Specialty bookshelf: reviews of horror, thriller and Colorado author titles

Rocky Mountain News

Thursday, June 12, 2008

HORROR

The Wolfman

By Nicholas Pekearo. Tor, $23.95. Grade: A

Pekearo's debut novel was intended as the first in a series about a reluctant werewolf who takes out his aggression each month by killing a bad guy who has managed to escape the system. Unfortunately, there will be no further adventures of Pekearo's anti-hero, Marlowe Higgins; the 28-year-old author was shot and killed while volunteering as an auxiliary police officer for the NYPD.

This book - a tribute to what might have been - is set in the small Southern town of Evelyn, where Marlowe works as a fry cook. A serial killer has worked his way from California to Evelyn, and Marlowe plans to take him out. But his wolf persona gets away from him, and more die before he uncovers the killer.

Final word: I knew about Pekearo's story going in, but after reading Wolfman, I'm truly saddened that such a talented writer won't be able to continue his work. Don't miss this one.

-Mark Graham

THRILLERS

Silesian Station

By David Downing. Soho, $24. Grade: A

In this sequel to the wonderful Zoo Station, Downing continues the adventures of British journalist John Russell in the hotbed of Berlin, 1939. Having gained U.S. citizenship, Russell is allowed to remain in the city, even as England and Germany lurch toward war. There, he attempts to find a missing Jewish girl and protect his own lover, while accepting money from the Soviets to write articles full of false information to undermine the Nazis.

Final word: Downing's mingling of history and thrills makes this a must read.

-Peter Mergendahl

COLORADO AUTHORS

A Highly Placed Source

By Michelle Daily. Ghost Road Press, $19.95. Grade: A

Everything starts when two middle-school bullies catch 12-year-old Peter Banks masturbating. A fight ensues when it comes out that Peter had asked God if his action was OK and God reportedly said "yes." Peter is suspended from school for lying, and his father, a lawyer seeking the glory of a constitutional case, sues the school without having heard all of Peter's story.

As the media, legal and religious groups mount their own charges, Peter announces that God also told him there would be three confirmations of His presence in a week's time. This ignites a media frenzy that fans the flame of public interest while ignoring the precise words of the literal-minded young boy.

Final word: This is a delicious social satire by a media relations consultant with a law degree from Georgetown University. Daily clearly knows her territory.

-Joan Hinkemeyer