GLASGOW’S UNDERWORLD is at the center of this gritty, brilliantly plotted police procedural from Denise Mina. A MINUS

STILL MIDNIGHT
Reagan Arthur Books
2010

ROLLICKING ADVENTURES of a scam artist, both hilarious and poignant, in this amazing debut novel from Nigeria. A MINUS

I DO NOT COME TO YOU BY CHANCE
Hyperion Books
2009

WELL-PLOTTED WHODUNNIT + Scottish Highland flavor = another delightful Hamish Macbeth mystery from M.C. Beaton. B PLUS

DEATH OF A VALENTINE
Grand Central Publishing
2010

COMPLEX, EPIC steampunk set on alternate Earth, third in a series, offers both Big Issues and thrilling chases. B PLUS

PINION
Tor Books
2010

A THOUGHTFUL STUDY of the fascinating, too-short life of rapper and actor Tupac Shakur puts his work in context. B PLUS

TUPAC SHAKUR: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF AN AMERICAN ICON
Da Capo Press
2010

WELL-PACED, ENGAGING mystery features 13th-century jester sleuths and a flavor of medieval Toulouse. Nerdy fun! B PLUS

THE PARISIAN PRODIGAL (FOOLS’ GUILD MYSTERIES)
Minotaur Books
2010

THE TRUE STORY of the 18th-century skulduggery that inspired Stevenson’s KIDNAPPED; well researched, well told. B PLUS

BIRTHRIGHT: THE TRUE STORY THAT INSPIRED "KIDNAPPED"
W. W. Norton & Company
2010

BOHO NEW YORK ca. 1990 is the true star of this novel, “broke ex-debutante finds murdered child” just the plot. B PLUS

INVISIBLE BOY (MADELINE DARE SERIES #3)
Grand Central Publishing
2010

COMPELLING, GRIM dystopian novel of a mind-controlled future, resistance, and a mother’s love. Unforgettable. A MINUS

VERACITY
Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group
2010

EOIN COLFER’S REBOOT of HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE has some great moments; but in the end, it’s just not Douglas Adams. SOLID B

AND ANOTHER THING…
Hyperion Books
2009