Curiosities: Curious Book News

Haven't Read 'Dragon Tattoo' Yet? Give it a Try!

2012-01-16T08:06:00.000-05:00

“The Girl with the Golden Tattoo” by Stieg Larsson (Vintage Crime/Black Lizard, $15.95), one of 2012’s best selling books, initially came out in an English translation in 2008.

This latest paperback edition showcases a new cover with images from the hot new David Fincher movie. It’s also gotten a big push through assorted blog sites and positive reader recommendations
The other two books in the blockbuster series, “The Girl Who Played with Fire” and “The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest” have also sold incredibly well, with worldwide sales of over 21 million copies.

At almost 600 pages, reading the first book in the series seems like a massive undertaking for the average mystery/thriller lover, who’s more used to completing books half that length.

After the first 100 pages or so, one’s likely to be puzzled as to what all the fuss is about. But the book gets better and better; soon the reader’s ensnared and amazed, wanting to drop everything to find out more about
the actions of Larsson’s intriguing, enigmatic main characters.

Mikael Blomkvist, a disgraced Swedish financial journalist, is hired by the head of one of Sweden’s wealthiest families to investigate the 1966 disappearance of Harriet Varner, a pretty 16-year-old family member.

Eventually, he gets assistance from computer hacking prodigy Lisbeth Salander, an independent, asocial young woman who’s under court-ordered psychiatric guardianship.

Salander’s gritty experiences with a new court-appointed guardian are daunting; her revenge is justifiably memorable.

Surprisingly, the investigative pair works together remarkably well; soon the relationship becomes more than just work-related. The novel, like the movie, is exceptionally complex and atmospheric. The pair has minimal initial success as they try to track down facts using traditional and more contemporary information-gathering methods.

Their quest isn’t easy; reticent family members and many of the assorted authorities have long ago given up ever solving the puzzling case.

Unusual sexual relationships abound; unnerving information surfaces and the search for truth reveals disturbing and deadly, long hidden secrets.

Moviegoers who’ve caught the excellent recent film starring Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara won’t be disappointed with the book. A few sub-plots have been deleted and some scenes necessarily altered.

Larsson, who died in 2004, has created a fascinating, absorbing tale that succeeds exceptionally well on a variety of levels.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop,

has reviewed crime novels and Michigan books regularly since 1987.

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on January 15, 2012.

New Year's Treats for Real Mystery Lovers

2012-01-03T11:30:00.000-05:00

Die-hard mystery lovers can start the year off with a few real treats – there’s an excellent new novel out by Michael Connelly and a pair of books relating to Agatha Christie.

“The Drop” by award-winning, best-selling author Michael Connelly (Little, Brown, $27.99), is the seventeenth in his popular series starring Harry Bosch, a hard working Los Angeles police detective.

Bosch gets assigned a puzzling cold case where a predator’s DNA was recently matched up after the initial 1989 rape and murder investigation. The only problem is, the suspect was 8 years old at the time!

As if that’s not tough enough, he and his partner are called by the chief of police to investigate the suspicious death of George Irving, the son of Bosch’s old nemesis, influential City Councilman Irvin Irving.

Bosch faces many challenges, exploring a variety of false leads in both cases, trying to make sense of conflicting information. There’s even a touch of unexpected romance; Bosch gets emotionally involved with a woman who has a dark secret of her own.

Connelly is in fine form, offering a mesmerizing tale of death and deceit by one of America’s best crime fiction novelists.

“Agatha Christie: Murder in the Making” by John Curran (Harper, $25.99) is the sequel to his intriguing 2010 release, “The Secret Notebooks of Agatha Christie”, which won many of the genre’s top writing awards.

Subtitled “More Secrets and Stories from Her Notebooks”, Curran provides over 400 pages of highly- detailed, previously unpublished material, including a rare version of a Miss Marple short story.

He also showcases an essay by Christie regarding her fictional detective Hercule Poirot, which originally appeared in a British newspaper in the 1930’s.

Curran, who formerly edited the official Agatha Christie newsletter, has created an intriguing book that serious Christie fans should really appreciate.

“Agatha Christie - An Autobiography” (Harper, $29.99) is a handsome reprint of a title that was originally published in 1977.

Christie began writing this book in 1950 and continued for 15 years, until she was 75 and decided “it seems the right moment to stop.”

This new edition includes a cd of newly discovered recordings of Christie dictating parts of this book.
Agatha Christie, (1890-1976), remains one of the world’s most popular authors, selling over 2 billion copies of her books worldwide.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop,

has reviewed crime novels and noir thrillers regularly since 1987.

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on January 1, 2012.

BOOK IS LOVE LETTER TO LATE JACOBSON'S

2011-12-18T13:30:00.001-05:00

For decades, the holiday season in East Lansing always brought thousands of shoppers into town to buy items at Jacobson's, the elegant department store and centerpiece of the city's commercial district.

A new book by architect and historian Bruce Allen Kopytek revisits those days, carefully examining the early beginnings, growth and sad demise of a memorable retail organization.

"Jacobson's: I Miss It So! - The Story of a Michigan Fashion Institution" (History Press, $19.99) is a well organized, detailed account of a major retailer who began business as a small store selling "Fancy Goods" in Reed City in 1868.

Moses Jacobson bought a similar business in Jackson, and renamed it; the store thrived and later expanded to Ann Arbor and Battle Creek.

Nathan Rosenfeld, a Cincinnati department store executive, bought the stores in 1939; joined by his brother Zola, they continued to remodel and expand.

The East Lansing store opened in 1941 at 115 E. Grand River Ave. and grew regularly through the 1950s, eventually taking space around the corner on Abbot Road.

Rosenfeld purchased properties in East Lansing, constructing and opening a deluxe, fashionable 117,000-square-foot building there in 1970.

"Let's Do Lunch" is a chapter that includes information about the fine East Room Restaurant on the top floor of the East Lansing location; recipes and menus are also provided.

Although the East Lansing store is prominently depicted on the cover, most of the book is devoted to the growth of the company into a major business enterprise spanning 30 stores in five states.

Many chapters examine the wide variety of other expansions to the Detroit suburban area and Florida, but there's always a sense of respect for the exceptional business sense, foresight and humor of Nathan Rosenfeld.

This entertaining book includes numerous detailed photographs and drawings of storefronts; there are interior shots of many wonderful retail display areas.

Kopytek has done diligent research, using material from Rosenfeld's son Mark, who was the president of the company until 1997. Other information and photos also came from the Ella Sharp Museum of Art and History in Jackson, where the corporate records are located.

This is a great book that's likely to bring back many fond memories of shopping at Jacobson's, where exceptional customer service reigned and high quality merchandise prevailed.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing's Curious Book Shop, has reviewed Michigan books and crime novels regularly since 1987.

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on Sunday, December 18, 2011.

ESCAPE TO FLORIDA IN 2 NEW NOVELS

2011-12-18T13:26:00.000-05:00

With the cold wind blowing and the temperature dropping, maybe it's time get away from it all and escape — in a pair of hot crime novels set in sunny Florida.

Each book is action-packed and full of violence, starring quick-thinking heroes with a background in the military's Special Forces.

"Collateral Damage" by H. Terrell Griffin (Oceanview, $25.95) is the sixth in his popular series starring Matt Royal, a retired lawyer and Vietnam veteran who's relaxing in Florida as a beach bum.

Griffin's latest exciting tale opens with a young man being shot to death by a sniper on a beach on the day after his wedding. Royal gets involved in the case when the dead man turns out to be the son of one of his Special Forces buddies.

A dinner cruise ship nearly collides with Royal's boat; two passengers and the captain are discovered murdered.

Longboat Key Detective J.D. Duncan is doing her best to see if the cases are connected; Royal gets help from former members of his military unit and a hacker.

Griffin offers another enjoyable, carefully crafted tale filled with intriguing characters, nifty plot twists and fast-paced action.

"Thorns on Roses" by Randy Rawls (L & L Dreamspell, $14.95) is a paperback in the same category, but the hero is more twisted and the violence amplified.

Tom Jeffries is a private investigator in Broward County who had worked as a Dallas cop for many years.

He identifies the body of a 17-year-old girl who's been raped and murdered by a local street gang. She's the stepdaughter of Charlie Rogers, his best buddy, who served with him in Vietnam in the Army's Special Forces.

Swearing vengeance, Jeffries stalks and eliminates gang members in the best Charles Bronson style, with

deadly, jaw-dropping scenes.

Rawls has deftly produced a gritty, dark tale with a memorable, flawed vigilante. There's considerable room for a sequel.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing's Curious Book Shop, has reviewed crime novels and noir thrillers regularly since 1987.

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on Sunday, December 11, 2011

STATE IS SETTING FOR TWO NEW TALES

2011-12-04T13:10:00.000-05:00

Two recent crime novels set in Michigan are highly entertaining, although they occur in vastly different locations and time periods.

"The Chocolate Castle Clue" by Jo Anna Carl (Obsidian, $22.95) is the 11th in her popular "Chocoholic" series set in the small Lake Michigan resort town of Warner Pier.

The carefully crafted, cozy mystery stars Lee McKinney Woodyard, who works as business manager for her aunt's chocolate business.

This time, Lee's following her aunt's instructions to clean out an old storage space at the specialized chocolate factory and retail location.

Lee discovers a dusty trophy that brings back unpleasant old memories for her aunt.

Forty-five years earlier, her aunt's singing group, the Pier-O-Ettes, had won the trophy in a singing contest at the lake's Castle Ballroom.
That was the night the owner of the ballroom was found shot, an apparent suicide. The Pier-O-Ettes are now back for an eventful high school reunion, and the tasty plot thickens when a new murder occurs.

JoAnna Carl, who also writes as Eve K. Sandstrom, offers a delightful, fast-paced tale, complete with interesting chocolate chat and trivia.

"Motor City Shakedown" (St. Martin's Press, $24.99) is considerably different - it's a stylish, atmospheric, action-packed mystery that takes place in urban Detroit in 1911.

The sequel to Johnson's excellent "Detroit Electric Scheme" showcases flawed hero Will Anderson again getting into lots of trouble.

The first chapter sets the pace, with Will discovering the dead body of Carlo Moretti, the driver for Vito Adamo, a local crime boss.

Will goes on the run, afraid he's going to be charged with murder; soon he's caught up in Detroit's first mob war. The rival Gianolla gang threatens violence; more complications arise as the Teamsters attempt to unionize Will's father's electric automobile company.

Will faces more challenges, including his addiction to morphine. His former fiancee, a determined cop and young members of what will become the infamous Purple Gang play a vital part of the action.

Johnson is in fine form as he describes Detroit, a hustling, bustling town full of new immigrants and crooked cops. He throws in cameo appearances by an assortment of automotive pioneers including Ransom E. Olds; Edsel Ford, Henry Ford and Thomas Edison are also involved.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing's Curious Book Shop, has reviewed crime novels and Michigan books regularly since 1987.

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on Sunday, December 4, 2011.

MSU ALUM PENS 'MALIBU' E-BOOK

2011-12-04T13:09:00.000-05:00

"Malibu Confidential," a quirky new crime novel by Paul-Arthur Weisenfeld, is part of a growing trend in publishing — you're not likely to find it in your local bookshop without special ordering it.

It's primarily available as an e-book on Amazon in the Kindle format for $4.99. If you want it as a fat paperback book for $24.95 (all 565 pages!), you can get it fastest by ordering it through Amazon.

Weisenfeld, an award-winning journalist who attended MSU, has ties to the local community, working as a news broadcaster in the late 1960s and early 1970s for WITL.

His debut novel, set in the late 1990s, showcases private detective Randal Bristol, who only accepts clients on a referral basis.

While this significantly limits his clientele, Bristol likes it that way, working hard to keep media exposure at a minimum.

The fast-paced novel is divided into three subsections, mostly taking place in California. Bristol's initial case involves a highly unusual blackmail scheme, a search for a lost film and the quest for a missing script.

Later segments deal with a clever terrorist who's out to stop a film's production, deadly secrets and a major wildfire.

Stylistically, this new crime novel is easy to read, with more than 180 short chapters and snappy dialogue.
Spurts of unexpected violence towards the end are a bit jolting; some transitions are not as smooth as in the earlier parts of the novel. The conclusion is complicated but satisfying; it's not completely believable but still highly entertaining.

Weisenfeld deftly captures much of the underlying craziness in Hollywood, dealing with a wide assortment of greedy filmmakers, studio executives, worn-out actors and actresses, nasty thugs and wannabe movie stars.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing's Curious Book Shop, has reviewed crime novels and noir thrillers regularly since 1987.

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on Sunday, November 27, 2011.

Grisham, Levine Both Score With New Novels

2011-11-21T10:35:00.000-05:00

Sleazy lawyers abound in a pair of highly entertaining new novels. With many courtroom shenanigans and unexpected plot twists, these fast-paced tales are likely to keep you up reading all night, rooting for the underdog.

“The Litigators”, by best-selling author John Grisham, (Doubleday, $28.95) is his best book in a few years.

Grisham, the masterful storyteller well known for his excellent legal thrillers, doesn’t disappoint his loyal fans as adds a bit more humor, introducing ambulance-chasing attorneys Oscar Finley and Wally Figg.

The lower level attorneys have been together for over 20 years, operating out of a seedy Chicago office, specializing in quickie divorces and DUI’s.

David Zinc is a smart, young, burned-out attorney who’s tired of 100-hour weeks. He impulsively decides to quit his job at a prestigious law firm, ending up drunk at Finley and Figg’s office.

As unlikely as it seems, he joins the lawyers and soon becomes involved in a class action suit against a major pharmaceutical company.

That’s where the fun begins, as the attorneys try to get statements from people whose family members have either died or been harmed by Krayoxx, a popular cholesterol-reducing drug with possible deadly side effects.

Sleaziness is not limited to the Finley and Figg firm; other attorneys around the country jump on the bandwagon and the huge pharmaceutical firm has its own unscrupulous tactics. Grisham is in fine form with strong, likable characters, lots of courtroom action and a satisfying conclusion.

“Lassiter” by award-winning author Paul Levine (Bantam, $25) marks the gritty return of Jack Lassiter, a former football player who’s earned a reputation as a tough lawyer in Miami’s low rent district.

Beautiful Amy Larkin hires Lassiter to investigate the disappearance of her sister Kristi, eighteen years earlier at a party at a local porn producer’s mansion.

Runaway, underage Kristi had starred in some films, but has vanished; Lassiter was peripherally involved and vows to make amends.

The quirky case gets more complicated when Amy is accused murdering a mobster; the porn producer, now a philanthropist, is trying to stay out of the picture and a dedicated State Attorney is out for blood.

While it’s been 14 years since the last Lassiter novel, Levine, the author of the excellent Solomon/Lord series definitely hasn’t lost his touch.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop,

had reviewed crime novels regularly since 1987.

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on Sunday, November 20, 2011.

New Books from Michigan Authors

2011-11-14T17:36:00.000-05:00

Here’s a quick look at some interesting books with a Michigan connection that came out earlier this year.

“The Color of Night: by L.C. Timmerman and John H. Timmerman (New Horizon Press $24.95) is a compelling true crime account of the struggle for justice in the murder case of 19-year-old Rachael Timmerman and the disappearance of Shannon, her 3-month-old daughter in Newaygo County.

The fascinating, gritty, highly detailed book opens with the 1997 discovery of Rachel’s body, duct-taped, handcuffed and chained to a cement block, in Oxford Lake.

She and her daughter had disappeared two days before she was to testify against Marvin Gabrion, who she had accused of attacking and raping her. The FBI is called in; eventually he is captured in a small New York town and is a suspect in other murders.

There are many more complications in the case; ironically, the 6th Court of Appeals recently overturned the death sentence on a technicality.

This well-researched book includes courtroom testimony as well as personal insights. It’s co-written by her father, who lives outside of Cedar Springs and her uncle, a professor at Calvin College in Grand Rapids.

“As Life Goes On” by Lansing author Larry Webb (CreateSpace $14.99) is an intriguing tale about Jeremy, a teen-ager whose best friend Scott is killed in a hit-and-run accident.

Jeremy goes to the cemetery, finding Scott and Jeremy’s long-dead dog Mooshy as ghosts, sitting on a mound of dirt.

It gets stranger from there, as the trio tries to unearth what really happened in the moments before Scott’s death.

The helpful spirits discover useful information; soon they assist Jeremy in a search for a missing classmate. Although they face numerous challenges, they are successful – in a way, opening the door for another paperback in the series, “Life Moves On”.

“In Which Brief Stories Are Told” by award-winning poet Phillip Sterling, (Wayne State, $18.95) is a slim, unusual collection of 15 short stories, some only two pages long.

These carefully crafted tales by Sterling are often enigmatic, offering quick slice-of-life glimpses of emotional situations.

It’s akin to reaching your hand into a large glass jar filled with razor blades, marbles and honey - you never know where Sterling’s literate tales will take you. Sterling teaches writing and literature at Ferris State University in Big Rapids.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Sop,

has reviewed Michigan books regularly since 1987.

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal

on Sunday, November 13, 2011.

AUTHOR SHARES 14 "BARN STORIES"

2011-11-06T12:35:00.000-05:00

"Barn Stories" by Morrice author Larry Neitzert (LWN Press, $14.95) is an amazingly good collection of 14 mesmerizing short stories by one of Michigan's most talented writers.

Neitzert, who gained acclaim with his excellent debut novel, "Maggie's Farm," last year, has self-published an exceptionally entertaining paperback anthology that smoothly delves into a variety of human emotions.

While the central action takes place inside an assortment of Michigan barns, Neitzert covers a lot of territory, beginning with "A Blue Uniform for Jonathon" a thought-provoking story set during the Civil War.

Neitzert's next tale deals with an unusual discovery by four boys in a pile of rubbish on a creek bank. Their journey to the barn and the ultimate resolution is both realistic and hilarious.

"Painted Barn" is similar, dealing with two farmers' wives, their strong beliefs and frustrations; the surprising ending certainly is unexpected.

Other stories offer sobering viewpoints from the wives of farmers or their children, examining the changing role that agriculture or livestock production is having in today's economy.

In the haylofts and in the barns, Neitzert showcases his masterful storytelling talents when dealing with aging, proud farmers who face considerable challenges.

"Retirement for Louise" focuses on a woman who wants to escape the farm life; her stubborn husband has other ideas. Another story deals with rural racism; others explore many generational differences and similarities.

"What to Do With Uncle Paul" is an emotional short story about an elderly relative who grew up on his sister's farm and has problems adjusting when the farm must be sold.

Neitzert's short stories are best absorbed a little at a time. It's almost like taking literary vitamins: one a day should make you feel much better.

The author is an MSU graduate who grew up on a farm in Coldwater and was a classroom teacher and athletic coach for 31 years. He is an adjunct instructor at Baker College of Owosso in social studies, where he teaches history.

Copies of the book can be ordered for $17.95 postpaid from the author at Larry Neitzert, P.O. Box 251, Morrice, MI 48857.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing's Curious Book Shop, has reviewed Michigan books regularly since 1987.

This review was originally published in the Lansing State Journal on Sunday, November 6th, 2011.

Curiosities Newsletter for November 2011

2011-11-01T17:37:00.001-04:00

Greetings, Curious Readers!

Isn't it about time you brushed up on your American History?

During the month of November, the following sections are 30% OFF:

American History

World History

Religion

Rock & Roll Books

New Acquisitions at Curious include a set of Ellery Queen's best mysteries, attractively bound; vintage football programs for Michigan State and University of Michigan spanning from the 1950s to the 1980s; dozens of manga graphic novels; plenty of general fiction bestsellers; hardcover and paperback novels by Terry Pratchett; many religious books; 3 companion sets of Great Books, to be purchased together; paperback series fiction for children, including Michigan Chillers, Barbie, Magic Tree House, Choose Your Own Adventure, American Girl and more!

We have also acquired numerious bestselling paperback and hardcover books by authors including Jonathan Franzen, Stephen King, Tom Wolfe, Kurt Vonnegut, D.H. Lawrence, Rebecca West, Margaret Mitchell, Robert Jordan, James Michener and Gabriel Garcia Marquez; a wide variety of Paranormal Romance novels (located on our main floor and in the basement); signed copies of A History of the Red Cedar Neighborhood by Janet L. Hicks Ronk; books about various religions; and many nicely illustrated children's books, perfect to give as gifts to young readers!

Shop News:

Many thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate our 42nd anniversary, last month.
We would LOVE to know of your fond memories and favorite books from Curious.
Please post them on our Facebook page!

Ray will be reviewing Barn Stories: A Collection of Michigan Short Stories

by Michigan author Larry Neitzert! Watch for the review in this Sunday's

edition of the Lansing State Journal, or on our blog!

Neitzert will be signing copies of of his latest work at Everybody Reads

( 2019 E. Michigan Ave, Lansing, Mi 48912)

on Wednesday, Nov. 9th, from 7 until 9 pm.

CLASSICON 40 is COMING!
Join us at the University Quality Inn on

November 12, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

(3121 E. Grand River Ave., Lansing, MI)

Admission: $3.00

At Classicon you will find thousands of collectable Pulp Magazines,

Digests, Comics and Paperbacks availbable for sale or trade!

Other items of interest include Calendars, Pinups and Glamour Art;

Original Paperback Artwork from the 1950s and 1960s; Mysteries;

Detective Stories; Westerns; Romance; Science Fiction and other

Classics from the 1920s - 1960s!

Show Webpage: http://www.curiousbooks.com/shows.html

For more information, please contact the Curious Book Shop.

Shop and Save on GREEN FRIDAY at the Curious Book Shop!

Downtown East Lansing businesses will take part in this big sale day

on Friday, December 2nd, offering stellar discounts on all sorts of

wonderful gift items. EVERYTHING will be at least 25% OFF at Curious!

