Shelf Control: The Last Duel by Eric Jager

 Shelf Control is a weekly feature hosted by Literary Potpourri to discuss unread books sitting in our to-be-read piles.

The Last Duel by Eric Jager

I was gifted this book by my good friend Deb years and years ago. Subtitled "A True Story of Crime, Scandal, and Trial by Combat in Medieval France", it is so exactly my kind of book.  And yet, it's been sitting there unread for an embarrassing amount of time!  I need to bump it up on my nonfiction tbr, without a doubt!  (Have you read it?)

Top Five Wednesday: Short Books

This week's Top Five Wednesday challenge is to recommend five books that are short, quick reads.  Here are five that I absolutely loved.

1. Cheerful Weather for the Wedding by Julia Strachey (1932) 119 pages

This novella blew me away when I read it in 2017.  My review can be found here.

2. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (1953) 194 pages 

This book is simply astounding.  If you've not read it, I can't urge you strongly enough to give it a try.

3. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly: A Memoir of Life in Death by Jean-Dominique Bauby, translated by Jeremy Leggatt (1997)  132 pages

This memoir was written by a man with locked-in syndrome, who dictated it, letter by letter, by blinking his one eye when his helper reached the correct letter.  It's a quick, deeply emotional read that I recommend wholeheartedly. I loved it enough that I gave copies to everyone for Christmas the year I first read it

4.  A Room with a View by E. M. Forster (1908)  119 pages

This is one of my favorite classics and I reread it often.  It's an unforgettable coming-of-age story, novel of manners, character study, and romance that is well worth reading.

5. The Householder by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala (1960)  192 pages

This is another coming of age story, exquisitely written, insightful and perceptive, and simply fantastic.  My 2018 review can be found here. 

Top Five Tuesday: Classics I Meant to Read

Top 5 Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Meeghan Reads 

Today's prompt is "top 5 classics I meant to read (but never got around to)".

1. A Passage to India by E. M. Forster  (1924)

I'm ashamed to admit this, but, as much as I love Room with a View and Howard's End, I have never read A Passage to India! I own it, I've intended to read it, I even started the audio version once, but. . . . I'm intimidated by the heavy subject matter of this famous work.

2. and 3.  The Iliad and The Odyssey by Homer (c. 8th century BC)

I've read parts of both in various classes in college, and was entranced by both subject matter and verse.  This translation by Robert Fagles is supposed to be excellent, and I've intended to read it since it was given to me nearly twenty years ago.  I can't believe I've put it off so long!

4. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson (1883)

How have I not read this adventure classic?  I've not even seen a movie version!  I have truly  no concept of what it's about other than there's a boy and there are pirates.

5.  Anything by George Eliot except Middlemarch

I read Middlemarch (1872) in college and loved it so much.  As a result, I've always intended to read more by Eliot and yet. . . it never happened!

Shelf Control: Trains and Buttered Toast

Shelf Control is a weekly feature hosted by Literary Potpourri to discuss unread books sitting in our to-be-read piles.

I saw this one someone's Bookstagram account (my account is here) back in 2019 and fell for the title. I had never read anything by Betjeman (Poet Laureate from 1972 until his death in 1984), so wasn't sure what to expect.   Turns out, he was also an influential broadcaster, and this is a collection of broadcasts that he made from the 1930s to the 1950s. 

I've yet to read it, but do intend to. With my Anglophilia and my love of that time period, I think it would be right down my alley!

Top Five Wednesday: Wild Animals

This week's Top Five Wednesday challenge is to list five books either about wild animals, or with them on the cover.  When I went looking for five from my shelves that at least somewhat fit the challenge, all I could find were children's books with anthropomorphic animals.  I don't feel that this is exactly what the challenge creator intended, but. . . It fits me. 

The Bat Poet by Randall Jarrell, illustrated by Maurice Sendak

This came from the library used book sale when I was a preteen and started my love of bats.  It's beautifully written and gorgeously illustrated.

Aesop's Fables

I read Mom's copy over and over again as a preteen, and when I saw this lovely edition at a book warehouse about twenty years ago, I had to snag it.

The Whispering Rabbit and Other Stories by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Garth Williams and Lillian Obligado

This is another treasure from the library used book sale.  I was still an elementary school student when I got this, and I've read it to pieces over the years.  There are two delightful stories (The Egg Book is my favorite) and some charming poems.  I've even used it with one of my students with autism years ago and he loved the poetry.  If you ever come across this gem, snap it up!

Mystery in the Night Wood by John Lawrence Peterson, illustrated Cyndy Szekeres 

Oh what a fun book!  As you can tell, it's another library used book sale find when I was a kid.  This was one of the first mysteries I ever read and I loved it so much.  (And what wonderful illustrations!)

The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne, illustrated by E. H. Shepard

This is a classic that needs no explanation.  I became a fan in college and this gorgeous edition was gifted to me by best friend at the time.  It's full of such precious stories.

So, how about you?  Do you have any books the would fit the challenge?  Or some treasures like these?

August 2025 Wrap Up

Books Read:

The Amazing Adventures of Letitia Carberry by Mary Roberts Rinehart (1911)  3/5 stars

The Tish series, book 1

This book contains a novella and two short stories, all of which are laugh-out-loud funny and hugely entertaining.  The solution to the novella's mystery came sort of out of the blue, but, as this is one of Rinehart's earliest published works, she was still developing her talent and style.  I will definitely read more of Tish's adventures!  (edit: I started the next one but didn't enjoy it enough to finish; there are more in the series, so maybe I'll try another.)

