Why Kings Confess

 

Why Kings Confess (#9 of Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery)

Author: C S Harris

Genre: historical mystery

Number of pages: 349

First published: 2014

Setting: London

Rating: 4 stars

First sentence: Paul Gibson lurched down the dak, narrow lane, his face raw from the cold, his fingers numb.

One sentence comment: It told a fascinating story about the outcast French royalty whose absurdity is unfathomable.

 

The book's focus on the Bourbon family in exile is an unusual topic. It paints a desperate picture of their lives, particularly the obese, wheelchair-bound uncrowned king and other stubborn royals, who were forced to endure their plight in a run-down corner of Britain. I quite like the author's attempt to present the unorthodox resistance to a modern audience, especially since the French royalty normally receives little sympathy from people due to their ruthless attitude toward widespread poverty.

 

I ‘m also taken by Gibson’s love story in this installment. The one-legged surgeon was so completely overwhelmed by the tough Frenchwoman he had rescued. I expect to read more about them.

 

March Challenge: hope

 

March book 1 A book with a hopeful or uplifting theme

The Copper Beech

Author: Maeve Binchy

Genre: fiction

Number of pages: 391

First published: 1992

Setting: Ireland

Rating: 5 stars

First sentence: Father Gunn knew that their housekeeper Mrs. Kennedy could have done it all much better than he would do it.

One sentence comment: As in other Maeve Binchy novels, this book offers heartwarming narratives where every challenge, whether bitter or sweet, finds a satisfying resolution.

 

This book is structured around chapters, each focusing on an individual or aspect of the seaside Catholic  school. Through these focused narratives, we gain deep insight into each person's feelings and motivations, fostering a profound sense of empathy.

Maddy is a particularly compelling character. She possesses an almost ethereal quality, which makes her passionate connection with a young priest all the more poignant. "She was a girl who liked her own company, since so little of anyone else’s company was offered to her.” Accustomed to solitude, Maddy's strong spiritual connection leads to a dramatic shift in her perspective when a kindred priest enters her life. Her unconventional plans may not unfold as expected, but she experiences significant personal growth.

 

The book expertly weaves together individual stories, building upon previous mentions of characters to create a rich and comprehensive portrait. Each chapter provides a crucial piece of the puzzle, revealing the complexities of their lives and illuminating the interconnectedness of the community.

 

March book 2 A book by an author whose first or last name begins with the letter H or O or P or E

What Darkness Brings (Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery #8)

Author: C S Harris

Genre: historical fiction

Number of pages: 336

First published: 2013

Setting: London in 1812

Rating: 4 stars

First sentence: The man was so old his face sagged in crinkly, sallow folds and Jenny could see pink scalp through the thin white hair plastered by sweat to his head.

One sentence comment: The characters are as always enticing, but the plot is not as fun as others.

 The author’s prose sparks a playful excitement within me. It's as if I'm granted a privileged view of an exquisite spectacle, or better yet, allowed to roam freely through the very society she portrays, with endless wonders to behold. I frequently find myself pondering those conversations, their subtle humor curving my lips into a knowing smile. Their discourse reveals a keen awareness of a world that falls short of their ideals, yet they navigate it with a determined, steady rhythm. Beyond her writing, I deeply admire her skill as a historian. She possesses the rare ability to weave academic rigor with compelling narrative, bringing to life the nuanced personal stories of the past. Through her work, she elicits a deep emotional response, fostering an understanding that those who came before us experienced lives remarkably similar to our own.

 To engage readers, the mystery skillfully weaves together the Golden Fleece, the lost Crown Jewels of Louis XV, and a Renaissance Key of Solomon grimoire. Without this narrative, these historical items and their stories would likely remain unknown to contemporary audiences. My subsequent internet search revealed the truly captivating 2010 Crown Jewels replicas.

Golden Fleece

https://www.manuelcohen.com/image/I0000OI5FyGs.OeY

November Challenges

 

Nov 1 a book with a person’s name in the title

Judas

Author: Amos Oz

Genre: fiction

Number of pages: 274

First published: 2016

Setting: Jerusalem 1959-60

Rating: 3 stars

First sentence: Here is a story from the winter days of the end of 1959 and the beginning of 1960.

