Lady Molly of Scotland Yard is by Baroness Emmuska Orczy. A charming historical fiction series of short mystery tales by the author of The Scarlet Pimpernel. Lady Molly and her assistant Mary are called on by Scotland Yard to solve mysteries the men can't seem to solve. This is a charming series of stories about the female version of Sherlock Holmes. She uses her intuition and brains to solve crimes. The stories are not lengthy, but are enjoyable.
Ratings: 8 out of 10 - 9th grade.
Blood on the Banisters is by Benedict Brown. The tenth installment in the Lord Edgington historical mystery series. Albert is about to get married. On the eve of the wedding he is invited to stay with his fiancée's family. Lord Edgington and Chrissy go with him. The Fairfax family is weird. They all seem to hate Lady Fairfax and make this clear to Lord Edgington and his grandsons after a creepy dinner. When Lady Fairfax is found dead on the staircase the morning of the wedding with her blood all over a sleeping Albert, Lord Edgington and Chrissy must save Albert from being arrested for the murder of his mother-in-law on the day of his wedding. There are certainly no lack of suspects who wanted her dead. Will the wedding go forward as planned? One of the most enjoyable in this great series.
Ratings: 9 out of 10 - 9th grade- V (violence).
The Poisoned Chocolates Case is by Anthony Berkeley. A classic historical fiction mystery from one of the members of the famous Detective Society. Graham and Joan Bendix have an apparently perfect marriage. Then he brings home a box of chocolates delivered to someone from his club, only to find they have been poisoned. He recovers, but his wife dies. The police bring the unsolved case to Roger Sheringham and his famous Crime Circle to see if they can solve the case. Each member then tells their own solution. Who is correct? A fun look at Golden Age detective fiction.
Ratings: 8 out of 10 - 9th grade.
The Secrets of the Bastide Blanche is by M. L. Longworth. The seventh installment in the realistic fiction Provencal Mystery series. A famous writer moves into a haunted mansion in Aix-en-Provence. Verlaque becomes involved when he is asked to reopen the investigation into the death of the author's wife. Marine becomes fascinated with the history of the house and the reason it may be haunted. This is not my favorite of the series. It is enjoyable, but is written in a less than straight forward manner.
Ratings: 6 out of 10 - 9th grade - AC (some mature thematic content).
The Curse of La Fontaine is by M. L. Longworth. The sixth book in the realistic fiction Provencal Mystery series. When Chef "Bear" opens a restaurant in Aix, it's an immediate success. When he decides he wants to expand into the adjacent courtyard he finds the historical society and it's powerful members against him. Then he discovers a skeleton buried near the fountain, which stops flowing. Has he awakened an old curse? Verlaque and his new bride must solve the mystery. Fans of the series will enjoy this one as well.
Ratings: 8 out of 10 - 9th grade - AC (some mature thematic content).
The Mystery of the Lost Cezanne is by M. L. Longworth. The fifth book in the realistic Provencal Mystery series. A friend from Verlaque's cigar club asks him to visit a retired postal worker who has found what he believes to be a lost Cezanne. When he arrives he finds Rene dead, the canvas missing, and an American history professor standing over the body. The search is on. Is the canvas a real Cezanne, if so who is the mysterious woman he painted? Fans of the series will enjoy this installment as well.
Ratings: 8 out of 10 - 9th grade - AC (mature thematic content).
Weyward is by Emilia Hart. A fantasy told through several generation of women in the Weyward family. A family long associated with witchcraft. 1619: Altha is awaiting trial for the murder of a local farmer; she is accused of being a witch. 1942: Violet is trapped in her family home. Her mother died under mysterious circumstances and her father treats her more like a prisoner than a daughter. 2019: Kate flees an abusive husband and returns to the home her mysterious Aunt Violet left her when she died. As she takes up residence in Weyward, she begins to learn the secrets of her family and the connections they all share. A novel centered around the power of strong women.
Ratings: 7 out of 10 - Adult - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).
Starling House is by Alix E. Harrow. A creepy fantasy about a haunted house and the family that lives there. Opal is an orphan trying to take care of her younger brother and make sure he gets out of the Eden, Kentucky and into a better school and a better life. She will do whatever she has to do to make this happen: beg, borrow, steal.... She has been obsessed with E. Starling a reclusive 19th century author who disappeared over a century ago. Yet her house, Starling House, still has someone living there. Opal finds herself working for the strange Arthur Starling, who has scarry secrets of his own. If you enjoy haunted house mysteries, you will enjoy this book.
Ratings: 7 out of 10 - 12th grade - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol 1 is by Beth Brower. A charming historical fiction novella written as the first volume in a set of journals. It's 1883 and Emma Lion has returned to her ancestral home in the London neighborhood of St. Crispian's. Her cousin Archibald has been living in the house and managing her inheritance until she comes of age - which is very soon. Archibald has no love for Emma and she may find her inheritance harder to claim than she thought. This short book is fun and enjoyable and you will want to grab the next installment as soon s you can.
