The Grand Sophy

 Heyer, Georgette. (2009 reprint). The Grand Sophy. Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks Casablanca.
ISBN: 9781402218941
Pages: 372
genre: Regency romance

annotation: Sophy repays her cousin’s hospitality by reordering his household.

summary: Sophy comes to London to stay with family while her father is on assignment in Brazil. She sees a household in chaos: her cousin's fiancee Eugenia is disagreeable and her cousin Cecilly's potential fiancee is an oblivious poet. She decides to repay them by straightening out these tangles. In the process she might end gaining something unexpected. 

evaluation: very good read

One caveat keeps me from giving this book an excellent rating. Charles and Sophy being cousins and then having other feelings besides familial can be a bit uncomfortable. I think it might have been better for her to be a family friend instead. Otherwise I liked this book a lot. Sophy is irrepressible, intelligent and determined. She doesn't leap into situations without thinking things through. Her solutions can be unorthodox, but they get the job done: the reader cheers for her and also laughs at the fallout especially at the end. The other characters add to the story too: endearing and/or ridiculous. The plot is enjoyable: Charles and Sophy's relationship develops at a believable pace and the events (especially at the end) had me laughing. Like False Colours and The Convenient Marriage, Heyer proficiently brings readers into her world. This is an excellent read for Regency romance fans and those wanting a fun romance. 

what else to read: 

This book reminds me of Shakespeare's comedies in some ways: witty dialogue and a funny road which must be traveled before the couples get arranged the correct way. 

I decided to read Georgette Heyer after finding her heavily recommended during research for a Regency Romance bookmark. For what else to read I'll post other titles I came across. Not all of the titles are "sweet" romances, but they have been rated well in print and/or online reading sources.

Slightly Married by Mary Balogh. 

Miss Wonderful by Loretta Chase. 

Allegra by Clare Darcy. 

Crossed Quills by Carola Dunn. 

A Garden Folly by Candice Hern. 

The Lady's Companion by Carla Kelly. 

The Rake's Rainbow by Allison Lane. 

A Debt to Delia by Babara Metzger. 

Princess Charming by Elizabeth Thornton.

The Convenient Marriage

Heyer, Georgette. (2008 reprint). The Convenient Marriage. Naperville, IN: Sourcebooks Casablanca.

ISBN: 9780099474425

Pages: 307

Annotation: Horatia finds there might be love in marriage after all.

Summary: Horatia marries a wealthy earl so her sister can marry for love. She does not count on love being a part of her marriage. She is not pretty, wealthy and she stammers. If love is not possible in her marriage why not use her husband’s money to become the talk of London instead? Unfortunately, success comes at the price of a risky reputation and attention from a very rakish man. When Horatia becomes caught in a situation that could ruin her reputation it is up to those she can count on to keep it from her husband. A thought she had not considered is that maybe she is wrong about her husband and maybe love can be found in her marriage after all.

Evaluation: good read

This book was a mixed bag. Horatia’s character annoyed me. At first I liked her because she wanted her sister to be happy and saw love as being more important than wealth. My goodwill faded when she promptly started behaving idiotically after her marriage. I can see some acting out due to, she feels, there not being love in her marriage. What annoyed me was that it felt as if  her behavior came more from immaturity than mourning love. Mentioning immaturity brings me to another area of disapproval: she is seventeen and marries a thirty five year old! The age difference was offsetting enough, but when combined with Horatia’s behavior, put a damper reading the book for the romance. This is too bad because I liked the Earl of Rule: a man who likes being on the sidelines but has a quick mind and is patient with those he loves. Otherwise I liked the book a lot. The portrayal of society was interesting: lots of mention of fashion, etiquette, etc. The plot was unbelievable, but in such a way that I enjoyed it: a kidnapping, noblemen acting as highwaymen for one particular chaise, etc. The behavior of the other characters besides Horatia caused me to laugh a lot. I was initially very put off by her brother due to his excessive gambling, but the hijinks he got into made me laugh a lot. How someone can be so feckless but loyal, witty but foolish and knowledgeable but not was amusing. Mr. Drelincourt was so ridiculous I groaned but then also laughed at his behavior. He gets into a duel because of damage to his wig! The amusement value and portrayal of society is enough to get the book a good rating. This book is a good read for those who like the Regency and/or a book with behavior so ridiculous it causes laughter.

What else to read:

Other books by Georgette Heyer.

The Private World of Georgette Heyer by Jane Aiken Hodge for more about the author.

Check out the entries for False Colours and The Maid of Fairbourne Hall for more suggestions.

A Crimson Warning

Alexander, Tasha. (2011). A Crimson Warning. New York, NY: Minotaur Books.

ISBN: 9780312661755

Pages: 324

Genre: mystery, historical fiction

Annotation: A villain is bringing disgrace and death to high society.

Summary: Lady Emily is horrified to find a man was burned to death while she and her husband were at a ball. Determined to find the truth Lady Emily and her husband, an agent of crown, investigate. They find the man’s home was vandalized with red paint before his death. Horror follows this revelation when other homes are painted red and terrible secrets are told. Kidnapping and murder soon follow. Unless Lady Emily and her husband can find the truth no one is safe: not even them.

Evaluation: excellent read

Summary: This is the only book my local library had for this series, so I decided to risk starting so late in the series. After reading this, I am going to get the other books and then reread this one. The characters are likable: the determined and compassionate Lady Emily, the loyal but also mysterious due to his job Mr. Hargreaves, the irreverent but loyal Duke of Bainbridge, etc. The storyline was very well put together: there are several possibilities of who the villain could be which kept me guessing. The path to the solution was an intriguing treasure hunt as clues were gathered and deciphered. Alexander paints a vivid picture of how double standards abounded in Victorian Society: between men and women, between social classes, etc. Lady Emily’s argument with her husband about whether ends justify means, especially in regards to potential actions of one of the characters, makes me wonder if it will be carried into the next book. An excellent read for fans of the Victorian Era, strong heroines (Lady Emily is very unconventional) and wife-husband detective duos.

What else to read:  

Other books by Tasha Alexander.

Robin Paige’s A Victorian Mystery series for another Victorian Era female and male detective team.

Deanna Raybourn’s Lady Julia series features a Victorian era lady and detective who keep running into each other during mysteries.

For those who would like to see more husband and wife teams, regardless of era, the Wakefield Public Library has a list of them from different eras. I have not read any of the books on this list, but I have watched The Thin Man and thought the husband-wife team was effective and hilarious.

Sunshine

McKinley, Robin. (2010). Sunshine. New York, NY: Berkley Books.

