JULY 2026

 Hello All and Happy Summer!

Here are the books that were presented at our last Bookshare.  Not all of these books have descriptions with them, but you can find them on Amazon if you are interested in a synopsis.  See you at Bookshare next week at Maryann Stevens' home. 

GERI CHRISTENSEN

THE MYSTERIOUS BAKERY ON THE RUE DE PARIS by Evie Woods 

Nestled among the cobblestone streets of Compiègne, there existed a bakery unlike any other. Rumours were whispered through the town that its pastries offered a taste of magic, chasing away the darkest of sorrows. Just one bite of a croissant might bring luck, unlock a precious memory or reveal hidden longings. But dark clouds were looming on the horizon… For Edie Lane, a recipe for disaster doesn’t require that many ingredients. Take an unhealthy amount of wishful thinking and a sprinkle of desperation and that’s how Edie left everything behind in Ireland for her dream job at a bakery in Paris. Except the bakery isn’t in Paris – and neither is Edie. This might not be where Edie intended to be but she soon realizes it's exactly where she needs to be… The bakery holds a secret Edie is determined to unlock, as well as she is committed to saving the bakery from being bought out my big business where it’s history and charm will be lost forever. Edie not only saves the bakery, but saves herself as well.

 MY NEXT BREATH Jeremy Renner 

Two-time Oscar nominee Jeremy Renner was the second most googled person in 2023… and not for his impressive filmography. His searing portrayals on film ranged from an Iraq-based army bomb technician in The Hurt Locker and a Boston bank robber in The Town to a crooked Camden mayor in American Hustle before he became heir to the Jason Bourne franchise (The Bourne Legacy). Amongst other iconic roles, he also captured hearts as fan-favorite comic book marksman Hawkeye in seven Marvel films. Yet, his otherworldly success on-screen faded to the periphery when a fourteen-thousand-pound snowplow crushed him on New Year’s Day 2023. Somehow able to keep breathing for more than half an hour, he was subsequently rushed to the ICU, after which he would face multiple surgeries and months of painful rehabilitation. In this debut memoir, Jeremy writes in blistering detail about his accident and the aftermath. This retelling is not merely a gruesome account of what happened to him; it’s a call to action and a forged companionship between reader and author as Jeremy recounts his recovery journey and reflects on the impact of his suffering. Ultimately, Jeremy’s memoir is a testament to the human spirit and its capacity to endure, evolve, and find purpose in the face of unimaginable adversity. His writing captures the essence of profound transformation, exploring the delicate interplay between vulnerability and strength, despair and hope, redemption and renewal. 

THE SCROOGE CONSPIRACY Home front Sleuths Anna Elliott 

When a charming American actor arrives to direct a Christmas production of A Christmas Carol for evacuee children at a grand country manor, it seems like the perfect holiday treat. But on the very day Pearl Harbor is attacked, the actor is found murdered—and he's been carrying mysterious coded messages that suggest this "Christmas spirit" hides something far more dangerous. As snow blankets the English countryside and Christmas approaches, the Sleuths must unravel a web of theatrical deception, wartime espionage, and long-buried secrets. With a houseful of vulnerable children and a killer still at large, can they solve the mystery before the final curtain falls? Packed with holiday atmosphere, wartime intrigue, and all the cozy charm you love about Crofter's Green, The Scrooge Conspiracy delivers the perfect blend of Christmas magic and mystery mayhem. THE HARVEST FESTIVAL MURDERS Anna Elliott Harvest celebrations meet wedding bells ... until murder crashes the party. The Homefront Sleuths thought their biggest challenge would be planning Blake and Katherine's perfect autumn wedding. But when a mysterious government inspector turns up dead at the Harvest Festival, their cozy village celebration becomes the scene of something sinister. What starts as a puzzling murder quickly becomes a race against time. Missing microfilm, coded messages, and suspicious "diplomats" suggest this case is far more dangerous than anything the Sleuths have faced before. With potential Nazi spies lurking behind familiar faces, no one in Crofter's Green is above suspicion. Between wedding preparations and investigating clues, the beloved team finds themselves busier than ever. Katherine balances bridal duties with mystery-solving, Dorothy's sewing circle provides the best village intelligence, and Bonzo the Pomeranian proves once again that four paws beat two feet when sniffing out trouble. But as a second murder rocks their community and Evie's partnership with Detective Inspector Nigel grows complicated by unprofessional feelings, the stakes have never been higher. Can the Sleuths unmask a killer before their village—and their hearts—pay the ultimate price? A delightful blend of cozy mystery, wartime suspense, and village charm—perfect for fans of Jacqueline Winspear, Carola Dunn, and The Mitford Murders. Harvest celebrations meet wedding bells ... until murder crashes the party. The Homefront Sleuths thought their biggest challenge would be planning Blake and Katherine's perfect autumn wedding. But when a mysterious government inspector turns up dead at the Harvest Festival, their cozy village celebration becomes the scene of something sinister. What starts as a puzzling murder quickly becomes a race against time. Missing microfilm, coded messages, and suspicious "diplomats" suggest this case is far more dangerous than anything the Sleuths have faced before. With potential Nazi spies lurking behind familiar faces, no one in Crofter's Green is above suspicion. Between wedding preparations and investigating clues, the beloved team finds themselves busier than ever. Katherine balances bridal duties with mystery-solving, Dorothy's sewing circle provides the best village intelligence, and Bonzo the Pomeranian proves once again that four paws beat two feet when sniffing out trouble. But as a second murder rocks their community and Evie's partnership with Detective Inspector Nigel grows complicated by unprofessional feelings, the stakes have never been higher. Can the Sleuths unmask a killer before their village—and their hearts—pay the ultimate price? A delightful blend of cozy mystery, wartime suspense, and village charm—perfect for fans of Jacqueline Winspear, Carola Dunn, and The Mitford Murders. 

THREE BAGS FULL BY Leoni SWANN 

 witty philosophical murder mystery with a charming the crack detectives are sheep determined to discover who killed their beloved shepherd. LL by Leoni SWANN A witty philosophical murder mystery with charming crack detectives who are sheep determined to discover who killed their beloved shepherd. On a hillside near the cozy Irish village of Glennkill, the members of the flock gather around their shepherd, George, whose body lies pinned to the ground with a spade. George has cared for the sheep, reading them a plethora of books every night. The daily exposure to literature has made them far savvier about the workings of the human mind than your average sheep. Led by Miss Maple, the smartest sheep in Glennkill (and possibly the world), they set out to find George's killer. The A-team of investigators includes Othello, the "bad-boy" black ram; Mopple the Whale, a merino who eats a lot and remembers everything; and Zora, a pensive black-faced ewe with a weakness for abysses. Joined by other members of the richly talented flock, they engage in nightlong discussions about the crime and wild metaphysical speculations, and they embark on reconnaissance missions into the village, where they encounter some likely suspects. There's Ham, the terrifying butcher; Rebecca, a village newcomer with a secret and a scheme; Gabriel, the shady shepherd of a very odd flock; and Father Will, a sinister priest. Along the way, the sheep confront their own all-too-human struggles with guilt, misdeeds, and unrequited love. Three Bags Full is already an international hit. "It's rather as if Agatha Christie had re-written The Wind in the Willows, and I ended by loving it," Jane Jakeman wrote in The Independent. Funny, fresh, and endearing, it introduces a wonderful breed of detectives to American readers. Read less 

THE BLACKOUT MURDERS by Anna Elliott It’s 1941, and the village of Crofter’s Green has grown quiet since the Cozy Cup tea shop closed its doors. But when Evie Harris—granddaughter of the shop’s late owner—returns to the village, gossip swirls about her exploits as a London air raid warden. Could she reopen the Cozy Cup? Is she back for good? Before anyone can find out, the local air raid warden turns up dead, and the village is left reeling. With the police preoccupied by the war, Evie and four eccentric neighbors form an unlikely team to solve the crime: 

