July 2026 Wrap Up

Books Read:

Fly Country by Anthony Lang (1928)  4/5 stars

This is a light mystery/crime story with a bit of romance.  It is well-written and engaging and, though I figured out a good deal, I was interested to the end.

HIH Grand Duke MIchael Alexandrovich

Michael and Natasha: The Life and Love of Michael II, the Last of the Romanov Tsars by Rosemary and Donald Crawford (1997)  4/5 stars

This is a biography of the Grand Duke Michael Aleksandrovich, brother of Tsar Nicholas II, who was made Tsar for a brief period during the Russian Revolution of 1917.  It focuses on his relationship with Nathalie Wulfert with whom he fell passionately in love -- enough so to defy his family to marry her.  It is well-written and very interesting, up until the Revolution.  At that point, the authors go into excruciating detail with a mind-boggling amount of minutia.  Overall, though, I was glad to learn about Michael, Natasha, and their life and would recommend the book with the understanding that the middle chapters may need to be skimmed due to the information overload.

Nothing Can Rescue Me by Elizabeth Daly (1943)  4/5 stars

Henry Gamadge, book 5

This is a solid mystery, well-written and entertaining, though a bit convoluted at the end.  

Between the Acts by Virginia Woolf (1941)  3/5 stars

This is Woolf's final novel, published posthumously.  It spans about 24 hours: the night before, the day of, and the evening after the village play.  That play (and the play that was inside that play) is detailed line by excruciating line. I felt like some of the audience, wondering just what the play was about, what I was supposed to feel, and thinking it a bit of a time-waster. (Perhaps that was her point?)  Woolf's examination into the thoughts of the characters was as good as always, but the play felt contrived, almost a filler, and I came away disappointed.  Despite the fact that there are some gorgeous and amazing sentences, I wouldn't recommend this to new readers of Woolf, only to completist fans. 

The Master's Violin by Myrtle Reed (1904)  4/5 stars

This is a gentle novel of romance -- first love and second-chance -- with the overly lyrical prose and heavy emotions typical of the time.  As a fan of this genre and era, I found it enjoyable and entertaining, though I would only recommend it to those who also appreciate turn-of-the-20th-century melodramas.

Audiobooks Completed:

Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages by Dan Jones (2021)  4/5 stars

This (long) nonfiction exploration of the Middle Ages is told by theme (such as monks, crusaders, merchants, and navigators) rather than by strict chronological order.  I found this to be a very effective arrangement and, though I didn't learn many new-to-me facts due to lots of previous studying of this time period, I enjoyed the writing, presentation, and style.  I definitely recommend this to those interested in, but relatively new to, the study of the Middle Ages.

Did Not Finish:

House of Brass by Ellery Queen

This was written in 1968 and it shows with its attitude toward sex and women, and overall slimy feel.  I enjoy the Queen novels of the 1940s, and even some later, but this one was just unreadable for me.

Bonjour Agent by Fabergé Eastern 

It isn't a bad book -- I would give it 3 stars based on the 30% I read -- but it felt immature, both plot and prose.  Also, adding historical figures as characters in a book takes a good deal of convincing writing, and it just wasn't believable in this one. 

Ties of Dust by Deborah Grace White

It got too stressful for me due to the politics.

May 2026 Wrap Up

Books Read:

Night of the Letter by Dorothy Eden (1955)  4/5 stars

This is a domestic suspense with gothic vibes.  And if melodramatic, was still entertaining and engrossing, with a satisfying ending.

Blood & Roses: The Paston Family and the Wars of the Roses by Helen Castor (2004)  5/5 stars

Drawing from the the oldest surviving family correspondence written in English, the author/historian tells the story of three generations of the Paston family as they survived the upheavals of the Wars of the Roses. This book is intelligently written while still being easy-to-read.  It is a fascinating glimpse into the ordinary lives of an upwardly-moving family who were living through tumultuous times. 

Cargo of Eagles by Margery Allingham (1968)  3/5 stars

Albert Campion mysteries, book 19

This is the final Campion novel that was written by Allingham, and it was completed after her death by her husband, Pip Youngman Carter, from the notes she left.  It suffers from having too much going on in too few pages.  Despite being convoluted and confusing at times, the adventure was generally entertaining, and it's always fun to revisit Campion and Lugg.

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis (1942)  5/5 stars

This was a reread for me, and I was even more impressed this time.  Lewis holds a mirror up and I saw myself in so many ways.  Simply a fantastic read for Christians who are willing to see themselves from outside, and who desire to change for the better.

The Captain of the Vulture by Mary Elizabeth Braddon (1863)  4/5 stars

This melodrama/mystery takes place in Georgian England, in the mid 18th century.  I went into it blind, only knowing I love the author, and I'm glad I did because all the plot was a surprise for me. I figured out some elements, but it still had me guessing in parts.  It was quite entertaining, and those that love the genre like I do will most likely enjoy it, too.  