ISBN: 978-0142411100

Pages: 405

Genre: supernatural

Annotation: Sunshine must ally with a vampire for their mutual survival.

Summary: All Sunshine wanted when she drove out to the lake was a break from her routine. She did not want to be kidnapped by vampires in order to be another vampire’s meal. She did not want to think about her past, or make an alliance with the vampire she was imprisoned with. That is what she has to do, and overcome hundreds of years of hatred while doing it, or both of them will die.

Evaluation: very good read

The characters feel very real. Sunshine feels human. Her fears, doubts and determination made me emphasize with her. Constantine comes across as very, to use of a term from the book, other. He is not a super-powered human, but something from another branch of existence entirely. I appreciated that he is not portrayed as attractive. Sunshine, for instance, compares his skin to mushrooms. There are some sparks between them later, but that comes from circumstances and not him being handsome. The villain Beauregard is a vampire as well, but he feels very evil in a way Stoker could appreciate. Sunshine’s feelings of being unclean around him were gut-wrenchingly plausible to me.  The other characters, with their own secrets, are worth getting to know. The storyline was interesting. Sunshine has to figure out who trust while working against hundreds of years of well-earned hatred towards vampires and figuring out her own past. What keeps me from giving this book an excellent rating is that I think why Constantine is more than the typical evil vampire should have been explained more. He alludes to having made different choices than Beauregard, and I would have liked to have read more about that. We see differences in his actions, of course, but more about why and how those choices have made him strong would have been interesting. The pacing of the story is well done: I did not feel rushed or impatient. Sunshine provides a good view onto how her society works and its feelings on the Others. Her explanation of sense differences, like vampires only appearing to see but it being different from human sight, was very descriptive. This book is an excellent read for those who like vampires. It also works well for those who want to read a vampire book to see what the hype is about. It is also recommended for those who like strong heroines.

Additional note: To my mind, vampire books are various ends of extremes. On one end are books like Twilight which glorify vampires. On the other end are books like Stoker’s Dracula which portray vampires as evil. In between are books like the Sookie Stackhouse series and this book. Sookie is more Twilightish in my opinion because she thinks well of vampires before she meets Bill. Sunshine is more like Dracula in that humans are unofficially at war with vampires for good reason. Constantine is an exception which maybe could change things if more vampires were like him.

What else to read:

Other books by Robin McKinley.

Those Who Hunt the Night (James Asher series) by Barbara Hambly also does not focus on vampire romance but ethics.  

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris is another good choice for those beginning in the supernatural genre.

Carpe Jugulum (Discworld series book 23) by Terry Pratchett for those who, whether they like vampires or do not, want a more satirical look at them. Has strong heroines.

A Tale Out of Luck

Nelson, Willie and Mike Blakely. (2008). A Tale Out of Luck. New York, NY: Center Street.  

Pages: 250

ISBN: 9781599957326

Genre: Western, mystery

Annotation: Retired Ranger Tomlinson’s future is endangered by his past.

Summary: Captain Tomlinson has reason to be happy: two adopted sons and a prosperous ranch. Then his sons, through inattention, let a newly acquired and expensive horse get stolen. He decides to let them run off to find it: it’s better than facing his temper at the moment. Things get even more complicated when a man is found scalped and dead. Tomlinson is not disturbed to see a clue pointing to an enemy from his past. Some people say the Native Americans killed the man, but a hotshot Texas State Policeman thinks he did it. Between the Native Americans, and other complications including the State Policeman, Tomlinson’s going to need all the help he can get to keep all dear to him safe.

Evaluation: Good read

The characters are fun to spend some time with. Tomlinson cares about the people in his life and tries to right by them. His oldest son, Jay Blue, is a bit single-minded, but still a nice guy. Tomlinson’s adopted son, Izquierdo Rodriguez or Skeeter, makes the reader snort in amusement at times and think at other times. The female characters are practical without being cold and are not shrinking violets. The Native American character, The Wolf, felt more real than a stereotypical Native American. The storyline is engaging because I did not catch who the villain was. When he was revealed it made sense, but I had thought of his actions came from other motives.  The story was paced well for the most part. One thing that threw me, though, was that one of the characters seemed leading towards a certain course of action but then changed their mind too quickly. (I know that sounds vague but I don’t want to spoil the book!). An explanation for why was given, but it seemed rushed. If the character had changed their mind slowly, or had some more doubt first, it would have been more believable. I had mixed feelings about the ending. A relationship between two characters that was revealed seemed a little too much a ‘feel-good’ development. Also, the last two sentences confused me a bit in how to take them. Besides those issues I liked the storyline. I also liked the atmosphere. The different types of characters and points of view used gives the reader a look into the different types of people who could have lived in the West: women, men, white, Native American, African American, etc. Interactions as well as descriptions of the landscape and horse ranching put the reader in the feel of the West. I would have liked to have seen some more English slang, but maybe it did not stick out as much because only Spanish words were in italics. The use of Spanish words and phrases in the book added to the atmosphere, but I could see where it might detract a bit. I know some Spanish, but a reader who does not might have been thrown having to look for the translation in the next sentence or understanding by reading the context.  This book is a good read for those wanting a fast paced and/or feel-good Western.

What else to read:

Other books by Willie Nelson and Mike Blakely.

Shane by Jake Schaefer is a fast paced and feel-good Western.

True Grit by Charles Portis is also a fast paced Western.

The Rosetta Key

Dietrich, William. (2008). The Rosetta Key. (Ethan Gage series). New York, NY: HarperCollins.

ISBN: 9780061239557

Pages: 352

Genre: historical fiction

Annotation: Ethan Gage searches for lost treasure and a lost love.

Summary: After the events of Napoleon’s Pyramids Ethan Gage doesn’t know what he wants more: to pursue a treasure and love he lost or to forget them both. The choice gets taken from him when he is given the “choice” of pursuing them while getting political information for the English. His search is not easy: searching for information in the Holy Land during the chaos of Napoleon’s invasion is not the safest occupation. The information he finds catapults him into a quest which will take all his ingenuity to survive let alone regain what he has lost.

Evaluation: excellent read

Ethan Gage is a scoundrel, but a likeable one. He pursues his own ends, but gives respect where it is earned. He also tries to do right by people…as long as it fits in with his quest of course. The villain, Count Silano, is one that can seem perfectly reasonable right when he is trying to pull the wool over one’s eyes, kill them or both. The character of Astiza is intriguing: pulled by destiny without seeming like a crackpot and making the reader wonder with Gage where her loyalty lies. The other characters are likable, intriguing or both. The storyline is paced well: slow enough for the reader to get immersed in the world of 1799 Holy Land without slowing down too much on the action and adventure. The chain of events keeps the reader interested and the clues are not so many, or obtuse, that the reader feels overwhelmed. The atmosphere is excellent: the chaos, beauty and history of the Holy Land come across quite clearly. The attitudes of the English and French are shown through the attitudes of Napoleon, the English commander Sir Sydney and others. This book is an excellent read for those who want to a treasure hunting story, to learn more about the Holy Land during Napoleon’s invasion or just want an adventure to slip into.

