Fiction

Balogh, Mary. A Matter of Class. Vanguard: Perseus. Jan. 2010. c.190p. ISBN 978-1-59315-554-4. $15.95. F

Her scandalous near elopement with a coachman and his habitually drunken and spendthrift ways have brought Lady Annabelle Ashton and Mr. Reginald Mason to a pretty pass. Their families have had nothing to do with each other for 30 years, ever since the coal merchant Masons moved next door to the Earl of Havercroft's estate. But the highly successful Mr. Mason would like nothing better than to bring his aristocratic neighbor low by rescuing his daughter's reputation along with the earl's suffering finances while teaching his own son how to behave like a gentleman. Marriage between the two seems the only solution. VERDICT Fans of the popular Balogh (Seducing an Angel) are accustomed to her longer, more complex historical romances. Yet this slip of a novel manages to reveal a great deal about its misguided protagonists and how the past catches up with them. The happily-ever-after is never in doubt, but the unexpected denouement will have readers gasping and smiling with delight. A can't-miss choice for romance fans. [See our Q&A with Balogh, LJ 2/15/09.]—Bette-Lee Fox, Library Journal

Bell (All Souls' Rising) brings us a novel about infamous Tennessee native and Civil War general Nathan Bedford Forrest. Forrest's life on and off the battlefield, and before and after the war, is described as the novel's chronology moves back and forth through the years 1845–65. Forrest was no angel, as the book's title can attest; he was a slave trader with a weakness for gambling and a man who loved his wife and children but also had a slave family. He enlisted as a private in the Confederate Army and rose to its highest ranks despite a lack of formal military training, a fierce temper, and a real disdain for authority. Rich descriptions of battles, accounts of the lives of the men who fought alongside Forrest, and the pure force of Forrest's personality make this an engrossing read. VERDICT Highly recommended; great for fans of historical and Civil War fiction (e.g., by Michael and Jeff Shaara, Howard Bahr) but engaging and well written enough for broad appeal. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 7/09.]—Shaunna Hunter, Hampden-Sydney Coll. Lib., VA

In this historical novel about the real-life Alice in Alice in Wonderland, 80-year-old Alice Hargreaves looks back on three periods of her life: her Victorian childhood as the daughter of an Oxford don and the special friend of mathematics tutor Charles Dodgson, later known as Lewis Carroll; her young adult romance with Prince Leopold and its painful conclusion; and her marriage to country gentleman Reginald Hargreaves and the raising of their three sons, who eventually face the horrors of World War I. Throughout it all, Alice is burdened by her fictional identity and by having captivated the odd, stuttering Mr. Dodgson as a child. The jealousy and rumors caused by his intense fondness for Alice besmirch both their reputations for years to come. VERDICT Benjamin's novel imagines the truth behind the mystery of Lewis Carroll's relationship with his child muse, Alice Liddell. Although the shadow of inappropriateness always lingers, this is truly a love story, albeit one that could happily exist only in a fairy tale. This novel will have wide appeal as it includes history, romance, literature, and a great deal of suspense. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 9/1/09.]—Joy Humphrey, Pepperdine Univ. Law Lib., Malibu, CA

Rural coastal Alabama is the backdrop for this moody tale of a giant tree, dubbed the Ghosthead Oak, that has grown for hundreds of years on land now owned by The Widow. Her lawyer-turned-goat herder husband died suddenly and young, and she still mourns his loss. A tourist attraction, a mythical character, and a magnet for the drunk and the troubled, the tree haunts The Widow with its looming presence. The Veteran, reclusive in his fishing hut, The Game Warden, and The Deputy are the other players who act out their dramas with Southern gothic detail. VERDICT Brewer (The Poet of Tolstoy Park; A Sound Like Thunder) breathes new life into his genre with classic storytelling rhythms and a real incident as his basis. A dark tale of moral choices in a uniquely conjured location.—Ann H. Fisher, Radford P.L., VA