THE SPECTRE OF HAWTHORN MANOR by Anna Elliott 

England, 1941: Evie Harris doesn’t believe in ghosts—not even when she spots a glowing figure outside her bedroom window in the quiet village of Crofter’s Green. But when the same eerie spectre is seen by Lord Hawthorne, tied to a long-buried family scandal, even Evie starts to wonder if the past is haunting Hawthorne Manor. Before she can investigate, Lord Hawthorne is found dead at the bottom of his grand staircase. An accident? Not likely. When the glowing figure begins tormenting Lady Gwendolyn, Evie rallies the Homefront Sleuths to unravel the manor’s secrets. As the sleuths dig deeper, the twists keep coming: • A furious daughter returns for the reading of the will. • Priceless antiques vanish from the estate. • And Lady Gwendolyn’s strange behavior hints at dangers far beyond ghostly hauntings. With hidden passageways, family feuds, and wartime schemes at every turn, the sleuths must race to uncover the truth. Is the danger truly from the dead—or the living? T

HE CELLULOID SENTRY by Anna Elliott 

June 1942 brings rare excitement to Crofter’s Green when the Ministry of Information’s Crown Film Unit arrives to shoot a patriotic film, Metal for Our Men. Soon the quiet village is swarming with actors, cameras, cables—and more drama than any script could hold. But the glamour fades fast. When a young Home Guard sentry is found murdered near the ruins of St. Swithun’s Abbey—his body wrapped in celluloid film—the Homefront Sleuths know the film crew has brought more than movie magic to their peaceful corner of Kent. The only clues? A film canister the victim tried to hide…
A scrap of paper covered in code…
And a film set where everyone seems to be acting. As Evie, Alice, Dorothy, and Alfie quietly gather clues among the temperamental cast and suspicious crew, Harry and Nigel begin untangling a web of lies. Meanwhile, Blake and Katherine race to decipher a cryptic message that hints the chaos on set is no accident. Because hiding behind the klieg lights is a far more dangerous production. The deeper the Sleuths dig, the more they fear the shadowy spymaster Beckett is using the film crew as cover for a plot that could cripple Britain’s wartime defenses. When Nigel is forced into a dangerous undercover role, the case turns suddenly—and painfully—personal. With trust strained, time running short, and a master of disguise moving among them, the Sleuths must expose the killer before the final scene ends in catastrophe. Lights are blazing. Cameras are rolling. And the murderer is still on the set. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Rhys Bowen, Jacqueline Winspear, and clever wartime village mysteries. One-click now and return to Crofter’s Green for the Homefront Sleuths’ most dangerous production yet. 

THE MURDERS IF CLARION CASTLE by Anna Elliott 

July, 1941. When Evie Harris vanishes after visiting her late fiancé's parents, the Homefront Sleuths of Crofter's Green vow to find her. But their investigation takes a bizarre turn when Nigel's police superiors send him to nearby Clarion Castle.There, the first under-butler has just taken his final bow in the castle's wine cellar. Could there be a connection with Evie's disappearance? Or with a hush-hush VIP visit to the castle? The Sleuths must navigate a maze of deception, and nothing is easy. Harry finds the murdered butler's journal, but it's in a code, Blake knows codes, but he and Katherine are busy unlocking secrets in the castle library, hampered by her still-fragmented memory, Alice dons pilgrim garb to infiltrate suspicious travelers (her herb basket now doubling as spy gear), and Dorothy must size up mysterious tea shop visitors and give her friends at the castle a warning. Not to mention Evie, who must discover where she is and then find a way to escape. With time ticking louder than Harry's pocket watch, Evie and the Sleuths must reunite to unmask a master spy before a the course of the war is changed forever. A delightful blend of historical mystery, wartime espionage, and village intrigue—perfect for fans of Rhys Bowen, Susan Elia MacNeal, and Agatha Christie. Scroll up and One-click now! THE ST MARYS CYPHER by Anna Elliott When a postal van crashes outside the Cozy Cup, Dorothy agrees to hold a registered parcel for the shaken driver. Minutes later, the parcel vanishes—and the postman is found murdered. The only clue? An address in London…and a faint cipher that points back to St Mary’s Church. As Alice prepares the sanctuary for Palm Sunday, she notices something odd., Blake uncovers a hidden code, and Harry traces a careful‑spoken stranger through village lanes. The Sleuths soon discover a chilling scheme, and a whispered signal that could feed a German revenge plan and leave the village in ruins. Meanwhile, a desperate telegram sends Evie across the Channel on a midnight boat to rescue an old ally—and to confirm a warning that may be the key to stopping the plot before Easter Weekend. With church bells quiet under blackout, a father’s fate to be decided in court, and a wedding hanging in the balance, the Sleuths must outwit a ruthless local ring before the first bombs fall. Packed with springtime atmosphere, familiar characters, and the cozy charm you love about Crofter’s Green, The Saint Mary’s Cipher delivers heart, humor, and high stakes in equal measure. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Rhys Bowen, and Jacqueline Winspear. 

THE HARVEST FESTIVAL MURDERS by Anna Elliott 

The Homefront Sleuths thought their biggest challenge would be planning Blake and Katherine's perfect autumn wedding. But when a mysterious government inspector turns up dead at the Harvest Festival, their cozy village celebration becomes the scene of something sinister. What starts as a puzzling murder quickly becomes a race against time. Missing microfilm, coded messages, and suspicious "diplomats" suggest this case is far more dangerous than anything the Sleuths have faced before. With potential Nazi spies lurking behind familiar faces, no one in Crofter's Green is above suspicion. Between wedding preparations and investigating clues, the beloved team finds themselves busier than ever. Katherine balances bridal duties with mystery-solving, Dorothy's sewing circle provides the best village intelligence, and Bonzo the Pomeranian proves once again that four paws beat two feet when sniffing out trouble. But as a second murder rocks their community and Evie's partnership with Detective Inspector Nigel grows complicated by unprofessional feelings, the stakes have never been higher. Can the Sleuths unmask a killer before their village—and their hearts—pay the ultimate price? THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB by Richard Osman In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet weekly in the Jigsaw Room to discuss unsolved crimes; together they call themselves the Thursday Murder Club. When a local developer is found dead with a mysterious photograph left next to the body, the Thursday Murder Club suddenly find themselves in the middle of their first live case. As the bodies begin to pile up, can our unorthodox but brilliant gang catch the killer, before it's too late? 

MURDER ON THE MARLOW BELLE by Robert Thorogood 

Verity Beresford is worried about her husband. Oliver didn't come home last night, so of course Verity goes straight to Judith Potts, Marlow's resident amateur sleuth, for help. Oliver, founder of the Marlow Amateur Dramatic Society, had rented The Marlow Belle, a private pleasure cruiser, to host an exclusive party for the society, but no one remembers seeing him disembark. And when Oliver's body washes up on the Thames with two bullet holes in him, it's time for the Marlow Murder Club to leap into action. Oliver was, by all accounts, a rather complicated fellow, with a reputation for bullying children during nativity play rehearsals, and he wasn't short of enemies. Judith, Suzie, and Becks are convinced they'll find his killer in no time. But things are not as they seem in the Marlow Amateur Dramatic Society, and this case is not so clear-cut after all. The gang will need to keep their wits about them to solve this case… otherwise a killer will walk free. 

THE MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR OF JUDITH POTTS By Robert Thorogood 

Someone is killing celebrities in Marlow. First, it's a famous soccer player. Then, a bestselling thriller writer. When two shocking deaths rock their quiet riverside town, Judith, Suzie, and Becks—the unstoppable Marlow Murder Club—must untangle a dangerous web of blackmail and scandal to catch a killer. But with their trusted police ally DI Malik suddenly suspended, and Judith's own past threatening to resurface, the women are on their own. Suspects are multiplying like tabloid headlines, secrets are stacking up, and time is running out. Can the Marlow Murder Club crack the case before the killer strikes again—or will this be the end of their crime-solving adventures? THE EAGLE HAS LANDED by Jack Higgins As the Allied forces slowly begin turning the tide of war, Hitler vehemently orders the impossible—kidnap Winston Churchill, or kill him. A crack team of commandos led by a disgraced war hero must venture into the heart of England to carry out their mission, or die trying. Meanwhile, in a quiet seaside village, a beautiful widow and an IRA assassin have already laid the groundwork for what will be the most treacherous plot of the war. It begins on November 6, 1943, when Berlin receives the fateful message... As the deadly duo executes Hitler’s harrowing plot, only the quiet town of Studley Constable stands in their way. Its residents are the lone souls aware of the impending Nazi plan, and they must become the most unlikely of heroes as the fate of the war hangs in the balance.

