The Undertakers: The Rise of the Corpses-Ty Drago

The Undertakers: The Rise of the Corpses

Ty Drago

Sourcebooks, Apr 1 2011, $7.99

ISBN: 9781402247859

After getting over the shock of observing his walking rotting neighbor Ernie “Dead Man” Pratt and John Towers Middle School Assistant Principal Titlebaum and some teachers turn into zombies, twelve years old Will Ritter struggles with controlling his instinct for flight and fright instead of fight.  Kids like him recruit Will as a member of The Undertakers, a dedicated unit of non-adults whose mission is to fight zombies. 

Joining the youth squad means your previous way of life no longer exists as adults do not have the ability to see zombies. The teen and preadolescent Undertakers like Will vow to clean the world of the Zombie manifestation starting with their home town.

This is an engaging fast-paced tale from the moment the talking smelly Pratt puts his hand on Will and never slows down as the young warriors learn the key questions in life is not can I have Pop Tarts for breakfast or how to comb one’s hair, but can you see the living dead and how do you kill a dead person?  With nods to Wild in the Streets (zombie style) and Zombieland, middle school students will enjoy Will and the Undertakers mission to save the world as readers will agree with the book’s quoting an anonymous person that “Children make the best heroes.”

Harriet Klausner

The Disunited States of America-Harry Turtledove

The Disunited States of America

Harry Turtledove

Tor, Apr 26 2011, $9.99

ISBN: 9780765328243

Time Traders laterally travel from our realm to other timelines to sell slightly better products than the locals make. Each Time Trader knows that when one is a Crosstime Traffic trader they must never display too much technological superiority as blending in with the more backwoods natives is the key to success.

Recent high school graduate Justin Monroe comes from a family of Time Traders. Currently he and Time Trader Randolph Brooks are in a version of the United States that is not united and in which states constantly are at war with one another. He looks forward to going home to start college as his gut tells him this trip seems more dangerous than any he has been on.

From Southern California, Beckie Royer accompanies her Gran and “Uncle” Luke as they head to Elizabeth, Virginia to sell assault rifles to African-American rebels. With the country of Virginia on the brink of a racial civil war, neighboring country to the north Ohio sends a deadly virus into their nation that could only come from a Crosstime Traveler. As they are quarantined while people die from the deadly biological attack Beckie meets Justin and Randolph

This reprint of the fourth Crosstime Traffic book is a superb alternate history science fiction tale that grips the young adult audience from the moment that Justin is trapped and never let’s go until the final confrontation. The story line is fast-paced, but makes a strong condemnation of racism and war with the fractured disunited States. Beckie is a terrific protagonist who provides insight into her world with little interwoven tidbits like no one in Ohio or Virginia messes with someone carrying a passport from the superpower California. Justin is also a fine character as he tries to hide his origin while wondering who from his timeline broke the law. THE DISUNITED STATES OF AMERICA is another winner from Harry Turtledove.

Harriet Klausner

Sherry and Narcotics-Nina-Marie Gardner

Sherry and Narcotics

Nina-Marie Gardner

Future Fiction London, May 1 2011, $14.95

www.futurefiction.co.uk

ISBN: 9780982792827

From a wealthy Boston Brahmin family, Mary Cartwright has enjoyed the galas associated with the art world.  Now in her late thirties, she lives in London having recently earned a Masters in creative writing that has led to a job at an online essay firm.  She also is an alcoholic who intermittently attends AA sessions and needs the equivalent with the men she chooses.

After reading her on line profile, Jake Potter contacts Mary.  Though he is married with a child, they exchange emails.  She leaves London to be near Jake in Manchester.  However, she is a stranger in a strange city and though close to her Jake, he belongs to another woman and a child.  She is depressed and all alone.

The key to Sherry’s self destructive addictive behavior is the cold cities unwelcome to a stranger (echoing the Doors Tune People Are Strange), as London and Manchester (and indirectly Boston) come across as cold lonely cement jails for people without family or friends.  Sherry has no social network beyond an occasional AA meeting and her fantasy.  Not an easy read as the reader feels the gloom and doom while anticipating the crash.  Mindful of Preminger’s movie The Man with the Golden Arm starring Sinatra based on Nelson Algren’s novel, Nina-Marie Gardner provides a profound but grim look at urban isolation even with the web’s social networks.

