An Irish Country Doctor

After listening to Tor/Forge's podcast interview with Patrick Taylor, I was intrigued enough to pick up his first book AN IRISH COUNTRY DOCTOR. This is a pleasant book that takes us back to a simpler time and yet it doesn't necessarily make us long for it. As I was describing it to my friend, she said that it sounded like ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL but with people. That is as apt as anything else I've read.

All in all, I liked the book very much. The characterizations were good and the story moved along at a nice pace. There was a little predictibility, but nothing that took away from my enjoyment. A nice touch were the recipies and the glossary of terms at the end. I'm interested to see how this Barmbrack recipie will compare with others I've made. I'm also looking for the situation where I can say away off and feel your head.

I'll definitely be passing this book onto friends for their enjoyment and what better recommendaiton can a book have.

Currently Reading:
I'm taking a little time away from the past list to read this year's Nebula nominees.
RAGAMUFFIN - Tobias Buckell
THE NEW MOON’S ARMS - Nalo Hopkinson
ODYSSEY - Jack McDevitt
THE ACCIDENTAL TIME MACHINE - Joe Haldeman
THE YIDDISH POLICEMEN’S UNION - Michael Chabon

The Blade Itself

I heard a lot of good press about Marcus Sakey's THE BLADE ITSELF - enough that I was intrigued. Besides it was set in Chicago and outside of Max Allan Collins' Nate Heller series, there aren't near enough mystery books set in Chi-town.

Still, I was not as happy with the book as I thought I would be. It read well, had a gripping plot, and strong writing. But the story just seemed too familiar. And the plot was telegraphed from the get-go. You knew who was going down and why and that our hero would emerge in the end bloodied but unbowed. Outside of a couple of plot twists and the actual crime itself, I was not all that surprised by what lay between the covers. Maybe it was the Northsider in me who was unable to connect with the South Side protagonists.

Still, I liked this well enough to give it to another reader and would recommend it to others. I'll start Sakey's new novel, AT THE CITY'S EDGE, soon, so he didn't discourage me from reading his novels. Perhaps I'll like that one better.

Currently Reading:
U.S. FOREIGN POLICY by Steven Hook
THE PRIVILEGE OF THE SWORD by Ellen Kushner
INSIDE STRAIGHT edited by George R.R. Martin
FOOTPRINTS OF THUNDER by James F. David

Before Dishonor

I'm not an avid Star Trek reader. Actually, I'm not much of a tie-in reader at all. There's just too many books on my pile to add re-creations of that which I've already seen or to explore television and movies in a non-canonical sense. However, I will make exceptions when I can squeeze them in. Christopher Golden writes the best Buffy tie-ins, Max Collins does the same for CSI and Peter David gets Star Trek right.

I picked up David's New Frontiers series on a whim a few years back and was hooked. They are the best thing out there in Trekland unless Bob Ingersoll and Tony Isabella can crank out more Sam Cogley mysteries. As a result, I learned to trust that Mr. David's name on a Trek novel was a likely indicator of a quality read. And he does not disappoint with his new effort BEFORE DISHONOR.

David tells the story of the Borg's next evolution and the Federation's attempts to stop it. In doing so, he unites characters from TOS, TNG, VOY and NEW in a way that does not seem forced. In some instances, he telegraphed his blows - such as the dissatisfaction of the new Enterprise counselor and the battles to come - but he also delivers some surprises that kept me guessing. And as always, the novel leaves the reader wanting more. I am interested to see where Pocket Books takes this story or whether it falls by the wayside. In either case, if Peter David writes it, I will read it.

My only criticism of the book was the intro. Not being a Trek trivia junkie, I was unfamiliar with the opening sequence. But the author brings it all into focus, so I can forgive that minor point.

BEFORE DISHONOR is an enjoyable book which I will share with friends.

Currently Reading:
CAPITAL AND COLLUSION by Hilton Root
U.S. FOREIGN POLICY by Steven Hook
THE BLADE ITSELF by Marcus Sakey
THE PRIVILEGE OF THE SWORD by Ellen Kushner
INSIDE STRAIGHT edited by George R.R. Martin