Ratings: 8 out of 10 - 9th grade.
Agnes Grey is by Anne Bronte. An historical fiction classic by the least known of the famous Bronte sisters. Agnes is the daughter of a poor clergyman who is ill. While her sister stays home with her mother and ailing father, Agnes decides to become a governess. The book is the story of the two families she finds herself serving. Agnes is determined to impart as many of her values to her charges as she can, despite the heinous brats she has to work with. A must read classic for fans of the Brontes.
Ratings: 9 out of 10 - 9th grade.
Cold Clay is by Juneau Black. The second book the fantasy Shady Hollow mystery series. The rabbits are planting new trees in the orchard and dig up the bones of a moose. The skull is fractured and it is believed to be a murder. Soon Joe, the owner of the local coffeeshop is dragged down to the police station as the bones are believed to be those of his wife who left town years ago. Vera does not believe Joe is a killer, even if Deputy Orville does. Vera wants to prove Joe's innocence, but her editor wants her to focus on the new mink in town who is opening a school for manners - but is there a connection? Fans of the series will love this second cozy installment and long for more.
Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10.
Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees is by Patrick Horvath. The fist in a new series of graphic novels; think Shady Hollow meets Dexter. Sam Strong is an adorable brown bear who lives in the quite community of Woodbrook. She is also a serial killer whose number one rule is "Don't Murder the Locals." For years she has been driving to a nearby large city to obtain her victims. Imagine her surprise when another serial killer starts murdering the residents of Woodbrook. Sam must find this person and stop them before the police start asking uncomfortable questions that might lead them to her. The illustrations are charming, but this is very dark and not my wheelhouse - although it will definitely find an audience. If you are looking for a read-alike to the Shady Hollow series - this isn't it - unless you want to say it's Shady Hollow, as written by Stephen King.
Ratings: 12th grade - 6 out of 10 - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).
The Singing Sands is by Josephine Tey. The sixth book in the realistic fiction Inspector Grant Mystery series. Inspector Grant is on his way to Scotland on sick leave to get some rest among his relatives. As he is about to disembark the train, a dead man is discovered and Grant, while assisting the conductor, accidentally picks up a newspaper that was laying near the body. When he discovers the cryptic poem written in the margins of the newspaper something doesn't strike him as quite right about the young man's death. When a friend of the deceased comes looking for him, Grant teams up with him to discover the truth about the death of Charles Martin, or is he really Bill Kenrick? Fans of the series will enjoy this final installment.
Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10.
The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club is by Dorothy L. Sayers. The fourth book in the classic historical fiction Lord Peter Wimsey Mystery series. Lord Peter is at his club when a elderly member is found dead in his favorite chair. At first it seems a natural death, but then Lord Peter is asked by an attorney to see if he can determine the exact time of death to help solve an issue with the will. Suddenly Lord Peter discovers the body was moved after death, and then discovers it may not have been a natural death after all. Fans of Lord Peter will enjoy this installment in the series.
Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10.
Lord Peter Views the Body is by Dorothy L. Sayers. Three and a half in the Lord Peter Wimsey Mystery series. Twelve short stories from Lord Peter's canon that fans of the series will love. All of the stories give us more information about Lord Peter and his man servant Bunter, as well as the different people in his sphere. Some of the stories are short and involve Lord Peter becoming involved in cases from mere conversations he has overheard; the last story is quite reminiscent of Conan Doyle as Peter fakes his own death to infiltrate a gang of thieves. Wonderful classic mysteries.
Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10.
Killing Floor is by Lee Child. The first in the realistic fiction Jack Reacher series. Reacher is an ex-military policeman who has decided to become a hobo and move from place to place as he feels like it. After his brother tells him of a legendary guitar player who died in a small Georgia town, Reacher decides to go there and find out more about him. Instead, he finds himself arrested for murder almost as soon as he geta into town. Now he must clear his name and solve the case himself, with the help of a female policewoman and a African American chief of detectives. Fans of the television show will love the book! It's every bit as violent and bloody and the bad guys ALWAYS get what's coming to them in typical Reacher fashion.
Ratings: Adult - 9 out of 10 - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content) - P (profanity).
Murder on the Ile Sordou is by M. L. Longworth. The fourth installment in the realistic fiction Provencal Mystery series. Judge Verlaque and Marine decide to take a vacation and spend it on the island of Ile Sordou, which has just opened a small new hotel. The owners are excited because a famous film star and his wife and stepson have also booked for the week and they are hoping this will bring them the publicity they will need to make a go of the hotel. Then the film star is found murdered, and the Judge and Marine must step in and solve the mystery. But is this the first time all of the staff and guests have been to the island? Full of eccentric characters, this is a charming addition to this series which fans will enjoy.
Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content).
