Xpress Reviews—First Look at New Books, July 29, 2011
Jul 28, 2011Week ending July 29, 2011
E-Originals | Fiction | Nonfiction
E-ORIGINALS
Blair, Sandy. The King's Mistress. Samhain. Jul. 2011. c.198p eISBN 9781609285838. EPUB $5.50. HISTORICAL ROMANCE
Alexander III, the King of Scotland, has ordered the captain of his guard, Britt MacKinnon, to fetch Lady Greer Armstrong back to court. Though the king is newly remarried, he is obsessed with his erstwhile mistress. Greer left the Edinburgh court because she was pregnant with Alexander's child and feared that the queen would see Greer dead before she bore a possible usurper for the throne. Britt is tasked with bringing her back, and his quest sets in motion events that will have life or death consequences. Fortunately, Greer has a twin sister, Geneen, who is determined to protect her sibling at any cost. When Britt shows up on their doorstep, Geneen decides to take her sister's place at court.
Verdict In her first effort for Samhain, Blair (A Highlander for Christmas) uses historical events from 13th-century Scotland as the backdrop for a solid, if not stellar, effort. Making a real figure (Queen Yolande) the villain is interesting, but the speed of the romance (Britt and Geneen are in love within the space of a few days) and the otherwise sketchy characterizations make this of interest only to fans of Terri Brisbin and Janet Chapman and other Scottish romances.—Jane Jorgenson, Madison P.L., WI
Dane, Lauren. Once and Again. Samhain. (Petal, Georgia, Bk. 1). Aug. 2011. c.120p. eISBN 9781609285203. EPUB $4.50. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
In this offshoot to Dane's "Chase Brothers" series (Making Chase), strong-willed Lily Travis returns to her small Georgia town to take care of her younger brother Chris, who is failing school while their mother, depressed after their father took off with a much younger woman, drowns herself in the bottle. As Lily focuses on getting Chris back on track, the last thing she needs is a distraction, especially not his teacher, Nathan Murphy, who caused the broken heart that made Lily leave Petal behind all those years ago. With the Chase and Murphy families on his side, Nathan won't give up until he wins her back, and Lily is finding it hard to resist the full package of sex appeal and heart that only comes around once in a lifetime.
Verdict Readers will be smitten by the Southern charm of this sexy starter to the Petal, GA, series. The sensual romance between these likable protagonists, the focus on family, and ample rolls in the hay make for an entertaining read for your contemporary set.—Kara Kohn, Plainfield P.L., IL
Stacey, Shannon. Yours To Keep. Carina: Harlequin. (Kowalski Family, Bk. 3). 2011. 176p. ISBN 9781426891724. EPUB $4.99. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Having served in the army for 12 years, Sean Kowalski plans to move into the apartment over his cousin's bar and get carpentry jobs while he figures out his future. Emma Shaw intends to build up her landscaping business and buy the big house she grew up in from her grandmother. But Emma must convince her grandmother that she's happy and not living alone, so she pretends to have a live-in fiancé, Sean. The plan works just fine until grandmother decides to come up from Florida for a month-long visit. With nothing better to do, Sean agrees to move in for a month as her "fiancé." How long will it take this pretend couple to discover that they're the real deal?
Verdict Third in the Kowalski Family series (Exclusively Yours, Undeniably Yours), this story starts with one of the ultimate "meet cute" scenarios—the hero is already the fiancé, he's just uninformed! The characters are appealing, including all of the members of Sean's extended family, who tease him mercilessly. There's also a secondary story line involving Emma's grandmother that is priceless. A fun, sexy tale for an afternoon's reading pleasure.—Marlene Harris, Reading Reality
Walker, Shiloh. Locked in Silence. Samhain. (Grimm's Circle, Bk. 5). Sept. 2011. c.138p. ISBN 9781609285289. EPUB $4.50. EROTIC PARANORMAL ROMANCE
After having to kill her possessed sister, Vanya becomes aware of this world's hidden demons and wages a one-woman war against them. She thought she was alone in her fight until a mysterious man in white offers her a chance to join the Grimm, a group of immortal demon-hunters/angels. Together with her trainer, a scarred and silent angel, Vanya hunts down demons plaguing an Ann Arbor, MI, sex club. This inevitably leads to a more private type of training, especially after long nights of stopping sex-starved succubi and incubi. The fifth book in the Grimm's Circle, Locked in Silence focuses on the emotional journey of a new hunter and her Grimm Guide.
