The Merchants' War (#753) is the fourth book in Charles Stross' s fantasy series The Merchant Princes. The saga centers on Miriam Beckstein, a business journalist from Cambridge, Massachusetts, whose everyday existence is upended when she discovers her ability to walk between alternative universes in the same geographical location. The new world she finds is peopled by medieval knights on horseback armed with machine guns, and ruled by powerful feudal lords. Oh, and Miriam is a long-lost heiress of one of the richest Clans. They've amassed their wealth by sending other "world-walkers" to Miriam's Boston to smuggle drugs, arms and modern conveniences for their own use back to the medieval Gruinmakt. You have to know all this before you can read The Merchants' War, which makes this a perfect series for binge reading, because Charles Stross ends each book on a cliffhanger, and jumps immediately back into the action with the next installment with no back story to aid the clueless.
In this book Miriam has survived plots against her life, and has made a few discoveries of her own; namely that there is yet another alternative universe out there with its own plots and political maneuverings. All Miriam wants at this point is to find a place where she can be safe, but she now has enemies in all three universes. On the plus side, she's made some friends and allies as well. Which is just as well, since the DEA in Miriam's Boston is about to launch a full out offensive against the Gruinmakt as retaliation for planting nuclear warheads there. Things are not going well... To Be Continued.
I am really enjoying this series my husband introduced to me, but I do have a nitpick; although Stross gets the geographical details of the Boston area mostly right, Miriam Beckstein was raised in Cambridge, and works there professionally. Her ex-boyfriend, Mike Fleming, who pops up in the series because of his government job, is also from the area. So my question is, why do they Brit Speak? They don't speak American English, not even tinged by a Boston accent. They "go on holiday', put their cars in the "car park", ride the "lift" in their office buildings while waiting for a signal on their "mobiles". And darn, they left that "anorak" in the "boot" of their car! I have to admit, anachronisms bother me when I read historical fiction, or watch period dramas, so the wrongness of Miriam's conversations is very jarring. It makes me wonder what else is wrong with this picture? It's a good thing that the Miriam's alternative worlds don't need verification!
Thursday, June 28, 2018
Thursday, June 21, 2018
Margaret Truman's Allied in Danger
My husband picked up a copy of Donald Bain's continuation of Margaret Truman's Capitol Crimes Series, Allied in Danger (#752). Donald Bain himself is now deceased, but oh, how I miss Margaret Truman's writing! Mr. Bain apparently worked closely with her during her writing career, but even so, I don't think his work comes anywhere close to hers.
Mackenzie Smith and his wife Annabelle, attorneys both, appear peripherally here, but the action in this story is carried mainly by Mac's friend Robert Brixton, a private investigator with whom he shares office space. Mac has a client whose father was caught up in a Nigerian financial scam, and after squandering all his savings, killed himself. His son wonders if there is any way to recoup his father's losses. At the same time, Robert Brixton's friend working security at the British Embassy encounters a Nigerian Security Guard wearing a unique bracelet belonging to his murdered son. Donald Portland had been told two years ago that his son was killed by rebels while on assignment in the Nigerian Delta. If so, how did the bracelet he wore at all times wind up in a London pub? Donald is determined to find out, and he enlists Robert's help.
I found that the book dragged in the beginning and middle, but ends rather abruptly, without tying up all the loose ends. It was a most unsatisfactory conclusion after a lot of work to get there. I could understand Donald Portland's motivation, but Robert Brixton's involvement to the point where he accompanies Donald on a dangerous trip to Nigeria strained credulity. Actually, I found myself heartily disliking Robert Brixton I failed to see why anyone, but especially his paramour (yes, he was proud of using that term to describe his live-in lover.) or the supposedly intelligent and discriminating Smiths would ever put up with him. I'm glad I never have to again. Not recommended.
Mackenzie Smith and his wife Annabelle, attorneys both, appear peripherally here, but the action in this story is carried mainly by Mac's friend Robert Brixton, a private investigator with whom he shares office space. Mac has a client whose father was caught up in a Nigerian financial scam, and after squandering all his savings, killed himself. His son wonders if there is any way to recoup his father's losses. At the same time, Robert Brixton's friend working security at the British Embassy encounters a Nigerian Security Guard wearing a unique bracelet belonging to his murdered son. Donald Portland had been told two years ago that his son was killed by rebels while on assignment in the Nigerian Delta. If so, how did the bracelet he wore at all times wind up in a London pub? Donald is determined to find out, and he enlists Robert's help.