An antiques store owner's explanation of why he won't sell his beloved pocket watch to a yuppie couple is the basis of prolific author Brown's (Smashcut) attempt to entertain readers with a sentimental story just in time for Christmas. Actually, it's a pretty darn good attempt. In 1934 Texas, Ella runs a small boardinghouse while coping with a difficult ten-year-old son. New boarder David Raintree shows a special interest in Ella's son. Raintree is handsome, charming, kind, and sensitive and has some serious health issues of his own. It's a foregone conclusion that he and Ella will become lovers. Some racial overtones are thrown in when a young black minister comes to town, and the story reaches a somber and violent conclusion. VERDICT Predictable but pleasant. Fans of Brown's romantic suspense thrillers will be surprised, as this book resembles a Richard Paul Evans or Emily Grayson novel. But multiple copies will be essential, as author recognition alone will spark interest.—Margaret Hanes, Warren Civic Ctr. Lib., MI

First novelist Chehab, who hales from small-town America and is married to a Lebanese, tells the story of twin brothers Saleh and Samir. As Beirut is torn apart by civil war, their father's employer, an American working in Beirut, agrees to take the boys to America. When the day arrives, Saleh makes it onto the helicopter while Samir is left behind to help his parents eke out a living and hide from near-constant bombing. Most of the story takes place during the year Saleh leaves his American wife and his practice as plastic surgeon to the stars and moves back to Beirut, eventually bringing Samir to live in his New York apartment. Unfortunately, the story doesn't ring true. Saleh has great difficulties readjusting to life in Lebanon, whereas Samir expertly negotiates the subway system, which would sorely test a Midwestern American tourist. Individuals change their religious practice without explanation, and a character from Kenya is introduced but never fully realized. VERDICT Although the writing is beautiful, it can't make up for the lack of believable characters and plot.—Debbie Bogenschutz, Cincinnati State Technical & Community Coll.

It's been 18 years since Coupland (JPod) identified and deflated Generation X in his 1991 debut. Now he blends the end with a new beginning, taking on Generation A. Set in a deteriorating near future, it's the story of five young people: an Iowan who farms nude; a New Zealander whose parents have abdicated belief; a sullen Parisian addicted to World of Warcraft; a Tourette's-afflicted Canadian dental hygienist; and a Sri Lankan telemarketer whose family was erased by a tsunami. Digitally plugged-in but otherwise isolated, they rise from obscurity when stung by bees, creatures that everyone thought extinct. Brought together on a remote island, they are asked by a shadowy scientist to, of all things, tell stories. With deft twists, seemingly random details are melded with grace. VERDICT With strands of humor, sf, and social commentary, Coupland melds Chuck Palahniuk's wild imagination with Nick Hornby's character ensembles. This clever send-up of modern culture will send readers racing to the beginning to see what they missed on first pass. Lightning strikes twice! Coupland defines another generation and crafts a satisfying ode to the power of story.—Neil Hollands, Williamsburg Regional Lib., VA

Following his refreshing and exciting foray into early 20th-century California with The Chase, Cussler returns to the land of yesteryear. Someone is out to destroy a major railroad by wrecking trains, blowing up tunnels and bridges, and killing people. Railroad detective Isaac Bell is brought in to bring the Wrecker to justice. He is ably assisted by much of the same group who appeared in The Chase. Unlike Cussler's other adventure novels (the "NUMA® Files" and Dirk Pitt series), which depend on over-the-top futuristic technology, this new book is limited by history and cannot extend reality too far, all of which makes the novel work. It doesn't hurt that Bell is a more realistic hero and not a superman, although he is very much capable of taking care of himself. VERDICT Richly enhanced with well-researched historical and technological details, Cussler's latest offers a welcome change of pace from the Dirk Pitt books. A very enjoyable romp. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 7/09.]—Robert Conroy, Warren, MI

Durrow's first novel, inspired by a real event, won the 2008 Bellwether Prize for best fiction manuscript addressing issues of social justice. The young protagonist, Rachel, is the only survivor after her mother apparently threw her and her two siblings from a roof and then jumped to her own death. Like a good mystery, this book builds to the startling revelation of what really happened and why a loving mother would kill her children. But there's much more, and if the novel has a weakness, it's that it oozes conflict. Rachel, who is biracial, is abandoned by her father; a boy who witnesses the rooftop incident has his own difficulties, including a neglectful mother who's also a prostitute. But one can't help but be drawn in by these characters and by the novel's exploration of race and identity. VERDICT With similar themes to Zadie Smith's White Teeth and a tone of desolation and dislocation like Graham Swift's Waterland and Jean Rhys's Wide Sargasso Sea, this is also recommended for readers intrigued by the psychology behind shocking headlines.—Evelyn Beck, Piedmont Technical Coll., Greenwood, SC

