A quick look at recent releases

Last update: November 28, 2009 - 10:47 PM

THE WHITE GARDEN: A NOVEL OF VIRGINIA WOOLF

By Stephanie Barron (Bantam Trade Paperback, 326 pages, $15)

The bestselling author of the Jane Austen mysteries has turned her attentions to another literary great, Virginia Woolf. In "The White Garden," landscape designer Jo Bellamy sets off for Sissinghurst Castle in Kent, once the home of writer Vita Sackville-West, Woolf's onetime lover. Jo's official business is to study the White Garden so she can re-create it for a wealthy client back in the States, but she also hopes to learn more about her grandfather, who as a young man worked on the estate. Jo is haunted by thoughts that his recent suicide is rooted in his time at Sissinghurst, and the mystery only deepens when she discovers a notebook dated 1941 in the nursery there that begins ominously, "When a body dies the ghost it is said sometimes haunts us." Could it have been written by Woolf? But why does it begin the day after the literary icon drowned herself? So sets in motion a Da Vinci Code-esque chase for the truth that entails a Cambridge secret society, Nazi Germany, murder and romance. Suspend your disbelief and enjoy the ride.

KATHLEEN CLONTS, NEWS COPY EDITOR

The Devil's Company

By David Liss (Random House, 369 pages, $25)

In his latest historical crime thriller, author David Liss again takes us back to 18th century London with another compelling tale of business intrigue that eventually is unraveled by Benjamin Weaver. He is the former boxer-turned-private-eye who first appeared in the award-winning debut novel "A Conspiracy of Paper" and returned in "A Spectacle of Corruption." This time, Weaver finds himself caught in the grip of mysterious crooks who pressure him to infiltrate England's powerful India trading company. Part of the charm of these books is that Weaver is Jewish -- making him a bit of an outcast in that period -- yet he is a master of disguise, which gains him access to the upper crust of the British Empire. The action, like that of Liss' earlier books, is set in the early era of modern finance, and through Weaver's eyes we get a fascinating glimpse at the greed and manipulation that existed from the beginning. The plot, which puts Weaver and his friends in peril, captures the imagination from first page to last.

DAVID SHAFFER, INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER

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Here are some of Books Editor Laurie Hertzel's favorite sites and blogs. Got a literary link to share? E-mail Laurie.

Twin Cities Literary Scavenger Hunt Home page for the scavenger hunt, which runs now through Dec. 26.
Reading Minnesota A blog that features Minnesota writers, illustrators, publishers, bookstores, and reviewers.
Talk of the Stacks An author series from the Library Foundation of Hennepin County.
Poets & Writers The website for Poets and Writers Magazine--podcasts, author interviews, and writing resources.
Creative Writing A place to keep apprised of writing competitions in the United States.
Gather Minnesota Readers The Website for Minnesota Public Radio's books blog.
The Loft Literary Center The Website for the Loft, a local place for writers and readers.
Good Reads A way to track what you're reading, and what your friends are reading.
Lost Manuscripts Just what it sounds like - a blog (sporadically updated) devoted to missing and destroyed manuscripts.
Maud Newton Very hip, reviews, links, a little attitude.
bookreporter.com A plethora of online book reviews and reading guides.
Rain Taxi Rain Taxi Review of Books.