Great Escapes #2 These books are available from the Popular Reading Collection located next to the library circulation desk. Any titles currently checked out can be placed on hold. See a staff member at the circulation desk for assistance.
by Bill McClearyHannibal, by Thomas Harris
Thomas Harris wrote his first book in 1975. His second in 1981. His third, Silence of the Lambs, in 1988. Hannibal, his latest book, has just come out this year. At this rate his next book will appear sometime around 2012. This is not Danielle Steel with a new book every other week. We must wait for Thomas Harris but the wait is well worth it. Hannibal is just flat out a terrific book. The pity is that a lot of people won't even think of reading it. They'll say "Hannibal the Cannibal--I don't want to read that!". Too bad. They don't know what they're missing. Yes, there is a little cannibalism but it's tastefully (oops!) done and this book is so much more than that. Hannibal Lecter has been on the loose for seven years now. The FBI wants him and so does Mason Verger--one of Hannibal's victims who survived but has been left horribly scarred--both mentally and physically. Mason has the money and resources to make it a real contest as to who will find and capture Hannibal first. Of course, Hannibal has his own ideas on who is the hunter and who is the prey! Thrown into the mix is the unforgettable Clarice Starling--who's FBI career has stalled due to petty jealousies and office politics--and a number of other interesting characters to add flavor. The result is a fascinating story filled with great dialogue, wonderful atmosphere, and tingling page turning suspense. CHOICE! When you finish this book you'll understand and appreciate why Harris takes so long to write a book. 2012, huh? Well, something to look forward to.
Death du Jour, by Kathy Reichs
This is the second book by Ms. Reichs--who is being touted as a rival to Patricia Cornwell. Her debut novel, Deja Dead, introduced Dr. Temperance Brennan, a forensic anthropologist for the province of Quebec. Tempe is called upon to use her skills to help solve murder mysteries. In Death du Jour, a suspicious fire outside of Quebec has resulted in multiple deaths. Are the deaths related to the unexplained disappearances of members involved in a cult? And, is there a link to bodies found on a remote North Carolina island? As she investigates in both locales, Tempe must also cope with the strange behavior of her sister--who may have become a member of the cult. This is shaping up to be a pretty good series but Patricia Cornwell needn't lose any sleep. I find Tempe to be a little on the whiny side--she always seems to complain when she is called on to help with an investigation--but Reichs does a good job of making the forensic anthropology interesting.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, by J.K. Rowling
This book, first in a series by a struggling Scottish single mother, was a surprise bestseller in England. It's become a bestseller here as well--and deservedly so. Some readers might feel this book is geared more for older children and teenagers but why should the rugrats have all the fun? And, fun this book is--for all ages. Harry Potter is a likable orphan being raised by horrible relatives of his--the Dursleys. The Dursleys are Muggles--normal people living their dreary Muggle lives. Unknown at first to Harry, he belongs to the world of wizards, witches, warlocks, and ghosts. His life is changed forever when he receives an invitation to attend Hogwarts--the school for wizards and such. His first year at school makes for an entertaining read as he meets many interesting characters, has one exciting adventure after another, and learns that he is a very special wizard.
Certain Prey, by John Sandford
This is the eleventh book in the "Prey" series by John Sandford, the pseudonym for the Pulitzer Prize winning journalist John Camp. I don't know what he wrote to capture thePulitzer but his fiction is winning with me. The "Prey" novels feature Lucas Davenport, deputy chief of police for the city of Minneapolis. Davenport has gotten rich designing computer games so he doesn't have to work--which allows him to operate a little more freely than he normally might and gives him an interesting edge. In this latest, Lucas is investigating the murder of a rich socialite. He comes to believe that she was gunned down by a female hitman (hitperson?) but who did the hiring? Her husband? Someone else? And, who is this female going around the country doing hit after hit and never getting caught despite theFBI's best efforts? Clara Rinker is the hitter and very likable she is. You hate to root for a killer but you will with Clara--she is just so interesting and winning. The book has a wonderful, suspenseful interplay among Lucas, Clara, and the person who hired her. Two will survive, one won't. Great fun finding out who does and who doesn't.
Havana Bay, by Martin Cruz Smith
Gorky Park will probably always be my favorite book by Smith. Loved it. Now, the great character of Arkady Renko, who was introduced in that book, is back. Arkady is in Havana investigating the disappearance of Pribluda, a Russian diplomat friend of his. Arkady has arrived a grieving mess. His beloved wife has died from medical incompetence and he is just going through the motions as he plans his suicide. Much as he doesn't want to, he finds the case intriguing. A body looking like Pribluda has been found floating on an inner tube in the waters off Havana. Arkady thinks it's a strange way for a Russian to die. But, even though he is curious, Arkady decides to go through with his suicide rather than continue the investigation. However, his suicide attempt is interrupted by someone who tries to kill him and that changes things. Arkady decides that he'll look into the case after all. As he investigates he runs into all sorts of interesting and unusual characters--from a '60s exiled American radical to a female police detective that Arkady likes in spite of himself. Arkady is the star of the book but second billing goes to Havana--which is richly drawn by Smith. It's so enjoyable to learn about it as part of the story--from its past Hemingway-era glory to its present faded state. Nicely done.
THIS ISSUE'S OLDIE BUT GOODIE
Intensity, by Dean Koontz
Never has a book been more aptly named! When I recommend this book to someone I always say that the first two chapters could serve as a textbook on how to write suspense fiction. Intense! Chyna Shepherd, a twenty-six yearend graduate student, has had a very troubled upbringing--drifting from place to place with her druggie, whorish mother and her mother's succession of abusive boyfriends. She has survived her childhood by being meek and hiding herself as much as possible--with the mantra "Chyna Shepherd--untouched and alive" always running through her head. Now, Chyna wants to make something of her life and just be safe. She and her best friend are spending the weekend with her friend's parents. In the middle of the first night Chyna wakes up to discover that there is a murderer--Edgler Foreman Vess--in the house. By luck and cunning, Chyna escapes being killed. Then, she does something totally unexpected given her background. With the telephone line cut and no way to immediately call the police, Chyna decides to pursue Vess as he makes his getaway. The rest of the book is a non-stop chase with hair-raising suspense ratcheting up notch after notch. Vess is so loathsome and Chyna is such a well-drawn and likable character that you really care and worry about what is going to happen to her--which makes the suspense even more deliciously unbearable. And, makes Intensity a classic in this genre.
RECENT ARRIVALS:
Joining, by Johanna Lindsey
The Hours, by Michael Cunningham
McNally's Dilemma, by Lawrence Sanders
Granny Dan, by Danielle Steel
The Falcon at the Portal, by Elizabeth Peters
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, by Stephen King
Revised Aug. 9, 2000
Comments to Bill McCleary