 THE SHELL SEEKERS by Rosamunde Pilcher 

At the end of a long and useful life, Penelope Keeling's prized possession is The Shell Seekers, painted by her father, and symbolizing her unconventional life, from bohemian childhood to wartime romance. When her grown children learn their grandfather's work is now worth a fortune, each has an idea as to what Penelope should do. But as she recalls the passions, tragedies, and secrets of her life, she knows there is only one answer...and it lies in her heart. A sprawling saga that is both infuriating and deeply satisfying as we learn how Penelope navigates between her selfish and greedy adult children and her desire to keep her fathers memory alive. A lovely book that ends all too soon. A STRANGER IS WATCHING by Mary Higgins Clark Ronald Thompson knows he never killed Nina Peterson—yet in two days the state of Connecticut will take his life, having found him guilty via due process of law. But Thompson’s death will not stop the pain and anger of Nina’s husband, Steve. Thompson’s death will not still the fears of Nina’s six-year-old son, Neil, witness to his mother’s brutal slaying. Not even the love and friendship of Sharon Martin, a journalist who is slowly becoming a part of their world, will ever erase their bitter memories. Only time, perhaps, will heal their wounds. But in the shadows a stranger waits, a cunning psychopath who has killed before, who has unfinished business at the Peterson home... 

MURDER BEFORE EVENSONG Richard Coles 

Canon Daniel Clement (Matthew Lewis, Harry Potterfilms), introverted Rector of the picturesque English village of Champton, has his life turned upside-down when his infuriating mother Audrey (Amanda Redman, The Good Karma Hospital) arrives unannounced, dragging up memories Daniel would rather not confront. But a more serious challenge awaits Daniel when he stumbles upon the dead body of his parishioner. Daniel must delve under the veneer of village life to piece together clues and uncover long-buried secrets, navigating the press and public eye and the ire of his superior, the bishop. Daniel is forced to question who he can trust, and whether he himself was the intended murder victim. Based on the best-selling novel by the Reverend Richard Coles. “A classic Christie-esque mystery… is as much about the people and the world surrounding the murder(s) than it is about the mystery itself” - 

KARLA COX

The Consequences of Fear  by Jacqueline Winspear

This Maisie Dobbs installment went deeper than any previous, into the mechanics of intelligence and the justification of actions for the greater good — or sometimes simply for revenge.  Maisie is working for the intelligence arm of Scotland Yard while trying to balance the love for her adopted child, her deepening love for an American, and all the people she cares about. Even a young child who sees a murder. 

These words by Special Operations Executive  Robbie MacFarland feel like a message for here and now: 

“In the aftermath, actions taken in war time aren’t necessarily looked upon kindly. Those who have never been to war can be the harshest of judges — their sense of what is right taking comfort in the soft pillow of peace rather than the bed of nails that is conflict.” 

Maisie finds happiness at last. But the saga isn’t over. I’ll go through withdrawal when I read the last Maisie Dobbs novel. And it’s approaching… 

The Mighty Red  by Louise Erdrich 

A most unusual book. I found myself confused several times as to where this story was going. Yet Native American author and expert Erdrich’s rich and colorful writing style, combined with the familiarity of North Dakota distinctions — the story takes place in the sugar-beet growing region of the Red River of the North — held onto me. 

In the end, it’s a story filled with tender humor, yearning, community and family; and it’s also filled with disquieting questions and world-size issues: mainly, the massive sugar beet farms that meet America’s sugar cravings, juxtaposed against family farms trying to survive against glyphosate (Roundup) and Paraguat; the economic meltdown of 2008; and honesty. 

A strange, remarkably clean quasi-love story and tale about our tattered bond with earth and each other. A fascinating read. 

Whistler  by Ann Patchett

Ann Patchett writes with so much personal pathos, each book seems to be about her. This one is, though nowhere in the book does it say so. But having read her collection of essays about her own life, I recognize many details. The rest she made up, and the result is beautiful. 

Whistler is a horse. And a young girl named Daphne is Whistler. And the only reason they have any connection at all is her stepfather Eddie Triplett, who tells her Whistler’s story before she saves Eddie’s life. Then Eddie is torn from her life, and she doesn’t see him again — until 44 years later, in a chance meeting at the Met. 

This is a story of bravery, memory, small yet consequential moments that shape our lives, the endurance of love and the inevitability of loss. It is a story of the impermanence of life and the power of connection. 

I felt both deeply, as I listened to the book (read by Patchett) the week after I learned of the sudden death of a friend; a friend who I only knew from the gym, but with whom I had made a loving connection. So it’s a reminder to love well, and value each person who is part of your story. 

1776  by  David McCullough

I read this McCullough classic years ago, but listened to it this time, read by the author, to celebrate this momentous July 4; after all, 250 years after that bold step taken by revolutionaries, the details are still interesting and worthwhile. 

As always, McCullough is honest and straightforward in this historical narrative. Washington is not always heroic, King George is not really demonic, Howe deserves to be remembered as a great British war leader, and so much more than human effort made America’s victory possible. (Of course, we who believe God’s hand was and is in this nation’s existence know that.) There’s a reason David McCullough is considered the most beloved and distinguished of America’s historians. 

Plus, I needed the refresher: I didn’t pay close attention in American Heritage 101. 

The Girls Trip  by Ally Condie

Ally Condie’s Utah roots show clearly in this newest release by the popular author. 

As with her other books, Condie keeps you wondering til the end. While this one starts more as a playful gathering of friends, the murder mystery is there from the start. 

Three unlikely friends gather in Southern Utah (we Utahns recognize Eden National Park as Zion NP, Spirits Perch as Angels Landing, etc) for a fun getaway. But is that the real purpose? And is that what unfolds? 

Another exciting nature-location book by a woman with morals and a talent for mystery. 

Odd Thomas  by Dean Koontz

This was recommended by a reliable source, but it took me a while to enjoy it. 

However, it is clever writing and there are some wise, quotable lines.  And it’s a fairly unique concept — a young man named, oddly enough, Odd — who sees spirits, good and evil, and helps to solve crimes. The mixture of light & funny, but also dark & evil, is a little like Harry Potter in some ways. And it had a deeply surprising ending!  I just don’t know if the light-hearted style blended with the dark and evil (and occasionally crude) work for me. I think It’s a fairly new series, and it may take off.  But I may not get into it. We’ll see. 

I like this from the review: “…Odd races against time to thwart the gathering evil.” A haunting similarity to reality, isn’t it? 

The Radiant Dark  by Alexandra Oliva 

Following a family line over 150 years, this story is a fictionalized idea of what it would be like for that family to connect with extraterrestrials from Ross B128. The concept is fascinating. The book is frustrating. Focusing mostly on the dysfunctional aspects of the relationships of Carol and Wade and their posterity, the story is meant to bring the universe together, but mostly seems to highlight the continuing hangups of this human family as they maintain interest in connection with the stars. I hung on, hoping for redemption. But the story never delivered on the concepts I expected, other than to bring a futuristic great-granddaughter into contact with the longed-for Rossians. Clean in language and story line, so there is that… 

How to Be a Rich Old Lady  by Amanda Holden

This book by a financial advisor is remarkable, interesting and educative, but more appropriate for younger people. I’m thinking of giving it to our daughters. 

Though I knew many of the principles, and Tim knows most of them, it was affirming to know we have made good financial decisions; and it was good for me to learn why we did some of the things we’ve done. Thus, worthwhile at any age. 

My Next Breath  by Jeremy Renner

Geri recommended this, and I’m so glad I listened to it — it’s in Renner’s own voice. It’s the fascinating and powerful story of Renner’s death experience and miraculous recovery from being run over by a 14,000 lb snow Caterpillar on New Year’s Day 2023. You can find interviews on YouTube, but Renner’s own telling and voice give the story an extra layer of power and meaning. He does swear a lot — too much; but he also testifies, you might say, of the eternal nature of family and trancendent love beyond this life. There are lot of quotable lines that I didn’t write down because they’re so much a part of my personal beliefs and experiences. But it’s also a testimony to endurance, inner strength and hope - all characteristics I can work on. As you listen to (or perhaps read) this book, you share his experience, becoming one with the power of miracles. 

Grateful for what I learned, and what I felt while I listened. 