The Daughter of Time is by Josephine Tey. The fifth in the realistic fiction mystery Inspector Grant series. Grant has been injured in a fall and is stuck in the hospital to recover. When one of his friends brings him a picture of Richard III to examine, he becomes fascinated. Richard supposedly murdered his twin nephews while they were being held in the Tower of London and assumed their throne. But Grant doesn't see the face of a killer in Richard's portrait and decides to research the Wicked Uncle and discover if there is any proof he was the killer. An interesting read, but not my favorite of the series.
Ratings: 9th grade - 6 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content).
Three Dark Crowns is by Kendare Blake. The first book in the fantasy Three Dark Crowns series. On the island of Fennbirn, every generation sees the birth of three triplet queens. Each queen has a different skill set: poisoner, naturalist, elemental, etc. They are raised separately and taught to master their specific skill. When they turn 16 at Beltane, they must demonstrate their skill and then each has a year to kill the other two and become queen. Think "Mad Max," three girls enter, one girl leaves. The series focuses on three queens: Mirabella (elemental), Katharine (poisoner), and Arsinoe (naturalist) - which will ultimately win the crown?
Ratings: 10th grade - 7 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).
A Night in the Lonesome October is by Roger Zelazny. This charming fantasy is a perfect read for the month of October leading up to Halloween. Each chapter is one day of the month, so you can start on September 30th and go right through to Halloween, which is the end of the book. It is also charming for its references to characters in other books - see how many you can find. The narrator is Snuff, a "dog," whose master is a knife-wielding gentleman named Jack. They are gathering with several others to prepare for a event that will take place on Halloween. Some are allies, some are enemies - and each has a familiar of some kind. This book is creepy and funny and a complete joy to read. It's gruesome without being gory, and the joy of the literary references is fabulous. A fabulous seasonal read.
Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content).
To Love and Be Wise is by Josephine Tey. The third book in the Inspector Grant mystery series. Leslie Searle, a handsome American photographer, bumps into Grant at a literary party and uses him to gain an introduction to famous author Lavinia Finch, who invites Searle to stay at her home when she discovers he shares a friend with her nephew. The two men decide to work on a book together and set off on a canoe trip down a local river. One night Searle disappears and Grant is called in to find the body, but is Searle dead? Grant doesn't think so.
Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content).
A Shilling for Candles is by Josephine Tey. The second book in the Inspector Grant mystery series. When a woman's body washes up on an English beach. Inspector Grant is called in. The victim turns out to be a famous actress, and Grant is baffled by false leads and confusing clues. Is there anyone who didn't want Christine Clay dead? Fans of Tey's Inspector Grant will love this installment.
Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content).
Escaping Utopia: Growing Up in a Cult, Getting Out, and Starting Over is by Janja Lalich. This nonfiction book focuses on a number of former cult members, who were either born into a cult or whose parents joined when they were children. The 65 individuals left the cult on their own with no internal support or outside help. It looks at their struggle to heal and find support from therapists who really understand what they had been through.
Ratings: Adult - 6 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content).
God and Man at Yale: The Superstitions of 'Academic Freedom' is by William F. Buckley, Jr. This classic nonfiction work looks at the "progressivization" of America's higher education system, focusing on Yale. Buckley's alma mater. Reading this book you see the infancy of the decline in American higher education that has fully materialized today. The hostility towards the Christian faith, the acceptance on Marxist ideology, and the ignorance (cowardice) of the alumni who could have pushed to stop the slide. This highly footnoted classic now seems prophetic.
Ratings: Adult - 8 out of 10.
This Wretched Valley is by Jenny Kiefer. A horrifyingly gruesome fantasy novel set in the backwoods of Kentucky. Clay is a geologist who thinks he has discovered an untouched cliff face in rural Kentucky. He convinces his friend Dylan, a semi-professional rock climber, her boyfriend Luke, and his research assistant Sylvia to accompany him into the woods to document his find. Seven months later three bodies are found just off the highway in various stages of decay and mutilation. What happened to the foursome and where is Dylan? Did she murder her friends or is there something evil that lives in the valley?
Ratings: 12th grade - 7 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).
The Likeness is by Tana French. The second book in the Dublin Murder Squad mystery series. Cassie Maddox is called to a crime scene and finds a dead woman who looks exactly like herself, living under an identity Cassie created when she was working undercover. Frank, her former boss in the undercover unit, wants to hide the fact that the victim is dead and send Cassie into the victim's home to find the killer, and to discover the true identity of the victim.
Ratings: 12th grade - 8 out of 10 - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).
Trust is by Hernan Diaz. A very different type of historical fiction novel. There is not much I can say without giving away the conceit of the plot. The book starts with a "novel" written in 1937 that was very successful. The book is about a legendary Wall Street tycoon and his wife, Benjamin and Helen Rask. Rask is said to have contributed to and profited from the crash of 1929 and Helen is said to have gone insane and died in a sanitorium in Europe. This book however, may not tell the true story of the couple it was based on and this is the purpose of the rest of the book. However, which version of the story is real and which narrator can you trust? A literary puzzle, brilliantly written, which asks the reader to think seriously about the meaning of truth and trust and how one can determine who is telling the truth and whose narrative can be trusted.
