A Very English Murder by Verity Bright (A Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery) Book One

 

Publication Date: April 3, 2020

Length: 300 pages

As a Mom of two very busy teens I mistakenly thought, "oh during summer I'm going to get so much reading and reviewing done!" Wrong! I'm so behind on the Historical Fiction Challenge I'm embarrassed but.....I also have found it has been great for me in a new way to feel like I'm not able to read constantly. And that silver lining is that I have discovered so many adorable, short, easy to read books, especially cozy fiction and cozy mysteries that I am enjoying these shorts bursts of reading when I can knock out a book or two in a relatively short amount of time. Normally I feel pressure to read either long books or deep, meaningful books but as I get older I'm realizing it's okay to read things that are fun and quick! 

This book is a delight. It is like reading a mystery that takes place in Downton Abbey. And if you are familiar with the show you know that everyone loves Mr. Carson, the butler. In this book we have Eleanor, or Ellie, and her butler, Clifford. And his character is as sweet and clever as Mr. Carson. Ellie has arrived at her new home, the place she lived as a child, Henley Hall, to take the reins after her Uncle passed away and left it to her care. Her parents mysteriously disappeared years ago and she is on her own. Henley Hall is one of the few places with people who care about her still and where she feels somewhat welcomed, albeit a stranger as she has been away for so long. Clifford maintains his butler decorum but underneath we see a warm, protective feeling from him much like a father or guardian. Ellie does not know a lot about her parents, her Uncle, or their reasons for why she was sent away to boarding school at a young age and Clifford is her only steady link to the past. He feels a certain loyalty to her deceased Uncle though, so getting information out of him will take time. I suspect this will continue to evolve as the series progresses. 

She is quickly accompanied everywhere by her Watson-like sidekick, Gladstone, the trusty bulldog, and while out on a walk her first evening at the Hall she witnesses a murder. It is far enough away that Ellie questions what she actually saw. When she tries to report it and have it investigated the next day she is perplexed to discover that the body is missing and the town Constable is not interested in her delusional tale. The only people she can get on board to help her get to the bottom of things is Clifford and a new man, Lancelot, who takes an interest in the case, and in Ellie. Being a well traveled, independent woman she has a hard time admitting she is also smitten with him. 

As she continues to dig deeper into the mystery surrounding the murder she knows she saw, Ellie meets many colorful townspeople, all with their own special secrets. There's the stuffy aristocrats, the dismissive Constables and Inspectors, the quirky neighbors who have grudges with others in the area, and the housekeeping staff who serve to keep Ellie well fed, well dressed, and ready for anything. When the killer is revealed it is both entertaining and unexpected, and Ellie, Clifford, and Lancelot are in a race to save each other from harm and to find out the why behind the murder.

Is this series formulaic? Yes. Is the ending a bit too perfect? Yes.  It is a lot of fun though and I am going to continue with the next book in the series. I did have a hard time at first deciding who the murderer was although towards the end I guessed correctly. But somehow with this book I didn't mind that. I loved how Clifford was always saying, "My lady" and Gladstone was always tagging along and being Ellie's sounding board. I enjoyed the insight into Ellie's thoughts as she worked through suspects and clues. Lancelot is clearly going to factor in the series as her love interest and his family was portrayed in a clever and cute way. I will enjoy picking up one of these books when I am needing a bit of sunshine in my busy week. They are comforting in that cozy mystery way!

A Christmas Odyssey by Anne Perry

 

Publication Date: October 26, 2010

Length: 208 pages

I have almost finished reading all of Anne Perry's Christmas books. They are short and easy to read in one sitting, especially on a cold winter day by the fire, or in this case, a hot summer day in June.  Each book is its own separate story so you do not need to read them in any particular order. It is helpful to have read some of her Monk or Pitt books though because some of the minor characters in those books take center stage in the Christmas ones. 

A Christmas Odyssey concerns the character of Henry Rathbone. He is the father of Oliver Rathbone, a prominent lawyer who features often in her other books. Henry has been asked to look into the disappearance of his friend's son, Lucien. It seems Lucien has rejected a life of wealth and privilege for the dark underworld of drugs and sexual deviance. This being the Victorian era it is impressed upon the reader just how private the search for Lucien must be kept since no self respecting member of society would even acknowledge the "underworld" much less know anything about where to look for a fallen relative. Henry enlists the help of his friend Hester Monk who is a major character from Perry's Monk novels and is quite familiar with shady and marginalized people she comes into contact with as a nurse and owner of a clinic operating to serve the downtrodden, forgotten citizens of the poorer part of town. 