Clothes-Pegs by Susan Scarlett (1939)  4/5 stars

(Susan Scarlett is a pseudonym of popular children's author Noel Streatfeild.)

This is a sweet, nicely-written romance that was so entertaining I stayed up late to finish it. I enjoyed the blend of light humor with the various dramatic plotlines, and the slice-of-life it depicted.  I'll certainly read more of her novels.

Ella and the Elf  by Anabelle Raven (2024)  3/5 stars

Elves & Legends, book 1

This is a mix of the Cinderella tale with the author's original world, populated by elves and humans.  Because it was relatively short, the relationships (friends and otherwise) solidified quickly and the plot was thin on details.  Despite that, I enjoyed it and immediately started the next in the series.

Marian and the Elf  by Anabelle Raven (2024)  3/5 stars

Elves & Legends, book 2

This is no-spice fantasy about a human princess rescued by an elf pirate, who work together to try for peace between their races.  It's subtitled "a reimagined Robin Hood", but there were very few elements of the legend involved.  It's generally enjoyable, but there are dark themes running throughout, which keep it from being a fun read. Overall I liked it, but I wasn't drawn deeply into the world or the story.

Cold Silence by Susan Sleeman (2024) 4/5 stars 

Cold Harbor series, book 0.5 

This Christian romantic-suspense may not be the most believable story, but it's a fast-paced, engrossing, and highly entertaining read that I devoured in two days.  I will certainly read more by the author.

Audiobooks Completed:

The Swimming Pool by Mary Roberts Rinehart (1952)  4/5 stars

This mystery is well-written, entertaining, and nicely complex.  I always finds Rinehart's "had I but known" style to be amusing, but the great characters, twisty plot, and laugh-out loud moments made it well above average.

Vanishing Point by Patricia Wentworth (1953)  4/5 stars

Miss Silver mysteries, book 24

Even though the solution was improbable in bits, the story as a whole was highly entertaining.  The Miss Silver series may be "fluff" mysteries, but I still enjoy them a good deal.

Medieval Horizons: Why the Middle Ages Matter by Ian Mortimer (2023)  5/5 stars

Dr. Mortimer provides a convincing and compelling argument that fundamental and revolutionary changes occurred during the Middle Ages that "unlocked humanity's potential" and set-up transitions that were responsible for creating the world as we know it today. It is well-written, easy-to-follow, and extremely enlightening.  (He also does a fine job of narrating the audiobook.)

Enthroned by K.M. Shea (2013)  3/5 stars

King Arthur and Her Knights, book 1

This is a cute fantasy about a twenty-something American girl being transported back in time by Merlin to become King Arthur.  My problems are two-fold.  One is that it's very short, novella length, in fact.  As a result, there is not much character growth and it feels like the set-up for the next installment, instead of a full novel in its own right.  I checked and, with the exception of the seventh and final book, they are all 126 pages or less, meaning that they are going to be episodes in Britt's life as King Arthur, and not books per se, a publication method that I dislike.

Second, is the historical aspect.  I know, I know, this is fantasy.  But as a history nerd, I know that Arthur would have lived around the 5th century, not long after the Romans left Britain.  What Shea is showing here is the image of Arthur created by the lordly classes during the 13th century.  If Britt had been drawn back in time by Merlin, it would certainly not have been to wear chainmail and live in a castle.

So yes, this is a fun little story, I already own the whole series, and I have enjoyed a lot of this author's fantasy novels previously.  Unfortunately, though, I think I'm going to give the rest a miss and take a loss on the purchase cost.  Call it the curse of being an arm-chair historian.

Sidney Padget's original illustration for
The Hound of the Baskervilles

The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle (1902)  5/5 stars

The Sherlock Holmes series, book 5 

I enjoyed this reread even better than the last; enough so that I raised it to five stars.  It's extremely entertaining, well-written, and even suspenseful at times.  I love how the reader gets to know Watson's charming and sweet personality so well in this story, and Holmes is near perfection as an eccentric character.  Overall, it's one that I would highly recommend as a first read for anyone new to the Holmes canon.

The Moor by Laurie R. King (1998)  4/5 stars

The Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series, book 4 

This is my third time reading this one, and it is definitely a top favorite of this series.  King blends fiction and history so well and believably.  I loved learning about the eccentric Reverend Sabine Baring-Gould enough to do a good deal of research on him.  I would suggest that the reader be familiar with The Hound of the Baskervilles first, and I was glad that I did a reread of it immediately prior.

Did Not Finish

I started and stopped so many this month that I couldn't keep track of them all.  These were the most memorable failures for me.  

Fer-de-Lance by Rex Stout

As the Nero Wolfe books are written during the 1930s, my favorite crime novel era, I felt a bit ashamed at never having read one.  This was the first of the series, and I'm sure they get better, but I didn't feel any connection to the plot, the narrator, or Wolfe, and quit about half-way through.  

Down Under by Patricia Wentworth

I usually enjoy even her most far-fetched mystery/suspense, but this one was just too absurd.

