Holding Smoke - Holding a wonderful book!

Holding Smoke

by Elle Cosimano
Disney-Hyperion
May 20167

Prepare for the best read you've had in a while. Holding Smoke intrigues with a refreshing new setting, compelling characters, and enough suspense to hold the reader to the book. 

What's different about this book
The plot construct that Smoke can leave his body grabbed my attention; and the fact that Smoke is in juvenile detention for a crime he may not have committed kept me reading.  Smoke's character is developed so integrally with the plot that I wasn't aware the author was weaving that aspect.  A touch of romance and caring family and friends, good people winning: These were part of making this read one of the best I've enjoyed in a long time. 

What I'll do now that I've read it
For me, one of the basic qualities of a well-written book is not being aware of the author's presence.  I don't want to be reminded that I'm reading what someone wrote.  Cosimano's work achieves that beautifully:  There is just such a great story to enjoy! I haven't waited to share with friends, library patrons, and other librarians.  I'll be sorry --and surprised-- if this book doesn't show up on a lot of award lists.

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Fortune Favors the Wicked - a different Regency romance

Fortune Favors the Wicked

by Theresa Romain

Kensington Books

March 2016

This romance breaks the mold in several ways: a heroine who is not the usual lily-white maiden, a hero who is less than the physical dream, and a plot that requires more than the usual social niceties.  If you don't "do" romance, you might like this one anyway.

What's different about this book

The story is set around Charlotte, who seeks a treasure to help her escape her cultured, elegant but socially inappropriate life as a courtesan in London. Of course, Benedict Frost also needs that treasure, for excellent reasons of his own, his blindness not being the chief of those reasons.  The book avoids the trite and cliched means to tell the story, and the reader is the winner: strong plot, compelling characters, a satisfactory but not treacly-sweet resolution.

What I'll do now that I've read it

This is a book for my adult romance readers, and one I'll happily book-talk and share. It offers a refreshing break from the mold of Regency romances.

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A Lady in the Smoke: Victorian with romance, mystery, and intelligence

A Lady in the Smoke A Victorian Mystery

by Karen Odden

Random House Publishing

March 2016

Rather than another formulaic mystery from Victorian England, this book offers a clearly written and engaging story with authentic setting and an interesting plot. It is very good on several levels.

What's different about this book

I appreciated the quick start to the plot, and the immediately sympathetic lead figure. Elizabeth Fraser is an intelligent protagonist, and when she steps forward to help the sole surgeon after a train wreck, the story begins apace. I also enjoyed the Victorian perspectives on medicine, social class structure, and the legal practices of the times. 

What I'll do now that I've read this

This book will be a great addition to various of our collections: mysteries, historical fiction, romance, and adventure. For my patrons that select nothing other than historical fiction, this book will be a welcome addition.

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Cold Barrel Zero - a black-ops thriller

Cold Barrel Zero
by Matthew Quirk
Mulholland Books
March 2016 

Can there be such a thing as too much page-turning action? Cold Barrel Zero comes as close to the edge as possible - but manages to keep its great story and intriguing plot.

What's different about this book
Before reading Quick's newest release, I saw the mentions of this being a page-turner. I always take that with some skepticism. But indeed this book does begin fast, continues fast, and doesn't stop the action until the last sentences. Somehow the author manages to string enough narrative among those episodes of action to set the context and develop characters, but the reader is far too engaged in what's happening to notice. I did wonder if the final plot twist was just o-n-e  t-o-o many, though. Great story, a few unexpected twists, and a generally enjoyable read.

What I'll do now that I've read it
This will be a sure addition to our adult fiction library collections - it will intrigue and entertain patrons that look for a strong politico-military underdog that wins nobly. And I'll be glad to book-talk this book to readers eager to be quickly drawn into some action.

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