Obstinate Daughters by Denise Kiernan
This is a sweeping chronicle — a multi-biography, if you will — that challenges the traditional stories of our nation’s beginnings, and champions the recognized and also the unsung women of the American Revolution. History has always lauded the Founding Fathers; but what about the myriad women, whose deeds of courage, defiance, and resourcefulness clutter and color our actual history?
While Kiernan acknowledges that she was only able to “barely scratch the cobblestone surface” of the women of history, she details the lives of many who deserve to be recognized and remembered — and not always for their loyalty to the cause of American liberty.
There are too many to mention them all; but from a Cherokee princess who warned patriot settlements of impending attack and thus claimed infamy among her own people, to a woman who took over the press when her husband went to war and died, and actually signed the Declaration of Independence (as its printer), they are all noble and great. A delightful history rewrite and exposition in this 250th year.
Mona’s Eyes by Thomas Schlesser
It came through much faster than I expected, so this book - on a 7-day loan - took priority.
Beth summarized this book beautifully; so I will just share a passage from this remarkable story, a portion of a conversation between Mona, the precocious child who may one day go blind, and her Dade, (her grandfather Henry), who is preparing her for that eventuality, by “stuffing her eyes with wonder” (H.D. Thoreau), giving her a short but in-depth art education, and protecting her mental health in the process.
“Do you tremble, Dade, when you think of death?”
“Never when I think of my own, at any rate.”
“Ah…then you believe in God?”
“You can’t believe without doubting, Mona.”
“Meaning, Dade?”
“Meaning that I [believe, yet] doubt a lot in Him.”
This book would be beautiful to listen to, with its French phrases and location; but I also enjoyed reading it — too much, since turns of phrase and descriptions of beauty always slow me down.
The Mad Wife by Meagan Church
I felt pretty ambivalent about this story from the beginning. But my daughter recommended it, and I’ve loved everything she has offered. So I persevered.
It’s a haunting exploration of motherhood — particularly in the 40s and 50s, when suffocating expectations became law. It’s painful in ways mainly understood by those who have suffered depression, anxiety, other mental heath issues, and misdiagnoses. A seamless weaving of domestic drama and psychological suspense.
I don’t want to give anything away (though it’s not a mystery but an exploration), but I will say this: if you read or listen to this fictionalization of painful reality, buckle up, let compassion rule, and be prepared for mixed emotions.
A Sunlit Weapon by Jacqueline Winspear (#17 )
I had to fit a Maisie Dobbs installment into my month… This chapter of Maisie’s life has her more at home, more involved in her daughter Anna’s life, and more interlaced with her husband’s work. Winspear brings in racial issues, an assassination attempt on America’s First Lady, and women aviatrices. Always interesting, always worth my time.
Folded Corners by Jean Grainger
I returned to Knocknashee as well, with the 5th book in this series. A lot happens in this one book! Grace and Richard are caught by misunderstandings and previous choices, the evil and innocence of others, the struggles and deprivations of the war; yet they face the reality that everyone who knows them has already recognized, and find their way to each other at last. But then Richard’s assignment on a bombing mission brings it all to an end…
An especially moving installment in this lovely series based on a letter in a bottle.
Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson
Pheby Delores Brown is a slave with a charmed life: beloved, educated and nurtured by the master’s sister, and brought up by her mother, the master’s concubine, to believe she is not truly a slave and is destined for freedom. Until the sister dies, the master marries a manipulative and cruel wife, and her mother, also the plantation medicine woman, dies. While her father the master is away, her true love, a fellow slave, escapes, and Pheby is dragged off and sold to the cruelest kind of slave trader; yet he falls in love with her and makes her his common law wife. Full of heartbreak, love, hate, and contradictions, this story is a remarkable view of the trap beautiful mixed blood slaves fell into. And the difficult choices they had to make.
This is my second book by Sadeqa Johnson. Her fiction writing is well-researched and historically based, drawing you in to the lives of her fictional characters, but more importantly, into the realities of history. In my opinion, a tough but vital book about the evils of slavery and slave owners.
A Far-Flung Life by M.L. Stedman
I really like the description from the publisher, so I’m quoting it here: “When we do something that can’t be undone or mended, how do we… find our North Star, when there is no right answer? These are the questions at the center of M.L. Stedman’s unforgettable new novel… This is a sweeping and epic story of a family, tragedy, and the aftermath that reverberates for decades.”
