Book Review: All That is Secret by Patricia Raybon

 

All That is Secret (Annalee Spain #1).  Patricia Raybon. Tyndale House (2021). 400 pages. Genre:  Mystery, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction.

First Lines of the Prologue: "November 1922.  The little baby was four hours old.  Still unwashed.  Barely crying."

Summary (Goodreads): In the winter of 1923, Professor Annalee Spain--a daring but overworked theologian at a small Chicago Bible college--receives a cryptic telegram calling her home to Denver to solve the mystery of the murder of her beloved but estranged father.

For a young Black woman, searching for answers in a city ruled by the KKK could mean real danger. Still, with her literary hero Sherlock Holmes as inspiration, Annalee launches her hunt for clues, attracting two surprising allies: Eddie, a relentless young white boy searching for his missing father, and Jack, a handsome Black pastor who loves nightclub dancing and rides in his sporty car, awakening Annalee's heart to the surprising highs and lows of romantic love.

With their help, Annalee follows clues that land her among Denver's powerful elite. But when their sleuthing unravels sinister motives and deep secrets, Annalee confronts the dangerous truths and beliefs that could make her a victim too.

My thoughts:  This is a great start to a mystery series.  Annalee Spain grew up in Colorado, mostly raised by her alcoholic father.  She never knew her mother.  When her father wasn't around or incapacitated, the ladies in the neighborhood looked out for her.  Annalee was determined to rise above a life of poverty.  When she went to college and became a professor, her father was so proud of her.  In fact, they were mending their relationship.  Joe Spain was planning a trip to Chicago to visit Annalee.  But he never showed up.  They say he fell from a train.  Annalee suspects he was pushed and is determined to find out the truth.

There is lots of action and suspense intermixed with quieter times.  Unraveling the mystery isn't easy, but there are threads to pull.  Everybody knows something, but most aren't talking.  Unfortunately, the city of Denver is run by the KKK.  Everybody is under their thumb including the police.  Annalee does put herself in some dangerous situations in order to learn things, but they are not unrealistic.  Mostly she learns things by listening.  She is a fan of Sherlock Holmes and each chapter starts with a quote from one of his stories.  

The collection of secondary characters is great.  Mrs. Stallworth, her landlady, is the closest thing to a mother she has.  Eddie, an orphan with no home, is completely loyal to Annalee after she gives him some dinner when he would have gone without.  Reverend Jack Robert Blake, current pastor at Mount Moriah AME does all he can to help and protect Annalee.  And then there is Sidney Castle who seems to be helping Annalee, but she is not sure why.  

I really got a feel for Denver of the 1920's.  The atmosphere was tense.  The neighborhoods segregated and favor given to whoever had the most money.  The KKK members had their hands in everything, even the churches.  The author includes a note at the back of the book indicating that she grew up in Colorado along with some of the history she incorporated in the book. 

She says, "The Ku Klux Klan's 1920s revival, meantime, was legendary in Colorado, where membership was the second largest per capita in the United States (after Indiana) - claiming between 55,000 and 75,000 members, including women.  The Grand Dragon of Colorado's Klan was not Eddie Brown Sr. (my fictional name), but a homeopathic physician named Dr. John Galen Locke, who engineered a hate campaign against Jews, Blacks, Catholics, and immigrants, declaring that only native-born, English-speaking, white Protestants were 100 percent American."

There is a strong faith-thread in the story about trusting God and not trying to do things on your own.  

Overall this was an absorbing read that kept me turning pages.  I am so glad this is a series and look forward to reading the newly released second book, Double the Lies.

Quotes: 

"Of the arrogance it took to believe she could study God or comprehend who God is in a world that rarely makes a lick of sense, because it's so God-forsaken and desperate and crazy."

"She'd been walking in circles.  Moving and going. Aimless.  Distracted. Letting life happen to her.  Never planning it.  Or deciding clearly where she was going.  That's how she ended up at the Bible college.  It was only one of seven, after learning she was colored, that would take her.  But what did she learn there that mattered now?  Finally this: God is visionary.  Tactical.  A planner.  A builder.  Laboring with detailed plans."

Book Review: The Right Kind of Fool by Sarah Loudin Thomas

 

The Right Kind of Fool.  Sarah Loudin Thomas.  Bethany House (2020). 384 pages. Genre: Historical Fiction. 

First Line: "Beverly, West Virginia.  July 1934. The day's heat lay close to Loyal like a quilt he couldn't push back."

Summary (Goodreads): Thirteen-year-old Loyal Raines is supposed to stay close to home on a hot summer day in 1934. When he slips away for a quick swim in the river and finds a dead body, he wishes he'd obeyed his mother. The ripples caused by his discovery will impact the town of Beverly, West Virginia, in ways no one could have imagined.

The first person those ripples disturb is Loyal's absentee father. When Creed Raines realized his infant son was deaf, he headed for the hills, returning only to help meet his family's basic needs. But when Loyal, now a young teen, stumbles upon a murder it's his father he runs to tell--shaping the words with his hands. As Creed is pulled into the investigation he discovers that what sets his son apart isn't his inability to hear but rather his courage. Longing to reclaim the life he abandoned, Creed will have to do more than help solve a murder if he wants to win his family's hearts again.

My thoughts:  It has been too long since I read a book by Sarah Loudin Thomas.  When I sit down to read one of her books I know I will be immersed in the West Virginia hills and hollers.  And I definitely was in this story.  

Loyal Raines, who is almost fourteen, has been deaf since an illness took his hearing when he was four.  His father, Creed Raines, has been spending most of his time in the mountains for nearly as long.  He hasn't abandoned his family, but provides for their needs while mostly living apart from them.  If you were to ask him why he spends most of his time in the mountains, he would tell you it is better for his family that way.  Creed blames himself for his son's loss of hearing.  And if his wife, Delphy, was honest, she blames him too.  At the same time, Delphy longs for Creed to return to their home and so does Loyal.  The Raines family has a lot to work through and they do so realistically.  

After Loyal discovers a man's body near the river, it is his dad he goes to.  It means a lot to Creed that his son trusts him enough to come to him.  This is the first step in healing some of the wounds between father and son, husband and wife. 

While this book isn't listed as a mystery, it contains one of the best mysteries I have read in a while.  The dead man worked for the government and was trespassing where he didn't belong.  But, the property owner has an alibi.  Complicating matters, Loyal saw some things before he discovered the body that he is not sure he wants to tell.  Things that could cause trouble for his friends.  Also, because he is deaf, it is often hard for him to make others understand what he is saying. Creed works with the sheriff to uncover what happened.

This is also a coming-of-age story with Loyal feeling like he is almost a man and should be allowed to do certain things.  There is tension between Loyal and his parents as they try to protect him.  I loved how the author portrayed the struggle his parents were going through wanting to protect him, but also realizing that he was growing up and could handle things better than they thought.  

This story has it all - history, atmosphere, family drama, great characters and a mystery.  I only wish it were part of a series so I could spend more time with these characters.  

Quotes:

"It was early afternoon.  As he stepped into the front room, he could smell beans simmering on the stove, as well as the furniture polish Delphy used to keep the end tables gleaming.  The windows were open, and gauzy white curtains tugged at their rods as a breeze followed them inside."

"He'd been so afraid of doing more damage to the boy for so long.  Finally seeing how he could hold his own was liberating.  Maybe it wasn't about pushing like his own father had done, but simply encouraging the boy's natural abilities.  He thought maybe that was what a father ought to do and he was eager to try it out."

Book Review: A Midnight Dance by Joanna Davidson Politano

 

A Midnight Dance (A Midnight Dance #1). Joanna Davidson Politano. Revell (2021). 384 pages.  Genre:  Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance.

First Lines: "Covent Garden, London, 1833.  He was so very blue. That was all my scattered mind could gather as he sailed past the window of Craven Street Theatre."

