MISTRESS OF SPICES by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruna

FIC

DIVAKARUN

Readers with an interest in magic or Indian culture will enjoy this story and its unusual conclusion.
Tilo chooses to serve as mistress of spices in a spice shop in moder-day Oakland. In fact, a mistress is a sort of nun, cloistered in her shop, dedicated to the spices, and strictly instructed not to become personally involved with the customers she helps by prescribing magical spices. Her celibacy is easier to maintain in the elderly body she is given. Most of Til's customers are immigrants or second generation, and clash of their new country's culture with that of their homes creates serious problems, as does prejudice and discrimination. Tilo becomes involved in these problems; worse, she falls in love with half-native American Raven. Raven has magical powers of his own and he loves Tilo, seeing the real woman through the disguise of her arthritic body. Of course, the spices exact their punishment, but it is not what Tilo or the reader expects.

ODD THOMAS by Dean Koontz

FIC

KOONTZ

Twenty-something Odd Thomas is a short-order cook in Pico Mundo, a small city in the western desert. Odd Thomas sees dead people. Though Odd does not fear the dead, he finds his ability to be a curse as often as it is a gift. Sometimes the dead seek his help in bringing their murderers to justice, and sometimes, with the help of the chief of police, Odd can prevent a crime. This time, however, the carnage Odd hopes to prevent, protecting his city and his beloved Stormy, is of unprecedented proportions. Odd must do his best in a race against time....

Readers looking for a well-written horror story, including a bit of bittersweet romance will be more than satisfied with Odd Thomas.