A DEEPLY RESEARCHED LOOK at the Institute for Advanced Study’s post-WWII computer innovations; alas, too vague.

THE INSIDE STORY of a Florida murder case serves as a base for a larger argument on sentencing teen offenders. B MINUS

TROUT: A TRUE STORY OF MURDER, TEENS, AND THE DEATH PENALTY
University Press of Florida
2012

WHIMSICAL BIOGRAPHY OF a quirky, little-known English mathematical genius and public transportation advocate.

PAM HOUSTON’S NOVEL mixes travel narratives with tales of difficult relationships; alas, vaguely unsatisfying.

STORY-WITHIN-A-STORY starts with a bang and ends with a whimper. Even Byron can’t make this novel sizzle!

VIVID, DREAMLIKE FANTASIA on race and culture in the US Southwest is strongest on landscape, weakest on plot.

A JOURNALIST’S DIVORCE MEMOIR is at its best when most personal, at its worst when it turns to pop sociology. B MINUS

IN SPITE OF EVERYTHING: A MEMOIR
Random House
2011

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

INFERTILITY, INFIDELITY, COMAS, and sisters as rivals: crisp writing can’t redeem soap-operatic UK chicklit.

ELIZABETHAN THRILLER STARS philosopher Giordano Bruno as sleuth; rich in details of court life, low on thrills. B MINUS