July 2025 Wrap Up

 Books Read:

The American Gun Mystery by Ellery Queen (1933)  3/5 stars

Ellery Queen series, book 6

It started as a fun and interesting mystery with the typical Ellery Queen set-up, but became less enjoyable and more convoluted as it progressed, and ended with an unsatisfying solution.

Printer's Error by Gladys Mitchell (1939)  3/5 stars

Mrs. Bradley mysteries, book 10

I loved parts of the book, and early on it was interesting and intriguing.  Sadly, I found it to be disappointing overall and a below-average example of the author's work.

The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien (1954)  5/5 stars

The Lord of the Rings, book 2

I'll admit I didn't enjoy this one as much this time around.  The second half with Sam and Frodo moves more slowly than I remembered, and is much less exciting than the adventures everyone else is having in the first part.  It's still a five star book, simply an amazing tale, but not my favorite of the series. 

Brazen Tongue by Gladys Mitchell (1940)  4/5 stars

Mrs. Bradley mysteries, book 11

In the early days of WWII, three people are murdered in a small town.  Mrs. Bradley becomes involved and eventually solves the twisty, complex case.  This is another interesting, engaging, and entertaining mystery, full of clues both false and true.  Mrs. Bradley's amoral personality has gradually shifted in the series, becoming more typical of the times, so it was fun to see her make another of her godlike decisions.

The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett (1983)  3/5 stars

Discworld, book 1

This was a reread and I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as I have previously.  Maybe from familiarity, or maybe because it was more coarse in places than I remembered.  Nonetheless, while it is definitely not Pratchett's best or my favorite, it is a good deal of fun and begins a great series.  

A note on the series as a whole: There are various orders you can read them in but I do feel it's best to go in chronological order the first time, even though the first three are just average. The world grows exponentially and Pratchett's talent expands enormously as the series progresses, so it's better to experience them that way first.   

The King's Captive by K.M. Shea (2022)  4/5 stars

Gate of Myth and Power trilogy, book 1 

This no-spice urban fantasy was such fun!  It's well-written, humous, entertaining, and entirely engrossing. 

The King's Shadow by K.M. Shea (2023)  4/5 stars

Gate of Myth and Power trilogy, book 2

Just as good as the first book, with more emotion and humor thrown in.  

The King's Queen by K.M. Shea (2023)  3/5 stars

Gate of Myth and Power trilogy, book 3

I loved this no-spice urban fantasy trilogy as a whole -- characters, plot, sweet romance -- but there were unanswered questions and unresolved issues that kept this final book from being  four stars.   Don't let that dissuade you from reading the series, though; Shea writes such fun books!

 

Magic Forged by K.M. Shea (2020)  4/5 stars

Hall of Blood and Mercy trilogy, book 1 

This is a fun, engaging, and fully entertaining no-spice urban fantasy.  It's the start of a trilogy, and I ate it up in two days and immediately started the next.  Shea is definitely my go-to author when I need an urban fantasy fix.

Magic Redeemed by K.M. Shea (2020)  4/5 stars

Hall of Blood and Mercy trilogy, book 2 

This continuation of Hazel's story was so good, adding more emotion, depth and high-stakes to the series.   It's well-written, completely engrossing, and just plain fun -- so much so, in fact, that I read it in just under two days.

 

Magic Unleashed by K.M. Shea (2020)  4/5 stars

Hall of Blood and Mercy trilogy, book 3 

This is a well-written and engrossing book, full of action, fun, and swoony moments that perfectly wrapped up the trilogy.

Audiobooks Completed:

The Wall by Mary Roberts Rinehart (1938)  4/5 stars

This is a complex mystery with a lot of false clues, circumstances, and misleading facts that kept me highly entertained from start to finish.  There are readers who don't appreciate Rinehart's signature "had I but known" style, but I find it a good deal of fun.   

The Witness for the Prosecution and Other Stories by Agatha Christie (1932)  4/5 stars

I had read some of these short stories in other collections, but certainly enjoyed the ones that were new-to-me, especially the excellent "The Witness for the Prosecution".

The Silent Pool by Patricia Wentworth (1956)  3/5 stars

Miss Silver mysteries, book 25

This follows the typical Miss Silver formula, and, though too easy to solve, is entertaining and enjoyable.

The Plantagenets: The Warrior Kings and Queens Who Made England by Dan Jones (2015)  5/5 stars

This is a surprisingly in-depth one-volume account of the around 250 years of Plantagenet rule in England.  It's easy to follow, despite all the details, and was entertaining as well as informative.  

All Shall Be Well by Deborah Crombie (1994)  3/5 stars

Duncan Kincaid & Gemma James mysteries, book 2

As with the first of the series, I enjoyed the writing, the plot, and the characters.  I was disappointed with the solution and lack of clues, though, but will give the author another try.

Leave the Grave Green by Deborah Crombie (1995)  3/5 stars

Duncan Kincaid & Gemma James mysteries, book 3

The mystery itself was interesting, though not satisfying, but the personal relationships of the detectives ruined the series for me. 

Third Girl by Agatha Christie (1966)  3/5 stars

Hercule Poirot series, book 40

Christie's later works are not always a good example of her skill and talent, as this one shows.  It hinges a lot on coincidence and rambles a bit.  It's still mostly entertaining, even as a reread, but not one I would recommend to new readers.

