The Monitor Guide to The Bestsellers

The Monitor's Guide to Bestsellers

HARDCOVER NONFICTION

1. THE BRETHREN, by John Grisham, Doubleday, $27.95

(Last week 1, Weeks on list 2)

Three federal prison inmates, former judges, design a mail scam preying on people's most intimate secrets. Their victims, closet homosexuals hoping to find something special with a fictitious character created by the Brethren, are willing to hand everything over to keep their secrets from getting out. Soon, these con men catch the biggest fish of all - the front-runner for the upcoming presidential election. Grisham has done a great job with this story of politics and extortion. (366 pp.)

By Anne Toevs 2. GAP CREEK, by Robert Morgan, Algonquin Books, $22.95

(Last week 2, Weeks on list 4)

Imagine a Stephen King novel based on the family in "Little Women" and written in the language of "Huck Finn." Now subtract the sensitivity of Alcott and the themes of Twain, and you've got the gap creaking in Morgan's work. One of Oprah's recent choices, this tale of an Appalachian couple at the turn of the 19th century is told through the use of ugly images of death and hardship, which, lacking the string of tenderness necessary to tie them together, leave the reader disgusted rather than affected. (324 pp.)

By Christy Ellington

3. THE LION'S GAME, by Nelson DeMille, Warner, $26.95

(Last week 3, Weeks on list 6)

A Libyan terrorist has just killed a plane load of passengers, ducked out of the airport, and is wreaking havoc across America. John Corey, a street-tough former NYPD cop, is now working for the Federal Anti-Terrorist Task Force with Kate Mayfield, a snarly, brazen babe. As they track the killer, Corey and Mayfield strike up a steamy romance. DeMille is good at creating suspense, and his characters are well-developed, but his trite, smart-alecky dialogue clogs up the story with useless detail. (673 pp.)

By Lane Hartill

4. SICK PUPPY, by Carl Hiaasen, Alfred A. Knopf, $25

(Last week 4, Weeks on list 6)

Hiaasen has woven together a wacky tale of a Florida land deal gone bad (very bad) by the mishappenings of a lovable, oversized black Labrador retriever named Boodles. Motivated by greed, fame, sex, and old-boy political favors, Hiaasen's corrupt southern politicians pay a chaotic price for their decadent ways. It's a fun read with wonderful southern wit. But be alert to colorful language, sexual references, and graphic violence.

(341 pp.)

By Anne Toevs

5. TIMELINE, by Michael Crichton, Alfred A. Knopf, $26.95

(Last week 6, Weeks on list 12)

Using the tools of scientific possibilities, Crichton pens a fantasy of quantum technology, time travel, and 14th-century France. Once again, his characters are shallow, some even disposable. But it's the twists and turns in plot that keep the pages turning. An egotistic billionaire's plans to transport a team of historians go terribly wrong when they arrive in medieval France, smack in the middle of the Hundred Year's War. While the capture-escape plot is overdone, the historical details are refreshing. (449 pp.)

By Suman Bandrapalli

6. FALSE MEMORY, by Dean Koontz, Bantam Doubleday Dell, $26.95

(Last week 5, Weeks on list 7)

Martie Rhodes and her husband have tackled the mental disorders of their friends and family for years, but when Martie's mind seems the next victim of a psychotic frenzy, the couple is forced to find the truth behind these inner voices. Koontz guides readers through a forest of psychotic disorders with skill, providing well-crafted characters and the roots of what promises to be a thrilling adventure. As the middle of the expedition approaches, however, readers may feel trapped in a long, bumpy ride. (640 pp.)

By Christy Ellington

7. A WALK TO REMEMBER, by Nicholas Sparks, Warner Books, $24.98

(Last week 8, Weeks on list 18)

This warm portrayal of first love and its power speaks to the heart. Landon Carter is hit hard with the reality of college, life decisions, and thinking about someone other than himself. Teaching him about the importance of these things is Jamie Sullivan, a much-maligned do-gooder. Jamie's efforts to convince Landon to be in a play, visit an orphanage, and become more spiritually involved change Landon's life. This book reminds us that loving and giving have miraculous results.

(240 pp.)

By Rebecca J. Davis

8. ATLANTIS FOUND, by Clive Cussler, Putnam, $26.95

(Last week 7, Weeks on list 9)

The latest Dirk Pitt escapade finds the marine archaeologist battling a group of neo-Nazis as they race to discover the location of the civilization of Atlantis, which has been destroyed by a comet. "Atlantis Found" is typical of Cussler's later adventures, which have become noticeably more outlandish. However, those willing to indulge the preposterous - but fun - action-set pieces and clunky dialogue will relish the familiar ingredients of exotic locations and paeans to fraternal camaraderie. (544 pp.)

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