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PERCIVAL EVERETT BY VIRGIL RUSSELL, by Percival Everett

February 28, 2013

COMPLEX, ALLUSIVE META-NOVEL plays with structure, yet captures the poignancy of a father/son relationship.

Grade: A MINUS

PERCIVAL EVERETT BY VIRGIL RUSSELL
Graywolf Press
2013

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IGNORANCE, by Michèle Roberts

February 27, 2013

TWO FRENCH WOMEN from very different backgrounds do what they must to survive World War II. Haunting, incisive.

Grade: A MINUS

IGNORANCE: A NOVEL
Bloomsbury
2013

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THE ANTAGONIST, by Lynn Coady

February 26, 2013

MARVELOUSLY CLEVER EPISTOLARY novel: a rant from a man angry that a writer friend has hijacked his life story.

Grade: B PLUS

THE ANTAGONIST
Knopf
2013

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THE PIGEON PIE MYSTERY, by Julia Stuart

February 25, 2013

SWEET LATE-VICTORIAN COZY stars an Indian princess living at Hampton Court with seedy gentry for neighbors.

Grade: SOLID B

THE PIGEON PIE MYSTERY
Doubleday/Anchor
2012

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THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO CANE, by Courttia Newland

February 24, 2013

AN INNER-CITY LONDON teacher’s life is thrown into chaos by a man who may be her long-missing son.  Devastating.

Grade: B PLUS

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO CANE
Akashic Books
2013

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PSYCHO USA, by Harold Schechter

February 23, 2013

ENCYCLOPEDICALLY CREEPY HISTORY of US mass murderers and serial killers, from the 18th century through today.

Grade: SOLID B

PSYCHO USA: FAMOUS AMERICAN KILLERS YOU NEVER HEARD OF
Ballantine
2012

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THE BLACKHOUSE, by Peter May

February 22, 2013

AN EDINBURGH COP uncovers old secrets on a remote Scottish island, his childhood home. Taut, atmospheric!

Grade: B PLUS

THE BLACKHOUSE
SilverOak
2012

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FORMER PEOPLE, by Douglas Smith

February 21, 2013

FASCINATING STORIES OF the lives of the Russian aristocracy, from the eve of revolution to later reprisals.

Grade: SOLID B

FORMER PEOPLE: THE FINAL DAYS OF THE RUSSIAN ARISTOCRACY
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
2012

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THE LITTLE BOOK OF HEARTBREAK, by Meghan Laslocky

February 20, 2013

QUIRKY MEDITATIONS ON love and loss throughout history, and in the writer’s personal life. Entertaining!

Grade: SOLID B

THE LITTLE BOOK OF HEARTBREAK: LOVE GONE WRONG THROUGH THE AGES
Plume
2013

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SON OF DESTRUCTION, by Kit Reed

February 19, 2013

SPOOKY TALE COMBINES Florida-style Southern Gothic and the supernatural for chilling suspense. Kit Reed rules!

Grade: B PLUS

SON OF DESTRUCTION
Severn House
2013

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