Val McDermid tells us Shakespeare had it all wrong and in her new novella, she tries to set the historical record straight. When Macbeth was3.5 stars
Val McDermid tells us Shakespeare had it all wrong and in her new novella, she tries to set the historical record straight. When Macbeth was killed in battle, Queen Gruoch and her three closest companions sought sanctuary among the monks. Upon learning her son Lulach has been killed and Malcolm's men are hunting for her, they flee for their lives.
The present action is interspersed with Gruoch's memories of how she and Macbeth met while she was married to his cousin Gille Coemgáin and what he did to claim her as his own and proclaim himself King of Scotland. Very interesting and well told!
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of her novella. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own. ...more
Kelley Armstrong has written a holiday novella which follows closely after the events of her recent novel, Disturbing the Dead. It seems that celebratKelley Armstrong has written a holiday novella which follows closely after the events of her recent novel, Disturbing the Dead. It seems that celebrating Christmas is not done by the Scottish of the Victorian era but they do celebrate New Year's Eve, or what they call Hogmanay, with an exchange of gifts and a feast.
The case in this story is one of blackmail. Duncan Gray's former lover, Lady Inglis, is being blackmailed over stolen explicit letters she has written to her current lover, Lord Charles Simpson. Gray allows Mallory to take the lead in the case, at least when it comes to dealing with Lady Inglis herself. Who knew about the letters and had access to them?
In this story, I was pleased to see Mallory making a conscious effort to stick to the manners and mores of Victorian-era Scotland. There are so many places where a woman cannot go at all, gentlemen's clubs for instance, and others where she must be accompanied by a man, like on the streets after dark. It must be so hard to exist in 1869 with the sensibilities of the modern era and not make unwitting mistakes.
What I loved most about this novella is a meeting with Charles Dickens. He is on his farewell tour and comes to perform in Edinburgh in November, 1869. Gray is able to get them tickets and afterwards, Lady Inglis finds a way to get them backstage to meet Dickens and perhaps get a book signed. Mallory is saddened to realize he only has a few more months to live and will never complete the book he tells them he is currently writing, The Mystery of Edwin Drood.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this novella via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own....more
"Shelterwood is an obscure forestry term for older, larger trees that protect the smaller, younger growth beneath."
This work**Happy Publication Day!**
"Shelterwood is an obscure forestry term for older, larger trees that protect the smaller, younger growth beneath."
This work of historical fiction is set in Talihina, Oklahoma and is told in two alternating timelines. One is set in 1990 where Valerie Boren-Odell comes with her seven-year-old son Charlie to begin her new post as park ranger at the newly minted Horsethief Trail National Park in the Winding Stair Mountains of Southeastern Oklahoma. As the newbie, she feels frustrated that she is being given the easy assignments as 'the token female' and is befuddled when the finding of three old skeletons of little girls in a cave isn't bigger news.
The second timeline is set in the same area back in 1909 where land rights are being stolen from orphaned Choctaw children by people who step in as their 'guardians.' Many of those same children end up living rough in the woods, fending for themselves as best they can. Olive Augusta Peele is a young white girl who fears what is going to happen to Nessa Rusk, the little Choctaw girl, who has come to live with Olive and her mother and step-father. Nessa's older sister Hazel has already disappeared and Olive thinks her step-father is responsible. Seeing he is turning his attention to Nessa, Olive takes the little girl and they run off with her pony. Out in the forest, they meet several other children who are homeless and Olive dreams of creating a home for them all.
One bright shining light is a woman named Miss Kate Barnard who has been elected president of the Oklahoma State Federation of Women's Clubs and has come to Talihina to a give a speech hoping to raise awareness of the plight of these homeless children who have been robbed of their legal rights by unscrupulous people.
As these timelines develop, the reader begins to see their connection across time. Can Valerie solve the mystery before evil doers win again?