Did you stop by Curious during the Pumpkin Walk?
We had an estimated 1200 kids (plus parents!) visit the shop last Thursday,
and saw some extra-cool literary themed costumes, including Laura Ingalls Wilder,
Sherlock Holmes, Dorothy, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Winnie the Pooh,
Olivia the Pig, Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter.

Community Happenings:
The Spartans play Minnesota on Saturday, November 5th.
This is a home game, and it begins at noon.
Remember, downtown parking is at a premium on football Saturdays!

The Spartans play their final home game against Indiana
on Saturday, November 19th. Go Green! Go White!

Scene Metrospace (110 Charles St., East Lansing)

presents Bedlam, a "visual exploration" by local photographer

Robert Turney, depicting 19th century mental patients and institutions.

This show runs from Nov. 4th until Dec. 11th.

www.scenemetrospace.com

The East Lansing Film Festival is November 9 - 17!

Tickets and schedule information is available at www.elff.com,

or by calling (517) 993 - 5444.

We will be open on Sundays, from noon until 5 pm,

and there is free parking in East Lansing's city parking lots!
Literary Happenings through History for November:

Ivan Turgenev, born Nov. 9 1818. Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. born Nov. 11, 1922.
Herman Melville's Moby Dick first published by Harper and Brothers in
New York on Nov. 14, 1981. Sylvia Beach opened her Parisian book shop,
Shakespeare & Co., on Nov. 17, 1919. George Eliot born Nov. 22, 1811.
Ray Walsh, owner and founder of Curious Book Shop, celebrates his
birthday Nov. 25th! Lewis Carroll gave his handwritten manuscript,
Alice's Adventures Underground, to Alice Liddell as an early
Christmas gift on Nov. 26, 1864. John Donne, born Nov. 27 1573.
C.S. Lewis born Nov. 29, 1898. Oscar Wilde died in Paris, Nov. 30, 1900.

As the holiday season approaches, please consider shopping for gifts at Curious,
You'll find unique, beautiful gift-quality and rare books at affordable prices.
Call or email to set up an appointment with Audrey, our gift-giving guru.
She can help you find just the right item for that special someone - or for yourself!

Hours of Operation:

Monday - Saturday, 10 am - 8 pm

Sundays, Noon - 5 pm

As always, we thank you for supporting a local, independently owned book shop!
- Ray, Mark, Audrey and the rest of the Curious Gang

__________

Curious Books

www.curiousbooks.com

www.facebook.com/curiousbooks

http://www.curiousbookshop.blogspot.com/
307 East Grand River
East Lansing, MI 48823
(517) 332-0112

Spooky House Tale Set in State

2011-10-31T11:14:00.000-04:00

“Spirits and Wine” by MSU graduate Susan Newhof (University of Michigan Press, $24) is a spooky, unusual book that’s hard to simply classify.

It’s a ghost story, a mystery, a tale of personal growth and more. It showcases John and Anna, a recently married couple, who buy an old farmhouse in Carlston, a small, fictional Western Michigan lakeshore town.

The old house is charming but needs considerable work; that’s only part of the problem. While the couple is initially skeptical, they soon discover that there are unseen, disquieting spirits in the house.

John is in the wine business, which requires him to fly off to service accounts on a regular basis. Anna busies herself with the house restoration, but she is strangely attracted to gardening, which hadn’t interested her before.

She can’t recall her actions for periods of time and has other challenges; John becomes more frustrated as they try to figure out what’s going on.

Their investigation into the past occupants of the house turns up unnerving information. During the Spanish flu influenza of 1918-19, the owners of the house died, but there are still many questions about the younger children in the family.

Anna falls seriously ill; they worry about the spirit’s possessiveness and get unexpected help from a Grand Rapids café owner.

The plot gets more convoluted from there, but Newhof spins a highly entertaining tale, told in tandem viewpoints of Anna and John.

In a search for more information, the couple issues a press release; a resulting outstate journey raises other concerns which may change their lives forever.

Newhof notes in a press interview that the intriguing novel took 13 years for her to write. It started when she and her husband bought an old farmhouse in Montague MI. She states “Many of the things that happened in this story are based on events that happened in our lives and based on things that happened in the house.”

While “Spirits and Wine” is only 168 pages long, it is a carefully crafted, compelling tale filled with strong-willed characters and a satisfying conclusion.

This is the first novel for Newhof, the author of the popular guide series “Michigan’s Town and Country Inns”, but she is working on another.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop,

has reviewed Michigan books and crime novels regularly since 1987.

This review was originally published by the

Lansing State Journal on October 30, 2011.

AUTHOR SHARES EAST LANSING HISTORY, MEMORIES

2011-10-23T12:34:00.001-04:00

Janet Hicks Ronk has seen a lot of changes in East Lansing since she grew up on South Harrison Road. It's hard to imagine the now-bustling thoroughfare as a one-track gravel road.

Her grandfather, Stephen Henry Hicks, and his family, originally from St. Johns, bought 160 acres of farmland on Harrison Road in 1911. They proceeded to move from their large home, 30 miles away, to East Lansing, described as "only a collection of little houses right around the corner of Harrison Road and Michigan Avenue."

The Hicks family slowly developed the land, creating the "Flower Pot" area out of their newly named Lilac Lawn Farm.

Ronk, an MSU alumna and a retired faculty emeritus, has written "A History of the Red Cedar Neighborhood in East Lansing, MI," now available in a second printing of a limited edition.

The attractively designed 72-page booklet is filled with fascinating insights and numerous family photos, including images of many early houses that were built as the development grew.

She provides detailed recollections of family members that vividly describe the challenges faced by moving by horse-drawn sleigh into rural East Lansing in the middle of winter.

At the time, Ronks' grandfather noted: "There was a little aggie school not far away with about 700 students, but no one thought much about it."

That school, then known as Michigan Agricultural College, later became Michigan State University.

The family grew and prospered, getting involved in the dairy business and creating apple cider. The Hicks family named the neighborhood streets after flowers; they were actively involved in constructing more than 60 homes in the subdivision.

The insights into the growth of the area include obscure historical tidbits, such as the fact that MSU's Brody dormitory complex originally was the location of the East Lansing dump.

You can get the book for $12.95 postpaid by writing to Books, Box 6400, East Lansing, MI 48824.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing's Curious Book Shop, has reviewed Michigan books regularly since 1987.

This review originally appeared in the Lansing State Journal on Sunday, October 23, 2011.

MICHIGAN JOURNALISTS STAR IN NEW NOVELS

2011-10-23T12:00:00.000-04:00

Two recent mysteries feature diligent Michigan journalists trying to solve puzzling crimes.

"Juror 55" by Shepherd author Chris Zimmerman (Joker's Conundrum, $17) again showcases Alma newspaper reporter Derrick Twitchell.

He witnesses the kidnapping of Congressman Floyd Capp from a Town Hall meeting. Capp had voted for a controversial health care bill; angry constituents were there to relay their displeasure.

After the kidnappers get away, Capp is murdered, and Martin Yandle, leader of an ultra-right wing religious group, is sought as the killer.

Weeks later, Twitchell stops a deadly attempt by Yandle at an Amish schoolhouse. The reporter gets help from psychologist James Ong while his wife tries to infiltrate the religious group.

The trial in Flint involving the murder case causes serious complications. An Amish juror provides unexpected challenges for Twitchell and Ong as another major crime develops.

"Dead Dogs and Englishmen" by Elizabeth Kane Buzzelli (Midnight Ink, $14.95) is the fourth in her paperback series starring Emily Kincaid, a part-time journalist in the small northern Michigan town of Leetsville.

As usual, Kincaid gets into trouble, this time when local deputy Dolly Wakowski takes her to the site where the brutally slain body of a woman has been discovered at an abandoned farmhouse.

The corpse of a dog is also found there; further investigation reveals that bodies of dead dogs have been thrown into the yards of Mexican migrant farm workers.

Kincaid's ex-husband is back on the scene; he provides her with an unusual job offer from Cecil Hawke, an eccentric, wealthy Englishman.

Hawke wants her to edit his manuscript; Kincaid takes the job, only to discover a much darker side of the hopeful author. When another murder occurs, Kincaid and Wakowski are drawn deeper into the case, with deadly results.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing's Curious Book Shop, has been reviewing crime novels and Michigan books regularly since 1987.

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on Sunday, October 16, 2011.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CURIOUS!

2011-10-19T13:15:00.001-04:00

For 42 YEARS the Curious Book Shop

has happily served the

East Lansing / Lansing / MSU / LCC community.

Stop by the shop this week

(Oct. 19 - Oct. 25)

to take advantage of our

bigger-and-better-than-ever

anniversary sale:

All used books and magazines

priced $42.00 and less

are an astounding

42% OFF!

All other items are
20% OFF!

This offer is not valid on online sales.

Thank you, to all of our loyal customers.

Here's to the wonderful, book-filled years to come!

Ray Walsh, founder and owner of the Curious Book Shop,

at the 54th Michigan Antiquarian Book and Paper Show.

October Curiosities Newsletter

2011-10-12T09:51:00.000-04:00

Hello, from the Curious Book Shop!

You're one of the first to know about our big October Sale:

30% OFF Horror, Humor, Health & Hunting
What do the the Dictionary, the Bible,
the Harry Potter books and The Shining have in common?

They're all banned books!

Come celebrate National Book Month and
Banned Book Week at the Curious Book Shop.
There are dozens banned books on display,
along with information about when, where and why they were banned.

Shop News:

New acquisitions include beautiful art and art history books;
many cookbooks; childrens books; history books about ancient Egypt,
Greece, Rome and medieval societies; MSU Football programs (1960s - 1990s);
a fascinating collection of conspiracy theory texts and new age books;
books about Wilhelm Reich, Freud and Jung; and titles by your favorite
bestselling authors of yesterday and today!

Other new items include vintage issues of Western Horseman,
Cycle (a magazine all about motorcycles), Gleanings in Bee Culture
(bee keeping magazine from the 1930s - 1960s), Southwest Art
and the new issue of Locus, our favorite science fiction & fantasy magazine!

Do you want to be the FIRST to know when something unusual comes into the shop?
We are, admittedly, a bit behind the technological times... but we're on Facebook!
Follow us and watch for new acquisitions, posted almost every day.

Did you attended last month's 54th Michigan Antiquarian Book and Paper Show?
Tell us about your experience!
What were you hoping to find?
What items interested you the most?
We value your opinions and strive to make each show better than the last.

Mark your Calendar: The 55th show will be held on Sunday, April 1st, 2012!

More Local Upcoming Events:
MSU vs UofM The big game is this weekend,
which means parking will be at a premium.
Kickoff is at noon, at Spartan Stadium.
We've restocked our classic MSU football programs,
so stop in and take a walk down memory lane, or
fill in the gaps in your collection.

MSU Homecoming is October 21st and 22nd!
Join us along Grand River Ave. on Friday the 21st for the
annual MSU Homecoming parade, which begins at 6 p.m.
Keep in mind that parking may be quite difficult.

Enjoy beautiful downtown East Lansing before the big
football game (vs. Wisconson, 8 p.m. kickoff).
Be sure to stop in and say hello!

Halloween / Pumpkin Walk at CuriousBring the whole family for one of our favorite nights - the Pumpkin Walk!
Join us on Thursday, Oct. 27th between 5 and 7 p.m. to stock up
on tasty candy, coupons and great books for kids and adults.
This is a wonderful community event that regularly brings
over 1,000 children and parents into our shop.

Our staff will be dressed in literary-related costumes,
so be sure to try and guess which book or character we're celebrating!
Safe Halloween webpage

Classicon 40:
A Collectable Paperback, Pulp, Comic and Glamour Art Show
is coming to Lansing on Saturday, November 12, 2011!
Admission: $3.00. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the
University Quality Inn (near Frandor Shopping Center).

Thousands of collectable pulp magazines, comics, digests and
paperbacks will be available for sale or trade, as well as original
art pieces, calendars, pin-up art and many more unusual items.

Interesting in exhibiting? Contact Ray at curiousbooks@gmail.com.

October's Literary Birthdays:
Tim O'Brien (Oct. 1), Wallace Stevens (Oct. 2), Mahatma Gandhi (Oct. 2),
Graham Greene (Oct. 2), Mikhail Lermontov (Oct. 3), Thomas Wolfe (Oct. 3),
James Herriot (Oct. 3), Gore Vidal (Oct. 3), Kazauki Takahashi (Oct. 4),
Anne Rice (Oct. 4), Edward Stratemeyer (Oct. 4), Denis Diderot (Oct. 5),
Frank Herbert (Oct. 8), R.L. Stine (Oct. 8), Elmore Leonard (Oct. 11),
Conrad Richter (Oct. 13), Katherine Mansfield (Oct. 14), e. e. cummings (Oct. 14),
Virgil (Oct. 15), John Kenneth Galbraith (Oct 15.), Arthur Schlesinger (Oct. 15),
Mario Puzo (Oct. 15), Gunter Grass (Oct. 16), Oscar Wilde (Oct. 16),
Noah Webster (Oct. 16), Arthur Miller (Oct. 17), Wendy Wasserstein (Oct. 18),
John Le Carre (Oct. 19), Ursula K. LeGuin (Oct. 21), Doris Lessing (Oct. 22),
Michael Crichton (Oct. 23), Anne Tyler (Oct. 25), Pat Conroy (Oct. 26),
Dylan Thomas (Oct. 27), Sylvia Plath (Oct. 27), Ivan Turgenev (Oct. 28),
John Locke (Oct. 28), Ezra Pound (Oct. 30), Fjodor Dostoevsky (Oct. 30),
John Keats (Oct. 31), Dick Francis (Oct. 31).

If there's a specific book you're looking for, please let us know!
We'd be happy to keep your request on file, or perform a special order.

Thank you for your continued support and interest in the Curious Book Shop.
What do you think of this month's newsletter? We'd love to know your opinions!

Many thanks from Ray, Audrey, Mark and the rest of the Curious Gang

Curious Books
http://www.curiousbooks.com/
www.facebook.com/CuriousBooks
307 East Grand River
East Lansing, MI 48823
(517) 332-0112

STANDER HAS NEW ELKINS NOVEL

2011-10-09T13:31:00.000-04:00

"Medieval Murders," by Michigan author Aaron Stander (Writers & Editors, $15.95), is the fifth book in his popular series starring Cedar County sheriff Ray Elkins.

This time out, Stander shows Elkins in a different light, exploring a puzzling case that occurred before the dedicated lawman took his job in Northern Michigan.

This prequel to the series begins with Elkins serving as acting director of university police at a major Michigan college.

He's got five days left on the job. He's looking forward to going back to teaching again and returning to his position as chair of the criminal justice department.

Instead, Elkins is called to a crime scene on campus, where the body of medieval studies specialist Sheila Bensen is discovered after falling from the top of the carillon tower.

As an ex-cop in Detroit, Elkins has experience at crime scenes; he decides to dig deeper into the suspicious death.

Elkins gets assistance from Charlene Pascoe, Head of Investigations, a talented former student who has been recruited back to the department.

Further complications arise when a second medievalist dies on campus. The action intensifies more towards the end of the book, when the body of a third department member is discovered.

This is a well-crafted, cerebral police procedural that should easily satisfy fans who've enjoyed reading about Elkins in other books.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing's Curious Book Shop, has reviewed crime novels Michigan books regularly since 1987.

This review appeared in the Lansing State Journal on October, 9 2011.

NOVEL INCORPORATES SCI-FI AUTHORS

2011-09-18T12:56:00.000-04:00

If you're trying to escape reality a bit and want to enjoy an unusual, intriguing, fast-paced novel, the latest book by Paul Malmont should be just about perfect.

"The Astounding, the Amazing, and the Unknown" (Simon & Schuster, $26) will whisk you away to 1943, when America was involved in the middle of World War II.

Malmont, the author of "The Chinatown Death Cloud Peril" and "Jack London in Paradise," offers an exciting tale that features many major science fiction authors as main characters.

Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov and L. Sprague de Camp play a central role in this smooth and exceptionally clever literary mixture of fact and fiction.

Heinlein is recruited by the Navy to form a "Kamikaze Group" of writers to work on a special project at the Philadelphia Naval Yard.

The authors are set up in a military laboratory, hired to try to make an assortment of science fiction themes a reality, including the creation of death rays and force fields.

Pulp magazine writer L. Ron Hubbard joins them in a madcap adventure that will take them on unexpected journeys.

As the war tensions increase, the U.S. government is expecting great things from this group of authors as the country struggles to stay ahead of Nazi military innovations.

An interesting plot twist is developed as the heroes investigate the ruins of a mysterious energy facility near Long Island that was created by Nikola Tesla.

There are many well-crafted, intriguing scenes as the group of authors challenges authority on various levels. They are joined by a variety of other pulp-era writers, including Walter Gibson (creator of "The Shadow") and Lester Dent (creator of "Doc Savage).

Malmont delves deep into the lives and relationships of the talented young authors, offering insights into Heinlein's insecurity about his writing skills, Asimov's marriage problems and his fascination with robots, and Hubbard's many unusual experiences during the war.

Cameo appearances by young Ray Bradbury, superfan Forrest Ackerman and even Albert Einstein add to
this highly distinctive, well-plotted adventure novel.

This is ideal reading for anyone who loves pulp magazines, science fiction or historical thrillers. It falls in the same category as the recent Captain America movie - or Michael Chabon's "Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay." It's simply an exciting, nostalgic tale that's great fun.

Malmont, who works in advertising, attended the Interlochen Arts Academy.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing's Curious Book Shop, has reviewed books regularly since 1987.

This review originally appeared in the Lansing State Journal on September 18, 2011

COLLECTION OF POETRY, PROSE IN ROOTED IN MID-MICHIGAN AREA

2011-09-11T13:00:00.000-04:00

"Circle ... Home" by local author Melissa Dey Hasbrook (Femistiza Press, $20) is an intriguing new book that isn't that easy to categorize.

It's a mixture of contemporary poetry, prose, maps, photographs and artwork, deftly combined to offer a thought-proving volume that's intriguingly different.

The self-published volume is the debut publication of the small press Femistiza; Hasbrook received an emerging-artist grant earlier this year from the Arts Council of Greater Lansing.

The oversize trade paperback features excellent cover art and small line drawings of turtles and spiders by Linda Robinson, which are also scattered throughout the volume.

This is a collection of poetry and prose rooted in mid-Michigan, using journal observations, personal family photographs and prose.

The first part of the book deals with "Stories from a Stone," where Hasbrook uses journal entries and photographs to reflect on the state of the family land that used to be the Kowalk dairy farm on Clark Road in DeWitt.

After offering images of the original 1890s title abstracts to the property, Hasbrook continues with "the land, once called DeWitt," which first appeared as an e-book in 2009.

This section includes poetry, vintage photographs and prose, some dealing with memories, ancestors and future land development. "The Tin Sequence" details the horrors of the introduction of smallpox to American Indians.

Hasbrook continues her skillful storytelling in the next section, offering insights into generations of various family members.

The last part mixes more genealogical poetry with an exploration of the fate of the Mason Esker, an ancient glacial riverbed that flows from DeWitt through the Lansing area to Mason.

Hasbrook's combination of thought-provoking poetry and memorable images is accompanied by notes that explain the relevance of the graphics. She also provides a selected list of sources and inspirational materials.

The author is a local community organizer who began the HerStories Project as a grass-roots program to celebrate stories about women in 2010, expanding the events this year to celebrate gender.

Hasbrook's earlier creative publications include "Echoes of Women (2006), a collaborative chapbook, and "Blame It on Eve" (2007), an e-book on CD of her poems.

Portions of "Circle ... Home" have been published on her website http://www.deyofthephoenix.com/.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing's Curious Book Shop, has reviewed books since 1987.

This review was originally published by the

Lansing State Journal on Sunday, September 11, 2011.

CRIME WRITERS DELIVER THRILLS

2011-09-11T12:52:00.000-04:00

Family relationships are of the utmost importance in a pair of compelling page-turners that are likely to keep you reading until the wee hours of the morning.

Each book is written by a best-selling thriller writer and comes complete with unexpected plot twists, lots of violence and a nasty villain.

"The Accident" by Linwood Barclay (Bantam, $25) is a superb, taut thriller by the author of "Never Look Away" and seven other acclaimed novels.

After a brief bloody prologue, Barclay shifts into high gear, introducing Glen Garber, a small town Connecticut contractor struggling in today's tough times.

When his wife fails to come back from a night school class, Garber begins to worry. Soon, his worst fears are realized: his wife is dead in a car accident that claimed two other lives.

Garber's wife is accused of being drunk and responsible for the accident; Garber can't believe it. As he investigates, other facts don't add up. Garber, the father of an 8-year-old girl, faces significantly more challenges and an expensive lawsuit.

Barclay ratchets up the tension with the body count rising. Garber's life gets very complicated and soon a relentless killer makes him a target. If you haven't read any of Barclay's books, you're in for a treat.

"Eyes Wide Open" by Andrew Gross (William Morrow, $25.99) is the fifth novel by an author who's become more famous for co-writing many other thrillers with James Patterson.

Jay Erlich, a wealthy New York State doctor, gets upsetting news that his nephew has been found dead at the bottom of a cliff in California.

Erlich flies out to comfort his older brother Charlie and Charlie's wife Gabrielle. While their son Evan had mental problems, they don't believe he was suicidal.

Jay doesn't either; he investigates and discovers a murder that's possibly related. He unearths deep dark secrets involving his brother and a notorious mass murder that took place decades earlier.

Gross based this tense thriller on a few real life situations - his own nephew died in a suspicious fall off a cliff. The Charles Manson-like character is based on Gross' chance encounter with the real Manson Gross had years ago.

The prologue of this novel is set in Michigan - and the victim's parents were from Lansing.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing's Curious Book Shop, has reviewed books since 1987.

This review was originally published by the

Lansing State Journal on Sunday, September 4, 2011.

PICTORIAL EMBRACES MICHIGAN HISTORY

2011-09-11T12:45:00.000-04:00

There's still a little time left to make a great escape before Labor Day and you don't have to pay for gas!

