Box takes the reader along on an adventure with as many twisting paths as there are mountains, trees, and elks. Woven into the story is a look at Wyoming's wilderness and the men who hunt in it. An excellent read. G.P. Putnam's Sons 27.00

Mangrove Lightning

By Randy Wayne White

Reviewed by Cheryl Kravetz

I love the way Randy Wayne White finds little-known facts and weaves Florida history into his novels. And Mangrove Lightning is one of his best as he delves into the ghostly world of 1925 in and around the Florida Everglades in the 20^th Doc Ford novel.

     Charter captain, Tootsie Barlow, tells Doc Ford that members of his family have been victims of a series of attacks, and he is convinced it connected to a multiple murder in 1925, in which his family had a shameful part.

     Ford doesn't believe in curses, but as he and his friend Tomlinson begin to investigate, following the trail of the attacks from Key Largo to Tallahassee, they, too, suffer a series of near-fatal mishaps.

Putnam 27.00

     After taking a year off to travel, August has returned to his childhood home in Mexicantown, an area that combines some of the worst neighborhoods with newly gentrified homes.  His plan is to rehab his house and help out his neighbors.
     Enter Eleanore Paget, wealthy businesswoman.  August knows Eleanore from an investigation when he was on the force.  She wants August to investigate some questionable activities in the wealth management business that she owns.   He refuses.  The next day Eleanore is dead, an alleged suicide.
     August doesn't believe it and starts to investigate.  The action speeds up as the police, Eleanore's employees, local politicians and the FBI become involved.  The characters are well-defined, driven by motives that are complex.
     August Snow is a well written story that introduces an interesting hardboiled character.  Good dialog, authentic location, and an unfolding backstory point to more from Mr. Jones and August.  Recommended for fans of George Pelecanos, Robert Crais and Robert Parker.
SO,26.95

Commissario Guido Brunetti of Venice commits a rash act during an interrogation, one which he immediately regrets, and decides he needs a break from his work at the Questura. Granted a leave, he plans to spend two weeks at a villa on Sant'Erasmo, a large island in the laguna. Expecting to pass the days rowing, the nights reading and generally recuperating, he soon finds himself drawn into detection, when the caretaker of the house goes missing after a bad storm. Brunetti investigates and sets aside his leave of absence to try to understand what happened to the man who had become his friend.
     Donna Leon's books are always a joy to read. They incorporate a beloved protagonist, his family, and Venice, so vividly portrayed that it becomes more a character than mere setting. The crimes Brunetti works to solve are always compelling and frequently related to a larger issue in Venice. This tale, though, takes place in a very different milieu. What's more, Brunetti's wife, Paola, hardly appears in the story, and the children are mentioned but never seen. As much as I normally look forward to seeing the family, I hardly noticed their absence in this book, so arresting were the descriptions of the island, the boating, and the history leading to the crime Brunetti had to solve.
     All the characters are finely drawn and thoroughly believable. The crime, once solved, makes perfect sense. Donna Leone once again has created a gripping tale that totally engaged this reader.
Highly Recommended. Atlantic Monthly Press 25.00