It’s back to the Isle of Man for Aunt Bessie Observes, by Diana Xarissa. This time Aunt Bessie does not actually find the body, but she’s there when someone else does. The Markham Sisters are visiting (they are featured in their own series by this author) and one of them thinks she recognizes the dead man. This gets things going as there may be ties to a charity event they worked on at home, and there is one scheduled to start in just a few days here. The Sisters and Aunt Bessie jump in to help, not only with the investigation, but with the charity auction as well. Aunt Bessie Observes is the fifteenth Isle of Man Cozy Mystery.

The title first caught my eye: The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. I had heard (and read) about Roosevelt’s Kentucky Pack Horse Library Project (see April 12, 2014 post). I had not, however, heard of what next caught my eye … there were people in Kentucky with blue skin. Author Kim Michele Richardson did a fascinating job of weaving together the power and desire of people to learn and read with the overwhelming poverty of the era (1930’s), and the appalling and frightening treatment of those who were different. (Not to mention the horrible working conditions for the miners). Compelling, overwhelming in parts, quite an amazing read. One of the best characters is the mule.

Reading Hermit With Dog