Review: The Book of Lies by Brad Meltzer

The Book of Lies is a tough review to write. There is so much going on, so many interesting side stories that I want to tell you about, but I don't want to spoil the surprises you have in store. There's Cain and Abel, a kid named Jerry Siegel, a dog named Benoni, a tractor-trailer full of melting shrimp, and the difficult relationships between fathers and sons. Add a healthy dose of mystery, ties to several real-life stories, and you've got The Book of Lies, a great mystery from a great mystery writer.

Cal Harper is a damaged man. When he was 9 years old, his family fell apart -- a crazy mother, an angry father and one hard shove. He lost his job with the Customs Service when he tried to help a young woman who eventually betrayed him. Now, he spends his nights aiding other damaged people, picking up the homeless and getting them help. But one night, he comes across the one man he never expected to see: his father. He's wounded and Cal cannot resist -- who could? -- the chance to find out more.

The encounter with his father leads to more mystery. Lloyd Harper was shot and the gun has its own startling secret: it can be traced back to a 70+ year old murder. In 1932, Mitch Siegel was shot with the same gun during a robbery, leaving behind a wife and six children. The youngest of those children, Jerry, was an artist, and in their suburban Cleveland home, Jerry Siegel created one of the most well-known comic book characters of all time: Superman.

Lloyd Harper is behaving strangely and his estranged son wants to know why. His curiosity leads to muder -- with all the evidence pointing to Cal. The only way out is for Cal to find the real killer, which means tracking down a book that may contain the secrets to the very first murder.

In chapter four of the Bible, Cain kills Abel. It is the world's most famous murder. But the Bible is silent about one key detail: the weapon Cain used to kill his brother. That weapon is still lost to history.

The mystery leads Cal, Lloyd and Lloyd's friend Serena from Florida to Cleveland, Ohio. To a modest house in the suburbs -- the house where Superman was born:



Their quest is full of twists and turns. They are being hunted by a ruthless killer named Ellis, although they don't exactly know why. Ellis is in contact with The Prophet, a shadowy figure who is orchestrating the hunt -- and who may be closer than they think. I read the book in one long sitting and it kept me turning pages right up to the end. The final scenes bring all the disparate pieces of storyline together beautifully. This book was a terrific thrill ride.

The stories in the book about Superman are true and author Brad Meltzer knows them well. He founded an organization called Ordinary People Change the World to raise money to save the house in the picture above, the house where a kid named Jerry Siegel, who desperately missed his father, created the world's most powerful superhero. He began researching The Book of Lies as a way to solve the mystery surrounding Mitch Siegel's murder. There are many other bits of historical fact (as well as some interesting supposition) in the book. It's not exactly historical fiction, but it's a fast-paced, interesting story with enough grounding in real-life mysteries to send me Googling and surfing Wikipedia. I love it when books have that effect!

Brad Meltzer is the author of seven novels and four comics. (I loved the quote on his Comics page: "Every teenage boy has two fantasies: writing a comic book...and dating a Playboy centerfold. Only one of them is actually worthwhile." I wonder which one he meant...) He has even created a soundtrack for the novel - the first time I've ever run into that.

I won my copy of The Book of Lies in a giveaway sponsored by Bermudaonion's Weblog.

Abandoned Books

I admit it, I abandon books.

Once upon a time, I believed that I needed to finish every book I started. After all, on any page, the story might pick up - there might be some crucial scene, some plot twist, something that would redeem the story. But you know what? There usually isn't. A book that starts out badly usually finishes badly and there is no point in sticking around. It's like dating a guy you do't really care about, thinking you might learn to like him more. If there's no chemistry in the beginning, it's not likely to grow.

I have a rule - I'll give a book 100 pages. If, after that milestone, I find I am not interested in how the story ends, not interested in what happens to the characters, I figure that I have invested enough time. Sometimes I feel a little guilty, like I should really give a book another chance, but it seldom works out.

Occasionally, I break my own rule. I am slowly working my way through As Meat Loves Salt. I am sticking with this one because my friend, Ari - whose taste in books is very dependable - really enjoyed it and strongly recommended it. I hit a rough spot in the book and haven't quite gotten past it, but I am going to give it another shot.