Verdict Walker's (Hunter's Fall) race of angels are darker and more violent than their namesake tales, and the book contains graphic scenes that veer into power play. Those new to the series may find the first two chapters confusing, but the story stands on its own. Readers who enjoy their romances on the dark side will find this a welcome edition to the series.—John Rodzvilla, Emerson Coll., Boston
FICTION
Cameron, W. Bruce. Emory's Gift. Forge: Tor. Sept. 2011. c.368p. ISBN 9780765327819. $22.99. F
In this novel by Cameron (A Dog's Purpose), Charlie Hall loses his mother at the age of 13, just as he is navigating junior high school and the troubling teenage years. To make matters worse, his father has retreated into his own sorrow, leaving Charlie even more alone. One day, in the woods behind his home, Charlie is saved from a mountain lion attack by a grizzly bear that he names Emory. His friendship with the bear not only saves his life but changes it in unforeseen ways.
Verdict Readers who enjoy a good sob story featuring animals (think Marley & Me) may enjoy this sappy novel, but this reviewer found it slow moving and saccharine.—Nanci Milone Hill, Boxford Town Lib., MA
Phillips, Scott. The Adjustment. Counterpoint. Aug. 2011. c.224p. ISBN 9781582437309. $25. F
Meet Wayne Ogden, a former master sergeant in the U.S. Army, who desperately misses the war. Wayne never saw any action but created plenty of it in Italy; his tour was spent pimping girls and fencing stolen goods for a hefty profit. Now back in Wichita, KS, he finds himself saddled with a pregnant wife and the insatiable demands of his boss, Everett Collins. Wayne's job is to keep the old man supplied with women and liquor while keeping his name out of the papers. While he longs for the glory of his old life overseas, Wayne begins to get threatening letters about a whore who came to a tragic end in Italy.
Verdict Written in pitch-perfect noir form, this novel by the award-winning author of The Ice Harvest fails to tell a story worth reading. Vulgar at times, the plot never reaches a true pinnacle, and the anonymous letters seem like an afterthought. Strictly for die-hard noir fans only.—Amy Nolan, St. Joseph P.L., MI
Rotella, Sebastian. Triple Crossing. Mulholland: Little, Brown. Aug. 2011. c.416p. ISBN 9780316105309. $24.99. F
Rotella, the author of Twilight on the Line and organized crime reporter for ProPublica, writes what he knows in this fiction debut. When rookie Border Patrol agent Valentine Pescatore literally crosses The Line in San Diego (the border) pursuing a suspect, that's all the leverage agent Isabel Puente needs to get Pescatore to go undercover to investigate his supervisor's criminal connections on both sides of the border. Puente's counterpart in Mexico is Leo Méndez, head of an anticorruption task force that is hunting Junior Ruiz Caballero, a gangster who is the nephew of a senator and has federal and state police in his pocket. A pair of shootings at the border leaves several dead and Pescatore welcomed as the newest member of Caballero's Death Patrol. Neither Puente nor Méndez is sure they can trust Valentine, but he is their best hope to capture Ruiz Caballero when Junior flees to South America's Triple Border region.
Verdict Rotella's crime drama captures the feel of the rampant corruption that is the stuff of headlines in the United States and Mexico. This should satisfy readers far beyond the border. [See Prepub Alert, 2/14/11.]—Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Lib., Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Rotenberg, Robert. The Guilty Plea. Sarah Crichton: Farrar. Jul. 2011. 352p. ISBN 9780374278496. $26. F
Lightening strikes twice in Rotenberg's second electrifying suspense novel. When Terrance Wyler, the prodigal son of the well-known Wyler family, is found dead in a pool of blood in his own home, his young son asleep upstairs, suspicion immediately lands on his estranged wife, Samantha. The two have been engaged in verbal warfare over their impending divorce and custody battle, Terrance's new relationship with an attractive model, and Samantha's hot temper. The case appears ironclad when Samantha shows up with the murder weapon. It isn't until the last minute that a plea deal explodes into a full-blown trial, in which long-held secrets lead to deadly consequences. Fractured families and flawed characters, coupled with the quickly shifting legal fortunes of the defense and prosecution, make for a tension-filled, fast-paced legal thriller. Familiar characters Det. Ari Greene, Crown attorney Jennifer Raglan, and others return from Rotenberg's acclaimed Old City Hall, along with new standouts.
Verdict Numerous strengths overcome minor flaws in a couple of too-neat courtroom revelations, but, overall, this is a must-buy for courtroom drama fans.—Amy Brozio-Andrews, Albany PL
Thacker, Becky. Faithful unto Death. Univ. of Michigan. Aug. 2011. c.284p. ISBN 9780472034697. pap. $22.95. MYSTERY
Did solid, dependable William Henry Thacker really poison his beloved wife, Anna, with arsenic? His children deny it, but the Congregationalist town of Benzonia turns its collective back on him, convicting him with dispatch in this highly detailed portrayal of late 19th-century rural Michigan. Scrolling through the family's story, readers are invited to evaluate the evidence and speculate about what goes on behind closed doors. Poor Henry was burdened by having his sickly and venomous sister-in-law Charlotte living with them, but he also had a crush on the family's housekeeper, a collegiate Jezebel. In a staunchly religious community, how things appear can be enough to turn the tide. It's up to Roy, Ralph, and Lottie to figure out how to rectify a wrong, even if they can't solve the crime.
Verdict Authentic atmosphere and a remarkable portrayal of brave children make for a good read. There's more here than you'll ever need to know about arsenic poisoning, but the courtroom scenes are riveting. Drawing on her own family history, Thacker offers a crime story with Midwestern gothic overtones, not unlike Truman Capote's In Cold Blood. Regional collections will want.—Teresa Jacobsen, formerly with Solano Cty. Lib., Fairfield, CA
NONFICTION
Aufderheide, Patricia & Peter Jaszi. Reclaiming Fair Use: How To Put Balance Back in Copyright. Univ. of Chicago. Aug. 2011. c.232p. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780226032283. pap. $17. LAW
Copyright is a swamp. Corporate interests have perverted the system to their advantage. And they have scared the public with threats of lawsuits in response to innocent acts, argue American University professors Aufderheide (communications) and Jaszi (law). Here, they offer sound advice on users' rights to copyrighted material in their survey of fair use, a "safety valve" built into copyright law. They remind readers that copyright was created to benefit the public, not to enrich producers. They take a moderate position in the Manichean landscape of copyright, recognizing both the value of the system and the need for openness.
Verdict The major failing here is the lack of sourcing: the authors provide only a short alphabetical bibliography. Otherwise, this is a useful work—thoughtful, clear, and generally free of legal jargon—and deserves to be read by scholars, bloggers, documentarians, journalists, and everyone else, since we are all touched daily by copyrights.—Michael O. Eshleman, Kings Mills, OH
Bahadur, Jay. The Pirates of Somalia: Inside Their Hidden World. Pantheon. 2011. c.414p. photogs. index. ISBN 9780307379061. $26.95. INT AFFAIRS
Few people go searching for pirates, but Canadian freelance journalist Bahadur traveled to the Puntland region of northeast Somalia, a self-governing area not officially recognized, to interview some of today's deadly pirates. With two bodyguards, a Somali host, and a reporter's remarkable ability to set aside fear to find a story, Bahadur ventured into this African locale known to most of us for war, famine, and piracy. His accounts of his time are remarkably unbiased by the reports of piracy we hear through Western news outlets. Through a mix of interviews, regional history, and political statistics, Bahadur debunks myths about the roots and practices of Somali pirates and presents a remarkable analysis of piracy along the coast of the Horn of Africa. He gets bogged down in statistical detail from time to time, but his reports of his exchanges with these buccaneers are gripping enough to carry his narrative through.
Verdict This intrepid reporter's fascinating account of piracy is a worthwhile read for scholars of Africa and general audiences alike.—Veronica Arellano, St. Mary's Coll. of Maryland Lib., St. Mary's City
Caggiano, Biba (text) & Jessica Nicosia-Nadler (photogs.). Spaghetti Sauces: Authentic Italian Recipes from Biba Caggiano. Gibbs Smith. Aug. 2011. 128p. photogs. index. ISBN 9781423606888. $19.99. COOKING
Caggiano, who is the chef/owner of BIBA in Sacramento, CA, has written a number of cookbooks with an Italian theme (e.g., Modern Italian Cooking). Her latest is a collection of simple, quick, and interesting recipes arranged by major ingredient—cheese, pesto, tomato, vegetable, seafood, and ragu. Each recipe is prefaced by a sentence from the author. A tomato, butter, and Parmigiano-Reggiano sauce is recommended as an introductory sauce for young children, and a Bologna-style meat ragu is described as a classic sauce of Bologna, the city of the author's birth. Rabbit, monkfish, and mussels are a few of the included ingredients that are not on the most-liked list in U.S. households.
Verdict An excellent source for children or beginning pasta cooks. Recommended as an optional but inexpensive cookbook for all libraries.—Christine Bulson, SUNY at Oneonta Lib.
Gibler, John. To Die in Mexico: Dispatches from Inside the Drug War. City Lights, dist. by Consortium. 2011. c.206p. bibliog. ISBN 9780872865174. pap. $15.95. CRIME
From its first shocking paragraph, this book takes the reader inside Mexico's drug war, a very real shooting battle involving rival gangs fighting to control hundreds of billions of dollars in product. And not only is the government unable to stop the war, in many cases, the government is part of it. To get the real story, journalist Gibler (Mexico Unconquered) hit the streets in some of the most dangerous Mexican cities and neighborhoods, speaking to reporters, photographers, kidnap victims, and the families of the murdered. The code of silence is difficult to break, since reporting on the drug cartels means almost certain death, often with impunity: only five percent of murders are investigated by the Mexican police. The problem is only growing, and the single thing likely to stop this juggernaut is drug legalization, which would make the trade less lucrative. But such a remedy isn't politic, and so the wars and the killings continue.
Verdict This grim but important chronicle is an essential read for anyone interested in the real consequences of the war-on-drugs rhetoric.—Deirdre Bray Root, Middletown P.L., OH
Graeber, David. Debt: The First 5,000 Years. Melville House. 2011. c.544p. index. ISBN 9781933633862. $30. ANTHROPOLOGY
Debt has always been present in human society, according to Graeber (anthropology, Goldsmiths, Univ. of London; Towards an Anthropological Theory of Value). Here he lays out an absorbing history of how and why it has existed. He begins by debunking current beliefs that debt evolved from the bartering of products, followed by the use of money and then the advent of credit. Incorporating a wealth of historical and anthropological examples, he shows that even in societies without cash there is a deeply entrenched notion of debt that can take the form of favors or obligations. The Eskimo in Greenland, for example, give or do things for others in an unspoken compact that entitles them to reciprocal goods or treatment. He also explores ancient financial records by looking at early texts like Mesopotamian cuneiform tablets as well as the current relationship between the International Monetary Fund and Third World debtor nations and shows the inequity involved. Ultimately, he contends that the human condition is predicated upon a creditor/debtor compact.
Verdict This timely and accessible book would appeal to any reader interested in the past and present culture surrounding debt, as well as broad-minded economists.—Brian Renvall, Mesalands Community Coll., Tucumcari, NM
Landis, John. Monsters in the Movies: 100 Years of Cinematic Nightmares. DK. Jul. 2011. 320p. illus. index. ISBN 9780756683702. $40. FILM
As director of An American Werewolf in London and Innocent Blood, Landis is no stranger to horror films. Here, he offers a whirlwind tour of just about everything related to the genre, from the silents to today's computer-generated imagery. Typical of DK, the book includes thousands of captioned photos featuring Landis's commentary on the films. Chapters cover vampires, werewolves, mad scientists, zombies, giant apes, atomic mutations, space monsters, and much more. Subsections spotlight actors like Lon Chaney Jr.—this book is extremely thorough. Landis also provides brief interviews with actor Christopher Lee, directors David Cronenberg, John Carpenter, Guillermo del Toro, and Sam Raimi, makeup master Rick Baker, and legendary stop-motion animator Ray Harryhausen, a wonderful bonus.
