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Show BOOK BUZZ By LAURA WADLEY 'Stalin's Ghost' Bleak outlooks and snowy tarns. Mitai v""' landscapes are givens in Martin Cruz Smith's Detective Arkady Renko's adventures. In "Stalin's Ghost," Renko's partner, Victor, answers the phone on another officer's desk, to discover a hit being arranged. Arkady and Victor begin investigating (off the books) their colleagues, Urman and Isakov, who are suddenly "on the scene" for multiple deaths that appear to be acci- dents or suicides. Complicating the investigation are the sudden "appearances" of Stalin's ghost at various subway stops and the fact that Renko's lover has left him for Isakov, who is also Alexander and die running for office as a "paper" candidate someone designed Woaderful, Marvelous. to siphon votes away from Excdkut, Traffic ' legitimate candidates so the , Ninety Pays Putin government can remain in power. As with others of Smith's Renko masterworks, "Stalin's Ghost" is characterized by ' mordant wit, moral courage, and the deep sorrow and endless endurance of the Russian people, whose hope of democas it racy was as short-live- d with the children, they must , was welcome. also accommodate themselves 'Alexander and the to the possibility of ice cream Wonderful, Marvelous, on the red velvet chairs, to Olivia's demands that Grandpa Excellent, Terrific admit she is prettier than JuJu Ninety Days' and to tantrums over toast ' cut into squares instead of triWho doesn't remember with fondness Judith Viorst's angles. As usual, Viorst has packed t children's classic, "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No into this lighthearted little tome much wisdom and good humor Good, Very Bad Day'? about parenting, grandparent-ing- , Alexander is Viorst's own even some thoughts on son and 25 years later we meet him again in "Alexander giving way a little bit on one's own neatnickedness. In spite and the Wonderful, Marvelof Alexander's somewhat ous, Excellent, Terrific Ninety desperate beginnings, he has Days." Alexander, his wife turned out well. and his own three children, move in with the Viorsts while their home is being renovated. I Laura Wadley is a librarian with the Provo City Library. While Grandpa and Grandma her at laurawprovo. (JuJu) have much quality time, lib.ut.us. (and some golden moments) f viorsT Judith (?) .7 0 , Jl l l More Central Utah listings than anybody. Period. jk .ggg tmstor .III TBERNET SST t fr ' XANGO" .. I.. 1 Wabsrta for Nwws and Information s' ..inn- In Cantral Utah. jfasg 1 |