The MacBrides live on Meredith Downs, a vast sheep station in Australia. But in seconds the family’s lives are shattered. Matt, a survivor and the youngest of the family, falls into a moral and gut-wrenching journey for which there is no map or guide. This story is heart-breaking, moving, and uplifting. Long, but well worth it.
I Identify as Blind by Lachi
I identify as hearing and balance impaired.
That’s the thought I had early on as I listened to this book Tessa shared. Truthfully, though, I don’t. So I learned a lot from this author about attitude and response to any and all disabilities. And she defines Disability with a capital D differently than most of us have - especially if we have not seen ourselves as disabled. Read by the author, this zany but intelligent woman has put forth an educational message for the ND (non-disabled) community, while empowering those with disabilities to see themselves as more. Wonderful, though spicy.
And Then There Were None
By Agatha Christie
It’s been a while since I read an AC novel; this audio book gave away a few elements through the voices (imo), but there was no obvious, since the logical suspects were impossible. A quick listen when I needed an absorbing distraction after my girls left. (I think I listened to three books the week after they left…) A Christie mystery in fine form!
Once We Were Home by Jennifer Rosner
Thank you for this one, MaryAnn! This is a historical novel based on the lives of real children who were stolen — often for their protection — during WWII.
The stories of four children, and a symbolic matryoshka doll, force us to consider the possibility that choices made in behalf of the children caught by the horrors or war were not always right or even kind. A little-known part of history, and the trauma that resulted despite their survival, helps us confront what it really means to find home. A thought-provoking and lovely story by a National Jewish Book Award finalist.
The Story Collector by Evie Woods
This novel by Evie Woods, like her others, is filled with ordinary characters with extraordinary tales. It’s about Sarah in 2010, whose breakup with her husband sets her on an unexpected course from NYC to northwestern Ireland. But it’s also about Anna in 1910, who volunteers to help a friendly American scholar learn about the fairy beliefs of Ireland, and finds her world turned upside down. How their lives intertwine is only part of this story of magic and the people who truly believe in fairies - though not the Disney variety. A predictable but perfectly pleasant historical fiction/love story.
BETH HEDENGREN
The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride by Joe Siple
Sweet story of a 100-year-old man, a former major league baseball player, Mr. Murray McBride. At the beginning of the story Murray wants only to die, though he is in remarkably good physical shape for his age. Then he befriends a 10-year-old boy who is dying with a malfunctioning heart. The boy has made a list of 5 things he wants to do before he dies, and Murray sees that all those wishes come true. It’s a charming story, though I did feel sad that Murray didn’t put more effort into healing his relationship with his grandson.
Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
Started this and enjoyed what I read. But I only had it for a week and didn’t finish.
Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott
A favorite book from my teen years, enjoying rereading
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
Lovely novel, completely told in letters. A woman in her 70s, a retired high-powered lawyer, gradually reveals her life story through a series of letters. At first, a reader will find much to dislike in this woman, but then, as we come to understand her better, we come to love her—or I did anyway. We see her come to terms with tragedies she has suffered and her own faults and mistakes, as she gradually learns to forgive and to ask forgiveness and find peace. I found the story beautiful and beautifully written. The book is also a testament to the power of finding self-knowledge through honest writing.
SUE DE MARTINI
"No One's Coming" by Kevin Hazzard. The true story of the evacuation of two American ebola victims from Liberia in 2014. I found this book really interesting.
"The Correspondant" by Virginia Evans. An older woman finds it most comfortable for her to interact with family members, friends and others through letters rather than in person or by phone. Through her letters, she slowly reveals her heartache and guilt from her past and finds healing and connection in the present.
MARLENE MATHESON
The Unselected Journal of Emma M. Lion Vol. I & II
by Glori Hodge Smith
Finding My Way, A Memoir
by Malala Yousafzai
dealing with PTSD and panic attacks
Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia, MD
The Women
by Kristin Hannah
Judge Carnegie's Maid
by Marie Benedict
The Other Einstein
by Marie Benedict
The Making of George Washington
by William H. Wilbur
The First Ladies
by Marie Benedict
Seeking Persephone
by Sarah M. Eden
the Golden Spoon
by Tessa (Jessa?) Maxwell
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
BY 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
BY 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
BY 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
A 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.
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? THE 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 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.
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