The Castle in the Glen by Rhys Bowen

THE CASTLE IN THE GLEN is the latest stand-alone historical mystery by Rhys Bowen, bestselling author of more than sixty novels. This is the story of a famous mystery writer, Iris Blackburn, who was recently diagnosed with dementia and needs to find a co-writer to help finish her latest work, the prequel to her best-selling Inspector Melrose series. She offers the opportunity to Emma Callander, a young writer living in London, but from Australia. Emma is hesitant at first but quickly becomes enthralled by the author’s book within a book about the drowning death of the daughter of a laird and her male companion. The draft chapters describe fictional Melrose’s first solo case and he, too, is concerned about solving the puzzle, especially since the main suspect, a rival suitor, has disappeared. To help writing and revising, Emma is given a trip to Glascow and the Isle of Skye and there she begins to learn some troubling facts and is threatened while also starting a romance. The pace picks up and readers will likely predict some of the ending Bowen has crafted, but she includes numerous twists and surprises, so they are unlikely to foretell them all. The unique geography and environment on Skye is vividly described in this entertaining combination of suspense and historical fiction.

The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden

THE UNICORN HUNTERS by Katherine Arden is a work of historical fiction, based in part on a real person, Anne, Duchess of Brittany. The story occurs in 1491 and centers around her attempts to keep Brittany separate from France, despite the efforts to have her wed the French King. Initially, the unicorn hunt is conceived as a delaying tactic, but it opens connections to The Lost Lands and the magic – sorcery and enchantments – still practiced there. As a result, Anne, her sister, and her kingdom are in great peril. In its starred review, Booklist says, “The lush historical details, descriptive language, and intriguing relationships will draw readers into this world of mystery, deception, danger, and fantasy.” THE UNICORN HUNTERS blends romance (including some bedroom scenes), folklore (with a legendary missing city and sea dragons), pageantry, and political intrigue for a memorable reading experience.

Storm Warning by Alice Henderson

STORM WARNING by Alice Henderson is her latest novel featuring biologist Alex Carter.  Henderson has written several other “action-packed mystery thrillers with a wildlife twist” and I am sure that her fans will enjoy this one. However, I found it a bit unrealistic, and I seriously doubted that Alex could survive the many dangers and human “predators” that she faced. The premise of the story is that Alex is in Hawaii trying to protect endangered turtles when a major hurricane arrives along with armed thieves seeking to rob the local paleontology museum. STORM WARNING is certainly action-packed, danger is everywhere, and there are many deaths. There are some references to earlier books in the series, but this works as a stand-alone read.

From Cradle to Grave by Rhys Bowen

FROM CRADLE TO GRAVE by Rhys Bowen is the latest (19th) mystery story in Bowen’s Royal Spyness series featuring Lady Georgiana. Although these cozy tales have a loyal and enthusiastic readership, I have found the last few (see The Proof of the Pudding and Peril in Paris) to offer a less positive picture of the heroine. Similarly, in this case, she needs to hire a nanny and stand up for herself against interfering relatives. Given that Lady Georgiana and her friend Belinda have shown themselves as more than capable in solving murders, those tasks should not seem to be so daunting although they help move the story forward. Once again, I would recommend reading earlier entries in this light and entertaining series. FROM CRADLE TO GRAVE eventually develops into a fine mystery (multiple young aristocratic men are dying without any apparent link) but hopefully Lady Georgiana will channel her grandmother and show a stronger spirit in future outings.

Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure by Rhys Bowen

MRS. ENDICOTT'S SPLENDID ADVENTURE is the latest historical fiction from Rhys Bowen (In Farleigh Field). She is a personal favorite and a prolific author of novels including The Constable Evans mysteries, The Royal Spyness series, and many featuring Molly Murphy in addition to several dealing with WWII and its impact.  This novel begins in 1938 in Surrey, England and moves fairly quickly to the South coast of France (near Marseille) throughout the war. After Mrs. Endicott’s husband seeks a divorce, she – and a group of “strays” – settle in a charming village whose inhabitants, including many fishermen, are largely self-sufficient. Gradually, Mrs. Endicott and her companions (an older woman with health problems, a kind-hearted cleaner fleeing spousal abuse, and a young, unmarried lass) build a community and start to thrive. Even in this remote area, the war years are predictably difficult, but most everyone (including other English ex-pats, a broad-minded priest, and the head of a nearby monastery), pull together. Mrs. Endicott learns to try new adventures, reflecting, “All my life I've been sensible and reasonable. I've done the right thing, tried to please everybody, but nobody ever tried to find out what I wanted.” Instead of giving into despair, she and the others grow and manage to find happiness. At one point, the abbot advocates prayer: “Why don't you start with three things you're blessed with, three things you're afraid of and finally three things you ask of him? And don't forget to listen, too.” An uplifting story in a beautiful setting. 

The Peculiar Gift of July by Ashley Ream

THE PECULIAR GIFT OF JULY by Ashley Ream is a charming novel which deals with the idea of family, “everyday magic,” and belonging. The story takes place on Ebey’s End, a small fictional island community near Seattle that is reached by ferry. It is into that interconnected, caring community that July, a fourteen-year-old girl is plummeted after the death of her adoptive mother. Somehow July seems to instinctively know what others need… whether it is Anita, the lonely middle-aged retail grocer with whom July now lives, or Mack, Anita’s eccentric and garrulous father, or Jim, the librarian caring for his disabled sister, or Chet, the local pastor and his teenage son, Malcolm, or Carol and Doc, a couple dealing with being unfaithful to each other. Reading about everyday events allows for developing affection towards July and the island’s inhabitants, making the contrast with the fast-paced and surprising ending even more evident. THE PECULIAR GIFT OF JULY received a starred review from Booklist (“readers will face the dilemma of consuming this book as quickly as possible or limiting pages to slowly savor.”). Ream writes distinctively; here are just a few quotes to recall:

·        “It was raining outside, a heavy drizzle that started in October and marched with head down and shoulders hunched right through April.”

·        “It had taken her an hour to cook dinner. It took almost no time to eat it, sitting alone at the kitchen table.”

·        “But knowing you should say something and knowing precisely what that something might be we're two different kinds of knowing.”

·        “She had a hard time remembering most of what happened during that time period it was like the film in her brain had been corrupted, leaving staticky bits that were almost never things you would want.”

·        “Two months ago, she'd been thinking of getting a cat for company, and now her life felt like an elevator with people coming in and in and in until she was pressed into the corner with nowhere to go and not enough air.”