Verdict With tons of cool pics and beautifully reproduced film posters, Landis's volume knocks it out of the park as a superbrowsable overview of the beasties, ghosties, and ghoulies that have terrified us on the big screen all in the name of fun. Horror fans will love it.—Mike Rogers, Library Journal
Manso, Peter. Reasonable Doubt: The Fashion Writer, Cape Cod, and the Trial of Chris McCowen. Atria: S. & S. Jul. 2011. c.416p. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780743296663. $25.99. CRIME
When biographer Manso (Brando; Mailer) set out to report on the trial of Christopher McCowen for the murder of Cape Cod writer and heiress Christa Worthington, little did he realize how extensively politics and racial prejudice would influence the case. It is unlikely that McCowen acted alone in the murder, and the way he—a black man—was treated in comparison with other suspects strongly suggests the investigation should be reopened and McCowen granted a new trial, at the very least. Readers may remember this case for the controversial "DNA sweeps," in which all age-eligible men in Truro, MA, were compelled to submit samples; it was this DNA match that snagged McCowen. However, the cozy relationship between the police and the DA's office most likely allowed the true perpetrator to go unpunished (and seemingly uninvestigated).
Verdict While it seems clear that DA Michael O'Keefe ran the investigation and trial in a biased and possibly illegal manner, Manso's message would be more forceful had he avoided a handful of personal attacks on O'Keefe. Still, this compelling and sad look at race relations in America will be of interest to those studying the subject as it pertains to the legal system. It should have popular appeal as well. [See Prepub Alert, 1/31/11.]—Karen Sandlin Silverman, Ctr. for Applied Research, Philadelphia
Meyers, Jeffrey. John Huston: Courage and Art. Crown Archetype. Sept. 2011. c.496p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780307590671. $30. FILM
Not for nothing does Meyers's otherwise chronological biography begin with an account of film director John Huston's friendship with Ernest Hemingway. The two artists had much in common, including an almost reckless disregard for danger and an emotional distance from those closest to them. Huston (1906–87), the son of eminent actor Walter Huston, found fame with his first directorial effort, The Maltese Falcon, in 1941. His other classic motion pictures include The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, The Asphalt Jungle, The African Queen, and his last, The Dead. There have been many books written about Huston, dating at least to 1965, including his own, the somewhat misleadingly titled An Open Book. Among the more recent are Tony Tracy and Roddy Flynn's John Huston: Essays on a Restless Director and Robert Emmet Long's John Huston: Interviews. Prolific biographer Meyers (The Genius and the Goddess: Arthur Miller and Marilyn Monroe) writes with clarity and seems to have included all the cogent facts as well as intelligent interpretation about an extremely complex man.
Verdict This may be the most definitive biography of John Huston to date and should appeal to a large general readership. [See Prepub Alert, 4/25/11.]—Roy Liebman, Los Angeles P.L.
Perry, Steve. Push Has Come to Shove: Getting Our Kids the Education They Deserve (Even If It Means Picking a Fight). Crown. Sept. 2011. c.288p. ISBN 9780307720313. $25. ED
Principal, CNN contributor, and motivational speaker Perry (Man Up! Nobody Is Coming To Save Us) offers parents candid advice on how to maximize their children's education. Part scathing commentary on the state of public education in the United States, part clarion call for parents to challenge the school system, this book is a timely addition to the debate on what's needed to fix the public education system. Readers will appreciate Perry's blunt, no-holds-barred, conversational tone as he aims to demystify school-based issues such as testing, accountability, what constitutes a good teacher, and teacher tenure.
