The Fish That Ate the Whale: the Life and Times of America's Banana King

The Fish That Ate the Whale:  the Life and Times of America's Banana King
By Rich Cohen
Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2012.  270 pgs.  Biography

Sam Zemurray is not exactly a household name.  Read this book and you will know the story of the persevering, penniless immigrant who became one of America's most complex, richest and politically powerful men of the early 1900's.  From his first sighting of the curious yellow fruit piled on the dock, to his last years, his life was consumed with the banana.  Zemurray's political control extended from the United States through Central America, along the way over throwing governments, influencing Foreign Policy, reinventing the banana industry and finally taking control of his rival, the powerful conglomerate United Fruit Company.

Sam, the Banana Man had the impellent desire to succeed...no matter the cost.

I highly recommend The Fish That Ate the Whale to anyone interested in well researched biographies, early 1900 American business or those curious about the history of the "fruit worth killing for."

MPB

Road Trip

Road Trip
By Gary Paulsen and Jim Paulsen
Wendy Lamb Books, 2013. 114 pgs. Young Adult


At 5 a.m., fourteen-year-old Ben's father tells him to wake up and get in the truck; they're going on a road trip to pick up a border collie from a shelter before his time runs out. They hit the road, along with Atticus, the border collie they already have, and soon manage to pick up a cranky mechanic, a reformed thug friend of Ben's, and a waitress who just quit her job, as well as a new vehicle--a school bus. On their way to rescue the dog, they find themselves mixed up in an adventure, with a hint of a mystery.

This book is short and sweet. It's a quick read with quirky characters who are absolutely lovable, and the best part might just be that it's a dog story where the dogs don't die. Delightful. I loved it.

AE

Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs
by Walter Isaacson
Simon and Schuster, 2011. 630 pgs. Non-fiction

Steve Jobs is regarded as one of the giants, if not the most celebrated individuals, in the tech world. Given the outsized and celebrated public personality of Steve Jobs, the author did a good job to draw a well rounded, honest and fair illustration of his subject. Like many other entrepreneur/innovator/leader types of the past, Jobs possessed a combination of arrogance, insight and charisma that both enabled him to transform his industry and society and caused some of his personal and public failures. He could be mercurial, temperamental and regarded everyone as either a genius or a "bozo". However, his combination of charisma, relentless pursuit of excellence and not a bit of luck enabled him to create innovative, well designed products and content. The world was changed with the advent of the Macintosh, the Iphone/pod/pad products as well as the highly successful animated films of Pixar, a firm he founded while an outcast from Apple. This is a very engaging and fascinating book about a larger than life person, the like of which may not be seen again for years.

CHW

The Boneshaker

The Boneshaker

by Kate Milford

Clarion, 2010.  372 pgs. Young Adult

Kate Milford's very scary story of the devil loose in post World War I Missouri builds slowly, taking its time, scariness flickering around the edges of the story and then subsiding, only to flare up again. Natalie very much wants to learn to ride her boneshaker bicycle, but it is hinged and jointed so strangely that she falls off relentlessly. She also like working in the shop with her father, a mechanic who can repair just about anything.  Together they are working on a small automaton.  But when a traveling medicine show comes to town, everything gets very strange: automata appear that have no need of keys, a devilish array of barkers and healers make there way through the town of Arcane, selling cures that work--for a time.  An interesting, American variation of a "devil at the crossroads" story, The Boneshaker honors courage and confidence in the face of seemingly irrepressible evil.  Best-suited for young people from sixth grade on up.

