood,” Imriel travels to the country of Tiberium. When political intrigue sparks the city to riot, catching Imriel in its midst, the young man must confront his true self to find the path he was born to follow. Carey (the “Kushiel's Legacy” series—Kushiel's Dart; Kushiel's Chosen; Kushiel's Avatar) has taken her tale of a land blessed by the gods into a new generation as the sons and daughters of familiar characters search for ways to leave their mark on the world. Her exotic alternate earth, set in a Renaissance-like time of cultural flowering and sensual gratification, provides a lush backdrop for a cast of compelling and fascinating characters. With particular appeal to fans of Terry Goodkind, Tanith Lee, and Storm Constantine, this evocative debut in a new trilogy, strong enough to stand on its own but enriched by other series titles, belongs in most libraries.

The invasion of the alien Marq'ssan disrupts the global infrastructure and economy, wreaking havoc among the world's nations. In the United States, the Pacific Northwest Free Zone attempts to resist the draconian measures of the rest of the country. When its most daring agent, Kay Zeldin, ventures outside its boundaries in search of missing scientists, she comes face to face with her implacable enemy, head of Security Services Elizabeth Weatherall. This second installment of Duchamp's (Alanya to Alanya) projected five-volume saga of postmodern society continues to establish the breakdown of familiar social structures and the transformation of human values from a self-serving model to one that is truly cooperative. Feminist in intent and meticulous in execution, this work of dystopian fiction belongs in most large sf or speculative fiction collections.

The Bloodlord of the Hrag dynasty of Vigaelia has conquered its rival realm, Florengia, and taken the doge of Celebre's four children as hostages, disbursing them throughout the land. Fifteen years later, one of the hostages must return home to serve as a puppet ruler, while the other three are marked for death. The bittersweet reunion of the four Celebre children tests the results of their long years of captivity as they search within themselves for their former family ties. This latest novel by the author of the popular “King's Blades” novels unfolds in a 12-sided world suffering under the bloody reign of savage warlords. Duncan's ability to transform his unique premise into a story that transcends the novelty of its circumstances makes him one of the genre's standout authors. A good addition to most fantasy collections.

Coming from both Eastern Europe and the Middle East and fueled by alien twin gods, the armies of the Mosul now wage war on the rest of the world, claiming territory in the American Southeast and threatening to spread their fanatic rule of terror even farther. Opposing them is the army of the Kingdom of Albany and the paranormal humans known as The Four, whose otherworldly powers allow them to fight their own war in the realm of the supernatural. Continuing the story begun in Kindling, Farren combines an intriguing blend of near-future political intrigue with supernatural horror to produce a fast-paced sf thriller belonging in large sf collections.

Rescued from life on the streets by 500-year-old vampire Henry Fitzroy, former street hustler Tony Foster now lives in Vancouver and works as a trainee assistant director for CB Productions. When an outbreak of supernatural occurrences leads him to the discovery that stuntwoman Leah is more than she seems—and much, much older—Tony must rely on his developing wizard talents and his growing list of friends to help him prevent a Demonic Convergence that could destroy the world. Huff's third addition to her “Smoke” series (Smoke and Shadows; Smoke and Mirrors) demonstrates her talent for creating believable suspense out of the most improbable circumstances. Vibrant characters and a tongue-in-cheek portrayal of current TV trends make this a strong addition to most fantasy or horror collections.

The year is 2072 and the vampiric alien race known as the Kurians, who draw their sustenance from their human “herds,” control the Earth. In the former United States, the Texas Republic and Ozark Free Territory have risen in rebellion, assisted by freedom fighters like David Valentine. Asked by fellow resistance member William Post to locate his wife, now missing in Kurian territory, Valentine takes his battle into the heart of the enemy. The latest addition to Knight's (Valentine's Rising) popular alternate earth series—also the first hardcover—maintains the high quality of its predecessors, combining fast-paced action/adventure with the ever popular vampiric threat. Suitable for libraries owning the series' other titles.

With the discovery of his paranormal powers, Martin Martel is exiled from his home planet, Karnak, and sent to the peaceful planet of Aurore, a vacation resort for residents of the galaxy. Here he discovers a bitter truth about the galactic gods and finds that in order to save himself and those he loves, he must pit himself against these gods. Prolific author Modesitt (“Saga of Recluce”) has created a fully developed world with minimal words, focusing on the “ordinary” man as hero. His latest novel belongs in most libraries.

Since the destruction of the artifact Virtu—central to the power of the wizards of Mélusine—by his sadistic former master, wizard Felix Harrowgate has slowly recovered his sanity, broken after having had his magic stripped. Together with the former thief Mildmay the Fox, Felix journeys out of the city in search of a means of repairing the shattered orb. Monette's sequel to Mélusine builds upon the distinctive personalities and voices of its two unlikely heroes and presents an engagingly intelligent fantasy that belongs in most libraries.

From the nonstop action and unlikely science of Edmond Hamilton's space adventure, “The Star Stealers,” to Charles Stross's cheeky blend of cyberpunk and sf adventure, “Bear Trap,” this distinctive anthology traces the evolution of the space opera subgenre, from its beginnings as pulp adventure to its current status as a vital part of modern sf. An introductory essay as well as introductions to the individual contributions by World Fantasy Award–winning editors Hartwell and Cramer create a context for the tales and provide information on the authors. This companion volume to The Hard SF Renaissance includes works by Samuel R. Delaney, Lois McMaster Bujold, Sarah Zettel, and many other veterans of the genre. An important addition to most libraries' sf collections.

Demobilized after the latest civil war, Robin awakens in a clinic with most of his memories gone, a new identity, and an assassin on his trail. To hide from his pursuer, he joins an experimental community, the Glasshouse, to study life in an older culture—that of Earth in the final years of the 20th century. He attempts to settle in to his new world only to find that, even in a protected environment, he is not free from danger. Hugo Award winner Stross (Singularity Sky) takes an original and often playful approach to his visions of the future. He examines questions of identity, gender, and the human condition in the context of this sf thriller, which belongs in most libraries.

A sudden slumber overtakes the entire population of Athymar. Upon awakening, each person discovers a unique magical talent for the purposes of either good or evil. The randomness of the gifts tears families apart and throws the land into chaos. Desperate to restore the people to their former state, the queen of Athymar chooses a group of trustworthy citizens—a former warrior and his son, now a gifted healer; a warrior of the elven-like Esylken; a fierce swordswoman; and a wizard—to find the source of the change, even if it leads them to the gods themselves. Waggoner (creative writing, Sinclair Community Coll., Dayton; Thieves of Blood) launches a new series set in the world of the Nine Known Lands and featuring a cast of fully realized characters and an intriguing premise. A good choice for most libraries.

A woman discovers her ability to physically transcend the borders between the past, present, and future in “Now That We Have Each Other,” while time travel devolves into the commercial marketplace in “Staying in Storyville.” Together with 12 other tales, two of them original to this volume, this collection presents the time-travel stories of one of the genre's most innovative writers. A good addition, if a bit pricey, to most sf and short story collections.

The fallen angel Morjin, known as the Lord of Lies, seeks to conquer the island continent of Ea—and with it, the rest of the world. When young Valashu Elahad, prince of the royal house of Mesh, experiences a vision of a golden cup, he soon realizes that he must seek out the legendary Lightstone, the only object capable of destroying the Lord of Lies and restoring the world. Zindell (Neverness) presents a non-Arthurian “grail” fantasy that nevertheless should appeal to fans of grail legends and epic quests. This series opener belongs in most libraries.