::: The Book of Air and Shadows (Gruber)

[delphipsmith]

Hm. The author's bio says he's been a marine biologist, chef, hippie, policy analyst, and political speechwriter. I don't know about all that but he can certainly crank out a terrific page-turner. This book was great fun (and it wasn't even on my to-read list!). Distinguished Shakespearian scholars (two), kidnappings (three), gangsters (Russian AND Jewish), attractive women with mysterious pasts (two -- or is it one?), and an ex-con Jesuit priest, all bundled together with transcontinental intrigue, four-hundred-year-old ciphers, vicious academic rivalry, and lots lots more. A nice way to spend a few days. Now I have to go read his other books :)

Comments

[kilter.livejournal.com]

I loved that book! Well, I love anything involving literary intrigue, but that one completely sucked me in.

Have you read The Thirteenth Tale by Diane somebody or other? LOL Completely different setting and characters. A little Emily Bronte (well, Charlotte, too, for that matter). A little Daphne de Maurier. But it has its own share of literary intrigue (albeit centering around a fictitious writer).

[delphipsmith]

Yes! Really enjoyed it -- the mysterious sister and all that. Reminded me of Shirley Jackon's We Have Always Lived in the Castle, also a bit gothic with huge unanswered questions looming menacingly in the background <cue ominous music>. Bet you'd like that one, if you haven't read it yet. Rebecca is one of my regular rereads, usually about once a year, and I have the unabridged audio as well :)