The latest book by M. Chris Byron and Thomas R. Wilson will whisk you away for a journey into the past, in "Vintage Views Along the West Michigan Pike"(Arbutus Press, $35)

Subtitled "From Sand Trails to US-31" this over-sized pictorial volume covers significant territory and includes a brief introduction from well-known historian Leroy Barnett.

This isn't a dry, scholarly history book with detailed, mostly outdated, heavily footnoted information. Instead, it's a thoughtfully created, attention-grabbing book chock full of memorable images from old photographs and vintage post cards. It's complemented by striking graphics from many colorful advertisements and travel brochures.

The first chapter provides excellent history of the West Michigan Pike, showing how the scenic route was developed, constructed, expanded and promoted. It notes the initial importance of bicyclists and explores further growth from dirt roads to solid pavement.

The trip along Lake Michigan's eastern shoreline begins at Grand Beach and goes all the way to Mackinaw City, with stops at every minor village, sleepy small town and bustling city en route.

Appropriate maps also are offered; areas like Benton Harbor, Saugatuck, Holland, Grand Haven, Ludington, Frankfort, Traverse City, Charlevoix and Petoskey are all well-represented.

Byron and Wilson, longtime collectors of historic Michigan ephemera, postcards and photos, have turned their hobby into a fascinating endeavor.

Their earlier books, "Vintage Views of Leelanau County" and "Vintage Views of the Charlevoix-Petoskey Region", won Michigan Notable Book Awards from the Library of Michigan. Their third book, "Vintage Views of the Mackinac Straits Region" was published in 2007.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing's Curious Book Shop, has reviewed books since 1987.

This review was originally published by the

Lansing State Journal on Sunday, August 28 2011.

2011-08-21T12:00:00.004-04:00

There’s still a little time left to make a great escape before the upcoming holiday;

you don’t even have to pay for gas!

The latest book by M. Chris Byron and Thomas R. Wilson will whisk you away for a wonderful journey into the past, in “Vintage Views Along the West Michigan Pike” (Arbutus Press, $35).

Subtitled “From Sand Trails to US-31” this over-sized pictorial volume covers significant territory and includes a brief introduction from well-known historian Leroy Barnett.

This isn’t a dry, boring, scholarly history book with detailed, mostly outdated, heavily footnoted information. Instead, it’s a thoughtfully created, attention-grabbing book that’s chock full of memorable images from old photographs and vintage post cards. It’s complemented by striking graphics from many colorful advertisements and travel brochures.

The first chapter provides excellent background history of the West Michigan Pike, showing how the scenic route was developed, constructed, expanded and promoted. It notes the initial importance of bicyclists and explores further growth from dirt roads to solid pavement.
Classic images abound, including photographs of old gas stations, long departed restaurants and tourist cabins. Unfortunately, many of the buildings shown no longer exist; many sites are long forgotten or barely remembered.

The trip along Lake Michigan’s eastern shoreline begins at Grand Beach and goes all the way up to Mackinaw City, with stops at every minor village, sleepy small town and bustling city en route.

Appropriate maps are also offered; areas like Benton Harbor, Saugatuck, Holland, Grand Haven, Ludington, Frankfort, Traverse City, Charlevoix and Petoskey are all well-represented.

The carefully-researched book also includes a list of illustration credits, a section of bibliography and sources cited and an index. The authors note: “We wanted to portray the sense of adventure and discovery that early motorists experienced along the pike.” They succeed in a grand fashion.

Byron and Wilson, longtime collectors of historic Michigan ephemera, postcards and photos, have turned their hobby into a fascinating endeavor. They have provided an enjoyable and much needed book that’s ideal for tourists, travelers, historians and local libraries.

Their earlier books, “Vintage Views of Leelanau County” and “Vintage Views of the Charlevoix-Petoskey Region”, won Michigan Notable Book Awards from the Library of Michigan. Their third book, “Vintage Views of the Mackinac Straits Region” was published in 2007.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop,

has reviewed Michigan books and crime novels regularly since 1987.

This review was originally published by the

Lansing State Journal on Sunday, August 21, 2011.

Michigan writers impress

2011-08-16T13:56:00.000-04:00

Two recent crime novels by Michigan writers feature hard-working individuals trying to solve puzzling crimes.
One showcases an aging, tough, urban private investigator while the other features a dedicated journalist who’s trying to solve a murder.

“Infernal Angels” by Whitmore Lake, Mich. author Loren Estleman (Forge, $24.99) is the 21st in his popular series starring Amos Walker, Detroit private eye.

Walker, who’s slow to adjust to modern technology, is hired by Rueben Crossgrain to track down a bunch of HDTV converter boxes that have been stolen. Diligently checking out promising leads, Walker runs into problems when his client’s dead body is discovered.

Walker becomes a suspect, getting the attention of Deputy Marshall Mary Ann Thayer and others in authority who have conflicting ideas on how to deal with him.

The private eye follows a trail of deception and violence, getting help from journalist Barry Stackpole, who’s appeared in other Walker novels.

The case gets considerably more complicated as the real reason behind the theft surfaces – the converter boxes were filled with high-grade heroin and were accidentally shipped to Crossgrain.

Estleman is in fine form, showing the challenges facing an aging private investigator; there’s an unusual and realistic chase scene that’s quite memorable.

This is a great, classic tough guy, private eye tale that’s ideal for hard-boiled crime fiction fans.

“A Case of Hometown Blues” by Jackson Mich. author W.S. Gager (Oak Tree Press, $14.95) is the third in her series about Mitch Malone, who was twice nominated for a Pulitzer Prize Investigative Journalism Award.
This oversized paperback is set in the small fictional town of Flatville, Mich. where Malone grew up. He’s returned to give a seminar on investigative journalist techniques.

The seminar is the same weekend as Malone’s high school reunion, but Malone really doesn’t want to participate. Trudy Harrison, the school’s Homecoming Queen, tracks him down in a local bar after the celebration.

She’s sloshed, so Malone decides to drive her home. Big mistake! Trudy’s body is discovered the next day and Malone becomes the prime suspect.

Released from jail, the dedicated journalist digs deeper, discovering many deadly dark secrets of the small town.

While Gager’s highly entertaining tale wraps up a little too neatly, it’s still solid escapism by a promising new talent.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop,

has reviewed crime novels and noir thrillers regularly since 1987.

This review was originally published by the

Lansing State Journal on Sunday, August 15, 2011.

New Spenser, Nameless Detective entries are great summer reads

2011-07-25T10:29:00.001-04:00

It’s hot outside - and time for easy, relaxing summer reading. If you haven’t discovered Robert Parker or Bill Pronzini, you’re in for a real treat!

Each author has won the Grand Masters Award from the Mystery Writers of America for lifetime achievement and consistent quality. Both are well known for their long-running series starring a hard-working private investigator, but unfortunately Parker died early last year.

“Sixkill” (Putnam, $26.95) is the 39th in his best-selling and exceptionally popular series starring Boston private eye known simply as Spenser.

It’s the last one in the series that Parker completed, although his legacy will live on with other Spenser novels that will be written by Ace Atkins (author of “White Shadow” and “Wicked City”.

Spenser agrees to look into a case for Boston Homicide’s Captain Quirk involving the death of a young woman in the hotel room of Jumbo Nelson, an overweight actor/comedian. Nelson was in Boston filming a new movie; the studio has attorney Rita Fiore hire Spenser to clear Nelson.

Zebulon Sixkill, Nelson’s bodyguard, initially is a suspect; the drunken Cree Indian is fired by Nelson after being beaten up by Spenser.

Although an alliance between Spenser and Sixkill seems unlikely, Parker makes it work, deftly utilizing likable Sixkill as a prominent character.

Spenser’s longtime sidekick Hawk is still off somewhere in Asia, although there are many cameo appearances by others who have appeared in earlier novels.

With his usual snappy dialogue, fast pacing and strong character development, Parker is in fine form; this is one of the best books in a great series.

“Camouflage” by Bill Pronzini (Forge, $24.99) is the 38th in his series featuring San Francisco private eye known only as “the Nameless Detective”.

Business executive David Virden hires Nameless to deliver some papers to his first wife. He tracks her down, but she refuses to sign them.

Virden stops payment and threatens to sue, claiming that the detective hadn’t found the right woman. The case gets more complicate as Virden disappears.

As the Nameless Detective investigates, he unearths unnerving information and exposes a carefully created scheme. The result is totally unexpected and well orchestrated by Pronzini, one of today’s best crime novelists.

A secondary subplot showcasing Jake Runyon, another agency operative, is more personal. He’s looking into allegations that his girlfriend’s young son is being beaten by her ex-husband. There’s a dead woman involved; Runyon struggles to find a devious killer.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop,

has reviewed crime novels and noir thrillers regularly since 1987.

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on Sunday, July 24, 2011.

"Very Bad Men" is one of year's best

2011-07-17T15:27:00.000-04:00

Harry Dolan will be talking about his latest novel

and signing books on Thursday at 7 p.m. at

Schuler Books and Music, Meridian Mall, 1982 W. Grand River, Okemos.

It’s been about two years since Ann Arbor author Harry Dolan burst on the crime novel scene with his highly acclaimed debut novel “Bad Things Happen”, which introduced David Loogan, editor of “Gray Streets”, a mystery magazine.

The wait’s definitely worthwhile; Dolan’s back with a vengeance – and so is Loogan, in “Very Bad Men” (Amy Einhorn/Putnam, $25.95).

Loogan gets involved in a strange investigation when a manuscript appears outside his office door. It gets his attention right away – it confesses to a murder that just took place – giving unannounced details. Loogan gets more concerned when the manuscript identifies the killer’s next proposed victim.

The journalist calls in his live-in girlfriend, Ann Arbor Police Detective Elizabeth Waishkey; soon the hunt is on to identify and stop the murderer.

Dolan deftly hooks the reader from the opening chapter, where he relays information about the murderer and his plans to kill Terry Dawtrey, a prison inmate in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Dawtrey’s been jailed for his involvement in a bank heist 17 years earlier; the killer, Anthony Lark, is successful, but in an unexpected way. He feels he’s justified and sets his sights on murdering the other two remaining robbers. Lark has more than a few mental problems, but feels up to the challenge, using an amazing assortment of devious methods.

Loogan and Waishkey aren’t just sitting still, they’re running all over the state trying to put together answers, getting both help and hindrance from a young journalist looking for a tabloid feature story.

The case gets considerably more challenging, involving a U.S. Senator, local law enforcement officers, a paralyzed former sheriff and the charismatic daughter of the sheriff, who’s running for election as Michigan’s next senator.

The body count rises as the tension mounts; the complicated plot deals a lot with motives - and the lengths people will go to keep deadly secrets.

Dolan is exceptionally good at keeping the pacing going, using strong well- developed, colorful characters, brisk dialogue and seemingly endless plot twists. It’s easily one of the year’s best mysteries!

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop,

has reviewed crime novels and noir thrillers regularly since 1987.

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on July 17, 2011.

Book Review: Kristina Riggle's Things We Didn't Say

2011-07-10T09:00:00.004-04:00

Kristina Riggle will be talking about her latest novel

and autographing books on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.

at Schuler Books & Music, 2820 Towne Center Blvd.,

Eastwood Towne Center Lansing.

“Things We Didn’t Say” by Grand Rapids author Kristina Riggle (Morrow, $14.99) offers an intriguing, compelling look at a contemporary dysfunctional family.

Set mostly in a slightly altered Grand Rapids, with flashback scenes in Laingsburg, Riggle’s third novel is not exactly what most people are likely to take to the beach for pleasant summertime reading.

Told through a variety of multiple viewpoints, Riggle explores many different emotional situations, but at least nobody dies.

Edna Leigh Casey (or just Casey), one of the book’s main characters, is frustrated from the beginning, as she’s trying to get out of a somewhat problematic relationship. She’s 26, living with newspaper reporter Michael Turner, and serving as a stepmother to his three children, Angel, Dylan and Jewel.

As a blended family there are numerous confrontations, including unpleasant scenes with Mallory, David’s ex-wife, who’s psychologically unstable and an alcoholic.

Tensions mount when 14-year-old Dylan disappears after being dropped off at school. Riggle skillfully develops the ensuing frantic search, smoothly shifting viewpoints as she explores attitudes and insights while increasing tension.

There are many other challenges; Casey has her own secrets and is a recovering alcoholic. David has issues with his over-bearing, successful father. Mallory is always having emotional issues; the kids find adjustment is difficult and rebel in their own way.

Most of the book seems devoted to arguing, bickering, yelling and sniping, leaving the reader likely to feel that maybe their life isn’t really that bad in comparison.

The novel’s title indicates one of the major difficulties of this extended family – while they do communicate, they don’t listen very well or say what’s really on their mind.

There’s a brief additional section designed for reading or discussion groups, with 15 interesting and thought-provoking questions.

There are no easy answers, but the flawed characters and their assorted problems are likely to linger long after the reader is finished.

Riggle is a freelance journalist, short story writer and co-editor for fiction at the e-zine Literary Mama. Her previous two books, “Real Life and Liars” and “The Life You’ve Imagined” are now available in paperback.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed books regularly since 1987.

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on July 10, 2011.

Likable heroes fill two new mysteries

2011-07-03T09:00:00.013-04:00

Likable heroes and nasty killers abound in a pair of recent highly entertaining police procedural crime novels.
“Buried Prey” by best-selling author John Sandford (Putnam, $27.95) is the 21st in his exceptionally popular series starring Lucas Davenport, head of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Two mummified bodies of young girls are discovered underneath an old house that’s being torn down. Two sisters disappeared in 1985 and their bodies were never found; a homeless man was accused in the case.

It was Lucas’ first case when he was just a young cop bring promoted out of uniform, but it was one he never forgot; he was dissatisfied with the outcome.

The first part of the book is set in 1985; it examines Davenport’s involvement, tracking down suspicious leads in a complicated case.

Now he’s trying to figure out who really was responsible. He goes all out in his efforts, utilizing his staff and the latest technology. There are no easy answers, but a nasty scheming villain and a few real surprises.

This is another fine performance by one of America’s best crime fiction novelists; while it’s helpful to read earlier volumes in this series to fully appreciate Davenport’s career and growth, it’s not essential.

“Love Dies” by Timothy Sheard (Hard Ball Press, $15) is a stand-alone paperback crime novel set in New York City, a few years after the 9/11 attack.

It introduces Nicholas Andreas, who works for the NYC Department of Health as an epidemiologist. Evaluating health facts and risk factors since the catastrophic event, Andreas escapes the tedium by scanning the daily obituaries.

He discovers that numerous very wealthy individuals have recently died accidentally and decides to investigate. Andreas gets help from Stanley Bezlin, a neighbor and former Brooklyn cop.
Alex Germaine, a frustrated mystery author, has come up with a devious plan. He attends high profile divorce court proceedings in disguise; later he quietly offers to “accidentally” eliminate the battling husband or wife for $50,000.

As the body count rises, Andreas’ suspicions increase; soon he becomes a target for the clever killer.
Sheard, who’s written four other crime novels starring medical labor activist Lenny Moss, has created a compelling tale with flawed, realistic characters, an unusual plot and lots of fast-paced action.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed crime novels and noir thrillers regularly since 1987.

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on Sunday, July 3, 2011.

July 2011 Curiousities Newsletter

2011-07-02T15:05:00.001-04:00

Hello, Curiousities Readers!

Stop in soon to take advantage of our July Sale!

50% OFF books in the American Travel, American History and Movie Books sections!

June was a busy month for Curious!

Some of our recent acquisitions include:
Children's early readers and picture books; World histories (China, Russia, Germany and more); a nice collection of Baedeker's travel guides (Italy, Germany, England and France,etc.) published from 1910 and up;

We've also gotten dozens of art, art history, music and dance books; Hardcover, paperback and comic book editions of Neil Gaiman's The Sandman; Syrian and Middle Eastern fiction; Native American philosophies and histories;
Other new arrivals include a first British edition of A Haunted Woman by David Lindsay,and a selection of William Gibson's novels in hardcover; We've added more paperback fiction titles and also have put out a lovely first edition of Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies, by Beatrix Potter;

Shop News:
- Curious is now on Facebook, and we want to be your friend! Please "Like" us, if you'd like. Exciting acquisitions, cool photos, special sales and shop news items are posted on a regular basis.
- We've recently sold a lot of mysteries, both in paperback and hardback; We're in the process of restocking. If you don't see books by your favorite author, just ask... we have many more in storage! Stop in soon to snag a few new titles!

- Mark your calendar - the 54th Michigan Antiquarian Book and Paper Show will be on Sunday, September 25th. More information about this and other shows is available on our show webpage.

- Many thanks to all who attended Classicon, our classic comic, pulp, paperback and glamour art show! Classicon 40 is scheduled for Saturday, November 12 at the University Quality Inn - see our web page for more information.

Keep cool with cheap thrills off our 50 cent and dollar book carts; we've also added more books to our dollar bargain section downstairs!

We are now open until 8 pm. Mon.-Sat. and from Noon- 5 pm. on Sunday!

Curious Books will be closed on the 4th of July!

Best wishes for the summer from Ray, Mark, Audrey and all of us at:
Curious Books
http://www.curiousbooks.com/
www.facebook.com/curiousbooks
307 East Grand River
East Lansing, MI 48823
(517) 332-0112

Lansing-born convicted killer shares his side

2011-06-26T12:00:00.003-04:00

“Inside-Outside (to be continued) by Richard Herr is a fascinating memoir by a man convicted of a local murder, who served 12 years in Jackson State Prison.

Self-published by iUniverse as a $24.95 hardback or $14.95 paperback, the slim volume explores the amazing life experiences of Herr, who was born in Lansing in 1941.

Herr had a strict religious upbringing, but he was rebellious. He didn’t finish classes at Sexton High School, joining the Marines in 1959.

He toughened up, got a G.E.D. and served at assorted sites in Southeast Asia, including Thailand at the beginning of the Vietnam War.

Upon release in 1963, he worked for a local cab company and an advertising agency; he married the daughter of a Lansing organized crime figure. Herr worked behind the scenes, betting for winners at the Hazel Park Race Track and working as a collector for local gambling debts.

He went to work for a Lansing used car dealer, then switched jobs to a different dealership. He was arrested in 1965 for the murder of Betty Reynolds, a client’s wife, in Grand Ledge.

Herr feels that he was wrongfully accused, relating his series of bad experiences with assorted attorneys, including F. Lee Bailey. In 1967, he was sentenced to 25 to 40 years in prison by Judge Richard Robinson, who later gave the same sentence to John Sinclair for marijuana possession.

At Jackson State Prison, Herr learned quickly, eventually controlling the penitentiary’s drugs, gambling, protection and policies. He served as editor of the prison newspaper and booked music appearances at the facility by Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels and others.

He played on the prison football team with Ron LeFlore; Herr also offers his insights on what really happened to Jimmy Hoffa. He discloses how drugs were successfully smuggled into prison in boxes of books, even though the volumes were carefully scrutinized.

A highly talented artist in prison, Herr did portrait paintings of J. P. McCarthy and others, getting many accolades from prominent people.

Herr discusses how he was finally able to get paroled, addressing problems within the system. He offers numerous interesting sidebars on his life after prison, focusing on his success in starting a family, selling cars around the country and becoming a community leader.

An excellent, captivating storyteller, Herr adds much colorful detail as well as intriguing photos in a distinctive memoir that is “to be continued”.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed books regularly since 1987.

This book review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on June 26, 2011.

2011-06-25T17:50:00.003-04:00

There are dead bodies galore and so much more in a pair of recent crime novels set on the East Coast. Each book features a flawed major character who discovers a body and valiantly tries to figure out what’s going on. If you like complicated plots or unpredictable endings, you’re in for a real treat.

“Long Gone” by Alafair Burke (Harper, $24.99) is an intriguing stand-alone crime novel by the popular author of the Ellie Hatcher and Samantha Kincaid mysteries.

The carefully crafted tale of death and deceit is due out Tuesday; it showcases 37-year old Alice Humphrey, who’s been unemployed for months. Alice is hired for a dream job, managing a trendy new art gallery in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District.

Her father was a famous film director with a wandering eye; Alice is trying to distance herself from his financial support.

She’s having a great time at the gallery until the morning after its controversial opening. She arrives early to discover the location stripped completely bare; the dead body of Drew Campbell, the eccentric man who hired her, is lying on the floor.

This nifty, multi-layered page-turner gets considerably more complex as the author slowly increases the tension level. Burke deftly adds an additional layer of mystery as a search for a missing teenager complicates matters.

There’s so many different plot twists, it may be best to keep a scorecard to follow all of the intricacies; the body count rises and there’s an abundance of possible suspects and conspirators.
“Purgatory Chasm” by Steve Ulfelder (St. Martin’s Press, $23.99) is a super-charged debut crime novel. It introduces Conway Sax, a former NASCAR auto mechanic now living in Massachusetts.

A recovering alcoholic, Conway feels honor-bound to help Tander Phigg, a fellow AA member who’s been essential to his sobriety. Tander’s trying to recover an old Mercedes that he left at a mechanic for repairs. After an unpleasant encounter, Conway goes to visit Tander and discovers his dead body.

Because he’s served time, Conway knows he’ll be considered a suspect; he wants to find the real killer and get the classic car back.

Conway, a likeable blue-collar anti-hero, faces more challenges upon the re-emergence of “Fast Freddie”, his long-estranged father. This violent, action-paced tale roars along at an exceptionally fast pace, complete with warning flags and a plot full of treacherous hairpin-turns.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed crime novels and noir thrillers regularly since 1987. This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on June 19, 2011.

Local author's series aimed at young readers

2011-06-12T18:06:00.004-04:00

It’s tough to keep secrets, particularly if you’re a kid.

Onondaga author Kristina Garcia captures some of these challenges in a series of four colorful new paperback books recently published at $6.99 each by s 2 Moon Press.

