I've read a fair number of books by Rhys Bowen, she has some wonderful series out! Above the Bay of Angels though, feels like a stand alone. Raised in a good family, and with a good education, Isabella has to find a job when her father dies (and then her mother). Given the era (Victorian England), that means service and she is working in a kitchen. One day, when she's out, she witnesses an accident. She goes to comfort the victim, who stuffs a letter into Isabella's hand. It's an introductory letter for a job at Buckingham Palace. It's too good to good a chance to ignore, so, posing as the person in the letter, she applies, and is hired. Just how will that work out?

Depressed with visiting folks (their own age) in nursing homes, Mrs. Entwhistle and her good friend Maxine decide to take a road trip ... one along the famous and fabled Route 66. They meet up with a bike gang, a rather inept (fortunately) kidnapper, and an abandoned kitten. Along the way they will make some good new friends, too. Mrs. Entwhistle Takes a Road Trip, by Doris Reidy was another great read in this series.

Reading Hermit With Dog