The Madonnas of Leningrad  by Debra Dean

This was one of this month’s strange ones… an elderly survivor of Russia’s World War II and dreadful famine gives birth, lives in America, and suffers from dementia. The back-and-forth between her time at the Hermitage in Leningrad and her time as the mother of two

grownups in California are sometimes confusing, but often sad. I think I would have been more drawn to it if the storyline made more sense to me… Russia’s history is appalling, and I believe this is an attempt at one very personal view. 

The great part of it is the woman’s love of art, and learning to do memory castles. 

But the frightening aspects of her dementia make the war portions even more heartbreaking. 

Atmosphere  by Taylor Jenkins Reid

“The world had decided that to be fallible was weak; but we are all fallible. The strong ones are the ones who accept it.” 

A story about love — for others,  for the skies, for what is possible. And the unquenchable theory that to reach the stars is to reach God… 

“Bravery is almost always a lie; courage is all we have.” 

Thus is the life of an astronaut - including and especially the women, who must prove themselves in ways that men never have to.  Fast-paced, thrilling and emotional, this story made me look at alternative relationships with the same lens as traditional ones. A worthwhile story of dedication and sacrifice, and yes, love. 

Sincerely, Grace  by Jean Grainger

The fourth book in the Knocknashee series brings dramatic and painful events into Grace and Richard’s lives. The drama with the wicked Catholic priest also deepens, and it’s easy to think our sweet heroine will experience nothing but suffering. But this is only Book 4… Delightful and charming, as always. 

TESSA RUSSELL

I IDENTIFY AS BLIND by Lachi (Diana Rama)

BETH HEDENGREN

The Fox Wife

The Man In The Brown Suit by  Agatha Christie

Mona's Eyes

JOANN ABEGGLEN

The Violin Maker's Secret by Evie Woods

Reading Magic by Men Fox

SUE DE MARTINI 

Theo of Golden

MARLENE MATHESON

M. Russell Ballard

APRIL 2026 CONTD.

 Hello All,

Here are some additional books from Bookshare for you to look at and find some great books to read.

Geri

BETH HEDENGREN

The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawandi

 (From Amazon’s summary) We live in a world of great and increasing complexity, where even the most expert professionals struggle to master the tasks they face. Longer training, ever more advanced technologies—neither seems to prevent grievous errors. But in a hopeful turn, acclaimed surgeon and writer Atul Gawande finds a remedy in the humblest and simplest of techniques: the checklist. First introduced decades ago by the U.S. Air Force, checklists have enabled pilots to fly aircraft of mind-boggling sophistication. Now innovative checklists are being adopted in hospitals around the world, helping doctors and nurses respond to everything from flu epidemics to avalanches. Even in the immensely complex world of surgery, a simple ninety-second variant has cut the rate of fatalities by more than a third.  

KARLA COX

The Tangled Tree: A Radical New History of Life  by David Quammen

I’m not sure how I chose this book; I’m even less sure how I stuck with it, since it was essentially a molecular and evolutionary biology, genetics and genomics  textbook! But listening to it highlighted the flair and creativity - and the humor.  I learned a lot about the overlap and engagement between several scientific pursuits, the way views of evolution have changed*, and how intricate scientific research can be. Quammen reintroduced many microbiology and evolutionary high achievers over the centuries and decades (think Darwin, Van Leeuwenhoek, Linnaeus),  and introduced some important new players, among them Carl Woese, the star of this book; Ford Doolittle (not to be mistaken for the fictional doc who talked to animals), and Lynn Sagan Margulis, once married to Carl Sagan — thus pairing a molecular scientist with an astronomer: he studied the immensity of space, she the minutiae of microscopic life. The book was worth it for that peculiarity, but there are so many more! I guess I was ready for a microbiology and evolution micro-class! 

One additional note: this book featured Woese, but was also filled with information about those peculiar, often entertaining and exclusive brilliants who dance on the razor-thin line between genius and insanity — and often cross between the two. Incredible research by a brilliant man. I wonder how close Quammen is to that line? 

If I were using MaryAnn’s ranking system, I would give this a 4.9. Seriously educational yet entertaining. 

*I listened to the Church History Matters podcast series on Religion and Science; that may have prompted my interest in this book. 

Skylark  by Paula McLain

This incredible story takes place in France in two vastly separated centuries. The characters’ stories speak from the 1640s and 1940s, intertwining to tell the story of Paris’ underground tunnels, a river so filthy it had to be sent underground, and people who affected each other’s lives over generations. They tell a unified story of courage and resistance that reaches through time. 

Alouette, a dye maker’s daughter in 1640 treasures her private discovery of a phenomenal blue; but she lives when women have no voice, so she is arrested to silence her and sent to a notorious prison for insane women. 

A Jewish family intermingles with a Dutch doctor in the 1940s; Kristof’s determination to fight the evil that is Hitler brings him to the storied souterrain, the subterranean tunnels over which Paris is built, and from which Paris’ rock is sourced. Sasha, the Jewish daughter, is the embodiment of intelligence and hope. 

The “spell-binding and transportive look at a side of Paris known to very few”, provides an overlap of their stories that is subtle yet elemental. The courage of these characters on parallel journeys of defiance and rescue, and the beauty of the storyteller’s craft, is remarkable. 

The Mapping of Love and Death  by Jacqueline Winspear 

I’m back for another Maisie Dobbs round, thanks to JoAnn’s loan of several copies of the series! 

In #7, an American adventurer and cartographer dies in WWI among British troops; his body is discovered and Maisie is called to solve the mystery of his death — because it was clearly a murder, though on a battlefield. 

Maisie also deals with her beloved mentor’s passing, and finds herself falling in love again. 

A Lesson in Secrets  by Jacqueline Winspear 

Maisie Dobb’s career takes an undercover twist in book #8, as she teaches philosophy at a small college in Cambridge to detect subversive activity among the students. This installment has extra layers through a young widow Maisie takes under her wing again, having helped her before; And  Maisie’s deepening relationship with James Compton. 

My daughter laughed when I referred to these as gentle murder mysteries! But I think that’s an apt description of this episode at least. 

Elegy for Eddie  by Jacqueline Winspear 

This Maisie Dobbs installment (#9) really is written like an elegy. Almost a chiasma. 

It begins with a young woman, born in a poor house and entirely alone, who is raped but determined to have her baby (which she does with no assistance but a horse, in a barn and amidst the hay), and give him a better life than she has had. 

Maisie is involved by the costermongers of Covent Garden when the woman’s son, grown into a simple-minded but gentle man with remarkable talents, is murdered. The story that unfolds has lots of gray moral areas and lots of morally gray people. It’s a fascinating, contemplative story that builds to a center point of intensity, with Maisie actually being forced to accept a change of opinion. Then the story unfolds carefully to land Maisie gently in a clarity she has sought from the beginning. 

Many questions — about love, about dealing with her wealth, about what’s ahead for England and the world as Hitler gains power in Germany — remain, but Maisie finds her peace. 

A gentle installment in a “gentle murder mystery” series. 

Three Bags Full  by Leonie Swann 

Thanks for this recommendation, Beth! 

“An original and clever mystery, with a flock of endearingly wooly detectives”. Funny and surprisingly endearing, and especially fun to listen to, with the Irish reader that puts the whole thing right where it belongs, on a green but craggy coastline of Ireland. Great fun! 

Thaddeus Stevens  by Hans L. Trefousse

While not my favorite biography, I learned a LOT about one of the most controversial figures in 19th century American history, and more about the issues prior to, during, and after the Civil War. I have to be honest: he reminded me a little of Pres Donald Trump. It will be interesting to see what historians make of him. His was definitely a love-hate relationship with the Americans of his time; the south especially despised him — though more than one southern senator came to value his tenacity and loyalty to his causes. I think I’ll get in a

line to interview him after this life.  No regrets on listening to this one; I don’t know if I would have made it through a regular-paced read… 

The Wife, the Maid and the Mistress  by Ariel Lawhon

I checked this one out based solely on the author; I am now an unshakable fan of Ariel Lawhon.  She has created another historical fiction completely unlike  Frozen River but equally captivating. 

Based on a New York Supreme Court  judge named Joseph Crater who mysteriously disappeared in 1930, Lawhon has researched the known facts and filled in the gaps with a fascinating and plausible story of organized crime, government corruption, and women who are the pawns in men’s sex and power games. A powerful “what if it happened like this” historical mystery! 

