Read another 50 pages or so of JONATHAN STRANGE AND MR. NORRELL

 

As I continue in this book, more magical events and people are appearing around London.  Though the people find it diverting, they are also learning how unpredictable it is.

I have now started Down in New Orleans by Heather Graham.  I have been following her Krewe of Hunters book and this romance somehow slipped in.  But it is, of course, also a mystery, so I am on board.  This is not what the cover of the book I am reading looks like, but I couldn't find mine on Goodreads.

Finished THE NICKEL BOYS

Historical novels are wonderful, first because they are a somewhat painless way to learn history.  My history classroom in school was a text with lists of names and dates to memorize.  A good, well researched historical novel can present the reader with well developed characters and then show how history effected them.  Of course, a novel doesn't have to stick strictly to history, as this author showed us in The Underground Railroad.  The Nickel School did not exist and this story is based on a reformatory located in Marianna, FL, a town which appears as you are driving through (which I have a number of times) to be a lovely quiet little rural town.  Read for the history, read for the characters, read for the horror and the twist, but, mostly, read for Colson Whitehead's storytelling..

 I will now return to  Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell for another 50 or so pages.

Finished THE BONE LABYRINTH

 

I find it very difficult to explain books by this author.  I have finally decided they are realistic science fiction.  They are only a little outside Robin Cook's books which could actually be happening while I am reading them.  James Rollins ends his books with an explanation of the scientific, archeological, and geographic features in this book are actually real, showing that no matter how outlandish the story seemed, it could actually happen...possibly.  Yikes!  I can't tell you how very much I love these Sigma Force novels of his.

I have now just barely started The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead.  The Nickel School in Florida was a place to send juvenile delinquents.  It has a cemetery in it which is in the process of being excavated in hopes of identifying the bodies and giving families some degree of closure.  This novel tells the story of one of the boys sent there.

Finished A SEARING WIND

Knowing how the real story of European conquest of our country continues rather pulls the rug out of the satisfaction of this story, but nonetheless, I heartily recommend the entire series.  Great characters, great action, brilliant setting (love Florida), a cautionary tale.  Loved it.

I have now started The Bone Labyrinth, another Sigma Force novel by James Rollins.  These are adventure tales that include history, science, military, globe jumping and ACTION.  At this point in the story, we have murders, kidnappings, historical/ archeological mysteries, and genetic science.  We have action going on in three cities on three continents.  Whew...

Finished I HEARD THAT SONG BEFORE

 

Another book that I could not put down after the half-way point.  I knew it was going to work out (because Clark's books always do), but I my guess as to who was only half right.

I have now started A Searing Wind, Book #3 of the Contact series.  It picks up immediately after Fire the Sky with Black Shell and Pearl Hand picking through the remains of Mabila, which has been almost totally demolished along with the native American forces who fought there.  De Soto's army has also been gravely reduced and his provisions are gone.  But, arrogantly he proceeds to push north into what is now Mississippi with our protagonists following closely.

Finished AMERICAN DEMON

 

All of Kim Harrison's books seem to end with one problem solved by creating another.  Which of course keeps me reading.  I loved the inventive problem created and solved in this book.  I loved the two new quirky characters introduced and can't wait for the next book.

I have now started I Heard That Song Before by Mary Higgins Clark.  When this author died, I thought I'd read pretty much all of her books so I went to her website and checked.  Nope--not by a long shot.  I ordered like ten more of her books and am working my way through.  In this one, our protagonist has married a very wealthy man who has had a cloud of bad public opinion hanging over his head since his late teens.  One person close to him has died and another disappeared and, of course, he seems the most likely culprit.

Finished SUCKER PUNCH

 

This book features a moral dilemma.  The new laws give executioners orders made out specifically to them and mandating that a certain supernatural being (in this case a wereleopard) be executed within 48 hours.  But what if the "criminal" mentioned did not commit the crime???  The case is complicated by Olaf entering the debate along with Anita, Edward, a new executioner and several small town law enforcement officers.  The book is talky and philosophical, forsaking the usual sex and action.  But the discussion has ramifications for criminal justice everywhere and I very much enjoyed the discussion.

After that I read Reunions Can Be Murder, A Wine Tasting Mystery Series Book 1.  This had a great premise for a murder mystery, a great setting (small town high school 20th reunion), and a marvelous group of characters.  I look forward to revisiting the town and the characters again.  On top of that the murders and characters made for an engrossing mystery.

I have now started American Demon, Kim Harrison's The Hollows #14.  I had thought, after The Witch With No Name, that this series was finished, so I am delighted to find two more books, this one, and another that will come out next month.  Hurray.  This story is about a frightening new entity that inhabits their victim's dreams and convinces them to kill the person they love.  And of course it is after Rachel!