This week's abandoned book is Nibble & Kuhn. It's supposed to be romance and intrigue at an eccentric law firm and instead? No romance, no intrigue, just an unhappy lawyer in love with a woman who is supposed to marry someone else. The quote on the cover says "Riveting" but I think that must have come from some longer quote, perhaps something about "riveting my eyes open in order to finish it."

What about you? Do you abandon books? Or do you feel obligated to finish the books you start?

I want to say a quick thank you to Peilo2006 at Photobucket, who posted the fabulous image above. All those sad abandoned books! It's a terrific shot.

Wondrous Words Wednesday

Good morning! It's Wednesday again, but I only have 1 word for you! The books this week have been pretty easy reading, I guess, because I haven't come across much in the way of interesting vocabulary. Still, I wanted to share my lone word with you this week, from Nibble & Kuhn by David Schmahmann. (I figured a book about a law firm would at least yield some legal terms, but so far, nothing I didn't already know.)

1. Sinecure: A position or office that requires little or no work but provides a salary.

"Now she is in line for a lifetime sinecure on the bench, and while it isn't a job I would want, one can see why she would."

What new words did YOU learn this week?

Review: Going Fast by Elaine McCluskey

It's finally here! The Green Books campaign: 1 Day, 100 bloggers, 100 green books, 100 reviews!
Today, there are 100 books being reviewed on 100 blogs around the web, promoting good books and good environmental policies. The boooks are printed on 100% recycled paper. Eco-Libris encourages readers to "balance out" their books - plant a tree for every book you read. It's a smart idea, and one small way to start going green in your everyday life. And the whole plan did get me a copy of Going Fast, so it's a win-win situation.

Read more about the Green Books Campaign here. The full list of books and blogs can be found here.

Going Fast is set in the boxing world of Halifax, Novia Scotia. It's got a full cast of unusual characters, folks who are a bit down and out, a bit on the fringe of things. They are colorful, interesting and just a bit sad, at least to me. Ownie Flanagan is a boxing trainer who wants to train one last, great fighter before he's through. Turmoil Davies may just be that fighter - he's big, he's tough and he's got...something. Presence maybe. Or possibly some sort of mental illness: he is supposed to be an Olympic fighter, but his mouthpiece is so new it doesn't have teeth marks and he doesn't seem at all at home in the ring. He claims, at various times, to have been a hockey player, a policeman, a hair dresser. He tells so many lies that it's easy to lose track of the truth - if anyone really knows the truth about him.

Ownie is working with Scott MacDonald, a reporter at the local paper, The Standard. Scott's a former athlete himself, but he's let himself go to seed without really knowing why. His involvement with Turmoil (and what a great name that is for a boxer!) has Scott re-examining his past. Scott and Ownie believe that Turmoil has a real shot at greatness, and they both want to come along for the ride. The newspaper provides more fascinating characters: Garth Mackenzie, the editor on the brink of a breakdown; Katherine Redgrave, hired gun brought in by the folks at corporate; Glenda, whose engagement is really going to cause problems. Everyone in this novel has a strange story to tell, or to hide.

As Turmoil's fame grows, his stories and behavior grow more and more outrageous. He shows up at a politicial function, explaining to the assorted bigwigs that everyone is really here to see Turmoil, and someday they will be proud to tell people that they shook his hand. He convinces Ownie to come to Florida and help him train, but once there, he's cut off from contact with his wife and subject to Turmoil's strange, late-night visitations. He assaults people working with him, laughs when another of Ownie's fighters is knocked out - this is a big, dangerous guy who is seriously off-balance.

The book is a bit of a hodge-podge. Lots of interesting stories, stitched together in a general sort of order, but I sometimes found it difficult to follow. If I put the book down for a stretch, I had to turn back and check names to be sure I knew what was happening. The second half of the book flowed a little better than the first, or perhaps by then I was familiar enough with the cast of characters to stay on track. Still, it was definitely an interesting read. Elaine McCluskey tells a good story and her debut novel will keep you turning the pages, because you don't want to miss the twists and turns.

This book was provided free for review by Goose Lane Publishing.

Teaser Tuesdays!

Happy Tuesday! It's time for another wek of Teaser Tuesdays, hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading. You know the drill: Take your current book, pick a page and pick two (just two!) teaser sentences to share with us. No spoilers, please, and be sure to tell us the name of the book so we can rush out and add it to our Wish List!

