Fiction

Adams, Will. The Alexander Cipher. Grand Central. Mar. 2009. c.320p. ISBN 978-0-446-40468-6. $24.99. F

In a welcome respite from the glut of Christendom-shattering, artifact-protecting, Secret Order thrillers, debut author Adams offers up something new. A cobbled-together team—a Greek archaeologist, her French assistant/language specialist, and quasi-corrupt Egyptian antiquities officials—finds a clue that, when deciphered, leads them to the real tomb of Alexander the Great. Here's the twist—the whole operation is funded by a wealthy Macedonian nationalist who will use Alexander's body to mobilize his compatriots to wage war against Greece for sovereignty. Rival archaeologist Daniel Knox is our misunderstood action hero and romantic lead in the style of Indiana Jones and Dirk Pitt, fractionally more skilled at eluding peril than becoming ensnared in it. Adams racks up a generous body count; some victims we have grown to like. The violence is graphic and the language at times coarse, though commensurate with the world of baksheesh, graft, and unchecked power depicted here. Not literature, but a plausible, fun heist-thriller that compels the reader to wonder, What if? Recommended for most popular fiction collections. [Prepub Alert, LJ 11/15/08.]—Laura A.B. Cifelli, Ft. Myers-Lee Cty. P.L., FL

An International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award winner for his previous novel, This Blinding Absence of Light, Ben Jelloun here examines the notion of emigration as a means to escape adversity. Already a best seller in France, this work centers on Azel, a young Moroccan man who, though well educated, is unable to fulfill his promise in Tangier's corrupt society and thus dreams of leaving Morocco for Spain. He encounters Miguel, a wealthy Spaniard, who offers to help Azel obtain a visa if he agrees to work for him in Barcelona. Miguel later agrees to marry Azel's sister, Kenza, so that she, too, can emigrate. Once they arrive in Spain, however, loneliness and disappointment lead to a desire to return. Although this is mainly Azel's story, Ben Jelloun places it in the context of the protagonist's friends and acquaintances, some of whom have emigrated or tried to emigrate while others have stayed. Their connection to Azel gives the novel a realistic and relatable quality. A captivating study of one man's search for identity in terms of sexuality, religion, values, nationality, and class; recommended for all fiction collections.—Cristella Bond, Anderson P.L., IN

Still recovering from the torture he endured in The Accident Man, a traumatized and near catatonic Samuel Carver spends his time in a Swiss hospital awaiting visits from Alix Petrova, his former lover and the only person aware of his background as an assassin. With the money to pay for Carver's care running out and her old life as a Russian operative sucking her back in, Alix decides to accept an assignment. Her disappearance from Carver's bedside finally brings him out of his own head and onto Alix's trail. His dogged pursuit leads him to Waylan McCabe, a messianic Texas billionaire determined to launch a global holy war before he dies. To that end, McCabe seeks some nuclear suitcases that vanished during the Soviet Union's collapse, using an American military official to do his dirty work. Seducing this officer and discovering why he's consorting with double agents is Alix's task. And that's where Carver comes in. In this sequel, Carver, the hit man who takes jobs for the greater good, has developed into an even more interesting character. The torture he underwent, his painful recovery, and the very plausible plotting add depth to Cain's second thriller. Recommended for all public libraries.—Jane Jorgenson, Madison P.L., WI

Reminiscent of Zora Neale Hurston's groundbreaking 1937 novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, this story chronicles the lives of impoverished blacks in the town of Wideland, OK, from the early 20th to the 21st century, as told by the town gossip, Hattie Brown. Narrated with gentle wit and humor, the book explores the importance of love, religion, redemption, and family. Cooper (A Piece of Mine) allows the characters to speak in the African American Southern dialect, a technique that lends veracity and texture to their personalities. The pace of the plot is like a slow-burning fire: there's time for rumination, but readers won't be bored. Some, however, may be irritated by frequent references to the Bible and the Christian overtones throughout. Suitable for all public libraries. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 11/1/08.]—Orville Lloyd Douglas, Brampton, Ont.

