I also read The Ruins, by Scott Smith (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400043875). Run, don't walk, AWAY from this book. It's about two couples who uncover a horrific twist of nature in the Mexican jungle. It was a riveting two days, BUT the characters were stereotypes, the premise was a huge stretch, and the end left a major bad taste in my mouth. It sort of reminded me of that Steven King story in which the main character, who is starving to death, decides to eat bits of himself. I really like A Simple Plan, which was also down beat, but this one - blech!
And, I've got something furn in the works. My editor at The Oregonian asked me to review Kate Atkinson's new book, One Good Turn (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316154849). I was a huge fan of Case Histories, a mystery that linked three stories. So I'll get to read what may well be a good book - and get paid for it.