LW

How to Find Out Anything

How To Find Out Anything: From Extreme Google Searches to Scouring Government Documents, A Guide to Uncovering Anything About Everyone and Everything
by Don MacLeod
Prentice Hall Press, 243 pgs. Non-fiction

For many of us, the prospect of doing research is a daunting one. Where to begin? This book is a good resource for just about anyone, whether its a high school student starting his or her first real paper or the more seasoned information searcher looking to kick up his skills a notch. This book is concise, covering a number of different aspects of information searching. It covers aspects of information such as deep web resources, some more advanced Google searching techniques, the continuing importance of libraries (Hurrah!) and sources of information on associations, businesses and public records. While each subject is not reviewed exhaustively, this is a good resource to get some good tips and tools for begining serious research. I particularly liked the fact that online resources mentioned in each chapter are listed for quick reference. I would recommend this for everyone who wants or needs to seriously dig for information online.

CHW

My Beloved World

My Beloved World
by Sonia Sotomayor
Knopf, 2013.  315 pgs. Autobiography

Justice Sotomayor's impressive autobiography tells the story of a young girl who grew up in the South Bronx, daughter of a loving but alcoholic father (who died when she was nine) and a hardworking but often distant mother. Her paternal grandmother essentially raised her, nurturing and encouraging her, as did her neighborhood friends and family from near and far. Diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at age eight, she took responsibility for her own health when her parents fought over who had to give her shots. This kind of mental toughness would stand her in good stead as she chose her life's goals--discovering that, at that time, diabetics could not become police officers, and figuring that diabetes would also disqualify her for work as a detective like Nancy Drew, she decided she wanted to become a lawyer, like Perry Mason, or better yet, one of the judges who handed down the verdicts for Perry's clients. Hard work in school and encouragement from her high school sweetheart led her to apply to Princeton, even though she had no idea at the time what was meant by an Ivy League school.  Not only was she accepted, but she graduated summa cum laude, another phrase with which she was unfamiliar. After graduating from Yale Law School she chose to work as a prosecutor, racking up valuable and immediate courtroom experience, then went on to a civil law firm where she wore a bulletproof vest and sped around on a motorcycle to catch producers of knock-off handbags when they moved their merchandise from one warehouse to another.  There is much to learn from this fine volume:  about the law, about Puerto Rico, about what is required to rise above poverty and a difficult childhood into a life of extraordinary accomplishment. "My Beloved World" is a fine memoir which disappointingly stops short of Ms. Sotomayor's time on the Bench, but which reveals a young girl and young woman who took on all obstacles with grit, determination, compassion, and a finely honed sense of justice and fair play.

LW

125 True Stories of Amazing Animals

125 True Stories of Amazing Animals
National Geographic, 2012. 112 pgs. Young Adult Nonfiction

This book is tons of fun, with stories about pig sporting events, a music band made up of cats, a dog that rescues cats, a disabled rabbit who rides with a skateboard-like brace and cheers up hospital patients, a penguin who was knighted, and a camel who was made a sheriff’s deputy, just for starters. They’re short little stories--just a couple paragraphs each--so you don’t get a ton of details, but they’re super fun and cute. This is a great book for reluctant readers and animal lovers.

AE

The Friday Society

The Friday Society
By Adrienne Kress
Dial Books, 2012. 440 pgs. Young Adult

Cora is the assistant to an inventor, Nellie is the assistant to a magician, and Michiko is the assistant to a combat instructor. The three girls are thrown together when dead bodies start crossing their paths and they must use their combined talents to figure who is behind the murders. Individually, each girl has numerous talents, but together, they just might be able to save London.

This steampunk mystery-adventure story is tons of fun. It's lighthearted and fluffy, and all three of the girls are strong, likable characters. The language doesn't always the time period and can occasionally be jarring and distracting, but readers should be able to overlook that and enjoy the book's many good points.

AE

Commander: The Life and Exploits of Britain's Greatest Frigate Captain

Commander: The Life and Exploits of Britain's Greatest Frigate Captain
by Stephen Taylor
W.W. Norton & Co., 2012. 307 pgs. Nonfiction

In a career spanning several decades, from the American Revolution to the fall of Napoleon in 1815, the life of Edward Pellew was the stuff of novels. Indeed, he is regarded by many as the basis for the main character in Patrick O'brian's Jack Aubrey series. Like that character, he proves himself to be a excellent sailor and ship commander, though saddled with a talent for making enemies among other fleet commanders and flag officers. In a service where patronage and promoting favorites is practically de regueur, he shamelessly promoted his sons to positions of command. However, his courage, fighting spirit and luck made him a national hero until Lord Nelson supplanted him. This is a very engaging and entertaining read. I highly recommend this for any fans of of history or naval adventure stories. It reads well as both.