Davys's first novel is set in a town made up entirely of stuffed animals that walk and talk like humans. This clever idea soon loses its luster, as Davys does little with the potential except in a few instances to play it entirely for laughs, as when a teddy bear is beaten until he coughs up cotton. The plot revolves around Eric Bear's quest to save his wife's life by removing the gangster boss from the infamous "death list." Thus begins Eric's descent into the underworlds of Mollisan Town, a shadowy neighborhood on a trash dump where the deformed animals live, and finally to the puppet master himself, in the least likely place of all. The prose and dialog lack the style and wit of true hard-boiled writers, and at times the narrative falls into long, flat exposition. The second half of the novel is more engaging as the characters' duplicity increases. But the ending is implausible, tacked on in an epilog to make sense of the earlier gaps in logic. Not recommended.—Stephen Morrow, Athens, OH

In 1922, Robert Shannon, a young American priest, is sent to Ireland to recover from shell shock he received as a marine chaplain on the front lines in Normandy. Pained by the tragedy he experienced in the trenches and demoralized by the corruption he encountered when he returned to the Boston archdiocese, Shannon is searching for his soul as much as for his family's Irish roots. His religious mentor, sensing Shannon's torment, has arranged for a network of priests, teachers, and friends to watch over and shelter him during his travels. From them, Shannon learns Irish myths, legends, and history as well as the politics of the recently fought rebellion. He also reunites with a nurse with whom he served in France, which causes him to rethink his future as a priest. Delaney's latest Irish saga (after, e.g., Tipperary) is filled with the warmth and richness of the Irish character found in his previous books as well as a satisfying dose of romance. A hit man hired by the archdiocese of Boston is the only minor irritation in an otherwise compelling and thoroughly entertaining read. Highly recommended. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 11/1/08.]—Susan Clifford Braun, Aerospace Corp., El Segundo, CA

This first novel by British poet Diamond combines realistic themes with a suggestion of the paranormal. Young police officer Jack Phillips strikes and kills 13-year-old schoolgirl Laura Jenkins when she runs in front of his car on a rainy November evening. The incident is ruled an accident, but Jack is haunted by the event—quite literally, as he begins "seeing" the girl outside his house. Jack's life falls apart: he is unable to work, he undergoes counseling, and his marriage disintegrates even as he reconnects with his long-lost father. On a parallel track, Lisa Jenkins also sees her daughter's ghost, eventually coming to believe that Jack is in trouble and needs her help in some way. Laura's ghostly presence is pivotal, but this is not a supernatural tale; instead, the realistic depiction of grieving families contrasts with Laura's elusive appearances, so the reader isn't sure if the sightings are real or a result of grief's magical thinking. Diamond's remarkable talent lies in the engaging immediacy of her characters' voices: we find ourselves compelled by the mundane details of people pulling their lives together. Recommended for all fiction collections.—Reba Leiding, James Madison Univ. Libs., Harrisonburg, VA

Ethan Gage (already seen in The Rosetta Key and Napoleon's Pyramids) is a totally likable if somewhat lethal rogue in the grand tradition of high adventure. Gage will lie, cheat, seduce, and swindle, yet somehow he always winds up on the winning and right side. Accompanied by a somewhat mad Norwegian named Magus Bloodhammer, he escapes France after bedding a willing sister of Napoléon. Armed with an ancient map, Bloodhammer is on a quest to prove that a Viking utopia once existed in North America, and Thomas Jefferson eagerly lets Gage and Bloodhammer travel west to see what's there and what the British might be plotting. As always, Dietrich's dialog is crisp and the characters believable, even if the plot is an excitement-filled stretch including evil Brits and nubile Indian maidens. The descriptions of Gage's journey are breathtaking, as Dietrich richly illustrates the people and settlements of the Northwest and Great Plains. This fun blend of history and adventure makes for a terrific, fast-paced read as Gage once again winds up inadvertently impacting history. For all popular fiction collections.—Robert Conroy, Warren, MI

The 11th installment of the Serge A. Storms saga finds Serge, manic serial killer and dedicated Florida history buff, driving the interstates and back roads of his home state seeking out little-known historic sites and meticulously blogging about his ramblings. Life is an adventure for Serge and his sidekick, Coleman, who stalk a diamond thief and his thugs. No longer the random thrill murderer of Florida Roadkill, Serge has morphed into a conscientious vigilante who stalks his prey when appropriate and plans precise executions in keeping with the victim's misdeeds. That he miscalculates and almost blows this one seriously shakes his confidence, especially since his nemesis, Agent Mahoney, is instrumental in the final resolution. Dorsey has penned another fun-filled killing spree in the same vein as his ten previous novels. His readers will certainly demand this title, and fans of that other lovable serial killer, Jeff Lindsay's Dexter, may also enjoy. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 10/15/08.]—Thomas L. Kilpatrick, formerly with Southern Illinois Univ. at Carbondale Lib.