Through Hester, Henry is able to gain the trust and assistance of former brothel owner Squeaky Robinson and they set out to retrace Lucien's steps and see if they can gain any insight into where he may have gone. Their search takes them to the darkest places imaginable. They are accompanied by a doctor, Crow, who is not a credentialed doctor per se due to his own personal struggles, but nonetheless is a compassionate man who wants to help those in need who cannot afford medical services or, due to the nature of their occupations, would rather not be helped by a licensed professional. Henry, Squeaky, and Crow together meet up with Bessie, a young girl who has maintained some semblance of innocence despite being forced to live underground to survive with nefarious people in appalling conditions. She leads them through a maze of contacts as well as a literal maze of tunnels and rooms, helping them to untangle the trail of events that led Lucien to cease contact with his family. During the search it is discovered that a mysterious figure aptly named "Shadwell" is pulling the strings behind the lives and fates of those underground.

When evidence of two murders is discovered, everyone is frightened for Lucien as well as their own survival. It is obvious that Shadwell is watching their every move and if they are to make it out alive with Lucien intact it will take all of them working together to move quickly and cleverly to outwit the evil that poisons the lives of the inhabitants of this very sad, forgotten part of their city.

I will admit this is probably the darkest Anne Perry novel I've read thus far. She always tends to weave that element throughout her stories which adds suspense and excitement because you realize quickly her books are not meant to be what one would call "cozy" mysteries. This one seemed to be even more shocking than usual in that the vivid descriptions of drugs, sexual deviance, and intimidation were especially pronounced. She never writes graphically enough to be called sensational but it was just a tad more realistic and frightening than her usual work. Perhaps this is why she is so good at what she does. I wanted to look away, but I had to know how it ended!

The best part of Perry's books is that in the end evil is punished and good rewarded. In the Christmas books she develops the plot to a point where you think you'll never be able to see the holiday spirit in it but by the last page you are feeling happy, contented, and festive. Because this book was so much of a downer throughout it was remarkable that by the last page I had happy tears in my eyes at the resolution, making me glad I'd stuck with it to the end. I have never been sorry for picking up an Anne Perry book and this one is no exception, just be aware it can be a depressing slog at times. She definitely has written more uplifting Christmas books but they are always a fun read and the clues and mystery are revealed in a way that keeps your mind guessing. 

Highland Spirits by Amanda Scott

 

Publication Date: October 1, 1999

Length: 397 pages

Amanda Scott is an interesting author for me in that I can't seem to decide how to classify her books. Are they romance? Historical fiction? Mysteries? Compared to classics or epic sagas they can come across as simplistic, contrived, and predictable. I have read five of her books now and every time I start one I think to myself, "this is a romance book Shellie, you don't read romances!" Then before I know it I'm sucked in and enjoying myself immensely! I definitely do not like the romance genre if that's all the book is about. And some of Scott's covers do her a disservice as they suggest that this is the entirety of the book. You know, the covers with steamy Highlanders gazing out at you with smoldering eyes. But they are so much more. I feel a need to review some of her books in order to appeal to readers like myself who do not care much for typical romances but love historical fiction. It would be a mistake to skip these books as they are great for a light read while learning some history. 

This is Book 4 of a four part set called the Highland Series. They build upon one another with the characters' lives intertwining but you can read them on their own as well. I personally think reading them in order is more enjoyable as I wasn't at all confused about how each person related to the other. In this story we revisit Penelope (or Pinkie as she is called) and her brother Chuff. They were orphans who previously were rescued by Black Duncan Campbell, a prosperous Highlander. The year is 1765 and Jacobite sentiment still runs deep in the area. The Campbells are mistrusted due to past grievances but Pinkie and Chuff are just happy to have a family nearby. As the story begins we witness Pinkie watching her "ghost" or, what she thinks is a ghost, in the woods of a Highlander and his dog. They vanish before she is sure but this isn't the first time she has seen them. Of course this is the "mystery" of the story that will be resolved later. 

Meanwhile, Michael Kintyre, the Earl of Mingary is having ideas of his own about Chuff and the Campbells.  He'd like his sister Bridget to marry Chuff in order to offset a debt he owes. When all parties decide to travel to London for various personal reasons, we see an attraction grow between Michael and Pinkie. Michael is not keen on marrying her however due to his own aversion to her bloodline and lack of status. We are treated to London life: parties, balls, and the opera and the machinations of everyone as they try to impress high society. 

