With luck and a lot of ingenuity THE MARTIAN just may survive being stranded on the Red planet.

Are we sure Andy Weir isn't a NASA astronaut? He sure has me fooled. Mark Watney is one lucky guy, he is part of a Mars mission crew and they have landed on Mars. Yes, he is one of the six people to ever walk on Mars, HOTDOG! They have been on Mars for six Sols, or six Mars days as a Mars day is slightly longer than an earth day, when a severe dust storm arrives and threatens their safety. Looks like Mark's luck just ran out. Written with such attention to detail you would think Mr. Weir actually lived the tale he is telling. There is a lot of science in this book, as you would expect from a tale of an earthling stranded on Mars, but don't let that deter you from picking up this fabulously entertaining book. FYI, the protagonist Mark Watney is a botanist and engineer as well as a well trained NASA astronaut so you know he is smart enough to figure out how to survive with what is on hand. And thanks to NASA's being well prepared for any event there is quite a lot of equipment that is at his disposal. The one thing he is lacking is food to get him through till the next Mars landing. But remember, Mark is foremost a botanist....so, well let's just say he manages to come up with an idea.  This is an edge of your seat thrill, pick it up and take a trip to Mars, it may be the only way you will get there.

The Woman Who Would Be King by Kara Cooney

"The Woman Who Would Be King: Hatshepsut's Rise to Power in Ancient Egypt" by Kara Cooney is an interesting foray into how ancient Egypt was ruled, not only by boy kings but by the King Mothers and the God's Wives.  Even though the life of Hatshepsut and how she came to rule was based on interpretation of the artifacts and history of Egypt, and really is conjecture, it is an eye opening book on the power that women had in ancient Egypt, and the power they had with the Gods. Reading this book you cannot help but believe that ancient Egypt was a matriarchal society, as it is not only about Hatshepsut's life and rise to power but about the sway women held over the dynasties as wives to the Gods and the power they had as mothers over their boy Kings.

"Pilgrim's Wilderness A true Story of Faith and Madness on the Alaska Frontier by Tom Kizza

"Pilgrim's Wilderness" is like a train wreck, as disturbing as the tale is you can't take your eyes away from what is written on the page. Tom Kizza, an Alaska journalist, has deftly written a well researched page turner, a book that kept me awake at night and seeped into my dreams turning them into nightmares.  This is a true story about a heinous being masquerading as a man, even more heinous masquerading as a family man.  Bobby Hale, aka Firefly Sunstar, aka Holy Bob, aka Papa Pilgrim was a Texas boy who grew up in the top echelons of Texas society. His family socialized with John Connally's family, Bobby even ran away with Connally's 16 year old daughter and drove to Oklahoma where they were married, despite their young ages. That marriage lasted 44 days before Kathleen Connally was shot in the back of the head, purported to be a suicide due in part to the testimonial of Bobby Hale. Even at that time Bobby Hale, prior to becoming Papa Pilgrim, showed signs of a manic, aggressive behavior that caused him to lash out and become threatening and abusive to those around him.  This will manifest itself daily as he becomes more obsessed with his vision of "God's plan" for him and his family to live in the wilderness following the gospel of the bible. By the time the family arrived in Alaska in 2002 Bobby Hale had morphed into Papa Pilgrim and was towing a family of 14 children living under Papa's stringent rules he professed to be the word of God. This was a man who allowed only 2 books in his home; the bible and "The Pilgrim's Progress" and he read from them daily, teaching his wife and children how to live by the word of God. Papa Pilgrim proselytized himself as a devout Christian, he was not a Christian he was a monster who searched the text of the bible to justify his daily abuse and enslavement of his family, and the thievery he practiced against his neighbors and the state of Alaska. He was a master of manipulation and disarmament, spouting bible verses anytime someone approached him on his actions and behavior.  However, this book is not only about the Pilgrim family, it is also a story of wilderness living in Alaska, depending on and offering assistance to neighbors. Where good grace is essential. As disturbing as I found the Pilgrim family the book is highly recommended.

"The Summer of Dead Toys" by Antonio Hill the debut of Inspector Hector Salgado

A seemingly simple case of a young man falling to his death, at first it appeared to be accidental or perhaps a suicide, but no one thought it was murder, not until Inspector Hector Salgado was assigned the case upon his return to Barcelona from a lengthy vacation in his native Buenos Aires.

“The Summer of Dead Toys” is Antonio Hill’s first book featuring Barcelona’s criminal detective Inspector Hector Salgado.  We first meet Inspector Salgado as he returns from Buenos Aires, where he has been cooling his heels after an incident where he unmercifully beat a questionable Dr. Omar who caused the death of a young Nigerian girl. This young girl had been kidnapped by a human trafficking network in which the doctor was involved, a network that Inspector Salgado spent more than a year trying to break.  Salgado’s superior, Superintendent Savall, put him on leave of absence while Savall dealt with the beating incident.

Now that Inspector Salgado is back to work, and the beating incident not yet finalized as Dr. Omar has suddenly gone missing, Inspector Salgado is assigned the task of quickly closing this case of Marc Castells Vidal’s fall to his death.  Marc’s estranged mother, Joana Vidal, a long ago friend of Superintendent Savall, has asked the Superintendent to look into the death of her son as she doesn’t believe it was suicide and wants proof that is was not. A simple case becomes more complicated as Inspector Salgado, and his partner, the “new girl” Agent Leire Castro, delve into what actually happened that night. Everyone involved with this case, other than Inspector Salgado and Agent Castro, either are hiding something or just want the case closed as an accidental death. No one wants Salgado to prove murder.

This book was quite good as it was not a straight forward case of it being murder; was it murder or was it what everyone wants it to be, accidental. The case escalates as we meet the people involved in Marc’s life.  Then there is the side story of the Dr. Omar case, a case which doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon, and the side stories of the personal lives of Salgado and Castro that bring a human touch to the book. The ending was a surprise and I think most readers will be as surprised as I was. I look forward to reading the next Inspector Hector Salgado book “The Good Suicides,” and learning more about Salgado and Agent Castro, two people I like very much.

"Back Lane Wineries of Napa" by Tilar Mazzeo for anyone who has ever enjoyed a sip of Napa wine

Some of the best wines in the world are California Wines, and some of the best California wines come from the twin valleys of Napa and Sonoma. I have the great fortune to live in the midst of California wine country; an hour drive from Napa, hour plus from Sonoma, thirty minutes from Lodi to the South and Amador to the North. So making day trips to wine country is something my husband and I do often, however, as often as we have been to Napa and visited wineries along Highway 29 and the Silverado Trail, little did we know there were wonderful back lane wineries we didn't know existed. Wineries that Napa locals knew about but not readily shared with outsiders.  Now thanks to Tilar J. Mazzeo the cat is out of the bag because his wonderful  "Back Lane Wineries of Napa" lets us in on the secret. Whether you are a seasoned wine aficionado, a novice, or someone who just enjoys a great bottle of wine this book is for you.  The Introduction sets the scene, enticing you to picture sitting on a veranda overlooking beautiful country with a great glass of wine in your hand, a wine that none of your friends have ever tasted or even heard of. Then there is a chapter on how to use the book, which has some good tips on selecting a tasting area for either a day trip or a longer visit. The bulk of the book is all about the little known wineries divided into nine different tasting areas. Each of these tasting areas are chapters that list a selection of wineries, their histories, types of wine produced, some wine prices and the tasting fees.  You will learn that some of these small wineries are owned by vintners who had their start at some of the more famous wineries in France, Italy and Napa/Sonoma. No wonder these wines are worth searching out. Once you begin reading this wonderful little book you will want to plan a vacation to Napa Valley for an amazing stay in some of the most beautiful country in Northern California, savoring great wine and great food while visiting local spa's and hot springs and staying in comfort in the area's accommodations. Which are all included in each chapter. Whatever you do, don't forget to pack this gem of a book as you will want to refer to it over and over again. This book now has a permanent place in the glove box of my car for my future forays to the valley. I just wish I had picked up this book years ago.