These are the first entries of her “Country Secret’s Series” aimed at beginning readers in grades 1-3. Garcia, a member of Lansing’s Skaaldic Society Writers Group, is currently working on installment number 14.

Each chapter book focuses on a child who has unusual experiences while visiting the home of their grandparents in the country.

“Gracie’s Day with Daisy” offers insights into the life of 8 year old Gracie, whose parents won’t allow her to have a dog. The family makes a trip to the grandparents’ house, who have taken in a stray dog. Gracie names the Basset Hound “Dottie”, but real surprises take place when the dog escapes under a fence.

Reluctant reader Vicky is the star of “Vicky Reads With Izzy”. She returns with her parents to Dad’s boyhood home. In the basement of the house, Vicky makes an unusual discovery that is likely to change her life forever.

“Jimmy Swims With the Fishes” showcases young Jimmy, an adept swimmer, who goes on an intriguing adventure in a nearby pond. Although adults may have unexpected anticipations because of the captivating title, they are likely to enjoy the underwater antics.

“Kyle Plays With the Crickets” introduces a young boy who likes skateboarding; his mother wants him to practice playing his violin. Kyle takes part in an amazing concert that he’ll never forget - and secrets most grown-ups wouldn’t believe.

Garcia handles unusual situations and magical twists deftly, without long-winded descriptions that a child wouldn’t care about anyway.

Her carefully crafted chapter books are designed to fascinate young readers, making the world of reading more attractive while giving them an often-needed sense of accomplishment.

These chapter books are ideal for libraries or home-schoolers; they offer entertaining escapism and don’t have to be read in any particular order.

The author, who lives out in the country with her husband Jim and two dogs, is in the final stages of editing her first full length novel for children, “Clear Glass Optical.”

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed books regularly since 1987. This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on June 12, 2011.

Murder takes authorities all over the U.P.

2011-06-05T09:00:00.017-04:00

Steve Hamilton will be signing books on Friday at 7:00 p.m.

at Schuler Books and Music, 1982 West Grand River, Meridian Mall, Okemos.

“Misery Bay,” by two-time Edgar Award winning author Steve Hamilton, (Minotaur, $24.99) marks the long-awaited return of Alex McKnight, a reluctant private investigator in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

It’s been almost five years since the last McKnight book, “A Stolen Season”; Hamilton, a 1983 graduate of University of Michigan, hasn’t lost his touch. Scheduled for release on Tuesday, this is another great book by one of America’s best crime novelists.

The eighth entry in his popular series opens with an intriguing meeting between McKnight and his nemesis in earlier books, Roy Maven, the Chief of Police at Sault Ste. Marie MI.

Maven has tracked McKnight down at his friendly local bar/ restaurant and asks him for help – the last thing that the former Detroit cop would ever expect.

Dan Razniewski (or Raz), Maven’s old partner when he was with the Michigan State Police, is struggling to understand why his college student son committed suicide a few months earlier.

His son’s body was discovered hanging by a rope on a tree in an icy cold area overlooking Lake Superior at Misery Bay. With no note, there’s little to go on; Raz, now a retired U.S. Marshall, hires McKnight to look into the death.

McKnight goes to Marquette to investigate, with mixed results; soon another murder complicates matters significantly. Maven joins McKnight in an unusual and unexpected partnership as the body count rises.

Leon Prudell, McKnight’s former partner, offers valuable assistance, even though he’s now working at a movie theater. When the FBI is called in, the plot becomes more complex; territorial disputes abound as egos clash.

There are many scenes involving travel on the narrow roads, through the small towns of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The bleak wintry atmosphere is described so well, you can almost feel the icy wind.

This excellent police procedural features strong characters and provides an exceptional roller coaster ride of plot twists.

While it helps to follow the entire McKnight series, beginning with his Edgar Award winning “A Cold Day in Paradise”, it’s not essential. Hamilton, whose latest novel ”The Lock Artist” won an Edgar Award earlier this year, is hard at work on another McKnight book.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed crime novels and noir thrillers regularly since 1987.

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on Sunday, June 5 2011.

Credibility Issues Discredit Thrillers

2011-05-23T11:03:00.001-04:00

If you’re trying to save money but are still hooked on new books, here’s a pair you can easily avoid – or wait until they come out in paperback.

While both titles have many suspenseful moments and deal with sibling relations, each suffers from credibility problems.

“Come and Find Me” by Hallie Ephron (William Morrow, $24.99) is the latest release by the author of “Never Tell a Lie”. She’s also produced “Writing and Selling your Mystery Novel”, so I had high hopes. Wrong!

Her latest writing effort focuses on Diana Highsmith, a former computer hacker who is now, ironically, specializing in computer security.

Diana’s still recovering from the death of Daniel, her lover and business partner, fifteen months earlier, in a Swiss mountain-climbing accident. She is suffering from a severe anxiety disorder and doesn’t want to leave her house.

When her sister Ashley mysteriously disappears, Diana tries to find her, nervously leaving her intense world of cyberspace to face outside reality.

While plot twists abound, astute crime novel fans should easily be able to predict at least one major piece of the puzzle.

Ephron’s odd suspense tale does reach a satisfying conclusion, but the main surprise is how long Diana takes to figure out what’s really going on.

“Devious” by Lisa Jackson (Kensington, $25) slowly builds tension as it develops an overly complicated plot.

Set in New Orleans, Jackson’s thriller is the latest starring police detectives Rick Bentz and Reuben Montoya. They’re called in to investigate the brutal death of a young nun, Sister Camille, inside St. Marguerite’s cathedral.

Montoya’s due for a shock - in the first of too many co-incidences - he dated Camille in high school. She’s the sister of Valerie Houston, a conflicted former cop who’s returned to New Orleans to help run a bed and breakfast location.

There are only a few possible suspects, but more questions arise when it’s discovered that the murdered nun was pregnant. Valerie gets assistance from Slade, her soon-to- be ex-husband; another nun is murdered and the action intensifies.

Jackson’s dark tale has carefully crafted touches of romance but also offers insights into a nasty killer’s motivation. Credibility is stretched beyond a breaking point as more facts emerge. Although it’s highly atmospheric, this novel would work better if an editor had lopped off about 100 pages.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed crime novels and noir thrillers regularly since 1987.

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on May 22, 2011.

PROMINENT SURGEON RECALLS HIS JOURNEY -- WITH A STOP AT MSU

2011-05-01T15:23:00.000-04:00

"In Stitches" by Anthony Youn with Alan Eisenstock (Gallery Books, $25) is a funny memoir from one of the country's best-known plastic surgeons.

This isn't a gossipy book about who got the latest nip-and-tuck procedure or what actress had too much work done - instead it's a fascinating look at what forces shaped the career of a prominent expert.

It focuses on the challenges faced by Anthony Youn, a Korean-American who grew up in the small town of Greenville, near Grand Rapids.

His strict father, an OB-GYN specialist, had high hopes for Youn and his brother, but as a nerd with Coke-bottle glasses, Anthony had difficulties adjusting. Having a protruding jaw that required surgery didn't make his life any easier.

After high school, Youn attended Kalamazoo College, then went to Michigan State University's College of Human Medicine. A major part of Youn's book is devoted to his eye-opening experiences on and off campus.

Youn and his roommates party heartily and diligently seek romantic conquests, but also study a lot. They're trying to figure out what their specialty should be in the field of medicine.

Deciding that he didn't want to follow in his father's footsteps was an easy choice.

Youn's challenges multiply - further studies take him to Grand Rapids and Springfield, Ill.

His experiences as a medical intern showcase many inside details of hospital procedures that patients don't really think about. He also explores burnout and overworking issues.

"In Stitches" is a fast-paced, mesmerizing autobiography that's laced with dark humor and memorable scenes, including his discovery that a woman he's dating works as a carnival fire-eater.

It's fun to follow Youn's growth from a geeky nerd to a well-respected member of society. There are many classic confrontations between Youn and his hard-working, well-meaning, highly concerned parents.

The prominent board-certified plastic surgeon has offices in Troy. He has received national exposure as a frequent television guest on the Rachael Ray Show and the CBS Early Show, among others.

Visit his website at http://www.celebcosmeticsurgery.com/.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing's Curious Book Shop,

has reviewed crime novels and Michigan books regularly since 1987.

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on May 1, 2011.

BODY TURNS UP IN FORCLOSURE CASE

2011-04-25T16:52:00.000-04:00

"The Fifth Witness" by best-selling author Michael Connelly (Little Brown, $27.99) is another masterpiece by one of America's best crime fiction novelists.

Torn from today's headlines, it's the latest in his popular series starring Mickey Haller, a hard-working Los Angeles attorney.

Haller has fallen on hard times - his specialty, criminal defense has been generating little business. Now he's found a new legal angle, representing people with foreclosure problems.

His most prominent client, Lisa Trammel, has been arrested for the murder of Mitchell Bondurant. He was the bank officer directing foreclosing procedures against her.

Bondurant's body has been discovered next to his car in a parking garage. Trammel, who had led protests against the bank, is the prime suspect.

After she's arrested for the murder, Haller agrees to represent her in the trial, which promises to get considerable media attention.

Haller, who's known as "The Lincoln Lawyer," because he's been operating out of the trunk of his car, finally decides to get an office.

He gathers his minimal staff and proceeds to investigate the case. He's up against Andrea Freeman, a diligent, experienced prosecuting attorney, who uses a variety of sometimes-questionable legal methods.

But Haller's no slouch when is comes to sleazy attorney tactics - he gets help from many sources as he tries to prove Trammel's innocence.

Haller uncovers a variety of possible suspects in the banker's death, even though the police have had tunnel vision, only focusing on Trammel as a suspect.

Quirky characters abound, including many members of Haller's staff; unexpected violence occurs when Haller is beaten by two thugs and ends up hospitalized.

Haller's ex-wife Maggie doesn't have quite a prominent spot as she did in "The Reversal." Los Angeles policeman Harry Bosch makes only a minimal appearance.

The first book in the series, "The Lincoln Lawyer," was recently released as a highly praised movie starring Matthew McConaughey as Haller. "The Fifth Witness" is also a prime candidate for film adaptation.

This compelling page-turner is a great, gripping legal thriller that's ideal for Connelly fans. Readers who enjoy John Grisham type courtroom scenes, with sneaky scheming and verbal battles, will not be disappointed.

Connelly's next book, "The Drop," showcasing Harry Bosch, is scheduled for release in October.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing's Curious Book Shop,

has reviewed crime novels and Michigan books regularly since 1987.

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on April 24, 2011.

FOLLOW WILD ADVENTURES OF "FUZZBUTT"

2011-04-18T14:27:00.000-04:00

Animals are the focus of attention of two releases; one is designed for children while the other is a bit more thought provoking.

"Fuzzbutt" by Morrice author Brenda Roy (R & B Publishing, $11.95) is a slim, self-published, attractively designed children's book. It showcases a small, partially wild kitty who grows up to be an 18-pound watchcat.

Full of great, clear photos by her husband Rohn, this colorful book covers the long life and misadventures of young kitten that was left on the porch of an old country farmhouse.

Brenda tries to tame the suspicious kitty but it's a slow process. Once Brenda gains the feline's trust and the animal comes inside, she faces more challenges. A trip to a local veterinarian is particularly memorable, as the nervous cat is still very wary about other humans.

Fuzzbutt grows up and protects the farm property, even keeping a coyote away. The last part of the book delves into the cat's aging process and his companionship/training of other cats that Brenda's family have adopted.

It's uncommon to have a children's book with so many different photos that follow a cat's life. While younger children will get a giggle because of the book's distinctive title, this is ideal for cat lovers of any age.

Brenda, an elementary school teacher, also has written a children's book "Night Noise," which came out last year. More information is available from the author at http://www.fuzzbutt.biz/.

"Beso the Donkey: Poems by Richard Jarrette" (Michigan State University Press, $14.95) is an intriguing collection of poetry that's a bit more complex than it seems.

Although it's less than 90 pages long, it includes over 70 thought-provoking poems, providing refreshing reading for those who like to contemplate.

Jarrette, a California psychotherapist, offers a variety of laid-back insights into the life of a donkey - and life in general, viewed from different perspectives.

The poet doesn't go in for long, boring detailed verse; the reader won't have to dig deep for meaning. There's lots of strong, simple imagery; a useful acknowledgement section explores many of Jarrette's literary and Zen influences.

While this may be one of the largest collections of donkey related verse ever published, it's deceptively good. It's best savored, like fine wine, a little bit at a time.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing's Curious Book Shop,

has reviewed crime novels and Michigan books regularly since 1987.

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on April 17, 2011.

MURDER VICTIM'S ACQUAINTANCES TRY TO FIND HER KILLER

2011-04-11T14:45:00.000-04:00

"Mystery" by award-winning author Jonathan Kellerman is a satisfying but not spectacular crime novel.

It's the 26th entry in his long-running series starring Los Angeles psychologist Alex Delaware and hard-working Detective Milo Sturgis.

It begins easily enough, with Delaware and his wife Robin enjoying dinner at a restaurant in a fancy old hotel that's about to be closed permanently.

They notice a beautiful, stylish, well-dressed young woman at another table, apparently anxiously awaiting someone.

A few days later, Sturgis contacts Delaware about an odd case - a body that has been dumped on the outskirts of the city. The victim turns out to be the woman from the restaurant, although there's no ID and the corpse was found miles away from the hotel.

Delaware and Sturgis work to put together clues, first trying to figure out who she was and how she got there.

The police assume that there are two killers, since the woman died from simultaneous wounds from two different caliber weapons. They get a tip that leads to information about the homicide victim. She called herself "Mystery" on a website devoted to pairing up beautiful women with older, rich men.

It gets darker and sleazier from there, as Delaware and Sturgis uncover dark secrets of the exceptionally wealthy.

They're also seeking information about a missing bodyguard who has ties to the victim.

Kellerman throws in another sub-plot involving a dying madam and the counseling of her young, worried son. The woman, who ran a successful call girl operation for many years, provides valuable, useful insights into the case.

There are a variety of intriguing suspects; another body is discovered that is related to the case. Stakeouts are necessary when a pair of possible suspects emerge.

The solution to the complicated case requires significant research by Delaware; the final confrontation is long-winded and shows him making many assumptions.

The frenzied atmosphere of life in Los Angeles is well utilized by Kellerman. His brisk dialog, sometimes similar to Ed McBain, is likely to hook many readers.

Longtime Kellerman fans won't really be disappointed with this release; newcomers can easily follow the action without grabbing earlier books in this popular series.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing's Curious Book Shop,

has reviewed crime novels and Michigan books regularly since 1987.

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on April 10, 2011.

Curiosities Newsletter for April

2011-04-07T12:35:00.000-04:00

Greetings, Curiosities Readers!

Take 30% off items from the Music, Arts & Crafts, Literary Criticism and Literary Biography sections during the month of April.

Recent acquisitions include a variety of 18th and 19th century stage plays, theater histories, hundreds of vintage comic books, volumes of poetry, coffee table art books, sports books on golf and bowling, children's books and general fiction paperbacks and hardcovers!

The Curious Book Shop is hitting the road! Visit us in Chicago at the Windy City Pulp and Paper Convention, April 15th - 17th. This newly expanded show focuses on pulps and other collectible popular culture items. More details about this exciting show can be found on Facebook and at http://www.windycitypulpandpaper.com/.

Many thanks to those who attended the 53rd Michigan Antiquarian Book and Paper Show this past Sunday! We hope that you enjoyed it as much as we did. Photos from this show will soon be available on our Facebook page, where you can also find photos from past shows, shop updates and special offers.

Mark you calendar! Classicon 39, a collectable paperback, pulp & glamour art show, takes place on Saturday, June 25th at the University Quality Inn. The 54th Michigan Antiquarian Book and Paper Show will take place at the Lansing Center on Sunday, September 25th. Information about both of these shows is available on our book show webpage.

Many thanks, and we hope to see you soon!

CRIME NOVEL HAS UNEXPECTED ENDING

2011-04-04T17:48:00.003-04:00

Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett faces new challenges in “Cold Wind” by C.J. Box, (Putnam, $25,95), the eleventh crime novel in his popular series.

Joe is back home with his wife Marybeth and his family in Saddlestring; his detested mother-in-law Missy calls, claiming that her millionaire husband, Earl Alden is missing.

Heading out to the ranch to investigate, Joe is surprised to find Earl dead – his body up in the air, strapped to the blade of a spinning wind turbine.

Joe calls the local sheriff to the scene and the body is removed; soon Missy is arrested for the murder of her fifth husband.

Marybeth pushes Joe to investigate; he does so reluctantly, because he really can’t stand Missy and he’s not sure she’s altogether innocent.

Soon, Joe’s trying to track down Missy’s angry ex-husband Bud, who lost his ranch to her in a recent divorce.There are other suspects; Earl had made many enemies as he put together properties for his wind energy project.

As Joe seeks more answers, Missy lawyers up with a fancy high-priced attorney; the police have discovered the murder weapon and the district attorney thinks they’ve got a rock solid case. The bumbling sheriff is up for re-election and doesn’t want any negative publicity or complications.

Meanwhile, in an interesting sub plot, Joe’s violent friend Nate is still in hiding; an attempt on his life has devastating results. Now Nate is out for revenge, searching for answers, trying to locate a devious enemy.
Box is in fine form as he spins a top-notch, entertaining tale that could be torn from today’s headlines. He delves into the pros and cons of wind energy, offering insights without pontificating. He also deftly deals with a variety of dynamic family situations and an assortment of political issues.

There are many excellent plot twists and turns, with enough courtroom highjinks to please even a John Grisham fan. The jaw-dropping conclusion is quite unexpected; hints are given to further adventures of Joe and Nate in an ominous epilogue.

The award-winning author never disappoints, although it’s probably best to read the earlier books in the series to fully appreciate character development and growth.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing's Curious Book Shop,

has reviewed crime novels and Michigan books regularly since 1987.

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on April 3, 2011.

COMING-OF-AGE TALE RETELLS STORY OF EXODUS

2011-03-28T14:16:00.000-04:00

You don't have to be a Bible scholar to enjoy "In God's Shadow" (Yarden Books, $19.99) by Lansing author Douglas Gershon Moffat.

The self-published debut novel focuses on 12-year-old B'tzalel, a young boy in Egypt who faces a wide variety of challenges.

It's an unusual coming-of-age novel, retelling the story of Exodus by offering viewpoints of an ordinary group of participants. It follows the Israelites as they leave Egypt after a deadly and overwhelming series of massive plagues and disasters.

Their journey is a difficult one; young B'tzalel, his parents and grandparents, his two sisters and their pet cat join thousands in leaving the servitude of the pharaohs.

B'tzalel had been living a relatively quiet life, apprenticing as a goldsmith since he was 6, working with his father and grandfather.

The youth hates to leave his village and wonders what the Big God has in store. He's not quite sure what to think about Moses, whose leadership raises an assortment of unanswered questions.

Those who are familiar with Exodus in the Bible are likely to be aware of young B'tzalel's important role. Moffat's novel explores his background and how he was able to complete a very important task.

While aimed at a young adult market, adults may enjoy this atmospheric, well-researched novel. Moffat and his son Michael even spent time on camels in the Sinai desert, gaining a more realistic perspective.

Moffat, who has published four other scholarly non-fiction books, is a development officer for MSU's College of Veterinary Medicine. For more information, visit DouglasGershonMoffat.com.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing's Curious Book Shop,

has reviewed crime novels and Michigan books regularly since 1987.

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on March 27 2011.

Curious News

2011-03-24T11:26:00.000-04:00

The Curious Book Shop and the upcoming Michigan Antiquarian Book and Paper Show have received a flurry of attention from the local press!

The Spartan Online Newsroom recently wrote about Curious, which is one of East Lansing's most celebrated retail landmarks. "A rare survivor in business", by MSU student Kara Venturino-Eyde, offers insight into how Curious has grown over the years, struggles to survive in the current economy, and what makes it such a unique shop.

MittenLit.com recently featured a great profile on bookdealer Wally Jung. Jung, who specializes in rare and vintage postcards, is one of over seventy dealers exhibiting at the spring show!

The Lansing City Pulse has published an online edition of the show program! It includes an overview of the show, as well as a list of all dealers and tips for first-time and returning visitors.

Join us on Sunday, April 3rd at the Lansing Center (333 E. Michigan Ave.) for the Midwest's LARGEST book and paper show! A limited number of coupons offering $1.00 off admission are available at the Curious Book Shop and The Archives. Show programs are available in this week's issue of the City Pulse, available all over the Lansing area!

For more information about the show please visit our show webpage, our blog post for new show attendees, and stop by the Curious Book Shop for an admission coupon!

LANSING AREA WRITERS COME TOGETHER IN PROSE, POETRY COLLECTION

2011-03-21T15:49:00.002-04:00

Local writers are at the center of attention in a new paperback anthology of prose and poetry.

"Seasons of Life" by Writing at the Ledges (Riley Press. $12.99) includes all new works by members of the Grand Ledge-based writers' group.

It's an invigorating mixture that's full of poetry, reminiscences, ponderings and fiction by 24 talented authors ranging in age from 17 to 88.

This enjoyable collection is arranged seasonally from spring through winter. The cover image by Patrick Reed Designs is sure to attract considerable attention.

Many participants may seem familiar as they were published in "Small Towns: A Map in Words," a collection that came out in 2008.

Randy Pearson, whose humorous novel "Driving Crazy" was released last year, makes four appearances, adding dark touches of irony and humor. "Cricks and Flat Pencils" is a brief essay about growing up in rural DeWitt.

Alta Reed has her own subsection of 20 pages of reminiscences, including many photographs. Local playwright Phil Kline has two quirky pieces; the group's co-founder, Rosalie Sanara Petrouske provides six carefully crafted contributions.

