Book 5 - The Geographer's Library

Originally posted 01-28-07! Read sometime within the months of December and January!

Title: The Geographer’s Library
Author: Jon Fasman
Pages: 372
Grade: B+

Summary: (From Publishers Weekly)
A young reporter is caught up in a deadly centuries-long treasure hunt in this puppyish but brainy debut, a thriller steeped in arcane lore and exotic history. When Paul Tomm, a reporter for the Lincoln Carrier, a small Connecticut newspaper, looks into the demise of Jaan Puhapaev, an elderly academic found dead in his cluttered house, nothing seems out of the ordinary - until the pathologist performing the autopsy is himself killed in a freak car accident. Various locals and acquaintances offer reminiscences of the late professor that suggest Puhapaev was an extremely complicated (and perhaps dangerous) character. Tomm's discoveries lead him to a lovely young woman, a network of international smugglers and hidden alchemical libraries. Appealing more to the intellect than to the emotions, the book is slowed by the catalogue-like descriptions of precious objects that close many chapters, while the protagonist, however likable, is often too naïve to be entirely credible. Still, some deft plotting and lively writing bode well for the author's future literary endeavors.

My thoughts: The main story was decent. It took a long time to tie back to the beginning and I didn’t quite appreciate the ending but overall I liked it. My favorite part was actually the odd disjointed tales of the items. I really wish those had combined with the actual storyline more…or even been the story itself. There was a lot of potential there. If you like books by Dan Brown, Steve Berry…or those people who don’t make it onto my bookshelf but are in that vein I recommend it.