I found that the book dragged in the beginning and middle, but ends rather abruptly, without tying up all the loose ends. It was a most unsatisfactory conclusion after a lot of work to get there. I could understand Donald Portland's motivation, but Robert Brixton's involvement to the point where he accompanies Donald on a dangerous trip to Nigeria strained credulity. Actually, I found myself heartily disliking Robert Brixton I failed to see why anyone, but especially his paramour (yes, he was proud of using that term to describe his live-in lover.) or the supposedly intelligent and discriminating Smiths would ever put up with him. I'm glad I never have to again. Not recommended.
Monday, June 18, 2018
Tangerine
Joyce Carol Oates' cover blurb for Christine Mangan's debut novel, Tangerine (#751) really says it all; "As if Donna Tartt, Gillian Flynn, and Patricia Highsmith had collaborated on a screenplay to be filmed by Hitchcock."
After a Prologue in which a man's body is pulled from the water, the story alternates between Alice Shipley, a young British bride who has accompanied her husband John to Tangier in 1954, and Lucy Mason, who arrives unexpectedly on Alice's doorstep one day. As the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that these former college roommates have an uneasy history between them. The atmosphere becomes increasingly fraught both inside and outside the household as Moroccans struggle for independence until the day that John goes missing...
I couldn't believe how swiftly the time passed as I was absorbed in this story. It has so many twists it leaves the reader wondering what is real and what is imagined. Without giving away too much, all I can say about the ending is "Oh, no!" You must read it for yourself to find out whether your reaction is the same.
After a Prologue in which a man's body is pulled from the water, the story alternates between Alice Shipley, a young British bride who has accompanied her husband John to Tangier in 1954, and Lucy Mason, who arrives unexpectedly on Alice's doorstep one day. As the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that these former college roommates have an uneasy history between them. The atmosphere becomes increasingly fraught both inside and outside the household as Moroccans struggle for independence until the day that John goes missing...
I couldn't believe how swiftly the time passed as I was absorbed in this story. It has so many twists it leaves the reader wondering what is real and what is imagined. Without giving away too much, all I can say about the ending is "Oh, no!" You must read it for yourself to find out whether your reaction is the same.
The Woman Left Behind
Linda Howard's thriller The Woman Left Behind (#750) has a great storyline. Jina Modell is happy working at her office-bound job flying drones to support the activities of Go Teams, civilian equivalents of Navy SEALS or Army Rangers. That is until the day that her computer gaming skills promote her right onto the Go Team led by Levi Butcher, code name Ace. She'll be embedded with the team on its future missions, but first that means getting into the physical and mental shape to keep up with the team in the field. What she and the rest of the team don't realize is that they have a deadly enemy in Congress, determined to do anything to destroy the agency.
There's plenty of action and humor here as Jina tries to fit in with the members of her Go Team. She's not a quitter, so despite herself she tries her best at everything Levi throws at her, even tolerating the nickname she's saddled with - Babe. The reader is aware of the traps being laid for the team as Jina and the others deploy to Syria on a dangerous mission, where she becomes The Woman Left Behind.
What I didn't care for in this book were the many explicit sex scenes, real and imagined, between Jina and Levi. Although many readers love steamy romances, I'm not one of them. They really spoiled the book for me. In real life, I would have yanked Jina from that Go Team and reassigned her before anyone could be hurt by the constant sexual tension here. Much as I liked Ms. Howard's basic premise, in future, I'll look elsewhere for political thrillers.
There's plenty of action and humor here as Jina tries to fit in with the members of her Go Team. She's not a quitter, so despite herself she tries her best at everything Levi throws at her, even tolerating the nickname she's saddled with - Babe. The reader is aware of the traps being laid for the team as Jina and the others deploy to Syria on a dangerous mission, where she becomes The Woman Left Behind.
What I didn't care for in this book were the many explicit sex scenes, real and imagined, between Jina and Levi. Although many readers love steamy romances, I'm not one of them. They really spoiled the book for me. In real life, I would have yanked Jina from that Go Team and reassigned her before anyone could be hurt by the constant sexual tension here. Much as I liked Ms. Howard's basic premise, in future, I'll look elsewhere for political thrillers.
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
The English Wife
The English Wife (#749) is full of elegant twists right up to the last page of Lauren Willig's latest stand-alone novel. I've been a fan ever since my librarian introduced me to Ms. Willig's fabulous Pink Carnation spy series. Shades of the Scarlet Pimpernel!
Here the setting is a murder at an imposing Hudson River mansion during an elaborate costume ball in 1899. The master of the house is found dying by his sister and cousin. Janie Van Duyvil thinks she hears Bay murmur "George..." as he is dying. But who is George, and where is Bay's wife Annabelle? Janie's mother is content to sweep everything but the fact of Bay's death under the rug; it's scandal enough that a scion of a prominent old New York Society family managed to get himself killed in such a flamboyant fashion.