This week, I'm finishing up Nibble & Kuhn, an odd little book about romance and intrigue at a law firm. So far, there's not much romance (although Maria, the lady love interest is really starting to annoy me), and we're really just getting started on the intrigue. I'm hoping the pace picks up a bit soon because it really has potential. This passage should give you an idea why Maria is getting on my nerves. She says to fellow lawyer and would-be lover, Derek:

"That way you can do my work and I can go home, and then you can do your own work later."

"I'm not sure how anyone could pass up an offer like that," I said.

See?!? Don't you want to smack her? What's teasing you this week?

Wondrous Words Wednesday!

Time for more words! On Wondrous Words Wednesday, we round up all the words from the previous week that we didn't know and we tell you what they mean. Then, when you read the books we've read, you'll know them, too!

This week, my words come from Mr. Darcy, Vampyre. (You can read my review here.)

1. Ensorcelled: bewitched: under a spell

"She was ensorcelled by him."

Okay, I admit that I know this one, but it's such a great word and has such a great sound to it that I had to post it.

2. Ormolu: brass that looks like gold; used to decorate furniture

"the vases of flowers were being replaced with porcelain and ormolu clocks."

3. Postern: a small gate in the rear of a fort or castle

"It was a nasty moment when the mob broke through the postern gate..."

4. Chamois: antelope; hoofed mammal of mountains of Eurasia having upright horns with backward-hooked tips

"Of wildlife they saw little, only the chamois who ranged over the crags and occasionally some hardy mountain cattle."

This is a cool word because I always love finding a new definition for a word I thought I knew. I know that a chamois is a cloth, but I thought the animal it came from was a goat, not an antelope.

5. Gentian: In this case, a photo is a far better definition:

"She lifted the candle to see it better and she saw to her horror that the woman peering out from the mass of strange creatures was wearing a spray of gentian in her hair."

Teaser Tuesdays!

Welome back to Teaser Tuesdays, hosted by the lovely Miz B at ShouldBeReading. Now, you know the rules: open your book to a random page and choose 2 teaser sentences that will get us hooked on the story (without spoiling it).

I just posted my review of Mr. Darcy, Vampyre, so I thought I would use a quote from that before I get involved in a new book. You remember how much Lady Catherine liked Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice? Well, she likes her even less in this book:

"The sight of you sickens me, so yes, I will go, but you have not seen the last of me," Lady Catherine said. "You will threaten us all if you pursue this course."

Come on, Catherine! Tell us how you really feel!

What's teasing YOU this week?

Review: Mr. Darcy, Vampyre, by Amanda Grange

I swear, this is the last Jane Austen mash-up I'm going to read.

I also swear that I will not break out into Dear Jane letters, as Elizabeth is inclined to do at critical junctures of the book. The Postal Service could not be terribly reliable in Europe in her day, but the letters provide an easy way for Elizabeth to share her deepest secrets with us, as well as with Jane, and so she keeps writing.

I found Mr. Darcy, Vampyre to be a breezier read than Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. It's not written to be funny, although it is occasionally ridiculous; it seems a more serious attempt to extend the romance of Elizabeth Bennett and her beloved Mr Darcy. From the glorious morning of their wedding day to the novel's final sunrise, they stay true to the world Austen created.

The story begins on the morning of Elizabeth and Darcy's wedding. They are having a double ceremony, sharing the happy occasion with Jane and her Mr. Bingley. But the trouble starts almost immediately after the wedding breakfast -- Darcy has received some disturbing news along with their wedding congratulations, and he cancels their trip to the Lake District and he and Elizabeth head for Paris.

As they travel across the Continent, there is a whirlwind of parties and balls given in their honor, visits with Darcy's wide circle of friends and relatives, along with an undercurrent of menace. It is clear that things are not what they seem. Some of Darcy's relatives seem openly shocked to meet Elizabeth, and when Cousin Sophia lets slip - "This is the dress I wore to meet Marco Polo" - it's clear that someone has been keeping some secrets.

