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Revolving around the child of the main character in THE HISTORIAN but easily read as a standalone, MYSTERY PLAY is the same eerie mix of classic literature, old world horror and academic mystery. A potential monster or celebrated playwright/classic stage actor is resurrected Jay finds an ancient book in his mother's things and asks the advice of his mom's oldest friend. The mystery behind this text leads Jay down a rabbit hole of murders, shadowy people and danger to himself and anyone associated with the text. One side of the story is told from Jay's journal while the other is told through the journal and letters of an aspiring actress and her infatuation with a mesmerizing playwright in the late 1800's. The second half of the book takes us further back to ancient plays, secret societies and the immortal evil of Count Vlad Tepes (otherwise known as Count Dracula) and others like him. The mood is dark and shadowy, the writing is as if the classic Bram Stoker novel never ended and the presentation of letters, journal entries and research makes the reader feel part of the investigation. The perfect sequel to THE HISTORIAN and one that will delight those readers who have recommended and placed it in so many reader's hands. 4 1/2 stars 
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Jeffrey Archer's final book is a nice bit of icing on a many layered career cake. Bridging the years between the end of WWI and the start of WWII this is a story of two people born on opposite sides of the social tracks but through the careful ministrations of a meddling Dowager Countess, the Earl's daughter is schooled with the estate shepherd's son. They grow up to fall for each other but now as war looms Adam is off to the front and Evelina stays back to run her father's estate. Forces that pull them together are just as able to pull them apart and while I won't say there is a fairytale ending , it feels like we have been down this road before. The book starts off like "Downton Abbey" and ends pulling your heartstrings like THE NIGHTINGALE or EVERYONE BRAVE IS FORGIVEN. A Satisfying historical fiction romp. 4 stars  Miss Marple along with her good friend Mrs. Bantry and her companion take a restorative vacation in the Swiss Alps. When a body is found in the gondola Miss Marple quietly begins yet another investigation. What feels like a clever game of Clue in the winter wonderland quickly turns diabolical as a blizzard and train accident traps all of the guests in their hotel at the top of the mountain with a killer. What I love about Lucy Foley's writing (like that of the fabulous Agatha Christie) is that she sets the table and cooks dinner but doesn't spoon feed you. The subtle clues are there, the dry wit is there and the often disregarded smart women are abundant. This is a series that will be equally enjoyed by fans of Agatha Christie as well as those new to classic British mysteries. 4 stars  A vivid portrait of a fierce Irish woman born to the sea but forced to remain on land due to her sex. Grace, like her father and brothers ,was more at home on a ship at sea than in their castle but she was married off to keep the peace between the clans and it was only after her husband's death that she took her place as clan chieftain. The book jumps in timelines that focus on her as a young girl, mother and pirate/chieftain. The call of the sea, her loyalty to her people and uncanny battle/political skills made her beloved, respected and feared but also just a footnote in history books. Grace O'Malley is the type of heroine who navigated her way around the seas but also the oncoming British takeover of the Irish people that struck a chord with another female leader - Queen Elizabeth 1. Ariel Lawhorn presents a magical tale of adventure, romance and political drama that will appeal to readers of strong women who were erased by history but want an adventurous tale as well. 5 stars  Exploited by her mother, the American merchant and his wife and finally by P.T. Barnum Afong May left Canton without a say but later in life made a name and life on her own terms. Brought to the U.S. to be paraded around in a merchant's home to market the goods he would be bringing back from China she became the first Chinese woman to visit the U.S. Her situation changed again when she was "sold" to P.T. Barnum who made her a side show attraction. It was not until she ended up in San Francisco and opened up her own brothel that she was in control of her own destiny. This is an interesting debut that incorporates what is known about Afong May and embellished by the author as to what might have happened to her. Historical fiction of resilient women adapting and overcoming the odds. 4 stars  Multiple generations of Wester women have been feared and revered in the small town of Hen Town. We begin in the 70's where Willamena tried to do everything correct as her grandmother and Emily Post would have wanted but in the end the love of the wrong boy led her astray. She ends up staying and taking over as queen of the hill until her granddaughter Bailey and her son come back to live at Wester House to take care of her. Bailey could be following in the same footsteps as history seems to repeat itself. A story that speaks of young love, legacy, betrayal and the ghosts of our past who are ready to haunt us. Magical realism meets family drama in a small town and one heck of a good audiobook. 4 stars  Psychological thriller with a historic gothic feel and Brazilian location. The story makes you guess as to who is the real villain or if our heroine is a reliable witness. Madalena is a young woman in love pregnant and trusting that her landowner lover is honorable. When an accident lands Madalena in her beloved's house under a doctor's care the story takes a sinister turn. Satanic rites, a creepy mansion full of secrets and her lover acting like someone very different from the man before the accident, fill Madalena with fear and every reason to run. A very clever twist at the end takes this above the rest and makes you feel like you are part of a fever dream. Perfect for fans of Silvia Moreno Garcia and Isabel Canas. 4 1/2 stars  A majestic tale of family, honor and humanity in times of war brought together by a special Arabian mare. A Moroccan boy apprenticed to a saddle maker ends up caring for an Arabian mare who steals his heart only to have her stolen from him and pressed into service headed for the French battlefields. Shellshocked she escapes to a farm where a young French woman and her disabled brother as well as a British Veterinarian care for her. As the Germans edge closer she flees losing the horse and her brother. They are separated by battle lines and trauma as they come full circle. For anyone who has ever lost their heart to a horse and readers who enjoy stories of humanity and compassion during war - this is for you. Readers of HORSE by Geraldine Brooks and THE ZOOKEEPER'S WIFE will enjoy. 4 stars  A spin on the horrific killings that plagued Victorian London at the hands of Jack the Ripper and the added element of a secret society plagued by a disease that takes hold of them at the full moon. Innocent Caroline ventures to the rougher side of London in search of her older brother who failed to send for her once he had found a place in London. Arriving without means she takes a job at the building where he used to live but finds little trace of him or where he has gone. As Caroline learns more about the Whitechapel Full Moon Society and their strange rules she finds herself intrigued and uncertain about whether she will ever find her brother and answers. Based on the only surviving victim of the Ripper this is also a story of how dangerous life was for women on their own. A well paced adventure that will resonate with historical fiction readers and horror/crime readers as well. 4 stars  A memoir told in verse of abuse at the hands of a trusted youth pastor that is sprinkled with historical notes of women through the ages who were mistreated by men, accused of witchcraft and killed. Joy grew up in a church family - her dad was a pastor, the whole family attended church regularly and Joy and her siblings were part of all the youth programs. Joy was a "good" girl, a chaste girl, an innocent who trusted a youth pastor to guide her into potentially following in her father's footsteps. He took advantage of that trust and his position to groom her and abuse her for years. She showed great courage years later to call him out and suffer the public shaming of her family and her church. Joy's lyrical prose allows the reader to take in this deeply personal and horrific narrative in a way that allows the reader to absorb it slowly to take in the full emotional effect. The inclusion of the so called witches' history is interesting and proves the point that while powerful men have always tried to do away with troublesome women they should not keep silent. Her writing is powerful but quietly empowers. I would recommend every woman read this young and old. 4 1/2 stars  |
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