Harriet Klausner

Too Rich for a Bride-Mona Hodgson

Too Rich for a Bride

Mona Hodgson

WaterBrook, May 17 2011, $13.99

ISBN: 9780307458926

In 1896 the oldest of the Sinclair sisters, Ida has just completed business school in Portland, Maine.  However, when Adjunct Professor Mr. Ditmer who she respected makes a proposition that upsets Ida, she joins her sisters Kat and Nell in Cripple Creek, Colorado (see Two Bride Too Many).  However unlike her siblings, Ida does not want to find a husband.

Using her business education degree, she teams up with businesswoman Mollie O’Bryan in spite of hearing rumors of her mentor’s amoral business ethics that the newcomers believes is petty gender jealousy.  Ida meets itinerant preacher iceman Tucker Raines who tries to save his ailing father’s business and makes friends with people who can help him or his family with their plight.  To Ida, attorney Colin Wagner is her perfect match so why does she keep thinking of Tucker.

This is a wonderful inspirational historical tale that reminds readers of Carlyle’s Clothing theory of man as God sees passed the outer garments to the heart and soul inside the person.  Mollie and the stock exchange she joins (breaking the gender barrier) were real and add a strong sense of time and place to a delightful late nineteenth century novel.  Readers will enjoy the business and life lessons that Ida learns in Cripple Creek as the romantic subplot enhances her chance at restitution with God and his local flock, and moral redemption.

Harriet Klausner

Indelible-Kristen Heitzmann

Indelible

Kristen Heitzmann

WaterBrook, May 3 2011, $13.99

ISBN: 9781400073108

In Redford, Colorado high country outfitter Trevor McDaniel rescues two year old Cody from a yearling mountain lion cub.  Cody’s father Aaron plays for the Rockies while his mother Paige hates the family freak, the toddler’s grateful Aunt Natalie Reeves is a sculptor.  Natalie and Trevor (and his partner Paul) meet at her gallery where she offers a thank you sculpture to the men.  She and Trevor are attracted to one another.

An unknown person begins sending Trevor photos of children in danger.  He becomes concerned that his maniacal secret admirer may harm Natalie as he does not conceal how much she means to him.  With Redford Police Chief Jonah Westfall at his side, Trevor tries to track down the psychopath who targets the helpless.

The return to Redford (see Indivisible) is a terrific tale of two flawed people who turns potential weaknesses into strengths.  Due to a tragedy Trevor turned his grief into a search and rescue volunteer while Natalie has a disability that she has used to become a talented sculptor.  Although the villain’s motive is presented somewhat late, fans will relish the coupling of two people who see the fortitude and courage in their beloved.

Harriet Klausner

A Conflict of Interest-Adam Mitzner

A Conflict of Interest

Adam Mitzner

Gallery, May 17 2011, $25.00

ISBN: 9781439157510

In New York, thirtyish criminal defense lawyer Alex Miller works long hours but feels it is worth the reward.  He is the Cromwell Altman’s youngest partner, has a beloved wife Elizabeth who understands his hours and a beautiful daughter who he adores.

At his father’s funeral in Florida, Alex meets the family friend legendary Michael Ohlig.  The affluent Ohlig retains Alex as his firm’s attorney.  The client explains that his boutique brokerage firm is accused of selling worthless stock in a startup company that Ohlig allegedly knew would fail.  Although the evidence says otherwise, Alex believes Michael is innocent so he throws even more time into the defense as Elizabeth becomes irritated with his fully ignoring their child and her while spending all his time with beautiful senior associate, Abby Sloane. 

This is a powerful character driven thriller as Alex ignores A Conflict of Interests that he acknowledges may taint his belief in Michael’s innocence, but obsessively needs to know the truth about his family.  The story line is fast-paced with a profound focus on Michael’s prime relationships with his wife and their daughter, his parents, his client, his associate, and the firm.  With stunning twists Adam Mitzner provides an exciting legal thriller with a close in person look at a fixated attorney.

Harriet Klausner

Internal Affairs-Jes Battis

Internal Affairs

Jes Battis

Ace, May 31 2011, $7.99

ISBN: 9780441020454

The Occult Special Investigators (Tess, Derrick, Lucian and Miles) head to the morgue to claim the corpse of a boy found on a nearby beach.  The lad may not be human and almost definitely is not dead. 

At the morgue, a demon attacks the four agents.  The unit subdues the adversary capturing adult demon Basuram.  They take him and the not dead boy who is the child Ru to OSI headquarters.  Basuram demands they hand Ru over to him, as the High Court of the Ferid directed him to bring back the boy to face criminal charges though the demon admits he does not know what they are.  However Earth is considered sanctuary so Tess, backed by her three teammates refuses to hand over Ru without further information.  As she and her partners, investigate the claims Tess begins to uncover information about her own still cloudy heritage.

