From Maine to Mississippi to Cocodrie

MAINE

By J. COURTNEY SULLIVAN

Knopf, $25.95

I remember fondly, the two weeks I spent traveling up and down the coast of Maine; the friendly people, magnificent scenery and, needless to say, the lobsters. Luckily I didn’t encounter the Kelleher family at the time when regret, guilt and envy accompanied children and grandchildren arriving for their annual summer visit with 83-year-old matriarch, Alice.

Almost all have been alienated by her carping and criticism of her ever-growing family, even before they learn she’s leaving all her valuable property to her beloved St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Absorbing story of a quite dysfunctional family.

THE AFFAIR

By LEE CHILD

Delacorte Press, $28

In this prequel to the series, military cop Jack Reacher is sent undercover to Carter Crossing, Miss., to investigate the murder of a local woman whose death is being blamed on a soldier at the nearby army base. But that soldier’s father is a U.S. senator, powerful enough to lock down the base and impede an investigation.

Reacher arrives and is aided, and bedded, by beautiful sheriff, Catherine Devereaux. When more murders occur, Reacher takes matters into his own hands and, defying top brass, breaks the silence, exposes the killer and the rest, as they say, is history.

STATE OF WONDER

By ANN PATCHETT

Harper, $26.99

Pharmaceutical researcher Dr. Marina Singh travels to the Amazon jungle to investigate the mysterious death of a friend and fellow worker and to determine what progress was being made on developing a miracle drug that promises to extend female fertility beyond middle age. Marina, who has given up practicing medicine after botching a Caesarian delivery, is persuaded by her former professor, the imperious Dr. Annick Swenson, who heads the study, to stay and treat natives of the local tribe.

Patchett paints jungle scenes so vivid, you’ll be swatting imaginary mosquitoes as you read. Watch out for snakes as well.

NOW YOU SEE HER

By JAMES PATTERSON & MICHAEL LEDWIDGE

Little Brown, $27.99

Patterson and Ledwidge pen a fast-paced thriller of a terrified and pregnant wife on the run from a husband with a secret and frightening past.

Now, 18 years later, a rising lawyer with a New York firm, she volunteers for a pro bono case to save a man she knows is innocent but who has been wrongly convicted and due to be executed within the week. Big problem is, she must return to her past life in Florida where her former husband is sure to find her.

Prepare to stay up all night.

SMOKIN’ SEVENTEEN

By JANET EVANOVICH

Bantam, $28

Stephanie Plum and her ditzy sidekick, Lulu, enforcers for Vincent Plum’s bail bonds, are finding the going tough in their temporary office in an old bus, especially since it’s become the dropping off place for several dead bodies and Stephanie is warned that she’ll be next.

Worrisome still, deciding whom to choose between her two loves, Ranger and Morelli, is complicated by her mama, who adds a third choice, Dave, Stephanie’s ex-high school classmate, ex- football star, and now, gourmet cook, but he isn’t to her taste.

The usual madcap excitement continues.

EXPLORING CAJUN COUNTRY

By CHERE’ DASTUGUE COEN

The History Press, $19.99

Mes Amis, even if you know your way ’round Acadiana, you still gonna want dis book. And if you got frens planning to visit, you need to send dem a copy unless, for sho, you don wanna have them come. Cause reading this guide that covers almost every city, town and hamlet in Acadiana, wid lots of pitchas, will only make more people want to come visit.

It’s up to you, Sha, but you will still be glad you got yousef a copy.

FROM CALIFORNIA to COCODRIE

By MARION HAINES DUPLANTIS

Morris Press Cookbooks, $18.95

When the author moved to Cocodrie from Southern California, she quickly learned to love and learn to cook the local foods which recipes make up the bulk of the more than 300 pages in this volume. The variety is remarkable, from Wedding Meatballs that serve 500 to a unique BLT in Pita Pockets.

The recipes are easy to understand to accommodate beginning cooks as well as the experienced. Folds open flat for reference.

DINNER WITH TENNESEE WILLIAMS

By TROY GILBERT & CHEF GREG PICOLO

Gibbs Smith Books, $19.99

Williams’ fans will find plenty to like in this potpourri of historical stories and wonderful photos of the playwright and friends in the Vieux Carre, as well as scenes from his plays and movies. Even non-fans can relish the inviting recipes, 80 in all, inspired by the playwright’s most popular works: Amanda’s Smoked Salmon Loaf; Sauted Veal Sweetbreads with Mushrooms; Louisiana Frog Legs Grillade Style and many more.

It’s incredible how much joy you’ll find in this slim volume, but enjoy you will.