Like Dunn's heroine in her debut, The Big Love, Holly Frick is brokenhearted and looking for happiness against the backdrop of hectic New York City. Holly believes in doing the right thing. Whether it's a result of her evangelical Christian upbringing or just a generally overactive conscience, the "right thing" includes adopting a dog with a brain tumor and meeting her married friend's paramour because her friend thinks they'll like each other. The assorted cast of supporting characters includes a 22-year-old lover, a skinny girl who finally agrees to date the overweight guy from her gym, and a gay man who has an unhealthy relationship with his attention deficit disorder meds. These characters circle around Holly in an exploration of six degrees of separation as she touches each of them—and they her—in their quests for happiness. Readers of Dunn's previous novel and fans of Jennifer Weiner and Jane Green will enjoy the sophisticated tone of this classic searching-for-love story. Recommended for popular fiction collections. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 11/15/08.]—Anika Fajardo, Coll. of St. Catherine Lib., St. Paul

Jeff, a middle-aged, grumpy, and alienated British freelance writer, is sent to cover an art event in Venice. There he meets a beautiful American woman with whom he begins a scorching affair fueled by alcohol, cocaine, and the festive lifestyle of the exhibition. At the end of the party, the two exchange emails and promises to get in touch. In the second part of the novel, Jeff travels to the mystical Indian city of Varanasi on another assignment, where he immerses himself in the city, the religion, the holy men, and drug use. He falls for a young woman living a nomadic life, but once again this romance slips away. A mere description of the story line only scratches the surface of this funny and mysterious work. Dyer's (The Ongoing Moment) witticisms and wordplay, woven into the ongoing commentary of the history, geography, and psychology of Venice and then Varanasi, are brilliant. What emerges is a theme of the conflict of Western vs. Eastern modes of behavior and perception. Thought-provoking and entertaining, if not to everyone's taste, this is recommended for all larger collections. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 12/08.]—Jim Coan, SUNY Coll. at Oneonta

Debut novelist Faye takes on the ambitious task of creating a new Sherlock Holmes story focused on his investigation of the notorious Jack the Ripper murders. Holmes's rather academic look at the brutal death of Martha Tabram turns personal when he himself is stabbed by the murderer. Then vituperative newspaper articles point to Holmes as the perpetrator, putting him on the defensive. New allies, such as the feisty Mary Ann Monk, go undercover to ferret out the truth. Writing effectively in Watson's voice, Faye is faithful to both the Holmes oeuvre and the Ripper case, and she successfully evokes 1880s London. The secondary characters are interesting and believable, but Faye's answer to the identity of Jack the Ripper is less compelling. Given the enduring popularity of Sherlock Holmes and the quality of the prose, this title is strongly recommended for public libraries.—Laurel Bliss, San Diego State Univ. Lib.

Once in a while a book comes along that puts a new spin on an old idea. More than 40 years ago, Truman Capote (with In Cold Blood) took readers inside the Clutter farmhouse in Holcomb, KS, to show them what it was like to walk in a killer's shoes. Flynn (Sharp Objects) takes modern readers back to Kansas to explore the fictional 1985 Day family massacre from the perspective of a survivor as well as the suspects. In order to identify the true killer, an adult Libby Day must come to terms with the traumatic events of her childhood, when her mother and two sisters were slaughtered. Although Flynn sometimes struggles with the large cast of characters she has amassed, each with his or her own set of volatile foibles, and complicates matters by dealing with them in both the present and the past, the tight plotting and engaging characters carry the reader over the few rough patches that appear. For all public libraries.—Nancy McNicol, Hamden P.L., CT

Although a sharp and witty observer of the world around her, Ruth Blau is utterly discontented with her life as a faculty wife at a large Southern university. At the insistence of a therapist, Ruth and her philosophy professor husband, Ben, haven't spoken to their son Isaac in years. Isaac is mentally ill, living on the streets of their community, and his condition shows no progress. Once the promising author of a trilogy of well-received novels, Ruth is now struggling to find self-fulfillment, feeling that "the years go by in circles"; the only change is that [she sinks] into [herself] a little deeper." Her wait for something to happen finally ends when a new couple, a successful young memoirist and her jack-of-all-trades husband, arrive on campus. Readers may wince as they laugh through Ruth's struggles in this well-written debut novel by memoirist Gordon (Mockingbird Years: A Life in and Out of Therapy). An enjoyable read throughout, this is recommended for all fiction collections. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 11/1/08.]—Shaunna Hunter, Hampden-Sydney Coll. Lib., VA