Most people have at least a passing acquaintance with the biblical story of Samson and Delilah—the warrior bent on slaying as many Philistines as possible and the temptress willing to betray her lover for money. Edghill (Queenmaker) takes this ancient tale from the book of Judges and turns it on its end. Her Samson is a generous man of goodwill and kindness who longs for nothing more than to live in peace with his neighbors, Hebrews and Canaanites alike. Delilah is a young and devout temple priestess whose beautiful dancing attracts Samson's attention. The lovers are caught between the machinations of the rulers of the Five Cities and the Israelites who fight to claim Canaan, the land promised to them by God. VERDICT Edghill has crafted a powerful, lyrical novel and created two unforgettable characters. Recommended highly, particularly for readers who have enjoyed Orson Scott Card's "Women of Genesis" series, Marek Halter's Canaan Trilogy, and Anita Diamant's The Red Tent. [Library marketing campaign.]—Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage P.L., AK

Edward Feathers, aka Old Filth (an acronym for "Failed in London, Try Hong Kong"), Gardam's proper lawyer and judge, is back for a second outing (after Old Filth), this time as seen through the eyes of his wife, Betty. Lately returned from her wartime work at Bletchley Park and now a regular among the expat community of Hong Kong, Betty is cocooned in comfortable gentility with Filth, a loving but distant husband largely preoccupied with his legal life. After a childhood spent in a Japanese labor camp, she is now unable to have children and largely unfocused; her brief premarital fling with Filth's arch enemy, Terry Veneering, creates an enduring bond with him and his young son, Harry, who fills a void in her life. VERDICT Admirers of Old Filth will be delighted to discover the backstory of his marriage and to renew acquaintances with a dear friend. Those meeting him and Mrs. Feathers for the first time will surely want more. An elegant portrait of an old-world marriage. Highly recommended.—Barbara Love, Kingston Frontenac P.L., Ont.

A family saga grounded in Appalachia, Greene's debut follows the story of the Lamb women—Byrdie, Clio, Myra, and Laura—from the Depression to the present day. Poverty, folk culture, and the often harsh conditions of Appalachian life color the loves, hatreds, and losses of the Lamb family; for these women, circumstances beyond their control—and some poor decisions of their own—lead to one unhappy ending after another. Though Greene has a flair for physical description, indistinct characters and frequent shifts in point of view throughout the novel lead to confusion, lessening the impact of the story's dramatic potential. Predictable plotlines detract from the enjoyment as well. VERDICT Fans of Appalachian culture and/or family chronicles may find something to take pleasure in here; casual popular fiction readers should likely pass. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 9/1/09; 50,000-copy first printing.]—Leigh Wright, Bridgewater, NJ

The unforgiving rural landscape of Idaho is the perfect backdrop for first-time novelist Hart's poignant story of three misfits. After serving in Vietnam, Bandy Dorner returns to his hometown of Lake Fork, ID. Fueled by too much alcohol, he drives his car into a canal and then fights with the policemen who arrive on the scene; minutes later, both officers are dead. Bandy goes to prison, and Iona, pregnant with Bandy's son, Tracy, runs off with another man. Eighteen years later, Tracy, in an effort to connect with his family, visits Bandy in prison and then goes to Lake Fork and the Dorner family homestead. Tracy severely injures his legs when he falls off the roof while making repairs. Iona rushes out from Spokane at the same time Bandy is released from prison, and their lives again converge in Lake Fork. But can they pick up where they left off? VERDICT Hart refuses to tie up everything neatly, and that's what makes this novel so appealing. Highly recommended to readers of good literary fiction.—Donna Bettencourt, Mesa Cty. P.L., Grand Junction, CO

In Austria, Jonke's award-winning Geometric Regional Novel has a reputation for being extremely difficult; outside, he is still virtually unknown. His new book is both a collection of short stories (originally and disparately published in 1970 and 1980) and an inventive autobiographical novel. The first-person narrator details his travels on the streetcars of Vienna and through life, starting with his blue-skinned birth and ending with a stony love scene, belatedly explaining the book's subtitle. Translator Kling's (German & comparative literature, La Salle Univ.) attentiveness to Jonke's use of language—long, intentionally confused sentences, repetition, and fantastically superlative compound words like "darkgreenblackcreepingplantalgaemurky" (a descriptor for canal water)—helps retain the book's balance as well as its complexity. VERDICT This slim volume is not an easy read, and, while Kling's afterword does make it a bit more accessible, readers who aren't into experimental fiction may want to skip this one.—Karen Walton Morse, Univ. at Buffalo Libs.

