July Books:

The Passage by Irina Shapiro
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think I loved it. Such a strange story, I shall try to keep the spoilers out. Irina Shapiro has taken an old, much used plot to create a wonderfully rich story. The plot line is sufficiently intricate to keep me interested 'til the end. Wonder of wonders, this is the first of a series. If she keeps the same rich, interesting characters, I'm in.
She has an interesting way of conveying the thoughts and motivation of several characters at a time. None of the people in the story seem to fall out of petrsona, that is they behave like real people even if the situation is unreal.

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The Highgate Cemetery Murder by Irina Shapiro
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I liked it enough to read another of Irina Shapiro's books. I have found an author I love. This was an out and out mystery, with a bit of a love story thrown in for good measure. This author has a way with characters that is only matched by her clever plot lines. Just intricate enough to keep me reading.
I moved to The Passage, another number one of a series by this author and found the same clever story and interesting, realistic characters.

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A Disruptive Invention by Peter Shackle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this book ten years ago and did not remember it for a second. Its a theme I like and this time I like it better. I guess nothing stays the same. I thought the story was interesting and thoughtful. To lazy to look up my old review. Its a what if, story and is very technichal in the beginning but it smooths out later.

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Kill Your Darlings by Peter Swanson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, Peter Swanson has outdone himself this time. The characters are rich but there story is eeked out over a not too long book. A bit of moving through time but well worth it. He hands out enough to keep you reading but not enough to know exactly where he's going. But believe me, without and spoilers, he makes it to a satisfying ending. Hard to imagine people like this but who really knows.

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