The Game’s Afoot

I love to read…no, that’s not quite accurate. I adore reading. Hmmm, still doesn’t quite convey my love for books. Oh well, suffice it to say that I don’t just read, I devour books. Non-fiction for my spiritual and intellectual growth, and of course, good fiction for pure pleasure and entertainment.

My favorite fiction genre is science fiction. Fantasy and “other-worldly” thrillers are other favs. Christian fiction in those categories is another fav. I’d avoided crime/mystery fiction for a long time because it seemed (years ago when I sampled some) they were too simplistic and I solved the “crime” or discovered the solution too soon into the story and naturally lost interest. The blessing and curse of the gift of an inquisitive and analytical mind (yes, as logical and incisive as Spock).

Well, thanks to a Christmas gift from a dear friend, a very fine writer herself (check her blog), I have finally found a mystery writer who not only hooks me in the first few chapters, but keeps me interested, intrigued, and yes, guessing until the very end when she wraps it all up. No, definitely not James Patterson, too simplistic and easy to figure out. This lady is in a league of her own, having earned every major award for crime fiction extant. Her name is Laura Lippman.

Baltimore is Ms. Lippman’s venue. Charm City, Tiny Town, Smalltimore…whatever you call it, you will know it as well as your own home town thanks to her richly painted landscapes and backgrounds. From her able “pen” the city itself becomes an integral character with it‘s own distinct personality.

Her protagonists are characters that are so complex and well developed that they literally grow into people you can not only relate to, but sympathize and empathize with. They are you, me, everyone…you don’t just see them, you feel them. They are human! Not perfect, but real, with all their flaws laid bare along with their strengths. Get to know Tess, Crow, Aunt Kitty and Tyner…and yes, Esskay and Miata…and you’ll love them.

The plots of her stories are fast paced, intriguing and compelling. A veritable olio of riddles, enigmas, conundrums, questions, and finally, unexpected answers producing a thoroughly satisfying brew. Her frequently spicy prose is liberally seasoned with familiar, sometimes contemporary, references to art, theater, cinema, and major media events climaxing in a beautifully wrapped package, somewhat like an old-fashioned box of CrackerJack…a surprise in every package.

All these ingredients combine to produce a thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying literary experience delivered by a wonderful writer. Read Laura Lippman - you won’t be disappointed.