Solid Summer Mysteries

Hit And Run

By Lawrence Block

William Morrow, $24.95

Block is one of my favorite mystery writers and his anti-hero, Keller, is one of the most fascinating characters ever imagined.

Keller is a killer, a paid assassin who dispatches victims on order. In this episode, Keller not only fails to fulfill his contract, but is framed for a murder he didn’t commit. Now, he’s on the run from the police and the people who hired him and we’re with him every heart-stopping breath of the way.

For some time, this stamp-collecting hobbyist has been contemplating retiring but Block always, happily, brings him back. This time, I fear, Keller sounds like he really means to hang it up. Please Lawrence, Don’t do it!

7th Heaven

By James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

Little Brown, $27.99

Patterson is undoubtedly one of the most prolific and popular writers of mysteries today. His Women’s Murder Club adds a delightful dimension to his plots.

In this one, detective Lindsay Boxer is assigned to locate a young man born with a heart defect who’s gone missing. His father, a former governor, wields lots of power and pushes police to find the boy. When a baby-faced prostitute confesses the boy died in her arms and that she and her boyfriend had disposed of his body, Boxer’s good friend, prosecutor Yuki Castellano, is faced with the trial of her life.

In the meantime, Boxer and her partner, Rich Conklin, investigate the fiery deaths of wealthy couples whose beautiful homes are destroyed by arsonists.

It’s another intriguing tale with lots of surprises from the master of the genre.

The Whole Truth

By David Baldacci

Grand Central Publishing, $26.99

Imagine you’re a huge weapons manufacturer and business is slow. What you need is a new cold war, one that will have nations arming themselves against imminent attacks. So, you hire a perception manager to create such a scenario, and nations begin arming themselves at an alarming rate.

Outlandish, you say? Maybe, but that’s what Nicholas Creel is up to and he has an even more sinister motive in mind. He hires Dick Pender, the founder of a company specializing in “perception management,” who quickly creates a smear campaign pitting Russia and China as the antagonists. Shaw, a man without a first name, works for a secret organization that works to prevent such events. He becomes embroiled in this one when his fiancée is killed while trying to expose the ruse.

This is what is called a “humdinger” of a story that will keep you entertained throughout.

Louisiana Almanac 2008-2009 Edition

By Milburn Calhoun and Bernie McGovern

Pelican Publishing, $16.95

If you’re heading back to school here or out of state, questions about Louisiana are bound to come up. With this excellent almanac, you’ll be ready with the answers.

In the 18th edition of this popular reference, editor Calhoun and assistant editor McGovern continue to ensure the information in this compendium is accurate and up-to-date. From the history of the state, its’ election returns, population and census figures to a list of tourist attractions and a summary of Louisiana laws, it’s all in this 735-page almanac. No student of Louisiana should be without a copy.

The New York Times Guide to Essential Knowledge

Introduction by William Safire

St. Martin’s Press, $35

If you’ve been selected to appear on “Jeopardy”, bone up with this hefty volume and you’re sure to be a tough competitor. Quite possibly, champion even.

Dozens of categories are covered in clear, succinct style; the Fine Arts, Performing Arts, Film, Dance and Drama; Science and Technology; the Environment, Medicine and Law; Philosophy, Religion; Economics; Media and Sports and more. And a reference library is included to boot.

The guide is a great source of information for students of all ages and fascinating reading for the rest of us. William Safire, that wonderful articulator of words, praises the “browsability” of bound books in this age of the Internet. “It’s what I not only need to know but enjoy finding out about,” he says of the New York Times’ collection.

It’s a treasure trove of useful information that belongs in every home.