I never can remember the difference between synchronicity and serendipity, only that they're both good things. I was an an anthro minor in college and when I read the book I went, "Yay!" Though at first I wasn't too interested in the plot description on the cover; I picked it up because the novel had been recommended in an issue of Year's Best Fantasy and Horror.

Have you seen this interview (http://www.bookbrowse.com/author_interviews/full/index.cfm?author_number=876) with Michael Gruber? It starts off about another novel of his but then they segue into Tropic of Night.