Cainsville and Age of Legends, Kelley Armstrong

Recently I’ve been tearing through Kelley Armstrong’s books, particularly her fantasy books from the Cainsville and The Age of Legends series.  Previously I’ve read her Nadia Stafford series which is detective series.  I am delighted with everything I’ve read so far.

Cainsville is set in Chicago and an "imaginary" nearby small town, Cainsville (don't go looking for it on a map).  Having spent more than half my life in the midwest it was a very comfortable regional read.  (Those of you following me on Facebook know that I'm starting off retirement with literary tours.)  The Olivia, th main character, suddenly discovers she is adopted and that her birth parents are in prison for multiple murders.  She becomes acquainted with her birth mother's last attorney, a notorious attorney who does what is needed to get his often shady clients off of charges.  

She ends up, accidentally, retreating to Cainsville.  There she takes a job in to local diner (up to this time her adopted family is wealthy and she has lived a committed life as an advocate for homeless and abused women).  There she finds what seems to be a safe and almost timeless community that supports her.  There are the usual small-town characters but overall it is an idyllic retreat from Chicago and the media that has been hounding her.  Here the fun begins.

Armstrong weaves a new view of the fae, the Hunt, and other mythical entities into a very modern setting.    There is a perhaps a bit more sex in the book than I would normally recommend.  It makes it a series that I think prevents it from being a book that teachers could recommend to even high school students.  (I must be getting really old!  I could easily take the sex out, leave the romance, and get on with the story.)

The four books in the series were all well crafted and enjoyable reads.  I think Armstrong has left a possibility for additional books in the series which I would read immediately.  Some critics have criticized the series for being "slow" to unfold the plot and setting.  I did not find this problematic.  As a reader who is exploring a range of mythologies I was not impatient.  My own knowledge filled in the details that Armstrong does not immediately provide.  

In The Age of Legends series Armstrong turns to a more traditional fantasy setting, a "medieval" village, an emperor, and magical/mythical threats.  Twin sisters Ashyn and Moira are the spiritual leaders of their village, the outpost to the wilds where convicts are sent to die, or survive.  If they survive the are recovered after a year having served their sentence.  This series is a young adult series and will capture the attention of many readers.  There is plenty of action (sword fights and evil forces) to keep the attention of male and female readers.  I suspect it will be much more popular with young women.  There is a strong male character, Gavril Kitsune, who will engage young men.  I hope that in the second book that Armstrong develops him further to make the series more attractive to male readers (but there are many books out for them so I won't be disturbed if she does not).  

What I particularly appreciate in this book is the limited knowledge of the main characters, Ashyn and Moira.  In the tradition of "unreliable narrators" Armstrong helps us feel the confusion and anger of young women as they come to terms with the adult realities of their worlds.

Neither series is elevated to "four star" status because they don't rise to "universal truths" but they come close.  Armstrong certainly deals with some the interpersonal tensions of adult life as well as issues of power, politics and "human" weakness. 

Someone, by Alice McDermott

I have been reading relatively light "popular fiction" recently (as my stress at work increases the "weight" of my reading selections decreases).  I listened to this audio book because I was between titles and decided it was time for a break (and it was available).

Now I am going to have to reread parts of it (and probably obtain a paper copy). 

This is a complex tale told in a non-linear style.  In ways it makes the story even more engrossing.  You aren't completely anxious about the well being of the characters and can really appreciate the nuances of character, plot and setting.  The time frame spans the early Twentieth Century.  The main character, Marie, and Irish Catholic girl living in Brooklyn in many ways resonates with my own families.  She is of an age with my mother.  I married into a large Irish Catholic family (with some Germans thrown in).  I have not ties to Brooklyn but I certainly appreciate the great changes that have come into women's lives in the 20th and 21st centuries. 

A well told tale! 

Deadline and Field of Prey by John Sandford

Yes--a two-for!  I enjoy John Sandford's books.  I'm a midwestern gal--born and raised in Iowa, just a bit south of the settings of his books.  It may be that I "get" some of the regional quirks and references that others might miss.  Every book takes me back to what is wonderful, and odd about Iowa/Minnesota.