What else to read:

Other books by William Dietrich especially Napoleon’s Pyramids.

Napoleon in the Holy Land by Nathan Schur for history.

Bonaparte in Egypt by J. Christopher Herold for history.

The Last Cavalier: Being the Adventures of Count Sainte-Hermine in the Age of Napoleon (The Sainte-Hermine series book 3) by Alexandre Dumas, translated by Lauren Yoder, for adventure in the time of Napoleon.  

The Falling Machine

Mayer, Andrew P. (2011). The Society of Steam Book one: The Falling Machine. Amherst, NY: Pyr.

ISBN: 9781616143756

Pages: 285

Genre: steampunk

Annotation: After her mentor is murdered Sarah searches for the truth.

Summary: Sarah Stanton went to the Brooklyn Bridge with her mentor to see a marvel being built. She leaves shocked by her mentor’s murder and awareness of a danger threatening New York and the world. Things get worse when she finds there is a traitor in the superhero group protecting the city. Now she must find out the truth or all will be lost.

Evaluation: good read

Sarah’s backstory shows her to be a determined heroine the reader roots for. Her father, the superhero known as the Industrialist, is interesting because he is grey: he wants to protect the world but some of his actions are questionable at best. The other characters are intriguing. Sleuth, for example, is a Sherlock Holmes like hero who is charming and intelligent. A nitpick I have is that more should have been done with the character of Tom. He is an automaton who embodies progress because he is so advanced, but also causes mistrust because he is a machine and not human. We see his actions, and they show his character, but I would have liked to see more of his thoughts. Just seeing his actions makes his character feel flat to me. How is he reacting to the events of the book? The reader clearly sees this is a steampunk world through the descriptions of machines. The workings of society are shown through the chapters in Sarah’s point of view. The storyline gets readers thinking about what being human is, can machines/progress be trusted and how we can be oblivious to what we need to see. The chain of events is believable and the point of view switches are handled skillfully. The book leaves plenty of questions to be answered in the next books. This is a good read for those who like over the top superheroes and villains and/or steampunk.

What else to read:

The next book in the series.

The Bookman (The Bookman Histories series) by Lavie Tidhar for steampunk and a good villain.

The Iron Duke (Iron Seas series) by Meljean Brook for steampunk, strong heroine and romance.

Phoenix Rising (Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series) by Phillipa Ballentine for steampunk and a strong heroine.

Soulless

Carriger, Gail. (2009) Soulless. (Parasol Protectorate series). New York, NY: Orbit.

ISBN: 9780316056632

Pages: 373

Genre: steampunk, fantasy, romance, alternate history

Annotation: Alexia Tarabotti’s life is complicated by a plot against supernaturals.

Summary: Alexia Tarabotti goes to a ball for food, fun and maybe conversation. Instead, she has to kill a vampire who wants her for dinner. This leads to encounters with a handsome, and frustrating, werewolf investigator and being targeted by a plot against London’s supernatural citizens. Alexia has a gift which can save her if the fact she has it doesn’t get her killed.

Evaluation excellent read

The details about fashion, science and society made me think I was in an alternate steampunk and supernaturally influenced London. The characters are a lot of fun. Alexia is calm with a determined attitude that has the reader rooting for her. Lord Maccon is blunt but also caring and determined to protect London and Alexia. The minor characters are engaging as well: Lord Akeldama is amusing, Professor Lyall is urbanely capable and Alexia’s mother channels Mrs. Bennett. The storyline flows at a quick pace while also allowing for relationship development between Alexia and Lord Maccon. Some aspects of their relationship got a little too detailed for me, but that is just personal preference. The plot against the supernaturals ends smoothly while also leaving room for continuation. (What does the octopus mean?) This book is an excellent read for romance, supernatural, steampunk, alternate history and strong heroine fans. What else to read:

Other books by Gail Carriger.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen because the romance, and Alexia’s mother, reminded me of it.

The Iron Duke (Iron Seas series) by Meljean Brook for steampunk, strong heroine and romance.

Phoenix Rising (Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series) by Phillipa Ballentine for steampunk and a strong heroine.

Appaloosa

 Parker, Robert B. (2005). Appaloosa. New York, NY: G.P. Putnam's Sons.

ISBN: 978-0425204320

Pages: 276

Annotation: Two lawmen must save a town from a corrupt rancher.

Summary: Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch are asked by the aldermen of Appaloosa to save their city from a corrupt rancher who has taken control of it. Cole is matchless as a gunman and Hitch is no beginner either. Through strategy and planning they manage to get the man on trial, but this only the beginning of their battle with him.

Evaluation: fair read

The characters in this story were interesting, but with the exception of the narrator Hitch, I could not connect with them. Cole, the main lawman, behaves irresponsibly. The female character, Alice, is someone who I found myself wondering why he had a relationship with her. The author provides an explanation which could seem plausible to other readers but seemed too unbelievable to me. Hitch was the one character I felt a connection with: not as irresponsible as Cole, loyal and I could understand his feelings and reactions to situations. The storyline was interesting because I wanted to find out how the relationships ended up and the fate of Appaloosa. Unfortunately, I was unhappy with the ending. Hitch’s final thought, and how the conflict with the rancher was resolved, was a letdown to me. I could see the point the author was trying to make but it seemed almost anticlimactic how things were finally resolved. The author does a good job of making me feel like I am in the ‘old West’, but would have been better with more details. This was a fair read to me, but fans of the genre may have a better reading experience.

What else to read:

Other books by Robert B. Parker.

Hondo by Louis L'Amour.

The Complete Western Stories of Elmore Leonard by Elmore Leonard.

The Day the Cowboys Quitby Elmer Kelton.

True Grit

Portis, Charles. (2010). True Grit. New York, NY : Overlook Press.

ISBN: 978-1590204597

Pages: 335

Genre: western

Annotation: Mattie Ross tries to avenge her father’s murder.

Summary: Mattie Ross wants justice when her father is murdered in cold blood. Against their wishes, she joins a Federal Marshal and Texas Ranger in seeking the murderer. They find he has joined a gang of robbers and seek to bring him, and the gang, to justice.

