One of these days I will figure out how to create a whole new web page devoted to books. But not today. I read a book this weekend that I did not link to on the left hand side. It was A Spectacle of Corruption by David Liss. I wanted to read something fairly easy, but not too dumbed down and this was perfect. A historical mystery, it delves into the world of 18th century Britain from the perspective of a ‘thief-taker’. One of Liss’ previous novels, A Conspiracy of Paper featured the same main character Benjamin Weaver, a Jewish outsider in London. In fact, the first book won an Edgar Award. In this book, you find Weaver just after he has been wrongly convicted of murder. He manages to escape and through his first person narrative, Weaver tells the tale of what exactly happened. The story itself was intriquing and the attention to detail pretty amazing. The characters too seemed true to life—no hookers with hearts of gold or any of that nonsense. The action hinges on the Parliamentary election of 1722 and the presence of Jacobites who support the return of James to the throne, two subjects about which I know very little. Liss really gives you an idea about what politics was like and how much your daily life depended on your station. The charm and evocation of the time make this a fascinating read.