The Thief

Cussler, Clive. (2012). The Thief. (Isaac Bell #5) New York, NY: G.P. Putnam’s Sons.

ISBN: 9780399158612

pages: 408

genre: suspense/thriller, historical fiction

annotation: Detective Bell becomes involved with a potentially world changing invention.

Summary: Isaac Bell is happy to be returning home to America after a successful case. He becomes embroiled in another one when he saves two fellow travelers from being kidnapped. His good deed causes the travelers to reveal they are two inventors who are close to perfecting aligning pictures with sound. Bell can see the importance of this to entertainment, but the kidnapping attempt makes him wonder if someone else has a more sinister use for “talking pictures”. He comes up against an intelligent foe who wants to use “talking pictures” to change the course of history.

Evaluation: very good read

I liked the ‘feel’ of the early 1900s I got from the book. We take long distance calling and movies for granted. With this book I felt what it could have been like to see both of those as innovations people saw the possibilities of and heatedly worked, and fought, to attain. For instance, the portrayal of Edison’s attempts to control the emerging movie industry brought home how ‘talking pictures’ were a to be fought over marvel. I wish the authors mentioned where they got their information from, so I take this as more speculative than factual. Still, it makes me curious about the history of movies, the transfer from telegraphs to phone for long distance calls, Edison and the early 1900s in general (the year most of the action is set in is not mentioned). The book also alludes to tensions leading up to the ‘Great War’ (WWI) which causes curiosity about that as well. I also liked the characters. Isaac Bell expects a lot from his employees, but he is also fair and has a strong sense of justice. The villain is a good villain: unusual, intelligent and crosses metaphorical swords well with Bell. What annoys me is that Bell wonders if some decisions he makes could be dangerous, but he makes them anyhow and the reader has to wait for the fallout. He has reasons why he makes them, but it still seemed like maybe alternatives should have been explored more. I did find the plot, and the book, enjoyable except for that. Otherwise, it is a good read for those interested in U.S. history 1910-1920 (or just the elements mentioned earlier) and suspense/thrillers.

What else to read:

Other books by Clive Cussler and Justin Scott.

Randall E. Stross The Wizard of Menlo Park for more about Thomas Edison.

Wheeler Winston Dixon and Gwendolyn Audrey’s A Short History of Film for more about films.

Time Life Books The End of Innocence for more about U.S. history 1910-1920.

Wickham's Diary

Grange, Amanda. (2011) Wickham’s Diary. Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks Landmark.

ISBN: 9781402251863

pages: 198

genre: historical fiction

annotation: Wickham’s story from childhood to Meryton.

Summary: Wickham has loving parents, a blessing in the patronage of his father’s boss Mr. Darcy and charm. Being the son of a servant isn’t enough: he wants the good life his friend Darcy has. Encouraged by his mother, he sets out to charm his way into marrying a heiress rather than gain money through unfair hard work. He records his experiences at Pemberley, Cambridge, London and Ramsgate as he tries to meet his goal. His efforts lead him towards the events seen in a certain book called Pride and Prejudice.

Evaluation: good read

This was an entertaining look at Wickham’s life. I could see why he felt Darcy cheated him without feeling sorry for him (as the book says he is a character Austen fans like to dislike). It was fascinating seeing more about this take on his character: his relationship with Darcy, how his mother molded him, more about Cambridge and the near elopement with Georgiana Darcy.  What keeps me from liking this book more is that it felt like it could have gone deeper. For instance, we see glimpses of his love for his mother and grief after she dies but more about his relationship with her would have added more to his character. There is also a brief time when Darcy helps him and it seems like Wickham might be on a different path, but when he decides otherwise. I would have liked to have seen more on why. (A benefit of the touching on things approach is that the book flows very quickly. This would make it a great choice to woo someone to read Pride and Prejudice and/or other works about it such as the author’s Mr. Darcy’s Diary.) More on the details of locales, society, etc. would have been intriguing. (Then again, knowing how Wickham is self-centered, this might not have been true to his character.) As it is, I rate this book a good read and have added Grange’s other Pride and Prejudice related titles to my reading list. This is a good read for Pride and Prejudice fans and especially for those who want to know more about Wickham’s character.

What else to read:

Other books by Amanda Grange that explore thoughts of Pride and Prejudice characters.

Sharon Lathan, who has a popular series of books continuing the Pride and Prejudice saga, focuses on Georgiana Darcy in Miss Darcy Falls in Love.

Anna Elliot’s Georgiana's Diary gives readers a story focused on Georgiana Darcy after Pride and Prejudice. As of 6/4, this book can be found for free on Amazon.

Other Pride and Prejudice related suggestions can be found in the post for Pride and Prescience.

The Sherlockian

Moore, Graham. (2010). The Sherlockian. New York, NY: Hachette Book Group.