CHW

One for the Books

One for the Books
by Joe Queenan
Viking, 2012.  244 pgs. Nonfiction

Joe Queenan, journalist, reviewer, lover of books, didn't care for David Benioff's City of Thieves because no one who had survived the siege of Leningrad could ever have become a Yankees' fan. And although he reads at least two  hours a day and sometimes longer, and reads a hundred books a year and "often twice that many," he never reads in the bathroom. One for the Books is irreverent, thoughtful, scathing, equal parts good sense and oddness, a book bibliophiles will love if for no other reason than that it is loaded with good book recommendations, many of them in French, alas.

LW

Bunny Drop

Bunny Drop
By Yumi Unita
Yen Press, 2010. 203 pgs. Young Adult Comics

If you think that all graphic novels are made up of sparking eyes, outlandish costumes, and super powers, you must check out this book. Bunny Drop isn’t about saving the world, but instead about a thirty year old bachelor who ends up adopting a 6 year old girl. It is a literary and whimsical tale that focuses on the difficulties and joys of raising children. Told in a series of vignettes, the reader gets to watch Rin grow up and become an adjusted, happy girl, and Daikichi grow from an irresponsible loner into a father. Lighthearted and touching, these are stories that would hold their own in any form, and the art only serves to enhance the experience.

 Each of the eight volumes in the Bunny Drop series is one of my favorite books. I love how the characters worm their way into the reader’s affections through their comedic adventures and earnest attempts to improve themselves beyond their capacity. The art is stark and almost sketchy, and each expression is rendered as simply as possible in order to instantly convey the meaning and tone to the mind of the reader. I would recommend this for older teens who enjoy literature and realistic fiction and think they might want to try out the wonderful world of Japanese Manga, and also for hard-core manga lovers who would like a glimpse of daily life in modern Japan. Adults would also enjoy this series, and it is an especially easy introduction to reading a graphic novel as the expressions and language sync up so well (just remember to start at the back and read right to left!).


 JM

Drops of Gold

Drops of Gold
By Sarah M. Eden
Covenant Communications, 2012. 191 pgs. Romance

 When her father's death leaves her destitute and with no one to turn to, Marion lies about her name, her class, and her qualifications in order to obtain a position as a governess. When she arrives at Farland Meadows, she finds that Caroline, although really too young for a governess, is a delightful child, but both she and her handsome but troubled father, Layton need more joy brought into their lives. Layton Jonquil is pleased with the changes in his daughter brought about the new governess and finds himself falling for her, but after the tragedy of his first marriage, combined with the difference in their stations, he can't allow himself to act on those feelings.

Yet another delightful read for fans of Regency romances in general and Sarah Eden's works in particular. Both Marion and Layton are endearing characters, and Caroline is adorable. Guest appearances of Layton's large family (including Phillip, hero of Friends and Foes) add to the fun. There's a good mixture of deep issues and humor, and there's really nothing not to like.

AE

Prodigy

Prodigy
By Marie Lu
G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2012. 384 pages. Young Adult

June and Day arrive in Vegas and make contact with Patriot rebels who agree to help heal Day's wound and help him find his brother, but for a price.  June and Day are recruited into assisting the Patriots with a deadly mission: to assassinate the new Elector.

I usually find that the second novel in a trilogy serves only as filler or a means to an end, but I thought this was even better than the first book, Legend.  We see a broader look at The Capitol and thoughtful consideration of what the ramifications might be if June and Day successfully carry out what they are called upon to do.  June and Day are smart and exciting characters to read and we get to see more glimpses of this interesting futuristic world than we have before.  Highly entertaining.