One sentence comment: While the author's intent to challenge the traditional portrayal of Judas and its historical impact on Israel is commendable, the novel's characters fail to evoke empathy.

 I’ve been an admirer of Amos Oz since reading A Tale of Love and Darkness. Over the years, I’ve delved into thirteen of his works, captivated by his exploration of personal longing and Israeli history. Though I purchased his final novel, Judas, in 2017, it remained unread until now. Upon finally picking it up, I was immediately reminded of the reasons I love Oz’s writing.

 While he never penned a traditional murder mystery, his best works are filled with observation, analysis, and a sense of mystery. Judas is no exception. A young man, disillusioned with life, is drawn into a mysterious house to care for an elderly man. Like the protagonist, I was immediately captivated by the witty and insightful conversations with this crooked old man. Oz's ability to delve into psychological, theological, and historical details is a hallmark of his style.

 However, I don’t consider Judas to be one of his best works. Despite a potentially intriguing plot centered around the truth about two men accused of betrayal, the repetitive narrative and the protagonist’s pretentious obsession, particularly his infatuation with a middle-aged woman, detracted from my enjoyment. Perhaps my tastes have evolved, and I’ve grown weary of the more perverse love stories that were once a hallmark of Oz’s work.

 Nov 2 a book written by an author who uses initials instead of her first name

When Maidens Mourn

Author: C S Harris

Genre: historical mystery

Number of pages: 352

First published: 2012

Setting: England

Rating: 4 stars

First sentence: Tessa Sawyer hummed a nervous tune beneath her breath as she pushed through the tangled brush and bracken edging the black waters of the ancient moat.

One sentence comment: While the incorporation of diverse historical elements is enjoyable, the historical mystery at the core of the novel could be better organized. A more focused narrative would enhance the overall reading experience.

 I’m glad that the volume seven of this series, returns to the exquisite writing style of its earlier installments, employing more elaborate language and vivid descriptions. This volume delves into a mysterious 12th-century legend, which adds a layer of intrigue to the murder case. Simultaneously, it further explores the protagonist's dark past, though not without its signature humor. A loyal canine companion is introduced, along with a solitary war victim stranded in England. The Frenchman's character reminds me of the numerous war criminals from the Korean War who were brought to Taiwan in the 1950s and remain there to this day."

 My primary criticism of this book lies in its unstructured approach to clues. The plot, rather than being cohesive, is fragmented by the inclusion of disparate elements, such as the tension with France, contemporary subversion, and the protagonist's family secrets. These elements, unfortunately, fail to coalesce into a coherent narrative. While I typically admire the heroine, in this instance, her characterization veers towards villainy, a departure from her usual role.

 Nov 3 a book written by an author who wrote under a pen name

Death at Gallows Green (A Victorian Mystery #2)

Author: Robin Paige

Genre: historical mystery

Number of pages: 280

First published: 1995

Setting: Essex in the Victoria Era

Rating: 4 stars

First sentence: The gentle southern breeze that riffled the fresh green grass of the Essex meadows was mild and fragrant.

One sentence comment: It’s interesting to see Beatrix Potter in the story.

 I found the poaching storyline to be a drag on the narrative. The characters, who I've already met, offer little in the way of development or surprise

 

Nov 4 a book with the letters “N-A-M-E” on the front cover

The Poyson Garden

Author: Karen Harper

Genre: historical mystery

Number of pages: 302

First published: 1999

Setting: England in 16^th century

Rating: 3 stars

First sentence: “The queen wishes to see you alone in her privy chamber, my lady.”

One sentence comment: I can't believe this novel portrays Elizabeth as a daring detective, risking her life in dangerous situations without considering herself to be a future queen.

 I’m interested in the history when Elizabeth I's early life was marked by a precarious existence under the reign of her half-sister, Queen Mary I. She was a target of suspicion and persecution, living in constant fear of imprisonment or even execution. While the historical mystery presented an intriguing plot, it ultimately fell short due to its implausibility and repetitive nature. However, the writer's attempt to delve into the background story of Elizabeth's Fool piqued my interest. This intriguing subplot inspired me to seek out a historical novel, "The Queen's Fool," which delves deeper into the complex relationship between Elizabeth I and her loyal companion.

