Book reviews and more!

CHASING THE WHITE DOG by Max Watman

April 11, 2010

ENTERTAINING, WELL-RESEARCHED look at the history and culture of moonshine whiskey in the US. SOLID B

CHASING THE WHITE DOG: AN AMATEUR OUTLAW’S ADVENTURES IN MOONSHINE
Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group
2010

Grade: SOLID B

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STILL MIDNIGHT by Denise Mina

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

Grade: A MINUS

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I DO NOT COME TO YOU BY CHANCE by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani

April 10, 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

Grade: A MINUS

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DEATH OF A VALENTINE by M. C. Beaton

April 9, 2010

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

Grade: B PLUS

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PINION by Jay Lake

April 8, 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

Grade: B PLUS

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TUPAC SHAKUR by Tayannah Lee McQuillar

April 7, 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

Grade: B PLUS

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THE PARISIAN PRODIGAL (FOOLS’ GUILD MYSTERIES) by Alan Gordon

April 6, 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

Grade: B PLUS

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BIRTHRIGHT by A Roger Ekirch

April 5, 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

Grade: B PLUS

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INVISIBLE BOY (MADELINE DARE SERIES #3) by Cornelia Read

April 4, 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

Grade: B PLUS

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VERACITY by Laura Bynum

April 3, 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

Grade: A MINUS

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