Evaluation: very good read

The characters are not as nuanced as I would have liked. Mattie runs into several situations where some self-doubt would have made her feel more believable, but she does not feel it. The federal marshal, Rooster, shows some ambivalence about his past but I would have liked to see more about what makes him tick. Besides that, this book was very good. The characters are engaging: the determined Mattie, the world-wise Rooster and the quick-tempered LaBouef. Portis portrays the West through Mattie in a way that feels authentic. Events, such as a hanging, are discussed bluntly and in an understated way that makes them feel every day, and real, versus romantic. Slang terms are scattered throughout the book giving an authentic vibe to how the story is recounted. How the murderer is trailed does not feel unbelievable. The writing style is concise and the plot fast paced: both features keep the reader’s attention. This is a good read for those like Westerns, strong heroines and adventure.

What else to read and watch:

Other books by Charles Portis.

The book was made into films of the same name in 1969 and 2010.

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium series book 1) by Stieg Larsson, translated by Reg Keeland, for a strong heroine wise beyond her years.

The Ox-Bow Incident by Walter Van Tilburg Clark for a Western involving justice.

Dead until Dark

Harris, Charlaine. (2001). Dead Until Dark. New York, NY: Ace Books.

ISBN: 9780441008537

Pages: 292

Annotation: Sookie Stackhouse’s vampire boyfriend is suspected of murder.

Summary: Sookie Stackhouse can read minds and this has kept her from having a love life. She wants someone she can’t read. Then she meets Bill Compton: the first vampire to come to Bon Temps. She can’t read him, he is handsome and he likes her too. Happily ever after is disrupted by her co-workers being murdered. It doesn’t help that meeting Bill gets her introduced to other vampires who exemplify the not so pleasant aspects of vampire society. If Sookie can’t figure out how to navigate both she’ll be out one boyfriend and perhaps also her life.

Genre: mystery, supernatural, romance

Evaluation: very good read

Some places got to steamy or violent for me, so I wouldn’t give it an excellent rating. I tend to like less of those aspects the better, so another reader might keep from giving this book an excellent rating because there isn’t enough of them. That aside, I enjoyed this book. Sookie is a relatable character: she wants, like so many of us, someone who understands. She cares about her family, her job and the people she interacts with. Her determination to be fair, especially to someone different like her, endears her to the reader and to Bill. I liked how Harris portrayed vampire society. Getting involved with it solves some human problems, like having to worry about unsavory humans bothering you at work, but then there are vampire problems such as unsavory vampires wanting your allegiance or wanting you dead. I haven’t lived in the South, but her portrayal of that also interested me: the locale, the details of society such as the descendants of the glorious dead, etc.  The mystery was gripping: I could feel the danger and tried to figure out who was after Sookie. The person behind the murders is plausible, so the identity does not feel unrealistic.  This book is a very good read for fans of vampires and maybe those who want to take a journey into vampire book territory.

What else to read and watch:

Other books by Charlaine Harris.

The HBO series True Blood is based off this series.

Moon Called (Mercy Thompson series) by Patricia Briggs for a heroine with a supernatural ability coming into contact with the supernatural.

Halfway to the Grave (Night Huntress series) by Jeaniene Frost for a heroine with a supernatural ability coming into contact with the supernatural.

Undead and Unwed (Undead series) by MaryJanice Davidson for a heroine who becomes involved with vampire society.

One for the Money

Evanovich, Janet. (2006). One for the Money. (1^st in Stephanie Plum series.) New York, NY: St. Martin’s Press.  

ISBN: 978-0312362089  

Pages: 338  

Genre: mystery

Annotation: Stephanie Plum needs money, so she becomes a bounty hunter.

Summary: Stephanie Plum got laid off from her job six months ago and her bank account reflects it. Desperate, she takes a job collecting court date skippers for her cousin’s bail agency. She soon learns she knows nothing about the tricks of the trade, so she turns to help from an experienced bounty hunter. She needs the knowledge fast because a $10,000 bounty is on the books and she needs that money. As she struggles to apply the tricks of the trade, among them staying alive when dealing with a psychotic boxer with women issues, she learns the man she is hunting may be innocent. Her determination to bring him in, and find the truth, puts her life in danger. She will find herself with a final exam of sorts where the only passing grade is surviving.

Evaluation: excellent read

The main character, Stephanie Plum, is believable and hilarious. Her narrative voice effectively shows the reader what is going on from her point of view. Her reactions to the situations she faces are not too scared or too brave. The other characters are human: evil, helpful, desperate and nosy. The storyline is excellent as well. The problems Stephanie runs into are plausible considering the high end case she takes. The mistakes she makes are believable ones for a novice: the reader can imagine themselves doing the same things. The reader also can be lulled into thinking they have a clear idea of who is behind everything, but then learn otherwise. Some of her run-ins with her bounty, Morelli, might seem too coincidental but they are necessary for the story to move forward. The mystery is revealed and solved at a believable speed. The details of people and location are told in an offhand way which makes the reader feel they are in New Jersey. This is an excellent read for people who want a plucky heroine and/or to learn about bounty hunting.

What else to read or watch:

Other books by Janet Evanovich. 
This book has been made into a movie. 

AE has a TV series about bounty hunting called Dog the Bounty Hunter.

A Woman Called Sage : A Novel by DiAnn Mills for a female bounty hunter.

A is for Alibi (Kinsey Millhone series) by Sue Grafton for a strong heroine.

The Spellman Files (The Spellman series) by Lisa Lutz for a strong heroine.

Warlord

Bell, Ted. (2010). Warlord (6^th in the Alexander Hawke series). New York, NY: William Morrow.

ISBN: 978-0062002242

Pages: 532  

Genre: suspense/thriller

Annotation: Alex Hawke confronts a terrorist plot which could destabilize Britain.

Summary: With the death of the woman he loved Alex Hawke longs for death. He is shocked out of this by a call from his friend Prince Charles. His Royal Highness’s instincts are telling him that the latest threat to his family is a true danger to their safety. As Alex searches for the truth he finds a villain whose hatred goes beyond the Royal Family. This villain is behind an Islamic terrorist group which has been making attacks on the United States and taking over Pakistan. Now Alex must find a way stop this group and its leader before the Royal Family is killed.

