Here is historical fiction at it's best. Based on real people (the main character wrote the introduction) and real events, it was a powerful but often depressing read (humans can be just awful to each other). The Librarian of Auschwitz, by Antonio Iturbe, and translated by Lilit Zekulin Thwaites is an amazing story of people imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp and what they do to survive. There's even a tiny library, a huge risk since anyone caught with a book will be executed. It's worth the risk, and they go to great lengths to protect the books they have.

Recently County Reader suggested an author and series that is new to me! (Love when this happens)! The author is Patricia Moyes and it is her Henry Tibbett series. First in the series is Dead Men Don't Ski and that is where I started. The description on the back called it a 'civilized, mannerly sort of murder' which fits! Inspector Tibbett and his wife are on holiday and sadly (but of course), there is a murder. Turns out some of the guests have a rather dark past, which might offer motive, but how could someone die on a chair lift? A nice cozy. :-)

The Secret Life of Anna Blanc, by Jennifer Kincheloe was an ... interesting debut (and first in a series). I have mixed feelings here. Listed as a historical mystery there was actually very little history. (Set in Los Angeles in 1907). Main character could be spunky (she tries to elope at the beginning, to escape a domineering father) but then often uses a 'glimpse of her cleavage' to get what she wants. She can be smart (figures out one clue by figuring out it was someone who could write well pretending they couldn't) and stupid (goes into a brothel, undercover, on her own). And, one typo, which probably bothered me more than it might others: reigns instead of reins! One review on the back said it was part 'Perils of Pauline' which seems to fit. Lots of action, some nice period details, ending was good (did not see it coming).

Reading Hermit With Dog