Over all this gaiety and socializing lies the cloud of Sir Renfrew Campbell, a Scottish nobleman who would like to marry Michael's sister, Bridget in order to gain a foothold on the Mingary lands which he intends to use for his various businesses needing excess sources of timber. In his desire to possess her for himself he kidnaps her and the chase is on to find her and bring Sir Renfrew to justice. We meet several characters from the previous highland novels, Maggie and her husband the Earl of Rothwell and Mary, Black Duncan's wife. It is fun to revisit them and have them weaved into the story.

I enjoyed Highland Spirits and all the Highland Series books. With each one I learned new, interesting tidbits about Scottish life after the Rising and the description of the countryside and manor houses were vivid. Scott does a great job of using authentic dialogue without overdoing it to the point of being unreadable. I appreciate the way the romance is subtle and not the main focus of the book but rather it complements a solid storyline. 

Are these books Jane Austen or Charles Dickens? No and that's okay. I can sometimes be a bit of a snob about reading "literature" and then I have to remember that it's okay to just chill out with a glass of wine and a book that doesn't require a dictionary and weeks of my time. I think Scott works hard on her research and even though I can usually predict the ending well before it comes she has a unique way of keeping you reading because it's just a lot of fun. I am glad I discovered her books and when I need to just escape after an especially trying week they are the perfect romp!

The Land Beyond the Sea by Sharon Kay Penman

 

Publication Date: March 3, 2020

Length: 688 pages

This book will always be special to me for two reasons. First, it is Sharon Penman's last novel before her death last year in January 2021. And second, it introduced me to a period of history I knew nothing about. I'd never even heard the term, Outremer, or "the land beyond the sea" until I read this book. We lost a gifted historical novelist with the passing of Penman and I'm so glad she chose to write about this unique period in time. I've searched in vain for another similar book to continue reading about the topic and just haven't found one. I'll have to settle for straight history books and that's okay but this book pulled me into the characters and their feelings in a way no non-fiction book can match. That was Penman's speciality.

In the late 11th century the people of the First Crusade captured Jerusalem from the Saracens and the Kingdom of Jerusalem was born. In this world of many competing cultures and faiths the throne of the Kingdom and its outlying principalities was always undergoing internal strife due to the different factions and families that wanted to rule. This is the basis for this novel and it includes such an array of colorful characters that I feel each could have their own book. 

The story focuses initially on the life and rule of Baldwin IV. A mere child of fourteen when he takes the throne, he is also dealing with the terrible disease of leprosy. His mother Agnes de Courtenay is always scheming behind the scenes to make sure her children are given their place of importance over their stepmother, Maria and her children. Baldwin suffers with his disease, balancing family squabbles, and facing down the Kingdom's greatest threat: the army of the dynamic Muslim leader, Saladin. He is supported and beloved by his tutor, William of Tyre and Penman does a wonderful job of drawing on his writings from his book written during the period, A History of Deeds Done Beyond the Sea. We see the relationship between the two as an affectionate father/son interaction.

Balian d' Ibelin, a prominent nobleman, is the other focus of the book as he is intent on supporting Baldwin and keeping the kingdom stable. His marriage to Maria Comnena, Baldwin's stepmother increases hostilities with the de Courtenay faction including Baldwin's mother and Uncle, Joscelin. Much of the novel we see the d'Ibelin faction competing with the de Courtenays in their quest to control the politics of the day. 

Saladin and his brother Al-Adil are only too happy to attempt to use this strife to their advantage. The Muslim leaders see the weakened ties of the Franks and this allows an opening for the Saracens to gain a foothold through attacks which ultimately lead to the downfall of Jerusalem. Through her recreation of their interactions with one another, Penman gives us a glimpse of the relationship between Saladin, Al-Adil, and Balian d'Ibelin. She lets us see the human side of the Saracen leaders and while no doubt brutality is the order of the day, it is clear that neither side is all good or all bad. 

This book was definitely challenging and I had to take my time reading it. Thankfully, Penman gives an overview of the main players at the beginning and I found myself referring to it often. When I read historical fiction I tend to look up a lot of the events and people to see if they really occurred. This story reads like a soap opera and it was always fascinating to find that each time I checked it was all true! I'd really like to read it again now that I have been listening to a wonderful podcast, History of the Crusades, which has recapped the events of this book. I was frequently confused the first time around but now think I'd enjoy it more, having a good grasp of the characters and main events. 

It is absolutely fascinating to think that all of this was going on in the Middle East while there was so much happening in Europe during the reign of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. It makes me curious as to why very few authors have attempted to write about it. It is no doubt a very complex subject and time period but it is so rich with possibility I hope we will see more books about Outremer in the future.

A Fugitive Green by Diana Gabaldon

 

Publication Date: June 27, 2017

Length: 122 pages

This story is a novella first published in Gabaldon's collection Seven Stones to Stand or Fall. It has never been published in book form on its own that I can find other than for audible. I highly recommend buying Seven Stones if you are an Outlander fan as it has several of these novellas in one book and it is worth every penny! This story gives us background on some of the more minor Outlander characters that are linked to some of the major ones. 

It is 1744 when the story opens. Minnie Rennie (aka: Minerva Wattiswade) lives in Paris with her father Andrew Rennie (aka: Raphael Wattiswade). On the surface Raphael is just a dealer of rare books but really he is a collector of letters and information which he uses to his advantage and financial gain. Minnie is well aware of her father's undercover associations and helps him when necessary. She is smart and capable and has a fierce independent streak which serves her well in this shady world. At the opening of the story we find her in the bookstore where a note is delivered concerning a mysterious Mrs. Simpson. Minnie has been expecting this letter for some time as it contains clues as to the identity and, she hopes, the whereabouts of her mother. She is elated to receive it and hopes to travel to meet this Mrs. Simpson. 

Raphael wants Minnie married off well. When he sees an opportunity to obtain both a prospective husband for her and further his quest for information to suit his financial ambitions, he sends her to London to work on both missions. She is to be chaperoned, much to her chagrin, by one Lady Buford and two Irish bodyguards. Minnie is determined to obtain the information her father wishes while not being coerced into a loveless, boring marriage. 

Meanwhile, Hal Grey (brother of John Grey from the Outlander novels) is having troubles of his own. Living in London, he is distraught after the death of his wife, Esme and the unborn child she was carrying. His guilt is further exacerbated by the knowledge that she had been carrying on an affair with a man whom he subsequently shot and killed in a duel. He also has family baggage relating to his now deceased father who committed suicide a few years before when he was suspected of being a secret Jacobite. 

When Minnie is asked to meet with one of her father's contacts she ends up meeting Hal and the two share an intense personal moment. She will end up meeting him again as her tasks cause her to further delve into his personal problems in order to obtain information requested by a secret contact. Minnie also is determined to meet with Mrs. Simpson and find her long lost mother. 

I have read A Fugitive Green twice now. Once when I was an Outlander newbie and then again this month as a long time Outlander fan. It is interesting the things I picked up on the second time around. Little details that mean a lot more now that I'm super familiar with the characters and their future selves in the big books and Lord John Grey spinoffs. It is a great addition to the stories and character personalities you won't find in the main novels. 

Having said that, I think that as a stand alone story it would probably not be my cup of tea. I was already invested in Minnie and Hal because I knew about John Grey and also a bit about them as related to the Outlander saga. I admit I'm not a fan of novellas in general because I like to really sink my teeth into a story and they always leave me feeling cheated out of that experience. But in order to really care about these characters you would need to have more of a reason than the one outlined in the plot of A Fugitive Green. It is not terribly detailed or compelling on its own. Seven Stones is itself a collection that I wouldn't care much about had I not already been so invested in the characters. 

As always, Gabaldon is original and interesting with the witty dialogue and vocabulary. This is an area she excels in. The time and place are always authentic and well researched and I am always pleased at how she ends her stories with a clever line each time. One of the best things about her books is the way in which she does not constantly explain things to the reader. She is great at just telling the story and assuming we will eventually pick up on what is happening. It's always a great brain challenge! A Fugitive Green is a good read if you want more insight into the Greys of Outlander.

Monk's Hood (Cadfael Chronicles Book 3) by Ellis Peters

Publication Date:  January 1, 1996

Length: 287 pages

This is my third book to read in the Cadfael Chronicles. I remember coming across these books many times and not being very interested in trying them. I'm not sure exactly why except that I thought the time period was too unfamiliar to me then. After getting to know the 1100's a little better through other sources I am now hooked on her series! It's a little like reading Victorian Anne Perry novels but set in the middle ages: a great mystery, with a compelling main character, history, and wonderfully clever dialogue. What's not to love about that? Also, the font on the cover of the books is so beautiful. That is a really lame reason but if I'm being honest, it's a great visual draw to her books. 