These two books particularly appeal to me.  They unfold in a concurrent time frame.  Lucas (Field of Prey) and Virgil (Deadline) are talking with each other throughout both books.  Sandford does a masterful job of flirting with the reader without creating any road-blocks to understanding or appreciating both books.

Of the two I probably enjoyed Deadline a bit more, but I read it most recently so it may just be a matter of immediate recall.  Virgil is called by his friends in southeastern Minnesota (close to my last location in Iowa!).  He gets pulled into a triple--dognapping, meth manufacturing/distribution, and school board malfeasance.  It is this last that really got me.  As I near the end of my career in education I am more and more aware of the roll of greed and opportunism in our schools.  I don't know if it has always been this way--but I am very aware that public education is at the center of some very unpleasant financial dealings.  Hopefully Sandford has created a fiction way beyond the realities of any real situation. 

Meanwhile, I get a laugh out of the characters and relish the appreciation Sandford has for the finer qualities of many small town midwesterners.  With a few exceptions they are wonderful people who really should be the "heart" of our American values.  Sandford's characters are as flawed and as wonderful as my neighbors and friends. 

If you're looking for great entertainment spend some wonderful hours with Virgil and his collection of interesting characters in Deadline.

Field of Prey  is the stronger thrilling sort of read on which Sandford originally built his writing career. It is a well crafted detective story continuing the tale of Lucas Davenport, his family, and team.  In the last several books in this series he has also been adding a bit about politics.  I appreciate his perspectives and insight on the political process.  He does a good job of avoiding flat characters and helps me think about the effects that politics is having on our national life. 

Both are good reads and compliment each other quite nicely. 

Help for the Haunted by John Searles

This book was pretty compelling, right up to the end. 

Sylvie, a bright and motivated 14 year old, lives in a pretty discouraging home.  Her parents "heal" the haunted.  Her older sister is a rebel.  The book is a murder mystery.  Early in the story Sylvie's parents are murdered in a local church.  Sylvie may be the only one who has answers to the identity of the real murderer.

Over all I enjoyed the book.  The strands of the mystery are many and interwoven.  I would have personally chosen a different ending, but that is because I am always looking for cross-over books (adult books for young adults).  I will hesitate to recommend this book without forewarning (in my conservative state). 

One strength of the book is that there are many adults and a few young adults who actually support Sylvie and are actually somewhat helpful.  The main characters are relatively nuanced.  Generally I can recommend this as a summer read. 

The October List, Jeffery Deaver (2013)

I apologize for being so quiet.  I have been reading!  Some haven't been worth the blog space.  (I actually quit reading a book--good heavens!  I don't think I'll share the title, it was a great disappointment from a favorite author.  Just a hint--watch out for successful authors who begin to write co-authored books in which they are the second author!)

Back to The October List

I began composing (in my mind) a negative review of the book.  I thought Deaver had jumped into a writing experiment that spun out of control.  If you pick up the book--be warned.  At first you'll think Deaver has gone over the edge.  About one third of the way in you'll get hooked.  By the end you'll be breathless.

I got this as an audio book.  (Old age is not kind.  If you want to live to read all the books on your list you have to start walking while reading so that you can live long!)  For a bit of time I thought it was the audio format that was diminishing my enjoyment.  That turned out not to be true--but be warned.  There are photographs that accompany the book.  I could have looked at PDF files that were included in the audio book, but my library loan period expired before I got to opening that file.  A great reason to visit my local bookseller!

I can't say much about the book--it would spoil it.  The story starts and the end and then works backward.  Deaver will keep you reading!  I recommend planning to lose track of time (or walk a few extra miles like I did!)  The plot begins with a single mom whose daughter is kidnapped.  It sounds predictable--but is far from it.

I'd love to use this as a cross-over adult/YA book.  There are a couple of topics introduced that might make some students uncomfortable.  Make certain you read it first.  If you want to explore issues of narrative structure and text complexity this book is a great example of how limited CCSS and most "curriculum" is.  Authors are endlessly inventive!