Carolyn Tody's "Music of the Wind" focuses on the Great Alaskan Earthquake of 1964, with very descriptive imagery of damage and destruction. K.L. Marsh's efforts include nine poems or essays. There are also emotional pieces by Lorraine Hudson, who's written popular children's chapter books under the pseudonym Judith Wade.

Newcomer Abe Khan offers two thought-provoking essays while Jan McCaffrey, author of "Illusions of Murder" provides insights into "Life in a Small Town" and two other selections.

Jesse Goldberg-Strassler, the radio broadcaster for the Lansing Lugnuts, showcases five memorable pieces, including "Off Air" a poem that evokes fond memories of Ernie Harwell's broadcasting.

"The Year Santa Got Stuck in My Chimney" is a funny short story by 17-year-old Grand Ledge High School senior Shelby Pontius; Donnalee Pontius proffers two striking poems.

East Lansing resident Alan Dennis Harris appears with a funny short story and two poems; Sunfield author Jeannie Kirchen is represented by five poems and an essay.

Haslett author Carolyn Nye-Shunk and Okemos writer Karen Marie Duquette are among other writers whose works are included.

A brief biographical section denotes the many varied accomplishments of these local, talented authors. For more information, visit website http://www.writingattheledges.com/

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing's Curious Book Shop,

has reviewed crime novels and Michigan books regularly since 1987.

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on March 20, 2011.

TWO RECENT BOOKS COULD MAKE GREAT ACTION FILMS

2011-03-14T15:36:00.000-04:00

Two recent, highly entertaining novels would make great movies - full of interesting characters, unusual locales and riveting action. While one is set during the great depression and the other is set in the near future, both have memorable conclusions.

"The Cyprus House" by Michael Koryta (Little Brown, $24.95) is a distinctive, hard-to categorize tale set in Florida in 1935. It combines a number of different genres, deftly blending supernatural elements in a crime novel with noir touches.

Arlen Wagner and Paul Brickhill are on a train going through Florida, on their way with others to work at a Civilian Conservation Camp.

Wagner, who fought in World War I, has visions of forthcoming death; he convinces Brickhill to join him and leave the train. Soon they get a ride to "The Cyprus House," a Gulf Coast boardinghouse run by beautiful Rebecca Cady, where their troubles intensify.

When you throw in a major hurricane, a nasty sheriff, a crooked judge and additional violence, you've got all the elements for an intriguing tale.

The strong character development is showcased as emotions surge and unexpected situations cause significant stress and tension.

The author of four excellent mysteries and the horror novel "So Cold the River," Koryta masterfully creates a mesmerizing, highly atmospheric novel that's tough to put down, especially the last hundred pages.

Patrick Lee's latest effort, "Ghost Country" (Harper, $7.99) is in the same category, but there's considerably more action and violence.

This is a gripping page-turner that opens with the abduction of Paige Campbell. She's kidnapped after showing the U.S. President an unusual alien artifact that serves as a time portal.

Campbell is out to stop the utter devastation that the device shows her, with Mankind facing utter ruin 73 years from now.

Quick-thinking Travis Chase is recruited to rescue Campbell and is in for a full-throttle adventure; government agents are in pursuit, trying to stop them at any cost.

This is more than a slightly skewered "Stargate" type of tale; it's full of narrow escapes and deadly close calls that could be easily adapted to film.

While "Ghost Country" reads well as a stand-alone novel, it's best to first pick up Lee's paperback debut "The Breach", which introduced Chase, Campbell and the mysterious alien artifacts.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing's Curious Book Shop,

has reviewed crime novels and Michigan books regularly since 1987.

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on March 13, 2011.

Lansing author questions ethics of medicine field

2011-03-07T17:01:00.007-05:00

Two recent novels focus on hospitals, eccentric doctors and questions of medical ethics. Each feature strong, interesting characters placed in unusual, life-threatening situations.

“Child from the Ashes” by prolific Lansing author J.R. Kesler (CreateSpace, $14.95) offers an intriguing premise that showcases dilemmas facing pediatric resident physician Brian Tanner.

He’s working at a Lansing area hospital, running into challenging confrontations and fighting off the memories of his own experiences as an abused child.

Tanner’s dealing with many emotional issues at the hospital, particularly when dealing with abused children and their angry parents.

His violent temper is hard to control; his vigilante justice to the parents has little success. Kristin Grey, a social worker with secrets of her own, is able to offer assistance, but there’s no easy solution.

Hazel Tanner, the main character’s adoptive mother, is vital to the plot and makes numerous decisions that will positively affect Tanner’s life. She appears in many flashback scenes that Kesler expertly uses to develop the characters.

Readers who enjoy local settings will appreciate the appearance of local landmarks as well as a memorable CATA bus ride. Kesler’s books, including “Trash Baby” and “The Gift”, are available from the author at http://www.jrkesler.com/.

"Public Anatomy” by A. Scott Pearson, (Oceanview, $25.95) is the sequel to his award-winning novel “Rupture” which featured Eli Branch, a hard-working Memphis surgeon.

Branch gets a call for help when Liza French, an associate he hasn’t seen in 10 years, gets into big trouble after a botched robotic surgery is webcast. The patient dies, the hospital has major concerns and the media exposure intensifies.

Soon Branch’s life gets more complicated - hospital medical personnel are murdered, with grim anatomical sketches left at the crime scenes. The body count quickly escalates; Branch discovers information that indicates the murderer is using a 16th century anatomical dissection book as a re-enactment guide.

The last half of the novel cranks up the tension, dealing with assorted ethical issues and grim discoveries; the violent conclusion exposes a clever, deadly scheme.

Readers who appreciate stomach-churning, bloody scenes are likely to appreciate Pearson’s writing talents in this medical thriller. Others may wonder why the police can’t put clues together nearly as fast or as well as the diligent doctor.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing's Curious Book Shop,

has reviewed crime novels and Michigan books regularly since 1987.

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on March 4, 2011.

FOOD OFFERS LIFE LESSONS IN MIDLAND AUTHOR'S DEBUT

2011-02-28T17:16:00.000-05:00

Expect the unexpected in a pair of recent unusual self-published novels set in Michigan. Each could be classified as a coming-of age-novel - except they focus on substantial adult lifestyle changes.

"Root Cause" by Midland author James W. Crissman (Xlibris, $19.99) is an entertaining debut novel about a wide variety of subjects.

It showcases an unlikely hero, 32-year-old Bruce Dinkle, who has worked for eight years as a control board operator at a Bay City power plant.

Dinkle has become a hardcore locavore and urban agriculturist, eating foods only grown in a 100-mile radius.
He leaves his job, his wife and family, escaping via bicycle on a quest to discover where food comes from. He ends up in Parma, a small farming community where he learns more about food - and life - than he ever expected.

There's a great mix of quirky characters, including a randy goat farmer, a gutsy waitress, an angry husband, a very determined dog, an aging farmer and an experienced veterinarian.

Just when the reader thinks Dinkle's situation can't get much worse - it does. Crissman expertly adds dark humor, sexual overtones, deadly violence and numerous surprising, bizarre plot twists.

Crissman, an MSU grad who's a veterinary pathologist and a former large animal veterinarian, has won many prizes for his poetry. He has deftly created an atmospheric, strikingly memorable debut novel, which can be ordered at www. jameswcrissman.com.

"When Dreams Die" by Lansing author J.R. Kesler (CreateSpace, $14.95) features 26-year-old Donnie McLean, who's working a dead-end job as a janitor in a Flint bank building.

He was a high school basketball star eight years ago, before a terrible tragedy occurred on court. Now, his wife's a couch potato, he's a boozer and a loser, frustrated and ready to jump off a bridge. The police intervene, but McLean soon gets drunk and totals his car.

His route to recovery takes an odd twist when he meets a nurse. He decides to get back into shape and do the one thing he loves most - play basketball.

Kesler, while not always politically correct, smoothly uses flashbacks to tell a compelling story, developing strong characters and an intriguing plot.

Basketball fans will enjoy following McLean's growth as he struggles for survival and success. Copies can be ordered at http://www.jrkesler.com/.

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on Sunday, February, 27 2011.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed crime novels and noir thrillers regularly since 1987.

DEATH, DECEPTION OFFER UNEXPECTED CONSEQUENCES

2011-02-21T16:02:00.000-05:00

Two recent crime novels focus on tough guys in deadly situations. One is set mostly in Los Angeles while the other takes place in Afghanistan.

"The Sentry" by award-winning author Robert Crais (Putnam, $26.95) is the latest in his series featuring Joe Pike, ex-cop and former mercenary.

Pike, who originally appeared in earlier novels as a sidekick to Elvis Cole ("The World's Greatest Detective"), has become a major character in his own right.

It starts innocently enough, when Pike steps in to break up the beating of Wilson Smith, a local sandwich shop owner, by a pair of young gang members.

Wilson's niece, Dru, joins them at the scene. She's worried about further retribution, but Pike assures her that there won't be any more problems. He's wrong.
Pike learns that federal agents have been watching the storefront, and the case becomes more complicated.

Smith and Rayne, who fled New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, have their own dark secrets. A killer is after them, leaving a bloody trail of corpses. Pike and Cole are in a violent, desperate struggle for survival, with unexpected consequences.

The award-winning author, who attended MSU's Clarion Fantasy and Science Fiction Writer's Workshop, has many years of television experience, including scriptwriting for "Miami Vice" and "Hill Street Blues."

Crais has written a gut-wrenching tale of death and deception. It's full of fast-paced action, vivid characters and clever plot twists.

"The Severance" by Elliott Sawyer (Bridge Works, $23.95) is a debut novel by a former U.S. Army Captain who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan.

It features Capt. Jake Roberts, the head of a "rehabilitation platoon" that's made up of misfits and troublemakers. His unit gets assigned the tough challenges, much like the World War II soldiers who fought and were heroes of "The Dirty Dozen."

The first part of the novel introduces the assorted characters and their battles in the Afghan mountains. During one trip, they recover almost $5 million dollars in cash stashed by a crooked government contractor.
Plans are made to get the money back to the United States. But somebody's greedy and a scheme is uncovered to hijack the shipment.

This is a satisfactory but not spectacular crime novel that may be enjoyable for military fiction fans.

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on Sunday, February, 20 2011.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed crime novels and noir thrillers regularly since 1987.

SEQUEL IS A NAIL-BITER

2011-02-14T16:14:00.000-05:00

Noah Boyd will be signing books on Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. at Schuler Books and Music, 1982 W. Grand River, Okemos

Noah Boyd’s latest crime novel, “Agent X” (William Morrow, $24.99), should come with a warning label: ”Don’t start this book unless you plan on staying up all night.”

The complicated, mesmerizing tale is the sequel to his best-selling debut, “The Bricklayer”, which introduced Steve Vail, former FBI agent.

Vail had previously worked out of the FBI’s Detroit office, but has voluntarily left the agency. He’s a maverick investigator who recently helped them solve a major domestic terrorist extortion case.

He goes to Washington D.C., planning on a romantic New Year’s Eve date with Kate Bannon, assistant director of the FBI. Of course, that doesn’t happen; soon, Vail and Bannon get involved in a complex espionage case.

A Russian embassy member known as Calculus has contacted the FBI, offering to supply them a list of names of Americans who’ve been leaking confidential information to the Russians.

Calculus is called back to Russia, but his extortion demands are still viable – the FBI will pay the money but wants to plug the leaks.

The results are initially satisfying, but soon turn deadly; Vail and Bannon have to work diligently with other FBI members as they try to stay one step ahead of a devious criminal.

This isn’t your usual cerebral espionage tale even though there are many clever plot twists and taut confrontations. The pulse-pounding action never stops, the dialogue is snappy and interesting sub-plots abound. It’s more of a classic anti-hero thriller, with a touch of romance thrown in.

Vail is a likable, strong character who spots clues that others have overlooked. Bannon initially survives a clever attempt on her life; her problems multiply. The introduction of FBI agent Luke Burlaw, who worked with Vail five years earlier in Detroit, adds additional depth.

Noah Boyd is the pseudonym of Paul Lindsay, who served in the Detroit FBI office for 20 years and was credited with solving the Highland Park Strangler case. Under his real name, he’s written “Witness to the Truth” and five other highly entertaining thrillers.

“The Bricklayer”, (Harper, $11.99) is now out in paperback; to fully appreciate Vail’s efforts, it’s best to read Boyd’s books in order

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on Sunday, February, 13 2011.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed crime novels and noir thrillers regularly since 1987.

THREE NEW CRIME NOVELS

2011-02-07T16:21:00.000-05:00

Strong-willed heroines abound in three recent crime novels, featuring a young lawyer in love, an anthropologist with marriage plans and a private investigator expecting her first child.

“Law of Attraction” by MSU grad Allison Leotta (Touchstone, $25) is a nifty page-turner that introduces Anna Curtis, a new Assistant District Attorney in Washington D.C.

Curtis is dealing with many domestic violence issues; a case involving Laprea, a young woman beaten by her boyfriend, brings back dark memories. Curtis falls in love with Nick Wagner, the defense attorney in the case, who she knew in law school.

When Laprea turns up dead, Curtis faces a variety of ethical issues, especially when she is assigned to assist the chief homicide prosecutor in the murder case. Although part of the novel is predictable, Leotta’s debut offers excellent, intriguing, suspenseful escapism.

“One Grave Less” by Beverly Connor (Obsidian, $7.99) is the ninth in her popular series starring forensic anthropologist Dianne Fallon.

This paperback also showcases Lindsay Chamberlain, a quick-thinking archaeologist who’s appeared in her own series. Much of the fast-paced action takes place in the Amazon jungles of Brazil and a museum in Georgia. It’s slowed a bit as viewpoints alternate between the main characters.

Fallon is dithering about her upcoming marriage; she’s quite annoyed when numerous e-mails appear offering untrue allegations. The plot is exceptionally complicated and not always quite believable; violence abounds, with many close escapes.

Connor’s crime novel has other flaws: one nasty villain appears under six different names and the back cover gets the gender of a victim wrong. There’s relatively little actual forensic investigation involved; serious readers may enjoy earlier efforts.

“The Girl in the Green Raincoat” by Laura Lippman (William Morrow, $11.99) is a slim novella that focuses on
expectant Baltimore private eye Tess Monaghan, who’s under doctor’s orders to remain immobile.

Monaghan is stuck looking out the window most of the time; she notices a woman in a green raincoat walking a dog every day. When the dog appears running loose with its owner nowhere around, Monaghan investigates.

Getting help from her boyfriend and an associate,
she works diligently in the best “Rear Window”/”The Daughter of Time” tradition.
This entertaining novella was first serialized in the New York Times; it’s a real treat for Lippman fans who don’t want to wait for another Monaghan novel.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed crime novels and noir thrillers regularly since 1987.

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on Sunday, February, 6 2011

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed crime novels and noir thrillers regularly since 1987.

COZY UP TO THESE HOT MYSTERIES

2011-01-24T15:36:00.000-05:00

If you’re trying to get away from all the cold air and snow, maybe it’s time to try a couple of hot, quirky mysteries set in sunny Texas and Florida. Each action-packed book stars a quick-thinking, heavy-drinking hero, who gets into dangerous situations and a lot of trouble.

“Web of Greed” by Mancelona MI author Buzz Harcus (Sandhill Publishing, $15) is a fast-paced crime novel introducing Houston TX Detective Sam August, who enjoys pretty women, drinking and sailing, but not in any specific order.

The ex-Marine is called into a bloody crime scene with four dead bodies and begins working on the case, trying to put together clues.

His investigation leads to a scheming millionaire, his pretty wife, a talented actress, a crooked lawyer and a cold-blooded psychopath.

There’s also an ambitious, obnoxious FBI agent, assorted members of an Asian crime gang and a nasty villain with evil intentions.
With violence galore, it’s tough to stop turning the pages; the hard-working detective gets himself in deadly trouble in almost every chapter.

While this paperback offers a pretty unusual view of cops, it’s not always politically correct. Even with numerous typos, it’s still highly entertaining.

Harcus has self-published two earlier books, “China Marine: Tsingtao Treasure” and “Tainted Treasure”. For more information, contact the author at lesharcus28@msn.com.

“Bitter Legacy” by H. Terrell Griffin (Oceanside, $28)
is the fifth book in the excellent series featuring Matt Royal, an ex-Special Services veteran and retired lawyer.

He’s gone down to Florida to retire and has many of the same attributes as Harcus’ main character, except he’s not a cop. When a sniper tries to kill his buddy, Royal decides to investigate; soon there’s an attempt on his life.

Royal can’t figure out why anybody would be after either of them; soon a mild-mannered attorney is murdered and an aging visitor from the Bahamas is almost beaten to death.

Griffin adds many more plot twists and historical aspects as the body count rises. He deftly uses distinctive characters, including a reclusive billionaire, an albino, assorted biker gang members and a fast-shooting, innovative, mysterious government agent.

In the best John D. MacDonald tradition, the pulse-pounding action never stops; Griffin’s well developed, crime novel provides solid escapism.

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on Sunday, January 23, 2011

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed crime novels and noir thrillers regularly since 1987.

KOONTZ UP TO HIS OLD TRICKS IN LATEST

2011-01-17T14:19:00.001-05:00

Jeepers creepers! Dean Koontz is back with another scary but entertaining novel designed to make you shiver and quiver.

"What the Night Knows" (Bantam, $28) is not for everyone, but will likely to be embraced by many loyal fans longing for the old-style Koontz, who wrote captivating thrillers.

If you're not offended by an early jailhouse scene or perturbed by vicious, bloody murderous rampages, you're in for a wild literary ride.

The novel is set in a nameless town, in contemporary times and introduces John Calvino, a hard-working homicide cop with his own dark secrets.

Twenty years earlier, Calvino's parents and sisters were brutally killed and savaged by Alton Turner Blackwood, who had murdered three other families.

John, 14 at the time, stopped the terror and killed Blackwell. John is now living a half-continent away, happily married with three pre-adolescent kids.

He's called to a local crime scene with worrisome similarities to his own past, making John wonder whether a copycat serial killer is on the loose.

The reality is much worse, particularly after another family is murdered in identical fashion.

John feels his wife and three children will become victims of the devious killer, and tries to take steps to avoid it.

His kids are having problems of their own, slowly being exploited by a persistent supernatural presence.

It gets better - or worse from there - as this nightmarish, nerve-wracking tale defies easy categorization.

It's part ghost story, part police procedural and part supernatural thriller, with considerable suspense and a touch of romance.

Koontz is at his best when ratcheting up the tension toward the end; further insights into the serial killer's warped mind are revealed through dark diary-type entries.

The dialogue of the Calvino kids flows smoothly, capturing many childhood nuances. Understandably, they're reluctant to discuss strange occurrences at the house.

Longtime Koontz readers won't be surprised by the appearance of a golden retriever, although the dog's role is limited.

There's less emphasis on spirituality than in most of Koontz's recent books, with virtually none of the quirky humor that has made his "Odd Thomas" series so appealing.

This is a top-notch, chilling tale from a master of the genre.

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on Sunday, January 16, 2011

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed crime novels and noir thrillers regularly since 1987.

TWO COZY MYSTERIES WILL WARM YOU UP!

2011-01-09T16:40:00.000-05:00

If you’re ready to sit down near the fireplace and relax with a cozy mystery, here’s a pair of intriguing recent paperbacks that offer enjoyable escapism.

Each book utilizes the theme of home renovation, with a savvy, likable, strong female character and a touch of romance.

“Mortar and Murder” by Jennie Bentley (Berkley Prime Crime, $7.99) is the fourth appealing book in her popular “Do-It-Yourself” series.

Avery Baker and her boyfriend Derek have purchased a
large run-down 225-year-old house on Rowanberry Island, just off the coast of Maine.
They plan on restoring it to its original splendor, then selling it, a monumental task. They’re diligently getting started when they find a woman’s dead body floating in nearby waters.

The local sheriff warns them not to get involved in the case, so of course they do, trying to figure out her identity.

A clue points to a local realtor, but that doesn’t help much, especially when a second woman turns up dead. The house has a “twin” on the opposite side of the island; Avery does research, learning more dark family secrets.

Avery discovers a hidden room in the house and has other assorted misadventures. Violence flares as Avery and Derek struggle to survive and solve a complex, deadly crime.

“If Walls Could Talk” by Juliet Blackwell (Obsidian, $6.99) is the first in a haunted home renovation series.
It introduces Melanie Turner, who’s taken over her father’s construction business, remodeling houses in the San Francisco Bay area.

Matt Addax, her latest client, wants to restore a huge dilapidated Pacific Heights mansion, which has a “twin” house located next door. He and Melanie discover Kenneth, his business manager, badly wounded after a party at the site.

Kenneth dies, implicating Matt, who is soon arrested.

Melanie is trying to track down a determined killer, who is seeking a valuable item that may be hidden in the structure.

There’s a wide assortment of possible villains, and a touch of romance as Melanie reconnects and gets assistance from a hunky former boyfriend.

They soon get deeper in trouble, especially when Kenneth’s frustrated, talkative ghost appears on the scene.
These books are ideal for lovers of the “Murder, She Wrote” television series, although it deals with a younger generation.

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on Sunday, January 9, 2011

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed crime novels and noir thrillers regularly since 1987.

TRIO OF BOOKS LOOK A STATE HISTORY

2011-01-02T17:03:00.000-05:00

It's tough to keep track of all the interesting new books dealing with Michigan history. Here's a brief look at three paperbacks that came out last year that are worth picking up.

"Michigan State Fair" by John Minnis and Lauren Beaver (Arcadia, $21.95) is a wonderful collection of photos and facts about the nation's oldest state fair, which began in Detroit in 1849.

It shifted locales frequently before returning permanently to Detroit; there's a great ad for the fair held in Lansing in 1889.

Minnis, a respected journalist, and Beaver, an MSU student, have compiled a fascinating book that really captivates the imagination, emphasizing a variety of fun-filled events that took place.

