GRIM, COMPLEX THRILLER set in pre-World War II Berlin creates compellingly bleak atmosphere, trapped characters. B PLUS

THE INFORMER
Crown Publishing Group
2010

FIZZY COCKTAIL mixing paranormal tales, spy novels; fourth in the “Secret Histories” series. Twisty plot. Fun! SOLID B

FROM HELL WITH LOVE
Roc
2010

TRAVEL MEMOIR of a year spent on world’s most dangerous planes, boats, trains, buses. Cool info but whiny tone. B MINUS

THE LUNATIC EXPRESS: DISCOVERING THE WORLD…VIA ITS MOST DANGEROUS BUSES, BOATS, TRAINS, AND PLANES
Crown Publishing Group
2010

1943 NEW YORK vividly captured in this fourth Rosie Winter mystery; twisty plot, wisecracking dames. B PLUS #beachread

WHEN WINTER RETURNS: A ROSIE WINTER MYSTERY
Harper Paperbacks
2010

FASCINATING TRUE TALE of the rise, fall of Al Capone. Thorough research (and new finds) make up for dull prose. SOLID B

GET CAPONE: THE SECRET PLOT THAT CAPTURED AMERICA’S MOST WANTED GANGSTER
Simon & Schuster
2010

PRIZE-WINNING FRENCH NOVEL disappoints; despite beautiful prose, everything happens “offstage”. Frustrating! C PLUS

UNFORGIVABLE
Simon & Schuster
2010

INGENIOUS MASHUP of two beloved ’50s movie tropes–rebellious teens and alien creatures–in a zippy, fun book. SOLID B

GO, MUTANTS!
Ecco
2010

ANOTHER RAUCOUS, RIOTOUS adventure, the fourth for the Spellman clan of private detectives. Love! Death! SATs! A MINUS

THE SPELLMANS STRIKE AGAIN (SPELLMAN FILES SERIES)
Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group
2010

THE EVERYDAY DRAMAS of English family life, close up and in detail, form the heart of this elegant, spare novel. B PLUS

THE BRADSHAW VARIATIONS
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
2010

THE EVERYDAY DRAMAS of English family life, close up and in detail, form the heart of this elegant, spare novel. B PLUS

THE BRADSHAW VARIATIONS
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
2010