Ratings: 12th grade - 7 out of 10.
Jumping Jenny is by Anthony Berkeley. A strange little historical fiction mystery. Roger Sheringham is an amateur criminologist who is invited to a dinner party where everyone is dressed as infamous killers. When the sister-in-law of the host is found dead, Sheringham finds, what he believes, is a clue pointing towards one of his friends. He decides to tamper with the crime scene, which sets him up as a suspect himself. He must now find the true killer to avoid being accused of a crime he didn't commit. Berkeley is a master of Golden Age mysteries, but this one is weird - worth the read - but weird.
Ratings: 9th grade - 7 out of 10.
Man in the Queue is by Josephine Tey. The first in the historical fiction Inspector Grant mystery series. Inspector Grant is called in when a man is stabbed in a queue of people waiting to get into a theater. Everyone saw everything and yet saw nothing. When Grant finally discovers a suspect to whom all the evidence points, he is still afraid he has the wrong man, does he? Can he find the truth in time? A wonderful series for fans of Golden Age Mystery fiction.
Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10.
The Saturday Night Ghost Club is by Craig Davidson. An interesting realistic fiction coming of age novel. The summer Jake turned 12, he spent his time with his two friends and his rather odd Uncle Calvin. But are they really looking for ghosts, or is there something else happening that Jake doesn't understand? A story young adults will enjoy.
Ratings: 7th grade - 6 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content).
Mrs. Quinn's Rise to Fame is by Olivia Ford. A charming realistic fiction novel. After 59 years of marriage to a man she loves deeply, Jenny Quinn decides she wants to do something for herself. Her husband's health is declining and they have no children, but Jenny wants to do something with her love of baking. She secretly applies to be on Britain Bakes - a popular reality show. When she is accepted, she is forced to tell Bernard her secret only to find him extremely proud and supportive. But this is not the only secret Jenny has kept from her husband, and as the show progresses and she makes it to the finals, the secret that could destroy their marriage comes out. A charming story about true love and it's up's and down's.
Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content).
The Franchise Affair is by Josephine Tey. The third in the historical fiction Inspector Grant mystery series. Robert Blair is a solicitor in a small English village. He receives a call from Marian Sharpe, a woman who lives with her mother in a run down home. These reclusive women want him to come over right away as they have been accused of kidnapping and abusing a young woman named Betty Kane. They swear they have never seen the girl before, but she describes the ladies and their home so perfectly the police believe her. Inspector Grant is on the case, but plays almost no role in this installment. This is a wonderful mystery with so many twists and turns. This book is a Reader's Corner Highly Recommended read, even if you haven't read anything else in the series - this stand alone is a gem.
Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10.
The Boys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family is by Ron and Clint Howard. A wonderful and charming autobiographical memoir of two of the most famous child actors, and adult actors and directors, in Hollywood. The Howard's describe the closeness of their family and how that helped them navigate the pitfalls of being a child actor in Hollywood, as well as prepare them both for the careers that lay ahead. This book is honest, but does not "dish dirt" which makes it even more enjoyable to read.
Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (some mature thematic content).
Close to Death is by Anthony Horowitz. The fifth book in the Hawthorne and Horowitz realistic fiction mystery series. Anthony's publisher wants another Hawthorne book, but there has not been a murder recently and Anthony has no idea how to come up with a story. Then he decides to write about a case Hawthorne has already solved; Hawthorne reluctantly agrees and offers up a murder in an exclusive residential neighborhood called Riverside Close. Mr. Kentworthy is found dead, and the police call in Hawthorne because all of the other neighbors are suspects. As Anthony begins to sift through the details Hawthorne has provided to write the novel, he stirs up a mystery from Hawthorne's past that might be better left alone.
Ratings: 11th grade - 7 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).
The Hunter is by Tana French. The second in the Cal Hooper realistic fiction crime series. In the middle of a blazing hot summer, Trey's father decides to return home. He has invented a confidence scheme to defraud not only a supposed English millionaire but the whole town as well. When his plan ends in murder, Cal and Lena must find a way to keep Trey out of the mess her father has involved her in, but does Trey want to be kept out of the scheme? Fans of The Searcher will enjoy spending more time with Cal, Trey, and Lena in this small Irish village.
Ratings: Adult - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).
Mystery in the Channel is by Freeman Wills Croft. The sixth installment in the Inspector French historical fiction mystery series. This classic of Golden Age fiction finds Inspector French on the case when two men are found murdered on a yacht in the middle of the English Channel. The men are officers of a powerful bank, which is on the verge of insolvency. Fans of Golden Age mystery and Crofts wonderful plotting will enjoy this book.
Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10.
