The story takes place during the Inquisition and involves the murders of several university professors in England. The detective is a priest in exile who works as a spy for Queen Elizabeth. My impressions were that the book started out interestingly enough, but got stuck …more with repetitive scenarios mid-way through. I liked the descriptions of life during that time period but felt the book would have benefited from stronger editing. Probably a good beach read. (less)

There are many things about this book to like, and I found it to be a fast read. The characters and their individual stories are intriguing, and the author's manner of linking their stories via the mysterious Hayden, holds the narrative together quite well. It would be a …more good pick for book clubs that are interested in discussing themes such as family, loss, and the possibility of re-inventing oneself. (less)

Reading ‘How We Decide’ is a bit like sampling a tray of interesting appetizers; you experience the equivalent of new tastes, in small portions, that are pleasing (or not), and which are a prequel to a future experience. Using a variety of examples from industry, and …more descriptions of scientific research projects, the author explains how brain chemistry is implicated in our emotions, instincts, and personal experiences. He explores their contributions to how we make both everyday and life-changing decisions.

If you are considering reading this book, I suggest doing so a chapter or two at a time, with someone else, or even in a book group. The information presented, while interesting, can be somewhat dry, and it takes conversation to explore the implications of what science is telling us. It is not necessary to have a vast knowledge of brain anatomy or physiology in order to understand the material in the book, but I found having a visual reference helpful. Personally, I found the discussion of the positive effects of emotion on our behaviors to be of the most interest.

Similar books that I have read are Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman and Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions by Dan Ariely. (less)