good reader gone bad

This is Elmore Leonard at his best. Judge Maximum Bob Gibbs hands down tough sentences once too often and some of his customers would like a little revenge. Meanwhile, he has his eye on probation officer Kathy Baker, who wants to know where the Judge’a wife has gone and who put the alligator in his back yard.

The novel was spun into a summer replacement televison series several years ago. starring Beau Bridges. I don’t think the series did justice to Leonard’s characters, but it was still better than most shows.

Published in paperback by Dell. ISBN 0440212189

I’m not sure what to make of Jeff Long‘s tale of an ancient underground civilization and the genocidal conflict that ensues after their discovery. It starts out kind of creepy, turns into a romance novel, then ends with one of those horror movie final scene gotchas.

Published in paperback by Jove. ISBN 051513175X

It’s not easy being a baseball fan in New Mexico. The Triple-A Isotopes play in Albuquerque, but the nearest major leagues teams, the Rockies and Diamondbacks, are at least a six hour drive from my home. So I make do with DishTV and the occasional exceptional baseball book, like this biography by Jane Leavy.

Published in hardcover by HarperCollins. ISBN 0060195339

Michael McGarrity returns with the latest installment of his series featuring Santa Fe Police Chief Kevin Kerney. Kerney travels outside of New Mexico and becomes a murder suspect. The case has ties to Santa Fe, the FBI, and a Vietnam KIA. Smooth reading.

Published in hardcover by Dutton. ISBN 052594799X

Marc Cerasini authored this novelization of the film, screenplay by Paul W. S. Anderson and Shane Salerno. There are modest differences and similar inconsistentcies in the novel when compared to the movie. Lex and Scar seem to have a tighter bond in the novel and both use Alien body parts to arm and armor themselves. The movie was fun. The book is ok. Coming soon: the comic.

Published in paperback by Harper Entertainment. ISBN 0060735376

Volume two of the Baroque Cycle by Neal Stephenson is another mesmerizing tale, and there is no confusion about that statement. Eliza’s dealmaking and Jack’s round-the-world odyssey are remarkable. Read it. Volume three goes on sale late Sep 2004.

Published in hardcover by William Morrow. ISBN 0060523867

This collection of short stories details events that occurred behind the scenes of the Dominion War as it was chronicled during the last two seasons of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Characters from every Star Tek series except Voyager make an appearance, as do original characters from various Star Trek novels. Overall, it’s a welcome addition to the Star Trek universe. Stories that stand out are Blood Sacrifice, Mirror Eyes, and Twilight’s Wrath. Also included is a timeline by editor Keith R. A. DeCandido.

Published in trade paperback by Pocket Books. ISBN 0743491718

Denson is still flying with Willie and their new partner, former FBI agent and double-jointed hacker Annie Dancer. Mustang stallions are dying across the west. Denson and company have been hired to learn why. With the help of some animal spirits and a few good mounts, they find their way through a twisted helix.

Published in hardcover by Tom Doherty Associates. ISBN 0765306166

John Denson is back and he’s flying high. His partner Willie, finally persuades him to fly with the animal spirits in order to see his way through a complicated double murder. Author Richard Hoyt also makes an unusual appearance as Denson’s creator. Hoyt’s Denson novels are always a treat.

Published in hardcover by Tom Doherty Associates. ISBN 0765303329

Carl Hiaasen has written another South Florida novel of oddballs, outcasts, and warped behavior. Chaz throws his wife Joey overboard on their second honeymoon cruise. Joey survives, thanks to a bale of Jamaica’s finest, and gets even. A fun read, as usual.

Published in hardcover by Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 0375411089