 

Octobor Challenges

 According to the October prompts, I picked three books from my three favorite authors. It will be a severe book battle to decide a monthly favorite.

 Oct book 1 A book with an orange cover or spine

The Cat Who Turned On and Off (The Cat Who #3)

Author: Lilian Jackson Braun

Genre: cozy mystery

Number of pages: 265

First published: 1968

Setting: the US in the 1960’s

Rating: 4 stars

First sentence: In December the weather declared war.

One sentence comment: It will be a great read during Christmas time since snow, Santa Clause and gift wrapping are involved.

 I love the tone of the book, relax with a slight slouch in the beginning. It told the situation of the protagonist, Qwilleran, poor and lonely approaching Christmas. In order to get out of his slum-like hotel room, he was going to join a writing competition. Nevertheless, rather than writing a heartwarming Christmas story, he was drawn in a murder investigation. Now the protagonist has two cats, each coming from the former books of the series. I had wondered whether the number of cats would grow with the ending of the book.

 

Each book of the series reveals a circle of artists. The first book is about the book critics, the second, designers, and this book, antique dealers. The traits and dialogues of the major characters, who are also suspects, are unique and funny. The author’s craft of characters are clever; with a new art circle revolving, we read a new set of characters each book so we don’t easily get bored. However, I feel I have enough to read about the protagonist’s doting on his two cats.

 

Oct book 2 an older book written before 1950

My Antonia

Author: Willa Cather

Genre: fiction

Number of pages: 250

First published: 1918

Setting: Nebraska, US

Rating: 4 stars

First sentence: Last summer I happened to be crossing the plains of Iowa in a season of intense heat, and it was my good fortune to have for a traveling companion James Quayle Burden – Jim Burden, as we still call him in the West.

One sentence comment: There are so many anecdotes from the American frontier in the early 20^th century that were told through the book and we shall get to know and remember them.

 I love Cather’s writing, so tranquil even about belligerent events. I like to recite the sentences as if I were watching the extending prairie. The Russian immigrants’ tragedy was very affecting for they were forced to leave their country but could never find a new home in their heart. However we see many people from Bohemia, Norway or Sweden could well settle down and open a new leaf of their life. I think the reason why the book is the most acclaimed among the writer’s works is because it gave various portrayals of people’s realistic situations, the hardship, the problems, and their sentiment of the time.

 However, I don’t like the book as much as O Pioneers, because this book is less structured. The protagonist, Antonia was still a girl after I read half of the book. The emphasis was on all sorts of people at the country and a small town, so It felt like a memoir rather than a novel. We were shown many people’s lives so the book doesn’t live up to the title. I felt distracted to be introduced to one character after another.

 Oct book 3 a book with an odd number of pages

Where Shadows Dance (Sabastian St. Cyr Mystery #6)

Author: C S Harris

Genre: historical mystery

Number of pages: 345

First published: 2011

Setting: London, 1812

Rating: 5 stars

First sentence: A cool wind gusted up, rstling the branches of the trees overhead and bringing with it the unmistakable clatter of wooden wheels approaching over cobblestones.

One sentence comment:

 I love the beginning of the book, which introduced the International affairs when Britain fought with Napoleon in Spain, was prepared for defending Canada from American attack, and pondering about sending troops to defend Russia from Napoleon. While in Britain the invention of the steam engine attracted a crowd’s attention. What a summer in 1812!

 Sabastian St. Cyr Mystery is my most favorite series. There are many loveable and theatrical characters in this series. I don’t get tired of them reading one book after another because their personal stories are evolving along with each murder case investigated. Harris is a masterful writer in delivering ferocious-minded female characters and devious antagonists. Some conversations were so hilarious that kept me laughing and wondering how the serious looking Harris could come up with those witty dramas! Reading her books satisfies my curiosity and fulfills me with entertainment.

