Xpress Reviews—The First Look at New Books
Aug 25, 2010Week ending August 27, 2010
Fiction | Nonfiction
Fiction
Miller, John J. The First Assassin. AmazonEncore. Sept. 2010. c.458p. ISBN 978-1-935597-11-7. pap. $14.95. F
This historical thriller takes place in Washington, DC, at the outbreak of the Civil War. The plot centers on Col. Charles Rook's efforts to insure the safety and security of the capital city. Complicating his task is that prominent South Carolina planter Langston Bennett has hired an enigmatic figure, known only as Mazorca, to kill newly inaugurated President Lincoln. Fortunately, Rook has some unknown allies: a slave on Bennett's plantation has overheard the discussion between Bennett and Mazorca and dispatches his niece, Portia, to Washington to warn Lincoln.
Verdict With a story line reminiscent of Frederick Forsyth's The Day of the Jackal, this debut novel by a noted journalist benefits from strong writing and compelling characters, particularly Rook and Mazorca, and effectively conveys the atmosphere of the wartime city. Ultimately, though, the book fails to provide much suspense, as the increasingly improbable plot twists make it difficult for the reader to suspend disbelief.—Douglas Southard, CRA International, Inc., Boston
Seewald, Jacqueline. Tea Leaves and Tarot Cards. Five Star: Gale Cengage. Aug. 2010. c.324p. ISBN 978-1-59414-914-6. $25.95. ROMANCE
Former academic librarian Seewald (The Drowing Pool) attempts to mix Regency and paranormal romance with less then stellar results. Maeve is part gypsy, part mystic and has managed to gain entrée into high society by befriending the kind and good-natured Lady Caroline, who is expected to marry a wealthy duke. Caroline is reluctant to marry a man who is so much older then she, and Maeve is determined to help her out. To that end, she enlists the Marquess of Huntingdon to convince his cousin, the duke, to break off his suit. Maeve is aware that the marquess has less then honorable intentions toward her (he'd like to make her his mistress) and that he may cause her a lot of pain, but she is willing to take the risk.
Verdict It is clear that Seewald's goal is to offer a deeply felt, emotional romance, but she misses the mark with the stilted writing and unbelievable characters. The addition of Maeve's mystical powers (she has dreams and is able to help the police find bad guys) to a Regency setting muddles things further. Not recommended.—Jane Jorgenson, Madison P.L., WI
Tranter, Kirsten. The Legacy. Atria: S. & S. Aug. 2010. c.448p. ISBN 978-1-4391-7718-1. pap. $15. F
Tranter's debut, well received in her native Australia, is an intriguing blend of mystery, romance about unrequited love, bildungsroman, and homage to Henry James's Portrait of a Lady. The novel begins one year after 9/11 and Ingrid's death in the World Trade Center. Unable to travel because of a congenital heart condition, Ingrid's grieving cousin Ralph asks Julia Alpers to investigate Ingrid's New York life. Years earlier at university in Sydney, Julia had formed a close friendship with Ralph and the beautiful, brilliant, and wealthy Ingrid, a true golden girl. Traveling to Manhattan, Julia contacts Ingrid's friends and family and gradually uncovers the details of Ingrid's abusive marriage to older, sophisticated Gil Grey. In examining Ingrid's life, Julia remembers her own complicated college relationships and realizes that the past has overshadowed her present-and future-life.
Verdict Fans of literary mysteries will enjoy this intricate, fascinating, and original novel. Highly recommended.—Cheryl L. Conway, Univ. of Arkansas Libs., Fayetteville
Warren, Tracy Anne. Wicked Delights of a Bridal Bed. Avon. Sept. 2010. 364p. ISBN 978-0-06-167344-3. pap. $7.99. ROMANCE
It is 1812, and 22-year-old Mallory Byron is still mourning the death of her fiancé in the war against Napoleon. The only one who can jolly her out of her mood is longtime family friend Adam, Earl of Gresham. But Adam has an ulterior motive, having been in love with Mallory since she was 16 and he 26. Respecting the age difference and his friendship with her brothers, Adam kept his distance, even when she became betrothed to another. Now Adam is only too glad to renew his "friendship" with Mallory and help her subdue her persistent nightmares. Following one such occasion, Adam falls asleep in her bed, and with scandal looming, they hastily wed. He, of course, is delighted. But Mallory feels only guilt over her forced marriage and betrayal of her grief.