It also includes photos of famous people who appeared at the fair, ranging from President William Howard Taft, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans to Ricky Nelson, the Temptations and the Jackson Five.

The detailed captions very accurately describe the uniqueness of the Michigan State Fair, offering many behind-the-scenes glimpses of the major historical event.

"The Michigan Murders" by Edward Keyes (University of Michigan Press, $22.95) is a mesmerizing examination of a series of killings that took place in the Ann Arbor/ Ypsilanti area in the late 1960s.
It focuses on the violent, brutal murders of seven girls and young women aged 13 to 23, whose mutilated bodies were dumped in the surrounding area.

Originally published in 1977, this volume was nominated for the Edgar Award as the Best Fact Crime Book of the Year.

Keyes' work is considered by many as a landmark in true crime writing; this edition has an excellent prologue by Mardi Link and a new epilogue by Laura James.

As a courtesy and using a stylistic device of the times, Keyes changes the names of the victims and killer. Many readers many will recognize clean-cut "James Armstrong" as John Norman Collins, who is still serving time in prison.

"In the Shadow of the Bear" by Jim McGavran (Michigan State University Press, $19.95) is a laid-back Michigan memoir.

It explores McGavran's upbringing and examines parental attitudes and lifestyles of a bygone era. While serving as an ode to his parents and other family members, it also deftly captures a sense of place, savoring many aspects of growing up at Leelanau.

McGavran's intriguing effort would be better if he had used shorter paragraphs, but his inclusion of family photos makes the book more enjoyable.

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on Sunday, January 2, 2011

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed crime novels and noir thrillers regularly since 1987.

Book Pays Homage to 'Ladies of Lights'

2010-12-26T15:16:00.001-05:00

Michigan history fans can enjoy a pair of highly entertaining new books that focus on fascinating aspects of our Great Lakes state.

These aren’t your usual run-of-the mill volumes of generalized or glorified history; instead they offer new and intriguing insights into uncommon past livelihoods.

“Ladies of the Lights” by Patricia Majher (University of Michigan Press, $22.95 pb, $65 hb) is a well-organized, illuminating look at Michigan women in the U.S. Lighthouse Service.

It’s broken down into a dozen short chapters plus an epilog, providing an amazing view of a long-overlooked subject. There were 52 women who served in this unusual capacity, beginning with Catherine Shook, who maintained the Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse on Lake Huron from 1849.

The carefully researched volume is not likely to put you asleep; it’s filled with great photographs, lively insights and remarkable information about the strong-willed women who were vital in safely guiding ships through treacherous waters.

Majher, the editor of Michigan History Magazine, also includes a wonderful recent interview with Frances (Wuori Johnson) Marshall, the last of the female lighthouse keepers. Marshall appeared as a guest on the popular 1953 “What’s My Line?” television show and successfully stumped the panel.

Majher’s great book is ideal for average readers, historians and libraries; it provides geographical and alphabetical lists, suggested readings, an excellent bibliography and detailed footnotes.

“Sawdust and Woodchips” by Ben Mukkala (Still Waters, $15.95) is another relaxing, insightful volume by one Michigan’s best storytellers.

It deals mostly with the lumberjacks and the logging industry in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, told in Mukkala’s folksy, laid-back style.

Mukkala deftly tells tales of famous and infamous Michigan lumberjacks from a bygone era, exploring their attitudes, foibles and follies.

The are many wonderful short vignettes that explore the history, growth and disappearance of a variety of logging communities in the U.P.

Mukkala also provides a 50-page chronology of the logging industry in Michigan, beginning in 1797, peppering it with numerous insights into regional history.

The author, who retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Major in 1970, has also written other entertaining, self-published, popular paperbacks, including “Copper, Timber, Iron and Heart (Stories from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula” and “Come On Along (Tales and Trails of the North Woods”).

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed books regularly since 1987.
This review was originally published in the Lansing State Journal on December 26, 2010.

PATTERSON DELIVERS AGAIN IN HIS LATEST

2010-12-19T17:23:00.000-05:00

If you’re trying to escape from the holiday celebrations, here’s a quick look at a pair of fast-paced crime novels with memorable characters and many surprising plot twists.

“Cross Fire” by James Patterson (Little, Brown, $25.95) is the 17th in his exceptionally popular series starring Washington D.C. police detective Alex Cross.

It marks the return of Cross’s deadly foe, Kyle Craig, a clever killer and former FBI agent who’s escaped jail. Craig has struck again, this time murdering undercover FBI agent Max Siegel and stealing his identity.
Cross is investigating a series of murders in the nation’s capitol; a corrupt congressman and a shady lobbyist are assassinated by sniper shots.

Craig assists on the case, meticulously planning his violent revenge. Cross is unaware of the villain’s goals; another odd series of murders occurs and he must investigate. Meanwhile, Cross is planning on getting married to Bree Stone and faces a variety of other challenges.

Patterson frequently and smoothly shifts viewpoints in this highly entertaining tale, raising the tension level while offering insights into an assortment of devious minds.

The award-winning author, who’s sold over 200 million books, has created another compelling page-turner that can easily be made into an exciting movie.

“Kind of Blue” by Miles Corwin (Oceanview, $25.95) is an excellent debut crime novel by a former LA journalist who’s written three non-fiction books.

It introduces Ash Levine, who was one of the LA police department’s best detectives until he resigned a year earlier. Latisha Patton, his murder witness in a homicide investigation, was killed; Levine feels her death was his fault.

Lieutenant Frank Duffy is getting pressure to solve the murder of Pete Relovich, a legendary ex-cop; he convinces Levine to return to the force.

With his badge back, Levine digs deep into the case,
uncovering hidden clues that other cops have missed. Soon the investigation expands in unexpected directions; he wants to solve it so he can work on the Patton case again.

This book is filled with flawed, quirky characters, especially its hero, an obsessive, surfboarding, Jewish
detective who has flashbacks about his time served with the Israeli Defense Forces.

Corwin, a remarkable new talent, goes deep into Michael Connelly territory; he’s created an exceptional, atmospheric police procedural that’s easily one of the year’s best crime novels.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed books regularly since 1987.This review was originally published in the Lansing State Journal on December 19, 2010.

Murder, mayhem take over Detroit

2010-12-13T12:06:00.001-05:00

Two recent novels by award-winning Whitmore Lake author Loren D. Estleman offer a variety of reading pleasure.

While his latest crime novel takes place primarily on the crime-ridden streets of Detroit, his other highly entertaining tale is set mostly in the 1800’s, exploring an unusual 20-year relationship.

“The Left-Handed Dollar” (Forge, $24.99) is the twentieth novel in the last 30 years starring Amos Walker, a tough Detroit private investigator.

Short on funds, Walker takes a job from “Lefty Lucy” Lettermore to investigate an old case that severely injured Walker’s best friend, investigative reporter Barry Stackpole.

Mob figure Joseph Michael Ballista was sent to jail years earlier for the car bombing. Lettermore wants Walker to track down an informant and look into other aspects of the crime.

Walker faces a number of challenges, his friendship with Stackpole is at risk; he uses a variety of sources to gather information. When the body count rises, Walker knows he’s got real problems – he may be the next target of a crafty killer.

Estleman, one of America’s best crime novelists, has produced a nifty, well-plotted, hard-boiled tale that’s rife with mayhem and murder.

Die-hard gumshoe fans may also enjoy “Amos Walker, The Complete Story Collection” (Tyrus,$32.95) which includes a brand new short story in the hefty, 600 page book.

“Roy & Lillie” (Forge, $24.99) is a step in a different direction, focusing on the unusual romance between notorious Texan Judge Roy Bean and beautiful British stage actress Lillie Langtry.

Estleman has carefully crafted a fascinating dual biographical novel of the distinctive pair, who corresponded for 20 years but never met while both were alive.

It showcases their wildly differing lifestyles, with Langtry rising to be adorned by high British society while Bean was gaining notoriety as “The Hanging Judge”.

Deftly exploring their lives, Estleman alternates chapters as he focuses on their unusual behavior, personal relationships and amazing careers.

The well-researched novel includes appearances by assorted royalty, playwright Oscar Wilde and artist James McNeil Whistler, as well as cameos by Bram Stoker, John Barrymore and many others.

Many western scenes are vividly described, relating Bean’s unique lifestyle and uneven type of frontier justice.

This smooth, intriguing combination of fact and fiction works well on a number of levels; Estleman is a superb storyteller with remarkable insight.

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on Sunday, December 12, 2010.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed books regularly since 1987.

MOVING TRIBUTE TO MISSING AIRMEN

2010-12-05T13:01:00.001-05:00

Blaine Pardoe will be signing books on

Tuesday at 7 p.m. at University of Michigan’s

Hatcher Graduate Library, Room 100,

913 S. University, Ann Arbor.

Tom Weschler and Gary Graff will be signing books

on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Schuler Books and Music,

Eastwood Towne Center, Lansing.

Two recent books will make ideal gifts for the holiday season for historians, although there’s likely to be a wide variance in the readership. One is great for military historians interested in World War I and II while the other is aimed at die-hard rock and roll fans.

“Lost Eagles” by Blaine Pardoe (University of Michigan Press, $32.50) is subtitled “One Man’s Mission to Find Missing Airmen in Two World Wars.”

It focuses on Frederick Zinn, a virtually unknown native of Galesburg MI. He has played a vital role in tracking down information used in determining the final fate of airmen missing in action.

Pardoe covers Zinn’s lengthy career during World War I, when he was initially a member of the French Foreign Legion. He became the first American aviation combat photographer, but devoted most of his efforts to locating missing airmen.

Zinn’s unusual spying duties during World War II are also carefully examined, when he worked for the top secret Office of Special Services (OSS).

Sections offering insights into the lives and disappearance of the missing flyers follow chapters of Zinn’s mesmerizing biography.

The well-researched volume includes photos, footnotes, a bibliography and a brief section on the fate of the missing airmen. Many methods Zinn originated are still in use today, This excellent, fitting memorial provides a moving tribute and well-deserved recognition. to an overlooked heroic figure.

“Travelin’ Man – On the Road and Behind the Scenes with Bob Seger”
by Tom Weschler and Gary Graff (Wayne State University Press, $18.95) is not a biography of Bob Seger and his assorted bands.

Instead it showcases over 150 Weschler photographs of Seger’s early career, beginning in 1969 through the late 1970’s and beyond.

There are many sharp images of a smiling, young Seger in assorted recording studios and on the road, including visits to MSU, U of M and the 1970 Goose Lake International Music Festival.

Numerous photos have long detailed captions, providing insights into Seger, his creativity and many different band members.

John Mellencamp offers a brief foreword, with Kid Rock supplying an afterword; this distinctive oversized paperback is a real treat for former hippies and good old-time rock and roll fans.

(Originally published by the Lansing State Journal on Sunday, December 5, 2010.)

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed Michigan books and crime novels regularly since 1987.

MICHIGAN JUDGE PENS LEGAL THRILLER

2010-11-28T12:34:00.000-05:00

William C. Whitbeck will be autographing copies of his book on

Wednesday, Dec.1 at 7 p.m. at the Michigan Historical Center, 702 W. Kalamazoo, Lansing.

Illustrator Deb Pilutti will be signing copies on

dSat. Dec 4 at 11 a.m. at Schulers Books and Music, Eastwood Towne Center, Lansing.

Michigan history is at the forefront of a pair of recent releases; one’s a top-notch legal thriller while the other is great for children or libraries.

“To Account for Murder”, by Lansing author William C. Whitbeck (Permanent Press, $28) is a remarkable debut novel that’s set mostly in the capital city in the mid 1940’s.

It’s loosely based on the sensational, unsolved murder of Sen. Warren G. Hooper, who was slain before he could testify about political corruption.

It features Charles Cahill, the son of a bootlegger, who’s returned home from World War Two. In the first chapter, Cahill acknowledges that he shot State Senator Harry Maynard; he’s been having an affair with the senator’s wife. Ironically Cahill gets a job assisting on the grand jury investigation of the case.

Cahill is balancing carefully on a tightrope fearing exposure, dealing with war flashbacks, corruption and greed, Purple Gang thugs, payoffs, violence, double-crosses and much more.

The author is at his best when describing behind-the- scenes courtroom dealings and corruption; unexpected plot twists make this highly atmospheric novel even more enjoyable.

Whitbeck, who is the Chief Judge of the Michigan Court of appeals, deftly provides a well-researched, tantalizing, tale ideal for those who love legal thrillers or historical novels.

“The Twelve Days of Christmas in Michigan” (Sterling, $12.95) by Grand Rapids author Susan Collins Thoms is a nifty children’s book that’s illustrated by Ann Arbor’s Deb Pilutti.

Using the Twelve Days of Christmas as a guideline, Thoms alters the theme so that it relates exclusively to Michigan – instead of a partridge in a pear tree, it’s a robin in a white pine, etc.

The colorful, vivid illustrations by Pilutti accompany the informative text, which is written in the format of a daily letter home sent by an inquisitive visiting cousin.

This is a great visual introduction to Michigan history that factually covers a lot of ground, from the Upper Peninsula and the Great Lakes to Detroit and Mackinac Island.

Two additional illustrated pages showcase other highlights; a brief listing of eight famous Michiganders is also provided.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed Michigan books and crime novels regularly since 1987.

thriller ripped from headlines

2010-11-21T13:22:00.000-05:00

Strong-willed, smart women are the focus of attention in two recent adrenaline-charged international thrillers.
“Running Dark” by Jamie Freveletti (Morrow, $24.99) is the sequel to her best-selling book “Running from the Devil”, which was set mostly in Columbia and Washington D.C.

This time, brilliant biochemist Emma Caldridge is back – she’s in an ultramarathon race in South Africa when she becomes dazed and disoriented by a roadside bomb explosion.

A man reaches over and injects her with medication; suddenly she feels euphoric, finishing the race at an exceptional pace. She’s worried and contacts Edward Banner, head of Darkview, a specialist security company.

But Banner’s firm has other problems – it’s in the midst of a congressional investigation. Also, one of their agents, Cameron Sumner, who’s protecting a cruise ship, reports an attack on the vessel by pirates off the coast of Somalia.

The ship may be carrying a mysterious and possibly deadly cargo of drugs. Soon Caldridge is off to investigate, assisting Sumner, who recently had saved her life.

This is a captivating international thriller ripped from today’s headlines. Freveletti’s clever plotting, strong characterization and fast pacing makes it tough to put down.

“The Last Run” by Greg Rucka (Bantam, $26) showcases Tara Chace, Britain’s top covert agent, who appeared in “Private Wars” and “A Gentleman’s Game”.

Chace, a quick thinking, fast-acting, deadly spy, is tired of her role. She’s a single mother of a five-year old daughter and wants nothing more that a peaceful desk job.

Of course that wouldn’t make for much exciting reading, so Rucka throws her into one final mission, sending her off to Iran to save a previously botched mission.

Chace’s assignment is to get a highly placed defector out of the country; danger abounds as she gets into nasty situations and attempts to thwart potential roadblocks. Her boss faces considerable additional pressure from a variety of sources.

Double and triple crosses are normal in contemporary and classic spy fiction and this is no exception. Even experienced readers should enjoy the unexpected plot twists.

While the last hundred pages fly by like greased lightning, Rucka is initially over-focused on geographical description, going into much more detail than necessary.

Both books could easily be made into highly entertaining movies; there are certainly enough exciting, dominating action scenes.

Originally published by the Lansing State Journal on Sunday, November 21, 2010.
Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed crime novels and noir thrillers regularly since 1987.

ETHICAL ISSUES ADD REALISM AS STUDENTS UNCOVER PLOT

2010-11-18T11:01:00.000-05:00

Two award-winning authors offer a change of pace from their usual fare – they’ve joined the ranks of accomplished writers creating books designed for young adults. Both titles offer intriguing, interesting plots thathave virtually no violence and little romantic involvement.

“The Rivalry” by journalist, sports reporter and NPR commentator John Feinstein (Knopf, $16.99) is a mystery set at this year’s Army-Navy Football game.

It showcases teen newspaper reporters Stevie Thomas and Susan Carol Anderson, who’ve appeared in earlier Feinstein novels.

This time they’re reporting on the rivalry that takes place at a historic event, the latest match-up between the Army’s Black Knights and the Midshipmen of the Navy.

Security is tight at the game and secret service agents are worried about possible threats. President Obama is scheduled to make an appearance at the game.

Thomas and Anderson face additional challenges as journalists as they try to uncover a devious plot while facing tight deadlines.

Feinstein, who wrote “A Civil War: Army vs. Navy - A Year Behind Football’s Purest Rivalry” is ideally equipped to write this book because of his unique inside knowledge.

His fine effort relays a lot of useful information without trying to teach. Ethical dilemmas add realism to the plot, as does the appearance of real sports personalities.

The author has won an Edgar Award for Best Young Adult Mystery for “Last Shot”; this book should certainly be a candidate for similar honors. This is great reading for younger sports fans, but teachers, librarians and adults might like it too.

Pulitzer prize-winning author Jane Smiley’s latest release is “A Good Horse” (Knopf, $16.99), the second book in her series featuring eighth-grader Abby Lovitt.

Set in California horse country in the 1960’s, it explores challenges facing her and her family at their horse ranch.

Lovitt enjoys taking care of the animals, especially handsome eight-month-old Jack and Black George, his stable mate.

Black George turns out to be a natural jumper; the Lovitt family faces problems when a letter arrives from a private investigator that indicates that the horse may be stolen property.

Elaine Clayton’s fine, detailed illustrations appear at the beginning of each chapter, offering additional clear visual images.

Smiley, who raises horses of her own, has beautifully captured the flavor of the times, with a memorable, enjoyable tale of a young girl who loves horses.

Originally published in the Lansing State Journal on Sunday, November 14, 2010.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop has reviewed books regularly for the Lansing State Journal since 1987.

"Gone, Baby, Gone" is missing yet again

2010-11-07T16:26:00.000-05:00

Two new crime novels feature strong characterization and careful plotting, with likable, dedicated investigators trying to solve puzzling cases.

Both books use East Coast locales and are the latest volumes in long-running series. Each offers a surprising, unexpected ending.

“Moonlight Mile” by best-selling writer Dennis Lehane (William Morrow, $26.99) marks the return of Boston private investigators Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro.

This is the sixth book in the series and is directly related to events that occurred in “Gone Baby, Gone.” Twelve years have passed since the private investigators found missing four-year-old Amanda McCready and returned her to her neglectful mother.

Amanda, now a brilliant but aloof teen-ager, has gone missing again; her worried aunt seeks help from the investigators. Kenzie and Gennaro are married, with a precocious young daughter of their own; they’ve never felt satisfied about the decisions they made years earlier.

Their search for truth leads to many unusual, dangerous situations; finding Amanda is only one part of a complicated case.

Well-developed and interesting characters abound, including identity thieves, meth dealers, twitchy Russian gang members, a disgraced doctor and many more.

Lehane is one of America’s best crime novelists; this book could easily become as memorable a film as two of his other spellbinding novels, “Mystic River” and “Shutter Island”. (“Red Herring” by Archer Mayor (Minotaur Books, $24.99)

"Red Herring" by Archer Mayor (Minotaur Books, $24.99) again showcases Joe Gunther, the hard-working head of the Vermont Bureau of Investigation.

Gunther and his diligent crew are called in to try to solve a puzzling series of deaths, where a single drop of unexplained blood was found at the crime scenes.

Forensic investigation reveals that the blood came from three different unknown people, raising even more questions.

Digging deep into the background of the victims, Gunther and his staff unearth dark secrets, using old-fashioned police methods as well as cutting-edge DNA technology.

Gunther’s life becomes a bit more challenging as Gail Zigman, a former girlfriend, runs for Governor of Vermont in a heated campaign. This is a solid, satisfying police procedural with an intriguing cast of characters and a devious, nasty villain.

A realistic but shocking conclusion will cause more emotional problems for Gunther, who’s appeared in twenty earlier books in the series.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed crime novels and noir mysteries regularly since 1987.

2010-11-01T11:25:00.000-04:00

R.A. Evans will be signing copies of his novel on Wednesday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. at Schuler Books and Music, Meridian Mall, 1492 W. Grand River Ave., Okemos, Michigan.

It’s Halloween – and a great time to sit down with a scary new book, avoiding the shifting shadows and the grinning skulls lurking in the dark.

“Asylum Lake” by Grand Rapids author R. A. Evans (Chapbook Press, $15) has a striking cover design that should entice many new readers. It’s an intriguing psychological tale set in the small fictional town of Bedlam Falls in northern Michigan.

It introduces Brady Tanner, who’s been successful as a Chicago journalist, but is trying to escape the realities of the tragic death of his wife and their unborn child. The death of Tanner’s father causes Tanner’s return to the small old house where he spent many summers as a youth. It also brings back fond memories, as well as thoughts about the time he almost died.

The town has grown significantly since Tanner left; the huge state mental institution (which closed in 1958) still looms darkly on the shores of the lake. His former girlfriend April, has moved back to town to take care of her father, who has Alzheimer’s; her young daughter Abby is pivotal to the plot.

Evan’s paperback debut jumps back and forth between decades, including scenes of a violent mass murder by a teenager and other assorted deaths.

The pacing picks up in the last half as Tanner, with the help of police officers, diligently unearths a variety of horrific dark secrets of the mental institution.

In a realistic manner, not all of Tanner’s puzzling questions are answered, although many deadly past events are significantly clarified.

This is the first of a planned series of three books showcasing Tanner. The next volume has him learning more about the background and the fate of the asylum’s elusive last director, Dr. Wesley Clovis.

While Evans’ new release could use a bit stronger character development, it’s still a taut tale liable to raise significant goose bumps.

Evans, a former journalist, has worked in marketing and public relations for the past 15 years; he’s an adjunct faculty member at Grand Valley State University.