Did Not Finish:

Hangman's Curfew by Gladys Mitchell

I've been enjoying this series, but, by 38%, I was completely lost.  I wasn't invested enough to start again to see what I was missing, so I decided to skip this one. 

June 2025 Wrap-Up

Books Read:

The Longer Bodies by Gladys Mitchell (1930)  4/5 stars

Mrs. Bradley mysteries, book three

When two murders are committed while psychoanalyst Mrs. Bradley is in the neighborhood, she uses her particular skills to help the police find the culprit.  This is another twisty, intelligent, entertaining mystery and I must say that, after three books, Mrs. Bradley has become a favorite morally gray character.

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien (1954)  5/5 stars

The Lord of the Rings, book one 

This was a leisurely reread, and I enjoyed it tremendously.  The world, the mythology, and the poetic imagery are stunning. 

The Saltmarsh Murders by Gladys Mitchell (1932)  4/5 stars

Mrs. Bradley mysteries, book four

In this twisty and intelligent mystery, psychoanalyst Mrs. Bradley is visiting a friend when a murder occurs.  Given her interest in and understanding of the human psyche, she immediately involves herself in the investigation, with her usual success. The casual racism of that age is appalling, of course, and some of the opinions and analyses of Mrs. Bradley were unpleasant, if not amoral.  Yet, despite that, I read the book in two days, completely engrossed in the plot and characters.  Mrs. Bradley's gray moral character dominates the story in an uncomfortable yet irresistible way.

Death at the Opera by Gladys Mitchell (1934)  4/5 stars

Mrs. Bradley mysteries, book five

When a teacher is found dead in the middle of a school performance, the headmaster requests Mrs. Bradley's assistance to solve the crime.  This was another twisty, intelligent, entertaining mystery.  While Mrs. Bradley's gray side wasn't as prominent as in previous books, she's still a fascinating character.  The ending was satisfying, typical of this series so far, and I enjoyed it tremendously overall (as proven by the fact that I read it in less than 24 hours). 

The Devil at Saxon Wall by Gladys Mitchell (1935)  4/5 stars

Mrs. Bradley mysteries, book six

Bizarre, hard to explain, impossible to put down, and incredibly entertaining -- another Mrs. Bradley story that I finished in less than 24 hours.  (Note: The publisher's blurb does it a disservice.)

Dead Men's Morris by Gladys Mitchell (1936)  3/5 stars

Mrs. Bradley mysteries, book seven

I didn't enjoy this one as much as the previous six for two reasons.  One, it was unnecessarily convoluted, with clues that never fully made sense.  Secondly, Mrs. Bradley's gray morals didn't meddle with the outcome, a feature I've come to expect.  It was still a fun read, though, but not a good example of this series.

St. Peter's Finger by Gladys Mitchell (1938)  4/5 stars

Mrs. Bradley mysteries, book nine

Though it was somewhat easy to solve, this is still a gripping, entertaining, well-written mystery with a memorable plot. 

Knave of Diamonds by Laurie R. King (2025)  3/5 stars

Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series, book 19

Russell, Holmes, and her uncle Jake look for the missing Irish Crown Jewels in this latest adventure.  As usual, I enjoyed how King blends fact with fiction, but found the book to be lacking in substance as far as plot and action were concerned. It wasn't as disappointing as the previous book (The Lantern's Dance), just not up to the quality of some of the others in this series. However, it is always fun to revisit this pair, and, though I didn't feel that Holmes acted fully according to character, I did mostly enjoy the light story.

Audiobooks Completed:
Assyria: The Rise and Fall of the World’s First Empire by Eckart Frahm (2023)  3/5 stars

The story of the Assyrian empire is an interesting time in history, but this book did not do it justice.  It was often dull, and not nearly as informative as I expected. 

N or M? by Agatha Christie (1941)  4/5 stars

Tommy and Tuppence mysteries, book three

This is a fun and twisty WWII-era fifth column espionage mystery. I had read it before, but I still enjoyed the clever solution.

Taken at the Flood by Agatha Christie (1948)  4/5 stars

Hercule Poirot series, book 29

Very twisty and enjoyable mystery with a satisfying conclusion.  Somehow, in all my years of reading Christie, I had missed this one, so it was quite a treat -- even if the story ending (not the solution) was a bit off-putting.

 

The Clocks by Agatha Christie (1963)  3/5 stars

Hercule Poirot series, book 39

It was a very interesting mystery until the last quarter, when all the coincidences become apparent.  Two questions were left unanswered as well, plus there is very little Poirot involvement.  I enjoyed it, even as a reread, but I didn't love it and certainly wouldn't recommend it to a new Christie reader.

May 2025 Wrap-Up

Books Read:

The Treasure of the Lake by H. Rider Haggard (1926)  4/5 stars

This posthumously published tale is another fun African adventure narrated by the reluctant hero, Allan Quatermain.  Some views and opinions are dated, of course, but otherwise it's a good yarn -- even if it will remind the reader of Haggard's 1887 novel She.

Ties of Legacy by Melanie Cellier  (2025) 4/5 stars

Kingdoms of Legacy, book 1.5

This is a charming no-spice romantic fantasy about Elliot, whose life is bound to a brass candlestick -- if he gets separated from it, he will weaken and eventually die. By accident, he becomes additionally linked to Avery, a pretty, spunky travelling merchant.   Working together, they seek for a solution to Elliot's affliction. 

This is part of "Tethered Hearts", a multi-author series of (supposedly) stand-alone novels with a similar theme.  Unfortunately, not having read any of Cellier's other books from the "Kingdoms of Legacy" series, I struggled to fully understand this fictional world at first.  Once I got it sorted out, and accepted that there were bits I just wasn't going to comprehend fully, I enjoyed the story immensely.  I will most likely read more by this author, in particular the series mentioned.

Ties of Starlight by Celeste Baxendell (2025)  5/5/ stars

It's hard to explain the plot without spoiling it, so I will simply say that it's a no-spice romantic fantasy about an Elf King and a half-human woman, marrying to fulfil an important ritual for the aid of their race.  The plot and world-building are fantastic, and I was drawn in immediately, genuinely concerned for the characters, and could hardly put the book down.  (I read it in less than twenty-four hours.) The writing is solid, and the book presents a strong positive message in addition.  I look forward to reading more by this author.  (This is part of the "Tethered Hearts" series as well.)

Hardy Haul at Hardy Hall by PJ Fitzsimmons (2024) 4/5 stars

Teddy Quillfeather Mysteries, book 1

Teddy, a young flapper, is at a house party when a valuable necklace is stolen.  Being something of master of the heist herself, she determines to find the culprit, while avoiding marriage proposals, swilling cocktails, and entertaining a penguin.  This is an intelligent, twisty, laugh-out-loud non-murder mystery which is just as well-written and entertaining as those featuring her cousin, the author's other main character, Anty Boisjoly.  

Ties of Deception by Alice Ivinya  (2025)  4/5 stars

This is a well-written,  no-spice fantasy about a newborn and naive grace, a god of death, an evil plan, and layer after layer of deceit.  The plot is twisty, complicated, and engrossing with characters I genuinely cared about and liked. The world is so complex that the author was forced to do a large info dump twice, but I did understand the need for it and appreciated the scope and depth.   I found part of the conclusion unsatisfying, but overall, the book was thoroughly enjoyable.  (This is part of the "Tethered Hearts" series as well.)

Gladys Mitchell

Speedy Death by Gladys Mitchell (1929)  4/5 stars

Mrs. Bradley mysteries, book one

Psychoanalyst Mrs. Bradley is visiting friends when a murder occurs, so, using her professional observational skills, she works to discover the culprit.  I really enjoyed this engaging and well-written mystery, despite the sometimes obvious answers.  It was fun, a little bizarre, and had a great ending.  I will definitely read more of the series, because I need to know more about Mrs. Bradley.

Ties of Bargains by Tara Grayce (2025)  4/5 stars

In this no-spice romantic fantasy, Val, a fae mercenary is tasked with delivering her human "package", Harmen, to the Court of Queen Mab -- never imagining that the trip would become both complicated and life-changing.  It takes place in Grayce's existing fairy universe, The Court of Midsummer Mayhem; I had never read any books in that series, but had no problems understanding the world or situations.  I loved  Val and Harm, their backstories, and the character growth they experienced.  Harmen comes from a Dutch-inspired culture, which was unusual and nicely done.  The plot is both gripping and fun, and I enjoyed it immensely.  I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.  (This is part of the "Tethered Hearts" series as well.)

The Mystery of a Butcher's Shop by Gladys Mitchell (1929)  4/5 stars

Mrs. Bradley mysteries, book two

This is another twisty and engaging (if gruesome) mystery featuring Mrs. Bradley -- and another great ending, as well.  Mrs. Bradley is an intriguing character and I look forward to reading more.

Ties of Death by Constance Lopez (2025)  4/5 stars

The king of the Gryphon Rider Clan has been cursed with a death magic that threatens all around him.  The only solution he can find is to kidnap and marry his childhood friend whose peaceful magic balances his.   I read this no-spice fantasy in less than two days and enjoyed it immensely. It is immediately attention-grabbing, and stays engaging throughout with a plot full of action, conflict, and romance.  The slow reveal of the true inner selves of the characters is nicely done, and the world is interesting and well-built.  I will definitely read more by this author.  (This is part of the "Tethered Hearts" series as well.)

Audiobooks Completed:

Matilda: Empress, Queen, Warrior by Catherine Hanley (2019)  3/5 stars
This biography of the Medieval almost-Queen-of-England was interesting, if dry at times, but Hanley makes many suppositions based on what she believes she knows of Matilda's personality, weakening the credibility of the information.

Daughters of Chivalry: The Forgotten Children of King Edward Longshanks by Kelcey Wilson-Lee (2019)  3/5 stars

I'm giving this a generous three stars because it was obvious that the author was passionate about sharing the lives of these five women, and the verifiable information was truly interesting.  However, the lack of direct sources available resulted in a superfluity of words and phrases such as "might have", "probably", "suggests", "almost certainly", and "likely", forcing the reader to wade through the suppositions to find the facts.  I understand the difficulty of writing about people less documented, and I do appreciate the author's purpose.   However, with all the thoughts and feelings the author assumes based on circumstances and personality, this book would have worked better as historical fiction. 

Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne (1872)  4/5 stars

This is one of my favorite adventure stories, and I enjoyed this reread a good deal.  It's dated and biased, of course, but it's still a fun, humorous, and engaging tale.  