Verdict Warren (At the Duke's Pleasure) continues the travails of the Byron family with this latest title. Her emotionally wrought protagonists are beautifully portrayed, as they grapple with long-held hurts and their inability to overcome mistrust on his part and heartbreak on hers. The intimacies of the marriage bed are displayed in Technicolor detail. Romance fans who aren't missish about sex scenes will delight in this book.—Bette-Lee Fox, Library Journal
Nonfiction
City Style: A Field Guide to Global Fashion Capitals. Museyon Guides. Sept. 2010. c.272p. illus. maps. index. ISBN 978-0-9822320-7-1. pap. $19.95. TRAV
What could be more fun for fashionistas than a guide to the eight fashion capitals of the world? Each city section provides an insider's look at what's in, with an emphasis on useful information for the visitor. As stated in the guide's foreword, "Like it or not, fashion is the one art form we encounter every day.... All over the world, our clothing says something about who we are in the local visual language...and those symbols change from city to city." There are listings of required reading (both magazines and blogs), neighborhoods, and hot spots; designer directories; and lots of illustrative photos. At the end of the list, preceded by New York, Paris, Milan, London, Tokyo, Stockholm, and Sydney, Los Angeles gets short shrift (owing, in part, to its nonseasonal climate).
Verdict Although this guide may have limited appeal for most travelers, its comprehensive nature makes it a valuable resource for anyone interested in today's world of fashion.—Janet Ross, formerly with Sparks Branch Lib., NV
Reynolds, Simon. Totally Wired: Postpunk Interviews and Overviews. Soft Skull. Sept. 2010. c.464p. index. ISBN 978-1-59376-286-5. pap. $16.95. MUSIC
The worth of this collection of interviews with various postpunk, or no wave, musicians isn't in whom Reynolds (Rip It Up and Start Again: Postpunk 1978-1984) talked to; it's in how he talked to them. He drives his questions into the creative ids of 16 artists ranging from Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh to the Talking Heads' David Byrne to deliver frank perspectives on musical genesis and art's role in society. Through his informed, evocative interview technique, Reynolds coaxes Alan Vega of the obscure noise rock band Suicide to declare his group might be "one of the most influential bands" ever. And he allows the infamous punk rock contrarian Lydia Lunch to admit she enjoys some of the music she had previously condemned. Reynolds also includes a few essays on postpunk issues, but these pale in comparison to the interviews, which can make you pay attention to musicians you previously never cared about.
Verdict Reynolds's ability to find familiar entry points into obscure identities and music makes this a book for any reader of music criticism.—Robert Morast, Fargo, ND
Shoyer, Paula. The Kosher Baker: 160 Dairy-Free Recipes from Traditional to Trendy. Brandeis Univ., dist. by Univ. Pr. of New England. (HBI Series on Jewish Women). Sept. 2010. c.344p. photogs. index. ISBN 978-1-58465-835-1. $35. COOKING
Shoyer, owner of Paula's Parisian Pastries Cooking School near Washington, DC, cannily anticipated one of the first questions most bakers ask: How long is this going to take? As she pragmatically notes, it's common for the preparation of desserts to be last on the list, whatever the occasion. In this clearly written, extensive guide to kosher baking, she organizes recipes by time: first, single-step recipes clocking at 15 minutes; then, two-step recipes in the 15- to 30-minute range; and, finally, more complex items that take over 30 minutes. She further subdivides sections by general categories (e.g., cookies, cakes, pastries, pies), and the final chapter covers several specialized groups (no-sugar desserts, traditional Passover recipes, sauces). Rules for kosher baking are clear, as are recommendations for nondairy ingredients and a handy list of necessities.
Verdict Likely to appeal to those desiring to keep kosher and others following a nondairy diet, this cookbook is accessible to beginning and experienced bakers; its organization by prep time and by type will make it an everyday favorite.—Courtney Greene, DePaul Univ. Lib., Chicago
Stempel, Larry. Showtime: A History of the Broadway Musical Theater. Norton. Sept. 2010. c.832p. illus. discog. index. ISBN 978-0-393-06715-6. $39.95. THEATER
The shelves of most college and university libraries probably already have a good selection of books on the history of American musical theater, yet Stempel's (music, Fordham Univ.) contribution stands apart from these earlier treatments. He places the musicals he covers (which run from the Astor Place Opera House's 1849 production of Macbeth to The Producers' 2001-07 run) within the context of their times. This is not a unique conception, but Stempel excels in the detailed examination of each work and in tracing the evolution of the American musical. This dense narrative addresses what musical theater is, what its future will look like, and whether the popular can be art. This is not a lighthearted romp through "The Best of Broadway." It is serious and scholarly, and it is not particularly easy to read for long stretches of time.
Verdict Without a doubt, this is the best one-volume history of its kind, but its heft may limit its adoption as a textbook. Recommended for theater history scholars and aficionados.—Larry Schwartz, Minnesota State Univ. Lib., Moorhead
