Fledgling-Sharon Lee and Steve Miller

Fledgling

Sharon Lee and Steve Miller

Baen, Sep 2009, $24.00

ISBN: 9781439132876

Theo Waitley has lived a contented life on the matriarchal run “Safe World” Delgado with her mom Kamele and her mother’s onagrata Jen Sar Kiladi; both of the adults are professors.  However, life abruptly changes when Kamele suddenly leaves Jen Sar and taking her daughter with her relocates into a smaller family housing unit.  Professor Kamele adapts and quickly becomes a department sub-chair while Theo struggles with new friends and feeling clumsy and awkward residing inside the Wall after years on the outskirts.  She also misses Jen-Sar whom she considered her father.

Matters change even more abruptly when her mom informs her she is going off planet for a half year to investigate a nasty accusation of scholarly misconduct that could shake several academic worlds.  Ignoring Theo’s preferences to stay behind with her father, Kamele takes her daughter with her on a forensics documents search.  Theo will either adapt or face much more shunning than just being considered physically challenged.

This is a stand alone Liaden Universe coming of age tale targeting young adult readers.  Theo is a delightful center holding the story line together; ironically fans of the saga will know her true roots that have been hidden from her.  With a strong cast and a solid forensics subplot, readers will enjoy the escapdes of the FLEDGLING whose life has changed dramatically (in her mind not in a good way since she misses her “father” and their suburban home) as she nears her fifteenth birthday.

Harrier Klausner

Audrey’s Door-Sarah Langan

Audrey’s Door

Sarah Langan

Harper, Oct 2009, $7.99

ISBN 9780061624216

Following the break up with her fiancé Saraub and her mother’s lapse into a coma, architect Audrey Lucas feels fortunate to find an apartment in Morningside Heights for under a $1000 a month as she was thinking of relocating to Queens.  She moves into the historical Breviary, which was construed in 1861 and is an architect’s delight with its rarely used “Chaotic Naturalism” style.

Audrey is a bit taken aback to learn the previous occupant drowned her four small children before killing herself, but prefers bad vibes to the boroughs.  Soon after moving in, Audrey’s mind begins to lose its grip on sanity.  Ghosts and other renters warn her to construct a door before it is too late although the other living occupants are urban hermits of sorts hiding behind the doors they each built.  Still even as she is aware she is losing it, Audrey obsessively begins to build the door so they can escape

AUDREY’S DOOR is an engaging haunted apartment house horror thriller that grips the readers mostly because of its Columbia University location; a seemingly unlikely place for a haunting unless you know the neighborhood overlooking Harlem.  Audrey is a wonderful protagonist who is loaded with neurotic tendencies.  Although the climax can be on a foggy day as far away as Hoboken, fans will enjoy Sarah Langan’s tense Gotham thriller.

Harriet Klausner

Neuropath-R. Scott Bakker

Neuropath

R. Scott Bakker

Tor, Oct 13 2009, $24.99

ISBN: 9780765321893

Psychologist Tom Bible still misses Nora and their two children following her divorcing him and he loathes his teaching position lecturing bored grad students.  He muses about his best friend Neil Cassidy who teaches in California to bored grad students; and recalls the “Argument” re free will or lack of as his friend firmly believed everyone’s brain is pre-wired forcing an individual to choose a pre-determined selection.

Neil visits Tom out of the blue to discuss the Argument in person; proclaiming he has done work for the NSA on destroying the minds of terrorists.  Soon after showing up Neil vanishes.   The Feds follow him to interrogate and then enlist Tom in their quest to find Neil, who they claim has lost his mind as they show the video of a woman whose brain was rewired; a skill only Neil has.  FBI agent Samantha “Sam” Logan insists Tom’s best friend has switched from rewiring known terrorists to average American citizens with his target apparently those inside of Tom’s inner circle.

NEUROPATH is an exhilarating frightening modernization of Dr. Frankenstein using modern science to change the brain, which causes conflict as R. Scott Bakker makes a strong case that naturing is much more powerful than nurturing.  The story line is fast-paced even when the lead character debates with himself over what he knows about Neil.  Although some subplots seem stretched, fans will appreciate this extremely dark taut thriller filled with shocking twists that looks deep into the Argument of free will vs. pre-determinism; in a modern context of chemical syntax making the choices instead of rational minds.  No one who reads Mr. Bakker’s tale will simply accept the words I love you in the same way.

Harriet Klausner

ArchEnemy-Frank Beddor

ArchEnemy

Frank Beddor

Dial (Penguin), Oct 15 2009, $17.99

ISBN: 9780803731561

Queen Alyss of Wonderland has taken over throne from Redd, who used dark imagination to rule as a dictator.  In a contentious battle between the two females, light imagination wins. However a third player surfaces as King Arch of the Overlands wants to rule Wonderland.  He employs WILMA (Women of Inconceivable Loss and Massive Annihilation) to ruin the Heart Crystal, which is the source of all imagination in creation.