 Oct 4 an objectionable book (banned at some point)

The Bluest Eye

Author: Toni Morrison

Genre: fiction

Number of pages: 206

First published: 1969

Setting: 1939-1941, US

Rating: 3 stars

First sentence: Here is the house.

One sentence comment: It’s astonishing but I don’t enjoy it because of its bitterness.

 The story is about Pecola and her parents, their past and how they become who they are. The author can write the worst melancholy in a person’s heart. Indeed we are often aware of people’s monstrous behaviors but neglect what has made a monster.

 

September Challenges

 Sep 1. A book with a number or color word in the title

The Four Winds

Author: Kristin Hannah

Genre: historical fiction

Number of pages: 499

First published: 2021

Setting: Texas

Rating: 4 stars

First sentence: Hope is a coin I carry: an American penny, given o me by a man I came to love.

One sentence comment: I’m impressed to have a glimpse of the drought, the sand storm, the flood and the worker association during the 1930’s America.

 The first few chapters are eye-catching; it drew me to the struggle of a woman being distained by her native family. She had limited choices and she bravely chose one for her future. The story further impressed me when the protagonist, Elsa and her mother-in-law developed a strong bond. The flaw of the story is the relationship between Elsa and her husband. I could not sympathize with it at all. He was the weakest person in the whole family, but how could she had so much love for him?

 This is the second book by Kristin Hannh that I have read after The Great Alone. I love her story and the way it was told. Never lose hope when the worst kept coming.

 

Sep book 2. A book written for children or classified as YA

The Fault in Our Stars

Author: John Green

Genre: YA

Number of pages: 313

First published: 2012

Setting: Indiana, USA

Rating: 5 stars

First sentence: Late in the winter of my seventeenth year, my mother decided I was depressed, presumably because I rarely left the house, spent quite a lot of time in bed, read the same book over and over, ate infrequently, and devoted quite a bit of my abundant free time to thinking about death.

One sentence comment: It’s a young adult fiction that tackles heavy subject, counting your time to death.

 I bought the book because the book title was attractive. it sounded like a line of poem, and it triggered my curiosity. Then I found out it was about tragic stories where the protagonists tried their best to live a fulfilling life. I love their conversations and the philosophy involved. Surprisingly the book with depth is focused on life of the young people whose short lives were embedded with books, movies, thoughts and love. Having a much longer life than them, I felt as if I had not lived when I were young. It is a book that makes me think whether I take life for granted without being grateful and I should have worked harder.

 

Sep book 3 a classic or modern classic which is sometimes required reading in high school or in university

To Kill a Mocking Bird

Author: Harper Lee

Genre: classic fiction

Number of pages: 307

First published: 1961

Setting: Alabama, USA in 1930’s

Rating: 4 stars

First sentence: When he was nearly thirteen my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow.

One sentence comment: The 7-year-old narrator is fabulous and adorable.

 The beginning of the book cast an intriguing shadow by the ‘malevolent phantom’, which reminded me of another book My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante, and I thought perhaps Ferrante got inspiration from this book.

 I enjoy reading the protagonist’s family and school life. Doctors and lawyers were paid by potatoes. You could be scolded by the teacher that you had learned reading and writing at home before going to school. The incidents were so unique that I was surprised that it was like a completely different world in Alabama in the 1930’s. However, I think the heroism related to the protagonist’s father is over the top and unrealistic. Perhaps the author’s next book Go Set a Watchman is better.

 

 

Sep book 4 a book with a word in a title of something that you would find and learn in school (war)

Warbreaker

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Genre: fantasy

Number of pages: 676

First published: 2009

Setting: T’telir

Rating: 5 stars

First sentence: It’s funny, Vasher thought, how many things begin with my getting thrown into prison.

One sentence comment: I am intrigued by the fantastic kingdom of returned gods and awakening magic.

