Recommended Reading Archive



The Curtain by Agatha Christie: First introduced in The Mysterious Affair at Styles, detective Hercules Poirot returns to "the scene of the crime," chasing a killer unlike any he has encountered before. Christie wrote Curtain in an attempt to stave off future attempts to capitalize on the success of the Hercules Poirot character upon her death in the late 1970s. -Heather










The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski: "A literary thriller with commercial legs, this stunning debut is bound to be a bestseller. In the backwoods of Wisconsin, the Sawtelle family—Gar, Trudy and their young son, Edgar—carry on the family business of breeding and training dogs. Edgar, born mute, has developed a special relationship and a unique means of communicating with Almondine, one of the Sawtelle dogs, a fictional breed distinguished by personality, temperament and the dogs' ability to intuit commands and to make decisions. Raising them is an arduous life, but a satisfying one for the family until Gar's brother, Claude, a mystifying mixture of charm and menace, arrives. When Gar unexpectedly dies, mute Edgar cannot summon help via the telephone. His guilt and grief give way to the realization that his father was murdered; here, the resemblance to Hamlet resonates. After another gut-wrenching tragedy, Edgar goes on the run, accompanied by three loyal dogs. His quest for safety and succor provides a classic coming-of-age story with an ironic twist. Sustained by a momentum that has the crushing inevitability of fate, the propulsive narrative will have readers sucked in all the way through the breathtaking final scenes." - Publisher's Weekly, recommended by John


Serena by Ron Rash: Rash's critically acclaimed novel chronicles the struggle of George and Serena Pemberton, a newly-married couple who move to Western North Carolina to oversee their timber empire. Serena, despite her privileged upbringing, proves to be hardier and more ruthless than the strongest camp laborer and her malevolent influence over her husband grows until he is willing to commit almost any act to save his empire from aggressive environmentalists and a dark secret from his past. Rash has created a vivid picture of the region's early history and populated it with thought-provoking characters and incredible scenery. The author himself has claimed that he will never write a better novel. -John





Also Recommended

Duma Key by Stephen King: Fans who have been put off by many of King's recent efforts will enjoy this offering, a fast-paced supernatural and psychological thriller that reminds you of why you started reading his books in the first place.

Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton: Vivid historical details, political intrigue, interesting characters with complicated and intertwined pasts, and, of course, pirates! What more could you ask from a book? Published after his death, Crichton's "lost novel" is a fast, enjoyable read that is perfect for a weekend diversion.

In the President's Secret Service: Behind the Scenes with Agents in the Line of Fire and the Presidents They Protect by Ronald Kessler: Find out which president arrived at the Oval Office early only to sleep for another 2 hours before starting work, who was drinking in a tavern while Lincoln was shot, and much more in this fascinating behind the scenes look at the history and function of the Secret Service and the men they guarded.

Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson: from best-selling author James Patterson comes an entertaining love story with a twist. "What if your imaginary friend from childhood was your one true love?"

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown: When the admired mentor of Robert Langdon, a Harvard symbologist, is brutally kidnapped, Langdon must work quickly to uncover the treasured secrets and hidden history of Freemasonry. Set in Washington, D.C., Langdon races against time and through the early founding of our nation to save his friend and discover an inconceivable truth.

The Romantics by Galt Niederhoffer: It is ten years after college graduation and nine friends gather to celebrate their friends' impending wedding. But what would you do if the love of your life was about to make the biggest mistake of their lives: marrying someone else?