Nikita Khrushchev’s so-called “Secret Speech” is the central spark to the events of Tom Rob Smith’s THE SECRET SPEECH. But first, a 1946 prologue takes place, in which the actions of what investigator Leo Demidov did in his old position of an MGB will have severe ripple effects. Fast forward to 1956, when Khrushchev famously denounced the actions of the Stalin regime.
For those who have not read Smith’s previous novel, CHILD 44, pick it up and read that first, because this story is a continuation of certain characters from that story. But also do so because it’s a top-notch read that will only enhance your enjoyment of this jaw-dropping historical thriller.
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Alternate-reality games have been all the rage for the past few years as marketers have found ways to merge fiction, reality and advertising in vast multimedia campaigns. From HALO 3 to LOST, these things seem to be everywhere, and this is the kernel from which Walter Jon Williams sprouts his latest.
Following in the footsteps of other cyberpunk pioneers by verging into the whole “the present has become science fiction” meme that I don’t quite agree with, THIS IS NOT A GAME begins with our spunky geek-chick protagonist, Dagmar, recovering from a job in Jakarta when all hell breaks loose and chaos envelops the city.
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While it’s a popular notion that the zine format died years ago, it’s actually being kept alive on life support by a steadfast crew of people who refuse to give up hope, maintaining a constant bedside vigil. One of those people is Baltimore’s Davida Gypsy Breier, and she’s back with her latest project, the zombie-themed RIGOR MORTIS.
When I was heavily into zines, I was always into the film ones — way more than those sappy, pre-LiveJournal personal ones — and MORTIS wonderfully (and also quite slickly) hearkens back to that. Sure, many of us who have devoted way too many hours to horror will find it a nice little refresher, but, for those of you just getting into zombies and the living dead, MORTIS will be a great primer for you.
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With that WOLVERINE movie still making bank at the box office, people must love their cigar-smoking Canadians with mammoth sideburns. Good news for them: We have five copies to give away of Mike W. Barr’s THE WOLVERINE FILES, which is a S.H.I.E.L.D.-compiled, top-secret compilation of all known facts about the mutant: origins, career, friends, allies and enemies.
Speaking of allies, here are the five winners:
• Liza Sonza of Cerritos, Calif.
• Bob Vasquez of Council Bluffs, Iowa
• Andrew Neville of Arlington, Va.
• Jacob Arroyo of McPherson, Kan.
• Steve Gibson of Virginia Beach, Va.
Buy it at Simon & Schuster, and sign up for the S&S newsletter while you’re at it.