The award-winning author of over 20 books, Kennedy has not been widely read in his native America. In fact, this is the first volume of Kennedy's "Copenhagen Quartet," four independent novels set in the author's current hometown, to appear here. In this work, Chilean exile Bernardo Greene believes that after months of torture at the hands of the Pinochet regime, he was visited by angels who promised that he would survive to experience once again the sun on his face, beauty, and love. Greene is recovering and in therapy in Copenhagen when he meets Michela Ibsen, a Dane who is struggling to heal from domestic abuse and her daughter's suicide. VERDICT Kennedy writes with unusual insight and compassion, depicting the best and the worst of the human experience. His work may be new to U.S. readers, but it merits greater attention, and we should look forward to seeing the other three books in his quartet published here. A great choice for readers of literary fiction.—Gwen Vredevoogd, Marymount Univ., Arlington, VA

Diego Rivera's mural in Mexico's Palacio Nationale was only half complete the day young Harrison Shepherd stood transfixed before it, but he would be forever captive to the extraordinary power of the imagination. A solitary child, a devourer of books, left to his own devices by a mother chasing unattainable men and a father pencil pushing for the government back in the States, Harrison observes and he writes. When a quirk of fate lands him in the home of Communist sympathizers Rivera and Frida Kahlo, Rivera's wife, Harrison becomes enmeshed in the turbulent history that will inform his life and work. Through the distinctive voices of Harrison and his insightful amanuensis, Violet Brown, Kingsolver paints a verbal panorama spanning three decades and two countries. World War I veterans protesting for benefits denied, the unleashing of the atomic bomb, the McCarthy hearings, censorship of the arts, and abuse by the press corps lend credence to the sentiment that the more things change, the more they remain the same. VERDICT As in The Poisonwood Bible, Kingsolver perfects the use of multiple points of view, even reprinting actual newspaper articles to blur the line between fact and fiction. This is her most ambitious, timely, and powerful novel yet. Well worth the wait.—Sally Bissell, Lee Cty. Lib. Syst., Ft. Myers, FL

Leithauser (A Few Corrections; The Friends of Freeland) delivers a solid sixth novel that historical fiction buffs will enjoy. Bea Paradisio, a sensitive art student, comes of age in Detroit during World War II. The dramas that rage on the world stage become, in Leithauser's skillful hands, the crucible that forges Bea's personality as she struggles to make sense of both larger cultural changes and the sudden dissolution of her family's tightly knit bonds. Readers who enjoy domestic fiction will grow to love the quirky Paradisios and mourn for them as each character's tragic flaw slowly works its way to the surface of the plot. Detroit itself is the most vivid character Leithauser creates, lavishing loving accuracy on the streetcars, drugstores, restaurants, and other landmarks of the thriving, throbbing metropolis. Though the novel's overall aura is one of gentle nostalgia, Leithauser doesn't pull any punches when it comes to the accurate, albeit bigoted, language of the period or tough issues like mental illness. VERDICT A cautiously optimistic look at The Way We Were, for those who remember or want to learn more.—Leigh Anne Vrabel, Carnegie Lib. of Pittsburgh

Lipsyte's new novel, following his cult hit, Home Land, is narrated by another of the author's trademark middle-aged losers: Milo Burke, a development officer at a mediocre college in New York City. Burke's assignment is to reel in Purdy Stuart, a fabulously wealthy tycoon who went to school with Burke 20 years ago. In development jargon, Purdy is "The Ask," and this is Burke's last chance to secure a major "Give" before the global financial system collapses. Lipsyte is a comedian with a rant for every facet of city life. As in Home Land, the recurring topics are failure in America and the failure of America. How did we become the bitches of the First World? The humor is a hipster mix of pop and high culture, but the incessant joking eventually overwhelms the story line. VERDICT A treasure trove of brilliant asides and one-liners, this never really comes together as a coherent novel. Still, Lipsyte's fans will be looking for it.—Edward B. St. John, Loyola Law Sch. Lib., Los Angeles

