CHILLINGLY BELIEVABLE TALE of the slow apocalypse that follows discovery of a cure for aging. Smart and grim. B PLUS

THE POSTMORTAL
Penguin USA
2011

TENSE, COMPELLING NOVEL brings El Salvador’s attempted coup and successful popular uprising of 1944 to life. B PLUS

THE CONVERT: A TALE OF EXILE AND EXTREMISM
Graywolf Press
2011

UNSETTLING BIOGRAPHY OF American Jewish writer, 60s convert to Islam is as confoundingly opaque as its subject. SOLID B

THE CONVERT: A TALE OF EXILE AND EXTREMISM
Graywolf Press
2011

RIPPED-FROM-THE-HEADLINES problem novel never quite takes off despite some lovely writing and characterization.

SPOOKY AND ATMOSPHERIC tale of a small town’s morbid traditions is YA sensation Melissa Marr’s first for adults.

FAST-PACED, WITTY THRILLER follows a spy turned full-time mom fighting international crime and cranky toddlers.

BROODING AND EVOCATIVE Swedish police procedural/thriller relies on mood, not action. Crisp translation shines.

CHATTY, ENTERTAINING HISTORIES of some of the world’s most famous pseudonymous writers. Gossipy, bookish fun!

OVERVIEW OF THE “9/11 Truth” movement has some interesting interviews, but flounders in off-topic axe-grinding.

FAST-PACED GARDENING MYSTERY features a spunky sleuth and an only-in-New-York supporting cast. Good fun!