1. Dreaming Spies – Laurie R. King. Having read and enjoyed several of Ms. King’s books about Mary Russell and her husband Sherlock Holmes, this book stands out for me because of the detailed look at both peasant and royal life in 1920s Japan, the customs, the sensibilities, and the arts. It also presents a detailed picture of what travel by Steamship in the tropics was like – not what I had imagined even for first class!
2. The Black Ascot – Charles Todd. (Charles Todd is a pen name used by the American authors Caroline and Charles Todd.) This is just one of the books in a series about Ian Rutledge, a Scotland Yard inspector in post WW1 years in England. The books are rich in detail of the English countryside and customs of the era, as well as the after effects of the war. Ian Rutledge hides his “shell shock” (we know it as PTSD) as do others in these compelling mysteries.
3. A Better Man – Louise Penny – any book by Louise Penny falls under my classification of “notable”. They are so much more than just another “murder mystery”.
4. The New Girl – Daniel Silva – This story is a brilliantly fictionalized account of the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, the probable/possible political situation that was cause, and the resulting impact – and as always a real page turner.
5. Who Slays The Wicked – C.S. Harris – I believe this is the 15th book in a series taking place in Regency England. The author has a PHD in European history. Beside being very interesting murder mystery books, this and the others paint a picture of this period in English history that is fascinating and informative.
6. The Drifter – Burning Bright – Light It Up – Tear it Down – Nick Petrie. This series is action fiction at it’s most intense. Memorable characters that have staying power.
7. The Body – Bill Bryson – sub titled “A guide for occupants”. Non Fiction. Vintage Bryson at his best. Need I say more?