Lilith, the central character in James's story of slave life in 19th-century Jamaica, is a green-eyed beauty who kills the first slave driver who tries to rape her. This catches the attention of the Night Women, a secret society planning to burn down the plantation and murder its white owners. But in Jamaica it is never simply a question of black against white. There are deep ethnic tensions among the different African tribes, and black overseers known as Johnny-jumpers enforce white control throughout the island. No one can be trusted. There is almost palpable sexual tension as well, and in a broader sense the rebellious Night Women also include the British wives. Jamaican slavery was notoriously sadistic, and James is writing from a female point of view, describing female reactions to violent male aggression; prurience occasionally gets the upper hand. In addition, the entire story is told in 19th-century slave dialect that is evocative but quite difficult to read. Those looking for a more detailed investigation of slavery in the West Indies should try Madison Smartt Bell's Haitian trilogy, starting with All Souls' Rising (1995). For larger collections of postcolonial fiction.—Edward B. St. John, Loyola Law Sch. Lib., Los Angeles

Johnson follows his epic Vietnam novel, the National Book Award-winning Tree of Smoke, with this slight noir novella. On impulse, gambling addict Jimmy Luntz shoots and wounds the enforcer Gambol when he comes to collect for loan shark Juarez. On the run, Jimmy crosses paths with the beautiful but alcoholic Anita Desilvera, whose lawyer husband has divorced her, embezzled $2.3 million, and framed her for the crime. A violent cat-and-mouse game through northern California follows as Jimmy and Anita try to take the embezzled money while avoiding Juarez and his henchmen. Originally serialized in Playboy, this combines Jim Thompson's violent noir, a shot of sexuality, and Elmore Leonard's darkly comic characters but falls short of better work by any of those writers. Deeply flawed but surprisingly likable characters are the highlight in what is otherwise a minor effort, devalued by a muddy plot and a hasty, forced ending. This is an adequate but not necessary selection that will most likely find readers in libraries where Johnson already has an audience. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 2/1/09.]—Neil Hollands, Williamsburg Regional Lib., VA

As if getting caught in a huge traffic jam on the Tappan Zee Bridge with his overbearing mother weren't enough, Gustav Rubin sees his dead father, Ludwig, floating on the surface of the Hudson River. Only-child Gustav grew up in the shadow of his father, a world-famous lecturer, while his mother maintained a continual running commentary, so that he was trapped between two dominating personalities. For Gustav, seeing his father's body sparks an inner monolog about his growing sense of having made wrong choices in his career, marriage, and attitude. As he walks along the bridge, with his father's huge image moving below, his mother nagging, and his wife calling on his cell phone, he realizes that it is time to break free of domination by others. Jungk (Tigor) tackles themes of generational differences, Jewish identity, and the resolution of childhood development as crossing the bridge frees Gustav from his own jammed-up life. A solid purchase for large collections.—Josh Cohen, Mid-Hudson Lib. Syst., Poughkeepsie, NY

This is a richly detailed, powerfully evocative novel about two young sisters from a poor, rural family in western Ireland who dream of coming to America. Keane tells an archetypal American story about penniless European immigrants seeking opportunity here, and she brings it robustly to life in ways that help us to see its long-lasting ability to inspire. There is a gritty, courageous immediacy to Keane's realism, as she renders scene after scene with great emotional intensity. The story spans many years (from 1956 to 2007), and Keane skillfully handles the shifting, deepening dynamics within this close-knit family. The central relationship is between the two sisters: older sister Johanna, who is impetuous and self-involved, and Greta, the slightly odd yet deeply sympathetic younger sister, who adores Johanna. Keane masterfully follows Greta's changing relationship with Johanna across the decades—beginning with worship and ending in estrangement—and the reader feels the power of these changes profoundly. Keane's first novel is as powerful as it is relevant. Enthusiastically recommended. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 1/09.]—Patrick Sullivan, Manchester Community Coll., CT