Summary:  Ella Blythe has always loved to dance.  It's not surprising considering her mother was the famous Delphine Bessette and her father, whose identity is unknown to her, was also a dancer.  Delphine Bessette was badly burned in a fire and presumed dead.  But she survived and went on to give birth to Ella.  Delphine and Ella have always lived in seclusion.  Ella longs to dance at the Craven Street Theatre like her mother did.  But, her mother begs her not to.  She doesn't want Ella's life ruined like hers was.  

While Delphine is alive, Ella keeps her promise.  But once she is dead, Ella auditions and is accepted into the corps de ballet.  After working hard and receiving a scholarship, she has her wish of dancing at the Craven Street Theatre.  Part of her reason for wanting to be at Craven Street is to discover who her father is.  As she is preparing for her first show, she realizes that the world of the ballet is cut-throat.  Ella is not willing to do the things some of the other dancers do to secure their position in the hierarchy.  Will she be able to survive in this world of dance?

My thoughts:  I read the second book in this series a couple of months ago not realizing it was part of a series.  I loved it so much that I wanted to go back and read the first book.  However, each of these books could be read as a stand alone with out missing too much.  The characters from this book make an appearance in the second book, but it is a small part.

I took ballet when I was young and am always drawn to books about dancing.  When the book begins, Ella is fifteen-years-old and desperately wants to train to be part of the ballet.  Her mother has danced with her from a young age, but never leaves the house.  Just before Ella was born, there was a terrible fire at the Craven Street Theatre.  Her mother was believed to have died in that fire that was deliberately set.  She changed her name and has stayed in seclusion all these years.  Delphine loved to dance, but theatre life was cruel to her and she wants to protect Ella from that.  It was shocking and fascinating to learn about the life of a dancer in Victorian times.  The author gives a few more details in her Author's Note as well.

I really liked Ella as a character.  She worked hard for what she wanted, but she wasn't willing to  compromise her convictions to get it.  Because of this she received lots of ridicule.  Something she has always struggled with is feeling like she is not enough, both as a dancer and as a person.  This story is her journey of growth toward realizing that she is enough.  It is also a beautiful example of giving glory to God in everything you do. 

Jack Dorian is the choreographer at the theatre.  He is known for being charming, wild and a ladies' man.  Ella does not make life easy for Jack.  She refuses to be charmed by him and assumes that anytime is offering her something, he expects something in return.  Eventually, when she has no other choice, she decides to accept a kindness her offers her.  She keeps telling herself that eventually Jack will want something in return.  I enjoyed watching Ella and Jack's relationship grow.  

Ella wants to learn who her father is and who set the fire that almost took her mother's life.  There are so many layers to this mystery.  Just when I thought she was getting close to the truth, there was another twist.  In the end, Ella discovers what she needs to and many things she didn't know she needed.  

This was a beautifully written story full of vibrant, deep characters.  I highly recommend it.

Quotes: 

"'Always maintain marvelous posture, even in little things - smaller roles, backstage conversations, darning a pair of shoes - make beauty and elegance a way of life, even in the mundane moments, and they cannot help but notice you shining in your little corner.'"

"Already he felt freer, calmer, simply being outside."

"'A great many things that were originally noble and beautiful have been tarnished by this world, but that doesn't change what they were originally created to be.'"

The second book in the series:

The Lost Melody by Joanna Davidson Politano

Book Review: The Lost Melody by Joanna Davidson Politano

The Lost Melody (A Midnight Dance #2). Joanna Davidson Politano. Fleming H. Revell (2022). 378 pages. Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction.

First Lines: "Hurstwell Asylum. One day in late May of the year 1886, I found myself imprisoned in the Hurstwell Pauper Lunatic Asylum.  This was unconscionable - I had never been a pauper."

Summary:  When Vivienne Mourdant's father dies, he leaves her with many debts to pay as well as the guardianship of a ward at the Hurstwell Pauper Lunatic Asylum.  The ward's name is Rosamond Swansea and Mr. Mourdant had been paying for her care for years. This was a surprise to Vivienne.  However, there is something familiar about that name.  

When Vivienne inquires about Rosamond at the Asylum, she is told there is not a patient there by that name and never was.  In order to find out what is going on, Vivienne gets a job as an aid under a false name.  Soon she is struggling to tell what is true and what is false.  She hears music that no one else hears, she finds notes that seem to be written to her.  Something is not right in this place, but will she be able to discover what it is before she succumbs to madness?  

My thoughts: This was a beautifully written, atmospheric book that will stick with me for a while.  I didn't realize until after I had read it that it is the second book in a series.  I had no problem picking this up without reading the first one.  

Vivienne is a concert pianist whose father was very demanding.  So much so that he would punish her by locking her in the larder if she didn't play well.  She does grieve his death, but more than anything, she is relieved he is gone.  Even as a grown woman, she still fears the dark.  As she begins working at the Asylum, she has many secrets to keep.  This becomes harder as her work days become longer and her nights become shorter.  She is trying to discover if anyone has heard of Rosamond and where she might be now.  I was kept on the edge of my seat, turning pages to find out what was going to happen.  

The story is set in Victorian England with the Asylum being located at the edge of the Moors.  The author's description of the interior of the building had me feeling like I was walking the hallways.  There is even a tower on the property that employees are forbidden from entering.  

There are two doctors at the Asylum, along with several nurses who are in charge.  Each of them has a distinct personality and the reader is never quite sure what to think of them.  We also get acquainted with some of the inmates.  

Music is a major theme in the book.  Most chapters open with a quote from a famous composer.  The concept of music therapy was quite interesting and is woven throughout the story.   Some of the other themes are mental health, sanity, light and darkness, appreciating where you are at right now, asking God why?, the value of every human, and serving others.  

This book deals with some very hard topics, but it does so in a beautiful and hope-filled way.  This was my first book by Joanna Davidson Politano, but I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

Quotes:

"How odd that here, of all places, I should find like-minded souls, yet it was the only place in all of England protected from the influence of society's disapproval."

"How delicate the line was between sanity and madness."

"Layers peeled away before my eyes, and I glimpsed the inner workings of God's creation - a heartbeat and pattern that tied everything together.  An expression of his sense of order and creativity placed within humans - even the ones who were deemed lost in all other ways."

"We're all of us told to walk in the light, but we don't.  We simply wish to drag the light over to where we're already standing, so we may better see the path we've set out for ourselves."

Book Review: Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen

Her Royal Spyness (Her Royal Spyness #1). Rhys Bowen.  Berkeley Publishing Group (2007). 324 pages. Genre: Mystery.

First Line: "Castle Rannoch, Perthshire, Scotland. April 1932. There are two disadvantages to being a minor royal."

Summary:  Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie, daughter of the Duke of Glen Garry and Rannoch, is thirty-fourth in line for the throne of England.  As such, she is expected to behave in certain ways and do certain things.  One of these things is marrying into a noble family.  Being that she has already come out in society, this is at the top of everyone's mind.  Everyone being her brother, her sister-in-law and the Queen.  

When her brother cuts off her allowance, she decides it is time to make her own way in life.  She decides to go to London and stay in the family house there.  The problem is she can't afford a maid.  She has never had to dress herself or cook her own food before.  She decides the only thing to do is to get a job, which is unheard of for a member of the royal family no matter how distant the throne is.  

After a hard day's work as a maid, she returns to the family home to find a corpse floating in the bathtub.  Concerned that her brother might have been involved and concerned that her secret life as a maid might be revealed, Georgie hesitates to notify the police.  Her fears are realized when she does notify the authorities - both she and her brother are suspects.  With the help of her friend Belinda, she tries to discover who this man in the bathtub is and who might want him dead.  

My thoughts:  This is one of those books that is so easy to read.  The writing style is witty and sharp, the dialogue is humorous and the storyline is well paced.  

Lady Georgiana is a brave woman.  She is willing to do things she has never done, such as collect coal from the cellar to start a fire, attempt to make herself a meal, and reside in a big, old drafty house by herself.  But often times her courage and bravery get her into trouble. At times she had to invent lies about the lies she had already told.  While she was unwilling to compromise in some areas, in others she readily did things she ought not do.  Georgie is an entertaining main character and I enjoyed her narration.  

