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THE RISING by Ian Tregillis

January 29, 2016

SWASHBUCKLING, EPIC ALT-HISTORY set in a New World war between Holland and France, with alchemical robots. B PLUS

THE RISING
Orbit
2015

Grade: B PLUS

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INVITATION-ONLY ZONE: THE TRUE STORY OF NORTH KOREAS ABDUCTION PROJECT by Robert S Boynton

January 27, 2016

NORTH KOREA’S ABDUCTIONS of Japanese citizens, explored in historical context. Fascinating and disturbing. B PLUS

INVITATION-ONLY ZONE: THE TRUE STORY OF NORTH KOREAS ABDUCTION PROJECT
Farrar Straus Giroux
2016

Grade: B PLUS

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DEAD POOR by Ian Wingrove

January 25, 2016

NEAR-FUTURE THRILLER SET in a decaying England laces a murder investigation with conspiracy in high places. SOLID B

DEAD POOR
Ian Wingrove
2015

Grade: SOLID B

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THE DROWNING by Camilla Lackberg

January 22, 2016

UNSETTLING, CREEPY MYSTERY with a rural Swedish setting is elegantly crafted and haunting. B PLUS

THE DROWNING
Pegasus Books
2015

Grade: B PLUS

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OUR ROBOTS, OURSELVES by David A. Mindell

January 20, 2016

ROBOTICS’ POSSIBILITIES AND LIMITATIONS, compellingly presented by a historian and innovator in the field. B PLUS

OUR ROBOTS, OURSELVES: ROBOTICS AND THE MYTHS OF AUTONOMY
Penguin Publishing Group
2015

Grade: B PLUS

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PACIFICA by Jill Zeller

January 18, 2016

FAST-PACED HISTORICAL NOVEL follows a fierce, free-spirited woman through a series of dramatic adventures. SOLID B

PACIFICA
Book View Cafe
2016

Grade: SOLID B

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MYCROFT HOLMES by Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Anna Waterhouse, Arthur Conan Doyle

January 15, 2016

MYCROFT HOLMES, ADVENTURER? Clever prequel with memorable characters and a rich, vivid Trinidad setting. B PLUS

MYCROFT HOLMES
Titan Books (UK)
2015

Grade: B PLUS

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THE DEAD DUKE, HIS SECRET WIFE, AND THE MISSING CORPSE by Piu Marie Eatwell

January 13, 2016

A HEADLINE-GRABBING SOCIETY TRIAL from Edwardian England, recounted with elegance and plenty of suspense. SOLID B

THE DEAD DUKE, HIS SECRET WIFE, AND THE MISSING CORPSE
Liveright Publishing Corporation
2015

Grade: SOLID B

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TIPPING THE VALET by K. K. Beck

January 11, 2016

CLEVER MYSTERY PITS a resourceful Seattle student against a colorful collection of chiselers and thugs. SOLID B

TIPPING THE VALET
Perseverence Press
2015

Grade: SOLID B

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DEAD RINGERS by Christopher Golden

January 9, 2016

SHARP, SUSPENSEFUL HORROR boasts an on-point Boston setting, a satisfyingly spooky backstory, lots of action. B PLUS

DEAD RINGERS: A NOVEL
St. Martin’s Press
2015

Grade: B PLUS

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