Deacon King Kong by James McBride

December 12, 2020

Deacon King Kong by James McBride

In the courtyard of a Brooklyn housing project, a middle-aged church deacon shoots one of the local drug dealers at point blank range.  Even though there are at least 16 witnesses, nobody sees nothing.  The balance of the story focuses on what led to this event and the overlapping lives connected to the neighborhood.

Heartfelt and humorous, characters include project residents, church ladies, prostitutes, local cops, drug dealers, mobsters, and even a ghost or two.  There is a mystery, a romance, a treasure hunt and plenty of secrets. The main themes are what makes up a family and a community.  

The plot is really hard to describe - suffice it to say that I loved it. This is one of the best books that I read in 2020.

Revelation by C. J. Sansom

December 8, 2020

Revelation by C. J. Sansom

1543 - Henry VIII is courting a reluctant Lady Catherine Parr to become his 6th wife.  Lady C. is known for having reformist leanings, so the royal court and church officials are paying close attention.  At the same time, a young man who is a religious fanatic is committed to Bedlam for the insane.  His parents seek out lawyer Matthew Shardlake, hoping that he can assist their son. When an old friend of Matthew's is found murdered, Matthew discovers links to both situations.  Soon more murders occur that appear to have links to prophecies in the book of Revelations.

This is the 4th book in the Matthew Shardlake series, a wonderful historical series set during the time of the Tudors.  Lawyer Shardlake has links to the Tudor court through Thomas Cromwell and other members of the court.  If you like your mysteries steeped in excellent research, you will enjoy this series.

Haven by Emma Donoghue

July 20, 2022

Haven by Emma Donoghue

After a prophetic dream where God tells him to found a new monastery in a remote location, a priest chooses two monks to accompany him.  His chosen spot is a small island (really, a large barren rock) inhabited only by waterfowl.  No fresh water, no vegetation, no trees, not even any soil for growing food.  The two monks (one elderly, one young) devote themselves to survival and making it work, figuring out ways to collect fresh water, compost soil, and find fuel.  They manage to "MacGyver" every challenge that they face, until they realize that the priest is most likely an insane egomaniac.

I really liked the two monks and about halfway through, I was hoping they would push the priest off the top of the rock into the sea.  Although the priest is supposed to be focused on God, he really is focused on glorifying himself and how future generations of monks will think he was such a fabulous guy.

Not the best of Donoghue's historical fiction.  I do like the cover.  If you want to try one of her historical novels, try Slammerkin instead.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC.

Where the Dead Lie by C. S. Harris

 December 6, 2020

Where the Dead Lie by C. S. Harris

When the body of a homeless child is found on the grounds of an abandoned factory, Inspector Lovejoy requests the assistance of Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin.  Devlin has assisted Lovejoy in the past when crimes involve members of the aristocracy, and Lovejoy suspects that someone from the upper classes is preying on street children, luring them with promises but torturing and murdering them instead.  Sebastian's investigation leads him through the underworld haunts of depraved aristocrats to find the murderer.

This is book #12 in the Sebastian St. Cyr series and it does not disappoint, although the subject matter does make for difficult reading at times.  Wonderful details about Regency life among both the upper and lower classes, great supporting characters like Sebastian's wife Hero and his surgeon friend, and great research on the social and political climate of the day make this a stellar historical mystery.

A Rising Man by Abir Mukherjee

November 27, 2020

A Rising Man by Abir Mukherjee

Desperate for a fresh start after World War I and the death of his wife in the 1918 flu pandemic, Captain Sam Wyndham accepts a job in Calcutta, India, to head up a new criminal investigation division.  He barely arrives before he is assigned his first investigation:  the murder of a senior British official (a rising man) whose body was found behind a Calcutta brothel.

The descriptions of India at the time of the British Raj are wonderful and the history of the time is very well-researched.  Set near the end of the British Empire in India, the British are desperately trying to hang on and maintain their standard of living, while the Indian populace are pushing for home rule.  These conflicts are reflected in the interplay between Captain Wyndham and his two detectives who represent these differing points of view.  Captain Wyndham is a damaged character who unfortunately is not very good at being a detective - this is one of the main flaws in the story.  This is the first book in a series so hopefully the main character will get better at his job

Sovereign by C. J. Sansom

 November 8, 2020

Sovereign by C. J. Sansom

1541 - With England in a state of political turmoil, Henry VIII sets out on a royal progression with his court to visit the far reaches of his realm and calm his troubled subjects.  Archbishop Cranmer tasks lawyer Matthew Shardlake with the unenviable job of ensuring that a suspected conspirator is returned safely to London to stand trial.  Shardlake also becomes involved in investigating the murder of a local businessman after pages found in the victim's possession that question the legitimacy of Henry VIII's reign.

This is book #3 in the Matthew Shardlake series.  Like the previous titles in the series, it is well-researched and provides a fascinating look at life in Tudor England in addition to a page-turning mystery.  The overall tone is darker than the first two books, but England was growing increasingly grim the longer Henry reigned.

Great series - highly recommended to fans of historical fiction.

The Royal Art of Poison: Filthy Palaces, Fatal Cosmetics, Deadly Medicine, and Murder Most Foul by Eleanor Herman

 November 18, 2020

The Royal Art of Poison:  Filthy Palaces, Fatal Cosmetics, Deadly Medicine, and Murder Most Foul by Eleanor Herman

For centuries, royal families have lived in fear of poison more than any other weapon.  It was relatively easy for a disgruntled relative or courtier to slip a little something-something into the royal goblet or gravy boat.  Kings, queens, and their main advisors relied on food tasters and questionable antidotes (deer gallstones, anyone?) to hopefully save them from the common poisons of the day.

But a good number of suspicious deaths were more likely the result of dirty living conditions, poor hygiene, cosmetics made from lead and human feces, and the medical practices of the time.  This is a very entertaining and readable collection of the follies of past centuries - it will make you happy to be living in the 21st century.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC.