Page Turners With Class

The Cat Who Sang For the Birds: Lillian Jackson Braun Putnam, Rs 370, 256 pages

An elderly woman dies in a suspicious fire in Moose County, and theres a mysterious break-in at the art centre. Quite clearly a job for newspaper columnist Jim Qwilleran and his two unusual cats, Koko and Yum Yum. If youve never read Brauns Moose County stories before, this thinking mans sleuth saga is a good place to start.

Black and Blue: Anna Quindlen

Random House, Rs 630, 272 pages

The ex-New York Times columnist came out with a disappointing first novel, but perhaps this will make up for it. Quindlen takes a sympathetic look at what happens when a passionate marriage becomes a nightmare. Fran Benedetto begins a new life with her son when she walks out on her husband. Quindlens wry and occasionally funny look at how Benedetto adapts to her new identity doesnt conflict with the tension she creates.

Women With Men: Richard Ford

Knopf, Rs 405, 255 pages

In these three gripping long stories, Richard Ford demonstrates his control over the uneven terrain of human relationships. In The Womaniser, a salesman grappling with a failed marriage has an awkward affair in Paris. Occidentals presents another grim look at how badly things can go wrong: an author whos written a novel about his divorce finds himself cooling his heels in Paris while he waits for his publisher and mistress to show up. Jealousy is a violent change of pace. A young boy goes through a bloody rite of passage when he witnesses a saloon killing the day before catching a train to Seattle.

Pandora: Anne Rice

Knopf, $20, 288 pages

The Vampire Lestat has company in this sexy addition to the vampire chronicles. Pandoras a 2,000-year-old New Ager, has disturbing dreams of bloodlust and sets off in search of the Vampire Lestat and Co. All tjis is chronicled by fledgling vampire David Talbot. Rice has returned to top form with a tale that you can really get your teeth into. Bound to have Lestat fans saying fangs for the memory.