LOCAL AUTHOR'S TALE WONDERS WHAT'S BEHIND THE DOOR

2010-10-17T14:56:00.000-04:00

Mark Mattison will be signing books on Monday at 7 p.m. at Barnes & Noble Books, 333 E. Grand River, East Lansing.

Scott D. Southard will be signing books on Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at Everybody Reads, Books and Stuff at 2019 East Michigan Ave., Lansing.

Two Michigan authors have released highly entertaining, unusual trade paperbacks that that are aimed at an often-neglected audience.

Each book has strong elements of science fiction and features rousing action that should appeal to young adult male readers as well as grown-ups.

“Commander Chris and the Mystical Orb” by Grand Rapids author Mark Mattison (Gollehon, $9.95) is a nifty debut novel. It introduces young Chris Morinas, a nerdy, unpopular student who’s absorbed in skateboarding and video games.

When a lab experiment goes terribly wrong, he’s transformed and is warped to a distant galaxy and a fleeing spaceship.

If you think this sounds like something straight out of “Star Wars” you’d be right – there’s enough pulse-pounding action to please almost any reader.

He’s got highly interesting crewmembers, including space pirate Ava, who’s stolen the prototype of an alien spaceship. There’s also Pi, the ship’s offbeat android, Zach, a large alien, talking insect and Majubar, another strange alien with a powerful, mystical orb staff.

Fortunately (and happily!) there are no vampires, just lots of fast-paced action that ranks among the best of contemporary space opera. Commander Chris puts his video game skills to use, barely escaping nasty aliens as he faces numerous exciting challenges.

This is a remarkable, enjoyable first novel that may entice readers to discover what wonderful further adventures await in the realm of science fiction.

“My Problem With Doors” by Lansing writer Scott D. Southard (I Publish Press, $15.95), is the latest novel by the author of “3 Days in Rome” and “Megan”.

It’s an unusual time-travel tale that showcases a young man simply named Jacob, who doesn’t really know what to expect when he opens doors.

It all begins when he stumbles through a door as a toddler, transported to South Africa in the 1870’s. From there, Jacob experiences many fascinating adventures, learning from a patient Master, joining a pirate ship, and bouncing around through time like a ping pong ball.

While he can control his destiny somewhat, he really doesn’t know what to expect when he opens his next door.

His experiences vary greatly from fighting in an early Roman coliseum to having dinner with Jack the Ripper.
He spends time with Lord Byron as well as Percy and Mary Shelley and discovers a fateful true love on an ocean liner.

Southard’s latest novel is a bit disjointed in the beginning but slowly changes into an absorbing, thought- provoking tale.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed crime novels and noir thrillers regularly since 1987.

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on October 17, 2010.

GRAND RAPIDS NATIVE SETS TALE OF MISSING KIDS IN HER HOME STATE

2010-10-14T11:05:00.000-04:00

Two recent mysteries set in Michigan feature well-defined characters, convoluted plots and intriguing crimes.

“And Then There Was One” by Patricia Gussin (Oceanview, $25.95) is a highly entertaining tale that focuses on family members who have to deal with the puzzling disappearance of young children.

Set in Auburn Hills, the gripping novel opens when Katie Monroe, a forensic pediatric psychologist and the mother of identical nine year old triplets, gets word that two of them have disappeared from a local theater complex.

Jackie, the third triplet, is okay, but her mother, a forensic pediatric psychologist, calls her husband, former New York Yankee catcher Scott Monroe, to let him know the situation.

The plot becomes more complicated as Gussin throws in many possible suspects, including a former lover who’s now out of jail and a wealthy defendant in Florida who’s involved in a nasty child abuse case.
The FBI is called in, but few new leads surface; soon the focus shifts and the bizarre real reason for the disappearance is clarified.

Gussin, a physician who grew up in Grand Rapids, has written a top-notch thriller that’s tough to put down, offering an emotional roller coaster ride full of tense suspense.

“Shelf Ice” by Aaron Stander (Writers and Editors, $15.95) is the fourth in his well-crafted series starring Sheriff Ray Elkins, of Cedar County in northern Michigan.

The first chapter is likely to entice readers to continue, as Elkins and his second-in-command are run over in their car by a huge diesel snowplow while en route to a possible crime scene.

A reclusive local artist is discovered badly injured in her isolated home and is taken away to a hospital. Elkins and his staff try to figure out what’s going on, and what the role of a local, charismatic TV evangelist. When the artist dies, Elkins increase his efforts, trying to sort through an odd group of potential suspects.

Stander, who hosts an Interlochen radio show about writers, has put together a highly atmospheric crime tale with crossover appeal to those who love reading books set in northern Michigan.

It’s best to read Stander’s absorbing works in order to fully appreciate the growth of Elkins and other characters. Earlier books in the series are “Summer People”, “Local Color” and “Deer Season.”

Originally published on October 10, 2010 in the Lansing State Journal.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed crime novels and noir thrillers regularly since 1987.

Connelly back in top form in 'Reversal'

2010-10-05T13:03:00.000-04:00

"The Reversal" (Little Brown, $27.99) by award-winning crime novelist Michael Connelly, is a real treat for his legion of ardent readers.

The book, which is scheduled for release on Tuesday, features of Connelly major fictional characters - Los Angeles defense attorney Mickey Haller and his half-brother, LAPD Detective Harry Bosch.

Both appeared in Connelly's 2008 best-seller "The Brass Verdict," but this time there's an added twist - they're working for the prosecution.

Convicted child killer Jacob Jessup, who's served 24 years in prison, has been granted a retrial based on new DNA evidence.

Haller, who also starred in "The Lincoln Lawyer," agrees to serve as a special prosecutor in the high-profile case, but on his own terms. He wants Bosch as his investigator and his ex-wife, Deputy District Attorney Maggie McPherson, as second chair.

As expected, the case gets complicated. The cops who handled the case aren't around anymore or aren't useful. The testimony of a jailhouse snitch can't be used and Sarah Landry, the only witness to the abduction of her sister Melissa, has dropped from sight.

Longtime police veteran Harry Bosch uses his ties with the FBI to help gather information, but it's not easy. When he discovers unsavory records of Sarah's past, he can understand her reluctance to testify.

Jessup, meanwhile, has a celebrity lawyer who is twisting facts to gain media exposure. Utilizing airtime to proclaim his innocence, Jessup also is making disturbing visits to unusual locations during the night.

The defense brings up an assortment of challenging issues, so the prosecutor's team must go all out, using ingenious methods in an uphill battle for justice.

Haller and Bosch are sure the sadistic killer has plans for more brutal attacks and want to stop him before he kills again.

The conclusion is stunning, yet realistic. Connelly, a former award-winning journalist, deftly captures the courtroom atmosphere as well as life on the turbulent streets of Los Angeles.

Connelly smoothly combines the best of two literary genres, adroitly mixing the intriguing elements of a legal thriller with the insights and step-by step methodology of the police procedural. It's easily one of the year's best crime novels.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed crime novels and noir thrillers regularly since 1987.

Sanford's dark novel may not suit all

2010-09-28T15:03:00.001-04:00

"Bad Blood" by best-selling author John Sandford (Putnam, $27.95)
is the fourth book in his popular series starring Detective Virgil Flowers.

Sandford is well-known for his excellent "Prey" series, featuring
Lucas Davenport, head of Minnesota's special Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

But Davenport plays only a minor role in this novel.
The quirky Flowers is at the forefront when he's called
to look into a series of deaths in a rural county.

Lee Coakley, the area's new female sheriff, contacts Flowers
for assistance in investigating the unusual murder of Jacob Flood,
a farmer who died while delivering a load of soybeans at a grain elevator.

Flood was killed by Bob Tripp, a teenage employee who hit him
over the head with a T-ball bat and tried to make it look like an accident.

The local cops don't believe the story.
They arrest Tripp and throw him in jail.
The next day, his body is discovered in his cell - an apparent suicide.

Meanwhile, the officer on duty, Jim Crocker, is found dead at home.
Coakley and Flowers are trying to find a link between the deaths.

Their diligent work uncovers another unsolved murder of a young woman a year earlier.
All four were members of a strange religious cult.
As they dig deeper, they discover many dark secrets of the community,
only to be stonewalled by various cult members.

Flowers, the son of a Lutheran minister, is in fine form as he confronts
the Bible-thumping cult members who quote frequently from the
holy book to justify their behavior.

The dark humor adds a needed lighter touch to the novel,
and the growing relationship between Coakley and Flowers adds additional entertainment.

It's a top-notch, compelling crime novel, but it may not be for everybody.
Unwary readers may not be initially prepared for a plot that covers a
variety of dark subjects including child abuse, rape and incest.

"Prey" fans who enjoy solid police procedural novels won't be disappointed, however.
Sandford, (the pseudonym for John Camp) is likely to gain new readers
who will want to catch up on Flowers' memorable earlier appearances.

Ray Walsh, owner of the Curious Book Shop, has reviewed crime novels and noir thrillers regularly for the Lansing State Journal since 1987.
(Originally published by the Lansing State Journal on September 26, 2010.)

The Book Show is Coming!

2010-09-12T14:24:00.000-04:00

The 52nd Michigan Antiquarian Book and Paper Show is swiftly approaching!

Join us at the Lansing Center on Sunday, October 3rd for the Midwest's LARGEST book and paper show.

The Michigan Antiquarian Book & Paper Show is an assembly of many booksellers from around the American Midwest, Canada, and from further away. We gather at the show twice a year to display and sell books and other printed materials to the public. It's a large one-day show, overseen by the owner of the Curious Book Shop, Ray Walsh.We typically have 70 dealers or more. An average booth might have three tables, and often each table will have bookshelves upon it, so there is a truly impressive amount of material on display.

As this is an antiquarian show, most of the items on display will be older - secondhand, collectible, rare, and often out of print or unavailable. New items are typically not included unless they're related to collectible printed material. In addition to books, dealers bring magazines, posters, postcards, prints, maps, comic books, and so on. Some items may be just a few years old, and others date back hundreds of years. The prices may vary from a dollar to ten thousand dollars or more. There's sure to be an incredible variety of
items!

Visitors to the show should wear comfortable shoes and expect to spend at least an hour browsing. The show can be experienced as a museum as much as an opportunity for shopping. Plenty of eating is provided for people who need a rest, and there's a cart that sells hot dogs, sandwiches, salads, beverages and other food items.

Although many of the dealers who attend the show perform appraisals, visitors should not bring their own books and items to the show without making prior arrangements. For security reasons, you can't simply walk in with your own books. You can talk to dealers and collect business cards, of course, and then make other arrangements later.

Some dealers are happy to haggle over prices, some aren't.

A smile is your best bargaining tool!

See the show page at our website for more information about the upcoming book show.

We hope to see you there!

Familiar Characters Again on the Hunt in Recent Releases

2010-09-12T12:18:00.003-04:00

Two recent crime novels feature determined investigators, dead bodies and a clever sociopath.

Yet they differ dramatically - one is an action-packed tough guy tale while the other is a police procedural.

"Judgement and Wrath" by Matt Hilton (William Morrow, $24.99) is the exciting sequel to his acclaimed debut "Dead Man's Dust."

Joe Hunter, a former counter-terrorist expert, is working as a private investigator in Florida, along with his buddy Rink. He's hired by Richard Dean to get Dean's 18-year-old daughter, Marianne, away from her abusive millionaire boyfriend, Bradley.

Hunter tracks them down, only to find it's not quite as Dean had described. The pair seem very much in love and Marianne says she has not been abused.

Dantalion, a crazed, deliberate, experienced hitman, has his own agenda and is out to kill Bradley. Hunter thwarts the attempt, barely escaping with the couple.

Considering himself a fallen angel, Dantalion bizarrely keeps score of his kills in a little notebook. He's determined to succeed, regardless of the cost of human life.

This pulse-pounding thriller will appeal to those who enjoy Lee Child's "Reacher" series. It would make a dandy movie in the best, early Rambo tradition.

"Hangman" by Faye Kellerman (William Morrow, $25.99) is the latest crime novel starring Los Angeles Police Lt. Peter Decker and his wife, Rina Lazarus.

Decker agrees to do a favor for an old friend, but the situation becomes complicated when she disappears, leaving behind Gabe, her 14-year-old son.

Her husband becomes a prime suspect, because of his violent nature, recent actions and past prowess as a professional hitman. Meanwhile, Decker and his team get involved in the murder investigation of Adrianna Blanc, a local neonatal nurse whose body is discovered hanging at a construction site.

Adrianna's lifestyle offers many clues; her boyfriend is missing and the body count slowly rises.

Kellerman's book is ideal for fans of her long-running series, further exploring the strained relationship of Decker and Lazarus.

Ray Walsh, owner of the Curious Book Shop, has reviewed crime novels and noir thrillers regularly for the Lansing State Journal since 1987.
(Originally published by the Lansing State Journal on September 12, 2010.)

Book Review: Novels Take a Step Back in Time

2010-09-10T19:17:00.000-04:00

Summer's almost over, so here's a look at a few entertaining books you might have missed.

"Blockade Billy" by Stephen King (Scribner, $14.99) is a slim hardback that includes the 80-page title novella and a bonus short story that originally appeared in Esquire.

King's bloody little baseball tale showcases William "Blockade Billy" Blakely,
an Iowa farm league catcher who's called up to the New Jersey Titans at the beginning of the 1957 season.

The Titans' old third-base coach and narrator of this tale aptly notes "this ain't no kids' sports novel" and he's right. King deftly captures the flavor of 1950s baseball as he explores the dark reasons why the sport has tried to eliminate any mention of the quirky young player.
"Morality" is a brief tale about a desperate couple, tough decisions and unexpected effects. This book is ideal for die-hard King fans who can't wait for his next novel.

"So Cold the River" by award-winning crime novelist Michael Koryta (Little Brown, $24.99) is a powerful step into the supernatural for the highly talented author.

Eric Shaw is a washed-up filmmaker who's hired to make a video of the early history of a dying billionaire's career. It leads him to a small Indiana resort town and a particularly creepy hotel.

Shaw has strange visions and odd reactions when he cracks open a bottle of "Pluto Water" that the billionaire had saved for years. There are many deftly handled flashback scenes of the 1920s,
While it takes a while to develop, Koryta's mesmerizing tale is easily one of the year's best supernatural novels.

"The Big Bang" by Mickey Spillane and Max Allan Collins
(Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $25) is the last book starring iconic private eye Mike Hammer.
The fast-paced collaboration is based on a lost Spillane manuscript completed by Collins. It smoothly captures life in the 1960s, dealing with drug trafficking in New York City.

It has all the elements that made Spillane one of America's top selling authors: lots of violence, sexual innuendoes, a devious killer and a twisted plot. Dedicated Mike Hammer lovers will enjoy one last fling with Spillane's memorable characters.

Ray Walsh, owner of the Curious Book Shop, has reviewed crime novels and noir thrillers regularly for the Lansing State Journal since 1987.

(Originally published by the Lansing State Journal on September 5, 2010.)

Nihon no Hon ga Arimasu

2010-07-28T13:52:00.000-04:00

Common use of the written word in Japan began around the 4th century, when the Japanese adopted Chinese characters as kanji. Interestingly, some of the earliest Japanese written works are also some of the earliest examples of science fiction. Urashima Tarō, the earliest known time-travel tale, tells of a man who travels to the bottom of the sea, and returns to the surface to find that 300 years have passed. Genji Monogatari, written by a noblewomen in the classical period, was one of the first modern novels. Today, Japanese authors continue to make considerable contributions to literature.

We currently carry such major authors of modern Japanese literature as Shiga Naoyo, Yukio Mishima, and Yasunari Kawabata. Kawabata became the first Japanese author to win the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1968, and you can find a copy of what is considered his finest work, The Master of Go, on our shelves at the moment. Look for some of these authors near the front, under the Women Writers of Science Fiction and Fantasy display.

If you are interested in Japan, we have also recently acquired a large collection of Asian history and culture books. In addition, there are manga and anime materials on the first and second floors of the shop, many of which are written in Japanese.

Mr. Monk is Cleaned Out and Deception

2010-07-19T19:17:00.000-04:00

7/18/10 If it's too hot to go to the beach, here's a quick look at a pair of quirky crime novels set in sunny California. Each features a long-running series character, unusual death scenes and many puzzling questions.

Mr. Monk Is Cleaned Out by Lee Goldberg (Obsidian, $22.95) is the 10th book starring Adrian Monk, who appeared regularly on the now- canceled USA Network television series.

This highly entertaining tale takes place in San Francisco before the events of the show's final season It adroitly explores the obsessive-compulsive behavioral problems of the brilliant but flawed detective.

It's told from the viewpoint of Natalie Teeger, Monk's personal assistant, who deals with a lot of frustration and is trying to raise her teenaged daughter.

As usual, Monk is called in to help solve a peculiar case. Soon thereafter, he's laid off from assisting the police due to budget cutbacks.
He also discovers he's become a victim of a Ponzi scheme coordinated by Bob Seles, who handled his financial affairs.

Monk can't pay Natalie; with no money from the police department, they must seek other sources of income, often with hilarious results.

There are many other subplots as Monk loses his sole supply of acceptable bottled water and is evicted from his apartment. Meanwhile, other witnesses in Seles' case are murdered, and Monk can't stop trying to help Captain Stottlemeyer. Natalie comes up with a clever plan that may solve a variety of problems.

This is great fun if you were addicted to the popular television show - you don't even have to read others in the series to enjoy it.

Deception by bestselling author Jonathan Kellerman (Ballantine, $28) is his latest crime novel featuring psychologist Alex Delaware and Los Angeles Police Homicide Detective Milo Sturgis.

They're working on an investigation in which Elise Freeman, a young teacher at a prep school, was discovered lifeless in her apartment in a bathtub full of dry ice.

A DVD is discovered at the scene. Freeman accuses three other teachers of sustained abuse and sexual harassment. Of course, this isn't a simple open and shut case - particularly when another dead body is discovered.

This dialogue-driven tale is a solid, vivid police procedural. Kellerman fans won't be disappointed.

Ray Walsh
This article also appeared in the Lansing State Journal on July 18, 2010

Storm Prey and Slim to None

2010-07-16T13:09:00.001-04:00

7/11/10 Hospitals are dangerous places in a pair of recent crime novels. Each has numerous plot twists, strong characterization and a diligent hero trying to track down a devious killer.

Storm Prey by best-selling author John Sandford (Putnam, $27.95) is the 20th in his incredibly popular series starring Lucas Davenport, head of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Davenport's wife, Weather, is on her way to a complicated surgical process when she pulls into the hospital parking lot, narrowly missing a van leaving the area.

For a split second, she sees the driver - who is part of a gang that had just held up the hospital's pharmacy, stealing a half-million dollars worth of drugs. An insider, a drug-addicted doctor, is worried because Weather took the same elevator up and may be able to identify him.

One of the pharmacists dies. Davenport and his crew become involved, working with minimal clues. Meanwhile, the gang members turn on themselves.

The complicated plot features a large but well-developed cast of characters, including scheming villains, dumb robbers, frustrated addicts and a cold-blooded killer.

Sandford, one of America's best crime writers, is in fine form with a compelling page-turner that's likely to keep you eagerly flipping pages.

Slim to None by Timothy Sheard (Hard Ball Press, $15) is the fourth in his atmospheric series showcasing Lenny Moss, a Philadelphia-area hospital custodian and shop steward.

Moss gets a frantic late-night call from Carleton, a friend and hospital worker, who sees a man furtively dumping a nurse's body a nearby park.

After the conversation, Carleton calls 911 but doesn't stick around. Police discover the victim and think Carleton's the killer. He flees, but keeps in touch with Moss.

Discovering unnerving facts, Moss investigates. There are many tense scenes inside the hospital as Moss becomes the target of a clever killer, while an over-zealous security chief creates extra challenges.

Laced with dark humor and told with an insider's knowledge, this fast-paced, nifty paperback is the best yet in the series.

Ray Walsh
This article also appeared in the Lansing State Journal on July 11, 2010

The Wonderful World of Oz

2010-07-15T14:42:00.002-04:00

Most of us are familiar with the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz (based on the 1900 novel by L. Frank Baum) centered around the 12 year-old Dorothy Gale and the meteorological troubles in Kansas which transport her to another world. However, few realize that there is an extensive series of books which details the history of Oz and myriad characters who populate this magical world.

Dorothy was not the only child from our world to venture into Oz. Betsy Bobbin, Peter Brown, Jenny Jump, Bucky, Jam, and Robin Brown all made the journey and had adventures in this strange, wonderful land. The Cowardly Lion, Tin Woodman, and Scarecrow were not the only companions to these young travelers. Oz was home to such reoccurring characters as Tik-Tok, a wind-up mechanical clockwork man, Scraps, a patchwork girl, and Kabumpo, the elegant elephant.

In total, there are 40 official Oz books. L. Frank Baum wrote the original 14 books, which included The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz, and The Patchwork Girl of Oz. After Baum's death, Ruth Plumly Thompson continued the series with such books as The Cowardly Lion of Oz and Grampa in Oz. The next author to write the tales of Oz was John R. Neill, who had been the illustrator for the series. Neill was succeeded by Jack Snow, Rachel R. Cosgrave, Eloise Jarvis McGraw, and Lauren Lynn McGraw. The last book in the series was published in 1963.

At the Curious Book Shop the Wizard of Oz books are one of our many specialties. We have the books mentioned by name above in the shop (at the moment), in addition to dozens more Oz and L. Frank Baum books! We also have a one-of-a-kind, American folk art bookcase near our front counter made by a man who sold us his Oz books 25 years ago, featuring painted characters from the stories. You'll find these books housed in that case, behind the front counter, and in the New Arrivals section right now.

Don't wait for a tornado to carry you to the Curious Book Shop to see our Oz collection!

Strip

2010-07-13T12:51:00.000-04:00

7/4/10 If you're ready for fast-paced action, quirky characters and unpredictable plot twists, here's a quick look at one of the year's most entertaining crime novels.