Of course, you and I know that Darcy is a vampire. Many of his friends and relatives are obviously vampires. Author Amanda Grange has tailored a vampire mythology (everything from their ability to go out in the sun to the way they age and die) to fit her story and purposes. In a puzzling turn, Darcy has not once visited Elizabeth's bedchamber. Weeks into their wedding tour, our bride is still a virgin. Obviously Darcy is restraining himself, but why? What fun are vampires that don't have sex?

I was disappointed that we didn't get to see more of the Darcy's vampire nature in action. There are a few incidents, but until about three-quarters of the way through the book, you could make the case that he simply had cold feet and was keeping his distance from his bride. It is fun to read certain comments and reactions, knowing what we know, and watching Elizabeth try to sort out the mystery on her own, but I would have liked it better if she clued in a little earlier.

I read Mr. Darcy, Vampyre on the flight from Cleveland to Minneapolis. It was a quick, fun read -- it kept the feeling of other Austen novels, with some downright silly situations. Devoted Austen fans don't seem to enjoy it as much, but I was amused by it. Heck, I finished it, which is more than I can say for Sense and Sensibility.

My copy of Mr. Darcy, Vampyre was provided free of charge for review. You can read more about the book at the novel's blog, and more about the author, Amanda Grange, at her website.

Wondrous Words Wednesday!

I have been all over the place the last few weeks, so I'm thrilled to be able to post some words this week! The words are from Going Fast by Elaine McClusky. This is a book that I'm reading for the EcoLibris Green Reading Challenge - stop back on November 10th for my review.

Some of these are really interesting! Check them out:

1. Tumid: Swollen; distended

"His body was so tumid, Ownie noticed, that he could have been wearing a padded suit. "

2. Caliginous: Dark, misty, gloomy

"When purged, the toxins left as caliginous clouds of poison..."

3. Pogey: Financial or other relief given to the unemployed by the government

"There was no pogey or nothing."

4. Abstemious: Eating and drinking in moderation. Characterized by abstinence or moderation.

"After years of living the abstemious life of an athlete, of honing his body for one narrow purpose, he had decided to party."

5. Vertiginous: Dizzy; having or causing a whirling sensation.

"...a vertiginous shaft of swirling buoys, hot pain, and otherworldly doubts."

6. Strathspey: A Scottish dance resembling, but slower than, the reel; the music for this.

"It is time we return to our traditions, to the older strathspeys and reels that speak to the Gaelic heart."

7. Bochdan: Bogeyman

"How could he argue with Alasdair, who had such a keen interest in the supernatural and the bochdan, along with his gift of second sight."

8. Agate: Unit of typographical measure. An agate font was commonly used to display statistical data or legal notices in newspapers.

"...the intern had been assigned the sports agate, which took all of his concentration."

A nice mix of Gaelic words and more common usages. I especially like agate - I love words that I think I know and it turns out they have entirely different meanings.

What new words did YOU learn this week?

Teaser Tuesdays!

Welcome to another edition of Teaser Tuesdays! This is by far the biggest meme I'm signed up for and has added more books to my TBR list than I can count! It's hosted by MizB over at shouldbereading, and by now you know the rules:

1. Open your current book to a random page (although I bet we all cheat on that one);
2. Choose 2 teaser sentences at random (okay, we cheat on that one, too)
3. NO SPOILERS! (I don't think anyone cheats on that one.)
4. And be sure to give us the details on the book, so we can run out and buy it!

My Teaser today is from a book I received for the Green Books Challenge. It's sponsored by EcoLibris: They will be rounding up 111 book blogs to review books provided by publishers with a commitment to going green. I will be posting my review on November 10th, so be sure to check back for it.

My book is Going Fast by Elaine McCluskey. It's focused on the world of boxing in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and is full of some of the most fascinating characters ever. I am not quite finished, but this quote really stood out - I think you'll understand why:

"He remembered it all like a slide show: one bright, disconnected moment after the other: being hoisted from his chair, feet losing contact. Scott had no idea how he had landed with enough force to drive the desk spike through his wrist, or how an innocuous office implement stacked with memos could have entered his flesh and surfaced like an armour-piercing bullet."

Okay, anyone else have the urge to cradle their wrists to their chests? OUCH. But remember to stop back on November 10th for my full review! You can check out some of the other books and the participating blogs here. The colors make it very hard to read, but you'll get the idea - it's going to be a great day for reviews!