Bibliofiles­: Book reviews by Ruth Freeman

Spring has sprung on the shelves. There are lots of great new books so come in and browse. There are new memoirs, mysteries guaranteed to keep you glued to the pages and plenty of just darn good reads.

"And furthermore' by Judi Dench is the charming chronicle of her life, both before she first steps onto the stage and then later following her theater and film career. She is well known for playing a vast variety of television and movie roles with many equally famous actors. Her wonderful sense of humor permeates the book and will delight both her many fans and any Anglophiles.

"Blood, Bones and Butter" is Gabrielle Hamilton's memoir of growing up and her experiences in the catering and restaurant businesses. This "writer in chef's clothing" owns Prune, a well known NYC restaurant. The divorce of her parents set her on an independent course at a very young age and a dishwashing job started her down the restaurant path. Well written and a must for anyone who enjoys reading about the culinary world.

"The Priest" by Gerard O'Donovan introduces DSI Mulcahey, busy chasing down a serial killer in Dublin dubbed "The Priest." The tension within the team trying to find the perpetrator before he strikes again is palpable. Headquarter's politics and jealousy complicate the search, ramping up the pressure on Mulcahy to follow his instincts and stop the murders.

"My Korean Deli" by Ben Ryder Howe is an excellent memoir of working at the family's deli, purchased in the mistaken belief that it will make them financially better off. The author was an editor at "The Paris Review" at the same time and the contrast between the two workplaces couldn't be more extreme. Very humorous and touching; the author has no problem pointing out how much they had to learn and how challenging running the store became.

"Twice a Spy" by Keith Thomson is the anxiously awaited sequel to the hysterical "Once a Spy." The team consists of Drummond Clark, a former spy now fighting Alzheimer's, and his son Charlie. Both are trying to stay one step ahead of the CIA and various villains. There is plenty of action and many laughs as they scamper from the Alps to the Caribbean. The author clearly has an inside track on the workings of intelligence operatives as the book is loaded with wonderful details on the art of spy vs. spy.

"Your Farm in the City'" by Lisa Taylor is a timely addition to our shelves. It's described as "an urban dweller's guide to growing food and raising animals." This lush book has lots of information about gardening in a small space. Tips on using rain barrels and accommodating beneficial insects also abound. When you are ready to branch out into raising chickens, ducks, goats, bees and rabbits the instructions are right here.

"Crazy U" by Andrew Ferguson is a lighthearted look at the tension filled business of applying to college, told via the experiences of his son. There are astute and funny observations that will be familiar to anyone who has lived through this process. He also delves into the history of standardized testing, the importance of marketing and the mysteries of the admissions decision making.

"So Much Pretty" by Cara Hoffman is chilling and highly recommended. It is an unflinching look at violence against women and complacency possible evil among members of your community. It takes place in rural upstate New York. The central characters are a reporter with an itch to land a big story, and a high school student who may be too wise for her own good. This book is relentless, especially once the shocking crime at its center unfolds.

"Cooks Country Blue Ribbon Desserts" is a terrific compilation of all your favorite cake, cookie, fruit dessert and pie recipes. Crafted in the famous America's Test Kitchens, the huge advantage of these recipes is that they have been perfected to the point where it is impossible to make a wrong move. Gorgeous photos help you visualize the end results.

"Started Early, Took My Dog" is vintage Kate Atkinson. The latest in the series starring PI Jackson Brodie that began with "Case Histories," this book also introduces a number of new characters. The action travels across the decades with the connections between characters slowly becoming apparent. I don't want to give any plot details away, suffice it to say it's a real page turner.

Ruth Freeman is reader adviser for the Rowayton Library.