The Girl in the Attic

The Girl in the Attic is my selection for the Calendar of Crime Reading Challenge for this month. It was published about a week ago on April 8, 2026. The book is a suspense thriller on steroids.

The publisher's summary:

 

Olivia thought she knew darkness. Her childhood. The years in care homes. The fear of abandonment. The fear of loss and failure. Now, as the door clangs shuts behind her – with her captor’s promise ringing in her ears that she’s ‘his’ forever – she realises that nowhere before has been as dark as her attic cell. But, under the eaves, as she shivers in the cold and recalls how she was taken, Olivia starts to make a plan. Because only she knows that the girl in the attic isn’t as innocent as her captor thinks… and that the deepest darkness might just be within her.

Initially I thought the story began slowly. I was really just getting accustomed to the author's writing style. He used Olivia's inner thoughts frequently and after 20 or 30 pages I wondered whether the book had any action. This beginning was necessary though.

Olivia is the main character. She spent most of her childhood in the foster care system. Before beginning high school an accepting, patient couple took Olivia into their home. Edward and Eva's welcoming embrace helped Olivia to become less guarded. When Eva discovers her drawing talent the couple buys her painting supplies. Olivia spends all her free time on her art and she quickly developed her artistic style. She was so good that her foster parents connected her with Ben, a friend of their's who owned a gallery. Olivia signed a contract with him and soon had her own solo exhibition. She felt positive for the first time in her life. Unfortunately, a man who discovered her there was bad news. Eventually Charles Fairfield was holding her captive in one of his homes. The grim reality that she faced took a few chapters to unfold.

Suspense notched up as the plot unfolded. Charles' plans for Olivia were shocking beyond belief. I don't believe that I have ever read a book with this type of frightening story. Charles was obviously the villain. He took his craziness very seriously and expected that Olivia could be trained to be a killer just like him. For most of the story Olivia was chained against a wall with both her hands and feet handcuffed. I could feel the physical pain she endured. It was described in detail. While the horror Olivia found herself in continued throughout the chapters, her predicament never seemed to improve .  . . until the last chapter.

The Girl in the Attic is a dark story but one with so much suspense that I could not stop reading. The darkness did affect me though and I will probably sleep with the lights on tonight. 

5 out of 5 stars.

Death in the Church

Death in the Church was published on March 31, 2026. It is a historical fiction story set in the time of Constantine the Great.

The publisher's summary: 

A controversial priest dies suddenly on the steps of the great cathedral, moments before his long‑awaited readmission after years of excommunication. Church leaders hail his death as a divine sign.

But Captain Aurelius — the trusted imperial aide assigned by Constantine himself to investigate — is not convinced. Was this truly an act of God, or the work of someone far more earthly? As he retraces the priest's final moments and unravels the decades of disputes that made the man a target, Aurelius uncovers secrets capable of igniting civil war in both the Empire and the Church.

Named for the philosopher‑emperor of earlier days, Aurelius soon realizes that the future of his world may hinge on what he discovers. And as the lines between faith and ambition blur, he must confront a question more dangerous than any enemy. Is his world being led by saints… or by demons

The mystery itself was about the death of Arius. It took a long time in the story for Arius to be killed. Common folks believed that God smote him before he could enter the local Cathedral and that his intestines burst open and spilled on the ground. Arius had a following among the poor. His belief that Jesus was a regular human being who later became god. Most of the priests in the church believed otherwise, that Jesus was always God and only became man to redeem the world. Emporer Constantine tasked his aide Aurelius to determine what was happening in his empire. 

Constantine eventually had to convene a gathering of priests in Nicea to determine whether Jesus was both human and divine. The document that came out of the gathering is the Nicene Creed. So, Arius was definitely controversial. Soon thereafter a fellow named Arsenius went missing. Bishop Arsenius was from Mellitia. His supporters feared that he was kidnapped by the Alexandrians. 

Another church battle took place in Alexandria where a schismatic priest named Melitius stirred half of Upper Egypt into rebellion against their bishops. He was also ordaining priests without the Church’s permission. This event took up alot of space in the story.

I didn't see much of an investigation into the death of Arius. Eventually we read that he never died and that the poor were telling tales concerning his death. The dialogue between the characters was florid. I had some difficulty keeping track of who said what because the character names, while normal for the 300s, were hard to read. I got bogged down with the verbage.

The setting was supreme. The character names are supported by historians and the religious debates of the age are described in detail. My problem is that there wasn't much else in the book other than the setting and era. I expected a historical mystery but obviously my expectations were wrong. 

I am rating the book 2.8 stars out of 5 stars.

Can't Wait Wednesday #48

This weekly meme is hosted by the Wishful Endings blog. The meme spotlights the books that we are excited about but have yet to read. Generally, they're books that have yet to be released. 

Hidden Poison is the second book in the Amish Book Club Mystery series by Tracy Fredrychowski. I read the first book a few days ago and loved it.

The publisher summarized the plot: A poisoned pot of cream. A bishop with too much power. And one woman’s race to save her friend before the town turns against her.

Rosie Weaver finds joy in her garden, hosting book club, and sharing slow, simple mornings at the Buttered Biscuit. But her peaceful routine shatters when the bishop collapses and dies during breakfast, and the two ministers seated beside him fall ill themselves.

The town is stunned. But while some mourn the loss, others quietly admit the bishop had made enemies with his heavy-handed ways. When whispers begin to blame Lucy Fisher, the former Amish woman who owns the cafe, Rosie, Lovina Frey, and Irma Gingerich refuse to stay silent.