The story begins in 1138 during the period in England known as The Anarchy. King Stephen and Empress Matilda are at war with each other although at this time Shrewsbury is fairly quiet. Cadfael is a middle aged monk who lives out his days in Shrewsbury Abbey. He is the herbalist and loves being in his greenhouse tending to his plants and helping the members of the Abbey when they are unwell and needing his medicinal help. In his former days he was a sailor, soldier, and Crusader who has seen much of the world, but has settled down to a quieter religious life. 

When the Bonel family moves into a house owned by the Abbey, Brother Cadfael is called to tend to Gervase Bonel who has taken ill. He tries to no avail to relieve his symptoms with a mixture containing the plant Monk's Hood, a deadly combination if not treated with proper care. While there, Cadfael recognizes his long ago love, Richildis, Bonel's wife. She has a son, Edwin, who hates his stepfather. When Bonel mysteriously dies, Edwin is accused and becomes a fugitive. Cadfael is determined to find out the truth owing to his unwavering pursuit of justice and his remembered love for Richildis. His quest takes him through many twists and turns including a trip into Wales, his homeland. With his usual wit and insight into human nature, Cadfael unravels the truth and is able to find justice. 

I've read some reviews of these books previously that say you don't have to read them in order. And while technically that is true I would consider doing so. There are recurring characters with distinct personalities that I would not appreciate as much if I just picked up a random volume. I think I'd still be very confused. There is a subtle humor in the way Peters writes and you see previous events build on one another in the way the characters interact. Brother Jerome, Prior Robert and Brother Mark are frequently included throughout the stories and serve to add humor and levity. Cadfael easily sees through the pious Jerome and has affection for his apprentice Mark. Without their original backstories from the first books I wouldn't really pay much attention to them. 

These books are pretty short and can be read quickly. However, I have found you really have to pay attention. There is a lot going on behind the words, meaning if my mind wanders I get lost quickly. The mystery part is not usually super involved but her style of writing is a bit like an old fashioned classic book I think. It is not as straightforward as more modern books and I like that because I find it expands my vocabulary and thinking skills. It is fun to try to unravel some of the sarcasm and deeper meanings as we are taken inside Cadfael's thoughts. And she is great at weaving history throughout the story. 

I'd like to finish them all eventually and will review more as I work my way through them. 

 

 

Uneasy Lies the Crown: A Novel of Owain Glyndwr by N. Gemini Sasson

Publication Date: November 1, 2012

Length: 434 pages

This book appealed to me because it concerns an area I know almost nothing about: Wales. And I certainly had no working knowledge of Medieval Wales. Studying Owain Glyndwr is probably standard history coursework if you are an English or Welsh child but I doubt here in America the average person could even find Wales on a map. So this book really intrigued me. Sasson has written several books on more obscure figures (Robert the Bruce, Queen Isabella) and I admire that willingness to take on lesser known subjects. This story also coincides with a time period in England that I find intriguing....the rise of Henry Bolingbroke and the involvement of the Percy family, specifically Henry Hotspur, the English knight. 

The story begins in the late 1300's with the birth and childhood of Owain Glyndwr, a Welsh son of a nobleman who traces his lineage to the great princes of Wales. Owain is happy and thriving with his family and expects to live out his days inheriting the land he lives on from his father although he realizes his father is beholden to the English King Edward III and wishes he did not have to leave them so often to fight in English wars. When his father dies of the flux while away fighting with the king's son, Edward the Black Prince, Owain is sent to live as a ward of the Earl of Arundel.  He eventually ends up in London where he studies law and becomes an apprentice of one of the justices there. He marries and has a family and is content to live out his days happily with them on his own land back in Wales. A dispute with a neighboring English marcher Lord sets off a chain of events that thrusts Owain into a leadership role he never intended on.

When Henry of Bolingbroke usurps the throne of his cousin Richard II, Owain is determined to fight for Wales and its independence. He is successful in battle enough that he eventually enters into an agreement with Henry Percy (Henry Hotspur) which comes with a heavy price. He finds himself unable to retreat from his warrior status and is drawn deeper and deeper into his role as an almost mythical savior of the Welsh people. We see his subsequent stubbornness and bravery as he tries to hang onto any small shred of land and castles against enormous odds.

