Sutton

Memories. There’s a whole generation or two of readers who don’t know much about the life of Willie Sutton, although some might come up with the right question in response to a low value Jeopardy box like, “He said that’s where the money is.” Thanks to a finely written debut novel, Sutton, by J.R. Moehringer, readers can find out about the person who robbed more banks than anyone else, and became a folk hero to his fellow Americans. A reporter and photographer have been sent to pick up Sutton as he leaves prison for an exclusive interview. While Sutton agrees to the interview, he takes charge of leading the young reporter on a tour of special places in New York that meant a lot to Sutton, and this journey provides the setting for Moehringer to lay out the story of Sutton’s life. Unlike a stale biography, the novel structure allows Moehringer to blend historical facts with his own imagination to produce an engaging, entertaining and well told story. Any reader who appreciates well written prose, loves New York, and has an interest in twentieth century stories, is likely to enjoy this novel. Rating: Four-star (Highly Recommended) Click here to purchase Sutton from amazon.com.

Octopus: Sam Israel, the Secret Market, and Wall Street's Wildest Con

Delusions. If, like me, you recall reading stories in the business press about the scams, fraud and antics of Sam Israel, you might enjoy reading Guy Lawson’s book, Octopus: Sam Israel, the Secret Market, and Wall Street's Wildest Con. If this book were a novel, it would fail because readers would find the behavior of the central character to be unbelievable. Thanks to Lawson, we can read a bizarre and entertaining story about a very strange individual who follows his delusions in many directions. Readers who have an interest in financial markets, crime and bizarre behavior are those most likely to enjoy this book. I found myself thinking throughout, “this guy is nuts,” and by the time I finished the book, I was still shaking my head wondering why I bothered reading it. Rating: Two-star (Mildly Recommended) Click here to purchase Octopus from amazon.com.

Robert B. Parker's Lullaby

Consistent. The estate of Robert B. Parker selected Ace Atkins to continue the franchise by writing Spenser novels. The first, Robert B. Parker’s Lullaby, provides great continuity for this legendary detective fiction. Atkins keeps dialogue and structure consistent with Parker’s model, and if anything he has fleshed out the novel more thoroughly than Parker did in his later novels. I decided to read this novel out of curiosity to see how true Atkins would be to the Parker model. I enjoyed reading this novel, and expect that most Parker and Spenser fans will be pleased to see more of this character in coming years. For me, I’ll probably move on to living authors developing their own characters. Rating: Three-star (Recommended) Click here to purchase Lullaby from amazon.com.

A Wanted Man

Sidetracked. The seventeenth Jack Reacher novel by Lee Child is titled A Wanted Man. The setup involves Reacher being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He’s in Nebraska and is hitchhiking to Virginia when he gets picked up and becomes diverted into a very odd adventure. The physical Reacher takes a backseat in this novel to the cerebral Reacher, and should have been an opportunity for richer and deeper character development. Instead, the novel proceeds at a snail’s pace and even long time Reacher fans are likely to be bored, even with the protagonist himself. Readers who are hooked on the series will probably read this novel anyway. Readers who like thrillers will find some action in this one, but could do better with most other novels from this series and others. I endured to the end, and felt mildly entertained. Rating: Two-star (Mildly Recommended) Click here to purchase A Wanted Man from amazon.com.

Freedom Manifesto: Why Free Markets Are Moral and Big Government Isn't

Values. If the tenor and quality of political debate has you down during the presidential campaign, consider elevating the discussion a bit by reading a plain speaking book from Steve Forbes and Elizabeth Ames titled, Freedom Manifesto: Why Free Markets Are Moral and Big Government Isn't. The authors communicate conservative values with clarity and make a case for why the current election matters. They pose many questions throughout the book and provide an answer for each. I find that the advantage of reading political rhetoric over listening is that one can put down the book and cool off. Readers who like politics are those most likely to enjoy this book, whether you agree or disagree with the authors. Rating: Three-star (Recommended) Click here to purchase Freedom Manifesto from amazon.com.

The Beautiful Mystery

Harmony. The eighth installment in Louise Penny’s Chief Inspector Gamache series is titled The Beautiful Mystery. Any reader who appreciates an intelligent mystery should consider reading this one. I never thought I’d read a mystery that involved Gregorian Chant, which is the reference in the title. A choir director is murdered in a cloistered monastery, and the murderer must be one of the two dozen monks living there. Gamache and Jean-Guy Beauvoir of the Sûreté du Québec go to the remote monastery to solve the case. There may be harmony in the beautiful music, but it doesn’t take long for Gamache to uncover the personal conflicts and discord within this small community. Fans of the series will feel continuity from prior novels, and anticipation of what comes next, but this novel also stands well on its own for first time readers. Penny draws this setting with such detail and depth that the monastery becomes an additional character. Readers who like a satisfying mystery are likely to enjoy this one. Rating: Three-star (Highly Recommended) Click here to purchase The Beautiful Mystery from amazon.com.

And When She Was Good

Survivor. In a break from her Tess Monaghan series, novelist Laura Lippman creates a complex protagonist for her novel, And When She Was Good. Heloise has bounced from one abusive relationship to another, and throughout it all, she has survived. Lippman excels at fleshing out the characters in this novel with great skill so that readers can understand their behavior, both good and bad. Deceptions abound in this novel, and Lippman keeps readers interested and engaged in every twist and turn. The subject matter of prostitution can be dicey for any writer to tackle, and Lippman succeeds in presenting this kind of life with perception and insight. Readers who enjoy character driven fiction, especially when the subject matter involves women’s issues, are those most likely to enjoy this novel. Rating: Three-star (Recommended) Click here to purchase And When She Was Good from amazon.com.