Lose yourself in a wonderful story, "The Muse of Edouard Manet" by M.Clifford

One of the great things about Twitter is meeting new book lovers, booksellers, editors and authors. One such author I became acquainted with through Twitter is M. Clifford, the author of the wonderful book THE MUSE OF EDOUARD MANET. Reading the synopsis of the book I knew it would be something that would interest me as it deals with art, mystery, murder and time-travel. Yes, time-travel, how cool is that! Little did I realize when ordering the book from my favorite Indy bookseller, The Avid Reader, how much I would love this book. Once I read the Note From The Author and moved on I knew this was a book that would grab me and not let go until I turned the last page. Not only is it a great story of romance and intrigue, it provides information about an important artist who helped usher in the age of impressionism, Edouard Manet. This is a work of fiction, but it does provide us with information regarding the artist's life, his friends, his family and how he was received in the 19th century Paris art world. THE MUSE OF EDOUARD MANET also imparts interesting interpretations of the paintings of Manet, which lead me to look up the artists work and view it with different eyes. You become fond of Emily who is an art conservator at the Art Institute who discovers letters under Manet's paintings. These letters lead Emily to experience the art at it's source. Early in the book you are introduced to what you may think is a minor character, Garrett, but he becomes the agent that assists Emily in her time-travel where she meets the artist Manet and becomes his Muse. This is a story of intrigue, love, friendship, art and time-travel. What more could you possibly want. Do yourself a favor, pick up THE MUSE OF EDOUARD MANET and lose yourself in a wonderful story.
(Previously posted May 2012)

“Defending Jacob” by William Landay

Defending Jacob is a terrific legal thriller, family drama, and in a sense a political thriller that deals with the wrangling and inner workings of a local political office.  Andy Barber is an Assistant District Attorney near Boston who becomes involved with a murder case of a 14 year old boy who attends the same school as his son, Jacob.  Ben Rifkin was found stabbed to death in a wooded area between his home and the school, just off the path that is traveled by many of the youths that live in the area and attend the same school as Ben. The same path traveled daily by Jacob Barber.  As the Assistant DA it is Andy’s job to see that justice is done. That is until his son Jacob is accused of the murder.  As a prosecutor, Andy knows exactly how the legal system works and how it can fail, and it is his wish that his son not to be one of the failures of the justice system.  Jacob professes his innocence and, being his father, Andy believes him.  After all, what parent can believe their child capable of murder? 

Once Jacob is accused, Andy is relieved of his duties at the DA’s office for the duration of the investigation and trial that will surely follow. Neal Logiudice (la-JOO-dis), a prosecutor who wants Andy’s job, is now the prosecutor on the Ben Rifkin murder case and it appears that he will stop at nothing to find Jacob Barber guilty and Andy guilty by association. 

The book jumps back and forth between the investigation and trial of the murder and a Grand Jury session where Prosecutor Logiudice is questioning ex-Assistant DA Andy Barber.  We do not know what crime the Grand Jury has been convened to determine whether to indict, however, this was a very effective way to inform the reader there was much more going on than the trial of Jacob Barber.  

The author’s cleverness in unfolding the story of the investigation and trial will lead you to vacillate between Jacob’s guilt and his innocence, and the Grand Jury sessions, even though not part of the Ben Rifkin murder trial, contribute to the vacillation. However, Andy never waivers from belief in his son’s innocence even as evidence mounts.  When shocking revelations about Jacob surface, and Andy is forced to confront his own past, one that he was so effective in hiding from his family as well as himself, does he consider perhaps he might somehow have failed is son. 

Defending Jacob is a gripping story, one that I could not put down and caused me to go to work with tired eyes from staying up late reading.  Highly recommended.
(Previously posted March 2012)

Want a good Irish thriller to read try "Hidden River" by Adrian McKinty

Ever since I read the Irish thrillers by Stuart Neville I have been looking for more, and fortunately I found  Adrian McKinty, a writer from Northern Ireland, who is satisfying my craving.  My first foray into McKinty’s books is with HIDDEN RIVER a complex story of a good man, Alex Lawson, living a life on the edge.  Once a rising star in the Northern Ireland police force unusual circumstances lead him down a road that would take him away from his promising career and into a dark existence of heroin addiction. When an ex-girlfriend is murdered in Denver, Colorado he escapes his Irish tormentors and heads to the Rocky Mountains to uncover the truth of Victoria's murder and hopefully find her killer. This book has many layers and each layer is dealt with extensively so that at times it seems like the story has slowed down, but in reality the author is giving you the opportunity to live in Alex's shoes, live his existence and become friends with the people he befriends.  I highly recommend this for thriller lovers, especially those looking for a good Irish thriller.  I am looking forward to reading DEAD I WELL MAY BE, the first in a noir trilogy.
(Previously posted April 2012)