Category Archives: Book Reviews

Living With a Wild God, by Barbara Ehrenreich

Posted on May 6, 2014 by Marion

Barbara Ehrenreich wrote Nickeled and Dimed, the single best study of capitalism, working poverty and minimum wage ever published in this country, and which should be required reading for everybody. She also wrote a book about “positive thinking” and just … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bad Men, by John Connolly

Posted on April 21, 2014 by Marion

It’s rare that the Irish writer of dark thrillers, John Connolly, disappoints me. Bad Men might be the first time, now that I think about it. Published in 2004, this thriller is not part of the fallen angel Charlie Parker … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

2014 Nebula; A Buffet of Tasty Novels to Choose From

Posted on March 19, 2014 by Marion

The slate of nominees for the Nebula for Best Novel is a wildly varied group this year; in a way, a buffet of the SFF world in general. There is an internationally best-selling writer nominated, and two debut novelists. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews | 2 Comments

Right as I Watched

Posted on March 4, 2014 by Marion

“The Dark” is one of the stronger short stories I’ve read recently. In a collection with a number of strong ones (Karen Joy Fowler’s What I Didn’t See) “The Dark” is still a standout. I don’t know why this story … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Spenser Books

Posted on February 18, 2014 by Marion

Recently Spouse and I donated almost all of our Robert B Parker books to Mockingbird. This collection included nearly all the Spenser books, hardcover and paperback; all of the Jesse Stone novels; most of the Sunny Randall books and a … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

W is for Wasted, by Sue Grafton

Posted on February 4, 2014 by Marion

In the 23rd Kinsey Millhone mystery by Sue Grafton, Kinsey’s elderly landlord Henry gets a cat named Ed. That is about the most interesting thing that happens in the book. Ed is one of the better characters. W is for … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews | Leave a comment

The Italian Secretary

Posted on January 17, 2014 by Marion

The Italian Secretary, by Caleb Carr, was a disappointment. Possibly it disappointed because the premise boosted my expectations. It’s a Sherlock Holmes pastiche involving the brutal murder of David Rizzio, the secretary of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots. Tudor intrigue … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews | 2 Comments

Shadows Fall, by Simon R. Green: In Which I Judge a Book by Its Cover

Posted on January 14, 2014 by Marion

Generally speaking, we’re not supposed to do that; judge the book by its boards. I’m going to indulge in some comments and conjecture about this one, though. I haven’t read the book yet and won’t for a while; Spouse gets … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews | 2 Comments

Spook Country, by William Gibson; a Smidgen of Justice

Posted on January 11, 2014 by Marion

It’s hard to find a sense of justice these days. Certain people seem immune to consequences of their actions, and those consequences often devolve onto people lower down on the food chain. CEOs and bank presidents are briefly vilified in … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews | 3 Comments

Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore: An Ode to Geeks Ascendant

Posted on January 7, 2014 by Marion

Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore is a paean to  geeks – every kind of geek. It celebrates science geeks, stats geeks, conspiracy-freak geeks, secret society geeks, data-viz geeks, modeling geeks, gaming geeks , fantasy geeks, typeface geeks and even Peter-Jackson-Betrayed-Tolkien-‘cause-There-Was-No-Female-Elven-Warrior-In-The-Hobbit geeks. … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment