Category: books
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Book review: The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy by Julia Quinn
The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy by Julia Quinn My rating: 4 of 5 stars There has been a lot of hate in the reviews for this book because of the (huge) deception the hero of the novel played on the heroine. However, one reviewer in particular nailed the issue on the head by describing…
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Book review: Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood
Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood My rating: 3 of 5 stars This is the first book in a mystery series set in 1920s Australia. Phryne Fisher is a very self-reliant young woman who grew up poor in Australia and whose family came unexpectedly into a British title and money after the death of more direct…
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Book review: The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller My rating: 4 of 5 stars When I first realized a few pages into this book that Achilles was going to be the hero of this particular novel, I did a mental eye-roll (I may have even done a physical eye roll). Achilles has never struck me as…
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Book review: Holy Warrior by Angus Donald
Holy Warrior by Angus Donald My rating: 4 of 5 stars The Outlaw Chronicles series (starring Robin Hood and narrated by Alan Dale) is gritty historical fiction at its best. At the end of the first book, Robin Hood makes a vow to go on crusade and help retake Jerusalem. In this book (the second…
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Book review: Render Unto Caesar by Gillian Bradshaw
Render Unto Caesar by Gillian Bradshaw My rating: 4 of 5 stars Gillian Bradshaw is an underrated historical fiction writer. I have read most of her books (I’m still working on the rest of them), and she does an excellent job integrating a compelling plot with interesting characters set in a historical time period. She…
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Book review: The Difficult Saint by Sharan Newman
The Difficult Saint by Sharan Newman My rating: 4 of 5 stars The Catherine LeVendeur mystery series is one of my favorite historical mystery series. In addition to the impeccable research and the excellent quality of the writing, what makes this medieval mystery series stand out is that the author incorporates into the series the…
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Book review: The Far Pavilions by M. M. Kaye
The Far Pavilions by M.M. Kaye My rating: 5 of 5 stars I have long been a fan of M. M. Kaye’s books and had an opportunity to re-read this one, as it recently became available in e-book form. I had forgotten how beautiful a book it is. The author’s experience living in India gives…
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Cursed in the Blood by Sharan Newman
Cursed in the Blood by Sharan Newman My rating: 4 of 5 stars I am an avid fan of the Catherine LeVendeur mystery series and have been for years, but I only recently picked it up again with this 5th book of the series. The reason is that some years ago, I had peeked at…
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Book review: The Forever Queen by Helen Hollick
The Forever Queen by Helen Hollick My rating: 4 of 5 stars “The Forever Queen” is the first book of two about Emma of Normandy, who married Aethelred of England (known as the Unready) and slowly transforms from a shy and timid girl into a woman of confidence and self-assurance who knows what she wants.…
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Book review: Garment of Shadows by Laurie King
Garment of Shadows by Laurie R. King My rating: 4 of 5 stars The Mary Russell mystery series is one of my favorite series. (I know–I say that a lot.) At the beginning of this one, which starts almost immediately after the previous book, “The Pirate King,” Mary Russell is suffering from amnesia and has…