Kudos Mr Deaver!

Gray Matter by Nick Pirog

I've been buying some inexpensive books recommended by a service called Book Bub--it sends me a daily list of "bargins."  Some of these have been really good reads, others I abandon.  This particular title is somewhere in between.  There were many flaws in the book, which made me a little agitated as I read, but overall I think Pirog is a promising author.  I finished the book in spite of the occasional lapses.  This is a "detective fiction" book with murder investigation as the primary plot. It is set primarily in the Northwest United States.

Pirog needs a good (and ruthless) editor.  The main character should be a relatively mature adult, certainly the life experiences that he has had would season someone of his intelligence and background.  However, he consistently behaves and thinks as a "semi-adult"--more like someone in their early twenties that the more early 40s that would be suggested by the book.  There are numerous technical errors in the book which should have been resolved through better research and editing.  One research lapse that I found particularly offensive was the extremely casual research about the wolf reintroduction programs in the Northwest and the habits of wolf packs.  I have a middle stand on wolf reintroduction, however this hot topic is not aided by inaccurate representations of the dangers of wolves.   Other irrelevant sub-plots should have been eliminated including the girl-friend at the beginning of the book and "Harold's story."

Still, the book shows that Pirog is a promising young author.  I have plenty of other options and still I was willing to keep reading.  I see from Internet searches that he has several other books out.  I think perhaps I'll give another one a try and see if he has worked on his author's craft since his first book.

Plugged, by Eoin Colfer

I've done a mini Colfer institute with myself this last few days.  I've read both a YA and adult book by Colfer.  This is the book for the adult market.

I'm liking the character and voice in this one a lot.  The main character and narrative voice is Daniel McEvoy who is a former serviceman with the NATO peacekeeping forces in the Middle East.  He is also originally from Ireland but now lives in New Jersey.  He ends up sort of falling into detective work because his girlfriend at the seedy nightclub/casino where he is working as a bouncer is killed.  Of course, being New Jersey--the mob is involved!

Daniel is haunted by voices--those of people who are dead, but also some who may or may not be alive.  He is also plagued by masculine insecurities.  I'm really drawn to this character/voice.  In some ways it reminds me of Janet Evonovich's early works.  There is also the gritty sort of atmosphere/settings that make detective work a bit more realistic than some of the more affluent detectives/clients.

I'll be reading more of this series!

Zombie Fallout, by Mark Tufo

This came to me as a "Book Bub" promotion (an email promotion that sends a listing of free/inexpensive ebooks).  I picked it up on a whim, I've been reading a lot of paranormal fantasy lately.  I was pleasantly surprised.  Turfo's narrator has a most refreshing voice that makes the zombie apocalypse presented in this series of books new and different from the typical grim zombie story. 

Michael Talbot is a flawed, unemployed, suburban ex-Marine, survivalist who finds himself one of the few in his affluent gated-community up to the challenges of a zombie pandemic.  He has children whom he loves, a best friend a few miles away, and a petite wife who is surprisingly tough.  Together they meet the challenges of a zombie take-over and help their community defend their lives and homes.

Throughout the book I was laughing and thoroughly enjoyed Talbot's sarcastic, immature, but self-aware narration.  He has a bull-dog devotion to his friends and family that ultimately force him into to the unwilling role of hero.

I shared this book with my 23 year-old son.  He has since read the other five titles in the series.  (I have not.)  He tells me that the first title is the best, but it's worth noting that he took the time from video game play and general semi-adult hi-jinx to read the entire series.

Generally the content has been aimed at an adult audience, but I would be quite comfortable recommending it to older teens.  It would make for a very interesting comparative analysis of voice.  I can see putting this together with WWZ and other zombie literature to complete a careful analysis of voice, mood, and tone.

A Sunless Seam, by Anne Perry

Random House:  2012

This latest addition to the William Monk series is equal to any of Perry's other works. Those of you unfamiliar with Anne Perry's work, she sets most of her books in Victorian England. Thus, in addition to a gripping detective story, you also gain an appreciation of the Victorian era. The book continues the theme from Perry's most recent Monk novel, but she provides adequate details so that readers who have not completed,  Acceptable Loss, will not find following the plot difficult.