But Janie, a cipher to most of that same society, is not. She wants to get to the truth of the murder both for Bay's sake and that of his twin children, still in the nursery. To that end, she recruits the help of a prominent journalist from The World newspaper. James Burke has a reputation for digging deep and exposing the truth in his stories. While this unlikely duo work to find who and what are responsible for the untimely death, Bay and Annabelle's story unfolds in alternating chapters. Nothing is as it seems on the surface.
This book was so entertaining, I really hated to see it end. But that's the point here, too. Not everything is tied up neatly in a bow at the end. There are still some questions out there, allowing the reader to imagine a possibly happier ending for some of the characters than appears here. It was completely satisfying in its own way. How many writers can perform that kind of magic?
Here the setting is a murder at an imposing Hudson River mansion during an elaborate costume ball in 1899. The master of the house is found dying by his sister and cousin. Janie Van Duyvil thinks she hears Bay murmur "George..." as he is dying. But who is George, and where is Bay's wife Annabelle? Janie's mother is content to sweep everything but the fact of Bay's death under the rug; it's scandal enough that a scion of a prominent old New York Society family managed to get himself killed in such a flamboyant fashion.
But Janie, a cipher to most of that same society, is not. She wants to get to the truth of the murder both for Bay's sake and that of his twin children, still in the nursery. To that end, she recruits the help of a prominent journalist from The World newspaper. James Burke has a reputation for digging deep and exposing the truth in his stories. While this unlikely duo work to find who and what are responsible for the untimely death, Bay and Annabelle's story unfolds in alternating chapters. Nothing is as it seems on the surface.
This book was so entertaining, I really hated to see it end. But that's the point here, too. Not everything is tied up neatly in a bow at the end. There are still some questions out there, allowing the reader to imagine a possibly happier ending for some of the characters than appears here. It was completely satisfying in its own way. How many writers can perform that kind of magic?
Thursday, June 7, 2018
I Am Malala
I Am Malala (#748) hardly needs an introduction to most of the world. Malala Yousafzai tells her story in the engrossing book co written with noted war journalist Christina Lamb. The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban is the subtitle of this volume, although Malala makes it clear in its pages that it is not why she wants to be known. She prefers her activism in the cause of education, especially for women, to be the reason she is famous. She has already won several prestigious international prizes, and is showing no signs of stopping, even though she is not yet twenty one!
What is surprising are the circumstances her family had to overcome before her father could begin making an impact on local and national affairs, including celebrating her birth and adding her to the formerly all-male family tree. Their struggles are outlined here as the world around them changed and danger became a part of everyday living. How and why Malala and her father became targets of the Taliban are explained in chilling detail. Malala's story is one of courage; physical, moral and spiritual.
Since I am reading this for my book club, I went to the Little Brown website to print out the Reading Group Guide available on line. Although the questions for discussions are worthwhile, I was surprised that the role Malala's faith played in her story and her reactions to what happened to her were totally ignored. It seemed to me that it was a key element to what makes Malala Malala, and why her life story is so admirable. Just my opinion...
What is surprising are the circumstances her family had to overcome before her father could begin making an impact on local and national affairs, including celebrating her birth and adding her to the formerly all-male family tree. Their struggles are outlined here as the world around them changed and danger became a part of everyday living. How and why Malala and her father became targets of the Taliban are explained in chilling detail. Malala's story is one of courage; physical, moral and spiritual.
Since I am reading this for my book club, I went to the Little Brown website to print out the Reading Group Guide available on line. Although the questions for discussions are worthwhile, I was surprised that the role Malala's faith played in her story and her reactions to what happened to her were totally ignored. It seemed to me that it was a key element to what makes Malala Malala, and why her life story is so admirable. Just my opinion...
Monday, June 4, 2018
The Other Alcott
Elise Hooper's novel The Other Alcott (#747) is the fictionalized story of May Alcott, the real life sister of Louisa May Alcott, and the basis for the character of Amy in Little Women. May turns out to be just as independent and successful in her own way as her more famous older sister, and the bones of her story as told here are mostly true.
Like Amy in Little Women, May did pursue a career in art at a time when it was not generally accepted to do so, traveling to Europe to study several times. Her work appeared in the famous Paris Salons not once, but twice, and like her sister, she also authored a popular guide book for aspiring women artists abroad based on her own experiences. Throughout her life, May and her more famous sister Louisa, struggled personally and professionally, often at odds with each other. It makes for an interesting story.
