I’ve curled up with some lovely reads lately. Here’s a list of my recommended reads, ranging from fantasy to mystery, thriller and suspense.
Deadly Faux – Larry Brooks
This ingenious thriller features one of the genre’s best characters, Wolf Schmidt. He’s cynical, out for himself, and has a mouth that will kill him someday – but he’s also sweet, scary smart and sexy. Brooks keeps him believably on the edge of truly appalling danger, while getting laughs in all the right places. For a double treat, pick up the first Schmidt book, Bait and Switch. (Thriller)
Hull Zero Three – Greg Bear
A wildly inventive story of a generation ship run amok. I loved how the main character grew, coming into his memories and his humanity. This was accomplished with a deft touch, humor and mystery. The generation ship is a sheer marvel, technically wondrous and fittingly strange. Stunning work. One of Greg Bear’s best. (Science Fiction)
Royal Airs – Sharon Shinn
In this elegant return to the world of Elemental Blessings, Sharon Shinn brings out all her hallmarks: tight characterization, deeply personal plots threads, surprise, and delicious romance. Her writing, as always, is buttery smooth, the dialogue delicious. By the end, her ensemble cast all feel like your long-time friends. How does she Do this? (Fantasy)
Sacrifice at Sea – Susan Wingate
A compulsively readable mystery set on a cruise ship soaked in sun, love, and evil. It entwines romantic and rocky relationships with murder, sex, stalking, and all those fun rum drinks! A perfect escape from the winter doldrums. The novel is her third in the Bobby’s Diner series, and although I hadn’t read the first two, Wingate made it easy to feel welcome among her strong ongoing cast. (Mystery)
The Paris Architect -Charles Belfoure
A World War II thriller about a cynical architect who finds himself risking his life to hide Jews fleeing the Gestapo in Paris. The hiding scenes are filled with terror, and the journey of one man from self-interest to self-sacrifice was a surprise move, boldly handled. The Germans are portrayed with the usual stereotyping–one longs for a worthy antagonist–but the book was nevertheless hard to put down. (Suspense)