The latest occult special investigator Tess Corday urban fantasy (see A Flash of Hex and Inhuman Resources) is a terrific thriller as the heroine struggles with balancing her personal life with the demands of 24/7 on call duty.  The story line is loaded with action from start to finish while the heroine and readers begin to learn more about whom (perhaps what is the better descriptor) Tess Corday is; while she and her teammates struggle with being in the middle of a demon fight.

Harriet Klausner

As You Wish-Gabi Stevens

As You Wish

Gabi Stevens

Tor, Apr 26 2011, $7.99

ISBN: 9780765365040

In Arcani, Regina Scott has done well for herself in spite of the fact her mother is ashamed of her lack of wizardry skills.  Reggie is fine with being a Groundling although her childhood was tough as her parents tossed galas to showcase her lack of talent and sent her to an Arcani School where she was placed in special education for the gift-less.  There she met her two best friends Tommy and Joy; who though Arcani have special needs.

She opened up The Star Bright Bakery in Del Mar, California after graduating from a non Arcani university and hired Tommy and Joy as her bakers.  However, on her twenty-seventh birthday, the three fairy godmothers (Aunts Lily, Hyacinth and Rose) inform Reggie she is the newest godmother; not a good thing when you lack talent and when the authorities have a woman hunt for godmothers (see The Wish List for why).  However, she suddenly has a different type of power while the Council is aware of her being chosen.  Finally she meets Nate and Jonathan, who seem to want her.

Although fundamentally this book is Reggie’s magical coming out show with Luc the villain in pursuit, Tommy and Joy steal the stage as two Arcani with Down’s Syndrome unaware they use magic to make special pastry.  The story line is fast-paced and filled with action as Reggie is caught in the middle of the Godmother revolt.  Fans will enjoy this strong urban fantasy with a romantic subplot and a strong message involving intellectual and development disabilities as Gabi Stevens (like the author I have an IDD offspring) makes a strong case for support to the Best Buddies program.

Harriet Klausner

Story of Beautiful Girl-Rachel Simon

Story of Beautiful Girl

Rachel Simon

Grand Central, May 4 2011, $24.99

ISBN: 9780446574464

In 1968 at the Pennsylvania State School for the Incurable and Feebleminded, developmentally disabled white female Lynnie and deaf African-American male Homan meet.  They become friends although the abusive staff keeps the “inmates” apart and the pair has a communication issue.  Lynnie and Homan escape, which enables her to give birth outside the brutal institution.

Knowing the school will hunt them down they leave their newborn with caring Widow Martha Zimmer who provided them with shelter on her farm.  The school catches Lynnie, but Homan flees. For the next four decades, the two though separate thrive on their short time together while Martha decides what to do with the baby entrusted in her care.

This is a passionate character driven cautionary tale at a time when leaders propose cuts to health care reminding readers of how society locked away in institutions those with disorders as a cheap way to ignore those who need some encouragement and support to be independent.  Readers will not have a dry eye as Homan named for homing pigeons and Lynnie expect to one day meet again and see their offspring and the kind widow who took them and their baby in.

Harriet Klausner

Purgatory Chasm-Steve Ulfelder

Purgatory Chasm

Steve Ulfelder

Minotaur, May 10, $23.99

ISBN: 9780312672928

In Framingham, Massachusetts auto mechanic Conway Sax detests insufferable Tander Phigg, but the man belongs to the Alcoholics Anonymous Barnburner group.  The Barnburners saved his life by sobering him up so Conway vowed to repay them whenever he can.

Thus when the pig Phigg asks Conway to retrieve his 1980 Mercedes from New Hampshire Das Motorenwerk garage that has possessed his vintage auto for eighteen months, Sax reluctantly agrees.  However, the seemingly simple request turns convoluted when someone at the garage knocks him out and later he learns someone killed Tander.  The police suspect Sax of the murder as he is an ex con who has been fingered for being the last person seen with the deceased.  Conway has two missions to resolve: first prove his innocence and second get the vehicle.

Loaded with twists and spins, Purgatory Chasm is an exciting action-packed amateur sleuth mystery starring a fascinating flawed individual.  Conway makes the tale work as a person in trouble who investigates the murder while also planning to repo the car.  His past is nicely interwoven into the strong plot so that readers understand why he feels obligated to the Barnburner group. 

Harriet Klausner