The Handmaid’s Tale  by Margaret Atwood

A strange dystopian, possibly futuristic, possibly next-year story from the viewpoint of a handmaid, the women chosen to have babies to keep society alive. It has religious undertones, but seems mocking. I don’t regret listening to it on my Amazon Kindle site while I waited for other audio books to become available; it was well- written and interesting in many respects. But I learned it’s the first of a series that I won’t continue (it happens sometimes…!) and I can’t recommend. 

The Penguin Lessons  by Tom Michell

Was this another recommendation from you, Beth? What a sweet, enjoyable and educative memoir about a Magellan penguin and his British rescuer living in Argentina, the people who learned from them both, and the intelligence and unexpected bonding with which this penguin was gifted! The personal growth of an open-hearted young man and the beauty and cruelty of nature were also elemental to this story. Beautiful, informative writing. A great choice! 

PS. I watched the movie a week or so later, as luck would have it. Though very different from the book, it’s also a tender and powerful story. Also a great choice! 

Wuthering Heights  by Emily Bronte

I gave in. I haven’t read this so-called classic since I was quite young, and I thought maybe I could see the literary value this time.  There are passages that could rightfully stand among the greatest declarations of love, though more dramatic than real life. And the writing style is impressive. But the tone and message throughout is one of desperation and unhealthy obsession. Those who label it a great love story must have a sense of horror in what true love entails. Because I find it to be a horror story, more like Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein than any classic I would categorize as a love story.  

I gave in, in the face of its current resurgence; but I feel the same as the last time I read it, though only more so: Emily Bronte, and her sisters, were a bit unstable. Yet their tales endure. I must be missing something still. 

I wrote all that before I finished Wuthering Heights. Now I realize what I missed: the ending. I’m sure I didn’t finish it when I was young. Because I knew nothing about the gentle ending, and the powerful events of regret and forgiveness that gave this horror story a peaceful ending. So, what the unstable Bronte girls understood was spiritual. I’m grateful I gave in and gave this strange, dismal book a second chance, because we all need second chances. 

Yesteryear  by Caro Claire Burke

A “tradwife” and powerful influencer from the present wakes up in 1855, and is forced to face some unpleasant realities about her beliefs, her choices, and her life. 

Except that it wasn’t reality.

This is actually a book about reality shows, and internet obsession, and how strange the world can become through a warping lens. Another story that I don’t regret reading, but I don’t think I can recommend… In fact, it’s probably the weirdest book I’ve ever finished…

I wonder where the author got some of her material; she used the phrase “Doubt your doubts before your faith”; did someone say that before Elder Uchtdorf? Almost as darkly funny as it is disturbing. Another one I’ll share but can’t really recommend. 

Doing Small Things with Great Love  by Sharon Eubank 

This came like a breath of fresh air near the end of my reading month! And it is one of those books that, once read, I need to own so I can share it. (I just got my copy, though, on Monday  — so thank you, JoAnn!!) Sister Eubank has always been admirable for her intelligence and views. Now she’s joined my cadre of life’s heroines. She’s also inspired me to do two things: 1) Increase our humanitarian monthly donation, and 2) Pick up more JustServe opportunities. And maybe, soon, a 3rd: take part in quilting mornings. 

Leaving Everything Most Loved  by Jacqueline Winspear

One more Maisie Dobbs fit into this last week of a long month… 

Maisie investigates the murder of two Indian women, while she contemplates the need to strike out for new adventures. She also makes a new friend that fills a similar place to Maurice; and she and James Compton face some difficult choices in their love affair. The title applies to many people in this story… 

Keeper of Lost Children  by Sadeqa Johnson

The main heroine of many in this story is inspired by Mabel T Grammer, a descendant of black American slaves who, unable to have children, adopted and helped place children born of German mothers and African-American soldiers. The agency she created lasted for 18 years. She received a Papal Humanitarian award. This historical fiction told many individuals’ stories with pathos and realism. Everyone who reads it will learn and feel uplifted. A strong recommendation!! 

I finished this one today. It was a long month, with five Wednesdays and five Thursdays… 

An incredible reading/listening month for me! 

MARCH/APRIL 2026

 Hello All,

It's time for another blog post. We have had some great books reported on in the past few months. Here is a list of some of them.  Enjoy!

KARLA COX

The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride  by Joe Siple 

This is THE book you want to read this year. 

100-years old Murray McBride wonders why he’s still alive, when everyone he loves is gone. But he finds out why when he meets 10-year old Jason, and learns of his five wishes. 

This story is A Man called Ove, Me Before You and maybe The Natural, rolled into one beautiful story of redemption and love where it’s least likely to be found. Funny, surprising and tears-inspiring. Everyone wants to live, but how many get the chance to really live, just when life seems to be at an end? 

The Aviator’s Wife  by Melanie Benjamin

This interesting story is well-researched historical fiction, written as though Anne Morrow Lindbergh were telling her own story of love, power, heartbreak, courage and tenacity. 

When one learns anything about Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh, a couple almost as famous and pursued as Prince Charles and Lady Diana, it’s easy to get lost in the details.  This book does a good job of sorting those details into order, sharing the thrill of flying and their unique relationship as a flying team, the pain of a kidnapped and murdered child, and the irreparable damage suffered by this couple from fame they did not want. Humanizing and true to historical diaries and other writings by the pair, it is nevertheless told through Anne’s eyes. An equally honest and historical book through the eyes of the man from Minnesota, raised to be tough and heroic, would probably be much different. I learned a lot. And I felt sympathy for both, along with other people caught — and often lost — in the crosshairs of public attention that can be  adoring but is always too curious and is not often kind. 

The Promise of a Pencil  by Adam Braun

“Listening intensely is a far more valuable skill than speaking immensely.” That’s one of the first lessons learned by Jewish student of the world and author of this book, Adam Braun, who, in his travels, asked a young beggar on a street in India what he wanted if he could have anything; the boy replied, “A pencil.” 

The book is composed of  30 mantras, life guides Braun learned along the way. Each is followed by the explanation of its power in Braun’s life. 

Braun narrates his efforts to launch a non-profit, which he now refers to as a For-Purpose, since NPs are often looked down upon by the business world; For- Purpose denotes the inherent motivation behind the efforts. He shares his passion for building schools in Laos (his first school) and other countries, and declares that anyone can find their passion and then bring about extraordinary things through a purpose-driven life. A heartwarming and worthwhile account. If I was a millionaire and 30-something, I would want to do something similar. As life is, I’m grateful for the Church’s humanitarian efforts, where I can contribute monthly and know 100% of the funds are helping. But I also contribute to various NPs and NGOs, depending on their overhead and purpose-driven percentage. That has been my guide since I got involved in a similar charity-driven NP in ND, long before I read any of the several books I’ve read about NPs and NGOs. 

Winter  by Val McDermid

This Scottish author of crime and mystery novels steps aside from cranking out what the public demands to write an ode to winter.  And what a luminous ode it is! It’s pensive, poetic, and a little scientific and cerebral. It is, most of all, a writer’s memoir. 

I was 2/3 into the book before I knew Val is a woman; her musings and educative anecdotes gave no indication until she told about talking to herself as she walked the beach and having others say, “Oh, it’s her, the writer.” 

McDermid takes the reader on a hygge-filled journey through all things Scottish, from the firths and flowers and festivals to the paintings and parties and castles and ceilidhs. And then there are always the dinners, from indoors with traditional foods or a “rummage” thrown together,  Burns poetry and singing, to outside in the long dark and damp cold, warmed by bonfires, “neeps” (the original Jack o’ Lantern), Christmas lights, and stargazing. 

Just so you can appreciate this crime writer’s poetic heart, here is the last paragraph of the book I’ll miss most at winter’s end…

“And so I celebrate the end of the winter … because it promises not just the light returning but also that the darkness will come back to be illuminated by words.” Amen, Scottish sista. 

The Frozen River  by Ariel Lawhon

Set in the second century of European presence in America (late 1700s), this story nevertheless reads like a modern-day murder drama, and the heroine is a master sleuth. But most remarkable: though it’s labeled historical fiction, much of the story is historical fact. 

Martha Ballard is a midwife in the small New England town of Hollowell; but she’s called upon to do much more than birth babies. While she’s cherished by her husband of 35 years, and revered by most people of the region, she’s also hated — mostly for her honesty. As her recognition of high-level crime increases, the danger to Mistress Ballard also increases. 

