Case Histories by Kate Atkinson

Read: October 17 - October 19

Format: Audio 9 CDs equivalent 400 pages

Source: Public Library

Subject: cold cases, disfunctional families

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, SYLL, Audio

Category: Honeymoon - foreign settings/thrillers

Genre: Mystery

Stars: ★★★★

Three families are impacted by tragedies in a different way - a 3 year old disappears, one young woman killed, and a husband murdered. 10 years later private detective Jackson Brodie starts investigations of all three cold cases. Jackson is just what a reader wants in their central character - skeptical, suspicious, resentful - which means that when someone tries to stop him, he just digs in deeper.

The characters involved in all three of the cases are unique and diverse. The Land sisters found Blue Mouse after 10 years are still wondering if little Olivia is alive. Theo Wyre lost his daughter and wonders why she was cut down in the prime of her life and he was left behind. Michelle places her daughter in her sister's care who then proceeds to lose her. The cases are solved, not always skillfully, but in the end, we see how lives intertwine and events resonate like ripples in a lake. The reader can see from the clues that connections are there but how they twist and connect is what makes this book so riveting.

I'm definitely looking forward to the next Jackson Brodie mystery.

A Confederate Girl's Diary by Sarah Morgan Dawson

Read: October 8 - October 14

Format: Paperback 275 pages

Source: Nook

Subject: Civil War experiences

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Category: The Engagement: this is getting serious

Genre: Historical Biographical, Memior

Stars: ★★★

I believe that any American, when reading about the American Civil War, tends to try to put their own standing as to whether Unionist or Confederate aside and look at the historical aspect of the volume. I had difficulty doing that with this book because of the apparent authenticity of the trials and tribulations of the author.

The introduction to this diary was compelling stating that "No Southerner at that time could possibly have had opinions so just or foresight so clear as those here attributed to a young girl." Sarah's adventures may have seemed a bit trivial in some cases for those of our century (collecting clothes, hiding silver), but at her time and place, she was a strong young woman who made every effort to keep her family together during the conflicts that surrounded them.

The Elusive Bride by Stephanie Laurens

Read: October 4 - October 8

Format: Paperback 464 pages

Source: Nook

Subject: Love, Marriage, espionage

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Category: Love and Marriage: a lifetime commitment

Genre: Romance

Stars: ★★★

In the second installment of the Black Cobra, the reader follows the travels of Gareth Hamilton complicated by the appearance and involvement of Emily Ensworth (who has decided that Major Hamilton is the man for her). The Black Cobra knows that Emily delivered the letter that Hamilton is now trying to transport to England and so they are both in danger.

Again the Black Cobra's followers work to recover the incriminating letter as well as eliminate those that are involved. Gareth and Emily protect each other while expanding their personal relationship. Another fun book with adventure and love at the center.

Supreme Courtship by Christopher Buckley

Read: October 2 -4

Format: Paperback 285 pages

Source: My shelves, giveaway winner

Subject: Supreme Court, marriage, TV personalities

Category: Something Old - read those TBRs

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, BOYS

Stars: ★★★½

What would it be like if Judge Judy was appointed to the Supreme Court? The premise of this book is that the president needs to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court and the Senate Judiciary Committee has destroyed the 2 perfect judges that have nominated so to get their goat he nominates Judge Pepper from the popular TV series Courtroom Six.

The public is thrilled with the nomination and she is pushed through. At the same time, the head Senator of the Judicary Committee (who really wanted the job) is recruited by the producer of Courtroom Six to take on the role of the President in his new series POTUS. This was an extremely fun book satirizing our legistlative and judiciary.

But Why Shoot the Magistrate? by Patricia Sprinkle

Read: October 1 - October 2

Format: Hardback 455 pages

Source: Public Library

Subject: unorthodox religions, murder

Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, SYLL

Category: Something Borrowed - from the library

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Stars: ★★★½

The second book in the Thoroughly Southern Mystery series has MacLaren Yarbourgh attemptng to solve two mysteries - did the minister kill the young girl and who shot her husband.

Reverend Blessed has detailed the murder of a young woman by what he saw in a dream but the police don't believe that it was a dream. As Mac delves deeper into the people involved in the victim's life, she is threatened and Joe Riddley, her husband is shot. To protect herself and her family she has to find the killer.

I've been reading this series a bit out of order but it is still fun because of the characters and the environment, I will definitely continue on.