Spring reading

I've just finished Patricia Cornwell's new novel, "Port Mortuary".  It was good to revisit the familiar cast of characters, and yet... the plot failed to thrill me.

As a matter of fact, it lacked almost any feeling of forward movement at all - which is strange, coming from an author who had me at the edge of my seat during most of her stories.

Oddly, the "whodunnit" part of the plot is figured out early on, and the rest of the story is sort of a muddled interior dialogue on the part of the main character, Kay Scarpetta, who basically whines about her career, her marriage, and her friendships.  We also don't get any additional insights into the lives of her cop friend Marino, her niece Lucy, or her husband Benton.  They seem like cardboard cutouts of their former selves.  Pitchbacks for her to hurl her mental commentary against.

Strangely enough, I enjoyed her non-fiction book about Jack the Ripper much more than this last novel.  And I'm a confirmed fan of fiction, especially when the weather's getting nice.

Rating:  Can't win 'em all.

*****

I choose new books like I choose my wine - by the cover/label.  Sure, I scan the synopsis, but it's the cover art that most often draws me in.

I'm only ten chapters into "other waters", but this one's definitely a winner!  Maya, the main character, is balancing a modern American life with her family life and traditions from India.  I like Maya, I relate to her personality, the things she finds funny, and the things she worries about.  She's a cool chick.

The author, Eleni Gage, has a light, refreshing writing style that keeps my interest and draws me on to the next page.  She's struck the perfect balance of depicting life... not everything is roses, but it's not a continual litany of woes, either.  There's a rhythm, an up-and-down heartbeat, and just when tears might gather, someone does or says something funny or kind that lightens the heart.

Rating:  I fully endorse it, let's try it at once!