An extremely popular author at the Library is Sandra Brown and many visitors to the Library do NOT wait for a new book as they check the shelves holding her books; at times, it seems her previous books tend to fly off the shelves!


So, I picked up one, Play Dirty, to see why they were so popular.  This book was published in 2007, set in Dallas, Texas, and featured a former quarterback of the Cowboys.  He committed the unforgivable offense of gambling on his games and then deliberately throwing one.  As the story begins, Griff Burkett had just been released from a Federal prison after serving five years, and as a former superhero, he is reviled by the population of Dallas.  He soon learns the hard way that his presence anywhere becomes distasteful to others.


The author then brings in an incredible twist in her plot; she introduces Griff to a multimillionaire and his wife who offer to Griff a large amount of money providing he agrees to an unbelievable plan.
Ms. Brown knows how to grab your attention in her books; her characters are both good and bad individuals, and her plot moves.  Interesting reading, but light fiction; good for a cold wintry day or a day at the beach!


A friend recommended In Secret Service by Mitch Silver.  This is the author’s first book, and I certainly hope he continues to write.


The plot and characters (that feature many well known throughout the United States and England) are so well developed that you wonder how much of the action is true and how much is the imagination of the author.  However, he lists a well developed though short Bibliography at the end of the book.  Additionally, he names several factual events concerning his characters, but describes others that are imaginary.  Further, he leaves it to the reader to discern which is true and which is fiction.  I enjoyed it very much and hope that by re-reading it later this year, I can sort out fact from fiction!


And finally, Stephen Hunter’s newest Dead Zero, featuring his superhero, Bob Lee Swagger is the last for this column.  The book begins with a frightening scene that builds and builds throughout with the major characters.  Set in Afghanistan a very special team of Marines appear: a sniper and his spotter with their mission to “take out” the “Beheader” whom the U.S. Government is prepping to become the President of Afghanistan.  On their way throughout the mountains to find this man, the spotter is killed and the sniper is badly injured.  But he is determined to finish his assignment and follows his target to Washington D.C.


As usual, Stephen Hunter weaves and interweaves his amazing characters throughout a stunningly executed plot.  It’s totally believable and once reaching the ending, the reader pleads for more.  But that’s after taking a deep breath and going, WHEW!  The background of this author is quite interesting; particularly after reading his acknowledgments as to how this book was written.
“When an old person dies, a Library burns down”


Karin Gillespie