In this issue, ORB core reviewers cover art, crime and travel stories by four Canadian authors. Ottawa-based Mark Frutkin's novel on the life of the Italian master Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio is a delightful foray into the creative and yet seedy world of the Italian Renaissance. Kelley Armstrong's last novel in the Rockton series and Howard Shrier's recent short story collection both feature highly nuanced characters in rich settings and byzantine plots. And finally, Bill Arnott's travel sequel to Gone Viking takes us to the four corners of the world. We hope you enjoy ORB's insights into these four books, which are as enjoyable as they are eclectic.