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A history lesson in witch persecution in old Scotland as well as a look at the manipulation (emphasis on man) of fact and outright lies to commit the murder of countless women and keep others in line. I learned some simple truths in this interesting look at witch-hunts. First, fear is a powerful thing when used to herd a group into obedience. Second, who wouldn't admit to being a witch if you are being tortured and your family is next? Lastly, I found it fascinating that King James of Scotland wrote an entire book on demonology and persecuting witches the way that others would write about bird watching. The authors work hard to provide a legal, historical and societal viewpoint. The most frightening thing is that history could repeat itself. 4 stars 
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Let me start by saying that I am biased about Austin librarians so a big part of why I enjoyed this book is because of the who and where. A small Austin library branch becomes a murder scene when a patron dies during an event and it gets worse when the police question one of the librarians as a possible suspect. The librarians then band together to solve the crime on their own. This means that some of their own secrets may come to light in the process and there is a lot that isn't shared in the staff lounge. The connections they all have to the murder victim take a while in coming but you get there eventually. There is a lot about the behind the scenes at the library and perfect details about Austin that some readers will not care about but I enjoyed. Readers of THURSDAY MURDER CLUB , HOW CAN I HELP YOU and other mysteries involving everyday people with secrets will like this. 4 stars  The drama caused by the radio drama "The War of The Worlds" in the states took eleven years before unleashing the same panic in Ecuador. In 1949 violence and panic erupted as people thought they were being attacked by aliens and were in fear for their lives. For one young girl who lost both her parents and has now returned from years at boarding school those events continue to haunt her. For the boy she grew up with and loved the disaster lingers as well. Their families once friends are now enemies. The chapters alternate between two time lines covering friendship, jealousy, a love triangle and the broadcast that changed everything. Emotional and dramatic - a story of love, betrayal and women without a say in their lives that is cross-cultural and timeless. Based on a true story this is historical fiction that will resonate with women. 3 1/2 stars  As WWII rages overseas Virginia is left a widow. Her situation goes from bad to worse when she is the victim of date rape and left pregnant by her attacker. Since he comes from a powerful family in Washington there is no support only danger. She runs to Seattle changing her name so she can begin again and raise her baby in peace. Her apartment complex feels like a refuge but that changes when a murder occurs. With one eye looking over her shoulder she very much wants to help but it will put her in danger once again. Spies, amateur detectives, hitmen, secrets, complex wartime relationships and one tough woman on the run - there is more action going on in these pages than in most full mystery series. Fans of Ken Follett, Graham Moore and Kate Quinn will find much to enjoy here. 4 stars  Moving from hot ranchers to hot craftsmen and adding a local returning to her hometown and the ghosts who dwell there- Lyla Sage introduces a new romance series with the same spice and a few more shivers. Collins is coming home after a dip in her successful photography career some time pushing away her twin sister and parents. She finds a great deal helping Brady with his business in exchange for a room and board in his house. The roommate thing starts off slow but it is easy to see that they are as attracted to each other as much as the town's ghosts are attracted to Collins. Both are dealing with issues from their past but bond over their love of the area, its people and protecting it. Great writing and wit (which was the main reason I fell hard for this author in the first place), engaging characters and a sprinkle of the paranormal make this a double spice latte perfect for the season. 4 1/2 stars  Happy book birthday to GREAT DISASTERS by Grady Chambers In the early 2000's six young boys in Chicago are bound as brothers by a tight friendship. The narrator takes us on a journey to adulthood with all the scrapes, emotional bumps and relationship bruises along the way. Graham is the quiet observer and chronicles their mishaps which consist of a lot of drinking, partying and generally acting like teenage boys and young men usually do. He is infatuated with the golden boy Ryan and his relationship to his girlfriend Jana. Life is good until Ryan's and Jana's relationship seems forever severed. While Ryan enlists and goes off to the middle east war, the others seem to scatter across the country. Years later Graham still compares himself to the others by their career success, marriages, kids, roots and his lack of any of it. The writing is full of longing and introspection making it feel much like a memoir instead of a coming of age novel. 3 1/2 stars  A group of co workers at Oxford's Clarendon English Dictionary have run into a situation they have no clear definition for. Cryptic letters and postcards are being sent to the office hinting at knowledge of the disappearance of Martha's sister Charlie, who also worked there years before. Can this clever group of lexicographers and puzzle solvers solve the mystery of what Charlie was doing and what happened to her so Martha and her family can get resolution. I love a mystery where I have to work at the clues and unless you are a Shakespearian scholar, advanced lexicographer or work the advance NYT crosswords you will not pick up on every clue. This is smart mystery will delight puzzle solvers and language lovers everywhere and increase your vocabulary as an added bonus. 4 stars  I have always been fascinated by the past fascination in the Victorian era with the supernatural and mediums so I thought i knew what this book would be about but I was so wrong. For women who had no voice, no control of their lives and few ways to make a living - becoming a medium and helping others work through grief made sense. Speaking to someone in the beyond allowed them to convey messages that would be normally ignored. The author provides a well thought out look at famous mediums and their famous clients as well as a personal look at grief and talking with those we have lost. Perfect for historical spooky reading this season that won't keep you up at night. 3 1/2 stars  Horror can come from any source. Fear can cause people to act in ways they never would. Grief can disable someone more than disease. This all happens when Glen takes his teenage daughter on a bonding road trip. They make a pit stop at a diner to use the restrooms and are met with gun waving lunatics making crazy claims about flood water that isn't acting right. Tensions rise as fast as the water outside as they realize they are trapped. Glen and Lauren must break through their grief, rely on a tenuous father/daughter bond and work through their own fear of the water that took their wife/mom away. A horror story that is psychological and something like Stephen King would write with a very unusual twist. 3 1/2 stars  Bringing little known ancient history to light and adding characters and a storyline we can identify with is Ken Follett's superpower. What he did for the story of building the magnificent cathedral's of England he now does with the prehistoric history of Stonehenge. Once again power struggles and violence erupt, each faction chooses a side and violence and war begins. It will take a common man with skills and a priestess with vision to end a war and create something extraordinary. Not a quick read but if you enjoyed the PILLARS OF THE EARTH series you will find much to love here. 4 stars  |
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