The supporting cast is equally well developed.  Her friend Belinda is always there for her, unless she has been out late to a party.  Her constant talk about sex did get annoying.  Fortunately, it wasn't overly graphic.  One of my favorite characters was Georgie's grandfather on her mother's side.  He is definitely not in the royal line and is a little rough around the edges.  I love the relationship he has with Georgie.  And then there's Darcy, who is a good friend to Georgie and maybe more. 

The mystery wasn't overly strong and was kind of overshadowed by Georgie's life, but since this was the first book in the series, that is somewhat expected.  There is definitely a mystery to be solved and it held my interest and surprised me with its outcome. 

I enjoyed learning about the expectations of the royal family and of society in general in 1932 London.  Times were tough and belts needed to be tightened even in the royal family.

There was a lot to like about this one, but I don't think I liked it as much as I thought I would.  I was a little underwhelmed probably due to the fact that I had heard so many great things about this series and had high expectations. It was a light,  fun read and one that I would recommend.

Quotes:

"There is nothing as lovely as a London Park in springtime.  Daffodils among the trees, new green emerging on those spreading chestnuts, elegantly turned-out horses crossing from the riding stable toward Rotten Row, and courting couples strolling hand in hand or sitting rather too close to each other on the benches."

"Lunch was a huge success - lovely leg of lamb, crispy roast potatoes and cabbage from Grandad's back garden, followed by baked apple and custard."

Book Review: This Side of Murder by Anna Lee Huber

This Side of Murder (Verity Kent #1). Anna Lee Huber. Kensington (2017). 289 pages. Genre: Mystery.

First Lines: "You might question whether this is all a ruse, whether I truly have anything to reveal.  But I know what kind of work you really did during the war.  I know the secrets you hide.  Why shouldn't I also know your husband's?"

Summary:  Verity Kent is invited to a house party to celebrate the engagement of one of her deceased husband's fellow officers.  Initially she intends to send her regrets.  But when she receives a letter claiming the writer had information about her late husband and his treasonous activities, Verity decides she must attend the party and perhaps learn more about this accusation of treasonous activity.  

Soon after the party gets started, one of the guests disappears.  Verity and three other guests discover his body when they are exploring the island.  Before long another body is discovered.  To make matters worse, there is a storm raging outside and the phone lines are down.  Will Verity be able to discover who the murderer is before someone else loses their life?

My thoughts:  I love the covers of the books in this series.  I was also drawn to the time period - the time between the wars.  

I was glad I had read a few reviews before beginning this book because several of them indicated that the beginning of the book was slow.  I found this to be true and probably would not have continued had I not been prepared for this. There is a lot of set up for the first half or so of the book.  But once things start to happen it really picks up.  

It has been fifteen months since Verity's husband was shot in a battle.  She thought she would be done grieving by now, but finds herself still missing him terribly.  That makes it especially hard to attend this party where everyone knew her husband.  The letter she received suggesting that her husband was involved in treasonous activities is what compels her to go.  She can't believe Sidney would have been involved in anything treasonous, but then again, they hadn't had a lot of time to spend together before he was sent off to war. Verity was keeping secrets from her husband, so it is possible he was keeping secrets from her.  

The setting and atmosphere of this book are similar to And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie.  It is set on an island in a large house, actually a castle in this case, and when a storm hits, no one can leave.  However, that is where the similarities end.  Verity and one of the other guests, Max, trust one another, but they are not sure who else they can trust.  The mystery is not straight forward and after a major plot twist, things get more complicated. 

Another thing that took away from my enjoyment of the novel was a section involving a seance and tarot cards.  In most cases, this would have been a deal breaker for me.  However, all of the characters except the one who wants to hold the seance were uncomfortable and Verity lets the reader know that she believes the other character is just pretending to converse with the dead person.  Also, it occurred more than half way through the novel and by that point I wanted to finish.  

Unfortunately, I was left with mixed feelings about the novel.  I have heard great things about Anna Lee Huber and her writing is terrific, but I am not sure if I will continue with this series. 

Quotes:

"Our fighting men simply didn't discuss such things with those at home.  They couldn't. Not without exposing us to the horrors they were trying so hard to keep us from finding out about."

"The music grew softer and the hushed sounds of night reached my ears again - the hum of crickets and the rustle of the wind trailing its fingers through the leaves.  On this side of the castle, away from the sea, the trees grew thicker, for I could smell them and the faint perfume of London Pride in the bushes bordering this end of the terrace."

Book Review: From This Day Forward by Lauraine Snelling

 

From This Day Forward (Song of Blessing #4). Lauraine Snelling. Bethany House Publishers (2016). 368 pages. Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance. 

First Line: "'When will it be my turn?' Deborah MacCallister paused to sniff a spray of lilac."

Summary:  The town of Blessing, North Dakota is growing quickly.  The hospital is now well established, but short handed.  The men of the town have their hands full trying to build a school and some homes before winter comes.  Since the school teacher moved away, they are in need of a new teacher before summer's end.  Head nurse Deborah MacCallister needs to go to Chicago for training on hospital administration.  Tensions are running high as the people are overworked.  Led by Ingeborg  Bjorklund and John Solberg, the residents pull together through prayer and hard work.  

My thoughts: It is always refreshing to return to this series.  The town of Blessing was settled by the Bjorklund family in the late 1800's.  From This Day Forward takes place in the early 1900's.  Each of the stories in this series has a strong sense of family, community and faith.

One of my favorite aspects of this series is the hospital and how much I learn about medicine and doctoring during this time period.  This story has less of that than the others in the series, but there is still enough to satisfy my curiosity.  

Ingeborg is our main character and all of the other characters are touched by her in some way.  Some are related, others are just loved by her.  She is a woman with a strong faith in God.  She helps out in whatever way she can, whether by preparing food, driving the tractor or just being available to talk. She is always taking care of someone.  She is now a widow and her children are grown, but she has "adopted" a girl and a woman in need of a home.  

Another main storyline involves Head Nurse Deborah MacCallister.  She has loved Toby Valders since they were children, but he doesn't seem to be able to make a commitment.  Toby does care about Deborah, but realizes he is afraid of making a commitment.  After doing some soul searching and talking with trusted friends, he begins to realize his fear has to do with his past.  It is only after acknowledging his fear that he can begin to change. 

This is the final book in the series and I am sad to see it end.  The entire Blessing series is twenty books long, however it is made up of smaller series.  I have only read the four books in The Song of Blessing series.  I imagine the entire series is great, but I had no problem starting here.  If you are interested in this series I recommend you start with the first book in the Song of Blessing series, To Everything a Season.  If you are really ambitious and want to start at the very beginning, the first book is An Untamed Land. 

Quotes: 

"Back in bed, she listened to the night sounds, the singing crickets, an owl hooting, the breeze lifting the lace curtains."

"'How come your house always feels so peaceful?'

'I imagine because the Lord of peace lives here.  And He fills our house and hearts with His love.'"

"She could feel the smile lifting her face and see the morning breeze setting the lace curtain to dancing."

Book Review: Because I Could Not Stop for Death by Amanda Flower

 

Because I Could Not Stop for Death (Emily Dickinson Mystery #1). Amanda Flower. Berkley Books (2022). 336 pages. Genre: Mystery.

First Line: "Icy rain slapped the dirt road, turning it into mud."

Summary:  Willa Noble has just been hired as the new maid at the Dickinson household.  She didn't expect to get the job and she especially didn't expect to get it immediately.  But, when Emily Dickinson overheard her interview with the head housekeeper, she insisted that Willa be hired immediately.  Emily explains that she "likes someone who would sacrifice herself for her family and duty" and she believes Willa is just that sort of person. 