Alison wants the world to know that she presides over a large, happy, close-knit family. She and her distracted, uninvolved scholarly husband, Charles, have a brood of six who, along with Ingrid, the au pair, fill Allersmead, a somewhat worn, sprawling Edwardian English manse. Through the masterly use of emotional intricacies, Lively gradually reveals the simmer beneath the surface that belies the image of unity Alison has insisted on for decades, both within the family framework and without, to the world at large. Tradition and a sense of duty compel the adult children to return to Allersmead over the years, and it is through the mature observations of their childhood traumas (along with those of Alison, Charles, and Ingrid) that one learns the true cost of the shared and separate secrets that have informed their grownup lives as well as their relationships to one another. VERDICT No doubt frazzled mothers of much smaller families will find comfort in Lively's probing, challenging take on large family life and maternal competence. Lively's 17th adult novel is a wonderful follow-up to Gil Courtemanche's A Good Death. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 7/09.]—Beth E. Anderson, Ann Arbor Dist. Lib., MI

Yes, the Nanny returns! Is she as captivating as she was in The Nanny Diaries? Yes, she is—after a bit of a slow start. The authors devote some pages to getting the reader back into the world of Nan, who worked as a nanny to the überwealthy Mrs. X, a negligent mother to little Grayer and a miserable boss to Nan. Fast-forward ten years: Nan married her "Harvard Hottie," Ryan, and traveled the world with him. Now back in New York City, Nan crosses paths by chance with Grayer, 16, drunk, and in trouble. He's trying to take care of his younger brother, Stilton, with no help (and plenty of hindrance) from his mess of a mother. There's a vicious divorce, a possible life-threatening illness, and an abundance of simple neglect. Nan again is tossed into an emotional situation with Grayer's family. The 33-year-old Nan can be more than a nanny to the X boys. But should she? VERDICT Once again, the wealthy New York crowd serves as an addictive backdrop, and the story's contrast between shallowness and compassion is fascinating. Nanny Diaries fans will snap up this sequel. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 9/15/09.]—Beth Gibbs, Davidson, NC

Milward's brilliant second novel takes place in Middlesbrough, northeast England, the territory mapped-out in his celebrated debut Apples. In a single paragraph, hundreds of pages in length, Milward relates the tale of Bobby, Johnnie, Georgie, Ellen, and Alan, residents of a council tenancy known as the Peach House. The fortunes of each rise and fall and are often contingent upon the whims and scruples of the others. The absence of narrative breaks lends the story an urgent vitality that contrasts vividly with the depressed and desperate surroundings. While Bobby's quest for artistic inspiration and expeditions into artistic stardom and drug-induced madness propel the novel to its startling conclusion, the love that buzzes through him and his neighbors provides this book its sometimes tragic heart. VERDICT This novel is deeply and credibly humane and its characters unforgettable. Milward's work has been compared to Irving Welsh and John Updike, and readers of Will Self may also notice similarities. Ultimately, though, Milward's voice is original, relevant, and necessary.—J. Greg Matthews, Washington State Univ. Lib., Pullman

Morgenroth (They Did It with Love) gracefully tells a love story, tragedy, and mystery from three very different perspectives: Nora's, Timothy's, and the findings of a police report. Nora is a young woman taking care of her ailing mother in her Kansas hometown, working in a knockoff Starbucks coffee shop, living a shadow of a life as her mother goes through treatment for leukemia. Timothy is a moneyed New Yorker, existing in a cold life of privilege and prestige. When a chance encounter between the two starts an unlikely relationship, facets of their personalities and their family relationships are slowly uncovered, revealing surprises for everyone involved. The crafting here is more literary fiction than popular mystery, but fans of both will be captivated by this haunting tale. VERDICT With character studies, a deep love story, challenging yet wildly differing filial duties, and a murder mystery, the only disappointment is that this beautifully gripping novel ends. Highly recommended.—Julie Kane, Sweet Briar Coll. Lib., VA

