The Twist of a Knife

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

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

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

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

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

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

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).