Soon after Willa begins working for the Dickinson family, her beloved brother, Henry, is killed by a horse at the stable where he works.  The police and stable owner claim it was an accident caused by Henry's carelessness.  However, Willa knows her brother wasn't careless and finds it hard to believe he would do what he is being accused of doing.  Since Henry can't speak for himself, Willa feels she must get to the bottom of what really happened to her brother.  Fortunately, Emily Dickinson feels the same way and is eager to join Willa in her investigation.  

My thoughts:  Other than reading some of Emily Dickinson's poetry, I know very little about her life. Whether or not her character is true to life, she is enjoyable.  She is a young woman who knows her own mind and isn't afraid to speak it, often upsetting her father.  She also knows that her father would do almost anything for his children.  According to her sister, Lavinia, it is only for Emily that their father would do almost anything.  Lavinia is very protective of her sister.  She doesn't like Willa because she sees her as being a bad influence on Emily.  What Lavinia doesn't know is that it is Emily who encouraged Willa to begin looking into her brother's death.  

The story is told from Willa's point of view and really she is the main character.  She is a young woman who knows her place, works hard and is kind.  It is no wonder that Emily likes her immediately.  Her brother was the only family she had left in the world, so it is devasting when he is killed.  At first she is not sure if she wants to know what happened to her brother.  But the more she learns, the more determined she becomes to find out.  

The Dickinson family lives in Amherst, Massachusetts.  Mr. Dickinson is in politics, so the family travels to Washington D.C. for a short while.  This made for an interesting look at the country during this time period (1855). Politics come into the story not only because of Mr. Dickinson, but also because of the mystery.  Slavery was a big topic in many peoples minds.  The Underground Railroad was in operation and there were people called Slave Catchers who pretended to be part of the Railroad, but would actually catch slaves and take them back to their owners in the south.  And this was legal.  All of this comes into play in regards to what happened to Henry.  It was fascinating to learn about all of this and to see the layers get peeled away as the story progressed.  

There is an author's note at the end of the book which sheds a little more light on what is fact and what is fiction. This is a great start to a new series and I look forward to seeing where the next book takes Willa and Emily.

Quotes: 

"He gave a portion of his meal to the mouse family that lived in the walls.  He was kind.  Yes, he had a way of finding trouble, but his motivation was kindness and doing what he believed was right. Maybe that didn't follow convention and maybe it made his life more difficult, but he did not care."

"As soon as I stepped into the room, I inhaled the post office scent.  It was a mix of fresh paper, old books and lavender.  The lavender came from a wreath on the door."

"This ice cream cone that might have only cost a few cents was proof to me that there was still joy to be found in the world."

Book Review: The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin

The Librarian Spy.  Madeline Martin. Hanover Square Press (2022). 400 pages. Genre: Historical Fiction.  

First Line: "Ava. April 1943. Washington, DC. There was nothing Ava Harper loved more than the smell of old books."

Summary: Ava Harper loves her position in the Rare Books room at the Library of Congress.  When she is approached to help the war effort by becoming a spy, she hesitates.  However, when she thinks of her brother fighting in the war, she can't refuse.

Elaine Rousseau and her husband live in Lyon, France.  The Nazis have occupied the area making it hard to live normally.  Elaine longs to join the Resistance, but her husband is adamant that she does not.  After an argument, her husband does not return home.  As the days increase with no word from her husband, Elaine fears the worst.  A friend of her husband's finally contacts her and lets her know that he has been captured.  Against his better judgment, the friend allows Elaine to begin helping the Resistance.

Ava and Elaine's lives intersect when a Jewish mother and her son need help to get out of France.  Through a series of codes and connections, they try to help the two escape the clutches of the Nazis. 

My thoughts:  Madeline's Martin's The Last Bookshop in London made my list of tops reads for 2021.  I was excited when I heard she had a new book out and my expectations were high.   Unfortunately, this one left me with mixed feelings.

The story is told by alternating chapters between Ava and Elaine. Ava works as a librarian in the Rare Books Room at the Library of Congress. It is her dream job and she couldn't be happier, except that with the war on her brother has enlisted.  She worries about his safety and wishes she could do something to help the cause. Because of her ability to speak German and French, she is invited to join the Office of Strategic Services under the information gathering program called the Interdepartmental Committee for the Acquisition of Foreign Publications.  Basically, she is recruited to be a spy who collects foreign books and newspapers and submits them to the US government.  She is sent to Portugal.  All of this sounds very interesting.  But, I felt like I kept waiting for the interesting part to happen.  The author does explain that much of the work of spies is rather tedious, especially for those in this particular department.  Somehow I felt removed from the story.  Really, this story line took a back seat to Elaine's story.

Elaine is living in Lyon, which was occupied by the Nazis.  The author did a great job of helping the reader understand how grim things were.  Rations were severe.  Most citizens feared leaving their home because they could get stopped at any time by the Gestapo and asked for their ID card.  They were always at the mercy of that officer.  If he didn't like how they looked or had any other reason to suspect them of anything, they would end up in jail. Nobody wanted to end up there.  Most never came out again. This was contrasted with conditions in Portugal.  There were many refugees there who spent their time waiting for visas by lounging in cafes drinking coffee.  While the waiting was difficult, there were no rations.  The refugees were well fed.  In Lyon, citizens were not allowed coffee or sugar.  Most were not getting enough food to eat. 

The middle section of the book was dark and it moved rather slow.  The first few chapters really drew me in and I was eager to learn more, but the middle dragged and was a bit too graphic for my taste.  I do realize this is a book about WWII and these types of things really happened. The last few chapters, the Epilogue and the Author's Note were great. I also loved the daily details of living the author included such as how the women dressed, the foods they got with their ration cards and best of all, some of the fancy dinners Ava attended.  

The Librarian Spy is well written and definitely worth the read. However, because of feeling disconnected from the story and the characters, my enjoyment of the story was diminished. 

Quotes:

"There were many ways in which one could read.  Either tucked into the corner of the sofa with a strong cup of coffee or lying in bed with the book hovering above one's face - though admittedly this is not done without peril.  But there were also unconventional methods, like while cooking dinner or crossing the street - sometimes even while brushing one's teeth if the story was truly that engrossing."

"He put the car into gear, and they took off, turning this way and that to navigate the streets of Lisbon.  Soon the twists and turns of the city gave way to a long stretch of road and the ocean came into view, the moon glinting off distant waves like flecks of diamonds sparkling in the great, dark sea."

"The written word held such importance to her through the years.  Books had been solace in a world turned upside down, a connection to characters when she was utterly alone, knowledge when she needed answers and so, so much more."

Book Review: The Unkept Woman by Allison Montclair

The Unkept Woman (Sparks & Bainbridge #4). Allison Montclair. Minotaur Books (2022). 320 pages. Genre: Mystery.

First Line: "The woman following Iris Sparks wasn't very good at it."

Summary:  The Right Sort Marriage Bureau is thriving.  Gwen and Iris have hired a secretary and expanded the office to include one more room.  But, it is their personal lives that are not proceeding smoothly.  Gwen is attempting to gain full legal control of her life, including her son and her finances.  Her biggest obstacle remains her father-in-law.  Iris' past literally shows up on her doorstep and barges in.  Before long a woman is found dead in the flat Iris had been living in and Iris is the primary suspect.  Gwen and Iris must work fast to discover the real murderer or Iris will go to jail.

My thoughts:  Each book in this series zips along at such a fast pace.  The dialogue continues to be witty, the pace is just right and the characters are wonderful.

I absolutely love the character development in this story.  Gwen and Iris continue to grow and change.  Gwen is stepping out of her comfort zone a little more, while continuing to be a good friend, mother and daughter-in-law.  Iris is dealing with her past and making progress.  She continues to see that some of the choices she made were harmful.  I love the honesty in both of them.

A real treat was the trip Gwen and her son made to the Victoria and Albert museum to view the Britain Can Make It Exhibition.  Every bit of their trip their was described in such detail, I felt like I was wandering through with them.  Part of the exhibit included:

"Twenty-four fully equipped rooms, each by a different designer, drawing upon the combined imaginations of furniture makers, potters, engineers shifting their focus from destroying the Axis to improving the lives of ordinary households, and artists of all kinds. Each room was created for an imaginary occupant or family, with a drawing and quick biographical sketch mounted above the listing of items displayed and their manufacturers."