Elric of Melnibone is by Michael Moorcock. The first book in the classic Elric Saga fantasy series. Elric is the albino emperor of the dying kingdom of Melnibone. When Elric's cousin seizes his kingdom, Elric must set out on a quest to find his cousin, free his love, and save his kingdom. This is absolutely a classic of the Sword and Sorcery genre. A must read for all fantasy fans. I read this many years ago and it feels a little dated, but is still a great fantasy saga and worth the read. The foreword by Neil Gaiman is a great introduction to this series.
Ratings: 10th grade - 7 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).
Death in the Vines is by M.L. Longworth. The third installment in the realistic fiction Verlaque and Bonnet mystery series. Women are being raped and strangled and wine has been stolen from a local winery. Verlaque and Inspector Paulik need to solve this quickly as the death count rises. Verlaque and Bonnet continue to grow their relationship. Fans of this series will not be disappointed, this one does seem grittier than previous book, but this is a well written story.
Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content) - V (violence).
Murder in the Rue Dumas is by M.L. Longworth. The second book in the Verlaque and Bonnet realistic fiction mystery series. When the director of the theology department is found dead before awarding a very prestigious fellowship, Verlaque comes in and has to decide which of the tiny cabal of academics he has as suspects is capable of murder. A worthy second chapter of this charming mystery series. The plot is well written, and the description of the setting makes one want to book a flight to Provence.
Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content).
The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, & Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War is by Erik Larson. A new novel from the master of nonfiction writing. This book looks at the run up to the firing on Fort Sumter which began the Civil War. This is not my favorite Larson book, but it lives up to the expectations readers have formed from his earlier books. Well researched and well written. Larson fans will not be disappointed.
Ratings: 10th grade - 7 out of 10.
The Summer Book is by Tove Jansson. A charming historical fiction slow burn classic. This novella follows a grandmother and her granddaughter on an island in the Gulf of Finland over a summer. This is not a fast paced action story; it is a quiet study of the love between the two characters and the normal life of fishermen and their families during this time and place. I loved the quiet beauty of this story. A real gem!
Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10.
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries is by Heather Fawcett. The first book in the Emily Wilde fantasy series. Emily Wilde is a Cambridge professor studying "the folk." She heads for a remote village to study the local faeries; she is unexpectedly joined by fellow professor Wendell Bambleby, who has secrets of his own. When Emily is kidnapped by a faerie king, it's up to the village and Wendell to save her. A fun romp in faerie land. Fantasy fans will enjoy this new series.
Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content).
Death of Jezebel is by Christianna Brand. The fourth book in the Inspector Cockrill realistic fiction mystery series. A medieval pageant featuring knights in shining armor and a damsel in distress is created as part of a grand exhibition. When several of the cast members receive death threats, and one of them dies, Inspector Cockrill must find the killer before any one else dies. A fun series for fans of mysteries set in England and Golden Age mysteries.
Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content).
The Great God Pan is by Arthur Machen. A classic fantasy/horror novella. A young Welsh woman's mind is destroyed by a "scientist's" attempt to enable her to see the god of nature, Pan. Years later Helen Vaughan arrives on the London social scene and disturbing events begin to occur to the men she corrupts. Who is this woman? What evil was brought into the world by Dr. Raymond's experiment?
Ratings: 11th grade - AC (mature thematic content).
Death at Chateau Bremont is by M.L. Longworth. The first book in the realistic fiction Provencal Mystery series. Chief Magistrate Verlaque is called in when a local nobleman falls to his death from the attic of Chateau Bremont, the family estate. Verlaque suspects the death was not an accident and call in his ex-girlfriend, a local law professor, who grew up with the de Bremont family to assist. As family secrets begin to emerge, and another death occurs, Verlaque begins to be certain things are not as they appear with the de Bremont's. A charming and witty mystery that will make you want to take the next plane to Provencal.
Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content).
The Djinn Waits One Hundred Years is by Shubnam Khan. A historical fantasy set in South Africa. When Sana and her father move to an old mansion that has been turned into apartments, Sana discovers that the tenants are more than a little strange, as is the house. She begins to wonder about the family that built the house and as she begins to discover their history, strange things begin to happen. When the secrets of the house come to light, will the truth destroy them all? The premise is amazing, but the book was not what I thought it would be - this limited my enjoyment, maybe had I read it at a different time or not read the inside cover I might have gone in with fewer preconceptions - this might have helped. I may try the book again later.
Ratings: 12th grade - 6 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content).
The Meaning of Shakespeare: Vol I is by Harold C. Goddard. A must read educational nonfiction work for all Shakespeare lovers and teachers. Goddard analyzes the plays chronologically and Vol I ends with Hamlet. Goddard's discussion of the plays is a must read for all teachers and lovers of The Bard, you will see the plays differently and will think about them differently as well.
Ratings: Adult - 10 out of 10.