And they say women fall crazy in love. In this latest from Nobel Prize winner Pamuk, protagonist Kemal becomes so obsessed with a shop girl he meets while buying his fiancée a purse that he ends up throwing away his entire life. Füsan is in fact a distant relative Kemal hasn't seen for some time, and they launch a passionate affair on the very eve of Kemal's engagement party. This is 1970s Turkey, and new ideas from the West would seem to bless the affair. But of course Kemal never considers breaking his engagement, and in the end a deeply bruised Füsan vanishes. As Kemal's fiancée, Sibel, rightly observes, "It's because she was a poor, ambitious girl that you were able to start something so easily." Kemal is not so enlightened as he thinks. He's also a bit of a bore, having compulsively organized an entire "museum" of artifacts pertaining to Füsan that the author repeatedly references; readers may agree with Kemal that "visitors to my museum must by now be sick and tired of my heartache." VERDICT This story is beautifully told, but at great length and in great detail; patient readers, be prepared. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 6/1/09.]—Barbara Hoffert, Library Journal

A different perspective on the Holocaust is presented in this novel by Algerian author Sansal. Rachel and Malrich Schiller, two brothers from a remote village in Algeria who now live near Paris, learn that their parents have been brutally murdered by Islamic fundamentalists. When Rachel returns home, he finds papers, medals, and documentation hidden by his father showing that he was a German soldier and chemical engineer who worked at Auschwitz and other death camps. Shocked and bewildered, Rachel travels to every location where his father had lived or worked, and his life gradually unravels as he is overcome with guilt and confusion. Drifting, uneducated, and poor, Rachel's younger brother has been involved with jihadists looking to enlist gullible young men as holy warriors. But after becoming acquainted with his family's tragedy, which opens up a new world for him, Malrich begins to see through the easy answers offered by the local imam and his terrorist allies. VERDICT This is a valuable addition to the canon of the Holocaust and an interesting look into the underworld of Islamic extremism in the European immigrant community.—Jim Coan, SUNY Coll. at Oneonta

After her husband leaves her for another woman, Lavendar, or La, leaves London for the Suffolk home generously provided by her in-laws. Soon after, war with Hitler is declared, and La begins gathering eggs for a farmer, organizes an orchestra of servicemen and townspeople, and finds work for Feliks, a Polish airman who can no longer fly. After Feliks is wrongly accused of theft, La shares her concern that he is actually German, and he isn't seen in the village again until La's VE Day concert. As a dedicated fan of Mma Ramotswe, this reader was disappointed with the scattered nature and bland characters of Smith's latest. La never truly comes alive, and the details of her life don't add up to a cohesive picture explaining her choices. Elements of interest, such as wartime life in the English villages, how music can inspire, rebuilding life after the loss of a marriage, or options for a single woman with means and opportunity, are only skimmed. VERDICT The author's name will make this a strong seller, but readers hoping for another Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society will be left wanting. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 8/09.]—Stacey Hayman, Rocky River P.L., IL

From the terrific first sentence, the reader is firmly hooked in this dark South African thriller of murder, drugs, corruption, and revenge. When American ex-model Roxy Palmer and her arms merchant husband are carjacked, his life is gone and hers is drastically changed. The black robbers want to silence her, Billy Afrika, a colored ex-cop-turned-mercenary, wants money owed, the white investigating cops suspect her, and a psychopathic killer just released from prison needs her as a pawn. These are just some of the characters and subplots in this explosive description of the underbelly of postapartheid Cape Town. Smith, a screenwriter and producer, mined this scene in Mixed Blood and continues here with bizarre characters Elmore Leonard might appreciate and an intricate plot of tangled relationships across racial divides. VERDICT Like his compatriots Richard Kunzmann and Deon Meyer, Smith portrays the dark side of this exotic locale, with a keen eye for irony, a pessimism about society, and yet a note of hope for the honest exception. Highly recommended for those wanting their noir as hard-boiled as it gets. [Library marketing.]—Roland Person, formerly with Southern Illinois Univ. Lib., Carbondale

This artful collection of stories spans the breadth of the reading experience. Prize-winning poet and novelist Chappell (Dagon; I Am One of You Forever) juxtaposes allegorical tales with Appalachian stories and unworldly works of imagination. In "The Lodger," he pokes fun at literature through the character of Robert Ackley, a librarian possessed by a demonic poet. In "Alma," we meet a strange but familiar world where women seem to be considered livestock. Each story exhibits Chappell's tight grip on the reader. "Tradition," a tale of a hunting trip gone awry, takes a direct route to a fine-tipped resolution, as does "Bon Ton," about the burden of everyday secrets. Chappell also provides more fantastic fare. In "The Somewhere Doors," we meet Arthur Stakl, a wildly imaginative sf writer contacted by undercover aliens offering him a choice that changes his life. VERDICT A perfect book for the reluctant short-story reader. For all story collections and wherever cutting-edge writing is appreciated.—Henry Bankhead, Los Gatos P.L., CA