I found this fascinating and would have loved to see it.  

The mystery was complex and many layers had to be uncovered to figure out what was going on. Scotland Yard was involved and so was MI-6.  So of course there were things that couldn't be said and people who couldn't be known.  There were lots of twists and turns and I was completely surprised when the murderer was revealed.  

I really enjoyed this and highly recommend this series.  If you are new to it, I recommend you start with the first book, The Right Sort of Man.

Book Review: The Key to Deceit by Ashley Weaver

The Key to Deceit (Electra McDonnell #2). Ashley Weaver. Minotaur Books (2022). 272 pages. Genre: Historical Mystery.

First Line:  "London. 31 August 1940. It's often a man's mouth that breaks his nose, my uncle Mick was fond of saying."

Summary:  Electra McDonnell has been getting used to her new life on the right side of the law.  She has been spending her time working as a locksmith and knitting socks for soldiers.  Frankly, she is getting restless.  Her uncle Mick is out of town on a job leaving her and their  longtime housekeeper, Nacy, to keep the home fires burning.  When returning home from a job one day, she finds Major Ramsey waiting for her. 

He has a job for her.  A woman was found floating in the Thames with an unusual bracelet on her arm.  It is locked in two places and the Major would like Electra to use her skills to remove it.  Its clear that the woman was involved in espionage. In order to break the spy ring, the Major will need Electra and Uncle Mick's skills.  It becomes a race against the clock as they attempt to thwart the enemy's plans. 

My thoughts:  This second book in the Electra McDonnell series drew me in immediately.  The writing is crisp and witty.  Electra continues to be a strong character.  She was raised by her uncle along with his two boys and their housekeeper, Nacy Dean.   She is an expert locksmith, knows her way around a garage and won't shy away from a fight.  But, she is also feminine, tender-hearted and knows how to knit socks.  She is fiercely loyal to her family and country and is willing to do what she can to help the war effort.  

Uncle Mick's part in this story is smaller than it was in the first book.  However, he returns from his travels in time to help out.  Felix and Major Ramsey have large parts this time around.  There is a bit of a love triangle forming.  Electra's feelings for Felix are growing, but she has known him since she was a girl.  Are her feelings something more?  As far as the Major goes, it could never work.  They are from different worlds.  But he does seem to be fiercely protective of her.  As I have mentioned before, I don't always like romance in my mysteries.  But, I didn't find this distracting.  Instead, it is just charming and helps the reader like both Felix and the Major and get to know them better.  

The story begins just before the Germans bombed London.  The bombing is part of the story and the author did a good job of giving the reader a feel for what this must have been like.  When Electra hears the planes she hears, "the whine of Heinkel and Dornier engines".  This was very appropriate for her.  I would have heard the engines of planes, but Electra is familiar with engines of all kinds.   The McDonnell family lives far from the East End which is where most of the damage occurred.  Their feelings of fear and uncertainty are very real. 

Unraveling a spy ring is no easy task.  As the Major follows the clues along with the help of Electra and Uncle Mick, it gets more complicated before it is sorted out.  

There is a secondary story line that started in the first book having to do with Electra's mother. She never knew her and the family doesn't talk about her.  Electra only knows what she has been told, which isn't much. She would love to know more about her.  With the help of Felix, Electra makes some progress on that front.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable read.  All this is left to do now is wait for the next book in the series. 

Quotes: 

"It had felt good, I realized, having virtue backing us up.  It had changed the way I looked at myself, whether I wanted to admit it or not.  I felt different, better, knowing I was working for the people of my country rather than against them."

"I ran a brush through my hair, realized it was going to be one of those days when it wasn't going to behave, and rolled it into a chignon, viciously shoving pins into it until it realized who was boss."

"The bank was one of those impressive buildings with pillared chambers and echoing vaulted ceilings.  People talked in whispers, as though it were a hospital.  Or maybe a church was more accurate; people do tend to worship money."

"One thing I had come to learn over the years was that you could never judge a book by its cover. People were seldom what they seemed on the outside."

Book Review: A Sky Painted Gold by Laura Wood

A Sky Painted Gold. Laura Wood. Scholastic (2018). 392 pages. Genre: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Romance. 

First Lines of Prologue: "It all started with an apple.  Trouble often does, I suppose, and this particular apple was a real troublemaker - a Pendragon, red-fleshed and sweet, that I stole from someone else's orchard."

Summary:  Louise Trevelyan is the second daughter in a large, close-knit family.  Her older sister, Alice, is getting married and Louise is feeling lost.  She has taken to making her way to a large, abandoned house, the Cardew House, on an island near her home.  She visits the orchard and has discovered an unlocked window that lets her into the home.  There is an extensive library inside and Louise loses herself in detective novels.  

One evening she notices activity at the house.  She climbs a tree to better view what is going on.  Before long a man makes his way to the tree and lights a cigarette.  Soon, he begins talking to her.  She can't believe he spotted her.  Eventually, he convinces her to come down and invites her inside. She refuses.  He insists that his sister would love to meet her.  Before long she receives an invitation from Caitlin herself.  Louise is soon swept into a world completely different from her own and struggles to find her place in either one.

My thoughts:  I have not read many books in the Young Adult genre and wasn't sure what to expect.  I was captivated by this story.  The story takes place in 1929 on the Cornish coast.  Louise is the second oldest of eight children.  Her father is a farmer and they live in a ramshackle farmhouse.  Alice, the oldest child, is getting married when the story opens.  She and her fiancee have been in love for as long as Louise can remember.  She sees it in the way the look at one another.  Alice is only two years older than Louise, but Louise can't imagine feeling that way about a man.  

After Louise is discovered in the apple tree, by none other than Robert Cardew himself, her life changes.  She begins spending days at the Cardew House with Robert, Caitlin and their friends.  Their parents are both dead, but the house is staffed with servants.  They have parties with Jazz music that Louise has only dreamed about.  Robert finds them boring, which is why he has escaped to the orchard.  Robert finds Louise's matter-of-fact way of viewing the world refreshing.  Caitlin and her friends also find her to be something of a novelty and enjoy having her around.  Louise does worry that they will become bored with her eventually.

The descriptions of the countryside and the parties are mesmerizing.  It was easy to get lost in the world the author created.  There was a nice mix of the hedonistic, party life and the sweet home life of Louise's family.  The author does a nice job of  giving the reader a taste of the party atmosphere without delving too deeply into it. There is a definite Great Gatsby feel to the story.  

"The night is clear and calm.  When I reach the beach, the sea is quite still, its gentle rippling waves filling the air with a muted rushing sound. The Cardew House is lit up like a birthday cake, and if I strain my ears I can just about hear the echo of music and laughter being carried across to the shore."

Throughout the story Louise realizes that this dream life will end with the coming of autumn.  The Cardews will return to London and she will have to figure out what she is going to do with her life.  She has also discovered that the Cardew family has secrets.  Caitlin seems to be wasting away, "burning up", as one character describes her.  Louise longs to be taken into her confidence, but Caitlin insists she is fine.  

This is a complex story.  It is a coming-of-age story, but it is also so much more.  It is a story of two families and explores things like race, class, the place of women in society, marriage and friendship.  

This is one of my favorite reads of the year.  When I was finished, I wanted to start again.  A Sky Painted Gold was Laura Wood's debut novel.  She has written two more and I look forward to reading them. 

Quotes:

"A nearby crunching on the gravel drive jolts me and sends me hurtling - not too daintily - into some shrubbery. A couple in the most gorgeous evening wear sway into view, clearly under the influence of something even stronger than Aunt Cath's ginger wine.  I hold my breath.  This is what it must be like seeing a lion in the wild."