This book explores the opium trade and the opium wars that marred this period of  British history. Her portrayal but seems realistic that I have no expertise to be able to evaluate the accuracy of her research. I find it extremely believable and detailed enough that but I am willing to take it at face value.

Thea plot and characterizations are among Perry's best. I appreciate the way that she actually develops characters over the series and rejoice in William Monk's change of relationship with his former antagonist Runicorn.

I had the opportunity to travel to London this summer. Doing so has changed my reading experience. Although the docks are no longer the dangerous and dirty territory portrayed in this novel, having been there and on the Thames, I have a much greater sense of place. Envisioning Perry's books while I visited enrich my time in the city as well. I found myself wanting to purchase copies of them so I could work through the details. Unfortunately, I did not have enough time to really walk through either Anne Perry's books or Sherlock Holmes adventures. In my next trip, I will plan more time so that I can complete these literary explorations.

the Distant Echo, by Val McDermid

2003

This stand alone novel by Val McDermid is helping elaborate my background for an upcoming trip to Scotland. I am probably going to be seeing murderers everywhere I turn. To keep in balance I'm also watching the BBC Hamish Macbeth television series.

McDermid tells the story of four male college students who happen upon a young woman who has been brutally attacked and dies as they try to help her. The four become the police's primary suspects although they are innocent of the murder. No charges are ever brought against them and the murder goes unsolved. The four have to live of with the suspicions of the murdered girl's brothers and other community members. The investigation is reactivated as a cold case with the advent of DNA testing and other advances in forensic science.

I have read almost all of McDermid's Tony Hill novels. The Distant Echo did not really capture my imagination as much as the Hill novels do. The novel spans 25 years and has to keep two parallel time frames sensible to the reader. I thought McDermid handled this quite well however, it did make for some mental exercise on the part of the reader. She also took two of the main characters to America for their adult lives. I still don't quite know how I feel about this intrusion of America into her world in Scotland.

Wicked Business, by Janet Evanovich

In the middle of all the murder/violence of the reading I'm doing right now, this was a relief!  Evanovich's lighter touch is greatly appreciated.  As with many of her books, I found myself laughing aloud through descriptions of characters, plot twists, and conversations.

This, the second book in the Lizzy and Diesel series, picks up where Evanovich left off.  Lizzy, who inherited her aunt's home in Salem, is a pastry chef in a local bakery.  Diesel (also from Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series) needs Lizzy's help as he attempts to save the world from his cousin Wolf's attempts to collect seven stones representing the deadly sins. 

In addition to some light-hearted entertainment, readers will also have the opportunity to explore Salem, Massachusetts and the surrounding area as Lizzy, Diesel, Wolf and their minions race to find the stones. 

Although the book is written for an adult audience, I would recommend it to mature teens.  (It is not more explicit than many of the supernatural/paranormal romance books and I value the humorous take on the topic.)

Sword of Truth Series, by Terry Goodkind

Once again, I'm in over my head.  I picked up the first book in this series The Wizard's First Rule, as a special offer in my Audible subscription.  I'm now through the second book, Stone of Tears, and beginning the third, Blood of the Fold.  All are the story of Richard Rahl and Kahlan Amnell as they pursue adventures through political intrigues, magic, wizardry, and evil plots generally devised by demented wizards or witches (Sisters of the Light or Sisters of the Dark usually).  I am primarily listening to the series through audio book versions.  They are good companions on my walks and while I garden.

I was a bit dismayed to find out that reviewers see Goodkind as a follower of Ayn Rand and a believer in Objectivism.  (I have to go back and reread Anthem, by Rand.   I read it in the 70's. It now appears to be a seminal work in the thinking of conservative Christian politicians.)  Since I learned of the connection I listen to the books with a close eye on the philosophical premises underlying with Wizard's Rules (each book explores one of the rules).  I'm on the third rule now--Passions Rule, For Better or Worse.  Since I am studying Buddhism and the works of Thich Nhat Hanh I am experiencing some cognitive dissonance.  I expect Nhat Hanh would guide me to watering more peaceful/serene seeds in my store rather than filling my mind and ears with this violence. 

