December Book Report

I haven't done as much reportable reading since December 12 (when I reported my November and early December reading) as usual. I read lots of magazines and blogs and research materials. As far as books go, I didn't keep a very good record this month either.

Here are a few comments on a book I just finished, Resolved by Robert K. Tanenbaum. I always enjoy reading Tanenbaum's legal thrillers featuring Butch Karp and Marlene Ciampi. This one was a bestseller in 2003. (I have never been big at rushing to buy a book the minute it comes on the market. I figure that the reading will be just as good a year from now at much less cost from a used book store, and there is certainly plenty of other good reading out there while I wait!)

Back to Resolved. I enjoyed this book for the same reasons I always enjoy reading about these unique characters. The on-again-off-again relationship between Butch (An assistant district attorney) and Marlene (a rogue private investigator) and the stresses and clashes of their careers present almost unlimited scenarios for drama. Of course these same elements pose all sorts of dilemnas and dangers for their adult daughter and younger twin sons. The criminals of society who have been impacted by Butch and Marlene's work often seek retribution through threats to their children. The sociopath who is seeking revenge in this novel is unique, clever, deranged, and cunning. The circumstantial twists and turns through which he is found out and stopped are even more clever and unpredictable.

Another reason I always enjoy reading any Tanenbaum novel is his use of language and his extensive vocabulary. I always use a special flat pen I have and a sheet of notepaper for a bookmark when I read his novels so I can jot notes as I read. Here are a few examples of his language usage:

• Dan, to whom sex was a distant rumor...
• Secular Humanism, the La-Z-Boy of philosophy....
• (A particular person) was such a kidney stone to.......
• His cologne was not quite up to its task.
• Marlene shot Belknap twice in the car stereo to make her point.
• They had slipped into hallucination -- they believed the story they were telling. It was truth for them.
  

And, as to vocabulary -- how many of these words do you use daily?

trifecta
perfervid
gelid
apothegm
simulacrum
satraps
quattrocento
exogam
expatiating