I always enjoy learning more about such little-known history, especially those highlighting the roles played by women and children. I'm hoping Lisa Wingate will bring Valerie Boren-Odell back for more stories set in National Parks.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new novel via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own. ...more
This third book in the Agents of the Crown historical mystery series takes place in 1583-84 during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England. Dr John This third book in the Agents of the Crown historical mystery series takes place in 1583-84 during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England. Dr John Dee, philosopher and astronomer, now has a wife and son and is happily working away at his studies. But unfortunately he's made an enemy of Lord Hatton whose men catch Dee participating in an occult experiment with two others, an act punishable by death on the pyre. However, an alternative punishment has been devised if Dee agrees to go into exile and perform a small job for the Queen. Dee's mission is to travel to Prague to the court of the Holy Roman Emperor, Rudolph, and try to tempt the Emperor away from funding a crusade against England by providing him with an esoteric Book of Secrets written by Dee with the guidance of angels, which purportedly could give the Emperor unlimited power to take over the world!
The story fairly crackles with intrigue and danger. Dee will do just about anything to be able to return home to England, to his wife and son, to his lab and books. But can he outwit this den of spies, including a beautiful temptress sent by Catherine de Medici? Meanwhile back in England, the Queen's advisers are working furiously to discover from where the next attack will likely come and who amongst her lords might be a traitor.
I have quite gotten into this historical mystery series and enjoy spending a few hours immersed in the past. I was given access to all four books in the series by the publisher via NetGalley to celebrate the release of the fourth book, The Queen's Lies, on August 13, 2024. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own. ...more
I was given the opportunity to read all four of the books in this series by the publisher via NetGalley to celebrate the publication of the fourth booI was given the opportunity to read all four of the books in this series by the publisher via NetGalley to celebrate the publication of the fourth book, The Queen's Lies, in August. I wasn't too thrilled with book one, which seemed a bit like a James Bond novel set in Elizabethan England. But this second book is much richer in plot and quite enjoyable. Of course, most of the story is about plots against the Queen which must be stopped. This may seem nerve-wrackingly close to modern day events with the recent assassination attempt against Donald Trump. Over four hundred later, men still want to change history by assassination.
I'm happy to see one or two strong women among the cast of characters, in addition to the queen, of course. I'll be interested to see where Clements takes the relationships he's forming. So enjoyable to spend a few hours in another place and time.
This work of historical fiction, set during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, quite cleverly depicts events that will give rise to the spy network knownThis work of historical fiction, set during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, quite cleverly depicts events that will give rise to the spy network known as His Majesty's Secret Service and agents of the Crown, such as the well-known fictional James Bond 007.
The story begins in Paris in 1572, the night of the Huguenot massacre. Francis Walsingham, working as an agent for the English queen, is desperate to get plans depicting a Northwest Passage safely back to England, which will help him thwart a plot to free Mary Queen of Scots from her captivity. He and his intelligencer, Oliver Fellowes, make a mad dash across the rooftops of Paris with Death breathing down their necks. If that sounds like an opening scene from a James Bond movie, you are right, complete with its shocking conclusion.
Back in London, Walsingham enlists Dr John Dee, a scholar, soldier and alchemist, as well as a great friend of the Queen, to undertake a mission to reclaim the stolen plans, which leads, of course, to another death-defying scene.
Obviously the author had a screenplay in mind as he wrote this novel so the plot is driven by several more exciting action scenes. We want to boo and hiss over Mary, Queen of Scots. When she's not plotting her moves to take over the crown, how does she spend her time in captivity? With some manic cringe-worthy self-pleasuring, all too often aided by a reluctant maid servant. Ugh! I could have lived without those scenes.
The fourth book in this series is publishing in August so the author and publisher made copies of all four books available via NetGalley. I jumped at the chance to try this series but as I started to read this first book, I regretted that I was so hasty to grab them up. But all in all, it's an interesting premise and I was a big fan of Ian Fleming's books, so we'll see how the others go--maybe they will get better and hopefully a bit deeper and meatier. ...more
This is a remarkable piece of historical fiction set in rural Tennessee during and after the Civil War. The protagonist, little Grace Meadows, is tryiThis is a remarkable piece of historical fiction set in rural Tennessee during and after the Civil War. The protagonist, little Grace Meadows, is trying to understand the world around her by asking some pretty tough questions of the adults in her life, like 'Why did daddy go to war?' The focus of the story is on the effects of war on the soldiers, on the families, and on the citizens and should probably be part of every high school's curriculum.