I enjoy the action and adventure.  However, these books are definitely fantasy.  There is a great deal of sadomasochistic sex in the first book and other detailed sexual or violent content throughout the series.  I would not suggest it for those with conservative sexual values or those disturbed by physical violence. 

The Last Temptation, by Val McDermid

McDermid is definitely an adult market author.  This series, the Tony Hill/Carol Jordon, are detective/psychological thriller novels.  Hill is a clinical psychologist/serial murderer profiler who has a close friendship with UK police detective Carol Jordon. 

The Last Temptation is set primarily in the Netherlands and Germany.  In this novel Carol Jordon goes undercover in the attempt to acquire incriminating evidence about an arms/dealer and human labor smuggler.  To add to the complexity of her situation, she and her European colleagues also come across a serial killer working from a boat working the Rhine river.  It is compelling--the action, as always in McDermid's books, is intense.  I recommend against picking up these books when you have work or family pressures.  You'll end up reading too long.

McDermid's books are not for the faint of heart.  They typically include violence and sexual themes--often linked.  Although she does not include salacious details, the settings and events are powerful enough to leave an imprint.  She has been a journalist but became a full time novelist in 1991.  She was born in Scotland and continues to live there. (See her website:  http://www.valmcdermid.com/) She has won many awards, her Tony Hill/Carol Jordon books were also made into a TV series Wire in the Blood. 

Her writing feels sophisticated to me.  I end up researching parts of Scotland, England (and in this book Germany and The Netherlands) as well as reading with my smartphone close at hand so that I can look up words on The Free Dictionary.   

I'm finishing the series.  I've just completed The Torment of Others and am back-tracking to read Wire in the Blood .  I am visiting the Netherlands and Scotland this summer.  I've been trying to do some of my reading in books set in those areas (recommendations would be welcome!).

The Black Angel, by John Connolly

I managed to get out of order in my Charlie Parker series books.  Consequently, reading this book helped fill in some gaps in my knowledge. This book is more supernatural than most of the other books in the Parker series. In some ways the role of the angels and demons in the book remind me of some of Anne Rice's novels.

The book introduced me to be Sedlec monastery and Ossuary. It prompted me to do some research about the Cistercian order and this monastery in the Czech Republic. I am traveling to Paris later this summer and need to see if I can talk my friend into visiting the catacombs (including some ossuaries) which have played it important role in the plot of the Michael Scott books (The Immortal Nicholas Flamel series-for younger adolescent readers) and some of the Anne Rice's novels. An ossuary is connected to the storage or display of skeletal remains. The church at the center of this book is famous for having most of the interior decorated an ornament in with human skeleton parts. Connolly weaves this historical, religious, and artistic information throughout the book.

In The Black Angel, Connolly explorers the fallen angels and their agents on earth. Consequently, readers of James Lee Burke and Anne Rice will feel a resonance with the works of these authors. They are among the few authors, exploring the concept of evil and its work in the world, who end up simultaneously having to explore religion, angels, and demons.

As always, Connolly writes in a literary style and as a result can be challenging to readers.  Taking the time to do the background research on topics introduced and the geographical connections will enrich the reading. The book is also accompanied by a CD of music either mentioned in the book or connected to the plot and characters.  This is the first time I have played an accompanying soundtrack. It was an interesting and enjoyable collection of works.  As our writers become more technologically engaged I anticipate more media connections and additions to their works.

The Wise Man's Fear, by Patrick Rothfuss

The second book of in the Kingkiller Chronicles is almost as compelling as the first.  We get two stories in one--the current tale of Kote, the inn keeper at the Waystone Inn, his assistant Bast, and the Chronicler who has come through looking for good tales.  In this "real time" story the world is a dangerous place with some sort of impending doom.  Kote and Bast have what appears to be some secret roll in fighting off the forces of evil.