Verdict While his antiunion, charter-school-champion stance is likely to make some uncomfortable or even outraged, he presents an accessible and stimulating contribution to the public education debate. Highly recommended for parents, preservice and working teachers, college students, and others who have a vested interest in the system. [See Prepub Alert, 3/14/11.]—Tamela Chambers, Chicago Public Schs.
Steen, Celine & Joni Marie Newman. Hearty Vegan Meals for Monster Appetites: Lip-Smacking, Belly-Filling, Home-Style Recipes Guaranteed To Keep Everyone-Even the Meat Eaters-Fantastically Full. Fair Winds: Quayside. Jul. 2011. 272p. photogs. index. ISBN 9781592334551. pap. $19.99. COOKING
Steen and Newman (coauthors, The Complete Guide to Vegan Food Substitutes) gear their latest cookbook for seasoned vegans who already have a healthy vegan diet and know where to find vegan ingredients such as TVP (textured vegetable protein) and tempeh. Starter vegans should consider Steen and Newman's 500 Vegan Recipes, which includes a helpful list of "new to you" ingredients. The filling meals here will surely appeal not only to vegans and vegetarians but to the meat eaters in their lives. Hearty treats include Five-Cheese Baked Macaroni and Cheese (which calls for nondairy milk and butter, tofu, and nondairy cheese), Kale Bagels (with two cups of kale), and Polish Sausage (made with TVP, vital wheat gluten flour, and whole wheat pastry flour). Some recipes also include vegetable accompaniments.
Verdict Die-hard vegans and those who love them are sure to relish this distinctive cookbook for eaters with healthy appetites.—Carrie Scarr, West Fargo P.L., ND
Webber, Christopher. American to the Backbone: The Life of James W.C. Pennington, the Fugitive Slave Who Became One of the First Black Abolitionists. Pegasus. 2011. c.480p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 9781605981758. $29.95. BIOG
"I am an American to the backbone," said James W.C. Pennington (1809–70), who escaped slavery in Maryland to become a teacher, a preacher, and a leader of black abolitionists in the North. Webber brings us the life of this amazing man, who was not just any abolitionist. He recognized the dangers of the institution of slavery for both slave and master and perceived the racism in some of the staunchest abolitionists. Webber pieces together the history of Pennington and his times, enhancing Pennington's own personal writings and recollections with information from other primary sources. The results are deliberate in both revealing Pennington's words and counterbalancing those with other sources that sometimes correct some of Pennington's own recollections, inconsistencies that are fairly minor considering Pennington wrote about his experiences (The Fugitive Blacksmith) over 20 years after he escaped from slavery.
Verdict A fascinating read, although some readers may get bogged down by the depth of detail. Webber depicts the North fairly—not as the land of milk and honey for slaves but as a place that had its own racial issues in the Civil War era. Recommended for any biographical or historical collection, especially those that focus on African Americans, slavery, the Civil War, and civil rights.—Sonnet Ireland, Univ. of New Orleans Lib.
Yarm, Mark. Everybody Loves Our Town: An Oral History of Grunge. Crown Archetype. Sept. 2011. c.592p. photogs. ISBN 9780307464439. $25. MUSIC
Yarm, a former editor of Blender, interviewed more than 250 musicians, scenesters, and record business types to deliver a personal, comprehensive history of grunge music, which exploded from Seattle during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Starting with proto-grunge groups, he chronologically canvases the rise of bands such as Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney, and Pearl Jam and demonstrates the importance of the Sub Pop label. The author continues the story with the disintegration of camaraderie within the Seattle music community, platinum success of the bands, the death of Nirvana leader Kurt Cobain, and the end of the mania. Throughout, he expertly transposes the sometimes contradictory reminiscences of his subjects, which lends credibility to his approach.
Verdict Though conducting some of the same interviews and rehashing some material from Greg Prato's recent Grunge Is Dead: The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music, Yarm finds enough new interviewees and stories to make this book an essential complement to Prato's. Together, they provide a definitive history of an important chapter in rock'n'roll. Highly recommended.—Dave Szatmary, Univ. of Washington, Seattle
