April brings the first breath of spring

Resurrection

By Kevin J. Madigan & Jon D. Levenson

Yale University Press, $30

This is a marvelous, clearly written examination of the teaching that at the end of time, God will cause the dead to live again. Often thought to be exclusively a Christian belief, these two Harvard scholars – one Jewish and one Christian – explain the universality of the belief in bodily resurrection in both the Old and New Testaments.

Of course, not every Jew or Christian in ancient times – or even today – believed in bodily resurrection.

Jesus’ resurrected body, while not exactly the same as before He died, was fully corporeal. He ate with his disciples and showed His wounds to Thomas.

This timely book aims to clarify confusion and dispel misconceptions about Judaism, Jesus and Christian origins.

Trim &Terrific

Gulf Coast Favorites

By Holly Clegg

Favorite Press, $24.95

If the thought of surviving on unappetizing food keeps you from dieting, take a look inside Holly Clegg’s collection of delicious meals that will please your palate while you become “Trim & Terrific.” Dozens of tempting, easy to follow recipes are pictured in full color.

Her liberal use of local seafood not only makes for tasty delights but also benefits America’s Wetlands from her generous donation of a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book.

Never Tell a Lie

By Hallie Ephron

William Morrow, $24.99

David and his very pregnant wife Ivy are having a yard sale to clear out their newly purchased Victorian house when an unknown woman, also very pregnant, appears and claims to have once lived in their new house. Turns out her name is Mildred and she was a classmate of the couple, so David invites her in to look around. She never comes out.

David comes under police scrutiny and Ivy discovers a web of lies as she attempts to clear him.

Quite a creepy mystery.

Hurry Sundown

By Michael Greenberg

Other Press, $22

“On July 5, 1996, my daughter was struck mad.”

With that opening sentence, Greenberg chronicles the heartbreak and gut-wrenching agony of seeing 15-year-old Sally’s descent into madness. We’re observers during her admission to a sweltering Manhattan psychiatric ward where, diagnosed as bipolar, she receives medications and treatments that barely help.

Finally released to the care of a sympathetic and competent psychiatrist, she recovered enough to regain a normal life.

This harrowing memoir will fascinate and enlighten all readers whether friend or family member of a bipolar victim.

The Brass Verdict

By Michael Connelly

Little, Brown, $26.99

Mickey Haller, who you’ll remember from “The Lincoln Lawyer” – so named because his office was in the back seat of a Lincoln Town Car complete with driver – finally gets the case that’ll make his name and fortune: defending a prominent movie producer accused of murdering his wife and her lover.

Unfortunately, he only inherited the case after his former partner was murdered. Nevertheless, Mickey sets out to build a defense but gets no help from his client who’s more interested in making movies.

Enter Connelly’s top detective, Harry Bosch, who’s determined to find the killer even if he has to use Haller as bait.

Wow! Two of Connelly’s best-loved characters together in one very intriguing case. Too good to miss.

Heat Lightning

By John Sandford

G.P. Putnam’s Sons, $26.95

When a victim is found dead near a veteran’s memorial with two bullets in his head and a lemon in his mouth, the second such crime in two weeks, it’s bad news for investigator Virgil Flowers, who at the time is in bed with his ex-wife (his second). But duty calls and Virgil can always find romance elsewhere.

Suspecting someone has a target list and everyone on it is connected in some way, Virgil finds they are all Vietnam veterans and that murder, money and revenge are probable motives. Boy, is he ever right.

Sandford has created a funny, irascible character in Flowers (his second outing) and we look for more of him.