The power of imagination vanishes from Wonderland and will soon disappear from earth and other worlds too.  Alyss tries to line up support to fight the King and Queen of clubs and other allies of King Arch, who insist there is no place for imagination to flourish.   Her lone remaining choice is to ally with the Redd Queen as her friends are being tossed in prisons by the WILMAs and the caterpillar between puffs says nothing of meaning.

This is the final book in the Looking Glass Wars trilogy and in spite of the subject retains all the imagination and charm of the previous novels (see THE LOOKING GLASS WARS and SAVING REDD).  Alyss is bold and brave as she rules with benevolence until the threat surfaces that returns her into a determined resolute fighter.  Arch is an interesting enemy whose goal appears not be power but instead the elimination of power; which makes him a difficult opponent to defeat as he has a personal quest.  Although written for young adults, older readers will enjoy Alyss’ latest adventures in Wonderland.

Harriet Klausner

Sins of the Father-Angela Benson

Sins of the Father

Angela Benson

Avon, Aug 2009, $13.99

ISBN: 9780061468520

Feeling remorse that he never recognized his two children from out of wedlock and encouraged by a letter his late mom left him, Abraham Martin, after informing his beloved wife Saralyn what he did three decades ago just before he married her, admits he sired Michael and Deborah with their mom Leah.  His revelation upsets his son, Isaac, who quits abruptly the family business, MEEG.  As he tries to develop a relationship with the two adults he abandoned when they were babies and patch up the split with Isaac, Leah demands Abraham take care of his other offspring.

Deborah welcomes his efforts and is elated he has given her a firm to manage while her brother Michael rejects everything offered by Abraham to him.  His acrimony impacts his relationships with his mom and wife Josette as he is filled with rage and a thirst of vengeance.  Isaac also takes his anger with his dad into his relationship with his spouse Rebecca.  Meanwhile the only seemingly contented child of his since his pronouncement Deborah is attracted to Abraham’s attorney, Alan Weems, who is the same age as her parents, which has her mom worried that her daughter seeks a father figure.

With a modernizing of the relationships of the biblical Abraham, Angela Benson provides an engaging contemporary drama.  The story line feels like a soap opera as one melodramatic event follows another.  Still the cast is full dimensional (even Abraham’s late mother) with each reacting differently to the patriarch’s revelations.  Fans will appreciate the SINS OF THE FATHER as Abraham’s efforts for redemption seem to have fallen apart as his past transgressions with two women appears to be repeated by his offspring.

Harriet Klausner

Damas, Dramas and Ana Ruiz-Belinda Acosta

Damas, Dramas and Ana Ruiz

Belinda Acosta

Grand Central, Aug 2009, $13.99

ISBN: 9780446540513

Ana Ruiz has her hands full as her fourteen year old daughter Carmen blames her for her dad Esteban leaving them although he cheated on her and he left.  She wonders if she made a mistake hiding Esteban’s affairs from Carmen and their other older child Diego.

Regardless Ana desperately wants to regain what Esteban destroyed when he walked out: her closeness with Carmen.  She decides to throw a quinceanera gala for her daughter, but Carmen seems disinterested; preferring to punch her mom by exclusion and omission,  Ana is hurt more by Carmen’s behavior than the womanizing and abandonment by Esteban.  Diego plays intermediary between his wary mom and his acrimonious sis while his cousin Bianca takes over the role of quinceanera party planner.

This is a well written family drama that deftly focuses on the extended Ruiz brood.  Ironically the “white girl from Kansas” enhances the profound look at a Mexican-American family as she knows more about Mexican music than the Ruiz family.  Carmen is angry and but holding her mom culpable while her brother guesses at the truth.  Ana is superb as the prime player who feels as if her world has ended yet resolutely hides what Esteban did to her from her daughter.  Fans will enjoy this drama that looks into the trials and tribulations of a Mexican-American family.

Harriet Klausner

A Cousin’s Prayer-Wanda E. Brunstetter

A Cousin’s Prayer

Wanda E. Brunstetter

Barbour, Sep 2009, $10.97

ISBN:  9781602600614

Katie Miller left her Indiana Amish community to live with her grandparents in Florida after blaming herself for panicking over a bee in their vehicle heading to Hershey Park.  They were in an accident as her boyfriend Timothy’s van crashed; he, Paul and Raymond died in the crash while Wayne lost the use of his legs and Jolene her hearing.  Grieving her loss, she returns to her Hoosier State roots to attend the wedding of Loraine to Wayne.  Afterward, Katie knows she cannot go back to Florida as the sunshine died with her boyfriend.

Still grieving Katie also suffers from anxiety, panic attacks and depression.  Freeman Bontrager, who has been half in love with Katie for years, offers her solace.  Katie finds him comforting, but he also seems interested in Eunice. When rumors spread about Katie, she feels Freeman betrayed her after she trusted him with her fears and secrets.