BHG

Glitch

Glitch
By Heather Anastasiu
St. Martin's Press, 2012. 308 pages. Young Adult

The Community is a haven for humanity, where emotions have been wiped clean and thoughts replaced by a feed from the Link network, all made possible through an implanted computer chip.  But Zoe has started to glitch, experiencing minutes or hours where she is disconnected from the Link and experiences thoughts and emotions.  Though she considers submitting herself for repairs, she is terrified of being deactivated for having a dangerous new ability: uncontrollable telekinetic powers.  As she hides her awareness, she starts to realize that she isn't the only one who seems to be waking up.

While being a decent dystopia, there isn't much that is new or memorable happening in this book.  I would probably only recommend it to dedicated young adult dystopia fans.

BHG

Insignia

Insignia
By S. J. Kincaid
Katherine Tegen Books, 2012. 444 pages. Young Adult

Tom Raines has spent years drifting with his gambler father, until he catches the eye of the U.S. government with his virtual-reality prowess at online games. He's offered a position at an elite military academy where they train young geniuses to become members of the Intrasolar Forces who fight in World War III.  All of Tom's hopes of becoming important seem to be about to come true, but at what cost?

This was actually a very cool book that is a great read for teen guys.  Although the storyline may remind you of other teen books like Ender's Game and The Lightning Thief, there are some interesting new themes explored in this futuristic dystopia, underlined by likable characters and a quick moving plot.  Highly recommended.

BHG

The Crimson Crown

The Crimson Crown
By Cinda Williams Chima
Hyperion Book, 2012. 598 pages. Young Adult

The fourth and final book in the Seven Realms series finds queen Raisa and wizard Han Alister struggling to maintain tensions between the wizards, Clans, and people of the Fells.  Raisa is constantly reminded that she should distance herself from the dangerous Han, despite her growing love for him.  Han must balance a world of magic and cut-throat politics with his feelings for Raisa, and soon finds himself in possession of a secret which could unite the people of the Fells.  That is, if he can live long enough to make use of it.

This is a great conclusion to a great series.  I love it when both people in a relationship are strong and capable on their own, enough so that you could read a book about only one of them and still enjoy it thoroughly.  If you're interested in this series, the first book is called The Demon King.

BHG

The Emperor's Soul

The Emperor's Soul
By Brandon Sanderson
Tachyon Publications, 2012. 175 pages. Fantasy

Shai is a master Forger, a person with the ability to create illusions that mimic people or objects.  She has been condemned to death for trying to steal the emperor's scepter, but she is given a chance to be released if she performs one final forgery: a recreation of the soul of the emperor who is almost dead.  To do this, she will have to find out as much as possible about who he truly is and engage all of her artistic talent and skill, or she could pay with her life.

This is a novella that takes place in the same world as Elantris, although you don't need to have read that book to understand and enjoy this.  Shai's character is explored as she pours herself into her work, her motives and desires examined and her abilities as an artist flexed and challenged.  It's an interesting character study set within a larger context of political intrigue and the morality of the ruling class.  A quick, interesting read.

BHG

Adaptation

Adaptation
By Malinda Lo
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2012. 386 pages. Young Adult

While Reese is waiting in an airport on her way home from a disappointing debate competition, birds across the nation have suddenly started to hurl themselves into airplanes causing crashes, hundreds of deaths, and panicked confusion.  Reese and her debate partner David try to drive a rental car from Arizona home to San Francisco, but on the way a bird flies into their headlights and their car is totaled.  Reese wakes up in a military hospital with more questions than answers, and after returning home she finds her world has changed as she tries to find out the truth of what happened that day.

While this has an interesting premise, it lost much of the momentum through the middle of the novel. The final revelation was surprising but it was a bit hard to get there.

