Good Reads - Fiction

Good Reads and a Little More...

Satisfying reads in which you also learn about a wide variety of subjects—from the complex world of international finance to ancient vampire mythology.

F/ABRAHAM
Abraham, Pearl - The Romance Reader - 1995, 296p.
A fascinating and engrossing novel about a young girl's coming of age while growing up in a strict Hasidic family. Rachel, the oldest daughter of an Orthodox Jewish Rabbi, longs for the freedom and independence of other girls her age. She repeatedly defies her parents and breaks their rules. This high-spirited girl is soon forced into an arranged marriage which seems doomed from the start, as Rachel's independence is not to be stifled.

F/BROWNE
Browne, Gerald A. - 18mm. Blues - 199,3 372p.
The thrilling, sometimes sinister, world of international gems is the backdrop for this dramatic tale. After two amas (women pearl divers) discover rare blue pearls while diving off the Burmese coast, they are brutally murdered by the captain who keeps the precious catch for himself. The novel then switches locales to Thailand, where Grady Bowman, a down on his luck gem merchant, and his girlfriend Julia Elkins are acquiring gems to set Grady up in his own business. How these people and events are woven together is an exciting story of love, greed and betrayal.

F/DAVIES
Davies, Linda - Nest of Vipers - 1994, 406p.
This financial thriller is a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the complex profession of international banking. Sarah Jensen, a foreign exchange trader in London, goes undercover at a prestigious bank to expose what she thinks is insider trading. Solicited by the British secret service, Sarah soon finds she was not fully briefed on her assignment and discovers corrupt practices which include links to the Mafia and the top financial minds across Europe. When a colleague is murdered, Sarah realizes she must expose the scandal before she also becomes a victim.

M/DURNING
Dunning, John - The Bookman's Wake - 1995, 351p.
The world of antique and rare books is explored in this series featuring Cliff Janeway, former Denver cop, turned antiquarian book dealer. Cliff agrees to do a job for a former colleague which sounds simple enough-retrieve a young woman, Eleanor Rigby, in Seattle and return her to Taos. Complications arise when Janeway realizes Eleanor is also a rare book aficionado; and when she is kidnapped, Janeway finds himself in a race against time to find Eleanor and save his own life.

M/ELKINS
Elkins, Aaron - Old Scores - 1993, 242p.
A compelling inside view of international art features Chris Norgren, art curator of the Seattle Art Museum. When the eccentric Renee Vachey decides to donate a Rembrandt painting he recently discovered to the Seattle museum, Chris is summoned to France to authenticate and accept the painting. However, after the unveiling ceremony, Vachey is murdered and his murder and other complications make Chris' task almost impossible.

F/EVANS
Evans, Nicholas - The Horse Whisperer - 1995, 404p.
The unique relationship between horses and humans is explored in this novel of a modern day horse "healer". After a near fatal riding accident in which she loses a leg, Grace Graves seems to be giving up on life. Her mother Annie soon realizes that restoring the horse Grace was riding to his old self is the key to restoring Grace's health. Grace and Annie journey with Pilgrim, Annie's horse, to Montana to enlist the help of Tom Booker, who through patience and determination heals not only Pilgrim, but Grace as well.

F/HAMBLY
Hambly, Barbara - Those Who Hunt The Night - 1988, 296p.
Rich in vampire lore, this suspenseful novel tells the story of Professor James Asher, who arrives home to find his wife under the spell of Don Simon Ysidro, one of the oldest vampires in London. Her safety depends on Asher's ability to solve a series of murders plaguing the city's nocturnal predators. As events hurl them toward a dramatic confrontation with the murderer, Asher and Ysidor form an uneasy alliance that develops into respect and a strange affection.

F/HOLT
Holt, A.J. - Watch Me - 1995, 326p.
The high-tech and complex world of computer networking is explored in this suspenseful novel. When F.B.I. agent Jay Fletcher jeopardizes a murder case with illegal computer evidence, she is reassigned to Santa Fe, New Mexico to assist with an arson investigation. While there, she uncovers a network of serial killers and proceeds to track each one down and deliver her own style of vigilante justice.

M/MELVILLE
Melville, James - A Haiku For Hanae - 1989, 195p.
Exotic Japan and insights into the life and culture of the modern Japanese people are interwoven throughout this engaging mystery featuring Superintendent Otani. While vacationing in the resort town of Awaji, Otani reflects on a murder case he had been involved in over twenty years ago. The bizarre case involved a young American missionary stabbed to death in a Shinto shrine. Otani must sort though local myths, superstitions, and even an exorcism in order to finally arrive at the truth.

F/MICHAELS
Michaels, Barbara - Shattered Silk - 1986, 369p.
Colorful details of the vintage clothing business, and believable although often eccentric characters, make this a delightful romantic suspense novel. Karen Nevitt, recently divorced, decides to open an antique clothing business in Washington, D.C. What starts out as a simple entrepreneurial venture turns into a web of deadly suspense as a series of disturbing events puts Karen's life in jeopardy.

F/O'TOOLE
O'Toole, G.J.A. - Poor Richard's Game - 1982, 309p.
Was Benjamin Franklin a double agent? This meticulously researched novel explores the possibility that one of the most revered men in American history was a traitor. The manuscript that details Franklin's activities is an intricate account of spying, counter spying, blackmail, sex, and scandal, and is the basis for a modern day lawsuit. Anyone fascinated by the U.S.'s own Renaissance man and that period of history will enjoy this novel. The copious footnotes are not to be ignored as they are almost another interesting book in themselves.
M/SHERWOOD

Sherwood, John - The Mantrap Garden - 1986, 186p.
Monk's Mead, a historic garden created by the famous horticulturist Gertrude Jekyll, is the scene of this delightful mystery featuring the unpretentious Celia Grant as an unlikely heroine. Since the untimely death of Mrs. Mortlock, the owner, the magnificent garden has been in a state of deliberate decline. Celia soon finds herself enmeshed in the fate of the garden and its owners. Gardening enthusiasts, as well as mystery readers, will enjoy the interesting footnotes by Gertrude Jeckyll.

M/STABENOW
Stabenow, Dana - Play With Fire - 1995, 282p.
The Alaskan frontier in summer is authentically depicted in this mystery adventure featuring Aleut private eye Kate Shugak. While picking morrel mushrooms, Kate stumbles on the corpse of a naked man, and soon discovers it is the father of a ten-year-old boy who "hired" Kate to find his father. Unanswered questions about Daniel Seabolt's death haunt Kate, and she soon finds herself involved in not only finding the answers for her "client," but herself as well.

M/TEY
Tey, Josephine - The Daughter of Time - 1951, 220p.
Was Richard III the tyrant history portrays? Policeman Alan Grant, while confined to a hospital bed, becomes fascinated by the character of Richard after studying several portraits of the late King. With information provided by a researcher, he is astonished by the evidence which contradicts the popular tradition of Richard as a villain. This lively account makes historical research genuinely exciting, and the reader shares Grant's dismay and pleasure as Richard's true nature is revealed.

Prepared by Sheila Guenzer, October 1996