Martha Ballard was a real midwife in the 1780s and 90s, who delivered 1,000 babies live — truly miraculous in her time. She’s actually an ancestor of Clara Barton. But the author, with a masterful imagination, fills in the gaps of remarkable Martha’s diaries and brings a truly exciting page of history to life. A thrilling, tense, and tender story, as well as a fascinating and meaningful look at Revolutionary era life. 

It’s Not Her  by Mary Kubica

Always starting her stories with a jolt, Ms Kubica keeps the pace terrifying and haunting, and no matter which details I didn’t like, I was glued to the book til the end. And there’s no redemption; like Local Woman Missing, this story leaves some people alive but permanently scarred. And the surprises last til the last pages. She’s a top-tier thriller writer, but I’m staying away from now on. Too grim, too awful, too sad. 

Messenger of Truth  by Jacqueline Winspear

I’ve decided to read all of the Maisie Dobbs series. So this is #4, and thanks to JoAnn I should be able to do it! As a Maisie Dobbs fan, it’s obvious that I enjoyed it. But I loved Maisie’s introduction to art, along with her personal growth, in this installment. 

An incomplete Revenge  by Jacqueline Winspear

#5 in the Maisie Dobbs series, the gifted young woman is doubly challenged to solve crimes in a small community in Kent, and cope with the passing of her beloved Simon. She also shows kindness to a band of Gypsies (Roma), acknowledges her genetic ties through her mother’s mother, and brings forth a startling truth that ties the Gypsy band the small town together. 

I always learn something from the fictional Maisie; this one, about hops growth and harvesting! 

Among the Mad  by Jacqueline Winspear 

Again, thanks to JoAnn, I’m moving through Maisie Dobbs’ life and adventures. In book #6, Maisie goes deeper into human suffering and faces some brutal challenges as she sees a man commit violent suicide and becomes embroiled with Scotland Yard in a race against time with a mentally ill, murderous but brilliant chemist soldier. As always with the Maisie Dobbs stories, it’s about much more than solving a case; it’s understanding and having compassion for oneself and for humankind. 

Burn Down Master’s House  by Clay Cane 

This was the most unique, hard story this month. It’s really historical fiction, but all of the characters are based on real people, many of them from the author’s own heritage. He fills in the story line with haunting, graphic details of 1800s slave life and the possibility that sometimes slaves took revenge on their truly cruel and evil masters. He connects these real people into a fictional timeline that is believable and profoundly courageous, even in its ghastliness. 

Clay Cane is a journalist, podcaster and author; this is the story he has been wanting to write for 20 years, he declares. 

A powerful, and in some ways disturbing book, but I’m glad I listened to it in the author’s strangely cadenced voice that added impact and reality to the story. 

MARYANN STEVENS

Stories from Suffragette City 3️ A collection by various authors. Some stories are engaging. I returned early.  

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware 4️ not a typical murder mystery. Journalist Lo Blacklock gets a dream assignment: spend a week on the maiden voyage of a luxury yacht from London to northern Norway. Lo sees someone she shouldn’t & then later hears a cry for help & a big splash. The head of security disbelieves her, throwing back that she drank a lot that night and she’s on antidepressants etc. someone writes a message on her mirror, Stop Digging. What follows is a dark story of imprisonment, escape, & recapture. 

Fly Away by Kristen Hannah 3.5️ two families fall apart when mom dies of cancer. So many mistakes. So many missed opportunities to listen & show love.  

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng 4 ️ two very different families: Mia is an artist who creates unique & sometimes strange art with photography. Apparently her art has an high end market as selling one funds 6 months of living. She & her daughter, now 16-year old Pearl move frequently, at Mia’s whim, packing all their belongings into their VW Rabbit. Thé Peterson family has lived in their town for multiple generations in a perfect suburban subdivision with rules about the color of the houses, thé size of the yards, etc. the collision of these two families & their disparate values form the basis of the story. 

The Checklist  Manifesto by Atul Gawande 4️ of course a checklist is valuable- the surprise to me was that anyone would challenge the use of one. reviewed earlier by Beth & Karla, Joann?

BETH HEDENGREN

These Precious Days by Ann Patchett
Personal essays by one of my favorite authors (Bel Canto, The Dutch House, Commonwealth). Insightful. Transcendent. Beautifully written. She writes about her three fathers—one biological and three steps—with both honesty and generosity. Other essays address friends, her mom, and her husband. The last essay movingly covers the last months of a dear friend who lives with Ann while undergoing experimental cancer treatment. A lovely book!
Doing Small Things with Great Love by Sharon Eubank
Sharon Eubank, leader of the Church Humanitarian Program, writes convincingly of why the best service happens close to home. She tells of how the Church has moved more to providing help from local markets and with local helping hands. She also speaks of how those who want to help need to ask those they want to help what is the best way to help them. Outsiders often don’t know what is really needed.
Oscar from Elsewhere by Jaclyn Moriarty
Middle school fantasy novel by Liane Moriarty’s (Big Little Lies) sister. A skateboarding 12-year-old boy from Australia is suddenly transported to a magical land where he joins characters we’ve met in previous books in the series (see The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone) on a quest to save a village of tiny (and hilarious) elves. Charming, delightful, funny, but with an important message about how children should not have to do it all without parental support.

TESSA RUSSELL

"The Temple Gaining Knowledge and Power in the House of the Lord"

GERI CHRISTENSEN

MURDER ON THE MARLOW BELLE

by Robert Thorogood

Verity Beresford is worried about her husband. Oliver didn't come home last night, so of course Verity goes straight to Judith Potts, Marlow's resident amateur sleuth, for help. Oliver, founder of the Marlow Amateur Dramatic Society, had rented The Marlow Belle, a private pleasure cruiser, to host an exclusive party for the society, but no one remembers seeing him disembark. And when Oliver's body washes up on the Thames with two bullet holes in him, it's time for the Marlow Murder Club to leap into action.

Oliver was, by all accounts, a rather complicated fellow, with a reputation for bullying children during nativity play rehearsals, and he wasn't short of enemies. Judith, Suzie, and Becks are convinced they'll find his killer in no time. But things are not as they seem in the Marlow Amateur Dramatic Society, and this case is not so clear-cut after all. The gang will need to keep their wits about them to solve this case… otherwise a killer will walk free.

THE MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR OF JUDITH POTTS 

By  Robert Thorogood

Someone is killing celebrities in Marlow. First, it's a famous soccer player. Then, a bestselling thriller writer. When two shocking deaths rock their quiet riverside town, Judith, Suzie, and Becks—the unstoppable Marlow Murder Club—must untangle a dangerous web of blackmail and scandal to catch a killer.

But with their trusted police ally DI Malik suddenly suspended, and Judith's own past threatening to resurface, the women are on their own. Suspects are multiplying like tabloid headlines, secrets are stacking up, and time is running out.

Can the Marlow Murder Club crack the case before the killer strikes again—or will this be the end of their crime-solving adventures?

THE EAGLE HAS LANDED 

by Jack Higgins

As the Allied forces slowly begin turning the tide of war, Hitler vehemently orders the impossible—kidnap Winston Churchill, or kill him. A crack team of commandos led by a disgraced war hero must venture into the heart of England to carry out their mission, or die trying.

Meanwhile, in a quiet seaside village, a beautiful widow and an IRA assassin have already laid the groundwork for what will be the most treacherous plot of the war. It begins on November 6, 1943, when Berlin receivs the fateful message...

As the deadly duo executes Hitler’s harrowing plot, only the quiet town of Studley Constable stands in their way. Its residents are the lone souls aware of the impending Nazi plan, and they must become the most unlikely of heroes as the fate of the war hangs in the balance.

THE SHELL SEEKERS 

by Rosamunde Pilcher

At the end of a long and useful life, Penelope Keeling's prized possession is The Shell Seekers, painted by her father, and symbolizing her unconventional life, from bohemian childhood to wartime romance. When her grown children learn their grandfather's work is now worth a fortune, each has an idea as to what Penelope should do. But as she recalls the passions, tragedies, and secrets of her life, she knows there is only one answer...and it lies in her heart. A sprawling saga that is both infuriating and deeply satisfying as we learn how Penelope navigates between her selfish and greedy adult children and her desire to keep her fathers memory alive.  A lovely book that ends all too soon. 