"She looks like a fairy princess, floating in a cloud of white silk and chiffon.  White feathers crown  her shingled head, although her pale hair looks almost silver in this light.  Several strings of pearls are wrapped around her slender neck, and on her feet are the most gorgeous white silk slippers, a bit like you'd expect a prima ballerina to wear. "

"I may not want exactly what my sister has, but I know her love for Jack is real.  It's honest and precious, and she values it above anything.  And that's what I want.  Not this game, not this refusal to care properly about anything.  It's heartless.  It makes people disposable.  People like me."

Book Review: Murder on Washington Square by Victoria Thompson

Murder on Washington Square (Gaslight Mystery #4). Victoria Thompson. Berkley Prime Crime (2002). 336 pages. Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction.

First Line: "Sarah opened the door to find a ragged little boy on her front stoop."

Summary:  Midwife Sarah Brandt is used to people knocking on her door, so when she opens the door to find a little boy there, she assumes someone is about to have a baby.  However, the boy has been sent with a message from Nelson Ellsworth, the son of her nosy neighbor.  He is requesting that Sarah meet him.  

It turns out Nelson wants Sarah to examine a lady friend of his who is claiming to be carrying his child.  Nelson offered to marry the woman, Anna Blake, but she refused and only wants money so she can support herself.  When Sarah arrives at the boarding house where Anna lives, she refuses to see her.  The next morning Anna is found dead in Washington Square. 

The number one suspect is Nelson Ellsworth.  Sarah does not think Nelson is capable of murder and she feels an obligation to her neighbor, Mrs. Ellsworth, to prove his innocence.  Sarah seeks the help of Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy.  Unfortunately he is not assigned to the case, but because he is a friend of Sarah's and will be forever grateful to Mrs. Ellsworth for saving Sarah's life, he agrees to look into the case. 

My thoughts:  This series takes place in New York City just before the turn of the century.  It was a time when streets and homes were lit with gas powered lights, there was rampant corruption in the police department and Teddy Roosevelt was police commissioner. Every time I read a book in this series, I feel like I have been transported to a different time. 

Sarah Brandt is a widow who supports herself by acting as a midwife.  She was raised by wealthy parents and taught the proper ways to act in society.  So, when she married Tom Brandt, a physician, and moved to the poorer side of town, her parents were not happy.  In fact, they still can't understand why she doesn't allow them to support her rather than spending her time amongst the dregs of society. Sarah and her parents have reconciled by this point in the series and she has a good relationship with them both that is healing and growing.  I admire Sarah's tenacity and her desire to help whoever needs her help regardless of class.  

Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy is an unusual breed in the police department.  He refuses to take bribes and does his best to investigate crimes to find the culprit.  Unfortunately, at this time in history, that was not the norm. Frank is also a widower.  He lives with his young son and his mother who cares for his son while he works.  The more Frank and Sarah work together, the more they like one another.  However, neither of them is willing to admit they are beginning to care for the other. The blossoming romance is definitely not in the forefront, which I appreciate.  I enjoy their relationship, how they are able to work so well together.  As a detective who is good at his job, Frank knows how to handle criminals and sees deception a mile away.  Sarah lends a woman's intuition as well as a eye for details Frank might miss.  She also lends her medical expertise.  

The mystery involves a woman who convinced more than one man that she loved him, was carrying his child and needed money.  It also involves the theatre world, which added an interesting twist. It also involves the press and how they could sensationalize a story and convince the public it was true, regardless of whether there was any truth to it or not. There is a lot to uncover before the mystery is solved, but there are plenty of clues along the way.

Fortunately, everything is wrapped up at the end.  However, a storyline that is carried through the series leaves us with a cliffhanger at the end.  I am so glad I won't have to wait for the next book to be published to find out what happens.  

Quotes:

"'But they're newspapers! Don't they have an obligation to tell the truth? Mr. Pulitzer has devoted himself to covering scandal and corruption in society,' she said, naming the publisher of the World."

"Sarah dressed carefully for the evening.  She didn't care about trying to impress Mr. Dennis, but she didn't want to embarrass her mother. Elizabeth Decker placed great importance on appearances, and for all Sarah knew, so did Richard Dennis.  The suit she'd bought this past summer at Lord and Taylor wasn't the height of fashion, but at least it was presentable."

"'A father wants his children to have confidence in his abilities to handle difficult situations.'"

"Women usually had a dress, usually one past its prime, they kept for doing housework and such."

Book Review: Shadows of Swanford Abbey by Julie Klassen

Shadows of Swanford Abbey. Julie Klassen. Bethany House (2021). 416 pages. Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Christian Fiction.

First Lines: "March 1820. Worcestershire, England. Miss Rebecca Lane quaked at the thought of returning to Swanford after more than a year's absence, even though her heart had never really left."

Summary: After receiving a concerning letter from her brother's housekeeper, Rebecca Lane is returning to her childhood home.  She has been traveling for over a year as a lady's companion to Lady Fitzhoward.  The Lady has asked to accompany her as she prefers to keep traveling. Rebecca's brother, John, is obsessed with getting his manuscript published and begs Rebecca to help him.  In order to do so, she must spend a few nights at Swanford Abbey Hotel. The Abbey has been rumored to be haunted and the idea frightens Rebecca.  

She reluctantly agrees to help her brother.  A famous author is staying at the Abbey and John believes if he can just get his manuscript into his hands, he will agree to publish it.  During her stay at the Abbey, Rebecca begins to notice strange things and is especially bothered by a figure in a black hooded cloak she sees gliding through the hallway.  On top of the strange things, she encounters Sir Frederick, currently a magistrate, previously a man who broke her heart.  When the author is found dead, Sir Frederick begins to question everyone at the hotel.  As much as he wants to believe Rebecca's story, things don't add up.  Will Rebecca have the courage to tell him the truth?

My thoughts:  Julie Klassen creates well drawn, deep characters in the span of a few pages.  She is a fan of Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, the Brontes, Elizabeth Gaskell and Agatha Christie.  You can feel the influence of each in this story.

The reader is plunged right into the action with Rebecca, but we learn more and more about her as the layers are peeled back.  She was raised in the vicarage at Swanford, but left after her parents died.  Her brother, John, seemed unable to make a living, so she took a job as a lady's companion.  Rebecca is not one to complain, she enjoys her job, even though Lady Fitzhoward can be particular. She is deeply concerned about her brother and the bad choices he is making.  She is a woman who puts the needs of others before her own.  Sir Frederick's family were her neighbors when she was growing up and she was always fond of him.  When he married the beautiful Marina, Rebecca was heartbroken.  

Sir Frederick's past is slowly revealed as well.  The reader knows from the beginning that his wife died.  But the circumstances of her death come to us slowly.  There are rumors surrounding her death and Rebecca does her best not to believe them.  Sir Frederick is an honorable man.  He is staying at the hotel with his brother, Thomas, who is always looking for some fun and harasses Frederick regularly about not being more fun.  Thomas likes to flirt with pretty woman, play billiards and enjoy a cocktail.  He doesn't care whether those things are seen as improper or not.  However, Sir Frederick knows that he can count on his brother when he really needs him.  I enjoyed the relationship these two had. 

Several of the supporting characters were well drawn as well.  Lady Fitzhoward, the housekeeper Rose, Rebecca's brother John, some of the maids, the author and his bodyguard were all characters that had stories.  This really made the book come alive. 

As can be expected, the story has a gothic feel to it.  Rumors of haunting and hooded figures seen gliding in the hallways, as well as the setting of the Abbey all added to this atmosphere.  The mystery was complex.  There were plenty of suspects, but none of them seemed to really have opportunity to commit the murder.  It was fun to watch the pieces fit together.  There were lots of secrets that needed to be exposed and these all added to the character development as well.

The story was atmospheric, suspenseful and full of great characters.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Quotes:

"It was a beautiful spencer of patterned pink satin with a gathered waist, short, ruffled peplum, and bow at the back with long ends trimmed in pleating.  The spencer was topped by a matching cape-like collar with a high ruffled neck."

