Fiction | Nonfiction

Fiction

*Burke, James Lee. The Glass Rainbow. S. & S. Jul. 2010. c.448p. ISBN 978-1-4391-2829-9. $25.99. M
It takes an incredible writer to keep fresh an 18th novel featuring a character that refuses to change, but Burke does so with what may be one of the best in his Robicheaux series. Dave is trying only to serve his duty as a New Iberia, LA, deputy, but as usual his conscience and need to see justice through draw him into trouble. Investigating a series of murders involving young female victims, he discovers a link that involves a former criminal-turned-best-selling author, as well as a local socialite who is involved romantically with Dave's daughter. Dave's best friend and longtime partner, Clete Purcel, provides a helping hand, along with some always-welcome color. As with most of the Robicheaux titles, the story is one of good vs. evil, with little mystery beyond the motivation of individuals. Burke also continues to set the gold standard when it comes to setting, making his readers feel like they're in New Iberia with Dave and Clete.
Verdict Another beautifully crafted effort by a multi-Edgar Award winner, this is an outstanding addition to one of America's best mystery series. Burke fans will not be disappointed. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 3/1/10.].-Craig Shufelt, Fort McMurray P.L., Alta.

Cliff, Michelle. Into the Interior. Univ. of Minnesota. 2010. c.128p. ISBN 978-0-8166-6979-0. $22.95. F
In Cliff's new novel, we find a woman who searches for belonging. After growing up in Jamaica, she leaves to attend college in New York and then heads to London for graduate school, where she studies art history. The novel follows her as she takes lovers of both sexes and forms friendships and acquaintances with artists and writers. She experiences significant events of the late 20th century through others, as when her live-in boyfriend allows her to remain in their shared apartment after he leaves definitively to photograph apartheid atrocities in South Africa. In this manner, Cliff (No Telephone to Heaven) creates a sense of displacement through a nameless woman who does not attempt to define herself.
Verdict Cliff's prose is exceptional, especially when she describes the landscape of Jamaica and the early life of her main character. Yet in the end, the novel loses focus, even in its brevity, emerging as nothing more than a collection of scenarios and character sketches.-Cristella Bond, Anderson P.L., IN

Connolly, John. The Whisperers. Atria: S. & S. Jul. 2010. ISBN 978-1-4391-6519-5. $26. F
Charlie Parker, Louis, Angel, and even the Collector are back in Connolly's eighth Parker thriller (after The Lovers). Parker is contacted by the father of a recently returned Iraqi veteran who committed suicide, even though he had what he'd called "a good war." When Parker starts asking questions, he finds that this is not the only member of Stryker C who has taken their own life and that there is something "hinky" going on. As with anything Parker is involved with, the supernatural is at play, and lots of big guns, too. Parker is kidnapped and an attempt is made to scare him off the investigation but instead he calls in Angel and Louis to watch his back as he finds out what the men of Stryker C are up to.
Verdict A typical Charlie Parker novel chock-full of action and monsters, both human and not, that will be snapped up by his fans. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 3/15/10.]-Lisa Hanson O'Hara, Univ. of Manitoba Libs., Winnipeg

Ellis, Bret Easton. Imperial Bedrooms. Knopf. 2010. c.192p. ISBN 978-0-307-26610-1. $25. F
So what did happen to the disaffected L.A. teens of Ellis's premier novel, Less Than Zero? When we left them, they were adrift in drugs, sex, and aloof nihilism, unable to merge, as the clumsy metaphor goes, on the freeway. Now, 20-odd years later, Ellis returns to the Hollywood landscape with a new novel, focusing on the current predicament of these characters, who look like "old teenagers" and act just as frustratingly distant as in the previous work. There's no shortage of texting, strategic sex, and obsession, and the tone evokes the noir ghosts of Los Angeles past, with a cold wash of pale paranoia throughout. Ellis remains a singular voice-floating in the ether between critique and romanticism-and he does justice to his Raymond Chandler and Elvis Costello epigraphs. Whether readers can stomach the contemporary horror show that follows is another question entirely.
Verdict Libraries already providing their patrons with Ellis's fiction will, of course, want to add this title to their collection. Those who have sidestepped his undeniable talent might want to rethink and fill in the gaps. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 2/15/10.]-Travis Fristoe, Alachua Cty. Lib. Dist., FL