Pride and Preston Lin by Christina Hwang Dudley (2024)  4/5 stars 

This is a contemporary Pride and Prejudice retelling that takes place in the San Francisco Bay Area among the Asian American community.  The characters are mainly college and grad students, learning to know themselves as they mature over the course of the novel.  I enjoyed how the author used the classic plot as a template for her modern story, giving it new twists yet staying faithful to the original.     Overall, I found it charming, often funny, and well-written.   As a fan of Dudley's Regency romances, I had great hopes for this one and was not disappointed.  (note: While it is no-spice, I'd place it in the New Adult category rather than YA.)

Audiobooks Completed:

War Bound by Tara Grayce (2020)  4/5 stars

Elven Alliance, book 2

War Bound picks up immediately after the end of the first book, Fierce Heart (my review here), and follows Essie and her elf husband Farrendel to her home country as they try to negotiate a further treaty to ally humans and elves against the aggression of the trolls. The sweet (no-spice) romance between the two continues as their marriage of alliance grows into love.  The plot is one of traitors, danger, and betrayal; it is exciting and engaging, and even had me in tears toward the end.  I enjoyed it tremendously and began the third book immediately after finishing this one.

Death Wind by Tara Grayce (2020)  4/5 stars

Elven Alliance, book 3

As previously, Death Wind picks up immediately after the end of War Bound, and tells of the war between the Trolls and the Human/Elf alliance.  It does include a lot of off-the-page torture, which is mentioned without  graphic details after the event.  It is well-written with a tense, gripping, and exciting plot which made me eager to begin the fourth book.

Troll Queen by Tara Grayce (2021)  4/5 stars

Elven Alliance, book 4

Like the others, this one picks up exactly where the last one ended.  I don't want to give spoilers, but a treaty is made between the Trolls and the Human/Elf alliance, leading to another marriage to seal the peace -- this time between Elf and Troll.  This book is well-written with lots of action, emotion, and drama, and with sweet and swoony no-spice romance thrown in for good measure. In addition, the author deals with topics like how to love in such a beautiful and healthy way.  I absolutely loved this book!  It's definitely my favorite of the series so far.

Pretense by Tara Grayce (2021)  4/5 stars

Elven Alliance, book 5

Assassination attempts, scandal, spying, secrets, and broken hearts fill this fifth installment of the Elven Alliance series.  It focuses on the human Prince Edmund and the elven Princess Jalissa as they navigate a budding relationship initially built on lies.  It's another well-written, no-spice fantasy, with action, emotion, and drama.  While Troll Queen remains my favorite, this one was a great read as well.

Shield Band by Tara Grayce (2022)  4/5 stars

Elven Alliance, book 6

To make a stronger alliance between the human kingdom and the Trolls, the Prince Julian searches for a bride among the Troll warriors.  Picking her was the easiest part -- wooing her was a test of Julian's courage and humility.  They become closer through tragedy and adventure, learning to stand side-by-side and back-to-back to face all difficulties.  This is the final book of the story arc (though three more books remain that deal with side characters and other points-of-view) and it wrapped everything up nicely.  It was well-written, engaging, exciting, and even moving at times, with swoon-worthy no-spice romance.  It quite nearly edged out Troll Queen as my favorite of the series.  

Did Not Finish:

Maid in Waiting by John Galsworthy

End of the Chapter, book 1; The Forsyte Chronicles, book 7

This book begins the final trilogy of The Forsyte Chronicles, but follows cousins-by-marriage to Fleur Forsyte Mont instead of the actual Forsyte family.  I read about half of it, but didn't find it as compelling as the prior two trilogies and eventually lost interest entirely.

February 2026 Wrap-Up

Books Read:

Stalks of Gold by Celeste Baxendell (2021)  3/5 stars

Bewitching Fairy Tales, book 1 

This no-spice fantasy is a combined retelling of Rumpelstiltskin and Rapunzel.  It is one of the author's earliest published novels and is not as good as her later books, mainly because nearly all the characters wallow in anger, despair, angst, or self-pity (if not all at once).  However, it is imaginative, well-written, has an intriguing plot and, for the most part, was an entertaining story. I will certainly read more of the Bewitching Fairy Tales series, but in the meantime, I highly recommend Ties of Starlight (my review) or This Rotting Heart (my review), both of which were five star reads for me.

The Belton Estate by Anthony Trollope (1866)  5/5 stars (my review here)

Fair Warning by Mignon G. Eberhart (1936)  4/5 stars

Marcia has been married for three miserable years to Ivan, an emotionally abusive manipulator.  Her neighbor, Rob, confesses that he loves Marcia and begs her to leave Ivan, but in her fragile mental state, she simply can't.  That night, Ivan is found murdered and Marcia is the most likely suspect.  