"Rebecca teased, 'Were you an actress too?'  The older woman arched a sly brow.  'Who among us is not?'"

Book Review: Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin

Until Leaves Fall in Paris. Sarah Sundin. Fleming H. Revell (2022). 400 pages. Genre:  Historical Fiction.

First Lines: "Paris, France. Wednesday, May 29, 1940. As long as she kept dancing, Lucille Girard could pretend the world wasn't falling apart."

Summary:  As Nazi takeover of Paris is imminent, American citizens are warned to return to America.  Ballerina Lucille Girard is determined to stay.  Especially when her Jewish friends must leave their bookstore and return to America.  Lucie decides to give up her spot in the Paris Opera Ballet School to buy the English-language bookstore.  By continuing to ban books, especially English books, the Germans make it difficult to stay in business.  As Lucie witnesses what she thinks is resistance activity in her store, she is eager to get involved.

After the death of his wife, American Automaker Paul Aubrey wants nothing more than to return to the United States with his daughter.  However, the US Army convinces him to stay and make trucks for civilian use that would benefit the Germans.  This way he could pick up bits of information he hears and pass it on to the US Military.  It appears that Paul is a collaborator with the Germans.  Paul and Lucie meet as Paul's daughter browses the books at Lucie's bookstore.  But when Lucie discovers what his factory does, she refuses to talk to him.  As war rages on, it becomes more dangerous for both Paul and Lucie to aid the resistance.  In order to survive, they need to set aside their differences and work together. 

My thoughts: I love when an author includes a letter to the reader at the end of the book.  In her letter, Sarah Sundin tells the reader about the inspiration for her main characters.  They were both inspired by real people which made the story come to life for me.

Lucie's dream has always been to gain a position in one of the highest classes at the Paris Opera Ballet School.  She has danced with them for ten years.  When her parents returned to the United States, Lucie stayed.  She has been in the care of the Greenblatts, owners of Green Leaf Books and dear friends of her parents.  Lucie loves the bookstore and spends her time outside of the dance studio there. When the Greenblatts decide to return to America, they urge Lucie to come with them.  She feels like Paris is her home and can't bear to leave the bookstore.  Lucie is caring and forthright.  She is, at the same time, both disciplined and carefree.  She doesn't believe there will be much danger to her if she stays.  

Paul opened a branch of Aubrey Automobiles in Paris as a way to expand the family company and also as a way to separate himself from his father.  Now, he is grieving the loss of his wife and the Germans are taking over.  He wants to sell the business and return to his family in America.  However, when he is approached by the US Army and asked to sell trucks to the Germans for civilian use as a way to aid the United States in the war effort, Paul feels it is his duty to stay.  However, because he appears to be a collaborator, he has lost most of his friends. Paul is a hardworking, intelligent man.  He is well-liked by most and is thought to be fair.  He struggles to understand his young daughter and be the father she needs.  

This was a fascinating look at the daily lives of a few people in Paris during the time of German invasion.  It was interesting to hear about all the rules the Germans placed on the people.  You could sell books, but only certain books.  You could sell vehicles, but only certain vehicles.  Everyone was under blackout laws and severe rations. But yet, there were many Americans who stayed in Paris.  

I enjoyed the descriptions of Paris.  Especially the difference between the Left Bank and the Right Bank.  During the course of the story Lucie and Paul see many of the sites in Paris.  They also attend a ballet at the Paris Opera House.  

Speaking of ballet, the descriptions of Lucie's dancing were really fun for me.  They brought back memories of when I took ballet.  I didn't study for as many years as Lucie, but I studied long enough to begin pointe.  

This is a complicated story with many layers.  Paul and Lucie are attracted to one another, but Lucie refuses to be kind to a collaborator.  Their paths keep crossing as Paul's daughter loves Lucie's bookstore and asks to visit it.  Lucie is civil to Paul, but cold.  However, she sees that he seems to be a good guy.  He is kind, even when she isn't.  She is having trouble reconciling the way he acts with what he does. They are both involved in resistance activities, but can't say anything.  As more violence breaks out, it becomes more and more dangerous to assist the resistance.  

This was a fascinating story with great characters, wonderful historical details, a little romance and some suspense to keep the story moving along. 

Book Review: Streams of Mercy by Lauraine Snelling

Streams of Mercy (Song of Blessing #3). Lauraine Snelling. Bethany House (2015). 352 pages. Genre:  Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction.

First Lines: "April 1907. Tears again.  Ingeborg awoke. A dream. It had been a dream."

Summary:  Drs. Astrid and Elizabeth have things running smoothly at the hospital in Blessing, North Dakota.  They have a full staff of nurses and are gaining a reputation as a well-run facility.  When a circus train arrives in town with several sick people on board, they should be well prepared.  However, they weren't prepared for the sick to have diphtheria, a highly contagious disease that if not caught early can lead to death.  

Astrid and Elizabeth have to come up with a plan to help the sick, but also keep their town safe.  Added to their difficulties are the circus animals that need to be cared for.  Will the people of Blessing be willing to risk their own safety to help others?

My thoughts:  This is the third book in the Song of Blessing series, which is actually part of a longer series following these families.  I started with the first book in the Song of Blessing series not realizing there were series with the same family that had come before.  If I were to do it over again, I would start way back at the beginning.  However, I have had no problem keeping track of the characters by starting with this series.  The books always begin with a Bjorklund family tree.  The Bjorklunds came from Norway and have settled in North Dakota. One of the things that makes this series dear to me is that there are members of the Bjorklund family who had last names of Knutson and Moyer.  These names are in my family history and my relatives also came from Norway and lived in North Dakota.  

I have loved watching the hospital get established in Blessing. Drs. Astrid and Elizabeth have worked hard and have had to overcome hurdles due to the fact that they are women.  Dealing with diphtheria presents a particular difficulty.  The doctors were aware of the illness, but the antitoxin was not widely available.  The medical school in Chicago had only just begun to give the inoculation to it's students before sending them into the field. I love all the medical details the author provides.  Medicine was much more of a combination of folk remedies and the latest technology.  

This series is full of wonderful characters.  As is typical of any small town, there are those who are a blessing to others and there are those who are difficult to get along with.   The trials and joys of life in the early 1900's are at the forefront of the story.  The community had to depend on one another to survive.  The seasons impacted the lives and welfare of the people.  When winters were terribly brutal, lives could be at stake.  When there was drought or pestilence, food could be scarce.  However, with the railroads the availability of supplies is increasing.  The addition of the circus train added another interesting layer to the story.  The author makes this time period come to life. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed every book in this series and highly recommend it.  If you don't want to go all the way back to the beginning, I recommend you start with To Everything a Season, the first book in the Song of Blessing series.  I am looking forward to reading the final book in the series. 

Book Review: All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

All The Light We Cannot See.  Anthony Doerr. Scribner (2014). 531 pages. Genre: Historical Fiction.  

First Lines: "At dusk they pour from the sky.  They blow across the ramparts, turn cartwheels over rooftops, flutter into the ravines between houses."

Summary: The story begins in the days leading up to World War II and follows three characters.  

One is Marie-Laure, a young girl who has recently lost her sight.  Her father is teaching her how to get along in the world without her sight.  He teaches her to use her cane and count storm drains or other markers that help her know where she is.  Each day he takes her with him to his job at the National Museum of Natural History where he is the principal locksmith.  When the Nazis occupy Paris they flee to the house of Marie-Laure's great uncle in Saint Malo.

The second character is Werner, who is a young orphan living in a mining town in Germany.  He and his sister are raised at an orphanage.  When Werner finds a radio, he becomes fascinated with listening to the broadcasts and figuring out how it works.  When he turns fifteen, he will be sent to the mines.  This terrifies him because their father was killed in the mines.  When he is given the opportunity to attend the General's school, Werner accepts. Soon his skills are in demand helping the war effort.