The 2008 recipient of a Whiting Writers' Award, Khadivi offers a remarkable first novel that does not shy away from harsh subject matter. This first installment in a trilogy about three generations of Kurdish men is set in Persia in the 1920s as Reza Shah Pahlari comes to power. The story tracks the life of a Kurdish boy who loses his family in a massacre and then is taken in by the very soldiers responsible for making him an orphan. Reborn as Reza Khourdi in honor of the shah, the youth is so well indoctrinated by the shah's military that his superior officers decide to reward his performance as a soldier by giving him a command post in his homeland. Reza returns to the region with his new wife to fight his own people, Kurdish rebels, and continue their brutal subjugation in pursuit of the shah's vision of a modernized Iran. Khadivi excels at capturing Reza's spiritual torture as he subdues his personal tribal history, often at the violent expense of others. With her eloquent portrayal of Reza, Khadivi has created an epitomic character representing so many 20th-century and current cultural, ethnic, and national identity clashes. Highly recommended.—Faye A. Chadwell, Oregon State Univ., Corvallis

Those crazy Spellmans return, in all their serendipitous glory, in this third series entry (after The Spellman Files and Curse of the Spellmans). Isabel "Izzy" Spellman is in court-ordered therapy following her obsessive behavior and stalking to prove that their law-abiding neighbor was a criminal, and Izzy's private investigator parents and junior detective sister are busy snooping into Izzy's life. She's bartending while she tries to figure out what she wants to do, but her boss, a family friend, decides to push her back into the real world by coyly suggesting that he has a friend who needs a little detective work. Nothing in the Spellman world is ever simple, and this cheating wife investigation throws Izzy's outrageous life back into full gear. Fans of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books, Kathleen Bacus's Calamity Jayne novels, Toni Causey's Bobbie Faye series, and Leslie Langtry's "Greatest Hits" romances featuring the Bombay family assassins will enjoy Lutz's Spellman books. Highly recommended for all popular fiction collectons. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 11/15/08.]—Shelley Mosley, Glendale Community Coll. Lib. Media Ctr., AZ

There's an old adage in theater to "make 'em laugh before you make 'em cry." In his previous four novels and two story collections (e.g., Hairstyles of the Damned), Meno has demonstrated a rare ability to do so not just once but continually over the course of a story, and he manages to do it again. His new novel chronicles a family of five tortured souls on the verge of total dissolution. Scientist Jonathan, who gets epileptic fits from seeing clouds, has had his life's work scooped by a bitter rival, social scientist Madeline has lost him to his research while hers suffers, daughters Amelia and Thisbe are outcasts struggling to find their place in the world, and grandfather Henry desires only to escape his hellish nursing-home existence. Not exactly knee-slapper material, but somehow there is always slight hope, though no assurance, of transcendence. The text contains more elements of magical realism than Meno's previous work, yet even the human-shaped cloud that Madeline chases for weeks somehow seems real thanks to the note-perfect dialog and narrative. Highly recommended for all public and academic libraries. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 12/09.]—Jim Dwyer, California State Univ., Chico

Niall, a young mail carrier in suburban Dublin, finds the diary of a young girl in his dead-letter bin. Its writer is one of three people found dead in a cottage on his route. Local police have few leads, and the locals aren't saying much except to gossip about a dashing young storyteller making the rounds of local pubs and romancing young women, some of whom have turned up dead. The diary tells of a chain of pub stories involving the adventures of a conflicted wolf-prince roaming the countryside and the real-life violent love between the storyteller and the writer's aunt and sister. Niall becomes obsessed with the case and goes where even the police fear to tread to reveal the shocking truth of the serial murders. This darkly gothic tale of contemporary wolverine romance endeavors to have something for everyone: a quaint Irish setting, Celtic mythology, and grisly multiple murders. In an effort to include many of the current themes in popular fiction, this debut novel does not quite hit the mark and will disappoint both gothic and vampire readers alike. Still, the publisher is pushing this with a five-city author tour and publication in 14 countries, so larger collections should purchase a copy. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 1/09.]—Susan Clifford Braun, Aerospace Corp., El Segundo, CA

This superb novel by Cuban-born writer and poet Obejas (Memory Mambo) follows the story of Usnavy, who, despite a bleak childhood in a small provincial city near Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, achieves his rightful place in the world as a standard bearer for Castro and Che after the 1959 revolution. However, this all changes in 1994, when the Cuban government permits any and all to leave Cuba by any and all means. Usnavy's best friend leaves without a word, and suddenly the dollar becomes the currency for all goods necessary to his wife and daughter—and to himself. In the midst of this turmoil, Usnavy's only constant is his pride in the oversized stained-glass lamp he inherited from his mother, and for the first time he becomes curious about its origins. He seeks out knowledge from the aptly named Virgilio, a restorer of old glass lamps, and is led through the Dantean mazes of Havana and a secret family history. Although initially confusing, Obejas's writing style effectively mimics the plot, as the author navigates a maze of histories and ethnicities. Recommended for larger public and all academic library collections.—Mary Margaret Benson, Linfield Coll. Lib., McMinnville, OR

