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THE FEAR INDEX, by Robert Harris

April 20, 2012

CLEVERLY CONSTRUCTED HIGH-TECH thriller from the great Robert Harris; vivid characterizations, details shine.

Grade: B PLUS

THE FEAR INDEX
Knopf
2012

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TRAIL OF THE SPELLMANS, by Lisa Lutz

April 19, 2012

AMERICA’S MOST NEUROTIC private investigator, Izzy Spellman, returns in this wacky, delightful tale of intrigue.

Grade: B PLUS

TRAIL OF THE SPELLMANS (SPELLMAN FILES #5)
Simon & Schuster
2012

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NINA HERE NOR THERE, by Nick Krieger

April 18, 2012

CANDID, ENGAGING MEMOIR of gender transition from a travel writer, athlete, and yoga student is illuminating.

Grade: SOLID B

NINA HERE NOR THERE: MY JOURNEY BEYOND GENDER
Beacon Press
2011

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THE CHALK GIRL, by Carol O’Connell

April 17, 2012

THE LATEST MYSTERY (#10) for troubled savant NYC detective Mallory is her most intriguing (and upsetting) yet.

Grade: B PLUS

THE CHALK GIRL
Putnam
2012

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THE SINNER’S GRAND TOUR, by Tony Perrotet

April 16, 2012

AN OFFBEAT TOUR of Europe’s most sexually scandalous historic landmarks is R-rated antiquarian fun.

Grade: SOLID B

THE SINNER'S GRAND TOUR: A JOURNEY THROUGH THE HISTORICAL UNDERBELLY OF EUROPE
Crown
2011

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HORIZON, by Sophie Littlefield

April 15, 2012

GRIM, TENSE POST-APOCALYPTIC thriller features a tough anti-heroine fighting for her life, and her child’s.

Grade: SOLID B

HORIZON (AN AFTERTIME NOVEL)
Luna Books
2012

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LOVE AND SHAME AND LOVE, by Peter Orner

April 14, 2012

A COMPLEX FAMILY TALE spans four generations in the Chicago suburbs. Lots of heart, wit, candor, and insight.

Grade: B PLUS

LOVE AND SHAME AND LOVE
Little, Brown
2011

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FLAGRANT CONDUCT, by Dale Carpenter

April 13, 2012

THE UNTOLD STORY BEHIND the landmark gay rights decision in Lawrence v. Texas. Engaging and well researched!

Grade: B PLUS

FLAGRANT CONDUCT: THE STORY OF LAWRENCE V. TEXAS
W. W. Norton & Company
2012

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SO PRETTY IT HURTS, by Kate White

April 12, 2012

DEATH AND TREACHERY among the glitterati! Plucky reporter/sleuth Bailey Weggins solves a supermodel’s murder.

Grade: SOLID B

SO PRETTY IT HURTS (A BAILEY WEGGINS MYSTERY)
Harper
2012

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THE RETRIBUTION, by Val McDermid

April 11, 2012

AN ESCAPED SERIAL KILLER with charm and money to burn wreaks havoc in the lives of those who jailed him. Tense!

Grade: SOLID B

THE RETRIBUTION (TONY HILL AND CAROL JORDAN SERIES #7)
Grove Atlantic
2012

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