Did Not Finish:

Shady Hollow by Juneau Black

This is a cozy mystery taking place in a town of anthropomorphic animals -- what's not to love?  Apparently, for me, a lot. 

Henrietta Maria: The Warrior Queen Who Divided a Nation by Leanda de Lisle

For a biography, it was quite vulgar and not at all to my taste.  I listened for just over an hour, hoping the factual information would be worth the unappealing bits, but finally had to give up.

Streams of Gold, Rivers of Blood: The Rise and Fall of Byzantium, 955 AD to the First Crusade by  Anthony Kaldellis

I was lost in a sea of names, places, and Greek terms.  

April 2025 Wrap-Up

Books Read:

The Greene Murder Case by S.S. Van Dine (1928)  4/5 stars

Philo Vance series, book three

Well-written, twisty, and entertaining.  

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (1937)  5/5 stars

Simply fantastic.  It gets better every re-read.

The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond by Jaime Jo Wright (2018)  4/5 stars

This is a well-written novel with a dual-timeline, light suspense, and a strong Christian theme.  I was able to pick out both villains, but that didn't lessen the enjoyment or the tension.  This is the second book I've read by the author and look forward to reading more.  

Dancing and Doughnuts by Rachel Kovaciny  (2018)  4/5 stars 

Once Upon a Western, book two

This is a non-magical spin on the "Twelve Dancing Princesses" fairy tale, set in Kansas in 1866, where a stranger in town is hired to solve the mystery harming a family's dance hall. The narrator's voice is believable and distinct, and the plot itself is fun and charming, and is full of historical details and atmosphere.  Overall, this well-written novel was pure pleasure. 

First Love by Ivan Turgenev (1860) 4/5 stars 

I read this novella through, and then began it again immediately. While I didn't "enjoy" the story, Turgenev is a masterful writer and the story is told through a gauze of melancholy nostalgia that is most effective and, at times, moving. I think it needs two readings -- one for the plot, and one to just enjoy the language, descriptions, and emotions.

Audiobooks Completed:

The Nile: A Journey Downriver Through Egypt's Past and Present by Toby Wilkinson (2014)  3/5 stars

I've read two other books by Wilkinson (Tutankhamun's Trumpet: Ancient Egypt in 100 Objects from the Boy-King's Tomb, 5 stars, and A World Beneath the Sands: The Golden Age of Egyptology, 4 stars) so I was excited for this one.  It didn't meet my high expectations, unfortunately, but was still interesting and generally well-written.  The format -- telling Egyptian history through geography and not chronology -- may be disconcerting to some readers, but I found it to be effective storytelling.  It will probably be much more enjoyable to a reader that hasn't already been wowed by the author, and who isn't comparing this book to his others.   (Note: I feel like the audiobook narrator did not do justice to the book, however, so I would advise reading, not listening.)

The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery (1926)  5/5 stars  (re-read)

This gentle novel of fresh starts is about 29 year-old Valency who has lived under the thumb of her extended family for too long.  An unexpected event gives her the courage to step out and live life, leading to love, acceptance, and happiness.  It's a sweet, moving, beautiful book and I can't recommend it enough.

Sir Harry Hotspur of Humblethwaite by Anthony Trollope (1870)  4/5 stars

This isn't a novel that is "enjoyable" as such, but is a well-written character study with an unexpectedly engrossing plot.  Trollope is able to draw the reader fully into his world, no matter how mundane it seems on the surface.  I was actually anxious about the outcome and had to resist the temptation to read the last page to see what was going to happen.  Again, it's not a story I "liked", but I still lived it while I read it. 

The China Governess by Margery Allingham (1962)  4/5 stars (re-read)

Albert Campion series, book 17

This is a well-written, twisty novel with a main focus on family, identity and truth.  There is not a lot of mystery or crime in it, so I wouldn't recommend it as one's first Campion, but I loved the slow unfolding of the story, and it's beautiful ending.  

Did Not Finish:

I started and stopped so many this month that I couldn't keep track of them; there were at least nine, maybe more.  Most of them just weren't a good fit for the moment, but there were a few duds as well.

March 2025 Wrap-Up

Books Read:

Deadly Duo: Two Novellas by Margery Allingham (1950)  4/5 stars

U.K. Title: Take Two at Bedtime

Two well-written novellas (neither featuring Campion), with solid plots, lots of tension, and satisfying endings.

The Net That Holds Me by Scarlett Luna Strange (2023)  3/5 stars

This is a short "Little Mermaid" retelling, sweet but not well developed.

After the Armistice Ball by Catriona McPherson (2005)  4/5 stars

Dandy Gilver mysteries, book one

Taking place in Scotland in 1923, this is an intelligent, engaging, entertaining, and generally well-written mystery.  

Cloaked by Rachel Kovaciny (2017)  4/5 stars

Once Upon a Western, book one

This is a retelling of "Little Red Riding Hood", taking place in the Wyoming Territory sometime after the American Civil War.  Sixteen year old Mary Rose travels from the East to visit her Grandmother's ranch, where she makes good friends, learns to ride a horse, and begins to mature.  Her courage and love are put to the test when she meets a wolf-in-man's-clothing. 