A unique aspect to this book is how Sasson weaves back and forth from her story of Owain to the writings of the Welsh poet Iola Goch. After certain chapters she gives primary source excerpts from the poet's book in which he writes of the exploits of Glyndwr. It is always an added bonus for me to have the thoughts of actual living people from the day in an historical fiction novel. Goch clearly presents Glyndwr as a mythical King Arthur of sorts and so it isn’t exactly an unbiased account. Still, it is a nice touch to the story. 

I enjoyed this book simply because it was new material for me. I hadn't ever found another book on the subject in historical fiction and so I knew I was bound to learn a lot. Sasson is a good writer and has done remarkable research. I appreciated the way she consistently gave the year at the beginning of each chapter as it kept me focused and able to more easily follow the timeline of events. Her willingness to show the human side of her main character was nice as he is not presented as all saint or sinner. He has affairs and fathers children out of wedlock and is torn between his wife and lover. He is shown as loyal to friends and fellow countrymen while also being willing to come to terms with the English if necessary. In the end, she conveys the frustrations and conflict within him as he tries to decide what to do when surrender seems to be the only way out. She also does a good job of immersing one in the harsh weather and terrain of Wales. Fighting through a Welsh winter was not for the faint of heart. I was chilled to the bone just reading certain parts!

I think there could have been a bit more in depth description of some of the battles. The story often got confusing for me since I do not have a working background knowledge of Welsh history. I found myself having to look up certain parts of the story to better understand what was going on. Sometimes I felt the author took for granted that readers would know more than is realistic given that this subject, time, and place are pretty obscure for the average person. Overall though I thought she did a nice job of telling the main story of his life and evoking a sense of atmosphere and history. There were parts of the book that had me sad and depressed for Owain and his men. When things become dire for them and they still soldier on it is hard not to be awed by their courage and conviction.

I look forward to reading her books about Robert the Bruce and Isabella. Having researched much of the material from the Glyndwr novel she has earned my trust that her historical research is solid and accurate. You will learn so much from this book about a forgotten warrior and his cause. I find myself much more sympathetic to the Welsh and want to read more about their long struggles for independence.

 

Of Lands High and Low by Martha Keyes

 

Publication Date: October 17, 2020

Length: 322 pages

This is my second book to read by Martha Keyes. I stumbled across her books when I was looking for something to read between Outlander books. I wanted a book set in Scotland with a bit of romance and mystery to tide me over. Her books are easy to read and enjoyable if you are looking for a break from the 1,000 page novel.  Even though the characters aren't as fleshed out as those in a longer epic I found them to be quite good. The storylines are unusual and original and in this one I learned quite a bit about smallpox before vaccination was available. She also does a great job with local dialect and making the characters seem authentic to their time and location.

This story is set in Scotland in 1794. Doctor Graeme MacNeill is a Highlander who has returned to the Lowlands to settle things with his estate, Pitcairlie House, recently inherited by him on the death of his Uncle David. He'd never expected to acquire it because until recently Catholics were not allowed to inherit land and were unwelcome in the Lowlands. His plan is to sell it as quickly as possible and  return to the Highlands where he practices medicine and feels at home. Unfortunately his Uncle David neglected to resolve a land dispute with the neighboring Findlay family and Graeme must turn his attention to this issue before he can think of selling. He decides to confront things head on and introduce himself to the Findlays, believing they can work things out in both their favors. 

There he encounters Isla Findlay, the niece of the neighbor in question. She has been raised to believe Highlanders are barbarians and her town of Craigmuir is highly suspicious of the newcomer. But Isla has secrets of her own. She never knew her mother and only knows she is the daughter of a Highlander herself and that her mother was disgraced for the relationship. She does not feel she belongs with her family and lives between two worlds. She and Graeme begin a friendship and when a smallpox outbreak occurs in Craigmuir they work together to help the suffering residents. 

I thought Keyes did a great job of letting their relationship build slowly and realistically. It wasn't love at first sight and it is only as they experience the heartbreak of working through the smallpox epidemic that they come together in a meaningful way. The descriptions of medicine during the 18th century were interesting and engaging and very educational. It is clear Keyes did her research on this topic and on how suspiciously people would have behaved toward any new ideas in life saving techniques. I found myself sad for those who lost loved ones and she evokes a real sense of the harshness of life and death. 

