Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Book club discusses "Person of Interest"

Back in June, the book club read and discussed Theresa Schwegel's Person of Interest for its monthly book selection. Schwegel is a 2005 Edgar award winner for her novel Officer Down and Person of Interest (from 2007) is her newest work. Here's a pix of Schwegel that also appears in back of the book.

This novel is twist on the standard crime novel of sorts in that it focuses nearly equally on the wife of police detective as much as the detective. Leslie McHugh is a detective's wife and mother of a nearly out-of-control teenage daughter. Feeling the pressures of life more, she does feel lonely while her husband, Craig is a dedicated uncover cop in a difficult assignment and nearly absent from home. Craig is currently trying to pose as an easy mark in a series of gambling games in the Chinese community of Chicago.

Alternating chapters in the book--I liked this technique--the story is told from Leslie and Craig's perspective of Craig's big case and related events.

As I recalled with those of us gathered, I preferred the book much more than others. A couple gave up on the book after reading for a while--with one wanting more of a mystery story and another not caring for the characters. And granted this book is not a standard mystery as such with a lot of time devoted to Leslie who is outside of Craig's work environment. However, she does begin to suspect him of adultery and begins an investigation, of sorts, on her own.

I guess I was OK with a hybrid novel of sorts. One attendee, though, found that tact a disappointment. I suspect I should have checked closer on the content of the book...

Some didn't care for a twist in the novel (a quite violent one) and found the victim's response unlikely. It also appeared to invite an sort of grand white knight ("male savior") situation as the resolution which left one person cold.

As the case in many novels, characters actions are a back breaker for following a novel's appeal and some questionable judgments with these characters were turn-offs.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Bad news on the book review beat--

I walked into the family room earlier this week to catch the news on the "NewsHour with Jim Lehrer" on PBS-TV and heard a discussion about book reviews. Listening closer, I found the participants were talking about the shrinking space for book review sections in today's newspapers.

One speaker lamented the situation and soberly discussed the cutback of book review sections in newspapers. Another guest had a different take and noted the benefit of blogs with book reviews which are available now.

Walking in the middle of the discussion, I asked myself, "OK, what's this all about?" Double checking the PBS website, I found that the Los Angeles Times had ceased its weekly stand alone book review section following this Sunday's issue. That led to the the discussion about the shrinking of the book section in papers nationwide. That would also include our local daily paper in town.

Yuck. We all benefit from a good and strong book review newspaper section in the newspapers--particularly for local talent. However, it is not that good blogs don't fill a great need too especially being somewhat interactive in nature.

Yet, you be a judge on the matter yourself and read more about it here if interested about the TV interviews.

Work or leisure...?

Lemme see, if you see a local novelist in your library what would you think: work or leisure? I mused over that thought when I recently saw two mystery writers at two different times in the library. One writer was in the check-out line whereas the other was heading down the stairs to the first floor.

Now a trip to the library for a writer may entail just the standard type of library visit as for most of us--that is books and reading. Reading the work of others has to inspire and to entertain the writer as much as anyone else. Of course, see what else good work is around.

Otherwise, a library trip might mean a research assignment for a writer. As helpful as the internet is for all, sometimes a book or reference book series is the ideal assistant.

Now, what was the case for the two I saw a few weeks ago? I don't know but I'm sure they're writing and reading as much as their day and schedule permits. I certainly believe they have *fun* jobs (most days).

Thursday, July 24, 2008

It's in the walk--!

Well, I'm guessing it may be in the walk of many people but apparently there's a surer way to watch out for crime.

At the last book club I looked over and noticed a regular with the book entitled Crime Signals : how to spot a criminal before you become a victim by David Givens. I also noticed it was a new book so it caught my curiosity.

Personal safety is always a concern for anyone and noticing unsavory characters or behavior is just important to navigate in many settings. In fact, I'd like to think I venture around without much fear of others but too often I realize that's not quite the case.

A glance of the book's chapters include the topics of the tell-tale signs of a swindler, anticipating an assault and "reading the gang signs."

This book may be a good read for many but particularly aspirating mystery writers like my friend at the book club. She may have a really good non-fiction title to add to her usual mystery novels to read.

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

How's your summer reading...?

It's officially summer now--so, how's your pleasure reading? Need any help? On our library downstairs display book cart labeled "Check Out--these just returned materials" I blinked and Margaret Truman's Murder on K Street disappeared from the available books for quick browsing.

In the new issue of the weekly alternative newspaper in town Janet Evanovich's newest Fearless Fourteen is second in the tops of books of "Charlotte Bestsellers List." No surprise there, huh?

And the July O: the Orpah Magazine has a nice cover story about summer reading with its article "Not Your Typical Murder Mystery." Those to make the cut are Mind's Eye by Hakan Nesser, Shelter Half by Carol Bly, Not in the Flesh by Ruth Rendell and Careless in Red by Elizabeth George.

I'll admit I only tend to look at O Magazine and think cute, colorful covers but I don't open them to read. I am glad I noticed this story about summer books though--good tips.