 It’s the first book that I’ve read by Brandon Sanderson, who’s probably the most noted fantasy writer nowadays. I started to read fantasy this year, hoping to be revitalized because young people like to read fantasy. It provides a larger world of imagination and with adventure. I chose a book of which major protagonists are women. However, I somewhat dislike the two female protagonists. I think they are too much into the trope of princesses. On the other hand, I was particularly interested in the male protagonist, Lightsong, who was esteemed in the kingdom but doubted his role and the rules of the system. The line of his story was a mystery, about which I was as much curious as he was. This book makes me want to read more by Sanderson because I reckon he may think like a philosopher

April Book Challenge

 

April *1 author’s first or last name begins with A, I, or R.

Death at Bishop’s Keep (#1 A Victorian Mystery)

Author: Robin Paige (Bill Albert & Susan Witting Albert)

Genre: historical mystery

Number of pages: 296

First published: 1994

Setting:1894

Rating: 5 stars

First sentence: Kate Ardleigh glanced warily over her shoulder.

One sentence comment: I was amazed to find the Victorian mystery series I had been seeking.

 

As an Irish American, Kate is the perfect protagonist to plunge into a late Victorian society. An empire passing its prime is perfect for a quirky heroine and aristocrats that sought marriages with financial consideration. Of course we have a Charles Darwen like man to give us another spirit of the era, science and invention. The backstory is dense such as crime that may have nothing to do with the thematic murder in the story. I love the language that refrains me from gobbling the novel without tasting its flavor. The ending is marvelous and I am sure to follow this series.

 

April *2 fire colored spine

Murder in Chinatown (Gaslight Mysteries #9)

Author: Victoria Thompson

Genre: historical mystery

Number of pages: 305

First published: 2007

Setting: New York in the end of nineteenth century

Rating: 4 stars

First sentence: “I’m not in labor, am I?”

One sentence comment: The ending is great for it brought a solution and a new beginning.

 

It’s the ninth book in this series, and it read as good as the previous books. I have a slight criticism, which is the first 100 pages can be reduced into one third of the length. The conversation in the middle of the book is very interesting, and the ending is heart-warming.

 

April *3 With an Earth words

A Puzzle in a Pear Tree (Puzzle Lady Mystery #4)

Author: Parnell Hall

Genre: mystery

Number of pages: 349

First published: 2002

Setting: an American village

Rating: 3 stars

First sentence: “No, no, no,” Rupert Winston cried, silencing the piano and vaulting up onto the stage with all the spry grace of a much younger man.

One sentence comment: This book demonstrates why I love a village life – a musical pageant and real people posing the stable scene for Christmas.

 

The book introduces a new puzzle, acrostics, which is quite amazing. The weak point of the book is that I can’t find any characters to relate to so I can only watch ridiculous characters committing impossible crimes. The conversation between protagonists for discussing the crime is repetitive and boring.

 

April *4 with a water setting

Tell No One

Author: Harlan Coben

Genre: thriller

Number of pages: 369

First published: 2001

Setting: present

Rating: 3 stars

First sentence: There should have been a dark whisper in the wind.

One sentence comment: The author tried to create a mysterious atmosphere that doesn’t convince me.

 

I was put off by the lovesick feelings of the protagonist from the very beginning. The secret was so overdone that it was later revealed like a pretense. The author’s writing is good but I just couldn’t appreciate the storyline.

 Local Book Club Choice

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hide

March Book Challenges

 

March *1 A book written by a woman

Silver Wedding

Author: Maeve Binchy

Genre: fiction

Page number: 385

First published: 1988

Setting: England and Ireland

Rating: 5 stars

First sentence: Anna knew that he was doing his best to be interested.

One sentence comment: This fourth novel by Maeve Binchy didn’t live up to her first three novels, which are marvelous and dazzling; however, I still felt very much drawn to various characters in this comparatively thin book.

 Binchy is on top of my favorite authors. She had an extraordinary ability of telling stories, bringing the lost time and values to the present. Yet, time may be different, emotions are tangible, lingering in my heart for a long time. During my reading, I watched a video of Binchy where she talked about her summer love that had turned to despair. I suddenly understood why in the first four books I have read, there was always a charming young man in each story to break the girl’s heart. In this book there were two things that surprised me. The first is that I didn’t know she could write the war between a man and a woman so pungent! Secondly, previously she wrote about female characters to the full. This time she wrote a man’s thought, conscience and rage deeply and vividly that I stopped to ponder and question myself whether I haven’t held on enough to integrity. I had never loved a multi-point-of-view novel before, but Binchy altered my prejudice.