This is a well-written YA book that is engaging from beginning to end.  It's intelligent and entertaining, with good lessons and themes running through. I'll admit that I didn't expect the violence (though given the setting, I probably should have), but aside from that, I enjoyed it thoroughly and look forward to reading more in the series.

"Magic on Main Street" Series by K.M. Shea

The Lies of Vampires and Slayers (2023)  4/5 stars

The Games of Enemies and Allies (2024)  4/5 stars

The Order of Blood and Ruin (2024)  4/5 stars

This is an urban fantasy trilogy about a vampire slayer on the city's supernatural law enforcement task force who makes friends with a young vampire in her apartment building, while fighting an ancient vampire at night.  (I don't want to share much so that I won't spoil anything.)  The entire series is well-written, fun, humorous, and totally engrossing.  I absolutely loved it!

Elizabeth and Her German Garden by Elizabeth von Arnim  (1898)  4/5 stars

This was a reread; my original review is here.

The Solitary Summer by Elizabeth von Arnim  (1899)  3/5 stars

This is the enjoyable companion volume to Elizabeth and Her German Garden but is not as witty or engrossing.

Audiobooks Completed:

The Last Chronicle of Barset by Anthony Trollope (1867)  3/5 stars 

Chronicles of Barsetshire, book six

Princess Charlotte

This, the final book of the series, was repetitive and dragged, and felt too long by about 200 pages.  I know it may be be unfair compare it to the Palliser series (all of which were five stars for me), but the series as a whole was inferior.  If the Chronicles of Barsetshire had been my first experience with Trollope, I would not have completed the series, and probably wouldn't have tried him again.

The Lost Queen: The Life & Tragedy of the Prince Regent's Daughter by Anne M. Stott (2020)  5/5 stars

This is a well-written, thoroughly researched biography of Princess Charlotte of Wales (1796-1817).  In it Stott  discusses the doomed marriage of Charlotte's parents, Caroline of Brunswick and George, Prince of Wales (later Prince Regent, and finally King George IV), and how the terrible aftermath affected Charlotte's childhood and short adult life.  Her "rebellious" teenage years and her brief happy marriage are detailed, along with the influence of friends and relations, world events, and domestic situations.  Overall, it's easily accessible and completely engrossing, painting a living portrait of this ill-fated princess.    

February 2025 Wrap-Up

Books Read:

The Nonesuch by Georgette Heyer (1962)  4/5 stars

This is a delightful light romance, full of humor, intelligence, and convincing Regency atmosphere. 

The Black Moth by Georgette Heyer (1921)  4/5 stars

This novel of Georgian England was Heyer's first published work and, if appreciated for the melodrama it was intended to be, is thoroughly enjoyable.

The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White (2019)  3/5 stars  

The Codebreakers, book one

This is a well-written, gripping Christian romantic suspense taking place in London during WWI.  It focuses on a female codebreaker, a British secret agent, and a German spy as their paths cross and recross in dangerous situations. I have only one complaint about the book, and that is the unconvincing historical setting.  I am especially interested in this era, and as a result have read many Edwardian novels and several autobiographies by WWI military personnel and nurses. To me, the atmosphere of this book felt more like the 1940s than the 1910s, without the strong mores that define that time period.  

The Hangman by Gerald Verner (1934)  3/5 stars

Trevor Lowe series, book two

This mystery relied too heavily on coincidence to be fully satisfying, but was still generally interesting and entertaining. 

Audiobooks Completed:

Framley Parsonage by  Anthony Trollope (1860)  4/5 stars

The Chronicles of Barsetshire, book four

Another witty and engaging entry in the series, full of memorable characters and situations.  

The Small House at Allington by Anthony Trollope (1864)  3/5 stars
Chronicles of Barsetshire, book five

This is certainly not my favorite Trollope novel.  It lacks charm and sparkle usual with the author, and seems more like the set up for the final novel, than a finished story in itself.  I did not care for one of the main characters, Lily, and if I had been reading instead of listening, would have skimmed most of her story.  Normally, the details and minutiae of a Victorian novel is part of what I love, but this one was unnecessarily long in parts, making some of the situations tedious.  Though I did enjoy it in general, I didn't find it exceptional in any way, and certainly wouldn't recommend it as an introduction to Trollope.

Did Not Finish:

The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow

It started off so good; though I didn't fully buy it all, I loved seeing P&P from Mary's point of view and the author's language and prose was a good match for the times.  As it progressed, though, Mary made no development in character, and I began to lose interest in hearing about nothing but how she was mistreated and misunderstood.  Once I reached 39% of this 463 page book, and saw how much I had left, I went to Goodreads to read spoilers to see if I wanted to continue; I was convinced that I did not.  

January 2025 Wrap-Up

Books Read:

The Dark Wives by Anne Cleeves (2024)  3/5 stars 

Vera Stanhope series, book 11

This book didn't feel polished or well-written in the early chapters, but as it progressed the writing quality improved.  I wasn't satisfied with the investigation or with the solution, though, and felt this to be the weakest book in the series.  I can't explain any better without giving spoilers, but it just failed to be convincing.  I would not recommend it to those not already fans of the series.