BHG

Glow

Glow
By Amy Kathleen Ryan
St Martin's Griffin, 2011. 307 pages. Young Adult

The Empyrean is a multi-generational ship on its way through deep space to inhabit a new, distant planet.  Fifteen-year-old Waverly is part of the first generation successfully conceived onboard.  She has a close relationship with the handsome captain in training, Kieran Alden, and a less expected friendship with the dark and brooding Seth.  But her life and concerns are interrupted when danger arrives in the form of their sister ship, the New Horizon, who haven't yet successfully conceived a new generation.

This is heavier, darker, and more complex than I was expecting for a young adult novel.  The characters are human, flawed, not entirely good, not entirely bad.  I felt a sort of desperation as I read the events that unfolded and realized that they are generations from an inhabitable planet or help of any kind.  This is an engrossing story that you will read in two days but will think about for weeks.

BHG

False Memory

False Memory
By Dan Krokos
Hyperion, 2012. 327 pages. Young Adult

Miranda wakes up with no memory of who she is or where she belongs.  While exploring a nearby mall, she discovers that she can release an energy that causes panic in everyone around her.  She meets Peter who strangely doesn't seem to be affected by her ability.  Peter says he knows who she is and as she follows him she comes to learn that she is a genetically altered teen, trained to be a weapon as part of a special force.  But Miranda finds it hard to adjust to her old life, and discovers dark secrets that may change her life and the lives of everyone around her.

This is a fast paced story that is light on character development and heavy on action and explosions.  The storyline is interesting with good twists and reveals, but I was left struggling a bit to care for the characters.  Still I think this will appeal to teens looking for a fast moving sci fi.

BHG

Buried in the Sky . . .

Buried in the Sky: The Extraordinary Story of the Sherpa Climbers on K2's Deadliest Day
by Peter Zuckerman and Amanda Padoan
Norton, 2012.  285 pgs.  Nonfiction

On August 1, 2008, eleven climbers died on the slopes of K2, the world's second highest mountain. In 2010, Graham Bowley published a chilling, elegant narrative of that disaster in "No Way Down:  Life and Death on K2." In this new book, "Buried in the Sky . . . " Zuckerman and Padoan expand on Bowley's text by providing background on and eyewitness testimony from the high altitude native guides who risked the anger of their gods as well as their own lives in taking their clients to the top of the mountain. Most of the fatalities of that day resulted not from the attempt to summit, which many did way too late in the day after the congestion at K2's Bottleneck slowed everyone down, but because as the climbers descended in the darkness, seracs above the Bottleneck broke away carrying some climbers to their deaths, and tearing away the fixed ropes that would have guided the others to safety. Because the book lets us into the lives of the Nepalese, Pakistani, and Tibetan guides, their heroism and selflessness shine even more brightly, and their loss cuts more deeply.  I would recommend reading the Bowley book first, then on to the Zuckerman/Padoan volume in order to get the truest picture of one of the most tragic days in the annals of mountaineering.

LW

The Great Pearl Heist . . .

The Great Pearl Heist: London's Greatest Thief and Scotland Yard's Hunt for the World's Most  Valuable Necklace

by Molly Caldwell Crosby
Berkley Books, 2012.  288 pgs.  Non-fiction

In the early 1900s the value of diamonds fell, and the price of pearls rose. So when Max Mayer, a London jewelry broker, shipped an essentially priceless necklace of matching pink pearls to London from France, someone intercepted the mail to relieve him of them. That someone was Lewis Grizzard's gang, a loose consortium of thieves who bribed a postal worker or two to get the mailbag alone so the switch could be made.  Enter Chief Inspector Andrew Ward, dean of detectives for Scotland Yard, whose task it is to find the pearls and bring the miscreants to justice. Crosby's is a fascinating account of how master thieves went about their work, and more importantly, about fencing the goods ,as well as the advancement of police work. (In those days, undercover work was frowned upon by the general population because it was not "sporting.")  The anticipated intellectual battle between Lewis Grizzard and Inspector Ward never quite pans out, since the thieves are finally caught because they were ratted out by a couple of "prospective buyers" hoping for the reward, but this is still a fun, fast, interesting read filled with information about times gone by.

