Holy Disorders

Holy Disorders is by Edmund Crispin. The second in the historical fiction Gervase Fen mystery series. Geoffrey is a composer. He is summoned, by his friend Gervase Fen, to the remote town of Tolnbridge to cover for a church organist who has been attacked in the church. He is attacked along the way, and when he arrives discovers the former organist has been murdered. He and Gervase must now discover who is behind the murder and a possible coven of witches, and a group of German spies. Fans of the series will love this installment. Gervase rocks!

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10. 

The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek

The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek is by Kim Michele Richardson. A moving historical fiction novel about life in Kentucky. Cussy Mary is a bookwoman, a traveling librarian hired by the WPA to deliver books into the back woods of Kentucky. She is also a "blue," having a rare genetic disorder that makes her skin blue. She fights prejudice and poverty to do her job and deliver her books - and to find love. This book is sad, and unfortunately all to historically accurate. 

Ratings: 12th grade - AC (mature thematic content) - P (profanity). 

The End of the Tether

The End of the Tether is by Joseph Conrad. A classic tale of love and hatred set in Africa. This is the story of Captain Whalley. He owns a sailing ship and has made a name for himself in the cargo trade, but his wife has died and steam is now taking over for sailing ships. When he receives a letter from his daughter asking for financial assistance, he sells his beloved ship and becomes a partner with Massy who owns the Sofala. Massy is dishonest and a gambler. He does not reveal the true state of the ship, and Whalley does not tell him that the money he has invested is all he has. As the term of their agreement approaches its end, Whalley intends to get his share back and go to live with his daughter. Massy, now broke, hopes for more money from Whalley, not knowing he has no more. A tragic tale of two men on a collision course for disaster. 

Ratings: 12th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Essays Presented to Charles Williams

Essays Presented to Charles Williams is edited by C.S. Lewis. A collection of essays intended to be presented to Charles Williams, but he died before they could be given to him. A magnificent collection of essays by Lewis, Tolkien, Sayers, Barfield, Mathew, and "Warnie" Lewis. A must read for all lovers of the Inklings. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. 

Ratings: 12th grade - 10 out of 10. 

The Hope of the Gospel

The Hope of the Gospel is by George MacDonald. A must read work of Christian apologetics. MacDonald writes about the gospel as one who has truly spent his life trying to understand it. The final chapter on animals is thought provoking and interesting. Even if you don't agree with all of MacDonald's theology, this book is a classic all Christians should read. 

Ratings: 9 out of 10. 

Til We Have Faces

Til We Have Faces is by C.S. Lewis. A wonderful classic retelling by the author of the Narniad. Lewis retells the myth of Cupid and Psyche from the point of view of Psyche's older sister. The story takes on love, jealousy, loss, revenge, belief in the gods, and redemption and salvation. His last novel is one of his most powerful. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. Wonderful for fans of Lewis, as well as lovers of Greek myth. 

Ratings: 9 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic contents). 

Tremendous Trifles

Tremendous Trifles is by G. K. Chesterton. A wonderful collection of columns from Chesterton's career as a journalist for the Daily News. Chesterton is a brilliant writer; he takes a seemingly common topic and makes it profound. His brilliance, wit, and humor color the entire collection. A classic well worth reading. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Hallelujah: Cultivating Advent Traditions With Handel's Messiah

Hallelujah: Cultivating Advent Traditions With Handel's Messiah is by Cindy Rollins. A wonderful nonfiction look at advent traditions, why they are important, and the beauty of using Handel's Messiah to celebrate the season. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 10 out of 10. 

Black Dahlia, Red Rose

Black Dahlia Red Rose: The Crime Corruption, and Cover-Up of America's Greatest Unsolved Murder is by Piu Eatwell. A fantastic nonfiction dive into the infamous Black Dahlia murder and who might have committed it and why they were never caught. 

Ratings: Adult - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).  

The Moving Toyshop

The Moving Toyshop is by Edmund Crispin. The third installment of the historical fiction Gervase Fen Mysteries. Richard Cadogan is on his way to Oxford to visit an old friend. He steps into a toy store and discovers the body of a dead woman. When he returns with the police, the toy shop has turned into a grocery and there is no dead body. The police think Richard is nuts, so he turns to his friend. Gervase Fen, to help him solve the mystery - and hijinks ensure. Fans of the eclectic series will love this addition to the series. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 9 out of 10. 

The Case of the Gilded Fly

The Case of the Gilded Fly is by Edmund Crispin. The first in the historical fiction Gervase Fen mystery series. Gervase Fen is a Professor of Literature at Oxford, he also dabbles in solving crimes. When a repertory company comes to Oxford to produce a play, Fen plans to enjoy a meeting with an old friend who is a poet and see the play. Then one of the actors is found dead, the police say suicide, but Fen says murder. Who is right? A charming cozy mystery complete with references to literature throughout. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 9 out of 10. 

Boomers: The Men and Women Who Promised Freedom and Delivered Disaster

Boomers: The Men and Women Who Promised Freedom and Delivered Disaster is by Helen Andrews. An interesting nonfiction look at six Boomers, who meant to influence the world for good and yet left disaster in their wake. Andrews covers these individuals fairly, citing both the good and the bad, yet her disdain for the problems the Boomers have caused for the rest of society is clear. A very insightful read. 

Ratings: Adult - 7 out of 10. 

The Dead Season

The Dead Season is by Tessa Wegert. The second in the realistic fiction Shana Merchant mystery series. Shana is still on suspension from her last case as she continues her counseling. When human bones are discovered in her home town and turn out to be her uncle long thought gone, she goes home to support her family. Then a child is kidnapped from an island on a school field trip. Shana realizes that the two crimes, one old and one new, are related and the serial killer she escaped wants her to solve the first murder to uncover the location of the child. Shana realizes she must finally come clean to her new partner if she ever hopes to wade through the family morass she is now involved in. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content). 

Death in the Family

Death in the Family is by Tessa Wegert. The first book in the Shana Merchant series of realistic fiction mysteries. Shana was a detective in New York City until she was kidnapped by a serial killer. She has moved to a small town in upstate New York, to work on her PTSD and still work as a detective in a town where little happens. When she and her new partner are called to an island owned by the wealthy Sinclair family on a missing person case, they discover it's really a murder. When a storm strands them all on the island, Shana must discover who is the killer and fight off her own demons. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).