In the other story, Kote is narrating his history as Kvothe to the Chronicler.  In this book we take up his story after his first years at the University (a school for magicians).  During this portion of the story we learn more about his education, the political intrigues at he University and in the world at large, and travel with him through various adventures.  The story told is indeed worthy of an epic.  There is one rather lengthy episode that I might have edited for "mature" content.  As it stands I will hesitate to recommend the series to high schoolers--at least not in an official capacity.  I might recommend it to students outside of school who I know are mature enough to handle some mature content.  Rothfuss' decision to include this is unfortunate.  I don't think it was necessary for the story.  (I worry that I'm becoming a prude--or just old, but I become impatient when a good story is spoiled by unnecessarily explicit sex/romance.)  Sometimes it feels as if authors believe they need to include it to get market share.  It could also be that I'm underestimating the importance of sex/romance to the average reader.  I'd love feedback on this.

That aside, the book kept me reading devotedly--missing sleep and neglecting other duties.  I should know better than to pick up a 1,000 page book at the beginning of a semester.  There is a twist at the end that would have me going out for the next book, but Rothfuss hasn't published it yet.  I'll have to be patient and fill in the time with other books.  If it were available I would be buying it.

The Wizard's First Rule, by Terry Goodkind

I bought this during "bargain sale" at the Audible site.  I listened to it as I walked, cleaned house, cooked dinner, and other activities.  Overall is was a good "listen" and encouraged me to get my exercise in.  This series is very popular.  I did note however that when it was first released Publisher's Weekly didn't give it a glowing review. 

The book is "epic" in scope and the series continues for eleven books.  I'm not certain I'm up for that much.  I was enjoying the book--although it was fairly predictable as far as "fantasy epics" go.  Then, near the end we ran into some sadomasochistic torture.  It discouraged me.  I was really enjoying the adventures of  Richard Cypher, Zedd and Kahlan.  If it weren't for the S&M near the end, it would be a book I could recommend to any teen who needed something after finishing Lord of the Rings. I won't be reading the next book right away.  Maybe an audio book for gym/greenbelt is something I will enjoy in the future, but I have quite a backlog of audio books from that Audible sale to get through. 

The Swan Thieves, by Elizabeth Kostova

Once and a while I have a convergence of events in my life that make a book particularly powerful. Such experiences surround my reading of The Swan Thieves.

First, about the book itself. It is a complex story of love, families, madness, and art. Kostova is what others would probably call a "literary" writer. Her books are enriched with historical, literary, and artistic references. This book, focused on artists, their art, and lives is one I read quite slowly and with great relish. It was a rich reading experience. As a result I will be looking at books of impressionistic art, mythologies of the story of Leda, and reading about the historical period as well. A good book always leads to the reading of others. I am also going to have to reread Lord Jim, a book I read as an undergraduate and The Historian, Kostova's first book and one I enjoyed the first time.

Now, about how my life has conspired to make this book especially powerful to me. In the last few business trips I've taken I've extended my stay by a day or so to do some touring. In each case I have included art museums as part of the tours. Last spring I spent a day at the Morse Museum in Winter Park, Florida exploring Lewis Comfort Tiffany's works and another day at the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg. I recommend both, but particularly encourage visits to the Dali Museum. I remember photos of Salvidor and Gala Dali in Life magazine as a child. I thought them extremely weird. Visiting the Dali museum gave me an entirely new understanding of his intellectual depth and the complexity of his art work, beyond the surrealistic pieces for which he is so well known.

This fall, prior to beginning this book, I had the opportunity to spend half a day at the National Gallery of Art. I spend much of my time in the Chester Dale collection and with the Dutch and Flemish galleries. Within the Dale collection I spent much of my time viewing the Impressionists within the collection. As a child, my mother had decorated my bedroom with Degas prints. The art books in my personal library lean heavily toward the Impressionists. (But several of those were inherited from my mother.)

Finally, one of the important pieces of my personal history are the years that my parents were guardians of my mother's cousin. He was a gifted musician who was also mentally ill. His diagnosis was never clear, something like schizophrenia or bi-polar disease. I remembered him as a wild and crazily funny "uncle" who entertained my brothers and me as we visited Lake Okoboji in Iowa. As an adult, caring for a man who was unpredictable wasn't so amusing.

