The House on Biscayne Bay

The House on Biscayne Bay is by Chanel Cleeton. A mysterious historical fiction novel told from two perspectives. The first voice is set in Florida after WWI, when everyone was heading south. Anna's rich husband buys land on Biscayne Bay and spends a fortune building the most fancy house in Miami. The second voice is set right before WWII, Carmen's parents have died in Cuba and she comes to live with her sister and brother-in-law who have purchased Anna's home and are restoring it. Anna was supposedly killed by her husband and everyone believes the house is haunted. When Carmen's sister is also killed, supposedly by her husband, Anna must discover the truth about Marbrisa and it's past. 

Ratings: 12th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content). 

Twilight Falls

Twilight Falls is by Juneau Black. The fourth book in the fantasy Shady Hollow series. When two young people, one an otter and one a beaver, want to get married their parents refuse to entertain the possibility. When the father of the young otter goes over the Twilight Falls after fighting with another creature, Vera Vixen senses that something is off. Now she and the lovable collection of animals who make up Shady Hollow must work together to find the killer. Fans of the series will love this installment. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10. 

The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11

The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11 is by Garrett M. Graff. A must read nonfiction history of 9/11 told by the people who lived it. A Readers Corner Highly Recommended Read. It took me forever to get through this book because I had to stop and cry every half page. It is well worth reading, especially for those who don't remember 9/11. 

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

The Borzoi Book of French Folk Tales

The Borzoi Book of French Folk Tales is edited by Paul Delarue. A fantastic collection of French folk tales and fairy stories. Some of them are reminiscent of Grimm, but all are charming in their own way. 

Ratings: 6th grade - 8 out of 10. 

The Fall of Roman Britain: And Why We Speak English

The Fall of Roman Britain: And Why We Speak English is by John Lambshead. A nonfiction look at the history of Roman Britain. This book is a slow read, but is very informative and interesting. It follows the Roman conquest of Britain and how and why Britain became the country it is. 

Ratings: Adult - 6 out of 10. 

Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont

Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont is by Elizabeth Taylor. A classic historical fiction story that is sad and thought-provoking at the same time. An elderly widow moves to a London hotel for the elderly. She meets a young lonely aspiring writer and they develop a "friendship." It is also the story of the other elderly people at the hotel. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content). 

The Five Little Pigs

The Five Little Pigs is by Agatha Christie. The twenty-third book in the historical fiction Hercule Poirot mysteries. Poirot is asked to look at a sixteen year old case by the daughter of the woman executed for killing her husband. The daughter does not believe her mother was guilty and begs Poirot to find the truth. He must interview everyone who was there the day the painter was murdered. Can he discover the truth after 16 years? One of my favorite Christie tales. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content). 

The Complete Father Brown Collection

The Complete Father Brown Collection is by G. K. Chesterton. A classic collection of historical fiction Golden Age mysteries. Father Brown is the classic Chesterton "detective," a priest who solves crimes by using his vocation to read the souls of men. A must read for fans of Golden Age fiction. This is the five book set. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 7 out of 10. 

Chain of Witnesses: The Cases of Miss Phipps

Chain of Witnesses: The Cases of Miss Phipps is by Phyllis Bentley. A gem for cozy historical mystery fans. Miss Phipps will remind you a little of Miss Marple. She is an elderly mystery author who also solves mysteries on the side. This is a collection of short stories relating her cases. Cozy mystery fans and those who like Golden Age mysteries will enjoy this. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 7 out of 10. 

Post After Post Mortem

Post After Post Mortem is by E.C.R. Lorac. A classic historical fiction mystery. The Surray's seem like the perfect family: everyone is smart, successful, wonderful people. Then Ruth, the writer, commits suicide. The family is devastated, but when her brother receives a letter she wrote before her death the question of murder comes into play. Inspector Macdonald arrives on the scene to determine the true events of her death. A gem for Golden Age mystery fans. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 7 out of 10.