The second Indiana Cousins relationship drama (see A COUSIN’S PROMISE) is a terrific character driven tale as Kate and others struggle with survivor guilt that even engulfs loved ones who were not in the accident.  For instance Kate’s mom feels remorse for sending her to Florida last year, but was unsure then and remains uncertain as to what to do.  Fans will enjoy this deep saga as everyone tries to move pass the tragedy through the help of God and loved ones.

Harriet Klausner

Mahu Vice-Neil S. Plakcy

Mahu Vice

Neil S. Plakcy

Alyson Books, Aug 2009, $14.95

ISBN: 9781593501112

Honolulu Police Detective Kimo Kanapa’aka ended his six-months relationship with Fire Inspector Mike Riccardi after his significant other cheated on him while attending a conference in San Francisco; Mike, who is still hiding in the closet from his family and peers, came back with gonorrhea.  However, though he kicked the hunk to the curb, Kimo has struggled with his equilibrium; even accepting rough sex with some kick butt guys he meets over the Internet.  His brothers and a friend intervene trying to help Kimo regain his self worth.

An arson fire in a shopping center leads to the death of a young boy.  Kimo and Mike investigate together; as they did when they first met and fell in love with eighteen months ago.  They remain attracted to one another but wary.  Kimo finds clues that the fire was set to hide human smuggling and prostitution.  He soon finds photos used by a blackmailer to extort money from those caught in sexual encounters that they might not want revealed. This includes Kimo who sees himself in a picture with one of his recent illicit sex mates that if revealed could cost him his career.

This is an enjoyable gay investigative tale that mixes a strong whodunit with deep caring characters.  The key to this terrific entry is Kimo who puts a realistic face on a gay cop whose significant other male lover devastated him by cheating on him.  The official inquiry into the arson-homicide is super though perhaps too easily forcing Kimo and Mike to meet.  However that case and the deep look at issues gays face with in or out make surfing Hawaii’s waves with Kimo and company thoughtful fun.

Harriet Klausner

Top Producer-Norb Vonnegut

Top Producer

Norb Vonnegut

Minotaur, Sep 15 2009, $24.99

ISBN: 9780312384616

The murder of wealthy hedge fund operator Charlie Kelemen has sent shock waves up and down Wall St.  Especially stunned is his thirty two years old best friend Grove O’Rourke, who manages two billion dollar in accounts at Sachs, Kidder and Carnegie Investment Bank.  Grove saw the homicide along with a few hundred people.

Feeling survivor guilt and wanting to pay homage to his best friend, Grove learns that Charlie’s widow Sam apparently is broke, which makes no sense since Keleman was worth a fortune.  He tries to help her while avoiding the financial death by association that frequently takes down Top Producers like him.  However, his efforts begin to look futile as his peers and superiors at the bank go after him with ferocity as do the outside competitors.  Still Charlie refuses to walk away from the fight for survival at Sachs, Kidder and Carnegie or from learning what happened to O’Rourke’s money.

This is a well written financial thriller that digs deep into some of the voodoo fund flow of Wall St that seems relevant with all that has happened over the past few years.   Overall the story line is fast-paced although the plot can slow down with the profundity of fund management as non practitioners will have to be totally focused.  Still the tale is fun mostly because Grove is a likable hero swimming in toxic waters.  TOP PRODUCER is an enjoyable insider thriller.

Harriet Klausner

Dark Mirror-Barry Maitland

Dark Mirror

Barry Maitland

Minotaur, Sep 29 2009, $24.99

ISBN 9780312383992

In the London Library, Ph.D. candidate Marion Summers researches nineteenth century Pre-Raphaelite artists when she suddenly crumples and drops dead.  Since Marion suffered from diabetes, the assumption by all who knew her is the disease caused her death.  Recently promoted Detectives Inspector Kathy Kolla leads the official investigation, her first time in charge of a case, though she also expects the medical examiner will determine the cause of death to be related to diabetes.

However, instead the medical examiner finds arsenic inside Summers’ body.  Kolla is in charge of the homicide investigation.  The cop learns Summers was focusing on the use of arsenic and other poisons by the Pre-Raphaelites.  Her theories were upsetting the academic circles as being too way-out.  However, that should not be a motive for murder.  With Detective Chief Inspector Brock’s mentoring, Kolla looks into the personal non-academia life of the victim finding several people who might want to kill her and who had the opportunity to poison her, using ironically what Summers was studying as the means which remains difficult to ascertain.

This is an exciting fresh British police procedural as DI Kolla heads her first investigation as the lead with DCI Brock supporting her.  The story line is fast-paced and filled with plausible twists that enhance the inquiry.  Fans of the series will enjoy this super Kolla-Brock collaboration.

Harriet Klausner