It's back to Vancouver Island (well, almost) with Jackie Elliott's third book, Hope Island. This tiny island is not too far from Coffin Cove. It was once a refuge for battered women. Now, many years after it was abandoned, human remains have been found. There is just one remaining resident of the island, a man (believed to be a draft dodger) who has lived there for years. Just when Andi thinks things might calm down, too! She is sent off to cover a shooting on the west coast of Vancouver Island only to run into her (estranged) father. His business card was found on the victim of the shooting. Lots of interesting twists here!

Tall Reader loaned me The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris, by Daisy Wood. Based on true events, it's about a small bookstore in Paris during the Occupation. At first things don't change too much. Then store owners are issued lists of what they can and cannot sell. Jacques builds a secret room in his store so as to continue to carry books the Nazi's have forbidden. At some point it becomes a room where those fleeing from Paris can hide until the necessary arrangements are made for them. As things get worse, he starts rescuing children. In fact, when he's seen with one toddler, several other parents (being rounded up to go who knows where) pass their children off to him too. This is well written but oh, so depressing! The counter to this is a modern day story of a woman with an interesting family history (and a painting that was always hanging in the house where she grew up) who feels at home in Paris and decides to stay and learn more about her family. Not a bad read!

Reading Hermit With Dog