THE GOLDEN COMPASS by Philip Pullman

I read The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman a few years ago but wanted to review it now because the movie just came out. The film does a great job visualizing the settings and characters, and the casting is excellent, but like most film adaptations it lacks the depth and backstory which make reading a novel such a rich experience. I would strongly recommend not seeing the film until you've read this book, which is arguably one of the most rewarding works of speculative fiction ever written.

This book is the first in a trilogy known as His Dark Materials, and the sheer originality of the worlds Pullman has created is only matched by the ambition of the story itself, which attempts to answer almost every metaphysical question ever asked. The story is a nonstop adventure that can be enjoyed by young readers and adults alike, but the underlying themes keep you thinking long and hard after you've finished the book. What is the nature of the soul, do we really have free will, what is the role of organized religion in an enlightened world, and what happens when you die? This trilogy is just as ambitious as The Lord Of The Rings or The Chronicles Of Narnia, though it brings a decidedly unique and non-conformist perspective to its narrative that is intoxicating.

Rest assured that despite the literary heft of the subject matter, this novel and the subsequent installments in the trilogy are a delight to read, fast-paced and filled with characters as memorable as they are magical.

ON THE WRONG TRACK by Steve Hockensmith

Holmes On The Range and On The Wrong Track by Steve Hockensmith are two of the smartest, funniest, and wholly original mysteries to come along in some time. Fans of westerns, Sherlock Holmes, mysteries and anyone who loves great writing will agree these books have something for everyone.

Hockensmith is an award-winning short story writer and regular contributor to Ellery Queen and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, and his talents are on full display in these books, which are written in the vernacular of 19th century cowboys.

Gustav "Old Red" Amlingmeyer and his brother Otto ("Big Red") are two cowboys who have discovered the adventures of Sherlock Holmes, whose stories began appearing in the late 1800s. When they find themselves ensnared in some nasty business, Old Red decides to try some "detectifying" like his hero Holmes. The voice is charming and full of colorful expressions and wry observations. You can taste the trail dust as you turn the pages.

Holmes On The Range is the first book in the series and was deservedly nominated for an Edgar Award for best first novel, but you can pick up either one to jump right into the world of Old Red and Big Red. These books take off like a mustang and never slow down, so find a comfortable chair and enjoy the ride.

FADE TO BLONDE by Max Phillips

Fade To Blonde by Max Phillips is another superb novel from Hard Case Crime, the publishing venture started by Phillips and genre genius Charles Ardai, an Edgar-winning author and expert on all things hardboiled and noir.

Fade To Blonde tells the story of Ray Corson, ex-boxer, ex-actor, ex-screenwriter trying to make ends meet in the heyday of 1940s Hollywood. Max Phillips writes such lean prose you plunge into the story without any hiccups around time or place. This book is written with such style that you're hooked from the first page, and the dialogue is so smart and spare you'll feel like you stepped into a classic noir film.

The story follows a classic gumshoe path but twists more than a few times before the finish. Max Phillips doesn't waste a single word, and the ones he's left on the page are priceless. For writing that will get you inspired to write, pick up this gem.

THE SACRED CUT by David Hewson

The Sacred Cut by David Hewson is extraordinary, a book that combines the intricate plot and pacing of a thriller with a sense of place and texture normally associated with more intimate, character-driven novels. Fans of Martin Cruz Smith's novels about Russia will love Hewson's books about Rome, where police inspector Nic Costa and his colleagues explore corners of the city never glimpsed by tourists.

The opening of The Sacred Cut is visually stunning, and Hewson's descriptions of Rome are so precise you start to feel like you're walking along behind the characters, looking over their shoulders. Normally that kind of texture can get in the way of pacing, but this book flies. It also brings in aspects of art history and architecture with such restraint that you want to keep reading just to learn more about this remarkable city.

The plot deals with a series of ritualistic murders in Rome, but it hinges on the politics of war. In a manner that is wholly original, Hewson has created a tale that incorporates the most compelling aspects of the best modern thrillers, from political intrigue to forensic investigation to historical mystery. This book has it all and delivers in a nice, neat package.

You can read any of the Nic Costa books by Hewson in any order. I happened to read this one first, but I'd recommend them all. If you feel like taking a trip to Italy this winter without leaving your couch, buy one of these books.

SALTY by Mark Haskell Smith

SALTY is the latest from Mark Haskell Smith, one of the most inventive writers working today. If you missed MOIST or DELICIOUS, run to the bookstore immediately. These books are smart, fast, and not just funny but hilarious. There are a lot of writers out there trying to be funny, trying so hard that you feel the effort with every forced punchline, but Smith understands the restraint needed for humor and hits all the right notes.

Salty tells the story of Turk Henry, retired heavy-metal bassist and recovering sex addict who unwisely agrees to vacation in Thailand, the illicit sex capital of the world. When his supermodel wife gets kidnapped by a band of pirates, Turk's attempts at rescue get him sideways with homeland security and lead him into a rogue search for his wife. Soon Turk finds himself caught between his duty to his wife and the undeniable undertow of the prospect of being single in Bangkok.

Reviewers have favorably compared Smith's writing to Carl Hiaasen, Elmore Leonard and even Ross Thomas, but he has a manic voice all his own, full of smart social commentary and a genuine affection for his characters that infuses even the most bizarre situations with empathy.

This book is part crime novel, part adventure, part travelogue and part romance. As a writer Smith is hard to categorize but impossible to put down. Pick up Salty and see what I mean.