Eberhart creates a sense of dread from the very beginning, gradually increasing it until the tense atmosphere is nearly smothering.  The clues and false clues are clever -- every time I was certain I had the answer, I had to start over again.  While it's not a five star book, it was certainly entertaining and gripping.

Nathaniel's Nutmeg by Giles Milton (1999)  4/5 stars (my review here)

The Case Of The Blind Barber by John Dickson Carr (1934)  4/5 stars

Dr. Gideon Fell mysteries, book 4

A group of friends crossing the Atlantic from New York are robbed, rob someone themselves, find and lose an injured person, and become embroiled in one laugh-out-loud situation after another.  It reads  like a slapstick comedy, yet is a clever, skillfully-planned, rather grisly murder mystery. I found it to be highly entertaining  overall, and with a satisfying conclusion.  This is my first time reading any from the Dr. Fell series, so I don't know if they are all humorous stories, but I will certainly read another to see. 

Penny Plain by O. Douglas (1920)  4/5 stars 

The Priorsford Trilogy, book 1

This gentle book is a character study of both people and place, a slice-of-life story, a celebration of sibling love, and a light romance.  It's full of engaging characters and lovely descriptions, and includes strong Christian and moral undertones. Though like a fairy-tale in parts, Penny Plain felt alive and believable in many other ways.  I thoroughly enjoyed this well-written novel and look forward to reading the rest of the trilogy.     

Audiobooks Completed:

These Happy Golden Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder (1943)  4/5 stars

Little House series, book 8; Newbury Medal Nominee

This book finds the Ingalls family doing well in their homestead and becoming a part of the town.  It follows Laura as she becomes a young woman, begins earning money to assist her family, and experiences romance.  It's sweet, funny, and delightful, and a pleasure to watch her grow and mature.  

The Man of Property by John Galsworthy (1906)  5/5 stars

The Forsyte Chronicles, book 1 

This is the story of family obsessed with property of all sorts, and their relationships with each other. It's a character study, a novel of manners, and an examination of Victorian life.  Excellently written and completely engrossing, The Man of Property is a memorable experience.

Indian Summer of a Forsyte by John Galsworthy (1918)  5/5 stars

The Forsyte Chronicles, book 1.5 

This novella begins a three years after the end of The Man of Property and is a wonderful, moving, and well-written footnote to the story.   

The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper (1826) 4/5 stars  (my review) 

Did Not Finish:

Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder

This is not so much a "did not finish" as a "did not start".  I didn't want to interrupt the flow of Laura's stories with Almanzo's tale, so my intention was to read it last, after I finished the rest of the Little House series.  I listened to less than one chapter, but got interested in the Galsworthy book and switched to audio with it.  I still intend to return to Farmer Boy, though, as it's one of my favorites of the series.

Orchid Muse by Erica Hannickel

This is subtitled "a history of obsession in fifteen flowers" and I was intrigued.  I love a history tied around one object or person. Unfortunately, the author starts the introduction by saying that there is "nothing quite like the raw sexuality" of an orchid, and she continued with an agenda to sexualize the orchid, which isn't what I was looking to read. 

Nathaniel's Nutmeg by Giles Milton

Nathaniel's Nutmeg: Or the True and Incredible Adventures of the Spice Trader Who Changed the Course of History 

Giles Milton

1999

4/5 stars

This is a nonfiction account of the English attempt (during the 16th and 17th centuries) to acquire spice trading posts in what is now Indonesia.  The East India Company had their sights set on the island of Run in the Banda Islands.  This lead to hostility and bloodshed between them and the Dutch East India Company -- and to the eventual English ownership of Manhattan.

One difficulty I had with the book is that while Milton makes extensive use of journals, diaries, and letters, which he acknowledges in the bibliography, he unfortunately doesn't ascribe to any particular source with footnotes.

My other complaint is that the title is misleading.  Nathaniel Courthope features only as a minor character in the story of these spice wars.  Milton gives Courthope direct credit for the British obtaining Manhattan because of the stand he took against the Dutch on the island of Run.  This is tenuous at best, though I don't deny that Courthope was both brave and heroic.

Despite these two problems, I found the book easy to read, enjoyable, and fascinating.  I've studied a lot of British history but had no idea of the depth of the conflict between England and the Dutch over  cloves and nutmeg.  The brutality was horrifying, and the extent of the rancor over one small spice island was astounding. 

I will add that Nathaniel's Nutmeg is definitely written from the British point of view, and may be biased, but it is still interesting and informative. 

September 2025 Wrap Up

Books Read:

You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego (2025)  3/5 stars

This is a fast-paced, compelling and entertaining thriller that I read in just over 24 hours.  Unfortunately, not all the pieces fit snugly and the solution wasn't believable, even by that genre's standards.  I still enjoyed it enough that I would certainly try this debut author's next offering in the future.