*Moore, Donna. Old Dogs. Busted Flush. Jun. 2010. c.200p. ISBN 978-1-935415-24-4. pap. $15. F
Two septuagenarian sisters take the classic heist to new levels in this addictive caper set in Glasgow, Scotland. Letty and Dora, ex-hookers impersonating Italian nobility, set their sights on robbing a local art museum of two gold Shih Tzu statuettes, currently on loan from an American collector. Creating a four-woman con artist team, they devise a detailed plan to rob the museum and find a buyer for their loot. Unbeknownst to them-and here's the clever part-no fewer than four other sets of characters want those little dogs for their own nefarious schemes. The whole ensemble is destined to careen into each other with a domino effect that will keep readers smiling if not laughing out loud. Moore's (the Lefty Award-winning Go to Helena Handbasket) duo are irrepressible.
Verdict Geezer lit with cross-generational appeal strikes gold. The author's clever wordplay, irreverant humor, and vivid characters will please Elmore Leonard, Donald Westlake, and Carl Hiaasen fans, not to mention the Ocean's Eleven crowd. A leisurely paced setup leads to a quick climax, making this a compulsive, enjoyable read that may earn Moore another Lefty nomination.-Teresa L. Jacobsen, Solano Cty.Lib., Fairfield, CA

Parkhurst, Carolyn. The Nobodies Album. Doubleday. Jun. 2010. c.320p. ISBN 978-0-385-52769-9. $25.95. F
The beautiful people face their personal demons in this truly novel novel about writing, motherhood, and second chances. Rock star Milo Frost stands accused of murdering his girlfriend. Olivia Frost drops everything, including her latest manuscript, to help clear her son's name. Words and deeds, however, prove more difficult to resolve in life than they do in Olivia's books. Parkhurst's brilliantly plotted chapters alternate between Olivia's attempts to solve the murder and excerpts from her novels, gradually revealing just how closely life and art can be connected. As the mystery unfolds, readers slowly come to understand the tragedy that precipitated Olivia's writing career and her subsequent estrangement from Milo. Fans of metafiction will enjoy the way Parkhurst gently pushes the envelope of story and questions the relationship between life and art. Mystery lovers, meanwhile, will savor the many twists and red herrings Parkhurst (The Dogs of Babel) lobs at them on the way to solving the crime.
Verdict Like an indie band with crossover potential, Parkhurst's Album delivers the goods. Don't miss this one. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 2/15/10.]-Leigh Anne Vrabel, Carnegie Lib. of Pittsburgh

Stern, Steve. The Frozen Rabbi. Algonquin. 2010. c.368p. ISBN 978-1-56512-619-0. $24.95. F
This epic tells the story of Polish rabbi Eliezer ben Zephyr, who's prone to episodes of spiritual disembodiment. In a freak storm in 1889, his body is flash-frozen while his soul is absent. His body is encased in ice and handed down through the generations as a family heirloom, until another freak storm causes a power outage, and he awakens in 1999 Memphis. There he proceeds to gain a cult following based on the tenet that people in the here and now already experience paradise. National Jewish Book Award winner Stern (The Wedding Jester) deftly explores the Jewish immigrant journey from 1890 to the present, ranging from pogroms to the transatlantic crossing to life on Manhattan's bustling Lower East Side.
Verdict Stern's combination of fact, myth, and flights of imagination make this a fascinating read. Those who enjoy ethnic fiction with a touch of the absurd will enjoy this book.-Joanna M. Burkhardt, Ashaway, RI