 

March *2 A book with a woman on the cover

What Remains of Heaven (Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery #5)

Author: C. S. Harris

Genre: historical mystery

Page number: 324

First published: 2009

Setting: London, 1812

Rating: 5 stars

First sentence: His breath coming in undignified grasps, the Reverend Malcolm Earnshaw abandoned the village high street and struck out through the lanky grass of the churchyard.

One sentence comment: I am delighted to know about the politics in Britain in 1812 by this highly entertaining book.

This is the fifth book of the Sabastian St Cyre series. I couldn't help smiling even before turning the first page. I love the confrontation between Lord Jarvis and his daughter, Hero. Jarvis has the reputation that anyone inconvenient to him had a habit of turning up dead. However, Hero is his indomitable enemy and love. He often wishes she were a son so he could appreciate her intellect and courage. On the other hand, I grow to like the male protagonist, Sabastian.  I chuckle whenever he says 'why tell me this?' in front of people seeking his help. Most of the time he is full of himself, contrary to Hero, but they are bound to bind together.

       The murder in this book is unusual for it involves something thirty years ago. Therefore, this is the most intriguing death. Another interesting matter in the story is that it involved rivalry in the parliament on slavery law and child labor issue. Furthermore and most unexpectedly, we get to meet Benjamin Franklin's son, who was against his father's revolt in the US, and stayed royal to the Prince in England. This is something I had not heard of before.

       I think Harris had played down her language a lot comparing with her first two books. She used to use lush vocabularies to augment the aura of regency era where aristocrats in the pursuit of  fashion and fine art.  Perhaps the mass market didn't bye it so she changed her style.

 

March *3 A book with a woman’s name in the title

The Ordeal of Elizabeth Marsh

Author: Linda Colley

Genre: biography

Page number: 361

First published: 2008

Setting: Europe, Africa, East Asia

Rating: 3 stars

First sentence: This is a biography that crosses boundaries, and it tells three connected stories.

One sentence comment: This book can be useful if I want to write a novel about seafarers of the time.

I could be a very interesting story concerning a British woman's life during pre- Victorian era when the empire was launching its global sea power. However, the historian writer kept rambling the story with meticulous details as if I were in a soporific lecture room.

 

March *4 A book with a woman in a non-conventional role for her time

A Royal Pain (A Royal Spyness Mystery #2)

Author: Rhys Bowen

Genre: historical mystery

Number of pages: 303

First published: 2008

Setting: London, 1932

Rating: 5 stars

First sentence: The alarm clock woke me this morning at the ungodly hour of eight.

One sentence comment: Excellent plot with a funny German princess coming to England, then brought up an international conspiracy.

 Bowen is good at writing comic scenes and hilarious characters. With Hitler prepared to lead Germany and Russian communists keen on subversion, this book is a light read to experience the the pre-WWII era with depression and uncertainly. A bit like the present time in Europe. By the way, I adore the style of book covers on the series.

 

Local club choice

The Call of the Wild

 

December book challenge

 This year I have read 44 books. My favorite book is Firefly Summer by Maeve Binchy.

Dec*1 ~likeness: historical mystery series

Her Royal Spyness (Royal Spyness #1)

Author: Rhys Bowen

Genre: historical mystery

Page number: 324

First published: 2007

Setting: Scotland and London in 1932

Rating: 4 stars

First sentence: There are two disadvantages to being a minor royal.

One sentence comment: It’s the latest historical mystery seies I started to read, and the first book put me into laughter mode often.

     At first I had suspected if I wanted to buy a book about the royal family. However, when I started to read, I found this is a book exactly for me that didn’t care for royal family affairs. Through this book, I remind myself that we shouldn’t see things as they appear on the surface.

