Death in the Fifth Position-Gore Vidal writing as Edgar Box

Death in the Fifth Position

Gore Vidal writing as Edgar Box

Vintage Crime/Black Lizard, Mar 22 2011, $14.95

ISBN: 9780307741424

In New York City, as the House Un-American Activities Committee conducts hearings, the Grand Saint Petersburg Ballet hires public relations specialist Peter Cutler Sargent to create a positive spin to avert trouble since renowned choreographer Jed Wilbur was once a communist.  He expects a relatively easy assignment by controlling the media though the director Ivan Washburn explains the pickets and an accusation letter have unnerved him especially as the fifth ballet to arrive in town.

However, a dark cloud surfaces when the star ballerina Ella Sutton dies during a performance by falling from thirty feet above the stage.  Sargent investigates though NYPD Inspector Gleason tells “Harvard” to stick to the PR lies.  He finds that behind the scenes of the ballet people are loaded with backstabbing machinations as rivalries and affairs are the norm for this troupe even as he hopes his new lover Jane Garden who replaced the unfortunate Ella is not the culprit.

This is a reprint of a Gore Vidal’s first terrific novella written pseudonymously as Edgar Box due to his being blacklisted by the NY Times for the then controversial The City and the Pillar; the author gives kudos to brave publisher Victor Weybright for his support.  The super storyline is obviously a theatre whodunit, but six decades later provides an interesting timely look at 1950s censorship as the present gurus want to rewrite Mark Twain.  The novella is clever, but it is the cast starting with the PR amateur sleuth who makes for a wonderful night at the Russian Ballet.

Harriet Klausner

The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier: Dreadnaught-Jack Campbell

The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier: Dreadnaught

Jack Campbell

Ace, Apr 26 2011, $25.95

ISBN 9780441020379

The war is over and the Alliance won thanks mostly due to the strong military leadership of Admiral John “Black Jack” Geary (see six books of The Lost Fleet Syndicate Worlds war).  As his reward, the popular officer is assigned command and control of the newly commissioned First Fleet.

However, the Alliance political leaders who were grateful to Geary for the tough war decisions do not want a popular war hero hanging amongst them.  They order Geary and his First Fleet to enter into the far rim of Syndic space allegedly to investigate alien occupation.  Geary understands though the combat with the Syndicate Worlds is over with the enemy shattered, entering the deepest sector is suicide.  Making the mission even more perilous is his unit has been supplied with inferior equipment and orders that stifle accomplishment while increasing risk.

With a great space rotation, The Lost Fleet turns from military science fiction to Star Trekking Beyond the Frontier.  The story line is as always faster than the speed of light as hostilities remain extremely high even with the war over; as Black Jack’s previous political supporters want him out of town.  Jack Campbell creates a terrific unexpected spin to his great outer space saga as the formerly Lost Fleet now The First Fleet is sent by armchair leaders to die.

Harriet Klausner

Skeleton Crew-Cameron Haley

Skeleton Crew

Cameron Haley

Luna, Apr 19 2011, $14.00

ISBN: 9780373803262

Los Angeles street smart and kick butt tough Domino Riley continues to serve as the lieutenant to six millennia old Sumerian gang boss Shanar Rashan having faced several paranormal Mob Rule challenges to her position (see Mob Rule and Retribution in the Harvest Moon anthology).  However, even she is unprepared for the zombie horde that appears ready to dominate Southern California.  To prevent L.A. from becoming Zombieland, Domino needs to rescue the sacred dogs who carry souls to the other side.

In her way and that of her team are demons who prefer the old order overturned with chaos as only zombies can do.  Besides dealing with zombies, demons, and some unmentionables, Domino also must look inside her heart to how deeply she feels about her attraction to her employer’s son Adan.

The latest Underworld Cycle urban fantasy is an entertaining often jocular story mostly due to the hard-boiled heroine whose only soft spot is Adan; a feeling she feels ranks not much above the flu as she seeks resistance to the love bug.  The cast is very powerful and Cameron Haley’s vision of Los Angeles is superb as this feminist Noir makes the thin plot fun for sub-genre fans who will enjoy Domino and her odd team battle a Skeleton Crew (and a few other evil dudes).

Harriet Klausner

The Council of Shadows-S.M. Stirling

The Council of Shadows

S.M. Stirling

Roc, May 3 2011, $25.95

ISBN: 9780451463937

They are creatures of myths and legends: beingss who drink blood; rhose who shift shape; and sorcerers who use magic to control people and the environment.  They are Homo Nocturnis Shadowspawn hominids who are not human as they contain genes that enable them to use the energy powers of the universe.  Their source is science not magic and once the Empire of Shadow in prehistorical times ruled mankind.  Over the eons, their bloodline wasdiluted by mating with the humans and now they rule in the shadows, working behind the scenes to control people and events.

The Council of Shadows want to come out in the open and believe they can accomplish this by killing about half the human population in what they declare Operation Trimback. The Council will decide how when all the Shadowspawn meet in Tbilisi. Shadowspawn Adrian Brézé and his human wife along with the rebel group the Brotherhood want to prevent the pandemic species cleansing.  He will soon be taken aback to learn who is leading the death squads as that person is as powerful as Adrian is, but also sinister as collateral damage even among the Shadowspawn is an acceptable price and has traitors supporting the endeavor.

Ellen and Adrian are in love, but while she lacks enough genetic material to tap into the Shadowspawn energy, he treats her as his equal.  The middle book contains less action than its predecessor (see A Taint in the Blood) as the entreating story line digs deeper into the psyche of individuals and the group dynamics of the Council and the Brotherhood.  Urban fantasy readers will appreciate S.M. Stirling’s enjoyable urban fantasy.

Harriet Klausner

A Tapestry of Dreams- Roberta Gellis

A Tapestry of Dreams

Roberta Gellis

Sourcebooks, May 1 2011, $9.99

ISBN: 9781402254987

In the twelfth century an orphaned heiress Audris is able to weave visionary tapestries.  Her honorable Uncle Oliver raises her as if she was his child not out of affection, but because he is a hard yet just person doing the right thing by his niece.

His noble mother died birthing Hugh Licorne while his father is unknown.  Arch Bishop Thurstan raised Hugh, who has become a knight pledged to King Stephen of Blois. 

When Audris’ half-brother Bruno introduces his sister to his friend Hugh, they are attracted to one another.  They pledge loyalty to each other though he believes he is unworthy of her unless he can rise higher up the feudal hierarchy.  Hugh and Audis begin a quest to learn who sired him in hopes that will raise him to a level equal of that of his beloved heiress.

This is a reprint of a great Roberta Gellis’ 1980s medieval romance.  The character driven story line is fast-paced yet contains the trademark vivid detail that makes armchair readers feel they are in the middle of an English civil war between the Empress Matilda and King Stephen.  Medieval romance readers will relish A Tapestry of Dreams as the heroine and her family remains sort of neutral in the conflict only wanting to protect their city and land.

Harriet Klausner

Gone with a Handsomer Man-Michael Lee West

Gone with a Handsomer Man

Michael Lee West

Minotaur, Apr 12 2011, $24.99

ISBN 9780312571221

In Charleston, South Carolina, wannabe pastry chef Teeny Templeton is excited about marrying Bing Jackson and making the perfect red velvet cake.  However, her euphoria ends abruptly when she sees an excited Bing playing badminton with two pretty ladies without one stich of clothing on any of them.  Irate, Teeny plays dodge ball with the naked threesome by throwing unripe peaches at their butts.

She is charged with assault and receives probation.  Additionally a restraining order is processed to keep her away from Bing and his women.  A few days after being legally warned to stay away from her ex fiancé, Teeny finds Bing dead.  Obviously, the prime (and only) suspect as pointed out by the local news, Teeny distrusts the police (and the media) to search elsewhere for the killer so she applies the Templeton Tradition of creating recipes to solving the murder.

This entertaining regional culinary amateur sleuth mystery with a pinch of romance is a delightful tale due to the strong cast starting with Teeny.  The secondary characters are fully developed as Michael Lee West provides a super Southern whodunit enhanced by the refreshing Templeton Tradition.

Harriet Klausner

Among the Departed-Vicki Delaney

Among the Departed

Vicki Delaney

Poisoned Pen, May 3 2011, $24.95

ISBN 9781590989243

 

In 1996 in Trafalgar, British Columbia, Brian Nowak vanished without a trace.  No one knew what happened to Brian who seemed to have no enemies.  He left behind an uncaring spouse, an unreliable son, and a precocious daughter who was the apple of his life; anyone who knew him knew he would never leave his darling Nicky behind especially with her mother.

Fifteen years after Brian disappeared, the remains of a human are accidently found.  The townsfolk assume the deceased is Brian.  Nicky, who was an eighth grader when her dad vanished, was never the same as she has gotten into all sorts of trouble involving drugs and prostitution since.  Her childhood best friend Constable Molly Smith leads the investigation into the murder of Brian hoping this brings closure to a disturbed Nicky.