Georgie York and Bramwell Shepard have a long history. They were costars for eight years on an extremely popular teen sitcom, Skip and Scooter. Georgie played Scooter, a spunky orphan needing lots of looking after by Bram's boy-next-door character, Skip. But Bram's real-life bad-boy escapades caused the show to be canceled. Eight years later, the only thing they share is mutual dislike. Yet one drug-spiked drink in Vegas and one valid marriage certificate later, Georgie and Bram find themselves hitched, with their own reasons for wanting to make the sham seem real. Georgie is tired of being tabloid fodder thanks to a bad divorce, and Bram needs Georgie's sterling reputation to reignite his career. But will their acting become real in time? Phillips (Glitter Baby) is one of the few authors who can make the impossible seem plausible. Her characters are a combination of wise, innocent, vulnerable, strong, sassy, and sweet, with snappy dialog and personal growth. This quintessentially Phillips book is one all public libraries should want. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 10/15/08.]—Stacey Hayman, Rocky River P.L., OH

Readers of this work will question the narrator's reliability immediately, because the family tree after the title page lists "The Liar" among his several nicknames. The novel is a fantastic collection of outrageous and usually hilarious stories of three generations of his family, misfits all. About halfway through the novel, after the narrator admits he doesn't know all the facts, his sister tells him to "come up with something yourself." Issues that transcend generations and cultures—money problems, wanderlust, infidelity, and ennui—plague the family. Because the narrator is an artist whose portrayal is compassionate and tender and never vindictive, readers will indulge, and even take pleasure in, his poetic license. One word, incubus, recurs occasionally, but it isn't until deep into the novel that the reader realizes its connection to the title. Danish author Ramsland's first book to be published in English (it's just being released in the United States, although it previously appeared in England) is so entertaining readers will want to devour it in a sitting or two. Enthusiastically recommended for public libraries.—K.H. Cumiskey, Duke Univ. Libs., Durham, NC

When popular Canadian radio talk show host Kevin Brace is accused of murdering his common-law wife, Katherine Torn, everyone in Toronto assumes it's a slam-dunk case, especially because when the body was discovered he told his newspaper deliveryman that he killed her. However, those are the last words Brace says about the case. He refuses to speak to anyone, including his lawyer, Nancy Parish, and communicates with her only through written notes. No matter, think the investigating detective, police officers, and Crown attorney on the case, his confession and the evidence should be enough for a conviction. But when the investigation unearths a million-dollar radio contract and a dramatic private life that lies beneath Brace's carefully constructed public persona, Rotenberg's debut novel turns into a roller coaster of a legal thriller that's got it all—an outstanding and fast-paced plot, well-developed characters with depth and personality, great dialog, plenty of courtroom and investigative drama, and an explosively satisfying conclusion. Highly recommended for all public libraries.—Amy Brozio-Andrews, Albany P.L., NY

If you received news that threatened your family, would you ignore it or devote yourself to proving it false? Pennsylvania reporter Ellen Gleeson is living an ordinary life with her son and cat until she receives a "Have You Seen This Child?" flyer in the mail. The boy photographed in the flyer bears a striking resemblance to her three-year-old adopted son, Will, and becomes an object of obsession for Ellen, shaking the very foundations of her family and propelling her into an investigation. Is Will really Timothy Braverman, missing since infancy? Ellen finds herself anticipating the worst as her quest for the truth progresses. In typical Scottoline (Daddy's Girl) fashion, a strong female fights for what she believes in, despite more than her share of obstacles. Scottoline's best novel to date will have faithful fans and new readers singing her praises. Highly recommended to all public libraries.—Mary Todd Chesnut, Northern Kentucky Univ. Lib., Highland Heights

An engrossing story of resilience and humanity in the face of crushing tragedy, Shamsie's (Salt and Saffron) fifth novel follows the interconnected lives of two families brought together in Nagasaki near the end of World War II. Their fates are linked for 60 years through several countries and ultimately to a somewhat paranoid New York following 9/11. The allusion to recent historical events is not simply an overt device on which to hang a particular political viewpoint; these events are integral to the personal narratives presented here. Shamsie explores the meanings of cultural identity through characters who endure sacrifice, betrayal, and human-made disaster as they live and work in countries foreign to them. This critically acclaimed Pakistani author, who writes in English, is a powerful storyteller who deserves a wider U.S. audience. Readers who appreciate the cross-cultural scope and insight into global tensions in the works of Khaled Hosseini and Salman Rushdie will thoroughly enjoy this novel. Highly recommended.—Gwen Vredevoogd, Marymount Univ., Arlington, VA