Evaluation: Good read

The characters keep the reader’s interest and feel real. Hawke is well named: like a hawk he lives for war and being on the knife edge between life and death. The dynamic between Hawke and his friend retired Inspector Congreve was hilarious. The villain is filled with a revenge the reader could understand while being horrified at his actions. The one character that left me unhappy was the main female character Sahira Karim. On the one hand, she is very intelligent and provides vital assistance at one point in the story. On the other hand, her part in the story seemed mostly w sensationalistic: she meets Alex, they have sex, she disappears for part of the story and then they go on a mission where they have sex again and then we don’t see her again. On the plus side, the author does a good job of tying several storylines together. When the storylines were connected together it showed how dangerous the villain was. I did wonder how the villain could have kept his actions, and feelings, hidden from British intelligence. It was easy for me to predict who he was. My interest was kept, though, because I wanted to find out how this person turned out the way he did. Still, I think it might have been better if there was some doubt as to who he was: when his true name was revealed it felt anticlimactic. In my opinion, the pacing would have been stronger if the descriptions of attacks carried out by the terrorist group and the villain were left out. These events showed Smith and the terrorists are evil, but to me that could have also been accomplished by just mentioning the events. Going into them in depth, showing how they happened, etc. distracted from the major point of the story which was finding Smith and stopping his overall plan. Otherwise I liked the story. As someone who has never fought in war, and is not attracted to fighting, I do not know much about it. Bell’s portrayal of the characters and descriptions of aspects such as logistics, weapons, etc. gave me insight. I do not know the plausibility of the details of how the terrorist group recruited members and planned attacks, but somehow they felt plausible. If so it is chilling. This is a good read for fans of warfare/spy thrillers and/or people who want a look into the world of terrorism.

What else to read:

Other books by Ted Bell.

Blood And Rage: A Cultural History Of Terrorism by Michael Burleigh for learning more about terrorism.

The Infernal Machine: A History of Terrorism by Matthew Carr for another perspective on terrorism.

The Midnight House (John Wells series) by Alex Berenson for another terrorist suspense novel.

The Kill Artist (number one in the Gabriel Allon series) by Daniel Silva for another ex-intelligence agent fighting against terrorism.

The Manual of Detection

Berry, Jedediah. (2009). The Manual of Detection. New York, NY: Penguin.

Pages: 278

ISBN: 978-1594202117

Genre: mystery, fantasy, science fiction, steampunk

Annotation: A clerk is unhappily promoted to detective.  

Summary: Clerk Charles Unwin is a master of detail and routine. Then his life is disrupted when the greatest detective his city has goes missing. This gets him promoted to detective, but Unwin sees this as a mistake to rectify. Then he finds his boss’s boss murdered and realizes he has to take on the mantle of detective at least long enough to be able to get his own job back. This sends him on a surreal journey where who can be trusted is unclear, facts are uncertain and what the future holds is up for grabs. As he uses his knowledge of reports, the people he encounters and The Manual of Detection hints he finds truth of the past is not what he thought. Unwin’s search brings him into contact with a foe that would control the dreams of the whole city. Unwin must go from a clerk who records details to a detective who makes them if he has chance of saving the city, the detective and himself.

Evaluation: Good read

Unwin is an engaging character. The reader is drawn into his obsessed with detail view of the world. It is a trait which hinders him by making his world view narrow, but helps him to see what he needs to when applied correctly. The other characters are intriguing as the details of whom and what they are is slowly revealed. The storyline is good, but two parts keep it from being excellent. Unwin’s movement from clue to clue seemed too lucky. Also, the Agency’s purpose, the changing nature of the characters and some of the events of the book are a bit too surreal at times. The surreal vibe of the story was conveyed very well. Descriptions of the agency, the unnamed city, the carnival and the dream areas made the reader feel surreal and very aware this was another world. A good read for those wanting something out of the ordinary.

What other out of the ordinary books to read:

City of Glass by Paul Auster also involves a mystery and a reluctant hero.

The Dream of Perpetual Motion by Dexter Palmer is another surreal steampunk novel.

The Infernal Desire Machines of Doctor Hoffman by Angela Carter is a surreal fantasy where the nature of reality is challenged.

The Prophecy Machine (Investments #1) by Neal Barrett Jr. is a fantasy in which societal order is challenged.  

The Star of India

Bugge, Carole. (1998). The Star of India: A Novel of Sherlock Holmes. New York, NY: St. Martin’s Press.  

ISBN: 978-0312180348

Pages: 256

Genre: mystery

Annotation: A case to locate a missing jewel becomes much more.  

Summary: Holmes and Watson’s peace is disrupted when they are approached to recover a stolen jewel. If the Star India is not found the already rocky relationship with India will suffer. Holmes learns the jewel was stolen by none other than Professor Moriarty. As Holmes plays a demented game of chess with Moriarty in the streets of London he learns the jewel is only one part of the professor’s plan to pit England and India against each other. Holmes must overcome the plans of his most evil and intelligent foe.

Evaluation: good read

Bugge’s portrayal of Holmes and others is excellent. Holmes feels determination for justice, and compassion, but is uncomfortable with those feelings. This dynamic makes Holmes seem all the more brilliant because he is shown to be human. Watson is shown to be not as intelligent as Holmes, but with a determination to do the right thing which makes him a perfect best friend for the detective. The other characters of Lestrade, Moriarty, etc. are engaging and well done.  One complaint is that the role of one of the characters is too obvious. Otherwise the story is a good one: a brisk paced outing which evokes the feeling of a Doyle tale. A good read for fans of Holmes and Watson’s England.

What else to read or watch:

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes books:

Carole Bugge’s  The Haunting of Torre Abbey: A Novel of Sherlock Holmes and her tale in The Confidential Casebook of Sherlock Holmes edited by Marvin Kaye and Kathleen Brady.

Larry Millett's Sherlock Holmes books take place in the U.S., but his portrayal of Holmes is also a mixture of human and detective.

Basil Rathbone’s portrayal of Holmes in the radio plays and movies is excellent. He is brilliant a, but also quirky: sometimes irritable and sometimes saying things he later has to apologize to Watson for. Radio plays starring him as Holmes can be found at http://archive.org/details/HQSherlockRathboneTCS . Several of the films also can be found on archive.org. Thank goodness for that site and for public domain!

If you like these, or just want to see some other Holmes related books, there are several which I like for their characters, plots and (if applicable) humor:

Carole Nelson Douglas brings a strong heroine to Sherlock Holmes in the Irene Adler series.

Quinn Fawcett’s Mycroft Holmes series focuses on a secretary who works for Mycroft Holmes (Sherlock’s brother).

Michael Kurland’s Professor Moriarty series focuses on a couple who works for Moriarty with appearances by the Professor. Kurland’s Moriarty is not so much evil as diabolical.