This Day: Collected and New Sabbath Poems is by Wendell Berry. A magnificent collection of Berry's poetry. Each poems draws our attention to nature and the Sabbath. A thought-provoking work for Christians.
Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10.
Word in the Wilderness: A Poem a Day for Lent and Easter is by Malcolm Guite. A wonderful collection of poems to walk the reader through the Lenten season and the glory that is Easter. A great read for all Christians.
Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10.
Escape Velocity is by Mark Walden. The third installment in the H.I.V.E. science fiction series. Dr. Nero has been captured by enemies of H.I.V.E. and the Contessa has returned as Number One's choice to lead the school - no one is happy to see her and she obviously has a secret agenda. Otto and his friends manage to escape the school when the Contessa orders them transferred. H.I.V.E.-Mind has been deleted and can no longer help those who remain at the school or Otto - or can he? Fans of the series will enjoy this installment.
Ratings: 6th grade - 6 out of 10.
Tending the Heart of Virtue: How Classic Stories Awaken a Child's Moral Imagination is by Vigen Guroian. A magnificent must read explication of the importance of classic stories, novels, myths, and fairy tales in the development of a child's moral imagination. A must read for all parents and teachers.
Ratings: Adult - 10 out of 10.
The Hand on the Wall is by Maureen Johnson. The third book in the realistic fiction Truly Devious series. Stevie has solved the mystery, all she needs to do now is find Alice's body. When the school is evacuated for a major blizzard, Stevie and her friends stay behind to solve the more modern crimes, which Stevie believes are murders, not accidents. A fitting ending to this part of the series. Fans will rush through this book to the exciting ending.
Ratings: 7th grade - 7 out of 10.
The Vanishing Stair is by Maureen Johnson. The second book in the realistic fiction Truly Devious series. After the death of one student and the disappearance of another, Stevie's parents bring her home from Ellingham Academy. Then powerbroker and future presidential candidate, Edward King shows up and convinces her parents to let her return to Ellingham. There is of course a catch, Stevie needs to keep an eye on King's son, David, who is a trouble maker at the school and also Stevie's crush. Now she's back and still working on solving the Ellingham mystery and living with the lies she has to tell about her return. Fans of the series will enjoy this one as well, but FYI, it ends on a huge cliffhanger - so if that bothers you have the next book ready to go.
Ratings: 7th grade - 7 out of 10.
Once Upon a Curse is by E.D. Baker. The third installment in the fantasy Frog Princess series. Emma and Eadric must travel into the past to find the cure to the curse that has been placed on Emma's family so she and Eadric can get married. Fans of the series will thoroughly enjoy this book as well.
Ratings: 6th grade - 7 out of 10.
Eight Girls and a Dog is by Carolyn Wells. A classic historical fiction novel that reminds me of Little Women. Eight girls and their dog decide to take a vacation to a summer house next door to one of the girls' aunt. Set at the turn of the century, not a great deal happens of import; the girls have fun and tame adventures. A wonderfully charming tale for fans of Little Women or just simple clean fun stories.
Ratings: 9th grade - 7 out of 10.
St. Francis of Assisi is by G.K. Chesterton. Chesterton's masterful biography of one of the most well known of all Catholic saints. Chesterton's writing is so beautiful, you almost feel like you are there with St. Francis on his road to becoming a humble man of God. A must read for all Christians. A true Christian classic.
Ratings: 10th grade - 9 out of 10.
The Little Village of Book Lovers is by Nina George. A historical fiction novel with more than a touch of magical realism. In George's The Little Paris Bookshop, Jean Perdu was inspired to start his floating bookshop after reading an obscure novel about a young woman with an amazing gift - this is that novel. Marie-Jeanne is an orphan in the south of France in the 1960s. She is taken in by a couple who love her, then she discovers she has a gift - she can see shimmering lights that show her which couples are meant to be together. She then sets out to bring together the couples in her village, using her father's traveling library as a way to find and connect people. The story is narrated by Love, who has left her mark on Marie-Jeanne and given her her gift. If you enjoyed The Little Paris Bookshop, you will enjoy this book as well.
Ratings: 10th grade - 7 out of 10.
Four Queens: The Provencal Sisters Who Ruled Europe is by Nancy Goldstone. A nonfiction recounting of four Provencal sisters who all became queens. Set amidst the turmoil that was Europe in the thirteenth century, four obscure sisters rose to power and helped redraw the map of Europe. The book is not as dry as it sounds and is very informative. I had no idea queens went on the Crusades with their husbands. The power dynamics and political posturings are fascinating.
Ratings: 12th grade - 7 out of 10.
The Twist of a Knife is by Anthony Horowitz. The fourth installment in the realistic fiction Hawthorne and Horowitz mystery series. Horowitz has fulfilled the three book deal he promised Hawthorne and he wants out. He has other projects after all, including a play that is opening soon. After opening night, which Hawthorne refuses to attend, a critic who has given the play a bad review is found murdered and Anthony is arrested for the murder, and even his friends think he is guilty. Now only Hawthorne can save him, but will he?
Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence).
A Line to Kill is by Anthony Horowitz. The third installment in the realistic fiction Hawthorne and Horowitz mystery series. Horowitz and Hawthorne are invited to an exclusive literary convention on a small island off the English coast. When a wealthy local mover and shaker is found murdered after a party, the island is locked down and Hawthorne and Horowitz become involved in the case. There are plenty of suspects, with plenty of reasons for murder - even a old nemesis of Hawthorne's, so who is guilty?
Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).
The River We Remember is by William Kent Krueger. A historical fiction crime novel set in a small Minnesota town in 1958. Sheriff Brody Dern is called in when the body of a wealthy local landowner is found in the river, with a shotgun blast to the chest. Even before the autopsy is complete, rumors begin to circulate that the murderer is a local Native American veteran who came back from the war with a Japanese wife. When Noah Bluestone refuses to assist in his own defense, it's up to the Sheriff and Bluestone's lawyer to discover the truth. But as dark secrets from the past begin to be revealed, it seems the entire town is hiding deep pain and damage - and when the truth finally becomes clear, does anyone want to make it public?
Ratings: 11th grade - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).
The Frozen River is by Ariel Lawhon. A historical fictionalization of the life of Martha Ballard, a real midwife who lived in 18th century Maine. When a local man accused of being involved in the rape of the minister's wife is found dead in the frozen river, Martha is called in to examine the body and declares the main has been murdered. A doctor, new to town, disputes her claim, and the local judge - also accused of being involved in the rape - sides with the doctor, Martha is forced to investigate the murder on her own. Confronted with pressure from the judge and the possibility of her own families' involvement in the murder, Martha must press forward to fight for the truth, and justice for women in a society that doesn't value them.
Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).
North Woods is by Daniel Mason. A historical fiction novel that reminds me very much of Alice Hoffman's Blackbird House. It is a series of stories all set in a house in the woods of New England. The stories follow the inhabitants of the house from the days of the Puritans to the present. Some of the stories are more intriguing than others, but watching the house and the lands that surround it transform and yet stay the same leaves the reader with a feeling of peaceful solidity.
Ratings: 12th grade - 6 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).
The Thursday Murder Club is by Richard Osman. The first book in the historical fiction Thursday Murder Club series. Set in an English retirement village, the story focuses on four elderly people who meet on Thursday's to try and solve cold cases. They call themselves the Thursday Murder Club. When a local developer with ties to the retirement home is murdered, the club is determined to solve their first "live" case. What that they don't realize, is that to do so will also bring many of their own secrets into the open. This novel is filled with twists and turns and is a fun romp.
Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (adult thematic content).
Remarkably Bright Creatures is by Shelby Van Pelt. A charming realistic fiction novel with a touch of magical realism. Tova is an elderly widow who works as a cleaning lady in a local aquarium, which has an incredibly intelligent octopus named Marcellus who's almost at the end of his life span. Tova's son disappeared years ago and Marcellus knows what happened to him. When Tova falls and sprains her ankle, a young drifter looking for his father, is hired to cover her job. Now it's up to Marcellus to bring these two people together and help them solve their secrets before it's too late. The parts of the story told from Marcellus' point of view are totally enjoyable.
Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).
Femina: A New History of the Middle Ages, Through the Women Written Out of It is by Janina Ramirez. A nonfiction look at women who have been left out of the history of the Middle Ages - from a slightly woke feminist point of view.
Ratings: Adult - 6 out of 10.
The Age of Deer: Trouble and Kinship With Our Wild Neighbors is by Erika Howsare. An interesting nonfiction look at the history of our interactions with deer.
Ratings: 12th grade - 7 out of 10.
The Black God's Drums is by P. Djeli Clark. A alternate history fantasy set in Civil War New Orleans. A young orphan thief named Creeper discovers a plot to use an ancient weapon to destroy New Orleans. She and a airship captain who can channel two African orishas must band together with their orishas to save New Orleans and get the weapon back.
Ratings: 9th grade - 7 out of 10.
The Sittaford Mystery is by Agatha Christie. A stand alone historical fiction mystery by the Queen of Mysteries. In a remote house in the middle of Dartmoor, a group of people decide to hold a seance for fun after dinner. Only a message comes through that Captain Trevelyan has been murdered - and when one of the dinner party goes to check; he has been. When a young man is arrested for the murder, his girlfriend and a reporter decide to prove the police have the wrong man. A fun romp Christie fans will enjoy.
Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10.