Sometimes the book got a bit melodramatic for me and repetitive in spots but overall it was a good read. It was definitely more serious than her previous book, The Widow and the Highlander.  When I read historical fiction I am most impressed with and more likely to return to authors who stick to the facts of the day and Keyes certainly does that. She has a good grasp of the land, the people, and the social mores of the day. And I'm always up for any book set in Scotland in the past. Also, her books are clean, free of cursing and gratuitous sexual content. That is rare these days and appreciated. While I'm supportive of some of it in certain books I find that is often highly unnecessary and this is a book I'd let my teenager read. I will be reading more of her books in the future.

Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

 

Publication Date: June 30, 1936

Length: 1,037 pages

My favorite novel.....and always will be! There is no other like it. It is a masterpiece.

The first time I read Gone With the Wind I was twelve years old. I honestly didn't understand much of it but I remember being determined to finish it anyway. The movie had made a huge impression on me since the age of eight and I knew the main characters and events enough that it made me want to try to attempt to read it. A few years later at the ripe old age of eighteen I tried again. This time I was able to fully appreciate the story. I remember being surprised at how much of the book was not included in the movie and how much richer the characters seemed. I also learned more about the Civil War from the Southern perspective and previously couldn't have cared less about it. As a child the descriptions of the gowns and parties, plantation homes, interactions between husbands and wives, and their children stuck with me in a way few books have been able to replicate. I've read it a total of four times and might read it again someday.

The novel's opening line is one of my favorites..."Scarlett O'Hara was not beautiful, but men seldom realized it when caught by her charm." It encapsulates the entire story right from the beginning. We forget that Scarlett is "not beautiful" because throughout the book she seems to be able to convince almost everyone that she is THE most beautiful and exciting woman in the world. 

When the story begins, Scarlett O'Hara is sixteen years old. It is 1861 and so far the war is not real to her in any meaningful way. It is a nuisance interrupting her life of parties and balls and attention from handsome men. She is holding court on her front porch with the Tarleton twins who are on this day more interested in discussing the possibility of war than in paying attention to Scarlett. Her mood changes abruptly when one of them casually mentions a barbecue being thrown by the Wilkes family and the special announcement forthcoming; specifically that Ashley Wilkes will formally announce his intention to marry his cousin Melanie Hamilton. The twins are baffled by Scarlett's reaction of stony silence and eventual abandonment of them as she struggles to process this alarming news. It is this moment that drives the plot forward from here on out. Scarlett has already determined Ashley belongs to her and no one else. Her decisions throughout the book revolve around this idealistic dream and serve as the catalyst for many of her dramatic circumstances.

On the day of the barbecue Scarlett attempts to get Ashley alone and pour out her true feelings. Not only is he not swayed by her emotions he reiterates to her his plan to marry Melanie. Scarlett angrily banishes him from her presence and it is here she officially meets her nemesis, Rhett Butler. His sarcasm and refusal to coddle Scarlett's tearful tantrums over her loss of Ashley set the tone for their relationship and its subsequent battle of wills to come.

The war proceeds whether she wants it to or not and Scarlett is thrust into a hell unimaginable to her just months before. She is married, widowed, and a young mother all in a short time and although she has support from relatives and those around her she refuses to be grateful in any meaningful way. Gone are the days of parties, beautiful clothes, and adoring attention and she struggles to process the reality of her new existence. We see her slowly grow from young, selfish, innocent Scarlett to older, selfish, battle hardened Scarlett. Her struggles do not take place on the battlefield but rather in the daily war for survival amid a backdrop of death and destruction of her beloved Georgia. She begins to see her way of life slipping away and those around her succumbing to depression and despair for their lost world.

It is after the war ends that we see her stoicism and work ethic emerge as she refuses to concede to a life of quiet suffering and dignity that her former neighbors and kinsman adopt. She is baffled by the idea of refusing to do business with Yankees or anyone else who can further her economically. As she says, "the war is over and I intend to make the best of it....even if they are Yankees." With business savvy and manipulation she manages to remarry (another man she doesn't love) and start a sawmill with Ashley Wilkes. This while living in Atlanta and also attempting to salvage the fields of her beloved childhood plantation home, Tara. Her obstinance and tenacity are to be admired but also lead to a series of events that see her in regret for the consequences of her behavior. Throughout the book Scarlett and Rhett dance around their attraction for each other and eventually come together and fall apart again. There are more babies born, plantations built, businesses acquired and hinted infidelities. Rhett tries again and again to win her heart but Scarlett stubbornly manages to thwart their relationship success every time. They are two ships passing in the night and are unable to be vulnerable enough for long enough to have a real marriage. The book's famous ending line is almost as wonderful as the first one, "I'll think of some way to get him back. After all, tomorrow is another day!"

