The Pale Blue Eye, Louis Bayard. A well-executed historical mystery that works as both pastiche and homage. After a series of gruesome murders, Cadet Edgar Poe is brought in to assist the detective in charge. Bayard nail's Poe's tone and affectation. The plot is worthy of one of the famous author's gothic horrors, while the ending owes a good bit to Agatha Christie. Lovely.

Read August 2006