The Sussex Downs Murder is by John Bude. A classic Golden Age historical fiction mystery; the second in the Inspector Meredith series. The Rother brothers run a business at a farm on the Sussex Downs. When John disappears and his car is found abandoned, Inspector Meredith is called in to find out if he has been murdered. Then his brother William is definitely murdered and the mystery deepens. A must read for Agatha Christie fans.
Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10.
Lessons in Chemistry is by Bonnie Garmus. A charming realistic fiction tale of a woman determined to live life her own way. Elizabeth Zott is a chemist in the 1960s, when women are not exactly respected in the sciences. She meets and begins a relationship with a famous chemist and discovers the meaning of true chemistry. When Calvin dies unexpectedly, Elizabeth discovers she is no longer welcome at the lab where they worked and, oh yeah, she is pregnant. Elizabeth continues her work in chemistry at home with her young daughter and becomes the star of a cooking show to pay the bills, using this platform to encourage women to step out of the role society expects of them and pursue their own goals. This is a fun and moving story of love and the importance of being who you were meant to be.
Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).
Death Comes for the Archbishop is by Willa Cather. The classic historical fiction tale of the French bishop who comes to the New Mexico territory in 1851 to reinvigorate and spread the Catholic faith. Father Latour brings his childhood friend Father Vaillant to help him. Together they must deal with the rugged unpopulated terrain, the vastness of his territory, the religion of the Native Americans, rebel priests, and their own differing styles and talents. This is a magnificent story! A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. I am not usually a fan of Cather's writing, but this is a wonderfully written book. I laughed and cried and fell in love with two very singular Catholic priests.
Ratings: 10th grade - 10 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content).
The Sentence is Death is by Anthony Horowitz. The second book in the Hawthorne and Horowitz realistic fiction mystery series. Hawthorne interrupts a television shoot to wrangle Horowitz to join him to solve the murder of a celebrity-divorce lawyer. He was beaten to death and had his throat slashed with a bottle of very expensive liquor, but he didn't drink. The number 182 is found painted on the wall in green paint. Hawthorne's enemies on the police force threaten Horowitz if he doesn't keep them in the loop, and also begin to interfere with his television show. Hawthorne is being his usual tight-lipped self. Horowitz is in a pickle, will he be able to solve the murder himself without getting injured by the police and the murderer? Fans of this series will enjoy this installment.
Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).
Killers of a Certain Age is by Deanna Raybourn. A fun and suspenseful realistic fiction romp. If James Bond seduced the Golden Girls and had a baby this would be it. A quartet of female assassins are in their sixties and ready to retire. They decide to take a cruise to spend some time together before they head off into the sunset. Then they discover they have been targeted for assassination by their own agency. Now they must discover who is gunning for them and take them out. A wonderful romp!
Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).
Blood Tally is by Brian McClellan. The second book in the fantasy Valkyrie Collections series. Alek, the lead Reaper for Valkyrie Collections - who also has troll blood - doesn't catch runaway vampire thralls. Since he is a slave himself, he has made it clear this is a job he won't take, and his owner has honored that request - till now. Alek is asked to find a runaway thrall for a nasty jerk vampire, only to discover he is being asked to do this because the local vampire lord - who is blackmailing his boss - wants something the thrall has stolen from his master. When Alek discovers what the thrall has stolen and what it might mean for humanity, he decides he must find the thrall and destroy what he has stolen. Along the way, he frees a sphinx, who decides to move in with Alek and the genie who lives in his ring, and must work with a witch - Alek hates witches. Fans of the series will love this installment and will find themselves saying to McClellan "please sir, can I have some more."
Ratings: 12th grade - 9 out of 10 - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).
The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood is by Howard Pyle. The classic historical fiction children's tale of the adventures of Robin Hood and his merry band. A must read for children, and adults, of all ages. This classic collection is charming, adventurous, amusing, but with a sad ending. Relive the adventures of Robin, Friar Tuck, Little John, Allan-a-Dale, and the evil Sherriff of Nottingham. A great classic! A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.
Ratings: 6th grade - 10 out of 10.
The House by the Stable: A Christmas Play is by Charles Williams. A wonderful allegorical drama centered around the owner of the stable where Christ was born. The owner, who is named Man, has begun a relationship with Pride, who has invited her brother Hell to gamble with Man for his soul. The Man's servant Gabriel informs him that a couple has arrived seeking shelter for the night - this, of course, is Mary and Joseph. Will Pride and Hell convince Man to throw them out? Will Man gamble away his sour? A short, but classic play, all Christians should read. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.
Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10.
Letters to His Son on the Art of Becoming a Man of the World & a Gentleman 1746-1747 is by The Earl of Chesterfield. A classic epistolary collection of autobiographical letters from the Earl to his son overseas. A wonderful look at a father's relationship with his son and his advice on what it takes to be a man and a gentleman. All young men should read this - or their fathers should read it to them. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.
Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10.
The Christmas Card Crime & Other Stories is edited by Martin Edwards. A collection of classic historical fiction mystery short stories by relatively unknown authors. These authors and these stories should be much better known than they are. Most of them are extremely clever and all are enjoyable to read.
Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10.