Lane Hollar has had his lust for life tarnished several times—once by a tour of duty in Vietnam, again when his wife died, and once more at the scene of a recent accident. Estranged from his son Frank, Lane focuses his attention on his grandson, Toby, as he struggles to make things right with Toby and his mother, Darlene, for Frank's failures. When he and Toby witness a drug-related murder, Lane works to protect Toby and Darlene, adding to his burden of feeling that he has already let them down simply by being Frank's father. The book starts off with a flashback, which is meant to introduce the personality of Lane but unfortunately makes it hard to distinguish who is who. The more interesting parts of the story happen in Lane's bait shop, and the fishing theme that runs throughout complements the Southern setting. Set in Appalachia, where the author is originally from (he also fought in Vietnam), the book suffers from character stereotypes that impede the storytelling. Recommended for larger fiction collections, especially where there is a strong interest in Appalachian authors or settings.—Meredith Wittmann, Milwaukee P.L.

Sycamore's second novel (his first, 2003's Pulling Taffy, was nominated for a Lambda Award) is a high-speed, stream-of-consciousness romp that could easily have been subtitled "looking for love in all the wrong places." In 27 chapters, a flamboyantly queer sex worker named Tyler, aka Mattilda to his friends and anarcho-feminist comrades, takes readers into a world where well-heeled men rent ritzy penthouse suites while others grapple with AIDS, cockroach- and rat-infested apartments, depression, incest, and, of course, insomnia. By turns raunchy and tender, Sycamore's wryly neurotic text is often funny, and his optimism that a better world is possible makes the book compelling. Subtly political, he posits friendship, camaraderie, and activism as ways to defy the morass of Republicrat rule. What's more, in quips worthy of Stephen Colbert, he slams San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom, the Iraq War, and the queer rush to the altar celebrated by mainstream liberals. Sexually explicit, the book is recommended for adult fiction collections.—Eleanor Bader, New York

Cinderella went to the ball, Prince Charming fell in love with her, and they lived happily ever after. But what if the fairy godmother had gone in Cinderella's place? Such is the twist on this retelling of the classic fairy tale. For her indiscretion, Lillian has been cast out from the world of fairies and into the human world. After hundreds of years in exile, Lillian longs to return home. When she meets Veronica, a beautiful, quirky young woman with a passion for life and belief in the impossible, Lillian sees her opportunity to make amends and find a way back home. Turgeon's second novel (after Rain Village) thoughtfully peels away the layers of fairy-tale convention and delves deeper into the notion of true love—its cost, its power, its rarity, and its beauty. Romantics and fans of fairy stories of all kinds will be enthralled by this latest take on the Cinderella story. Recommended for all fiction collections.—Leigh Wright, Bridgewater, NJ

"Perhaps it is time for a new kind of femininity," declares Nayeli, the 19-year-old heroine of this engaging postglobalization immigration story from the author of The Hummingbird's Daughter. Nayeli's small village in the Sinaloa region of Mexico has been drained of its adult males, including her father, by the promise of El Norte, and taken over by some shadowy gangsters. Inspired by a screening of The Magnificent Seven at the local cinema, Nayeli decides to journey north herself, not to seek her fortune in "Los Yunaites" but to bring back some of the men who have abandoned their families and their country, thereby saving her beloved town. It would be hard to go wrong with such a premise, and Urrea rises to the occasion with a surprising, inventive, and very funny novel populated by an array of quirky characters. His fast-paced, accessible style has the crossover appeal of a John Steinbeck or Cormac McCarthy, while the politically charged undercurrent of the novel pulses with a compassionate vision of the future. Highly recommended.—Forest Turner, Suffolk Cty. House of Correction Lib., Boston