The third character is the Sea of Flames, a rare gemstone kept at the Paris Museum.  There are several rumors and legends surrounding the gemstone.  When Paris is evacuated, the stone is removed from the museum.  No one knows exactly where it has been moved to.  It becomes the object of a search by the German army.

My thoughts:  This is a complex, multi-layered story with complex, multi-layered characters.  It is a beautifully written, easy to read story that I won't soon forget. 

One thing I loved about Marie-Laure and Werner was that they were both curious people who pursued their interests and taught themselves what they wanted to learn.  For Marie-Laure that was learning to get around Paris without the use of her eyes, reading Braille and learning about snails.  For Werner it was radio technology, science and mathematics.  Marie-Laure's father spends his free time making wooden models of the buildings and streets near their home.  He is creating a three-dimensional map for Marie-Laure so that she can learn where things are located.  

The realities of war are vividly described.  It is bleak and heartbreaking.  I could feel the hunger and thirst and fear of the characters.  However, even in the midst of this the author shows the beauty of music, of literature, of nature and science, of mathematics and the love of family.  

There was a lot to like about this story, however, there were some things near the end that seemed uncharacteristic to me and I was left feeling unsatisfied.  Even so, I would still highly recommend this book if you haven't read it.

Quotes:

"The girl climbs into the swing and pendulums back and forth, pumping her legs, and watching her opens some valve in Werner's soul.  This is life, he thinks, this is why we live, to play like this on a day when winter is finally releasing its grip."

"What wonders in this house! She shows him the transmitter in the attic: its old-fashioned electrophone, the hand-machined antenna that can be raised and lowered along the chimney by an ingenious system of levers.  Even a phonograph record that she says contains her grandfather's voice, lessons in science for children.  And the books!"

Book Review: The London House by Katherine Reay

The London House. Katherine Reay. Harper Muse (2021). 368 pages. Genre: Historical Fiction, Fiction.

First Lines of Prologue:  "17 October 1941. Caro hugged Martine, whispering close to her ear.  'I won't be back. It's too dangerous.'"

Summary:  Caroline Payne is finally feeling some peace.  She has found work she loves to do and is getting settled in Boston.  When she receives a call from an old college friend, Mat Hammond, she is surprised, but agrees to meet him for coffee.  Mat is a journalist trying to make a name for himself.  On the side, he does genealogical research.  A family has hired him to find out what happened to their relative.  In the course of his research, he came across Caroline's great-aunt, Caroline Waite.   He has uncovered a long-held secret: Caroline's great-aunt betrayed her country and family to escape with a German lover during WWII.  This is the type of story that will garner attention.  Mat has written an article about what he has uncovered and believes it will be accepted by a major news publication.  

Caroline can't believe this is true.  She has been told that her great-aunt died of Polio as a child.  Mat has proof that she was alive as an adult.  Caroline is determined to find answers and asks Mat for a little time to try to find them before he submits his article.   Her family still owns a home in London which they refer to as "The London House".  She and Mat travel to London to scour letters and diaries left by her grandmother and great-aunt.  Will they be able to discover the truth before the article deadline?

My thoughts:  What an amazing story this is!  Katherine Reay is a talented author who has woven fact and fiction to create a story that is hard to put down.  

Part of the story takes place in present day and involves Caroline.  As the story unfolds, we learn about her family's complicated past and the way it has shaped her.  Because of circumstances in their lives, both of her parents retreated into themselves when Caroline was young.  She was distanced from both of her siblings for various reasons.  These things left her feeling alone, unloved and like a failure.  However, Caroline has made a life for herself and is doing the best she can.  Combined with this is her previous relationship with Mat.  They were close friends in college, but then lost touch.  Caroline is not even sure what happened, which makes the fact that he has contacted her more confusing.  

The other part of the story takes place in the days leading up to WWII and is told through letters and diaries.  Caroline's grandmother, Margaret,  had a twin sister named Caroline, but they called her Caro.  Caroline was told she died of Polio as a child.  As Mat and Caroline scour the letters and diaries to try to find out what really happened to Caro, they come to know and love Margaret and Caro.  In the late 1930's, Caro left London for Paris where she worked for Elsa Schiaparelli in her famous dress shop.  I loved learning about this business and the culture surrounding it.  Also interesting was the way Caro picked up the beliefs and ideas of the culture she was living in.  Unfortunately, they were in opposition to the beliefs and ideas of her family still living in London.  The created a wedge between them.  Caro rarely returned home because of the conflict. The author did a great job of showing how the distractions of the fashion world blinded people to what was really going on in the world.  Also how people's beliefs divided them.  

"In World War Two, no one can deny there was a real mix and mess of loyalties.  It must have felt like the world was ending and life would never be the same.  What's more, the enemy was sometimes within your own home."

The parallels to our present circumstances were striking. While all of this seems heavy, there is a thread of hope running through the story.  There are themes of love, confession, forgiveness, truth, family and how the past defines us.  Best of all, it is a story of reconciliation that leaves the reader with a sense of hope for the future.  

Book Review: Death at Greenway by Lori Rader-Day

Death at Greenway.  Lori Rader-Day. William Morrow (2021). 448 pages.  Genre: Mystery, Historical. 

First Line of Prologue: "South Deven, England, 11:15 a.m., 3 September 1939.  The mistress of the house was at work on the mayonnaise when the kitchen wireless began to speak of war."

Summary:  Bridget Kelly, Bridey, is in nurse's training at St. Prisca's Hospital in London.  After making a terrible mistake, her matron gives her an assignment to help care for children evacuated from London.  That assignment takes her to Greenway, the country home of Agatha M. C. Christie Mallowan and her husband.  

Bridey is terrified that someone will discover she is not really a nurse.  But as the other nurse, Gigi, doesn't seem very capable, Bridey finds herself relying on the training she has.  Gigi often leaves the care of the ten children to Bridey.  As frustrating as that can be, Bridey finds herself desiring Gigi's friendship.  When a body washes up near the estate, Bridey and Gigi are called for to examine the body until the doctor can arrive.  Gigi holds back, but Bridey approaches the body.  It is plain to her that this was no accident.  It is also evident that this man is no stranger.  Bridey remembers seeing him on the train talking to Gigi.  Suddenly, this place that was meant for safety feels dangerous and uncertain. 

My thoughts: Lori Rader-Day excels at creating a character with a past.  She then places this character right in the middle of a situation.  Next, she begins revealing the past layer by layer.  This creates an atmosphere of mystery.  That is definitely the case in this story.

Bridget Kelly, Bridey, has a past.  At first she is timid and uncertain of herself.  But as the story goes on she gains confidence.  She becomes less afraid of questioning things and of asserting herself.  I am not quite sure what I think of Gigi.  Initially she seems to be someone who just lives for fun and sees nothing but drudgery in the events of daily life.  However, as she and Bridey become more acquainted with one another, there is a bit more depth to her. 

The other supporting characters are all interesting in their own way.  Some become suspects, others are definitely not suspects.  Mrs. Christie only makes a couple of appearances, but she is talked about regularly as are her books. 

Once the body washes up on shore and Bridey realizes who the man is and that he didn't die accidentally, there is a mystery to solve.  However, the reader doesn't hear much about an investigation of any sort.  It is more a mystery that comes up in conversation around the estate or in the thought life of Bridey.  If you begin to daydream while reading, you may miss something.  This made a few of the things revealed even more shocking and I found myself going back to make sure I had read correctly.

Best of all is the setting.  Reading about daily life for those who stayed home during the war was fascinating.  I have always thought of how difficult it must have been for parents to send their children away from London.  Not knowing when or if they would see them again.  That aspect is brought into play in this story.  Also, the attitudes regarding serving or helping the war effort were eye-opening.  In some peoples' minds, there was a right way to help and anyone not helping in that way was looked down upon.  

I have read one other book by Lori Rader-Day and that book left me feeling the same way this one did.  I find myself thinking about the characters and the story for some time after reading it. Death at Greenway is a great historical mystery with well-written characters.  It left me eager to read more by this author.