"in media res"? I thought that meant virtual memory (resident on other media) *g*...

(That technique tends not to work on me, because I usually do a "page 117 test" -- turn to a page around that number, which is usually a way beyond the beginning but not close to the end, and see if that page grabs me. That way I avoid any 'hooks' an author might have put at the start and get a sample of what the writing is really like, if I turn the page to see what's next I'll buy the book.)