The Book of Air and Shadows
By Michael Gruber
(Harper Paperbacks, Paperback, 9780061456572, 496pp.)
Publication Date: February 7, 2008
Categories: Suspense, Thrillers
 |      |
A fire destroys a New York City rare bookstore—and reveals clues to a treasure worth killing for. . . . A disgraced scholar is found tortured to death. . . . And those pursuing the most valuable literary find in history are about to cross from the harmless mundane into inescapable nightmare.
From the acclaimed, bestselling author of Tropic of Night comes a breathtaking thriller that twists, shocks, and surprises at every turn as it crisscrosses centuries, from the glaring violence of today into the dark shadows of truth and lies surrounding the greatest writer the world has ever known.
New York Times bestselling author Michael Gruber is the author of five acclaimed novels. He lives in Seattle.
1. What is your view of Jake Mishkin's character? Do his personality and profession aid in the search or are they more of a hindrance? Do his flaws make him more likeable?
"Quirky, flawed characters, tricksy first-person narration, and nimble, witty prose. Gruber is the real deal."
-Salon.com
"A fast-moving tale about the world of rare books. A wonderful story with absolutely superb casting."
-Kirkus Reviews (starred)
"Smart and irreverent."
-Arizona Republic
"An intricately crafted and literate work (that) should give the (thriller) genre a good shake."
-Denver Post
"Another one of [Gruber's] patently intricate thrillers."
-TheMorningNews.com
"A dead genius, a sleuthing couple with romantic chemistry, and some bad guys...it's a fun party."
-Entertainment Weekly
"Fearless, intricate and intelligent. Stylish and confident prose. Dialogue that respects a reader's intelligence. A smart and original plot."
-Seattle Times
"MIchael Gruber pulls out all the stops (in) an elaborate game of cat-and-mouse."
-Newsday
"One of the best new writers in the genre."
-Charlotte Observer
"A smart thriller. Gruber's themes may be lofty but his people are fully fleshed. An engaging adventure."
-Boston Globe
"Few thrillers will surpass [this book] when it comes to energetic writing, compellingly flawed characters, literary scholarship and mathematical conundrums."
-USA Today
"Ingenious...engaging...a gripping, satisfying read."
-Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"A crackling whodunit. Characters (with) rich inner lives that transmute genre fiction into literature."
-Dallas Morning News
"Finely-honed prose, ambitious structure and captivating characters...This is a whip-smart adventure that surpasses its competitors with dexterity."
-Rocky Mountain News
"Gruber deftly raises the thriller stakes and accelerates the plot while still creating convincing personal journeys for his characters."
-Booklist (starred review)
"(An) entertaining thriller with Da Vinci Code appeal but far better writing."
-Ventura County Star
"Entertaining. A wild ride."
-Charlotte Observer, Best Books of Summer
"If you love books, make room on the shelf for a new guilty pleasure."
-Washington Post
"Gruber is no ordinary writer."
-Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"(An) intelligent thrill ride."
-Tampa Tribune
"A gripping literary thriller. A taut novel that offers ingenious puzzles plus murderous threats along the way."
-Seattle Post-Intelligencer
"Not since Bayatt's POSSESSION has an author so successfully combined literary puzzle, tempestuous duplicity, human adventure and good storytelling."
-BookPage
"Very good...ingenious and suspenseful."
-Maclean's
"(An) intoxicating mix of fact, fiction, secret codes and ancient conspiracies...well-written and cleverly told. A terrific thriller."
-Edmonton Journal (Canada)
"A wild ride of a thriller. The characters have depth, histories and believability."
-Wichita Eagle
"A wonderful book, brimming with energy, suspense, wit and fascinating details about the rare book business. A fast-paced yarn that is part Henry James, part James Bond.
-Chicago Tribune
 |
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Jamie Ford Random House |
 |
Miles from Nowhere Nami Mun Riverhead |
 |
American Buffalo Steven Rinella Spiegel & Grau |
 |
The Piano Teacher Janice Y. K. Lee Viking |
