The Seat of the Scornful

The Seat of the Scornful is by John Dickson Carr. The fourteenth book in the Golden Age historical fiction Gideon Fell mystery series. Gideon is visiting a friend who is a very pompous judge - who never believes he is capable of a mistake and plays cruel cat and mouse games with those who find themselves in his courtroom. When the man who wishes to marry his daughter is found murdered in the judge's home, he denies killing the man, but all evidence points to his guilt. Fell must discover if his friend is guilty of murder, or if he is telling the truth. An incredibly convoluted mystery, with more red herrings than you can count. The ending is quite discussion worthy. Great for a book club, you don't need to be familiar with any of the other books to read this one. 

Ratings: 8th grade - 9 out of 10 - V (violence). 

Kills Well With Others

Kills Well With Others is by Deanna Raybourn. The second in the realistic fiction Killers of a Certain Age series. After some years of laying low, Billie and the other killers from The Museum are reunited when someone is trying to kill them off  - again. This time it is related to an old assassination and it is believed the son of the victim is trying to seek revenge. But there is more to this case than meets the eye, and Billie and the gang must figure it out to save their own lives and the lives of those they love. Is there a traitor in The Museum? Who can they trust? Fans of the first book will love this one, even if you have to suspend belief at times. A fun thrill ride. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content). 

The Keeper of Happy Endings

The Keeper of Happy Endings is by Barbara Davis. A charming, if predictable, work of realistic and historical fiction. Set in both modern America and WWII France.  Roy Grant is looking for something to take her mind off of her fiancée, who has been kidnapped by terrorists in Africa while working for Doctors Without Borders. It's been months with no word. She decides to open the art gallery she has always wanted to run and is drawn to an old building that was damaged by fire years before. To do so she must get in touch with the owner, a reclusive woman named Soline Roussel. Soline is a comes from a French family famous for making magical wedding gowns, a Roussel gown guarantees a happy ending. Soline fled France during WWII with the help of her lover, a rich American working with the Resistance, only to arrive in America destitute, believing her lover has been killed by the Germans. She is drawn to Rory and allows her to rent the building she owns, only to discover there are forty year old secrets that bind them closer than either imagine. Can Rory and Soline really have a happy ending? Good story, but the ending was a little predictable. 

Ratings: Adult - 7 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content). 

She Who Became the Sun

She Who Became the Sun is by Shelley Parker-Chan. The first in the fantasy Radiant Emperor duology set in ancient China. In 1345, China is ruled by the Mongols. Two children in a poverty stricken village are given their fates - the boy, greatness; the girl, nothingness. When bandits kill their father and the boy succumbs to despair and dies, the girl takes his place and enters the monastery he was destined to enter. Taking her brother's name, Zhu Chongba believes she can take his destiny as well. When a eunuch servant of the Mongols destroys the monastery - Zhu sets out to find greatness. She learns she is capable of more than she ever believed possible. This was an interesting read, but even though I love fantasy, it was just not in my wheelhouse. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 6 out of 10 - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content). 

How to Read a Book

How to Read A Book is by Monica Wood. A charming work of realistic fiction. Violet is 22 and has just been released from prison after serving 22 months for killing a local kindergarten teacher in a drunk driving accident. Frank is a retired machinist working as a handyman in a bookstore and trying to deal with the loss of a wife he discovers he didn't really love and who, before the car crash, was planning to leave him for another man. Harriet is a retired teacher who runs the book club Violet attended in prison and frequents the book store where Frank works. These three lives come together when Violet shows up at the book store looking for work, reunites with Harriet and is ashamed to see Frank. Frank almost falls off a ladder in his shock, which Harriet interprets as dislike of Violet. Yet, nothing is really as it seems. Can three lonely people come together and build something that will last? Not as good as The One-in-a Million Boy, but still charming. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 7 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content). 

The Last Heir to Blackwood Library

The Last Heir to Blackwood Library is by Hester Fox. A dark. yet intriguing, work of fantasy. After losing her father and brother in WWI, Ivy is struggling to survive. Then she is unexpectedly declared to be Lady Hayworth, when a distant relative of her father's she didn't even know existed leaves her a title and Blackwood Abbey. An abbey with a library filled with rare and wonderful books - and also dark and dangerous secrets. Ivy finds herself a pawn in a very dangerous magical game. Can she survive? This book is full of dark secrets. A real gem. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10 - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).