Fingerprints: The Origins of Crime Detection and the Murder Case That Launched Forensic Science, by Colin Beavan

I was amazed by the story - both the fight to get fingerprints accepted as a means of identification (let alone crime detection) and even more the bitter struggle for the pioneer to ever get recognition in his part developing the science of fingerprinting.

I was also intrigued to realize that fingerprinting, like the French Bertillon system, were promoted and developed to have a reliable identification of criminals so that sentencing was appropriate (i.e. a hardened criminal would adopt new identities to get lighter sentences as a "first time" offender). Good book, fascinating story!

Odds Against, by Dick Francis

Blast from the past - written in 1965, it is a good thriller/mystery starring Sid Halley, a ex-jockey turned (sort-of) private eye. Skullduggery, business intrigue, torture, and a glimpse at the UK in the 60's. Good, Classic Francis.

The Edge of the Sword, book one of the Errand of Vengance series, by Kevin Ryan.

I'm really impressed - this one is a TOS (the Original Series) Trek novel, that follows a young Klingon, who has infiltrated the Enterprise. His mission is to assassinate Kirk. But first he has to survive. And avoid learning the truth about the cowards of the Federation, and the "corrupt liar" Kirk.

The author makes good use of the extensive Trek reference materials, without (IMHO) making you feel like you're at at Trek Triva night. Good pacing and story lines in a variety of settings (Enterprise, Starfleet headquarters, a Klingon ship) keep the story and interest going. I'm looking forward to the next installment. Like NOW, please!