LW

Dodger

Dodger
by Terry Pratchett
HarperCollins, 2012.  360 pgs. Young Adult.

Dodger is a tosher and a thief, whatever it takes to keep body and soul together in Victorian London. He lives with a man named Solomon whom he saved from misfortune and as the book begins, he saves someone else--a young lady trying to escape from ruffians carrying her off in a coach, against her will. Along comes help in the form of one Charlie Dickens (you will have heard of him), and Henry Mayhew, who takes the girl home to be attended to, and Dodger along with them. Soon the 17-year-old is caught up in a foreign plot to bring the young lady home to a so-called husband who despises her, but needs her for some sort of alliance between nations. England is in a tough spot, not wanting to give her up, but bound by international law to return her to her husband.  Dodger must save the day, with the help of lots more historical characters including Sir Robert Peel, Sweeney Todd, the demon barber of Fleet Street, Benjamin Disraeli, and Queen Victoria herself. Saints be praised that Sir Terry's early-onset Alzheimer's is of the slow-advancing variety, so that he can still bless us with stories such as these--funny, a bit naughty, filled with wordplay (keep an eye out for titles of Dickens' novels worked into the text), and nourishing. 

LW

Violins of Autumn

Violins of Autumn 
By Amy McAuley
Walker, 2012. 326 pgs. Young Adult

After lying about her age, Betty has become a Special Operations Executive, alias Adele, and parachutes into France to serve as a courier for the French resistance. Adele has been well-trained but at the same time, nothing can quite prepare someone for the dangers of spying on and opposing the Germans, and Adele, who has been isolated and lonely for most of her life, isn't prepared for falling in love or even forming friendships with her fellow agents.

I really liked this book! It's similar to Code Name Verity, but I actually liked it better. There's a good mixture of adventure and suspense, with a little bit of romance. Adele's a great, well-developed protagonist, and supporting characters are great as well. Highly enjoyable.

AE

The Girl Who Owned a City

The Girl Who Owned a City
By O.T. Nelson; adapted by Dan Jolley; illustrated by Joelle Jones
Graphic Universe, 2012. 125 pgs. Graphic novel.

When a deadly virus kills everyone over the age of twelve, the kids of the world have to scrounge and fight to survive. Lisa Nelson decides to take matters into her own hands and organize a group which evolves into a city of children banded together, working for the same goals of peace, order, and safety.

Adapted from what was originally a children's chapter book, this graphic novel is an excellent take on the story. I usually don't enjoy graphic novels, but this particular one captivated me. The artwork is a much higher caliber than is standard for many graphic novels and the story was pared down in a way that made a good length for a graphic novel and yet still did justice to the original book. Fascinating read.

CW

The Impossible Rescue

The Impossible Rescue: The True Story of an Amazing Arctic Adventure
By Martin W. Sandler
Candlewick Press, 2012. 163 pgs. Young Adult Nonfiction

In September 1897, winter came early in Alaska, and eight whaling ships became stuck in the rapidly-forming ice at the northern tip of Alaska, leaving 265 whalers trapped with few supplies and little food. When word got out about their predicament, none other than U.S. President William McKinley ordered that they be rescued and provided the outline of just how that was to be undertaken: three men were to land on the Alaskan coast--as far north as they could go--and then cross the 1700 miles to the stranded men, along the way convincing two reindeer herders to let them buy their herds on credit and help bring the deer across mountains and ice through the blizzards of the Alaskan winter to the stranded men. Although the daring rescue seemed impossible, men volunteered to be the rescuers and set off to face the brutal conditions and harsh terrain in order to try to save their fellowmen.

This real life adventure is a must-read for anyone interested in fascinating but overlooked stories from history. It's made all the better by the fact that Sandler has included photographs of the expedition. Readers will enjoy following along as the three rescuers, and the Alaskans willing to help in their journey, race against time and the weather to make it to the stranded men in time.