Coming soon to this blog someday…

A book that might be an interesting tale about the Holmes tales is Graham Moore’s The Sherlockian. At some point, I will get through my to be read pile and provide some thoughts on this. I would be interested if anyone else has read this book yet and has any thoughts they’d like to share.

The Cat Who Came in from the Cold

Masson, Jeffrey Moussaieff. (2004). The Cat Who Came in from the Cold : A Fable. New York, NY: Ballantine Books.

ISBN: 978-0345478672

Pages: 107

Genre: historical fiction

Annotation: An explanation for why the first cat allowed domestication.

Summary: Billi observes humans from his favorite perch in the mango grove. Feeling a need to learn more about them he travels across India to speak with different domestic animals about their relationships with humans. His decision will change the relationship between humans and cats forever.

Evaluation: good read.

Billi, Hindi for ‘cat’, is the main character. The author shows an understanding of cats that rings true with this cat lover’s experience. Masson’s explanation for cat behaviors such as blinking, how they handle embarrassment, their opinions on being confined, etc. feel right. Billi’s thoughts on how to associate with humans on an equal level versus being a worker or toy at human beck and call did seem cat-like. On the other hand, Billi seems too human: he understands human languages and religion. Billi seeming too human also keeps me from giving the book an excellent rating, but otherwise the storyline is good. The interweaving of thoughts on Indian religions was interesting, but could be seen as detracting from the cat-human storyline. The pacing of the story felt excellent as Billi does not spontaneously end up with humans, but goes through a lot of thinking and some false starts. The descriptions of cat movement, other animals’ opinions of humans and Indian landscape/religions were engaging. A good read for cat lovers.

What else to read:

Masson’s The Nine Emotional Lives of Cats: A Journey into the Feline Heart.

James Herriot's Cat Stories by James Herriot and illustrated by Lesley Holmes shares a veterinarian’s stories about his interactions with cats and the humans in their lives.

Catalyst (Tales of the Barque Cats series) by Anne McCaffrey has cat protagonists working with humans to save both species from domination.

Lillian Jackson Braun’s Cat Who mystery series has a cat-human relationship where cats help their human to solve mysteries.

The Desert of Souls

Jones, Howard Andrew. (2011). The Desert of Souls. New York, NY: Thomas Dunne Books.

ISBN: 9780312646745

Pages: 309

Genre: fantasy, adventure

Annotation: A scholar and a guard captain fight to save Baghdad.

Summary: The smooth lives of a brilliant scholar, Dabir, and guard captain, Asim, are interrupted when a Greek spy steals two ancient artifacts. Tasked by the magistrate with retrieving the items they find the Greek spy has joined forces with an evil sorcerer. This duo plans to use the artifacts to gain possession of an object which could leave their city cursed forever. The scholar and the captain must save Bagdad while also confronting forbidden love.

Evaluation: very good read

 The characters are excellently portrayed. The members of the heroic duo are equals: each is loyal, brave and possessing their own strengths (Dabir’s knowledge and Asim’s fighting skills). The sorcerer, who is the main villain, has turned to evil but the reason why makes the reader feel empathy for him while still wanting his defeat. The storyline is pretty good: believable and interesting, but it seems like the heroic duo encounter too many setbacks. The flow of events keeps the story flowing smoothly and is not too fast or too slow. The story does an excellent job of evoking the feel of its Baghdad: the control of those in power, the appreciation for marvels and descriptions of locale believably recreate an Arabian Nights like world. This book is for those who want an Arabian Night like tale of adventure, magic and love of different types (romantic, friendship, family).

What else to read:

Other books by Howard Andrew Jones .

The Arabian Nights: Tales from a Thousand and One Nights, translated with a preface and notes by Richard F. Burton and introduction by A.S. Byatt, for Arabian Nights tales.

Arabian Nights and Days by Naguib Mahfouz , translated by Denys Johnson-Davies, takes off where the Arabian Nights tales left off.

Throne of the Crescent Moon (The Crescent Moon Kingdoms #1) by Saladin Ahmed for another Arabian Nights like world.

Lion of Babylon

Bunn, Davis. (2011). Lion of Babylon. Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House.

ISBN: 0764209051

Pages: 378

Genre: Christian, suspense/thriller

Annotation: Marc Royce goes to Iraq to rescue a missing friend.

Summary: Marc Royce left the intelligence world behind and has no plans to ever return. When he learns a friend has gone missing he goes back into that world, and to Iraq, to rescue him. His determination to save his friend and innocent lives brings him friends and enemies on various sides of the political and religious divides. As he searches for his friend, he learns his friend’s abduction, and that of others, is closely tied to Iraq’s future. As he and his allies go on the quest they also find a religious movement composed of Muslims and Christians who respect Jesus. If he and his allies succeed then the kidnapped will be free and there will be hope for political and religious peace. Unfortunately, he faces enemies who do not like the idea of an Iraq at peace and will do all they can to stop him.

Evaluation: very good read

The characters are excellently portrayed. Marc Royce’s determination to the right thing and his pain about his past capture the reader. Having characters from all sides (U.S., Iraqi, Iran, Christian and Muslim) shows that people are not good or evil based on group, but on the choices they make. Two characters, Walton and Duboe, are very realistic by being grey: mostly pragmatic but also giving credit and trust where it is due. The storyline works well for the most part. The reader cares if the abductees will be rescued and what is going to happen in Iraq’s future. The only caveats I had were that sometimes clues came too quickly or events flowed too smoothly. A note on the Christian element in the story: it is interwoven into the storyline, but is not, in my opinion anyways, overbearing. The conversations and feelings about faith center on peoples’ feelings about faith versus conversion to Christianity. The pacing is excellent for a suspense/thriller. Events happen fast enough to keep the reader’s attention but no so fast as to be implausible. The pragmatic and under the table aspect of government dealings came across very clearly. Iraq, and Iraqis, are portrayed respectfully: people with a rich past they feel is very connected to the present. A very good read for those who want a suspense/thriller, a look into Iraq and/or intelligence agencies.

What else to read:

Other books byDavis Bunn.

Vigilante by Robert Parrish for suspense/thriller.

The Snake Eaters: An Unlikely Band of Brothers and the Battle for the Soul of Iraq by Owen West for more about the war in Iraq.

Voices from Iraq: A People's History, 2003-2009 by Mark Kukis for different Iraqi perspectives on the war.

Understanding Iraq: The Whole Sweep of Iraqi History, from Genghis Khan's Mongols to the Ottoman Turks to the British Mandate to the American Occupation by William R. Polk for an overall view of Iraq’s history.

Spycraft: The Secret History of the CIA's Spytechs, from Communism to al-Qaeda by Robert Wallace, H. Keith Melton, Henry R. Schlesinger for more about the CIA.

