Coincidence  By David Ambrose

Publisher: Warner Books; ISBN: 0446527971 (February)

When scientific writer George Daly sets out to write his new book based on the theories surrounding coincidences, he unwittingly opens the door to some strange and frightening occurrences.  Suddenly he finds himself experiencing the most oddest coincidences himself, the most of which is running into his twin brother that he never knew existed.  Meanwhile, his marriage to his rich and beautiful wife seems to be nearing the end. 

Written alternately from the point of view of George, his twin Larry, and his wife Sara, this is a very hard book to describe.  There are certainly some interesting theories set forth about coincidences, along with neat little anecdotes from history.  There are also some other theories proposed along these lines that will give the thoughtful reader cause for pause.  This is an intelligent thriller, unlike any I've ever read before, which left me thinking of the many possibilities that might exist regarding our assumptions of reality and logic.

4 Bolts

Kiss it Goodbye by John Wessel

Publisher: Gardners Books ISBN 0743415736

This is Wessel's third novel featuring unlicensed PI Harding and his younger girlfriend Alison.  When Alison's friend Beth gets stranded at the alter by her groom-to-be Charles, and one of Harding's fake business cards is found on the body of a low level drug dealer, these two seemingly unrelated events turn into a mystery involving Alison's past.  The two catch up to Charles, drunk and nearly incoherent in a neighboring town, eventually leading him back to Beth, who struggles to come to terms with his alcoholism and tendency to run when the going gets tough.  Meanwhile, the body count rises as women from Alison's past are murdered and attacked, leading the couple on a wild search for the assailant. 

While this is a good mystery all in all, one must pay careful attention at all times.  The myriad of characters are introduced with lightening speed, and it is often times difficult to keep up with all of them, as well as their connections to the seemingly unrelated events.  A little more detail in the beginning of the novel would have been welcomed, but near the middle of the book, the reader will finally feel comfortable in recognizing the player's and their impact on the surrounding events.  The shocking ending will come as a great surprise, but understanding the motive will be a bit more difficult.

A Winter Haunting By Dan Simmons 

Publisher: William Morrow & Co; ISBN: 0380978865

Driven back home to the small town of Elm Haven after a love affair gone bad, a family in ruins, and a career on the breaking point, Dale Stewart hopes to write the serious novel of a summer gone past from his childhood.  During that summer, the mysterious and genius 11-year-old Duane had been killed in a freak accident, tainting the usually slow and lazy days of summers before.  Still haunted by this event, as well as the young lover who dumped him, Dale finds himself suddenly caught up in events out of his control.  There are the ghosts who seem to haunt Duane’s old house where Dale is holed up for the winter, as well as the menacing skinheads who also threaten and taunt Dale.  Mysterious messages also begin to show up on his computer, all leaving him to question his sanity.     

Not much of a horror fan, I was surprised to find this novel to be both touching and intelligent.  It easily transcends this particular genre with frequent references to the literary world, and its revelations on the subjects of memories, sanity, and the hope for redemption. Instead of detracting from the story, the supernatural aspects added great depth and meaning to Dale’s constant struggle to rise above his mistakes and sense of defeat.  This book will both surprise and delight. 

4 1/2 Bolts

Raymond Chandler: The Complete Works in Three Volumes

(Purchasing info to come!)

Everyman’s Library, (Borzoi Book), 2002

For the ardent fan of the noir mystery genre, and the hardboiled crime fiction the first two names to cross the mind would be Dashiell Hammett, creator of the Sam Spade Detective series and Raymond Chandler, the creator of Detective Phillip Marlowe.

I need’nt bother to say and detail about the works of these two grand master. The works speaks for themselves. Dozens of books have been published about the authors and the works. In one single phrase lets put it- HAMMETT AND CHANDLER WERE THE MASTERS.

However, the books under review are unique. I believe it  is for the first time all the works have been collected as a book-set, in 3 volumes, immaculate and pristine.  Kudos to Everyman’s Library (Borzoi books) for taking up such a wonderful, wonderful task. Mystery loving readers will always be thankful to the publishers for bringing out such a volume.

Volume One with an Introduction by Diane Johnson consists of the Phillip Marlowe Classics The Big Sleep, Farewell My Lovely and The High Window. Volume 2 consists of The Lady in the Lake, The Little Sister, The Long Goodbye and Playback with an Introduction by Tom Hiney. The third volume is the complete short fiction of Chandler, all 25 novelettes with an Introduction by John Bayley.

These three volumes are a MUST, MUST, MUST possession for the ardent devotee of the mystery genre, and the same are sure going to be the pride of my mystery collection. Before I leave two thoughts- who was better as Phillip Marlowe- Humphrey Bogart or Robert Mitchum; and secondly, was Bogart better as Phillip Marlowe or Sam Spade. Think it over, meanwhile I am going to book my copy of THE COMPLETE DASHIELL HAMMETT

                                                              -  Narayan Radhakrishnan

New Mystery Reader Magazine  editor@newmysteryreader.com