A STRANGER IS WATCHING

by Mary Higgins Clark

Ronald Thompson knows he never killed Nina Peterson—yet in two days the state of Connecticut will take his life, having found him guilty via due process of law. But Thompson’s death will not stop the pain and anger of Nina’s husband, Steve. Thompson’s death will not still the fears of Nina’s six-year-old son, Neil, witness to his mother’s brutal slaying. Not even the love and friendship of Sharon Martin, a journalist who is slowly becoming a part of their world, will ever erase their bitter memories. Only time, perhaps, will heal their wounds. But in the shadows a stranger waits, a cunning psychopath who has killed before, who has unfinished business at the Peterson home...

MURDER BEFORE EVENSONG

Richard Coles

Canon Daniel Clement (Matthew Lewis, Harry Potterfilms), introverted Rector of the picturesque English village of Champton, has his life turned upside-down when his infuriating mother Audrey (Amanda Redman, The Good Karma Hospital) arrives unannounced, dragging up memories Daniel would rather not confront. But a more serious challenge awaits Daniel when he stumbles upon the dead body of his parishioner. Daniel must delve under the veneer of village life to piece together clues and uncover long-buried secrets, navigating the press and public eye and the ire of his superior, the bishop. Daniel is forced to question who he can trust, and whether he himself was the intended murder victim. Based on the best-selling novel by the Reverend Richard Coles. 

“A classic Christie-esque mystery… is as much about the people and the world surrounding the murder(s) than it is about the mystery itself” -

THE EAGLE HAS LANDED

Jack Higgins

In November of 1943, an elite team of Nazi paratroopers descends on British soil with a diabolical goal: to abduct Winston Churchill and cripple the Allied war effort. The mission, ordered by Hitler himself and planned by Heinrich Himmler, is led by ace agent Kurt Steiner and aided on the ground by IRA gunman Liam Devlin.

 

As the deadly duo executes Hitler’s harrowing plot, only the quiet town of Studley Constable stands in their way. Its residents are the lone souls aware of the impending Nazi plan, and they must become the most unlikely of heroes as the fate of the war hangs in the balance.

THE CONFORT OF GHOSTS

Jacqueline Winspear 

London, 1945: Four adolescent orphans with a dark wartime history are squatting in a vacant Belgravia mansion—the owners having fled London under heavy Luftwaffe bombing. Psychologist and Investigator Maisie Dobbs visits the mansion on behalf of the owners and discovers that a demobilized soldier, gravely ill and reeling from his experiences overseas, has taken shelter with the group.

Maisie’s quest to bring comfort to the youngsters and the ailing soldier brings to light a decades-old mystery concerning Maisie’s first husband, James Compton, who was killed while piloting an experimental fighter aircraft. As Maisie unravels the threads of her dead husband’s life, she is forced to examine her own painful past and question beliefs she has always accepted as true.

The award-winning Maisie Dobbs series has garnered hundreds of thousands of followers, readers drawn to a woman who is of her time, yet familiar in ours—and who inspires with her resilience and capacity for endurance. This final assignment of her own choosing not only opens a new future for Maisie and her family, but serves as a  fascinating portrayal of the challenges facing the people of Britain at the close of the Second World War.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

 Hello All Book Lovers,

We met at Karla Cox's home last week and shared some wonderful books.  Here is the list I have so far.  If you haven't yet sent me your latest books, it's not too late.  I can always add them onto the blog.  

BETH HEDENGREN

Murder at an Irish Christmas by Carlene O’Connor

Fun cozy Christmas mystery, in a charming Irish village. The sleuth is a woman police officer, a garda, and the victim is a famous elderly musician/conductor. Garda Siobhan is thrown into the investigation because she has traveled to the village to meet her brother’s fiancee’s musical family, who are grandchildren to the victim. Against a Christmassy backdrop of snow and cozy tea chats, she gradually unravels the mystery. 

The World She Edited by Amy Reading

A lively biography of Katharine White, who was an editor at the New Yorker for 36 years, starting in 1925. White generously mentored many writers who went on to become famous, including Vladimir Nabokv, John Updike, May McCarthy, Elizabeth Bishop, Jean Stafford, and Shirley Jackson (“The Lottery”). She also married EB White and was devoted to helping him with his writing. EB White, who went by Andy, was fairly neurotic and took a good deal of coaxing to keep on writing. Katharine provided just the right amount of sympathy and motivation. He wrote columns and short pieces for the New Yorker for many years before eventually cutting his responsibilities there to focus on longer fiction. The children’s book Stuart Little was his first success at fiction and took many years for him to finish with Katharine’s encouragement. Fascinating look at the world of publishing and writing. 

Apple Turnover Murder by Joanne Fluke

One of my favorite cozy mystery series. Hannah, the sleuth, has a master’s in English and lives in Minnesota—so of course I feel a connection. She also owns a bakery and makes yummy cookies (recipes included) and has two boyfriends who both want to marry her. In every book, she solves the mystery and makes great food but can never quite decide who to marry. Fun!

Cherry Cheesecake Murder by Joann Fluke

See above. They are all pretty similar, making these books perfect going to sleep reading!

MARYANN STEVENS

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt 4 ️ this is as close to fantasy as I’ll probably get: Tova, a 70-year old widow living in the Puget Sound whose 18 yr old son who died under mysterious circumstances years ago; in California’s Central Valley, Cameron, a 30 year old orphan raised by his aunt Jean decides to look for his unknown father based on his mother’s rediscovered high school picture & an initialed class ring; Marcellus, an octopus who lives in a tank in an aquarium in Washington.

The Death of a Chimney Sweep - Hamish MacBeth by MC Beaton 3.5️ Loch Loo outdoes itself in the number & viciousness of the murders which take Hamish months to solve.

The New & Everlasting Covenant by Joshua Savage 3.5️ Using both canon & living General Authorities, Savage studies a broadened view of the everlasting covenant. I couldn’t find out much about author but his doctrine seemed sound.

Finding Dorothy by Elizabeth Letts 3.5️ Mrs L Frank Baum, (Maud) storms onto the set of MGM studios to make sure her husband’s legacy remains safe in the filming of the Wizard of Oz. Through flashbacks we learn how love gets through all the ups & down of life with Frank & Maud.

Crossing to Safety.
Beyond the Hundredth Meridian by Wallace Stegner 4.5 ️ much more than a retelling of John Welsey Powell’s exploration of the Colorado River, this is a history of Powell’s influential work both in the West & in Washington to “ organize the scientific studies of the government.
Powell was a statesman during the Glided Age who used his crafty strategy, not for personal gain but for the advancement of science in gathering facts about the great western expanse. 1/4 acre land in the arid west was not enough to survive. More than 2/3 of all homesteaders west of the 100th Meridian failed & thé land - the free government land - reverted to the banks for outstanding loans. For a large majority, this free land did not help the poor farmer as much asbut rthe bankers & corporations that recovered thé land. US Geological Survey Bureau of Ethnology.  Powell wanted to adjust homesteader acreage based on the actual productivity of the soil. In all his planning, he wanted the outcome to be the most good for the largest number of people for the longest time.

KARLA COX

The Halloween Tree  by Ray Bradbury

A quick creative Halloween story on Halloween, because why not? Ray Bradbury is a master storyteller, but he also uses this short fantasy to teach young and old about the holiday of the dead. The bonuses: I learned a bit about Halloween traditions from throughout history (at least from Bradbury’s perspective), and I enjoyed a Halloween-specific story (truly rare for me). I wonder why no one made a Halloween movie from this youthful-viewpoint sci-fi. 

Remain  by Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan

This was another atypical choice for me, as it was a ghost story, also a mystery, but also a love story. The unique and

genius pairing of romance author Nick Sparks with the edgy, sometimes scary and always thought-provoking movie maker M Night Shyamalan made for an incredible, yes, spooky, and enjoyable  tale. (I think I came under my SIL Craig’s influence, as he loves Halloween and all things spooky.)  I might not  enjoy the movie (thanks to Hollywood’s all too vivid special effects), but I had a hard time setting the book aside. 

Remain asks us to consider if love can set us free, even from the boundaries of life and death. A transcendent concept for much of the world, but for me a truly comfortable truth. Definitely one to read, not watch or listen to if ghost stories aren’t your thing. They aren’t always mine. (It will be made into a movie, according to the credits. And Shyamalan is making it, so I’ll plan to see it.) 