False Colours

Heyer, Georgette. (2008 reprint). False Colours. Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks.

ISBN: 9781402210754          

Pages: 341

Genre: Regency Romance, historical fiction

Annotation: Christopher Fancot pretends to be his twin to avert scandal.

Summary: The Honorable Christopher Fancot has a strong bond with his twin brother Evelyn: each knows when something bad happens to the other. When he gets a feeling something bad has happened to Evelyn he rushes home. He finds his twin missing. His mother pressures him into pretending to be his brother at a dinner with a potential fiancée.  Things become even more complicated when ‘his’ potential fiancée and some other guests visit him at the Fancot country home at Ravenhurst. Christopher finds himself falling in love with his brother’s fiancée and she with him. Even if Evelyn turns up the problems have just begun.

Evaluation: good read

Heyer’s characters are excellent: they are witty and have flaws which cause more humor but also make them endearing. Christopher Fancot is worried for his twin, and smart enough to ‘be’ him, but also would cheerfully cause his twin bodily harm if Evelyn arrives. The fiancée in question, Cressy Stavely, has an intelligent mind which makes her witty. She also is self-aware enough to know she is annoyed with the young step-mother who is taking over her father’s house. Christopher and Evelyn’s mother, her long time suitor Sir Bonamy and the sharp-tongued Dowager Lady Stavely keep the reader laughing as they react to situations and each other. The storyline was luckwarm to me though. It strained my credibility that Christopher was getting away with impersonating his brother. Despite them being twins, the two brothers have drastically different personalities and habits and I could have seen Christopher having more close calls than he did. Also, it seems like we see more interaction between Christopher and his mother than him and Cressy. I had mixed feelings about the pacing of the story. It felt slow at times but then that also gave the reader the chance to really feel a part of Heyer’s Regency England. She does a great job showing Regency England: the slang in the characters’ dialog as well as the details about fashion and other areas of life made me feel like I was there. This is a good read for sweet Regency Romance or anyone interested in the time period.

Note: Georgette Heyer is known as the writer of Regency romance. Anyone interested in Regency romance or just that era should try reading her. She also makes a good match for people who like ‘sweet’ romances versus ‘spicy’. I think other books are better than this one, so I will read another one later.

What else to read:

Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte and other writers who lived and wrote in 1800s England.
Georgette Heyer's Regency World by Jennifer Kloester and Gerareme Tavendale for learning about the  places characters went, the food they ate, etc.
For other writers of sweet Regency, and some Georgian, romances the Good Ton website is a good place to go. (The website name, thenonesuch, comes from a title of a Heyer book.) The website is no longer adding books to its site, but has a database of titles and other interesting information.

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall is another good Regency Romance. I have an entry for this book on the blog. 

Pride and Prescience

Bebris, Carrie. (2004). Pride and prescience, or, a truth universally acknowledged: A Mr. & Mrs. Darcy Mystery. New York, NY: Forge.

ISBN: 9780765318435

Pages: 287

Genre: mystery

Annotation: The newly-wed Darcys encounter accidents and murder.

Summary: After their wedding, the Darcys want nothing more than to go home to Pemberley. Instead, they become caught up in the whirlwind wedding of acquaintance Caroline Bingley. After that they really want to go home, but instead remain with Caroline, her husband and an American professor due to accidents and murder.  The Darcys have to figure out what is going on or they may never get to Pemberley.

Evaluation: very good read

Overall, as a Pride and Prejudice fan I enjoyed this book. Elizabeth and Darcy felt mostly true to their portrayal in Pride and Prejudice. I had some idea who the villain(s) could be, but had fun questioning my conclusions to the end. Each event, even the small ones, got me thinking about how it tied into the whole mystery. The qualm that keeps me from giving the book a higher rating is the use of a supernatural element. Austen’s Northanger Abbey parodied Gothic novels which involve the supernatural, so having the supernatural fit into an Austen book does not quite feel right to me.  A more Jane Austen like path, to me, would be to have an element that appeared supernatural but actually has a logical explanation. Also, Elizabeth’s openness to believe in a supernatural cause seemed too fast.  Besides the supernatural element I liked this story. It was filled with small details which made the story feel ‘real’ such as the Darcys going to see a particular play because they needed its humor. This book is a good read for its plot and immersion into 19^th century London and specifically rejoining the world of Pride and Prejudice.

What else to read:

Other books by Carrie Bebris.

Stephanie Barron’s Jane Austen Mysteries series for more on Austen and the time period.

Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte and other writers who lived and wrote in 1800s England.

The writer's guide to everyday life in Regency and Victorian England by Kristine Hughes can provide more information about this era.

An elegant madness: high society in Regency England by Venetia Murray can also provide more information about this era.

The Arrows of the Queen

Lackey, Mercedes. (1987). Arrows of the Queen. (1^st volume of The Heralds of Valdemar). New York, NY: DAW Books.

ISBN: 9780886773786

Pages: 320

Genres: fantasy

Annotation: Talia searches for where she belongs and saves a kingdom.

Summary: Talia runs away from home in desperate search of a better life. She is surprised, and awed, to encounter the Companion Rolan. The Companions are horse-like beings which protect the kingdom of Valdemar with their human allies. Rolan chooses Talia to help protect Queen Selenay and her daughter Princess Elspeth. He brings Talia to the Collegium for training. Talia learns how the traits she has, personal and magical, make her the best hope to help the queen and train the spoiled Princess Elspeth.

Evaluation: good read

The book has one main character, Talia, and the others are peripheral players. Talia’s character development is feasible, but can feel a bit rushed. It would have been nicer to see more of the small “normal” moments that compromise growth, but there are some. Other than that, her reactions to events and overall character development is believable. The other characters, who the reader gets to know through occasional focuses on their points of view, are worth getting to know. Skif the mischievous, but loyal thief, and Jadus the harp master are two examples. The challenges Talia has to face are varied and the reader roots for her to overcome them. The atmosphere feels average. The reader knows they are in another world, but do not feel deeply immersed in it. The pacing feels too fast: at one point it seems like the book skips a couple of years. This ensures quick movement to the next significant challenge Talia faces, but it cuts out some of the small, normal moments that might be interesting to see. This is a good read for those who like strong heroines and horses.

What else to read:

Other books by Mercedes Lackey.

Green Rider by Kristen Britain also has a strong female hero and horses.

Black Horses for the King by Anne McCaffrey is technically young adult, but is a good match. The hero, like Talia, is unwanted by his family and finds his place helping his ruler. It is also a good story for those who like horses.

