New Fiction Books – February 2009

Arctic Drift Clive Cussler, F CUS – Dirk Pitt returns in another tale of adventure and derring-do.

Beat the Reaper Josh Bazell, F BAZ – This debut thriller features Peter Brown, a Manhattan medical intern, who before he became involved with the Federal Witness Protection Program was a mob hit man.  Can he escape his past? “Darkly comic.”

The Bodies Left Behind Jeffery Deaver, F DEA – A night time call to 911 brings Brynn McKenzie to a scene of horror and a forced flight into the woods of Wisconsin.

Black Ops W.E.B. Griffin, F GRI – Presidential Agent Charley Castillo learns of a several assassinations that have targeted members of his team from the Office of Organizational Analysis.

Born to Run James Grippando, F GRI – Intrigue and murder at the top levels of government confront Miami criminal defense lawyer, Jack Swyteck.

The Book of Unholy Mischief Elle Newmark, F NEW – In Venice, 1498, rumors abound about an ancient book that holds the secrets to unimaginable power.

The Charlemagne Pursuit Steve Berry, F BER – Attempting to learn the story of his father’s death, Cotton Malone uncovers a bizarre tale of Charlemagne’s tomb and the Nazis.

The Darker Side Cody McFadyen, F MCF – A thriller that involves a psychopath and murder and a woman with a dark secret.

Eclipse Richard North Patterson, F PAT – California lawyer Damon Pierce takes on a nearly impossible case: the defense of an African freedom fighter who is accused of murder.

The Hour I First Believed Wally Lamb, F LAM – Teacher Caelum Quire and his wife Maureen move to Littleton, Colorado and both get jobs at Columbine High School shortly before the notorious shootings.  By the author of She’s Come Undone and I Know This Much Is True.

The Independence of Miss Mary Bennet Colleen McCullough, F MCC – Elizabeth and Jane’s younger sister is rescued from a dreary fate in this sequel to Pride and Prejudice.

Just After Sunset: Stories Stephen King, F KIN – A new collection of stories by the master of horror fiction.

Lark and Termite Jayne Ann Phillips, F PHI – Starred reviews have been given to this tale of grief and survival in 1950’s West Virginia.

Last of the Old Guard Louis Auchincloss, F AUC -The author relates the stories of two remarkable men, Adrian Suydam and Ernest Saunders.

The Leper Steve Thayer, F THA – World War I veteran John Eric Severson is torn from the life and woman he loves and confined to a remote leper’s colony.

A Lion Among Men Gregory Maguire, F MAG – This third volume of the Wicked series features the Cowardly Lion.

The Little Giant of Aberdeen County Tiffany Baker, F BAK -Enormous Truly has a bleak existence on her upstate New York farm in this magical novel that critics say should “race up the bestseller lists.”

A Mercy Toni Morrison, F MOR – In the 1680s the slave trade was just beginning.  Jacob, an Anglo-Dutch trader reluctantly takes a small slave girl as  payment for a bad debt from a plantation owner.  A searching story by the award-winning novelist.

The Messenger Jan Burke, F BUR – Who is Tyler Hawthorne? Why is Adrian deVille so desperate to find him? And why does Amanda Clarke find him so attractive?

The Northern Clemency Philip Hensher, F HEN – This British suburban drama features two families, the Glovers and Sellers over the course of 20 years during the Thatcher era.  Nominated for the Man Booker Prize.

A Promise to Believe In Tracie Peterson, F PET – The prolific author begins a new series featuring three sisters who operate a roadhouse along a Montana stage coach line.

Show No Fear Perri O’Shaughnessy, F OSH – Nina Reilly is featured in her first murder investigation, back to the case that ignited her commitment to fight for justice.

Sicilian Tragedee Ottavio Cappellani, F CAP – Moody aristocrats, vain politicians, inept gangsters, shabby actors and high-tech killers are all part of this Italian novel featuring modern-day Sicily.

Songs for the Missing Stewart O’Nan, F ONA – College-bound Kim Larsen disappears from her small Lake Erie town on a quiet summer day.

Still Alice Lisa Genova, F GEN – Psychology professor Alice Howland is 50 years old when she realizes she is becoming increasingly disoriented and forgetful.  Great reviews.

The Treasure Iris Johansen, F JOH – Two treasure hunters embark on a perilous journey to find an legendary religious relic and thereby earn their freedom.

The Weapon David Poyer, F POY -U.S. Navy Commander Dan Lenson is handed another assignment: with his elite team, he must defuse emerging naval threats that threaten  from around the globe.

Your Heart Belongs to Me Dean Koontz, F KOO – A young man receives some very troubling messages after his heart transplant.