Can you recommend an excellent book or article about how to critique a journal article?
Not a book, but an article:
&quot;Ten Simple Rules for Reviewers&quot; by Philip E. Bourne and Alon Korngreen (PLoS Computational Biology vol. 2, issue 9, e110, September 2006)
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.0020110

Do Not Accept a Review Assignment unless You Can Accomplish the Task in the Requested Timeframe—Learn to Say No
Avoid Conflict of Interest
Write Reviews You Would Be Satisfied with as an Author
As a Reviewer You Are Part of the Authoring Process
Be Sure to Enjoy and to Learn from the Reviewing Process
Develop a Method of Reviewing That Works for You
Spend Your Precious Time on Papers Worthy of a Good Review
Maintain the Anonymity of the Review Process if the Journal Requires It
Write Clearly, Succinctly, and in a Neutral Tone, but Be Decisive
Make Use of the “Comments to Editors”