Strip by award-winning author Thomas Perry (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $26) is an adrenaline-charged tale set in Los Angeles that deftly injects dark humor into a wide variety of dangerous conflicts.

It introduces Joe Carver, new to the Los Angeles club scene, who is wrongly accused of holding up strip joint owner Claudio "Manco" Kapak while he's making a bank deposit.

Manco is enraged, not so much at losing thousands of dollars, but that his image has been tarnished. He vows revenge and directs his thugs to track down the masked man responsible.

His hoods figure Carver did it, but they're wrong. When they attempt to kill him, Carver takes command and survives, even though he's facing virtually impossible odds.

Manco is frustrated, especially when Carver invades his plush mansion and proves his innocence. Manco, still angry, wants to save face - when Carver leaves, he takes a shot at him, with unexpected results.

Meanwhile, Jefferson Davis Falkner, the real hold-up man, is still on the loose, spending money foolishly on his girlfriend, who works at one of Manco's clubs. But Falkner isn't happy and hooks up with Milesande Carr, a twisted woman he meets at a diner.

Carr is out for thrills and Falkner is glad to oblige, ironically setting up another robbery of Manco's deposit. This time, it doesn't quite go as planned.

The frustrated, aging club owner has more problems - part of the stolen deposit was from a major drug dealer, who's been laundering funds through him for years.

Lt. Nick Slosser, who's investigating the robberies, faces challenges as well. He's a bigamist and is trying to come up with cash for the college education of the eldest kid in each family.

Various other thugs and lovers add complications. Perry masterfully increases the tension as the body count rises.

Strip is a great blood-spattered page-turner that's full of intriguing characters and devious double-crosses. Perry has written 17 other novels, including his highly acclaimed Jane Whitefield series. This would be ideal for film adaptation or a multi-part TV series.

Ray Walsh
This article also appeared in the Lansing State Journal on July 4, 2010

Justice in June

2010-07-03T16:06:00.002-04:00

6/27/10 If you're tired of reading Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books, with all the exploding cars and screwy antics, maybe it's time to switch to Barbara Levenson.

Justice in June by Levenson (Oceanview, $24.95) is a highly entertaining, fast-paced and funny legal thriller.

It's the sequel to Fatal February, which introduced feisty Mary Magruder Katz, a quick-thinking, hard- working Miami criminal defense attorney.

Katz always seems to get involved in unusual cases and her latest challenges are no exception. Judge Liz Maxwell is being investigated by the Florida Office of the State Attorney for taking bribes in exchange for dropping or reducing charges on assorted drug cases.

The veteran justice swears she's innocent and is being framed; it's Katz's job to represent her and find out what's really going on.

Meanwhile, Katz's boyfriend, Carlos Martin, asks her to take a case involving Luis Coloma, a young Argentinean family friend who's been accused by the government of being a terrorist.

Katz has difficulty even connecting with Coloma, whose wealthy parents acknowledge that their son has problems, but isn't a terrorist.

As if that's not enough to handle, Katz's problems multiply when her boyfriend, a local developer, is being sued by potential tenants.

There are a variety of other confrontations. Katz is being stalked; a break-in at her house and a warning left in lipstick add to the tension.
After a messy break-up with an earlier boyfriend, Katz also is dealing with Martin, who wants more of a commitment.

Katz is juggling three cases, getting publicity but losing clients because she's being associated with representing a suspected terrorist.

Her actions in that case are especially fascinating, as she attempts to thwart truth-twisting, over-enthusiastic government officials.

The author uses short, action-packed chapters to speed the story.

Levenson, who's served as senior judge in circuit court in Miami-Dade County for many years, has created a likable, quirky main character and an enjoyable, atmospheric mystery.

Ray Walsh
This article also appeared in the Lansing State Journal on June 27, 2010

What You Missed: Classicon 37!

2010-06-30T12:12:00.004-04:00

Pulps, posters, and pin-ups - Oh, my!

If you missed Classicon 37, here are just a few photos of the interesting array of collectibles available at this spring's show. Learn what Classicon is all about in our recent blog post, The Mystery and Excitement of Classicon!

If you missed the show, don't despair! This winter, you'll have a chance to attend Classicon 38. We'll have more information about the next show soon, so stay tuned! In the meantime you can see some of the items in these photos at the Curious Book Shop. Our top floor boasts dozens of vintage movie posters and Hollywood collectibles. Our selection of comics is ever-growing, and we have even more stored behind the front counter.

If you can't find what you're looking for - just ask us!

Shadow of the Wolf Tree

2010-06-23T10:20:00.000-04:00

6/20/10 A determined, strong-willed hero is at the heart of an intriguing crime novel in which the main character gets help in tracking down a devious killer in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Shadow of the Wolf Tree by MSU graduate Joseph Heywood (Lyons Press, $16.95) is the seventh in his popular Woods Cop series. It stars Grady Service, a conservation officer/detective for Michigan's Department of Natural Resources.

From the first page, the reader knows Service is going to face challenges, when he's described as

...the sort of rare individual in law enforcement who seemed to naturally attract trouble, and in one way or another always seemed to overcome it

Service doesn't go looking for problems - he's fishing with a retired cop when his dog comes back to camp with an old human skull, then another.
Service has to investigate, but soon that's the least of his concerns. When a booby-trap kills a fisherman and a fellow cop is injured by a nasty trap, Service worries about eco-terrorists.

Service is frustrated by few results and complications in the three cases.

Heywood is at his best when describing locations and when there's action. Despite the high body count, this tale is merely satisfactory; his earlier efforts are far more enjoyable.

Ray Walsh
This article also appeared in the Lansing State Journal on June 20, 2010

Celebrating Fathers

2010-06-17T13:42:00.004-04:00

June 20th is fast approaching. If you're still looking for a gift for Father's Day, the Curious Book Shop might have something for you.

Our books, magazines, t-shirts, sports programs, film memorabilia, and collectible items make excellent gifts, and if you're unsure of exactly what Dad would like, we do sell gift certificates in any amount.

In honor of Father's Day, we are also selling ties at $27.50 each for a limited time. Patterns are inspired by Shakespeare, the Lewis and Clark journals, historical U.S. locomotives, and other literary themes. You'll find them on the front counter, past the display case when you first enter the shop.

The Mystery and Excitement of Classicon!

2010-06-16T14:45:00.008-04:00

Classicon is a one-day Pulp and Paper Show held twice a year. The show features pulp magazines and pulp-related items, including magazines, digests, paperbacks, comics, pinups, original paperback art, posters, calendars, and more.

The kinds of items you'll find at the show include: Nostalgia from the 1920s through the 1960s; books and magazines and digests and pulps and fanzines in Mystery and Detective, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Aviation, Western, Romance, Characters and Heroes, Vintage Comics, Pinups and Glamour, Petty, Vargas, Marilyn Monroe, and Bettie Page; vintage superheroes, The Shadow, Weird Tales, Doc Savage, Tarzan, Lovecraft, rocket ships and monsters from outer space. All kinds of pulp fiction!

At earlier Classicons, we have had such guests of honor as Walter Gibson, the creator of The Shadow, science fiction historian Sam Moskowitz, illustrator Jim Steranko, science fiction writer Philip José Farmer, and paperback historian Kevin Hancer.

A wide range of items are available, both collectable and for casual buyers, for sale or trade - or even just for viewing. Vintage men's magazines will also be for sale, but there's something at this show to appeal to a wide range of interests. We have dealers from three states scheduled to attend and should have about 35 tables of items on display. The set-up is similar to the Antiquarian Book & Paper Show, though more intimate and specialized.

This Saturday, June 19, the 37th Classicon will be at the University Quality Inn in Lansing, on East Grand River right across from Frandor Shopping Center. See the show page at our website for more information about this upcoming show.

If you enjoy Classicon and pulp-related materials, keep in mind that Pulpfest is around the corner!

Mark, the manager of the Curious Book Shop, has been helping to set up Classicon for three years.

Try to Remember

2010-06-15T13:51:00.001-04:00

6/13/10 Try to Remember by Iris Gomez (Grand Central, $13.99) is an intriguing paperback debut that focuses on the coming-of-age and stressful family life of Gabriela de la Paz (Gabi).

It's set primarily in Miami during the late 1960s and early 1970s, showcasing 13-year-old Gabi and her increasing challenges.

The novel is told by Gabi, the daughter of Colombian immigrants. Her unemployed father wants her to help type up letters to businesses as he seeks a job. Unfortunately, his missives are disjointed and make little sense. Soon he changes to writing letters involving moneymaking schemes.

Roberto, her father, loses his temper and is arrested, and then the family's problems intensify. Gabi worries about deportation.

Her mother, Evangelina, takes a menial job in a struggle for survival, but her pride won't allow her to tell her husband. Her father's mental condition deteriorates further, with more violent results.

Evangelina resorts to unusual methods in her valiant attempts to calm her husband down, but his refusal to see a doctor only make matters worse.
As Gabi assists Roberto in his futile letter writing, she becomes more frustrated. She's trying to figure out what to do with her life, getting insights from her friends, the daughters of Cuban immigrants.

Her mother's strict attitudes add to the stress. Gabi's doing well at school but takes part-time jobs to minimize confrontations at home.
Her two brothers have issues at school and turn to drugs, while boys are becoming interested in Gabi and making advances.

Gomez, who graduated from MSU, combines all these elements and adds more plot twists, creating a memorable and innovative semi-autobiographical tale.

The author of two volumes of poetry, Gomez is an award-winning, nationally known immigrants' rights attorney and advocate. She's the director of the Immigrants' Protection Project of the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute.

Ray Walsh
This article also appeared in the Lansing State Journal on June 13, 2010

The Little Death and Love Kills

2010-06-09T15:26:00.001-04:00

6/6/10 Sometimes, good things do come in small packages. That's the case in two recent paperback mysteries that are highly entertaining.

Each is a solid police procedural crime novel that deals with murder among the very rich, with diligent investigators tracking down a crafty, devious killer.

The Little Death by P.J. Parrish (Pocket Star, $7.99) is the 10th in the best-selling series starring Louis Kincaid, an ex-cop who's now a private eye in southern Florida.

Kincaid gets involved in a tough case when he offers to help his friend Mel Landeta, a former Miami cop who's slowly going blind. Down in ritzy Palm Beach, Reggie Kent, a friend of Landeta's, has been accused of murdering his roommate Mark Durand.

Kent was a high-class "walker" who escorted rich, older women to fancy events. Before his death, Durand had been doing the same. Kincaid and Landeta get little help from one local cop who has an assortment of negative attitudes.

Kincaid gets a ticket for having "an ugly car" and more challenges surface when another headless body is discovered. A powerful female senator may be involved and the pair get additional assistance.

P.J. Parrish is actually the pseudonym of two sisters, Kristi Montee and Kelly Nichols, who were born and raised in Detroit. Their excellent, award-winning novels always feature strong characterization and complicated but believable plots. This one is a real winner.

Love Kills by Dianne Emley (Ballantine, $7.99) is the fourth book in the acclaimed series featuring Pasadena homicide detective Nan Vining, who's the single mother of a teenager.

Vining, who's recovering from an attack by a serial killer, is called into a murder investigation of a wealthy socialite and is astounded that she knew the victim, a friend of her mother's.

More surprises are in store: she discovers that her mother was dating a sleazy celebrity private eye, one of the victims in another bloody double homicide.

An apparent link to the murder cases is Georgia Berryhill, an incredibly rich and charismatic self-help guru to the stars. Quirky characters abound; Vining and her partner/lover Jim Kissick try to piece together clues before the body count rises higher.

This is a nifty, taut, tight police procedural with an unpredictable ending.

Ray Walsh
This article also appeared in the Lansing State Journal on June 6, 2010

Hugo Nominees, We've Got 'Em!

2010-06-08T15:25:00.000-04:00

Since 1955, the World Science Fiction Society has handed out the Hugo Award to the best in science fiction in various media from each year. In April, the WSFS announced their 2010 nominees, and the Curious Book Shop is excited to promote the best in science fiction and encourage readers to try these authors.

China Mieville, who has been nominated for City & the City, also wrote The Scar, which you can buy in our shop. The Scar recieved it's own critical acclaim as the winner of the British Fantasy Award and the Locus Award and a nominee for the Hugo Award, Arthur C. Clarke Award, World Fantasy Award, and Philip K. Dick Award.

We also have Axis by Robert Charles Wilson, the sequel to his Hugo Award-winning novel Spin. Wilson was nominated this year for Julian Comstock: A Story of 22nd-Century America.

Robert J. Sawyer, the author of the nominated novel Wake, wrote the book Flashforward, on which the current television show is based. He has worked as a consultant for the show, and written one of its episodes. This novel, and his other books Far-seer, Fossil Hunter, and Foreigner, are all here.

Nancy Kress, nominated for the novella "Act One," which appeared in Issac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine, wrote Crucible, An Alien Light, and Beggars and Choosers. We have these popular titles in our store at the moment.

James Morrow, nominated for Shambling Towards Hiroshima, also wrote Towing Jehovah and Blameless in Abaddon, two stories which center around the idea of finding the corpse of God and the implications of such an event. We have these two novels in hardcover and The Continent of Lies in paperback.

Finally, we have Ghost Brigades, a novel by John Scalzi, who has been nominated for The God Engines.

These books may not be here for long, so catch up on the works of this year's best science fiction authors while we have them in stock.

Corruption at Jamestown Prison and Nobody's Angel

2010-06-04T11:14:00.000-04:00

5/30/10 Two recent crime novels offer intriguing insights into occupations that often are overlooked.

Corruption at Jamestown Prison by AJ Hutchison (AJ Hutchison, $9.95) is a self-published paperback set mostly at a thinly veiled Jackson State Prison.

As the title suggests, it focuses on inappropriate behavior by authorities, including the cover-up of the murder of a female officer.

It opens in the late 1980s, introducing Anne Morgan, who applies for a job with the Department of Corrections after graduating from college and passing a civil service exam.

Although she gets the job as a prison guard, she fights sexism and is exposed to significant violent behavior.

She toughens up, dealing with racism, drug usage and illegal weapons, even bad attitudes by the inmates and staff. Morgan investigates corruption, gathering information from a variety of sources. When other officers die and her own life is threatened, the tension increases.

This eye-opening debut novel has many flaws, including a primitive cover design, numerous typographical errors and spacing problems; a lack of indentation for paragraphs slows the pacing.

Nobody's Angel by Jack Clark (Hard Case Crime, $7.99) is the first professional release of a book that the author self-published in 1996. He had 500 copies printed, selling them to passengers in his taxi.

It's a memorable, dark and gritty tale that showcases Eddie Miles, an experienced cab driver who's prowled the streets of Chicago for years.

In a dark alley, Miles discovers the bleeding body of a young woman. That's just the beginning of his problems. Somebody's been robbing and killing cabbies in the Windy City, making all of the drivers nervous.

Although they're careful about the fares they accept and the areas they go into, the cabbies are very worried. Some are arming themselves with guns. Miles carries a can of Mace instead; he's concerned, but is trying to track down the killer who's targeting young prostitutes.

Laced with dark humor and insights into a wide assortment of passenger behavior, this slim paperback has strong characterization and a great sense of location.

Clark is the author of the Shamus-award nominated crime novel Westerfield's Chain, also set in Chicago.

Ray Walsh
This article also appeared in the Lansing State Journal on May 30, 2010

Pulpfest 2010

2010-06-03T14:53:00.004-04:00

Pulp magazines, which were an inexpensive and popular delight between the 1890s and the 1950s, consisted of genre fiction stories—detective mysteries, science fiction/fantasy, westerns, horror, action/adventure, and romance. They were so named because of the cheap wood pulp from which the paper was made. Famous characters of the pulps include The Shadow, Tarzan, The Spider, G-8 and His Battle Aces, and Doc Savage.

Friday, July 30 - Sunday, August 1, Pulpfest 2010 is taking place in Columbus, Ohio. Dealers will sell pulps and pulp-related paper collectibles, such as posters and artwork. There will also be panels, auctions, and award presentations. William F. Nolan, the co-creator of Logan's Run and the editor of The Black Mask Boys, will be the guest of honor.

Ray will man a dealer booth at the conference, held in the Ramada Plaza Hotel & Conference Center. Visit the official website for a programming schedule, list of dealers, and more information.

The Burying Place

2010-06-02T15:58:00.002-04:00

5/23/10 Strong female characters abound in The Burying Place by award-winning crime novelist Brian Freeman (Minotaur, $24.99).

This psychological suspense tale opens with Duluth police Officer Kasey Kennedy lost in a rainy, foggy area. She stumbles into scene where a serial killer is chasing a distraught woman.

Meanwhile, Duluth police Lt. Jonathan Stride, who's recovering from injuries sustained in an earlier book, begins looking into the kidnapping of Callie Glenn of nearby Grand Rapids. The 11-month-old girl was taken from the home of Marcus Glenn, a wealthy, arrogant surgeon, and his wife, Valerie.

Denise Sheridan, a deputy sheriff in Ithaca County, requests Stride's help in solving the case. Valerie is her sister.

Stride is joined by Serena Dial, his lover, who's had 10 years experience as a Las Vegas homicide cop. His partner, Maggie Bei, is also investigating a serial killer who's been murdering women in the surrounding farmlands.

Glenn is a prime suspect in the first case - his distraught wife was out of town. Both have emotional baggage and secrets that raise suspicions.
Valerie and her sister have numerous conflicts. Valerie is used to a life of luxury while Denise and her husband are struggling, trying to raise children.

As Stride and Dial ask more questions, few clues surface regarding Callie's disappearance. The relationship between the pair is slowly disintegrating, while other entanglements cause complications.

Stride's recovery from his fall is causing more challenges, as well. Maggie wants to speed his recovery and has good intentions.

Freeman throws in intriguing minor characters, including an illegal housekeeper and a nosy, dedicated television reporter. There's a quirky nurse added for good measure, but Freeman ratchets up the tension when the devious serial killer makes Kennedy his next target.

Freeman delves deeply into the psychological background of many characters, deftly shifting viewpoints.

This is a top-notch atmospheric thriller. To fully appreciate the characters and their behavior, it would help to read the earlier books in the series: Immoral, Stripped, Stalked and In the Dark.

Ray Walsh
This article also appeared in the Lansing State Journal on May 23, 2010

Latest and Greatest at Curious Books

2010-05-28T15:40:00.009-04:00

In the past month, we have acquired thousands of new books that are now shelved throughout the shop!

Some of these new additions include:

Hundreds of new science fiction titles, in both paperback and hardcover, by both vintage and new authors.
Classic and new works on philosophy and psychology.
Art and architecture books, from ancient times to today's great contemporary art, buildings and architects.
Classic and new sociological studies, and many recent books about current events and politics.
Cookbooks by the armload!

Norton critical editions of classic novels - all under $5.00!

Works of literary criticism and theory, about American and international writers.

World history, concerning the ancient world through today's modern nations.

General fiction novels! We have an vast array of old favorites, newer bestsellers, and obscure titles that are difficult to find anywhere else!

Hundreds of military history titles, focused primarily on the American Civil War and modern military history and theory.

Coming Soon:

World War II and other military histories.
Even more art and architecture books.
Classicon 37, our annual show of collectible paperbacks, pulps, and glamour art!

Attention Film Memorabilia Collectors!

2010-05-26T14:28:00.006-04:00

In exciting news, the official Curious Book Shop website now hosts a listing of the movie posters we carry. We list the prices and conditions and provide a photograph of the actual poster. We have one-sheets (typically 27x41 inches), inserts (14x36 inches), and half-sheets (28x22 inches) from drama, comedy, horror, science fiction, westerns, thrillers, Disney, and more!

There are currently 116 of our posters listed, and we will be taking photos of the rest of our film stock and adding them as soon as we can. If you can't wait, you could always stop by the shop to peruse through our entire poster inventory in person. Or, you can visit the website and begin browsing now.

61 Hours and the Breach

2010-05-23T14:16:00.000-04:00

5/16/10 If you're looking for fast-paced action and adventure, two new releases are likely to be ultimately satisfying. Each book showcases a tough hero battling against incredible odds - but neither is completely plausible.

61 Hours by Lee Child (Delacorte, $28) is scheduled for release on Tuesday. It's another tense thriller featuring Jack Reacher, the ex-military star of 14 earlier novels, who gets into a lot of trouble and doesn't stay in one place very long.

This time, he's travelling on a bus in South Dakota that goes out of control during a major snowstorm.

He helps injured older passengers, but soon finds himself in the middle of a highly unusual situation involving a nearby prison and a drug-dealing biker gang.

When you toss in an elderly, feisty witness, a Mexican druglord, a deadly assassin and a mysterious group of buildings, there's great potential for an exciting thriller.

Unfortunately, Child falters, offering a plot that seems relatively ludicrous and a killer who most experienced mystery fans will be able to spot with little difficulty.

There are many expected double-crosses and plot twists as well as a touch of romance. The ticking clock gimmick is annoying but effective, speeding the pace.

The conclusion will force the dedicated Child fan to wait until fall, when the next Reacher hardback will be available.

The Breach, a debut paperback novel by Patrick Lee (Harper, $7.99) follows a similar format, with many violent action scenes and an oddball premise.

It introduces Travis Chase, an ex-cop/ex-con who's escaping reality by hiking through the wilderness in Alaska. He stumbles across a horrific scene, a downed 747 airliner, discovering many dead bodies, including the wife of the president of the United States.

It gets stranger from there, as the anti-hero rescues pretty Paige Campbell, although he can't save her dying father, a scientist. Innovative bad guys surface; the pair head for a mysterious Wyoming facility that may hold many answers.

Chase and Campbell get involved in more deadly confrontations as they try to save mankind. It turns into a dark tale straight out of The X-Files, complete with science fiction overtones.

Lee's entertaining effort is offbeat and not completely believable, but shows great potential. A sequel is due out in the fall.

Ray Walsh
This article also appeared in the Lansing State Journal on May 16, 2010