Emmazel: Emma is Trapped as Rapunzel  by Kendra E. Ardnek (2022)  4/5 stars

The Austen Fairy Tale series, book three

This blend of Rapunzel and Austen's Emma was truly enjoyable and satisfying.  Emmazel's lack of confidence keeps her from perfectly matching the classic character, but I still found both the tale and the mash-up of plots delightful.  I loved how the romance worked out; it was so sweet that I teared up.  Ardnek's original world, history, characters, and magic system are continued from the previous books, and it's important to have read them to understand motivations and  incidents.  I am extremely invested in this world and excited to start the next in the series.

Snowfield Palace: The Snow Queen invades Mansfield Park by Kendra E. Ardnek (2022)  4/5 stars

The Austen Fairy Tale series, book four

This generally well-written story does a good job blending the two classics, Mansfield Park and "The Snow Queen", while continuing Ardnek's original world, history, characters, and magic system.  The book ends with unanswered questions -- not exactly a cliffhanger, but enough uncertainty to cause the reader to want to start the next one quickly.  As with the previous novels, it is important to read these in order to be able to fully understand the plot.  Overall, it's enjoyable and entertaining, while being very serious and even heavy in parts.

Thornrose Estate: Northanger Abbey discovers Beauty and the Beast by Kendra E. Ardnek (2023)  3/5 stars

The Austen Fairy Tale series, book five

The part of the book that follows Northanger Abbey is generally well-done, but Thornrose Estate doesn't follow the classic fairy tale as closely, even in spirit.  I liked the characters, and the plot was exciting, but due to the shortness of the book, there wasn't much development.  Despite the importance of the events to the entire series, this is certainly the weakest of the novels.  Nonetheless, I still enjoyed it a great deal.

A Little Persuaded: The Little Mermaid needs a bit of Persuasion by Kendra E. Ardnek (2023)  4/5 stars

The Austen Fairy Tale series, book six

This generally well-written final installment of The Austen Fairy Tales blends the two classics together quite nicely while also continuing Ardenk's original story. The characters were likable and the plot engaging, and I enjoyed it best of them all, despite not being fully satisfied with the conclusion.  I definitely recommend this series for readers who love both fairy tales and Austen, but to understand the main story arc, the books must be read in order.

The Soulless Slipper by Abigail Manning (2023)  4/5 stars

The Fairmyth Chronicles, book one

This story excellently and uniquely weaves together the Greek myth of Hades and Persephone with the fairy tale of Cinderella, all inside of Manning's original magical world.  It is well-written, with a gripping plot, likable characters, and wonderful nods to the borrowed classics.  I am looking forward to reading more of Manning's myth/fairy tale mash-ups.

Poisoned Heart by Abigail Manning (2021)  3/5 stars 

The Emerald Realm, book one

This is Manning's first published novel, and doesn't have a lot of polish or personality.  It's an average retelling of Snow White, with a few nice twists, but not particularly memorable.  I enjoyed The Soulless Slipper enough, though, that I will certainly read more by the author.

Against the Grain by Peter Lovesey (2024) 3/5 stars  

Peter Diamond series, book 22

This, the conclusion to the series, sees Diamond doing off-duty, private investigating of a possible miscarriage of justice while on holiday in the country.  While it was generally fun, well-written, and intelligent, I found neither the mystery nor the solution to be fully convincing or satisfying.  With Diamond away from Bath and out of touch with his team, the story wasn't as compelling or engaging as is usual.  The Diamond books are one of my favorite police mystery series, so I'm sad that this is the final entry, but many of the previous were excellent enough to deserve rereading.   

The Burning of Rosemont Abbey by Naomi Stephens (2024)  3/5 stars

I really liked the characters, the strong Christian message, and the premise. I did find the investigation to be unrealistic at times and the solution not fully satisfying, though, and thought that it would have been more convincing as a whole had it been set in the author's native U.S. That said, I enjoyed the book enough that I would certainly read more by this author.

Audiobooks Completed:

Barchester Towers  by Anthony Trollope (1857)  5/5 stars
The Chronicles of Barsetshire, book two
This volume follows the principal characters from The Warden as the County of Barsetshire gains a new Bishop.  All the clerical men of Barchester (and their women) take a stand for or against the new Bishop, Dr. Proudie, and his scheming chaplain, Mr. Slope, while Mrs. Proudie vies with Mr. Slope over who will be the reigning influence of the bishopric.  Sides are again taken when a new Warden is to be picked, followed by a genteel internecine war, fought in drawing rooms and studies across Barsetshire, when a new Dean is required.  In the background love blooms, hatred flares, deception practiced, and goodness -- at last -- rewarded.

This is a gem of a novel, complex and layered, full of humor and wit, as well as sly digs at the practices of the day.  The characters are well-written, the story engaging, and the overall experience is completely enjoyable.  I'm eager to continue the series.

Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton (1990)  3/5 stars 

I first read this in the 1990s and loved it.  This time, I found it to be repetitive, over-detailed, and even dull and draggy in parts.  The characters were not fleshed out and the prose was sparse in a negative way.  Despite that, when it is exciting it's a good deal of fun, and it's definitely thought-provoking.  

Doctor Thorne  by Anthony Trollope (1858)  4/5 stars
The Chronicles of Barsetshire, book three

This third of the series introduces a new set of characters to tell a story of money, society, and "worth" as viewed by outsiders.  It's another layered, witty, and intelligent novel, lighter in tone than the previous, but completely enjoyable.