Day: January 5, 2008

Another John Le Carré, Call for the Dead blends espionage with procedural. Less than 150 pages in paperback, but a fine read. George Smiley’s introduction is pedestrian: even the opening chapter’s title is dry, “A brief history of George Smiley.”

Wonder if Le Carré had any premonition he would be writing novels with Smiley involved one way or another for decades?

Call for the Dead takes place all in England. The interaction between the spy service and the police is delicate, and successful only because of personal connections overcoming institutional edginess (not quite outright rivalry). The Spy Who Came In from the Cold harkens back to these events, expanding on an event (turning an East German agent) that isn’t quite there, but could have been.

Whatever. This mystery turns the pages.

Thanks to Neal Stephenson (1, 2, 3), Isaac Newton interests me.

Ghostwalk, by Rebecca Stott, was a Books Inc. recommendation when I was in the store early last month. It’s a murder mystery in the 20th century infused with Newton’s early alchemical explorations at Cambridge in the 17th century. The tactic of addressing the story to the in-novel author’s lover annoyed me occasionally, and the mystery itself is rather mundane after so much effort to mash science and mysticism.

There is a short “Further Reading” section, which includes a link to the Newton Project…something for future exploration.

Never heard about You Kill Me before it showed up in the house, but mildly entertaining movie. The 64 on Metacritic is accurate, but if you’re in the mood for near-mindless, almost-dark comedy, you could do worse.

Téa Leone and Sir Ben Kingsley are the stars, but Bill Pullman is funny. It’s hard to watch Ben Kingsley in anything and not think of Gandhi. When the role is an alcoholic hit man trying to dry out, in part while working in a funeral home, you’re able to forget Mahatma for a bit. 😉

Congratulations to Isabel and Cort on the new arrival. I hope the older sister learns to appreciate her new sister quickly.