This debut is a story of what happens when the outside world discovers that a widowed mother in Maine has removed her two children, seven-year-old Asta and her nine-year-old brother, Orion, from any contact with the outside world. Unaware that their mother is delusional, the two children do not feel deprived under her care, appreciating her for what she is able to provide. When their isolated living situation is discovered, the children find themselves at the mercy of kind yet sometimes misguided adults. Asta emerges as the stronger, more communicative child. Bright and sometimes wily, she remains steadfastly devoted to her gifted yet now mute brother. This she somehow manages while attempting to adjust to both home and school by herself, as the two children now live apart. The narrative is told from Asta's perspective, and initially the tone is eerie and unsettling. As the story unfolds, the situation feels less threatening and even incorporates elements of humor. An unusual novel; recommended for larger public libraries.—Maureen Neville, Trenton P.L., NJ

Set in a rural West Virginia valley, this debut novel by Fulbright winner Weil uses linked novellas to show how three loners, with the resilience to make one final connection, bring meaning to their lives. In "Ridge Weather," when Osby Caudill's father dies, Osby realizes they never were much company to each other. A local woman fails to seduce him, and having a renter doesn't work out. Only when he cures a sick steer does he connect with another creature. The title character in "Stillman Wing" is a cantankerous man whose daughter brings home lowlifes to sleep with her. Stillman derides her reckless behavior, but, afraid of losing her, acts recklessly himself by taking a moonlight swim in a toxic pond. "Sarverville Remains" is narrated by Geoff Sarver, a mentally slow man, who hangs out with younger troublemakers who go to Linda Podawalski for sex behind the local bar. Linda uses Geoff to get rid of her husband, but she also gives him the courage to strike out for land where Sarvers fled in search of a new life decades ago. Intense and satisfying; highly recommended for all public libraries.—Donna Bettencourt, Mesa County P.L., Grand Junction, CO

Here, in what is clearly a labor of love, Dashiell Hammett expert and veteran Edgar Award-winning novelist Gores breathes new life into the PI firm of Spade & Archer, some 79 years after its initial appearance. This prequel to The Maltese Falcon recounts such incidents as the first meeting between Sam Spade and his secretary, Effie Perine, and the sordid history of Iva Archer. Even then a Spade is still a Spade, and Archer is a dumb SOB. Covering a period of seven years, Gores successfully weaves together plot strands that include everything from Treasure Island and Sun Yat-sen to union busting. Through it all, Sam manages to glide gracefully from shipboard to boardroom to speakeasy in a wonderful evocation of a lovingly detailed lost San Francisco peopled by the ghosts of Hammett, Humphrey Bogart, and folks who smoke as if their lives depend on it. This homage should both please fans of the original (it has the blessing of the Hammett estate) and alert new readers to what they've been missing. As such, it is highly recommended for all public libraries.—Bob Lunn, Kansas City P.L., MO

Mosley, a master of detective stories best known for his Easy Rawlins series, introduces Leonid McGill, a reformed bad man who strives to hold to his own principles in the roughest situations. Cops don't trust him, hard guys pressure him, and most people underestimate him. His wife abandoned him but now wants him back, two of their kids aren't his, and he's in love with a beautiful woman who's trying to kick him out of his office. McGill is hired to find the names and addresses of four men. Soon, they're all dead, and he wants to know why. The violence escalates, but he refuses to give up. Mosley always tells a compelling story, and this is no exception. But, unlike the Rawlins novels, it has an air of the formulaic. It takes too many digressions to explain McGill's past, and while the Rawlins's Mouse comes across persuasively as a particularly lethal product of the harsh ghettos, McGill's Hush, an ex-hit man who now drives a limousine, seems too good (or bad) to be real. For all its flaws, though, once you start reading this mystery, you won't want to stop. Recommended. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 11/1/08.]—David Keymer, Modesto, CA

This is the 36th book (33 novels and three collections) to feature 2008 Mystery Writers of America Grandmaster Pronzini's anonymous hero, the Nameless Detective (Savages). His series features appealing heroes; in recent books, a second detective, Jake Runyon, works alongside Nameless, usually on his own case. The puzzles at the heart of the cases are well conceived (and well concealed). The plot winds its way through enough false starts to please the finickiest reader and finishes with a satisfying resolution. In this installment, Nameless has been hired by a wealthy bibliophile to solve a genuine locked-door robbery, which soon turns into a locked-door murder. Jake, meanwhile, hunts a stalker who seems to have no ties to the family he is pursuing. Their office dispatcher has her own personal drama to resolve. Pronzini is a pro at PI fiction: he never cheats on the reader, respecting the conventions of the hard-boiled detective stories and puzzle mysteries he employs so well. Warmly recommended for mystery collections.—David Keymer, Modesto, CA