The narrator is a down-and-out 21-year-old distant relative of the queen. She had to strive for her survival like most young people who started to make their living. The downside was that a royal member was not supposed to work. Surprisingly, there were so many of them, young and powerless to a new world then. Bowen must be a genius that she captures the tone and voice of young girls on top of the society, as if I were watching the TV series Downtown Abbey. The only thing why the book didn’t get my five stars is that I am too much of a serious temperament for a book full of playful and sharp-tongued jokes.

 

Dec *2~likeness: historical mystery series

Murder on Lenox Hill (Gaslight Mystery #7)

Author: Victoria Thompson

Genre: historical mystery

Page number: 291

First published: 2005

Setting: New York in late 19^th century

Rating: stars

First sentence: The weather was so miserable, even Mrs. Ellsworth was indoors, Sarah Brandt noted as she hurried down the windy street to her house.

One sentence comment: I have always wanted to know more about what would happen to the characters in the series.

     This is the first historical mystery series I have been following since 2021. I only read two or three books a year, thus I am able to check whether I would grow out of my favor of the series.

     The dual point of views from both protagonists, Sarah and Frank, a midwife and police officer, give me snapshots of the last few years of the 19th century New York, from its upper class, immigrants, to gutters. In this book, the focus is on a church preacher who devotes to fatherless boys.

     The  character development is overwhelming. Sarah has taken in an orphan girl, who was once traumatized with unknown reasons to us, so she could not speak. Frank's son has gone into a school to learn a sign language. Another fun is that Theodore Roosevelt, who was on top of the police force before becoming the 26th president in 1898, is lurking in the background.

 

Dec *3~likeness: historical mystery series

Where Serpents Sleep (Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery #4)

Author: C. S. Harris

Genre: historical mystery

Page number: 346

First published: 2008

Setting: London in 1812

Rating: stars

First sentence: The girl stared out the window, one hand sliding up and down her shawl – covered arm in a ceaseless, uneasy motion.

One sentence comment: I have admired with excitement the characterization and dialogues in the series.

     This is my favorite historical mystery series to follow. Somehow Harris gives me the feels of the 19^th century French authors, Dumas and Hugo, whom I read as a child. The first fun part of this book is that – while the weak Regent was facing Luddites, those who hid their faces and smashed machines in the country, the prime minister Perceval equates the former American colonies with the new satanic threat from the bible prophesy. America was trying to annex Canada at the time. I love the peripheral part of the story that the Prince was tough with America, defending the interest of Canada and British shipping interests.

On the personal level, I love domestic affairs of lord Jarvis, the antagonist of the series. Her daughter Hero, against her father’s conservative attitude, was taking the lead to investigate the crime that had involved her as a witness. Hero started to take a major role telling her feelings. It reminded of my feelings when I grew up, such as “there were times when the contrast between the way lady Jarvis was now and the way Hero remembered her was enough to bring the sting of tears to her eyes.” It is forever a pang that you see someone you love deteriorating.

Harris is my favorite author because her books follow well-reasearched events and she is wise enough to bring about lively characters to show the world within and outside them. She said “At the same time that Sebastian is evolving and changing, we watch Britain and the world around him change, too.”

https://crimereads.com/how-do-you-keep-a-long-running-series-fresh-the-secret-is-character/

 

Dec *4~likeness: historical mystery series

Jane and the man of the cloth (Jane Austen Mystery #2)

Author: Stephanie Barron

Genre: cozy mystery

Page number: 335

First published: 1997

Setting: Lyme Regis in 1804

Rating: 3 stars

First sentence: It is a truth universally acknowledged, that the expectation of pleasure is grnerally preferred to its eventual attainment – the attainment being marred, at its close, by the resumption of quotidian routine made onerous by the very diversions so lately enjoyed.

One sentence comment: The story gets better to the end, and I realize that Lyme Regis  is actually a good place for a mystery because its Jurassic-age site welcomes new people.

     Lyme Regis is Austen's favorite town, a  medieval town on the coast of Dorset. Barren cleverly drew together exciting elements of Lyme Regis, such as archeology, smuggling, and the historical fire, to form a mystery. She even added a touch of romance to Austen. However, the course of story development is very bland, and Austen is highly unlikely to have this sort of romance.