*Possible spoilers for Crocodile on the Sandbank* Amelia Peabody and Emerson have married and had a son, Ramses. They’ve decided to stay home in England with him and live a quiet life, at least until he’s older. They’re both going slowly crazy. Emerson has been reduced to practically begging the neighbor to let him dig Continue Reading…
The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker: Book Review
Truly Plaice has been larger than life since her conception. The town men wagered on how big she would be when she was born. They all guessed too low. In contrast to her petite, doll-like older sister, Truly looks even bigger. Needless to say, the small town is not kind to Truly as she grows Continue Reading…
The Novel in the Viola by Natasha Solomons: Book Review
Elise Landau is a Jew living in Vienna before World War II. Her parents realize the danger they are facing and make plans for the family to leave the country. They must all go separate ways and Elise ends up working as a housemaid on an estate in England. Being from an artistic family in Continue Reading…
The Dress Lodger by Sheri Holman: Book Review
Gustine is a dress lodger (lower class prostitute in an upper class dress) in Sunderland, England in the 1830s. One night she meets Dr. Henry Chiver, a surgeon in disgrace who has promised his small group of students that he will find a human body for them to dissect and study. Unfortunately, there is still Continue Reading…
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides: Book Review
Calliope Stephanides is born to a family of Greek immigrants living in Detroit. She tells the story of how she came to be by starting with her grandparents in their isolated village. As the Turks and Greeks were fighting, they managed to flee to America and start a new life there. Calliope then moves on Continue Reading…
A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle: Book Review
Synopsis from GoodReads: In 1887, a young Arthur Conan Doyle published A Study in Scarlet, creating an international icon in the quick-witted sleuth Sherlock Holmes. In this very first Holmes mystery, the detective introduces himself to Dr. John H. Watson with the puzzling line “You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive,” and so begins Watson’s, Continue Reading…
Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith: Book Review
Mma Ramotswe has just gotten engaged to Mr. J. L. B. Matekoni. But she’s not going to let a little thing like that change her life too much. She’s still running her business and solving mysteries with her unique blend of luck, insight, persistence, and wisdom. I’m missing something. I know I am. Too many Continue Reading…
The Exile of Sara Stevenson by Darci Hannah: Book Review
Sara Stevenson has shamed her family and has been exiled to a remote Scottish island for months. Along with her lady’s maid, Kate; Kate’s husband; and the lightkeeper, William, she will have to weather a long winter, unsure of the fate of her lover. I thought this was pretty good. It’s not exactly my typical Continue Reading…
Mermaids in the Basement by Michael Lee West: Book Review
Renata DeChavannes is reeling from personal loss. She runs home to her grandmother in Alabama, seeking answers to questions about her mother. I don’t have a lot to say except that I can’t help but feel like this has been done before. Younger generation, digging in the past, looking for parents’ secrets. Sound familiar? I’m Continue Reading…
Summer Rental by Mary Kay Andrews: Book Review
Old friends Ellis, Julia, and Dorie have rented a beach house on the Outer Banks of North Carolina for a month. They’ve realized that their lives are moving along quickly and they want to spend some time together again. Ellis makes the arrangements and they all show up for a lazy vacation for the month Continue Reading…
A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah: Book Review
Ishmael Beah was about 12 years old when Sierra Leone’s civil war found him. He and his brother were visiting friends in a neighboring town and got cut off from their family. Their world descends into chaos and they are left trying to survive on their own. Oh my gosh. This was just heartbreaking. I Continue Reading…