From the front flap: In The Devil in the White City, Erik Larson tells the spellbinding true story of two men, an architect and a serial killer, whose fates were linked by the greatest fair in American history: the Chicago World's Fair of 1893, nicknamed "The White City." Review: What The Devil in the White City excels at is evocation of time and place. One really gets a … [Read more...] about The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson: B
Books
The Carnivorous Carnival by Lemony Snicket: B
From the back cover: Dear Reader, The word "carnivorous," which appears in the title of this book, means "meat-eating," and once you have read such a bloodthirsty word, there is no reason to read any further. This carnivorous volume contains such a distressing story that consuming any of its contents would be far more stomach-turning than even the most imbalanced meal. To … [Read more...] about The Carnivorous Carnival by Lemony Snicket: B
The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins: B+
From the back cover: The light that streams from the Moonstone, a yellow diamond of unearthly quality, is like that of the harvest moon. Rachel Verinder receives the stone for her 18th birthday. But on that very night, it is stolen. Although all members of the household must give account for the day's events, Betteredge offers the most insightful renderings. His story is … [Read more...] about The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins: B+
The Hostile Hospital by Lemony Snicket: A
From the back cover: Dear Reader, Before you throw this awful book to the ground and run as far away from it as possible, you should probably know why. This book is the only one which describes every last detail of the Baudelaire children's miserable stay at Heimlich Hospital, which makes it one of the most dreadful books in the world. There are many pleasant things to read … [Read more...] about The Hostile Hospital by Lemony Snicket: A
The Lighthouse by P. D. James: A-
From the back cover: Combe Island off the Cornish coast of England has a bloodstained history of piracy and cruelty. Owned for centuries by the same family, it now serves as a place where over-stressed men and women in positions of high authority can come to find serenity in conditions of guaranteed security. But when one of its distinguished visitors is found hanging from … [Read more...] about The Lighthouse by P. D. James: A-