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.

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If you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes then I’m pretty sure you’ll enjoy this book. I did, but I am not a true, die-hard fan so do not want to deliver an ultimatum that could be incorrect! From Holmes to Sherlock: the Story of the Men and Women Who Created an Icon, by Mattias Bostrom, and translated from the Swedish by Michael Gallagher, takes you from early Arthur Conan Doyle and how he created Sherlock Holmes, through silent films, radio plays, talkies, stage shows, satires, parodies, animated versions up to the the more recent shows Elementary, and, Sherlock. A most interesting history of an enduring character.

The folks at DK put out amazing books and Engineers: From the Pyramids to the Pioneers of Space Travel (editor-in-chief is Adam Hart-Davis) is one of them. This is a great book to read little bits at a time as you read others. The entries are short, packed with information, and there are pictures are well!

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I’m doing a one book post today because I know this author! And yes, I am giving her special treatment! :-)

It took a while, but Book Two of The Ninth Circle, Icestorm, by Theresa Dahlheim, is finally out! It often seems that part two of something is dark and somewhat bleak, and that’s the case here, but it’s still a most compelling story and I found myself reading far into the night. Young sorcerers and sorceresses are discovering their powers. (Not everyone wants them to succeed). They each have a tutor or mentor and not all of them are very good at what they do (this is most frustrating, but remember this, it’s supposed to be that way)! Interesting characters (you won’t like all of them), and great descriptions of events (I don’t want to say too much here) such as a battle where most magic is not possible. The author has created a very interesting world! A word of warning here, there are disturbing things that happen. They do all fit in with the story, but I thought a ‘heads up’ was prudent. This has all the earmarks of a grand adventure!

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Decorating a Room of One’s Own: Conversations on Interior Design with Miss Havisham, Jane Eyre, Victor Frankenstein, Elizabeth Bennet, Ishmael, and Other Literary Notables, by Susan Harlan is a clever and witty discussion of rooms from well known literature. There are ‘asides’ and allusions to the book in question so it really helps to have read it, but if you have, you are in for a treat! (Love the comment that many of the mirrors in Count Dracula’s castle seem to be defective)!

The Truth About Animals: Stoned Sloths, Lovelorn Hippos, and Other Tales From the Wild Side of Wildlife, by Lucy Cooke combines history (accurate and otherwise), a bit of folklore, mythology … and more. It’s a great read about how our views of animals have changed, from what they eat to how they survive and so forth. My favorite chapter is about hippos … I had no idea they are related to whales! And sloths? How can anyone think they are a failure of nature when they’ve been around for eons?

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It’s back to the adult, more seasoned and experienced man in The Vanishing Man, by Charles Finch. This time there’s a missing painting (that shows up in a most unexpected place), a family secret (that might or might not involve William Shakespeare) and a mysterious new character who can find things when no one else can. I rather like him, he can just sort of blend into the background and go unseen. Once again Charles Lenox is up against ‘society’ and what is deemed proper behavior or manners. Good characters again, and a good mystery, too. This is part of the Charles Lenox Mystery series.

It’s the summer of 1924 and Britain is celebrating the Olympics. A young lawyer is found dead, having inhaled a deadly concoction of salt water. Why was he killed? And what are all the postcards (all blank, all the same picture) about? The Saltwater Murder is the seventh Posie Parker Mystery, by L.B. Hathaway.

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In the early days of film, women did everything from writing to filming to acting … and any necessary stunts. Then sound was added, men took over and women became too frail and stupid to participate. Stuntwomen: the Untold Hollywood Story by Mollie Gregory is the history of the long road back. The discrimination against women and minorities was appalling. Men wore wigs and dresses, or were ‘blacked’ if the role required it. If women were actually used in stunts, they might be in skimpy clothing offering no way to wear the padding and protection the men wore. When one women complained that the cars for the chase scenes were delivered with no seat belts, and no brakes, she was told not to return to the set. And lets not get into the difference in pay for the same stunt! A depressing and powerful read.

I had mixed feelings about Secret Stories of Extinct Disneyland: Memories of the Original Park, by Jim Korkis. On the one hand, I loved the topic, remember some of the early rides, and enjoyed the interviews with folks who had worked at the park ‘way back then.’ On the other hand, pictures would have been nice (I know, I know, there’s copyright concerns);-), and the text could have benefited from a more careful proof reading. I chuckled over that fact that at one time, there was an intimate apparel shop on Main Street! Manikins in the windows wore costumes from the 1800’s, with curtains behind them to keep children (and men, who would have been embarrassed) from glimpsing anything they shouldn’t.

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The seventh in the Ginger Gold Mystery series, by Lee Strauss, is Murder at St. George’s Church. The good reverend Oliver Hill is about to be married. Everything is proceeding nicely. Until the choirmaster is found dead, bludgeoned with a pipe from the organ. Once again Ginger and Basil work together to solve the mystery in this delightful series.

I suggest moving directly on to The Wedding of Ginger and Basil, it won’t take you long! Originally an ebook, I’m glad it’s available as an actual book now. It’s their wedding day, and naturally things do not go as planned (it’s a mystery series, after all). Told from the perspectives of those involved, this was just a fun read. It’s called a ‘companion novella best enjoyed after Book 7, and I agree, that is the perfect time to read it.

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