AE

Jepp, Who Defied the Stars

Jepp, Who Defied the Stars
By Katherine Marsh
Hyperion, 2012. 369 pgs. Young Adult Historical Fiction

Jepp is a teenage dwarf living in the 1500's. His early childhood is spent in a small village but he soon finds himself entertaining in a royal court and discovers that life can be very cruel. Through all of his struggles he misses his mother and wishes he knew the identity of his father. This quest eventually sends him all over Europe. Jepp spends much of his time trying to decide if our fate is predetermined by the stars or if we can decide our own destiny.

Jepp is a very likeable character and I just really wanted his life to turn out well. There are several historical figures that play a role in this story and it is interesting to see a different side of court life. I was a little surprised that this was a Young Adult novel, not that there was anything objectionable in the story, just that the writing style and topics seem like they would appeal more to adults.

AL

Envious Casca

Envious Casca
By Georgette Heyer
Sourcebooks Landmark, 2010. 396 pgs. Mystery

Fans of Heyer’s historical romances may be interested to learn that she also wrote mysteries. Set in early 20th century England, the setting and characters are permeated with period dialog and descriptions, just as readers of her romances have come to expect. Here, Uncle Joseph is throwing a Christmas party, inviting the whole family with all of their quarrels and discontent. The first third of the book solely describes the festivities and family dynamic; the victim and detective aren’t even revealed until after page 100. Though this may be strange for a mystery book, it makes for excellent reading as the reader gets to experience the British culture of the time and try their own hand at guessing who might be the murderee and murderer.

Though second in the series about amiable detective Hemingway, this particular book is perfect for the holidays even if you haven’t read the first. Taking place over the days surrounding Christmas, the book involves familiar family fights, awkwardness, and cheer; but all in a pleasant British background. Though I wouldn’t consider myself to have a huge amount of experience with mysteries, I liked how the solution of this one involved psychology as opposed to some detective trick or accidental discovery. Even a seasoned reader will have trouble picking out the killer, yet by the end will wonder how they could have missed it.

JM

The Black Box

The Black Box
by Michael Connelly
Little, Brown and Company, 2012.  403 pgs. Mystery.

During the Los Angeles riots of 1992, much of South Central L.A. was a crime scene, and in Michael Connelly's latest, Harry Bosch and his team are moving at breakneck speed from homicide to homicide gathering only the most essential information and evidence and then moving on to the next shooting.  But one murder stands out for him--a Danish journalist, shot to death execution style in an alley somewhat removed from the worst rampaging. Harry does as much for her as he can, as quickly as he can, but then must move on and leave the case to others.  Twenty years later when the L.A. cold case division is asked to look into homicides from that era, Harry picks out Anneke Jesperson's file and revisits the crime scene he once so hastily secured. Few contemporary writers do
police procedurals as well as Michael Connelly, and The Black Box is no exception. Harry's patient but relentless fitting together of the puzzle pieces of Jesperson's death is deeply satisfying, and though a host of lucky coincidences lead to the story's  unlikely ending, this is still a terrific book, great escape fiction for the dark of the year.

LW

The Secret Keeper

The Secret Keeper 
By Kate Morton
Atria Books, 2012. 484 pgs. Fiction

 While hiding in a tree during a family picnic, 16-year-old Laurel watches a stranger approach her mother. She sees the conversation escalate and then sits stunned as the exchange turns deadly. Decades later, Laurel is compelled to investigate the man, her mother and the mysterious set of events that preceded what occurred that summer afternoon. Her efforts to uncover the secrets her mother has obsessively guarded for so many years feels to be both a betrayal and a service, but Laurel is determined to find the truth.

In "The Secret Keeper," Kate Morton provides us with another entertaining mystery that spans generations and provides plenty of unexpected revelations. While not my favorite of her works, "The Forgotten Garden" maintains that designation, I still enjoyed this new novel and enthusiastically recommend it to almost anyone.

CZ