With an enviable literary reputation built on award-winning titles set in China, poet/novelist/short story writer Jin recently debuted his first U.S.-based novel, A Free Life, about the Americanization of a Chinese immigrant family. While the 12 stories in his latest release continue to explore familiar immigrant themes—assimilation, isolation, generation gaps—Jin again captures the smallest details to create uniquely resonating portraits of everyday people: a lonely composer befriends his girlfriend's parakeet in "A Composer and His Parakeet," a man suspects his wife of infidelity in "The Beauty," an elderly couple are shunned by their American grandchildren in "Children as Enemies," and a garment worker falls for a prostitute in "The House Behind a Weeping Cherry." VERDICT Beyond his characters' ethnic backgrounds, Jin's writing clearly has mass appeal, most notably exemplified by National Book Award winner Waiting. This new work will be welcomed by any reader and is an excellent companion piece to The Bridegroom, a collection whose characters are the Chinese counterparts of characters featured here.—Terry Hong, Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program, Washington, DC

Lynch, a published poet whose account of working with his father as a funeral director (The Undertaking) was a National Book Award finalist, presents an impressive first collection of short fiction. Focusing on the subject of loss, Lynch writes with a poet's eye for detail and phrasing and brings extraordinary emotional depth to his characters as they struggle to understand themselves, the choices they've made, and the mysterious ways in which the world works. In "Bloodsport," a funeral director mourns the violent death of a neighborhood woman he knew when she was a young girl. In "Matinée de Septembre," Lynch ingeniously updates Thomas Mann's Death in Venice. In the deeply complex and magnificently rendered "Apparition," a divorced father must finally come to terms with his life. VERDICT There is wisdom, courage, and great depth of feeling here. The pieces in this powerful, meditative collection are all beautifully drawn; the title story is a masterpiece.—Patrick Sullivan, Manchester Community Coll., CT

Here is another bright, sassy, funny, and sad collection of stories from North Carolinean McCorkle, the author of three other collections as well as five novels (e.g., The Cheerleader). Like the title story, in which a woman is trapped as caretaker to her critical but now diminished mother while her married sisters just visit, these works delineate the lives of women as they seek out love and meaning, blundering through their own mistakes. Whether struggling with the reality of the men they have chosen or imagining the perfect guy, the women in these stories, whether married, divorced, or single, are real, familiar, and searching. VERDICT This collection by a contemporary master of short fiction should be considered by all fiction readers.—Ann H. Fisher, Radford P.L., VA

With each book, Grafton is only getting better. Her Kinsey Millhone series is now in its 21st installment but is nowhere near past its prime. A young man named Michael Sutton shows up at Kinsey's office one afternoon, claiming to have suddenly recalled details from his childhood concerning an unsolved kidnapping of a little girl 20 years ago. Kinsey is skeptical but agrees to work for one day on the cold case. And so it begins. Weaving the narrative and point of view between events and characters in the 1980s and the 1960s, it is not until the breathless final pages that everything connects. VERDICT Readers will not abandon Kinsey Millhone as the series winds down (only five left, VWXYZ!). Her latest is fresh, complex, fast-paced, and immensely enjoyable. Kinsey's sharp 1980s research skills might even leave a few readers nostalgic for a pre-Google world. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 8/09.]—Andrea Y. Griffith, Loma Linda Univ. Libs., CA

Over the years, Hill has employed interesting—and sometimes jarring—narrative techniques, and the 24th installment (after The Price of Butcher's Meat) in his Yorkshire-set series featuring detectives Andy Dalziel and Pete Pascoe is no exception: the novel takes place in the course of a single day. Dalziel is still adjusting to being back at work after his injuries and long convalescence. He is asked to help Gina Wolfe, wife of long-missing detective Alex Wolfe. Dalziel quickly sees that the case is much more complicated than it appears, and he and the team spend a dizzying day uncovering leads and trying to protect Gina from dangerous characters from Alex's past. VERDICT This complicated mystery with great characters and a fast pace will attract Hill's loyal following and fans of British police procedurals. Hill is a very talented wordsmith as well, and his works should appeal to those seeking out well-written, carefully crafted crime novels.—Beth Lindsay, Washington State Univ. Libs., Pullman