The fifth Constable Molly Smith police investigation is an engaging Canadian village whodunit.  The key to this tale and its predecessors (see Valley of the Lost and Negative Image) is the strong support cast as Molly obtains the usual assistance whether she wants it or not from her boyfriend RCMP Sergeant, his dog, and her mom; and the lack of cooperation from the horde of locals including the victim’s daughter who is no longer an innocent.  Among the Departed is a terrific mystery with a great realistic finish.

Harriet Klausner

The Burning Lake-Brent Ghelfi

The Burning Lake

Brent Ghelfi

Poisoned Pen, May 3 2011, $24.95

ISBN 9781590589250

 

On a wintry night in Moscow, espionage agent Alexei “Volk” Volkovoy meets with gulag survivor Ilya Jacobs.  The latter informs Volk that someone assassinated reporter Katarina “Kato” Mironova in a remote village in the Urals.  Three students were also murdered.

Although a reporter’s life is perilous in Putin’s Russia, Volk is indifferent to that aspect of Kato’s life.  Instead he feels her killing is personal as he and Kato were lovers during the second Chechen conflict.  He resolves to uncover who killed her and why.  The agent quickly learns Kato was digging into a story about a reservoir in the mountains containing holding liquid radioactive waste that exploded in 1958.  The area became contaminated with radioactive waste.  Before long the trail leads to Las Vegas.

The latest Volk dark Russian thriller (see Volk’s Shadow and The Venona Cable) is a great timely investigative tale.  The story line is the usual frantic pace of a Volk tale as he connects the Stalin evil past and the dark Putin present.  Fans will anticipate a showdown with the Frenchman, who is setting up the kill of Volk as Brent Ghelfi writes a tense thriller that captures the essence of 1950s and current Russia in this powerful entry.

Harriet Klausner

Devil’s Plaything-Matt Richtel

Devil’s Plaything

Matt Richtel

Poisoned Pen, May 3 2011, $24.95

ISBN: 9781590588871

In San Francisco medical reporter Nate Idle makes some cash posting a medical blog.  He also spends his free time with his editor Pauline Sanchez in her office. 

At the same time at Magnolia Manor his octogenarian grandma Lane suffers from dementia.  She currently responds to online questions from the Human Memory crusade.  She shares a lot of personal family information with the computer that calmly says trust me.  Nat ignores his grandma’s ramblings until he takes her for a stroll in Golden Gate Park; only someone fires what seems like random shots, but he begins to think this culprit targeted the Idle pair.  Soon he realizes the attempt is tied to an encrypted flash drive he received anonymously by an unknown person demanding a meeting though he wonders why him and his family.

The freshness to this over the top of the Twin Peaks neuroscience technological conspiracy is the beleaguered everyman’s octogenarian grandma who suffers from dementia so cannot be relied on for what she remembers, which is very little beyond WWII.  Still fans that ignore plausibility will be Hooked as the grandson and his grandma team up in an entertaining investigative medical thriller.

Harriet Klausner

Retribution Falls-Chris Wooding

Retribution Falls

Chris Wooding

Spectra, Apr 26 2011, $16.00

ISBN 9780345522511

In Vardia, Darian Frey is captain and solo driver of the Ketty Jay.  He works closely with freebooters.  However, his quasi-legal world crashes when a robbery in the air leaves someone dead.  He is accused of the murder as well as piracy by law enforcement. 

Frey knows he must flee before the authorities Century Knights, bounty hunters or a nasty ex Trinica Dracken catches him; the latter being the most dangerous threat.  Because his crew is ruthless and sleazy with each out to take care of only number one (as does the captain), he distrusts them but needs their support.  They were loyal to him only due to the fact he owns and steers the aerium-fueled aircraft they use in their heists.  He needs to keep track of each of them because he believes at least one of them sold him and his team out, but who and to whom remains nebulous.  Beleaguered Frey considers the daemonist accompanied by his golem, the new recruit and the alcoholic doc as the most likely suspects because the frame takes intelligence and contacts.

From the opening Russian Roulette scene until the final confrontation, this is a fun steampunk fantasy.  Frey and the key secondary characters are developed over the course of the entertaining story line.  Although the plot at times slows down under the weight of the vivid background, sub-genre fans will enjoy riding the Ketty Jay.

Harriet Klausner