Cordelia's Honor is by Lois McMaster Bujold. A combination of two of Bujold's science fiction books into one volume. Cordelia is the captain of a survey ship from Beta colony. On a routine survey her team is attacked by soldiers from Barrayar, Cordelia orders her crew to leave her and escape; she then meets the Barrayaran leader and discovers the attack on her crew was really a mutiny to kill the leader of the Barrayarn's named Vorkosigan. Cordelia and Vorkosigan survive and she helps him kill the mutineers and he helps her get back to Beta. Once there she discovers a war has broken out and she leads a mission to defeat the Barrayan fleet, only to be captured. She is rescued by Vorkosigan and she helps him defeat a political rival. Upon her return to Beta she discovers she is considered a Barrayaran spy, so she flees to Barrayar and marries Vorkosigan, who she loves. When Vorkosigan is made regent at the death of the current Emperor, Cordelia finds herself in the middle of a civil war. I am not a huge fan of science fiction, except for anything by Martha Wells, but I really enjoyed these books. More action and political intrigue than heavy science fiction.
Ratings: 12th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).
What the Vicar Saw is by Benedict Brown. The ninth book in the historical fiction Lord Edgington Investigates mystery series. Christopher's family goes to visit his paternal grandmother so she can meet his brother's fiancée. As they are attending church they notice the absence of the vicar for the sermon, only to find him murdered. Now Christopher must convince the police, and his grandfather, that the man arrested for the crime is innocent. Fans of the series will love this installment as well. Christopher really comes into his own in this one.
Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10.
The Snows of Weston Moor is by Benedict Brown. The 8th installment of the Lord Edgington Investigates mystery series. Lord Edgington and Christopher head out to visit family for Christmas, but find themselves in trouble when their car crashes in a blizzard on a barren moor. Seeing a light they find themselves at the remote manor house of Weston Moor, but once there they find themselves in the middle of a murder. Fans of the series will love this latest chapter in the series.
Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10.
Henry IV Parts 1 & 2 are by William Shakespeare. The classic historical fiction plays by the Bard himself. These plays trace the rise and fall of King Henry IV of England and the ascension of his son Hal, Henry V to the throne. A must read for all lovers of history and Shakespeare. Make sure to watch The Hollow Crown series, which is a complication of Richard II, Henry IV Part 1, Henry IV Part 2, and Henry V - wonderfully done!
Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10.
The Midnight Library is by Matt Haig. An interesting fantasy take on living multiple lives. Nora Seed has lived a life full of misery and regret and she's ready for it to end, so she takes an overdose of pills. Instead of dying she finds herself in a strange library where she is given the opportunity to go back and fix her mistakes and regrets and live another life. But, are the choices we didn't make necessarily better than the choices we did make? This book reminds me of Kate Atkinson's Life After Life.
Ratings: 12th grade - 6 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content) - P (profanity).
The Sacred Sacrifice: Cultivating Lenten Traditions with Bach's Great Passion is by Hannah Paris. A wonderful devotional for the Easter season; a companion to Cindy Rollin's similar guide for Christmas based on Handel's Messiah. This book walks you through the entire Lenten season using Bach's St. Matthew Passion as a base. A must have for Christians wanting to be more intentional in their celebration of Easter and their knowledge of the great music of the past.
Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10.
The Well-Educated Mind: A Guide to the Classical Education You Never Had is by Susan Wise Bauer. A wonderful non-fiction read discussing various genres of books and how to read them. Each section also provides a list of books in that genre that anyone desiring to be a better educated reader should pick up. A must have for anyone who wants to improve their reading skills.
Ratings: Adult - 10 out of 10.
Iron Widow is by Xiran Jay Zhao. The first book in the science fiction Iron Widow series. Aliens have invaded the world, and the boys of Huaxia must pair with female concubines to channel enough xi to power the mechanized robots that are used to protect the provinces. When Zetian offers herself as a concubine to avenge the murder of her sister, she makes a startling discover about her own powers. She is paired with the most powerful pilot in the land, who is also accused of murdering his own family. Together they must learn to work together to defend the land, each other, and to change the way their country is run. But can then manage this before they are killed by their own government or by the alien robots? What they will learn about the truth and each other will change everything.
Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).
Murder by Other Means is by John Scalzi. The second in The Dispatcher science fiction series. When Dispatcher Tony Valdez takes a job for a lawyer that skirts legality, he finds himself on a hit list. As he tries to figure out who wants him dead and why, he has to battle not only his enemies, but the police who were once his friends. Fans of the first book will thoroughly enjoy this one as well.
Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).
River of Gods: Genius, Courage, and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile is by Candace Millard. A fascinating nonfiction look at the men who set forth to find the source of the Nile. Millard is a wonderful nonfiction writer and her books always read like adventure stories. The things these men suffered to explore the unknown are beyond my understanding.
Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (some mature content).
The Ice Princess is by Camilla Lackberg. The first in the realistic fiction Patrik Hedstrom mystery series. Erica Falck returns to her hometown after her parents die to settle family affairs. When she discovers the body of her childhood best friend dead in a bathtub, supposedly a suicide, she finds herself working with policeman Patrik Hedstrom to solve the mystery of Alex's death. The investigation brings to light long held secrets within the community.
Ratings: Adult - 8 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content).
