The High Road

by Terry Fallis,
McClelland & Stewart, 2010

A few months ago I told you about Terry Fallis's book, The Best Laid Plans, and said that I was looking forward to the sequel. It can be challenging for an author to follow up a well-received first novel with an equally successful second, but Fallis does not disappoint. I was pleased to see that his second book is just as well written, just as hilarious, just as fulfilling.

Now that no-nonsense political newcomer Angus McClintock has brought down the government and has a clear opportunity to return to academia, he must decide whether or not to run for office again. Of course, there wouldn't be much of a story if he didn't. Bring back Daniel Addison, his trusty aide; politically savvy octogenarian Muriel Parkinson; Muriel's granddaughter (and Daniel's love interest), Lindsay; and the two punky Petes, and you've got the makings of a terrific tale. Add in Emerson "Flamethrower" Fox, the mud-slinging Liberal candidate for Cumberland-Prescott; a visit from the American President and his alcoholic wife; and the collapse of the Alexandra Bridge over the Ottawa River, and let the political games begin!

Fallis leaves this reader hoping for another book in the Addison-McClintock series. There are still plenty of roads for the story to travel, and many plans yet to be laid.

Shadows on the River

by Linda Hall,
Steeple Hill, 2009

The third and final book in Hall's Shadows series tells the story of Ally Roarke, a single mom in her late 30s who carries a deep wound from her childhood. After witnessing the murder of her best friend at age 13, and identifying the attacker, the son of the town's richest family, Ally is victimized herself when the incident is swept under the carpet and her accusations are not believed. Forced out of the town a year later, Ally abandoned her faith in God, and sees her life as evidence that God is not there or He doesn't care.

Now living, working, and mothering in Halifax, Ally focuses her attention on work and her profoundly deaf daughter, Maddy. Larry Fremont, the murderer of her childhood friend, lives in the same city, but it's a big enough place that they haven't run into each other.

That changes the day Larry's colleague is found in a hotel room, dead of blunt force trauma. Ally is sure the disreputable businessman is responsible, and this time she's going to prove it and show everyone that she didn't make up her long ago story. This time, too, she'll have help. Mark Bishop, a new colleague, has just as much reason to hate Larry as she does.

But can Ally really trust Mark? Or is he just using her? And what, if anything, does the mysterious Zacchaeus Plan have to do with this latest death? Hopefully Ally will find out the answers before she becomes the killer's next victim.

A quick read, with characters you'll care about and enough twists and turns in the plot to keep you wondering how it'll all pan out.

Good to a Fault

by Marina Endicott
Freehand Books, 2008

At 43, Clara Purdy's life is one of predictable organization and duty. Divorced years earlier, following a brief marriage, she lives alone in the house she shared with her mother, has worked for the same insurance company for twenty years, and faithfully attends church out of a sense of tradition.

All her routines change the moment she runs into the down-and-out Gage family. When she learns they'd been living in their car, and it turns out that the mother has a serious illness, Clara feels she must do something useful. She invites the father, Clayton, the three children, and their grandmother to stay with them while Lorraine remains in hospital. The rest, as they say, is history.

Beautifully written, with well drawn characters and a compelling story, this book took a little while to read, but was definitely worth the effort. I was a bit taken aback by developments in Clara's relationship with the good pastor, and am relieved that the author notes "that the parish and diocese described...bear no resemblance to any on earth." Otherwise, the one thing that irritated me was Father Paul's penchant for reciting esoteric poetry.

Winner 2009 Commonwealth Writers' Prize, Best Book (Regional: Canada); shortlisted 2008 Scotiabank Giller Prize ; shortlisted 2009 Evergreen Award