Shortly after my return from D.C. I opened The Swan Thieves. It had been on the stack of books I have anchoring the hall tree. (Actually, my to-read collection.) I had purchased it nearly a year ago but hadn't yet had time to pick it up. It was perfect timing. I'm near the end of the book I'm writing (a book for teachers--not fiction). I felt able to pick up something just a little selfish, even though I need to be reading in advance of teaching a YA lit course this spring.

My last few weeks have been lovely, spent with this book. It is one I can recommend to high school students with strong interests in art, artists, psychology, and history. However, it would be an ambitious read for most high school readers. I have already been talking about it with friends and colleagues. They may feel my stories go on too long, but weaving together my trips to the art galleries and the reading of this book is a story I enjoy retelling.

Full Dark House, by Christopher Fowler 2003

This is the first in the Bryant/May detective series and introduces us to the two detectives on their first case, and what seems to be their last case. The book begins with an explosion at their police station and Bryant's death in the blast. Throughout the book we are watching two plots unfold--that increasingly appear to be linked.

The first story begins with a sort of Phantom of the Opera case set in the Palace Theater during World War two. The period details are masterful and add to the overall story. The second mystery is, of course, who blew up the police station and why.

I enjoy the cast of the Peculiar Crimes Unit, and cast they are. All police officers, they create an ensemble cast that engages the reader. I look forward to the next book in the series (which is of course about a 2004 copyright, so it's hardly "next").

This is a book written for an adult audience. I don't see much in it that would prompt me to suggest it as a cross-over book for high school students. Although there is no explicit sex there is quite a bit of "violence" and not much I would connect it to in a secondary school curriculum.

The Skull Mantra, by Eliot Pattison, 1999

This was part of my reading for a book set to accompany Peak, by Roland Smith. I enjoyed the book, but it is definitely an adult book. Able high schoolers could read it, but it is relatively dense prose for the age group.

Pattison introduces a Chinese detective, Shan Tao Yun. He has been sentenced to a Tiberian prison for an offense against the Chinese Communist party in Beijing.

Much of the book focuses on the Buddhist monks and monasteries in Tibet. As someone who has been reading Thich Nhat Hanh for a couple of years now I was fascinated.

The book challenged me as a reader. The characters and motivations were were complex and I didn't take careful notes--that would have helped. I also faced some issues with the copy of the book I was reading. Some library patron before me had "edited" the book for "correctness" (and I disagreed with the corrections) and left fairly long notes written in the margins predicting plot and criticizing the author's writing. They mostly made me mad that someone would be so inconsiderate as to interrupt my "flow" while enjoying the book. It did however prompt me to find out more about the author. Pattison is an attorney specializing in international law. He has published five nonfiction books on international law and nine novels. This first novel received the Edgar Allen Poe award in 2000. I'm going to follow up with my local librarian.

I will be reading the next book in the inspector Shan series. And--hope that the local librarians can hunt down this book vandal.

Port Mortuary, by Patricia Cornwell (2010)

This took me out of the world for a day and a half. (And I really wanted to get some academic work done instead of reading a novel.) It is a completely engaging book, one you won't put down. This is another in a series of the Scarpetta novels that Cornwell is known for. As usually there is a gripping plot and the main characters are fully developed and nuanced. To get the full effect of the book you would need to have read others in the series. Those of us who have followed the Scarpetta series delight in the additional new shades added to her cast. Scarpetta herself is the narrative voice and that device makes the ambiguity of the events entirely believable.

As always Cornwell gives us rich pictures of modern forensic medicine and other technological information. This particular book will be alarming to anyone who has hesitations about technological advances in offensive weapons. It also connects briefly to Apartheid in South Africa.

When you pick this up make sure your calendar is clear for a day or so--you won't be accomplishing much other than finishing the book.

Although this is an adult book, I can strongly recommend it for high school students. The violence is minimal and there is essentially no sex.