Poison Study by Maria Snyder features a strong heroine. 

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall

Klassen, Julie. (2012). The Maid of Fairbourne Hall. Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House.

ISBN: 9780764207099

Pages: 414

Genres: Christian, historical fiction, Regency romance 

Annotation: Margaret goes incognito as a servant at Fairbourne Hall. 

Summary: Margaret Macy decides to trade upper class life for life as a servant after learning her guardian wishes to steal her fortune by forcing her to marry. She learns to be a servant while keeping her identity secret from the other servants and her employers the Upchurches. Her relationship with Nathaniel Upchurch deepens into love. This love is challenged by misspoken words and a trap by her guardian.

Evaluation: excellent read.

Margaret’s reactions to her life and the changes in her character are believable. The thoughts and actions of the other characters are also plausible. The storyline is an interesting mix of everyday and dramatic events that holds the reader’s attention. The atmosphere feels well thought out due to plenty of details (such as reactions to chamber pots). Quotes from books about servant work during the 1800s create a feeling of authenticity about the details. The pace of the story is perfect for a reader who wants to immerse themselves in this world. All of these elements add up to a book that the reader will want to read in one sitting if possible. This book is an excellent read for those wanting to learn more about life in 1800s England and wanting a sweet romance.

What else to read?

Other books by Julie Klassen which also focus on this time period.  

The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer is a well-loved sweet romance taking during this time.

Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte and other writers who lived and wrote in 1800s England.

The writer's guide to everyday life in Regency and Victorian England by Kristine Hughes can provide more information about this era.

An elegant madness: high society in Regency England by Venetia Murray can also provide more information about this era.

In the Heart of the Canyon

Hyde, Elisabeth. (2009). In the Heart of the Canyon. New York, NY: Knopf Publishing Group.

ISBN: 9780307263674

Pages: 316

Genre: adventure

Annotation: A rafting trip changes the lives of a tour group.

Summary: JT is a river guide celebrating his milestone 125^th trip. Little does he know each person in this group has their own secrets which will affect the trip. One secret in particular has the power to lead to great change or tragedy.

Evaluation: very good read

The reader can tell Hyde is writing from experience: the details of rafting are crystal clear and feel authentic to the reader even before looking into her background. Rafting is fun, scary, stressful and relaxing depending on the moment. The characters are a diverse group which captures the reader’s attention: married, single, young, old, etc. With such a diverse group the reader is likely to find someone they identify with. Some characters are focused more on than others, but all characters are developed enough the reader can get into their point of view somewhat. Hyde gives commentary on social interaction without writing a paper on it: the differences in how people see themselves and how others see them are very interesting. The storylines keep the reader’s attention right to the end of the book. One storyline seemed over the top to me which keeps me from giving the book an excellent rating. This could be my own perspective, others felt it was not too unusual, which means the book could be excellent in another’s eyes. Regardless, this book is a very good read for adventure lovers, people coming to realize truths about themselves, rafting and the Grand Canyon.

What else to read:

Other books by Elisabeth Hyde.

Grand Ambition by Lisa Michaels for another book involving the Grand Canyon.

Grand Canyon: The Complete Guide by James Kaiser for learning about the Grand Canyon.

The Grand Canyon Reader by Lance Newman for more stories about the Grand Canyon.

Heart-Shaped Box

Hill, Joe. (2007). Heart-Shaped Box. New York, NY: William Morrow.

ISBN: 9780061147937

Pages: 376

Genre: horror

Annotation: Jude Coyne buys a ghost and becomes hunted by evil.

Summary: Jude Coyne has his assistant buy a suit with its attached ghost online. He does it as a practical joke, but finds the ghost is real. The ghost wants to make Jude and anyone connected to him suffer for reasons of its own. Jude and his girlfriend will have to find a way to stop the ghost or they will soon join him.

Evaluation: good read

King’s characters are multi-dimensional. I don’t like the things Jude or Marybeth have gotten into or choices they have made, but the idea that they did it out of pain at their pasts comes through loud and clear. It reminds the reader to not just judge people but wonder why they are as they are. His storyline carries the reader along: it did not feel slow and the horror stayed at a high pace until the end. The atmosphere felt believable: the idea that the supernatural is tied to evil human actions and that being into the supernatural due to pain came through clearly. A good read for horror especially ghosts.

What else to read (supernatural stories):
Other books by Joe Hill. 

Nightmare House by Douglas Clegg with a grandson battling the supernatural force in his grandmother’s house.

Adam’s Fall by Sean Desmond is a Harvard student versus the suicidal ghost of his roommate.

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson involves a ghost versus four people trying to study the supernatural.

The Mammoth Book of 20th Century Ghost Stories for a variety of tales featuring ghosts.

The Lost Symbol

Brown, Dan. (2009) The Lost Symbol. New York, NY: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group.

ISBN: 9780385504225

Pages: 509

Genre: suspense/thriller

Annotation: Robert Langdon must solve a Mason riddle or face death.

Summary: Robert Langdon is called to Washington to give a lecture by an old friend. Instead, he finds the old friend has been kidnapped and that Langdon must solve a Mason riddle to save him. Langdon does not have an easy choice: solve the riddle and uncover knowledge kept secret for a reason or face death at the hands of a chilling villain.

Evaluation: good read

I had mixed feelings about this book. In regards to characters there were hits and misses. Langdon’s determination to save lives and solve the riddle endears him to the reader. It is hard, though, for the reader to live the experience with him because he is too levelheaded at times. The kidnapper is portrayed very well: he is a malevolent character the reader wants to look away from but finds compelling. I felt the character of Trish, Katherine’s assistant, was as interesting as Katherine and that more could have been done with her character. The storyline is good because the steps leading to the end are interesting and I wanted to see the end result. On the other hand, there were a lot of elements in the story which made it bog down a bit. Noetic Science was one element I especially had mixed feelings on. It is fascinating but also seems a better fit for science fiction because it, to me, just seems to “out there”. The atmosphere of the story is mostly well done. Noetic Science seems too implausible, but the descriptions of history, buildings and etc. were interesting. This is a good read for those wanting to read about Masons, Washington DC and stories where past secrets intersect with the present.

What else to read:

Other books by Dan Brown.

The Templar Legacy by Steve Berry for a race to solve past secrets which could influence the present.

Secrets of the Symbols: The Unauthorized Guide to Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol by Dan Burstein and Arne de Keijzer for learning more about The Lost Symbol.

The Masonic Myth: Unlocking the Truth About the Symbols, the Secret Rites, and the History of Freemasonry by Jay Kinney for learning more about the Masons.