The Anatomy of Deception by Lawrence Goldstone

Age Level: Adult
Format: Book

**Caution: A few of the scenes in the novel are very graphic; readers who are a bit squeamish about blood and gore may not like portions of this novel.**

Dr. Ephraim Carroll, a doctor living in Philadelphia in the late 1880s, studies with one of the greatest minds in medicine, Dr. William Osler. When Osler reacts strangely to the sight of a young woman waiting for an autopsy, Carroll becomes suspicious. The death of a colleague forces Carroll to sort through lies and half-truths presented by his acquaintances, from a mysteriously charming wealthy socialite, a scandalized artist, and a drug-dependent doctor, to even Dr. Osler. As Carroll spirals into deep and dark conspiracies, he finds himself in constant danger from opposing forces. Facing moral choices everywhere he turns, Carroll has to decide his best course of action. When the truth comes out, who will be left standing?

Told through the eyes of Dr. Carroll, Goldstone's novel combines the art of medicine and surgery with suspicion extremely well. Almost from page one, the conspiracies begin, and a captivating plot unfolds. Every time a layer is cracked in the mystery, several more layers appear for Carroll, making him reevaluate everything and everyone he knows.

I enjoyed reading this combination historical fiction and thriller. I found it very riveting and hard to put down. Some of the scenes, especially the operating scenes, were so detailed it felt like I was there watching the surgery. Goldstone's writing style flows smoothly, making this novel a quick read. The epilogue was very satisfying for me. Goldstone's Author's Note section helped to bring historical facts and the fiction from the novel together.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in reading historical fiction or to anyone who loves to read thrillers.

Reviewed by Jessica

Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles

Age Level: Teen

Format: Book

 

Caleb has spent the last year in juvenile detention.  Maggie has spent the last year in hospitals and physical therapy.  The lives of these two teens were changed forever one night.  Now, they both have to face their greatest challenged – seeing each other again.  Is it possible to forgive?  And even more important, will it be possible to trust again?

 

I could not put this book down.  It’s very down to earth and the author does a very good job of creating the raw emotion, dialogue and culture of high school.  The topics of trust, friendship, and high school are handled in a very delicate way.

 

The chapters alternate between the voices of Caleb and Maggie, so the reader gets a glimpse into both of their lives and is able to realize that they both are in pain.  How they each deal with the pain is handled very differently.

 

It’s a very good book.  It makes you think...What would you do if the person who damaged you for life, a person who was sent away, was suddenly back?

 

Reviewed by Sara.

Something Rotten by Alan Gratz

Age Level: Teen

Format: Book

 

The place is Denmark, Tennessee, and the smell hits Horatio Wilkes the minute he pulls into town to visit his best friend, Hamilton Prince.  The Prince family owns the local paper plant that’s polluting the Copenhagen River, but the paper plant isn’t the only thing stinking up the place.  Hamilton’s father has been murdered, by poisoning, and the killer is still at large.  No one, except for Hamilton and Horatio, believes that Rex Prince has been murdered, so it’s up to the two of them to figure out who’s behind it.  But that won’t be easy.  There are too many suspects, among them are Olivia, Hamilton’s ex-girlfriend, Trudy, Hamilton’s mom who just married Claude, Hamilton’s uncle, and those are just the suspects that are near at hand.  

 

The premise sounds familiar, right?  We all know the story of Hamlet, but, trust me when I say that in the hands of Alan Gratz, this is a mystery that will keep you guessing.  There are twists and turns in this plot, along with one-liners that keep the tale crackling on.  In Something Rotten, you truly meet the character of Horatio and understand why, over everyone else in his life, Hamilton (or Hamlet) choose this guy to be his best friend, and the only person he truly trusted.

 

Very entertaining adaptation – and no, it doesn’t end how you think it will.

 

Reviewed by Sara

Ghost Hunting by Jason Hawes & Grant Wilson with Michael Jan Friedman

Age Level: Adult
Format: Book

Hawes and Wilson, founders of The Atlantic Paranormal Society (or TAPS), and lead investigators on the Sci-Fi Network's Ghost Hunters, share their experiences with the paranormal in this book. TAPS was founded on the principle that investigators would go into homes, businesses, churches, etc. looking for ways to debunk or negate a paranormal claim. Throughout the book, Hawes and Wilson will mention that nearly 80% of cases are debunked of paranormal activity. Containing information on cases prior to their TV debut and some of their more notable TV episode cases, Hawes and Wilson detail some of their findings, outline TAPS purpose in the "ghost hunting" world, and offer some advice to those thinking about creating their own paranormal society group. Several pages of still photographs featuring paranormal phenomena and practical jokes among teams members appear in the middle of the book.

I have to admit I am addicted to the TV show Ghost Hunters. Though a skeptic to anything paranormal, I'm still addicted! When I learned that the guys wrote a book, I had to read it. I'm glad I did! Mostly written by Hawes, viewers of the TV show will definitely see his personality come through in the words. I loved reading about some of the behind the scenes information for a few of their TV episodes. It was also interesting to learn about their beginnings and some of the cases they went on prior to gaining fame on the Sci-Fi Network.

Fans of the show must read this book. Incidentally, if you have never seen Ghost Hunters, or would like to watch the episodes again, the Adams County Library System has Seasons 1 and 2 and the live episode from the Stanley Hotel. Put yourself on the waiting list today...and while you do that, check Ghost Hunting out too. It's a fun, fast read.

Reviewed by Jessica

Season of the Witch by Natasha Mostert

Age Level: Adult
Format: Book

This goth thriller combines alchemy with psychic abilities to create a "spellbinding" read from start to finish. Gabriel Blackstone, a freelance information hacker, receives a call from dying millionaire William Whittington, asking Blackstone to help find his missing son, Robert. Using his psychic abilities to read the minds of someone missing to find their whereabouts, Gabriel discovers a partial truth to Robert's disappearance. In his quest to find the facts, Gabriel becomes friends with the mysterious Monk sisters and soon follows the path leading towards destruction.

Mostert has crafted such a wonderful thriller; I was hooked from the first page! To me, the storyline was not predictable, so I found myself surprised at the different twists and turns in the plot. Those not interested in the world of sci-fi and witchcraft may not find this book to be enjoyable. There is some discussion on alchemy and on psychic mind reading, which helps to clarify the concepts to those readers not familiar with the topics. I normally do not read these type of thriller stories, but I found this one entertaining from start to finish.

Reviewed by Jessica