The Worst Thing by Aaron Elkins (2011)
The Worst Thing is a strong suspense novel with a few surprises. Bryan Bennett’s worst thing is panic attacks. But he has learned to deal with them, at least he thinks so. However, when his boss suggests that he make a trip to Iceland to teach a seminar on hostage negotiation his composure begins to slip.

Bryan agrees to go to Iceland to please his very patient and understanding wife and ironically becomes the hostage! The author’s interesting insights and an equally interesting setting make this a good reading experience.

Life Itself: A Memoir by Roger Ebert (2011)
Roger Ebert is one of the most well-known movie critics in the world, writing for the Chicago Sun-Times since 1967 and also famous for the television show Siskel & Ebert at the Movies. Ebert has written many books that review movies and even a biography of director Martin Scorsese. But his memoir of growing up in southern Illinois is his most impressive work yet.

Plagued for years by cancer that eventually disfigured his face and left him unable to eat, drink or speak, Ebert’s story is not depressing but rather a celebration of what a wonderful life he has had. He was able to overcome alcoholism and marry the woman of his dreams who is still his devoted partner. The book also has fun tales to tell of his close encounters with movie stars such as John Wayne and Robert Mitchum. To learn more about Ebert check out his blog.

Read Ebert’s reviews of movies currently playing at a theater near you:

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/

Spotlight: Turn of the Century Vienna: Freud, Pastry, and Murder

Two current mystery series use 1900 era Vienna as their setting. Frank Tallis’s Liebermann Papers series follows psychiatrist Max Liebermann as he assists his friend Detective Oscar Rheinhardt as he investigates murder. These murders usually involve serial killers and require Liebermann’s insight into pathological behavior. Occasionally a visit to Liebermann’s mentor, Dr. Freud, is required. Somehow indulging in a great many nicely described pastries is required to solve any crime. The first volume in the series is A Death in Vienna.

J. Sydney Jones’s Viennese Mysteries feature lawyer Karl Werthen who investigates alongside real-life criminologist Hanns Gross. These cases involve historical persons such as artist Gustav Klimt and composer Gustav Mahler. Again, meals are lovingly described; this time tending more towards sauerkraut and sausages (although, I am happy to say, pastries do regularly make an appearance). The first volume in the series is The Empty Mirror.

The Blood Royal by Barbara Cleverly (2011)
In this post-WWI period story, Irish rebels have murdered two prominent politicians in London. Scotland Yard worries that the Royal Family is the next target. Inspector Joe Sandilands recruits Lily Wentworth, a London policewoman, to work under cover protecting the Prince of Wales. What unravels is a group of Russian aristocrats laying a trail of red herrings for Scotland Yard.

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein (2008)
All animal lovers should read this book! It is narrated by Enzo, who is a dog. You may need a box of tissues, particularly at the end, but this is a lovely novel which explores the beauty of love and family relationships.

Check out the book trailer for Racing in the Rain below.

[ http://www.youtube.com/embed/zZ0CTcU0Fd0 ]