The Pinocchio Syndrome
By David Zeman
Doubleday, 2003, $24.95
Karen Embry is a reporter who has her teeth in a juicy story. There are people all over the world being affected and killed by a mystery virus. It’s being called the Pinocchio Syndrome because it leaves people physically paralyzed and mentally incapacitated.
Embry believes there’s more behind this epidemic than just a health issue. And when the vice-president succumbs to the virus, Embry is sure there is a political motive; she’s just got to find out who is behind it.
There are plenty of twists and turns with a rather surprising ending.
This is a first novel for Zeman, and it is a doozy. The good news is that this is the first of a trilogy. Zeman (a nom de plume) holds a doctorate in philosophy from Johns Hopkins University. He has been a professor, most recently at Yale.
Something Unpredictable
By Barbara Chepaitis
Atria, 2003, $24
This novel offers an amusing look at families. Delilah lives with her parents (she’s 32). Although she has a degree in geology, she’s working as a waitress. There are no romantic prospects in the picture either.
Life changes for Delilah and her family when her mother tracks down her own birth mother, Carla. Rather than go to visit Carla herself, Delilah’s mother encourages her to go instead.
It turns out that Carla is quite a character. In one of her careers, she was a professional tiger tamer. It takes a little while for them to warm up to each other, but Carla’s outlook on life gives Delilah a different perspective about her own.
And, while Delilah’s living with Carla, she meets a man who could change her life forever.
This is a warm and wonderfully written novel.
The Dead File
By Kelly Lange
Mysterious Press, 2003, $24.95
This is a sequel to “The Reporter,” in which Lange introduced readers to Maxi Poole.
Maxi, a television reporter, is assigned to cover the story of the death of Gillian Rose, the owner of a dietary supplement company in Los Angeles. She manages to weasel her way in to the crime scene before the body is removed and has her own opinion as to whether Gillian died by natural causes or foul play.
After all, there are plenty of people who benefited from Gillian’s demise. It turns out that her husband was involved in a longtime affair; the girlfriend naturally wanted Gillian out of the picture. But, Maxi discovers some other issues that point in a different direction, especially after the murder of Gillian’s assistant. And she then finds that she is the target for murder.
Lange is a former television reporter and anchor for a Los Angeles affiliate and is able to give readers a real feel for the television news scene.
Features Editor Faye M. Dasen may be reached at fdasen@thepilot.com.
