Proof of Guilt/ Charles Todd

Charles Todd writes a mystery series set in post WWI England and  featuring Ian Rutledge.  I have enjoyed many books in the series, but I find it very hard to "sell"the series  to other readers.

The main character, Detective Rutledge is a very sympathetic man who suffers from what we now call PTS. Rutledge has multiple symptoms not the least of which are acute claustrophobia and sudden flashbacks to traumatic battle field events. The most remarkable symptom of Det Rutledge's PTS is that he hears the voice of a one of his subordinate officers in his head. The deceased Scotsman Hamish  in previous novels has acted a Watson type role.  I found the situation - having a distinct personality inside the mind of the primary character -intriguing. 
As the series progressed and Det Rutledge moved away from his war time trauma, the novels are more focused on plot than on the introspection and psychological development of the main character.
It's a decline in the series for me.

Sadly the latest novel Proof of Guilt has a very elaborate plot : six bodies( -- 3 of whom were attempted assassins) died in the novel. Hamish's role is reduced to the occasional exclamation " 'Ware" to warn of OBVIOUS danger. Wondrous improbability gives us a new temporary and real life Watson. The frenzied conclusion left me disappointed.

USA Today Winter Upcoming Books

Found on Earlyword:

The USA Today noted The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin as a exciting upcoming title. The review called it right in this case. Benjamin fully captures the time and place of Lindberg's early fame. The author goes beyond the headlines and kidnapping. She focuses on Anne's character as she grows from a timid young adult into a confident mature woman. Through the fictionalized events of Anne Lindberg's life, we see how she changes and how the world around her changes as well. I felt the author really did justice to this complex story.

This book reads like a book I recently reviewed on Goodreads: Lillian and Dash, which brings the relationship between Lillian Hellman and Dashiell Hammet to life with a strong sense of the historical context which shaped the major events in their lives.

What's Popular - Where to find the next best thing?(wk5 #2)

I am very familiar with Earlyword, NPR Books, and the PW Calendar.  In my FTE, I work in selection. The Earlyword website is the most useful website I cna think of for Selection work. The site not only gives everyone a heads up for the big titles, it helps librarians stay on top of what books are being turned into films, what titles have been nominated for the "big" awards and it even includes video clips of "hot" author interviews. Maurice Sendak interviewed by Clobert - funny!!
My absolute favorite feature of this website is the end of the year TOP BOOKS posts. The website compiles into one excel spreadsheet all the TOP BOOKS  lists from all the major sources. It is a one stop reference tool.

Sarah

RTBookreviews.com

I have been skimming RTBookreview.com for the past few weeks. I have learned that Romance has major sub divisions that have conisstencey. Previously I had thought the terms"Urban Romance" or "Submission Romance" were just loose terms. People would find an Urban fiction with a relationship in it "poof" urban Romance. [ In CAT-speak: Romance was a free floating sub division of any fiction genre.]

After reading the RT site I realize Romance is a fully developed genre of its own. There are even monthly ratings of individual titles with in series. It is also clearly distinct from Chick lit.

I will have to browse and read more of the series romance.

Two of My Favorites

    
Like all librarians I can list many many favorite titles. The two I chose to review for the blog are stand outs. The one I re-read (and read variations of) is Pride and Prejudice. I am sure that choice needs no explanation. Teh other one represents one of the few series where I have read every installment ASAP. Recently I saw that Tony Hillerman's daughter will be picking up the series where he left off. I can't wait to see if she has the same touch.
Reviews:

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

2013 is the 200 yr anniversary of this classic novel. The plot revolves around the social lives of the Bennett sisters.  Austen uses her trademark witty sharp insight to draw characters that have lasted literally for centuries. Like the timeless Romeo and Juliet this tale has been retold in countless settings and time periods. The imitations always strive to hit the same intelligence and spark as the original.

The plot follows Elizabeth as she grows into an emotionally mature young woman.   Through her crisp use of language Austen brings the characters to life with enough detail that the reader feels they have met these characters many times. From Mr. Bennett’s lament “I have the utmost respect for your nerves. They've been my constant companion these twenty years.”  to his final consent that Elizabeth may marry Darcy :”I cannot believe that anyone can deserve you... but it appears I am overruled. So, I heartily give my consent.” , it Austen’s insight and her wit that keeps the readers enthralled. 

Blessing Way by Tony Hillerman

This novel hooked me on the series. Tony Hillerman sets his Lt Leaphorn/Officer Chee mysteries in the Navajo nation. This novel features the character Lt. Leaphorn   an experienced officer who has a deep and educated understanding of his cultural heritage and the community in which he lives. As Leaphorn investigates the murder, the descriptions of the landscape and the harsh desert environment are very detailed.  Hillerman’s   passages describing the physical aspects of hiding in the desert for days are masterful. As the plot moves along, Leaphorn explores the concept of Navajo witches in addition to sifting through more concrete clues to solve the mystery.