ISBN: 9780446572590

Pages: 350

Genre: mystery, historical fiction

Annotation: An amateur detective searches a Doyle’s diary and a murderer.

Summary: Harold White goes to the convention of the Baker Street Irregulars in hopes of joining their elite ranks. He also wants to hear about a lost Doyle diary which has finally been found by Alex Cale, a prominent member of the Irregulars. He is shocked when Cale is found murdered, but his knowledge of Holmes lore shows him clues about what happened. Determined, he sets out to find the truth.  Meanwhile, in the past, Conan Doyle has a case of his own searching for the murderer of several women. Both amateur detectives will have to use everything they learned from Holmes, aid from others and their own intelligence to solve their mysteries.

Evaluation: good read

The plot was interesting: watching Harold go from clue to clue while trying to figure out who his enemy, or enemies, were was intriguing. Harold’s character had some engaging elements: he put his Holmes knowledge to good use and he panicked when I would have in his shoes.  The character of Sarah kept my attention: I wanted to find out which side she was on. I also liked seeing the Irregulars and figuring out why Doyle would resurrect Holmes. The dynamic between Doyle and Stoker made the story a good read as well. The portrayal of London in flux with conflict over women getting the vote (and their role in English society) and gas to electricity (with the corresponding end of a romantic age) was fascinating. What primarily leaves me unsatisfied is the resolution of both mysteries. When reading a mystery I want to feel like the world is better for the mystery being solved. The resolution of both mysteries left me wondering if such was the case for them. Another aspect of the book which bothered me, but I could look over by stretching belief, was Harold being a detective. First he spoils a crime scene by looking at it before the police were done with it. Then, he leaves not only the state, but also the country, after the police asked him not to. It seemed unrealistic that he would not have been arrested for one or both of those things. (He did get lectured for the crime scene search.) (One feature of the book that did not bother me, but might bother others, is that the two stories are told through alternating chapters.) This book is a good read for those interested in Doyle, England in the early 1900s or a look into Sherlock Holmes societies.

What else to read:

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes tales are worth reading (or re-reading as the case may be).

Daniel Stashower’s Teller of Tales  and Jon L. Lellenberg, Daniel Stashower, Charles Foley’s Arthur Conan Doyle: A Life in Letters for more about Doyle’s life.

Julian Barnes Arthur and George is another tale involving Doyle solving crime.  

The Sherlockian was loosely inspired by the murder of a prominent Holmes scholar in 2004. Moore recommends the December 13, 2004 New Yorker article “Mysterious Circumstances” by David Grann and Click here for a link to the New Yorker’s abstract for the article. He also recommends the May 19, 2004 New York Times article "The Curious Incident of the Boxes" by Sarah Lyall. 

This book could be similar to Jedidiah Berry's The Manual of Detection. (Click here for my entry on this book.) Both feature heroes who are not established detectives, but whose eye for detail and reading help them in solving mysteries. Both also have the foundations of what they believe in shaken in the pursuit of the truth. The Manual of Detection is more surreal, but I wonder what would happen if White and Unwin were to have a talk somehow... 

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.

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 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.

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. 

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.

Sarah's Key

Rosnay, Tatiana de. (2007). Sarah’s Key. New York, NY: St. Martin’s Press.  

ISBN: 9780312370831

Pages: 294

Genre: historical fiction

Annotation: World War II events change a present day journalist’s life.

Summary: Julia Jarmond is a French journalist given an unexpected assignment: research the deportation of French Jews during World War Two. She finds that many people do not want to remember this part of French history. Why her husband’s family is among them haunts her. Determined to find closure, she embarks on a journey which will put her at odds with her husband and change the course of her life.

Evaluation: very good read

The two main characters, Julia and Sarah, are very well done and capture the reader’s attention. De Rosnay is very good at bringing the reader into their point of view. One part that bugged me, however, was Julia’s determination to find Sarah, or a relative, and speak with them.  This bothered me because I think Julia should have thought about the impact this would have on who she spoke with. The storyline is excellently done. Sarah’s story shows the different stages of a hellish journey that grabs the reader’s emotions and horrifies the mind. The reader is with Sarah going through the inhumane conditions and heart wrenching loss. It is not possible to totally understand something like this unless one experiences it, but the writing style makes it a close second. The reader sees the different types of reactions: denial, collaboration and justification.  Julia’s storyline causes the reader to wonder what they would do in her shoes. This book is a very good read for those wanting to learn more about Jews during World War II, French history or family secrets impacting the present, or brave heroines faced with difficult situations. 

What else to read:

Other books by Tatiana de Rosnay.

Murder in the Marais by Cara Black for another book in which events from World War II in Paris tie into the present.

Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum for World War II secrets changing the lives of the next generation.

The Kommandant’s Girl by Pam Jenoff for a Jewish heroine during World War II.

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank for learning more about the lives of Jews during World War II.