Nonfiction

Beecher, Suzanne. Muffins & Mayhem: Recipes for a Happy (if Disorderly) Life. Touchstone: S. & S. Jun. 2010. c.233p. photogs. ISBN 978-1-4391-1287-8. $24.99. COOKING
Beecher, the creator of the online book club service DearReader.com, has collected over 30 of her favorite recipes as well as the stories that inspired them. Writing chronologically, she begins with her childhood and concludes in the present day. Beecher is an inspiring entrepreneur, and she relates the details of her unusual life with candor. She started a magazine, owned a restaurant, made peace with a disability-benign essential blepharospasm-and, in 1999, began DearReader.com. Her recipes are traditionally American, almost universally simple, and accessible to any home cook. The first one is for Mrs. Creswick's Frosted Meatloaf-meatloaf with mashed potatoes on top. Potentially intimidating recipes like Hot 'n' Sour Soup and Potstickers are carefully described. A standout is a refreshing Zucchini Bisque, credited to a friend.
Verdict Although the narrative is uneven in tone and loosely structured, Beecher uses a friendly writing style that invites readers into her life. This will appeal to fans of her online book clubs; libraries that subscribe to her service should consider purchasing.-Rosemarie Lewis, Miami-Dade P.L. Syst., FL

Knight, Douglas M., Jr. Balasaraswati: Her Art and Life. Wesleyan Univ. (Driftless). Jun. 2010. c.364p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-8195-6906-6. $35. DANCE
Dancer and musician T. Balasaraswati (1918-84) earned international acclaim for her performances of bharata natyam, a complex art form integrating dance, music, and stylized dramatic techniques that was passed down through generations of select groups of families in the southern region of India. A musician, independent scholar, and Balasaraswati's son-in-law, Knight presents the intricate details of her art as well as of the cultural and historical influences of the matrilineal tradition from which it grew. Balasaraswati performed, taught, and staunchly advocated this traditional hereditary version of the art form, defining it for audiences as well as for future generations-especially after cultural shifts and outside influences threatened to dilute it. Knight discusses Balasaraswati's personal and professional life from a firsthand perspective while offering a fine study of a respected artistic tradition. A glossary and a collection of photographs nicely complement the text.
Verdict This well-written and carefully researched first full biography devoted to Balasaraswati is filled with rich detail. It should appeal to specialized audiences interested in dance traditions and cultural history.-Carol J. Binkowski, Bloomfield, NJ

Lawson, Judy & others. The New Information Professional: Your Guide to Careers in the Digital Age. Neal-Schuman. 2010. 200p. illus. index. ISBN 978-1-55570-698-2. pap. $49.95. CAREERS
University of Michigan iSchool career development counselors Lawson, Joanna Kroll, and Kelly Kowatch present an in-depth, well-organized career guide on current and emerging jobs within the information field. The authors examine eight major areas: archives and preservation of information, records management, library and information science, human-computer interaction, social computing, information systems management, information policy, and information analysis and retrieval. They briefly discuss each area, outline skills, training, and education, and include profiles of current working professionals. Occupation outlook, job titles, professional roles, and salaries are also explored. The book features additional resources and references as well as flow charts depicting career paths available with relevant coursework and suggested internships. The final chapter is a step-by-step guide for developing a career action plan.
Verdict This unparalleled, comprehensive guide is written for undergraduate students but will also be relevant to the postgraduate considering an information profession. Highly recommended for academic and large public libraries as well as high school and college career centers; essential for library and information schools.-Jane Scott, George Fox Univ. Lib., Newberg, OR

Whedon, Joss & others. Firefly: Still Flying. Titan. 2010. 160p. illus. ISBN 978-1-84856-506-7. pap. $19.95. TV
Firefly, a space Western sf TV series created by Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), aired only from 2002 to 2003 and achieved cult status-it has been a huge hit on DVD, led to the film Serenity, and has a still-growing fan base called the Browncoats. This imaginative tribute written by Whedon and many other creators of Firefly is loaded with beautiful glossy photos of the stars, props, costumes, and other items of interest. The text combines brief interviews with the actors about their memories of the show, with short descriptive chapters on the writing process, background on design and construction, and original storyboards for the Battle of Serenity Valley scene.
Verdict This browsable and entertaining collection would be a perfect gift for a Browncoat; however, the show's cult status makes it a worthwhile purchase for only a small audience.-Rosalind Dayen, South Regional Lib., Broward Cty., Ft. Lauderdale, FL

See last week's Xpress Reviews