Note: One of our favorite things to do while on trips across the country is to visit an independent bookshop and ask for their recommendations for books written by local authors. I picked up an autographed copy of this novella on a trip to Nashville, TN, several years ag0, and am just getting around to reading it, so it qualifies for my Dusty-Bookshelf-Reads challenge for 2024 as well....more
Yes, there are thousands of stories about WWII experiences, but here's a different one from a debut author set in what was then Malaya. It's about theYes, there are thousands of stories about WWII experiences, but here's a different one from a debut author set in what was then Malaya. It's about the Alcantaras whose family thrives under British colonization in the 1930s but then the mother Cecily forms a relationship with a Japanese man that will have far reaching consequences for her family and the people of Malaya a decade later. The story is so well written and mesmerizing; the characters unforgettable. Highly recommend. ...more
*3.5 stars rounded up. This is third installment of the Rip Through Time series and I do recommend reading them in order as the story builds one upon *3.5 stars rounded up. This is third installment of the Rip Through Time series and I do recommend reading them in order as the story builds one upon another. Previously in this series, a near-death experience transports modern-day homicide detective, Mallory Atkinson, back in time to 1869 Edinburgh, Scotland, where she awakens to find herself inhabiting the body of a buxom young housemaid in the household of Dr Duncan Gray, a scientist who does business as an undertaker and medical examiner. Eventually she shares her true story with Dr Gray and proves her worth and investigative skills, so that now she has now become his assistant.
As this story begins, Duncan's older sister, Lady Annis, invites them to come along to a 'mummy-unwrapping' party at the home of Sir Alastair Christie, who has recently returned from Egypt with two of them. It will be the event of the season, fancy dress and all. But that night something goes terribly wrong and once again Duncan and Mallory are drawn into helping solve the mystery.
Of special note, there are some nicely-handled twists to the plot that answer some intriguing questions about the time travel aspects of the story. I enjoyed how all that works out and thought it ingeniously done.
BUT: Is Mallory even trying to 'pass' as a proper Victorian-era woman at this point? Often her language and actions seem so modern--even swearing at times. Gasp! So far she's putting up with the cursed corsets and long dresses but there are some hints that she may be wearing pants soon. How will that work in proper society?
A PET PEEVE: Too many times the author writes that someone 'snorts', a sarcastic response to something ridiculous that is said. I personally don't know that many people who rudely snort in conversation and these characters are supposedly refined, educated, professional, upper-middle class people. I found myself noting each time the word is used once again, which of course threw me out of the enjoyment of the story. The book needs some tighter editing over things like that, imho. I know, quibble, quibble, but it's the English teacher in me coming out.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new time-travel mystery via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own. I am currently reading an arc of the next book in the series, book #3.5, Schemes & Scandals, publishing in October, 2024. (And yes, someone has already 'snorted', lol.)...more
Now THIS is my favorite book of 2024 so far. An excellent retelling of Huckleberry Finn, this time through the experiences of the slave, James. When hNow THIS is my favorite book of 2024 so far. An excellent retelling of Huckleberry Finn, this time through the experiences of the slave, James. When he learns he is meant to be sold off, James runs away with the hope he can someday return and buy freedom for his wife and little girl. Huckleberry Finn is running away too and joins up with James on an Odyssey down the Mississippi River. This is quite an adventure story but also packs a wallop with its look at racial issues, human nature and how we treat others.
