Book Club Murders by Leslie Nagel

The Book Club Murders
by Leslie Nagel

The opening pages show the scheduled book club selections for August through December. The diversity of female mystery writers on the list was a great start for this debut of the Oakwood Mystery Series by Leslie Nagel. This was the kind of book you start and do not want to put down until you have finished. The twists and surprises kept you on edge to the very end.

I love the character development and the sexual tension between Charley, the main character and a member of the Agathas Book Club, and Marcus Trenault, an Oakwood homicide detective. Although some of the actions taken during the story seemed a bit outlandish for the typical citizen, the story was presented in a very believable manner.

My only criticism is the inclusion of text from the books read by the Agathas (members of the book club). For those who have not read the titles listed at the front of the book, it might spoil the stories. Since I have read the majority of them, it was not a problem for me, but to those who could look to this list as potential reads, it just might be too much information. However, I loved how she built the mystery around these books.

I look forward to many more books featuring Charley and Marcus.

*To comply with guidelines set forth by the Federal Trade Commission, Alibi, a division of the Random House Publishing Group, has provided a complimentary electronic copy of The Book Club Murders for review purposes. This review is my opinion and is in no way influenced by the author or publisher.

Scandalously Wonderful

The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place
by Julie Berry

I just finished reading Julie Berry's The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place. Simply fabulous is the perfect way for me to describe this suspenseful mystery. I love the opening of the book where each of the students of St. Etheldreda's School for Young Ladies is introduced and the reason for their enrollment into the school is revealed. The main characters are the young ladies, the students of St. Etheldreda's. They have been given very specific nicknames based on the background information provided in the first chapter. The students are Dear Roberta, Disgraceful Mary Jane, Dour Elinor, Dull Martha, Pocked Louise, Smooth Kitty, and Stout Alice. The story takes place in Ely, Cambridgeshire, England and is set in 1890.

It doesn't take long for the action to begin in Berry's late 19th century book for young adults. Within the first ten pages the Headmistress of the school and her brother are both dead. The girls set out to hide the bodies and any evidence of foul play which occurred on Prickwillow Place. 

I don't want to ruin any of the story by providing too much detail. I thoroughly enjoyed this well researched account of Victorian life and believe children in upper elementary to middle school will enjoy the mystery, suspense, adventure, and hilarity of The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place.

*To comply with new guidelines introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, Roaring Brook Press has provided a complimentary digital copy of this book for review purposes. My review is in no way influenced by the author or publishing company and is solely my opinion.

Escaping with a Favorite Mystery Writer

I've Got You Under My Skin
Mary Higgins Clark

With the end of the school year quickly approaching, I decided to escape with a mystery by one of my favorite authors, Mary Higgins Clark. I have been reading MHC books for over twenty years. I always know I will be in for a great story, and she doesn't disappoint with I've Got You Under My Skin, her latest mystery.

The story actually involves two mysteries that come together in the end. The book begins with the murder of a young doctor while spending time with his young son on a playground in New York. The second murder is twenty year old unsolved case. The two come together when the widow of the young doctor, a television producer, sets in to motion the concept of a new television show centered around "cold cases". Laurie Moran contacts Robert Powell, the widower of Betsy Powell. Mrs. Powell was murdered twenty years ago following a lavish Graduation Gala for her daughter and three of her friends who had recently graduated from college.

I can't say the book was not somewhat predictable in certain places, but after reading MHC for so many years some of her writing tricks are recycled. Don't get me wrong. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and don't regret picking it up at all. It served the purpose for which I chose to read it ~ complete and utter escape.

So, for those of you in need of a great start to your summer reading, I would highly suggest ANY book written by Mary Higgins Clark. The mystery is well worth the suspense and the hours of missed sleep.

The Storybook Thief

My wonderful husband recently returned from the American Library Association's Annual Conference in Chicago. Since I was not able to attend this year he brought back some great books for me to read. The very best was a picture book in an uncorrected advance copy format. The hardcover of the book will be released in October of 2013.

The Snatchabook
by Helen Docherty and Thomas Docherty

The Snatchabook by Helen Docherty and illustrated by Thomas Docherty has instantly become one of my favorite books. Not only because it centers around a mystery and reading, but because it is also about parents reading to their children! I love a great mystery and when books start disappearing all around the forest. Eliza Brown (a little brown rabbit) decides she is going to solve the mystery by setting a trap for the storybook thief.

Eliza is successful in not only catching the thief, but also having all of the books returned to her forest friends. The book has a wonderful ending of redemption and turning a "wrong into a right". Although a mistake was made redemption and forgiveness is the moral of the story.

The illustrations are beautifully drawn by the author's husband, Thomas Docherty.  The stark contrast between the crispy, dark night with a large full moon and the warm bedrooms of the animals is amazing. It shows the coziness of the families as they share the special bedtime ritual of reading together. The expressions on each of the faces of the animals conveys the interest they have in book being read. Their demeanor changes dramatically and with wonderful characterization when the animals come together to discuss their situation. I don't want to ruin the heartwarming ending, but I will say I love the bright sunshiny day depicted at the end when everything is resolved. 

I would highly recommend this book for all libraries with children's collections. For bibliophiles like myself, you will most definitely want to add this title to your own collection of picture books. Just watch out, so it doesn't disappear!

*To comply with new guidelines introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, Sourcebooks, Inc. has provided a complimentary advanced reader copy of this book.

Playing Dead

I just finished reading one of the best books! It is the debut novel by Texas writer Julia Heaberlin, Playing Dead. It was the 2013 conference book for the Texas Library Association's One Book, One Conference program which was held in Fort Worth on Wednesday, April 24th. Unfortunately I was not able to attend the session because I was presiding over another session at the same time. I guess the best part for me is the story was not ruined for me through the discussion since I had not finished the book!

I loved this book so much I want to share everything about Tommie, Sadie, Maddie, and Hudson, but I won't because I want others to enjoy the book too. All I can say is that I loved everything about it, especially the setting! The book is set in and around Fort Worth, Texas, for the most part. I was surprised with the twists and turns in the book. As we grow up we all believe we know who we are and all about our parents. It can be shocking to find out, after the death of a parent that you really know nothing about yourself.

I highly recommend this book to lovers of Texas, mystery, and suspense. I can't wait for Ms. Heaberlin's next book, Lie Still, which is expected out July 9th.

Happy Reading!