Like Ms. Hooper, I grew up near Orchard House in Concord, where the Alcott family lived, and was fascinated by all things Alcott. Growing up, I read and re-read all the Louisa May Alcott books I could get my hands on, although I have to admit Little Women was never my favorite; I preferred Rose in Bloom or Eight Cousins myself. My father was equally taken by Bronson Alcott, Louisa and May's father, a Transcendentalist and experimental thinker/philosopher, so my family spent a good deal of time in Concord. When a trove of Louisa May Alcott's sensational stories were discovered and published in Behind the Mask, I read those with relish as well. It presented an entirely different picture of her, albeit one alluded to through her character of Jo March. May's story illuminates yet another aspect of an American family we thought we knew well.
Like Amy in Little Women, May did pursue a career in art at a time when it was not generally accepted to do so, traveling to Europe to study several times. Her work appeared in the famous Paris Salons not once, but twice, and like her sister, she also authored a popular guide book for aspiring women artists abroad based on her own experiences. Throughout her life, May and her more famous sister Louisa, struggled personally and professionally, often at odds with each other. It makes for an interesting story.
Like Ms. Hooper, I grew up near Orchard House in Concord, where the Alcott family lived, and was fascinated by all things Alcott. Growing up, I read and re-read all the Louisa May Alcott books I could get my hands on, although I have to admit Little Women was never my favorite; I preferred Rose in Bloom or Eight Cousins myself. My father was equally taken by Bronson Alcott, Louisa and May's father, a Transcendentalist and experimental thinker/philosopher, so my family spent a good deal of time in Concord. When a trove of Louisa May Alcott's sensational stories were discovered and published in Behind the Mask, I read those with relish as well. It presented an entirely different picture of her, albeit one alluded to through her character of Jo March. May's story illuminates yet another aspect of an American family we thought we knew well.
The Pope of Palm Beach
Tim Dorsey has finally taken his character Serge A. Storms back to his roots in Riviera Beach, Florida, and set most of the action in his latest novel, The Pope of Palm Beach (#746), in and around Palm Beach County. It's always fun to read about places with which you are familiar, so I particularly enjoyed Serge and Coleman's latest adventure.
The Pope in this case is a legendary surfer, Darby Pope, who knows everyone in the Riviera Beach/ Palm Beach area in the 60s, high and low, good and bad, supporting his surfing habit by welding on the docks of the Port of Palm Beach. The day he invites gawky young Kenny Reese to catch a wave with him will change both of their lives. He introduces Kenny to reading, which in turn leads Kenny to become a successful author. But one day when the pair are out gathering material for Kenny's newest book, things go badly awry, and the Pope winds up dead.
Fast forward to the present where Serge and Coleman are following a literary trail through Florida, visiting sites where Hemingway and Zora Neale Hurston once lived and wrote. But this time around, Serge wants to see if he can find the hangout of one of his favorite contemporary authors, Kenny Reese, who has disappeared from the publishing world without a trace. Not that his search is without problems. In typical Serge fashion, he does deal with several folks who richly deserve their ends.
I thought the justice he rendered to a thinly-disguised Martin Shekreli Big Pharma tycoon named Sterling Hanover was fitting, as was the punishment meted out to drunken frat boys molesting nesting sea turtles along the beach. Is it wrong to applaud such satisfying payback? If so, I'm guilty! But it is good to read a novel that can defeat the bad guys and let the nice guys win for a change. You go, Serge!
The Pope in this case is a legendary surfer, Darby Pope, who knows everyone in the Riviera Beach/ Palm Beach area in the 60s, high and low, good and bad, supporting his surfing habit by welding on the docks of the Port of Palm Beach. The day he invites gawky young Kenny Reese to catch a wave with him will change both of their lives. He introduces Kenny to reading, which in turn leads Kenny to become a successful author. But one day when the pair are out gathering material for Kenny's newest book, things go badly awry, and the Pope winds up dead.
Fast forward to the present where Serge and Coleman are following a literary trail through Florida, visiting sites where Hemingway and Zora Neale Hurston once lived and wrote. But this time around, Serge wants to see if he can find the hangout of one of his favorite contemporary authors, Kenny Reese, who has disappeared from the publishing world without a trace. Not that his search is without problems. In typical Serge fashion, he does deal with several folks who richly deserve their ends.
I thought the justice he rendered to a thinly-disguised Martin Shekreli Big Pharma tycoon named Sterling Hanover was fitting, as was the punishment meted out to drunken frat boys molesting nesting sea turtles along the beach. Is it wrong to applaud such satisfying payback? If so, I'm guilty! But it is good to read a novel that can defeat the bad guys and let the nice guys win for a change. You go, Serge!
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