History Matters  by David McCullough 

A peek into the inside of the man who “elevated history into great literature” (his own words about another author), this is a collection of essays and speeches from the late great D McC, as his daughter (who helped assemble the compilation) referred to him when speaking of him as a writer and historian. David McCullough really was a great writer, incredible scholar, and loving family man. His story, not told here directly yet told through his words,  is unique, interesting and inspiring. 

This book is also a great place to find his heroes, and to learn even more about some of the great ones whose stories he has told. 

One tiny sample from one of the speeches in this amazing book of an amazing man - the history in essay form of a great historian of our time, can be found in this: “a large modern bookstore may have a hundred thousand books or more. And we get to choose! All these different voices, all these different points of view; and we get to choose! Or to go into a vast library, where choices are even greater; and we get to travel in the mind!” 

Maybe the best of his books, because it’s such a concise distillation of the millions of things he has has said and written. I’ll probably buy this one, and you know what that says… 

The Stolen Life of Collette Marceau  by Kristin Harmel

This story of jewel thefts as a family tradition, WWII resistance efforts vs corrupt French police, and never giving up on finding lost loved ones is historical fiction at its best. 

Kristin Harmel never disappoints me; her research is meticulous and her stories are powerful. But this one had some personal undertones, which she shares in the Author’s Note at the end. She also brings some ethics questions to the forefront, since her main characters, descendants of the notorious/heroic Robin Hood, steal to accomplish a greater good. And yet it’s based in 1940s France and 2018 U.S. So much to enjoy in this book! 

The Colony  by John Tayman

This is a documented, accurate account of the Leper colony on Molokai, Hawaii. While I had heard of the colony before, I had no idea of the deprivations and circumstances of this natural prison: lava-rock cliffs on three sides, the crashing waves of the ocean on the fourth. At it’s peak, well over a thousand people were confined there, almost always against their will. Now only 28 people live there, quietly and by choice. This book tells how it happened, the ignorance and misconceptions that continued it, and the heartbreak of a disease that has been misunderstood since biblical times. But more importantly, it tells of the pure goodness of a few, the hope that survived  unfair and unthinkable circumstances, and the gradual cures that have changed the face of leprosy (now called Hansen’s Disease for the Swedish doctor who isolated the bacilli that causes the disease). The book is long and sometimes overly-detailed, but the real-life characters become people I want to meet someday. It’s descriptive and educational.  I learned a great deal. 

The River is Waiting  by Wally Lamb 

I almost turned this audiobook back in because of the language and coarse sound of the reader. But this heart-breaking story of Corby, a Rx drug and alcohol-addicted young father who causes a tragic accident that tears his life and family apart, deserves to be heard. From the forever guilty and permanently destroyed husband and dad’s point of view, you get no heroism; just raw pain and honesty. From the inside of addiction and recovery, and from the inside of a prison with lots of human darkness but a few rays of human light, there is little happiness in this story; but there is hope and elemental kindness. And in the ineffably sad ending, there is peace. 

Mailman  by Stephen Starring Grant

Surprisingly similar to the previous book, in that both are from a dad’s point of view who loses his job and faces tough times. But that one is fiction, this one is a memoir, and while that one is brutal and poignant and often harsh, this is creative and funny, analytically heartwarming, and truly profound. 

This personal account of an executive marketer and consultant who is laid off and becomes a mail carrier during COVID, takes place in the Appalachians, in Blacksburg, West Virginia, where hill people rub shoulders and share mountain space with engineers. Sometimes happily. 

And while The River is Waiting points acutely at the problems in America, and ends with the onslaught of COVID, Mailman is unabashedly patriotic, in spite of its current place in the Pandemic. For example, this message sandwiched in the middle of a chapter in the middle of the book: “Being born as an American was like winning the lottery of life.” And “There has to be a starting point. It is love of country. America is an idea. Without love of country, how will we ever muster the energy to perfect that idea?” 

A fun and lovely story, and one that deepened my appreciation for my own life and experiences. Grant, while swearing to a level I would normally avoid, painted the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains and the nobility of humanity so well I was frequently moved to tears. 

Radical Sisters  by Judith L. Pearson

“The doctor can make the incision, but I’ll make the decision.” ~Shirley Temple Black  

“I have a streak of stubbornness and a loud voice.” ~Rose Kushner

“I believe that one must leave the world a better place than you found it.” ~ Evelyn Lauder

The lives of these three famous women provide an inspiring and motivating biographical trio, well-researched and told with gusto. All three had breast cancer; two died from cancer. But they spent their lives, and a large chunk of their fortunes, to ignite a movement, and change the way society views this scourge of women. 

When each of these three were diagnosed with breast cancer, they faced a medical world of myths, outdated protocols, and a shocking lack of research. Thanks to their trailblazing efforts, each in her time, the door was opened to greater awareness, better funding for research, and more effective methods of treating the disease that was as much an epidemic as AIDS yet received a fraction of the funding. In a man’s world, these “Radical Sisters” demanded a shift in how society viewed breast cancer, and worked to change the world for others. There are so many powerful stories and fascinating details; I’ll leave it to you to pick it up and learn why breast cancer is now one of the most overcomeable cancers. Survivors and advocates of today stand on the shoulders of these powerful, determined women, whose legacy has empowered advocacy for better healthcare, increased (through better-funded) research, and greater awareness. 

Sheltering Rain  by JoJo Moyes

Most if not all of you have read JoJo Moyes, so you know what a queen of writing about healing broken families she is. This story is about three generations of Irish women (actually four) whose silent suffering has driven them apart, each in her time. It begins with Joy, living in China as Queen Elizabeth (the one we all knew in our lifetimes) is crowned. Joy’s mother Alice, her daughter Kate, and Kate’s daughter Sabine all throw up emotional walls that must be torn down for any of them to thrive. It doesn’t happen. Until the horses and another suffering woman bring them together in Ireland. 

Though some “secrets” were predictable, I loved the way the story unfolded, transitioning between the past in China, on steamer-ships, in London, and the present (which happened to be late 90s) in Ireland. 

Of course I loved hearing the names and descriptions of places I visited just last summer. 

Gone Before Goodbye  by Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben

This suspense novel about a world-class combat surgeon whose life is turned upside down at the grisly death of her husband and the loss of her career, is more like the old-time radio drama style; each character is voiced individually. Which is nice, because there’s no male trying to sound like a female, and no woman trying to sound like a man. The main narration is Reese Witherspoon as Maggie, and she makes the story feel so real. It’s an exciting and surprisingly clean story. I loved that. 

But I found myself wondering frequently how much Reese actually wrote. There are exceptionally detailed passages about many topics, including medicine, surgery, and the geography of inner Russia and Bordeaux France. I suspect the best-selling co-author did the research and structured the chapters, while Witherspoon came up with the concept and, yes, brought the story to life with her many talents. In this age of AI, it’s hard to trust that much is personally written. And we might not be able to tell, or ever have a way to be sure. That makes me uncomfortable. 

Death of an Ice Cream Salesman  by Penelope Cress and Steve Higgs 

A British comedy/PI story that moved quickly and offered an entertaining story. Apparently it’s a series (“A Mike Atwell story”), and I did feel a little like I missed the first act; plus it ends with a bit of a cliff hanger. All in all, a quick interesting Private I story. 

The Bookshop on the Corner  by  Jenny Colgan

A sweet little romance about a woman who loves books and has a gift for pairing them with people. After losing her library job, introverted Nina, who’s never been seen without a book in her hand, finds the courage to start over. Setbacks and heartache accompany her, but Nina finds a new life, out of the chaos and smells of Birmingham, far to the North in Scotland. 

A predictable story, but enjoyable. 

JO ANN ABEGGLEN

The Shepherd of the Hills 

by Harold Bell Wright

Gone before Good-bye

Reese Witherspoon

by Harlan Coben

How to Tet Negative For Stupid

by John Kennedy

GERI CHRISTENSEN

MARBLE HALL MURDERS

by David Horowitz 

a sequel to MAGPIE MURDERS, an excellent mystery

CARAVAN

by Dorothy Gilman

Rather long and rambling, but a good story by the end.

THE DAY SHELLY WOODHOUSE WOKE UP

by Laura Pearson

A great story with a surprise ending.  I really enjoyed it.