The stars of this book are the characters, which I feel I can say for the whole series. They are interesting, as well as intelligent

The Darkness Knows by Arnaldur Indriðason takes place in a small town where, it seemed, you are one or two connections from anyone else living there

This book has a lot going for it, police drama, corporate intrigue, murder, action, a new kind of tortured super-hero, and the effects on a small community.

A struggling writer finds himself teaching a third-rate MFA program in Vermont, finds himself harrassed for stealing a dead student’s storyline.

Dr. Ryland Grace woke up on a space-ship with no idea why he’s there. His crew-mates are dead and the spaceship is millions of miles from home.

Into the Jungle takes place in the jungles of Bolivia where an American woman finds herself with her Bolivian husband who went back to his village in the jungle

Investigating a case with the rare book, Alicia and Vargas go to Barcelona uncovering an tangled web of kidnappings , murders, and meet with the Sempere family

A young adult award winning novel, a national bestseller, which takes place in Holland during World War II. Ms. Hesse is an author and a journalist

The novel takes full advantage of geek culture, and infantile jokes but the science in this book is fascinating ranging from overall theories to nuts and bolts

Most of all The Martian celebrates human inventiveness to survive. An adventure book celebrating intelligence, done with intellect, wit and full of suspense.