Category: Books

Genre: Novel

Grade: B+
Notable People: Loren Estleman
Title: The Confessions of Al Capone

Review –Surprisingly well written and good light read. It’s a long one- that can be read in small increments. Estleman departs from his usual mystery genre to tackle the story of an FBI clerk handpicked by J. Edgar to infiltrate the Florida estate of a dying Al Capone. I won’t tell you why he is chosen since that is part of the premise- but he is quite ill suited. The narrative vacillates between wartime Miami where the story is being recorded and 1920’s Brooklyn and Chicago as Capone tells his story to the man he be lives is there to be his confessor. Vivid portraits, very well researched- a compiling portrait of both men(Capone and Hoover) and the times. I have a weakness for gangster stuff- but this is a good one.

Genre: Novel

Grade: B+
Notable People: Ivan Doig
Title: The Eleventh Man

Review – I have been reading most all of Doig’s stuff for the last year and was really impressed with his “Montana trilogy”. This one continues the Montana-centric work with a few of the same characters and places but a way different story. It’s really good story about the members of an undefeated mythical college football team and their forays during WW Two after all elven of them had joined up. The narrator is a team member who is assigned to a propaganda unit to write stories about the entire “Supreme Tem” throughout the war. The book is a bit predictable throughout which made it less interesting- but well written and pretty amazing accounts of the various locales of the war where the boys are stationed. Not his best effort- but a good read nonetheless.

Genre: Novel

Grade: A
Notable People: Jim Harrison
Title: The River Swimmer

Review – New set of two novellas from the man I believe to be our greatest living American writer. Frist one continues his theme of apparently autobiographical aging in the woods of northern Michigan. Second one is a real departure and a stunner – which has been his career calling card. This is great writing.

Genre: Novel

Grade: A
Notable People: Jim Harrison
Title: The Great Leader

Review – another magnificent piece of writing from the person I believe to be the greatest living American writer (Legends of the Fall). Harrison has been writing for 45 years in his almost, but not quite Hemingway style. Caught a lot of flack early on for his similar machismo and lack of sensitivity. So- he turned around a wrote a series of books with a woman as main character (Dalva, etc.)- which blew the critics away for his ability to write in the first person female. He is, in fairness, an Upper Peninsula version of Hemingway- but with more self – effacement, sympathy and gentleness. This story is a semi-ironic take on the great detective novel- with a retiring UP detective hell bent on finishing with one more resolved case involving a sexual predator cult leader. Beautifully written in the natural themes of both upper Michigan and Arizona- it is a subtle thing of beauty. A good chance to get to know Harrison- if you don’t yet.

Genre: Novel

Grade: A-
Notable People: Ivan Doig
Title: Work Song

Review – I really like Doig’s writing- have read four of his novels in the last year; all set in the West in the early 20th Century. This one is s continuation of The Whistling Season, which I previously reviewed- with the main character, Morrie, a holdover from that previous book. Great character study set amongst larger than life people in the mining-union culture of boom-town Butte, Montana. Really nice read- good for a winter’s day sojourn.

Genre: Novel

Grade: A
Notable People: Archer Mayor, Author
Title: Three Can Keep a Secret

Review – This is Archer’s 24th book in the Joe Gunther mystery series- all primarily set in and around Vermont. Archer is somewhat of a folk here in the state, and deservedly so for a body off work that so finely illuminates the state’s beauty, character and nuance. This one is somewhat of a departure in that it is both a good old fashioned mystery as well as chronicle of the Vermont experience post Hurricane Irene. Archer does a really nice job of painting a picture of the devastation of the natural disaster while still weaving a fine yarn. All the primary characters are back (as they have been for over 20 years) and this one delves into the mythical history of the states’ politics and power base. This ranks as one of my favorites of the last two decades; always a thrill when we get to experience more of the enigmatic Willie. Some of Archer’s books might seem inaccessible to the novice who has not followed the serial- but this one can stand alone as a fine work of fiction. If you have not yet given this series a try- this may be the one to start with…it will undoubtedly have you going back to the beginning to check out the whole shebang.

Genre: Novel

Grade: B

Notable People: Ivan Doig
Title: The Whistling Season

Review –Doig writes really well about the West in the late 19th century- particularly about the settling of Montana and the huge irrigation projects to water the west. This is the third of his with that theme in the background. I like his characters a lot and this is a really good story; most of which takes place in a one room ,eight grade schoolhouse. Morrie Morgan, the reluctant teacher of all the kids- is a GREAT character. It’s a book with a lot of good feel- and if you like historical kinds of fiction- you’ll most likely like this. That being said- the grade went down because I thought it petered out at the end- and was wrapped up a bit too cleanly for my taste. Still- an easy read, and if you have not been “Doigged” before- you may want to give it a try.

Genre: Novel

Grade: A-

Notable People: Rebecca Cantrell
Title: A Trace of Smoke

Review –This is the second in a series of four “Hannah Vogel” novels I have read from Cantrell. This is good stuff. Hannah is a journalist quietly rejecting the Nazi assumption of control in Germany in the late 30’s. great historical picture of a world beginning to run amok, and little being done about it. Great characters, good plot, amazing sense of place…and Hannah is a true heroine of her time. Get these books – you’ll like them. I’m starting the next one.

Genre: Novel

Grade: A

Notable People: Rebecca Cantrell
Title: A City of Broken Glass

Review -Wow- what a book. If this is not already in someone’s hands to make film noir out of – a huge mistake. She is a really good writer and this book is one of a series- the Hannah Vogel” books. Hannah is a behind the scenes femme fatale living in pre WW Two Europe. This books takes place in 1938 as the Nazi stronghold is developing and the Jews are beginning to become the central victims. Full of suspense, finesse, love and mystery,- Hannah is a heroine for the ages. And an amazing portrayal of Berlin as it geared up to become what it would become. Don’t miss this one this summer.

Genre: Novel

Grade: A-

Notable People: Ben Winters
Title: The Last Policeman

Review –This is my first ever review on demand. My friend, Nate, asked me to read this book- written by his high school friend, and review it. It is Winters’ first novel and a good one if you like a murder mystery set against the backdrop of the world waiting to possibly end due to a collision with a giant meteor. It takes pace in New England in the near future in a world living in a state of perpetual doom based on where exactly this meteor will hit…the countdown is on. The mystery part is a bit obtuse- but easy to read. Interesting protagonist and a sobering description of a world gone slightly crazy- everyone is living out their bucket list in one way or another. If you like mysteries and you like sci-fi- this one is the combination for you. I usually don’t like sci-fi but I liked this. Winters writes well and it’s a quick read.