Trey's Reviews

Temper is a tale both harrowing and humorous about the adventures of twin brothers who battle their demons, literally and figuratively, in a culture where a person’s worth is determined by the virtues and vices assigned to them as a child. A craving for blood along with lechery, deceit, and vanity run rampant through a vividly imagined world in this dark fantasy that is riddled with mysteries and secrets at every surprising turn. - Trey

This is the most interesting and consequential book I’ve read in quite some time. Drawing on a wealth of research, UC Berkeley’s Matthew Walker presents a compelling argument that the power of sleep and dreams, properly utilized, can enhance the everyday lives of individuals and even society at large. Discard everything you thought you knew about sleep, read this book, change your habits, and reap the significant benefits of consistent quality sleep. - Trey

Step into an enchanted land of Middle Eastern mythology and folklore in this remarkable debut by S. A. Chakraborty. Follow the tale of Nahri, a con artist from the streets of 18th-century Cairo, as she is swept into the world of the ancient magical djinn. Complex and mesmerizing, with phenomenal world building, the story’s mythology is vibrant and tangible. This is an exciting read that is impossible to put down. - Trey

The House at Baker Street is a delightful addition to the storied world of Sherlock Holmes, with the landlady of the house on Baker Street and her close friend Mary Watson taking on an investigation rejected by Sherlock. Michelle Birkby brings us a fresh perspective and voice in the person of Mrs. Hudson. Familiar characters such as the Baker Street Irregulars and the inimitable Irene Adler combine forces with the two women to solve a difficult and complex mystery. - Trey

Captivating historical fiction about a priceless painting, the painter who created it, the man who inherited it, and the celebrated art historian who created a forgery of it.  Smith skillfully weaves a multi-layered story narrated by the painter Sara de Vos in 17th century Amsterdam, the owner Marty de Groot in 1957 New York, and the forger Ellie Shipley in 2000 Sydney Australia. - Trey

Artificial Intelligence has arrived, bringing with it the very real possibility that we are on the verge of transforming what it means to be human. The first chapter of Life 3.0 reads like a science fiction thriller and then MIT professor Max Tegmark surveys the current state of AI implementation and details the crucial issues that need to be addressed going forward. Well written with exciting ideas and informed speculation, I found myself fascinated from beginning to end. - Trey

This is an inventive locked-room murder mystery set on a generational space ship. The six crew members are clones, each of whom come to life with no memory of how, or by whom, their predecessor was killed.  Each of the crew members is a suspect and each of their histories provides clues in determining what actually happened. - Trey

Fans of alternate-history novels will find a compelling, thought-provoking story in this thriller/mystery. The setting is a contemporary America in which the Civil War never happened and slavery still exists in the southern states. The main character, Victor, is a former slave who now works for the government hunting escaped slaves who are on the run trying to reach Canada. This is a well written, intriguing and suspenseful read. - Trey

This excellent debut by Paul Vidich is a classic Cold War spy thriller based on actual events during the McCarthy period in the early 1950s. Reminiscent of John le Carré, An Honorable Man tells the story of a mole hunt conducted the old-fashioned way: with deception and lies. It is richly atmospheric, with compelling characters and brisk pacing through its twists and turns. - Trey

Books, booksellers, and bookstore patrons all play a role in this rich and unusual debut mystery by Matthew Sullivan. This clever tale of a bizarre and somewhat unsettling suicide and murder is hard to put down, as tantalizing clues keep the story moving quickly. Fascinating characters and excellent writing combine to make a riveting story with an ending that will surely surprise you. - Trey