The Case of Alan Copeland by Moray Dalton (1937)  3/5 stars

This started off really well, with a net of lies tightening around the titular character in a way that gave a tense atmosphere to the book.  As it progressed, though, there was very little deducing, the courtroom drama was repetitive, and the solution lacked emotional punch.  Dalton is one of my favorite Golden Age crime writers, but this is not a good example of her work. 

Manor for Sale, Baron Included by Esther Hatch (2021)  3/5 stars

A Romance of Rank, book 1

This is a sweet, clean, historical rom-com and while it's not my usual genre, I did enjoy it.  As a long-time reader of  Victorian literature and nonfiction, I have to say that it definitely didn't have a convincing Victorian era feel, but it's still a fun read.

Bride by Candlelight by Dorothy Eden (1954)  3/5 stars

A young woman arrives in New Zealand to marry a man she hasn't seen in years, only to find him, his family, and his situation different from what she was expecting.  Most of the mystery was easy to figure out, but with the gothic atmosphere and prevailing sense of unease, it was still highly entertaining.

Bridge of Fear by Dorothy Eden (1961)  4/5 stars

In this mystery/suspense, a young bride comes to a new country and discovers that her husband isn't what she thought him to be.  This was a quick read, full of tension and uncertainty.  I figured out a good portion, but it was completely engrossing and entertaining.    

Cat's Prey by Dorothy Eden (1952)  4/5 stars

In this novel of suspense, Antonia travels to New Zealand to visit a cousin and receive a legacy, only to find mystery, danger, and romance.  This is a surprisingly complex story, with an engrossing plot that was highly entertaining

On the Night of the Seventh Moon by Victoria Holt (1972)  3/5 stars

A Victorian teenager, finishing her last year in a German school, meets and falls in love with a romantic stranger, opening the door to deception and danger.  This book is simultaneously silly, predictable, and a page-turner, but definitely not in the gothic genre for which Holt was best known.  It's the only book I've read by this popular author, but based on the entertainment value of this one, I'd be willing to try another.

Audiobooks Completed:

Murder at the Spring Ball by Benedict Brown (2021)  3/5 stars

Lord Edgington Investigates #1

This is a cozy mystery taking place in England in the 1920s; the atmosphere was mostly believable, except for the progressive ideas of Lord Edgington.  The plot was far-fetched and the solution required a suspension of belief that, taken with lead characters that weren't fully likable, made this just an okay read.  This is the first of what has become a well-liked fifteen-book series; I own the next in the series, so I may try it later to see if it's a better fit for me.

Trent's Last Case by E.C. Bentley (1913)  4/5 stars

This classic mystery is well-written, intriguing, and engrossing.  I can certainly see why it was so popular at publication and has remained well-regarded.

The Perfect King: The Life of Edward III, Father of the English Nation by Ian Mortimer (2006)  5/5 stars

This fantastic biography is easy to follow, well-written, detailed, and fascinating.  I highly recommend it if you have an interest in medieval England. 

Did Not Finish:

Quite frankly, it's amazing I actually finished as much as I did this month, what with start-stopping so many others!

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano

I didn't find her mess of a life a bit funny and before the first chapter was over, I knew it wasn't for me.

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova 

She has a character disparagingly refer to Stoker as "disturbed and melodramatic", and then proceeds to one-up him with this overwrought and pretentious vampire tale.

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley

This is my third attempt at Foley's thrillers.  The first one I did finish -- it was three stars; the second I did not.  I didn't make it far in this one before I decided it just wasn't for me.  This is a reminder to my future self that Foley and I just aren't meant to be.

Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott

I've never read this classic, and gave it a good try.  I enjoyed the first five chapters a good deal, but was unable to stomach the brutal antisemitism of that time period.  I wouldn't hesitate to try another novel by Scott, but I don't think this one is a good fit for me.

The Booklover's Library by Madeline Martin

It started off really good, but as the conflicts and drama increased, I found it wasn't a good fit for me. 

 

Six Suspects by Vikas Swarup

It appeared to be a mystery that I would love, taking place in India with a varied cast of characters, and with lots of backstory and development.  After a several chapters, though, I realized that Swarup's style, word choices, and interests were not my taste, so I gave up.

Ravenscroft by Dorothy Eden

I enjoyed the three by Eden that I read prior to this one, but an unpalatable scene ruined this one for me.

The Other Mrs. by Mary Kubica

This was my second time trying and not finishing one of Kubica's books.  This is a reminder to myself that her thrillers are too full of characters with drama for me, and not to try again.

Slow Horses by Mick Herron

This is my second time trying this popular mystery/thriller/espionage series, but for some reason, I just can't connect with the plot or characters.  This is a reminder to myself to not try again.

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

Have I dnf'd this one or not?  I'm still not sure.  The discussion of my problems can be found here.

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.