James is self-educated and quite the philosopher. He can read and write and has dipped into some of the world's great literature through the books in Judge Thatcher's library. He has to remind himself to speak with the words of a slave so as not to give his intelligence away. He will need all his resourcefulness and cunning to survive the obstacles in his path to freedom. ...more
My husband and I both enjoyed this Scottish police procedural set in the early 1930s. It has a delightful touch of the gangster noir of the DepressionMy husband and I both enjoyed this Scottish police procedural set in the early 1930s. It has a delightful touch of the gangster noir of the Depression era and draws heavily on the men's WWI experiences as Detective Jimmy Dreghorn and his giant of a partner, 'Bonnie' Archibald McDaid, investigate the murder of the son-in-law of one of Glasgow's wealthiest shipbuilders. The story takes us to the grittiest mean streets of Glasgow, controlled by razor-wielding gangs, as well as into the mansions and board rooms of the uber wealthy, where things might be just as dirty but are dressed up in finer clothes....more
Diamond Newberry is the only black kid growing up in the New England town of Swift River. But that's not her only problem: she'*3.5 stars rounded up.
Diamond Newberry is the only black kid growing up in the New England town of Swift River. But that's not her only problem: she's also quite obese and her father, Robert Vaughn Newberry, disappeared when she was seven. So her life has been quite tough; she has no friends and her mother Annabelle hasn't been stable enough to provide decently for them. Now, seven years have passed, and Annabelle's hope is to have Robbie declared dead so she can finally get her hands on his insurance money. THEN all their problems will be solved. But Diamond has other plans. She's been learning to drive and her father's aunt Lena from Georgia has been in secret contact, finally filling in the details about their family, so Diamond is getting a sense of who she really is.
Diamond is an interesting character whose experiences shed light on dealing with racial issues, the problem of weight shaming and a dysfunctional mother-daughter relationship. The story ends leaving us hoping for the best for Diamond.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this debut novel via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own. ...more
Excellent book set in the waning years of the French colonial involvement in Vietnam, 1952-1955. The narrator of the story is Thomas Fowler, a middle-Excellent book set in the waning years of the French colonial involvement in Vietnam, 1952-1955. The narrator of the story is Thomas Fowler, a middle-aged English correspondent who claims to be just an observer who takes no sides in the current political situation. He is a bit of a womanizer which has caused him to be estranged from his wife back in England. He is currently living with a beautiful young mistress name Phuong. She is hoping that Fowler will divorce his wife so he can marry her and take her back to England.
Into their lives comes Alden Pyle, a young idealistic American with a political agenda. He is 'impregnably armored by his good intentions and his ignorance.' Later when things have turned deadly, Fowler observes of Pyle: 'I never knew a man who had better motives for all the trouble he caused.'
This is my 'Dusty Bookshelf Read' for February, 2024. A real classic. In his story, Greene gets into the hearts and souls of his characters, what drives them, how far they will go. His description of the setting with all the political machinations and danger is quite remarkable as well. Highly recommend.
My favorite novel of the year so far! I loved everything about it including the beautiful title. A powerful combination of historical fiction, courtroMy favorite novel of the year so far! I loved everything about it including the beautiful title. A powerful combination of historical fiction, courtroom drama, mystery, and family relationships, but most importantly, an insightful look at racism in the Old American South, very reminiscent of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
The story is set in Freeman County, Virginia, in 1968, the year Dr Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy were both assassinated. It's just four years since the passing of The Civil Rights Act but little has changed for the people, school busing is just beginning and racial tension is high.
It is in this uneasy atmosphere that local attorney, John Robert Lee, agrees to defend Jerome Washington, a black handyman accused of killing his wealthy white employers, Leslie and Anne Randolph. That alone is enough to set off any number of problems for 'Jack' and his family but the case also awakens the interest of some big-time politicians on both sides of the race issue, creating a media storm.
Into this mess walks a high-profile Black attorney, Desiree DuBose, an answer to Jack's prayers. She works for the Legal Defense Fund, goes where she is needed and has handled over two dozen capital murder cases, so she brings courtroom experience of this type where Jack has none.
It's hard to put this novel down--easily one of Baldacci's best works. Great characterizations with a stunning understanding of how good people can do such evil things. I'm looking forward to see where the author takes the team of DuBose and Lee next.
I received an arc of this new thriller from the author and publisher via NetGalley. Many thanks for the opportunity. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own....more
Bam cooks the books ;-)
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