Reading this review so far one would think the novel is just one long romance. And yes there is a lot of romance and unrequited love for sure. But it is so much more. I learned so much about the Civil War and about the feelings of the South during Reconstruction. In our current world Gone With the Wind is being branded as racist, insensitive, and out of touch. I think this is the wrong way to look at it. It is above all else a snapshot in time of how a southerner viewed the world around them. Margaret Mitchell based her book and characters on actual people she'd known and loved. Aunts, Uncles, grandparents who sat and told her personal stories of the war and hardships they endured before, during, and after. We should listen. Just because we might not always agree or like everything we hear does not negate what they have to say. Changing the narrative is dishonest. This book is not meant to give the northern perspective, the abolitionist perspective, or the perspective of those who struggled for freedom and Civil Rights in later times. It is what it is. And it should be respected as such, including the descriptions of plantation life. 

If you want a true expose on slavery or the caste system this is not the book for you. It was never meant for that. But it does allow you a rare glimpse into a world gone by from an author whose relatives lived it and were actually there to see it fall. To read and enjoy it is not championing the "lost cause." It is preserving a section of history told from the side of the conquered. We deserve to hear their story too. And a little romance, drama, and feminine charm thrown in makes for an amazing epic you will never forget.

Silence in Hanover Close by Anne Perry

 

Publication Date: October 4, 2011

Length: 368 pages

Reading an Anne Perry mystery is like visiting an old friend. I have read many of her Pitt, Monk, and Christmas novels and one from the WW1 series. The comforting thing is that there are so many left to read and she is still writing new books yearly. When I need a break from epic super long books I like to grab one of hers and read it in a few days. She never fails to follow a tried and true formula and that is what appeals to her readers.

In this story we find Victorian Era couple Thomas and Charlotte Pitt hot on the trail of a murderer and mysterious woman. Of course Thomas is the policeman and his wife Charlotte is never supposed to be involved in the case but she somehow manages to insert herself every time, much to his dismay. Three years ago Robert York, a British Foreign Officer, was murdered in his home in Hanover Close. The killer has never been caught but the suspicion is that he was killed for secrets he possessed about overseas dealings. Inspector Pitt is asked to reopen the case by his superiors because his widow is remarrying a high level diplomat and the government does not want any surprises or embarrassment resulting from an unfinished investigation. 

As Pitt questions suspects and members of the family's household he becomes involved personally when he is accused of murder. His superiors seem unwilling to come to his defense and this seems incredibly suspicious to both Charlotte and her sister Emily. In order to find out more about what happened, Emily decides to apply as a lady's maid in the York household. Through various twists and turns she convinces the staff she is just a simple servant while listening to private conversations and intense family drama. Charlotte poses as a visiting society girl and along with a friend, Jack Radley, worms her way in to the drawing rooms of the York house to listen to gossip as well.

The drama slowly unfolds to its climactic ending with the Pitts, Emily, Jack, and the spirited Great Aunt Vespasia hot on the trail of the real murderer. As usual, I was unable to figure out whoodunit until the very end. One of the most satisfying things about reading Anne Perry is that she definitely anticipates one being able to pick the most likely scenarios and then she shakes them up to the point that you just don't see the real truth coming. Out of all her books that I've read only one time did I know for sure how it was going to end. This is a real testament to her creativity. 

I am not pretending to equate her writing with Jane Austen but I find her books remind me of the feel of an Austen novel in mystery form. I have often found myself forgetting that her characters were written by a woman living in current times. This is rare in novelists today. There is often a give away in the way characters talk and behave. Try as they might most modern writers always have a bit of a "tell" that they are trying to replicate dialogue and customs from long ago. Not so with Perry. She is superb. I even notice she does not hesitate to include authenticity in the interactions between Thomas and Charlotte. There were ways men and women behaved in the nineteenth century that were just a fact of life. Charlotte is strong willed and independent but she is no modern feminist. Perry sticks to the mores of the day which makes reading her books more pleasurable. I do not like to feel the author is trying to change the era in which they are writing into a politically correct view of how they think things should have been.

If you are looking for a solid historical mystery pick up one of her Pitt or Monk novels. You will not be disappointed.