Cheri's Book Picks

Gabriel Allon, an art conservator and sometimes Mossad agent, is drawn once again into the world of espionage and intrigue. In Portrait of a Spy by Daniel Silva, Gabriel works to stop deadly bombings by a network of terrorists whose efforts desire to bring down the United States and free world. Incredibly well written, as always; the book you won’t be able to put down.

The Astounding, the Amazing, and the Unknown by Paul Malmont is a blend of a true episode in WW II history, and an imagined cast of science fiction novelists and comics artists. Included are Isaac Asimov, L. Ron Hubbard, Robert Heinlein, Nikolai Tesla, and others. Working together in a covert military lab, these gentlemen are tasked with creating weapons based on scientific fiction technology—ray guns, weather-control, force fields etc. Oddly enough, they have difficulty in actually making this happen. It’s a funny and fast trip back to the future filled with POW! and BAM! The characters are well developed with their individual oddities…who would have thought?

The new book, Queen Elizabeth I by Margaret George is an incredible read, even if you’re not a historical fiction fan. It covers her court during her later years. There are glimpses of her early reign, but as she grew older, many in her court began to squabble over who will be her heir. Elizabeth was a woman of fierce intellect, desire and quite proud of her position, known forever as ‘The Virgin Queen’ of England. William Shakespeare, Kit Marlowe, Sir Walter Raleigh and others are an influence to the court and to the queen. Royalty from Spain, France, and Italy vie for attention, and bring drama to the book. Masterfully researched, Ms. George brings the queen to life.