Have not read Murphy or Monette. McKillip - often quite good, McKinley also. Kushner - I keep wanting to like them, but never quite make that essential connection to the characters. I ahvne't read Carroll. I own Jonathan Norrell and Mr. Strange but havne't got very far in because it requires long uninterrupted reading times, and I've really only been able to do 15- or 20-minute snatches at a time recently. Your reviews of The Golden Compass and the Dean are pretty much like mine. :)