The Book Sense 76
-- The Children's 76
-- Category Top 10s

September/October 2001 Book Sense 76 Picks Unique and provocative selections from a great diversity of voices...all personally recommended by the independent booksellers of America. Table of Contents The Top Ten Vote-Getters Three Books That Defy Categorization Cooking Four Biographies of VERY Independent People Our Fiction Rediscoveries This Month History and Current Events New Fiction in Paperback Mind, Body, Spirit New Fiction in Hardcover Mysteries One Unique Book, Available Only in Independent Bookstores! Nature Two New Childrens Books That We Love Poetry The Complete List   Previous 76 Lists

Mysteries

First Lady
by Malone, Michael
(Sourcebooks, $24.00, 1570717435) "Two of the best characters ever created in mystery fiction return in Malone's long-awaited addition to the saga begun in Uncivil Seasons. Mix together an Irish rock star, the governor of North Carolina, and assorted media and lawyer types, and you have a first-rate mystery from one of the true masters." - Barbara Hoagland, The King's English Bookshop, Salt Lake City, UT

Jasmine Trade, The
by Hamilton, Denise
(Scribner, $24.00, 074321269X) "When Marina Lu is found bloodied in her new Lexus in an exclusive L.A. suburb, reporter Eve Diamond is assigned the story. Eve discovers the world of 'parachute kids,' children of wealthy absentee Asian parents set up in palatial homes near the best high schools. These kids work hard at school during the day and play lavishly at night. A remarkable first suspense novel, masterfully plotted, carefully researched and daring in its look behind the new Asian curtain." - Barry Martin, Book 'em Mysteries, South Pasadena, CA

Open Season
by Box, C. J.
(Putnam, $23.95, 0399147489) "This is a wonderful first novel, fast-paced and with vivid characters, appealing children and a terrific new protagonist in game warden Joe Pickett. I stayed up way too late just to finish this book." - Linda Bivens, Crime Time Books, Pasadena, CA