With the sheriff closing the diner and rumors spreading like wildfire, Rosie enlists her book club friends to help clear Lucy’s name. But the deeper they dig into the bishop’s secrets, the more dangerous the truth becomes.

Can they uncover the real poisoner before Lucy loses everything… including her place in Sweet Briar?

If you love Amish small-town cozy mystery suspense, tight-knit friendships, and heartwarming sleuths, this book will keep you turning pages long into the night.

What book(s) are waiting to read?

I Am Cleopatra

I was intrigued by the title of this book when I first saw it. However, it was the stunning cover that convinced me to get it and I was not disappointed. The story of Cleopatra is always shrouded in mystery and the writing style of author Natasha Solomons continues in this vein. I Am Cleopatra is a fantastic historical fiction account of this most intriguing woman.

The publisher's summary: 

The favored daughter of the Pharaoh, Egyptian Princess Cleopatra spent her childhood hiding amid the scrolls in the great library of Alexandria, dreaming of one day writing her own story.

When her father dies, naming both Cleopatra and her selfish brother Ptolemy as his successors to the throne, danger arises. While the young Queen sails the Nile to greet her people, her brother plots to eliminate her and rule the empire alone. But while Ptolemy has the power of the kingdom behind him, Cleopatra has her cunning wits. When the great Caesar arrives from Rome, she realizes he could be the key to her salvation—though courting this powerful man could cost her everything.

Can Cleopatra save her life, her throne, and her beloved Egypt and finally write her own history?

Told from the dueling perspectives of Cleopatra and Caesar’s mistress Servilia, I Am Cleopatra is a powerful, addictively readable reimagining of the alluring queen’s life. A modern retelling that goes beyond previous caricatures, I Am Cleopatra is a fascinating portrait of the flesh-and blood-woman behind the great legend. Natasha Solomons’ spellbinding story of female power and fragility, love and loss, fierce friendship and terrible betrayal introduces at last the real Cleopatra in all her glory and vulnerability.

Throughout the book Cleopatra maintained a mysterious persona. Even the narration, almost always from her perspective, was mysterious. After 100 pages or so I wished that she was more relaxed but it never happened. Perhaps it'a because there were many people hoping for her death. That would make anyone standoffish. Toward the midway point in the story we read chapters from the perspective of Servilia. Servilia was also one of Caesar’s mistresses but this relationship lasted for decades. No matter who Caesar had dalliances with, he always returned to Servilia. The mysterious trait of Cleopatra became old after awhile. I did adjust to her narration but it bothered me that she was distant in her relationships.

Cleopatra's slave Charmian was her best friend. Cleopatra and Charmian were paired together from a young age and they grew up together. Charmian was the only person that she accepted advice from. Charmian was 100% devoted to her. Cleopatra's first husband was her stepbrother. They despised each other. Their father, Auletes, arranged the marriage and was pleased to keep the dynasty in the family. After his death Cleopatra's father had already arranged another marriage for her. This time the groom was her three year old brother Ptolemy. Cleopatra and Ptolemy were going to reign as co-pharoahs.  Ptolemy was a child and uninterested in the affairs of state. However, Cleopatra was born to rule. She was a fantastic political strategist who advised her father from an early age. 

The Egyptian setting was glorious. I loved the food descriptions and could feel the usually fresh air on the Nile. If Cleopatra sailed too close to the shore the smell of excrement was overpowering. Cruising the Nile to Memphis and Thebes made Cleopatra relaxed. There were always citizens waving to her. The images from the royal palace were also alluring with its marble floors and unique flora and fauna. The section of the story that took place in Rome described an inferior setting. It was hot but without the cool breezes from the Nile. During winter Cleopatra froze. She hated Rome.

The story covered Cleopatra's life from age thirteen until she left Rome pregnant with her second child from Caesar. History tells us much more about Cleopatra's life but this is where the story ended in I Am Cleopatra. Much of the book concerns threats from her stepbrother Ptolemy as well as her intimate relationship with Caesar. Ptolemy was constantly outmaneuvered but never gave up on his attempts to kill her. He wanted to be the sole Pharoah of Egypt but he also had a misogynistic attitude towards women in general. 

I enjoyed the story but reading the narrative was awkward in some places. I must say, though, that the author showed us the real Cleopatra which basically was her job. She did that well. 4 out of 5 stars.

The Ivory City

I discovered this lovely book from my kindle ad feed. It is a historical mystery and the author is new (to me). Emily Bain Murphy has written several books including YA fantasy and adult historical fiction. The Ivory City was published in November 2025.

The publisher's summary:

The St. Louis World’s Fair, 1904:  A miniature city of palaces and pavilions that becomes a backdrop for romance, betrayal—and murder.

Cousins Grace and Lillie have been best friends since birth, despite Grace’s vastly inferior social status ever since her mother married for love instead of wealth. When Lillie invites Grace to the biggest event of the century—the legendary World’s Fair, also known as “The Ivory City”—Grace hopes her fortunes might be about to change.  

But when a member of their party is brutally killed at the fair, and suspicion falls on Lillie’s brother Oliver, Grace must prove Oliver’s innocence before her beloved cousins’ family is ruined forever.

Along the way, she'll discover that the city’s wealthy elite—including Oliver’s handsome but irritable friend Theodore—aren’t quite who they appear to be. And amidst the glitz, glamor, and magic of the Ivory City lurks a danger that just may claim her life. 

While this novel is a well plotted mystery, it is the characters that bring it to life. Grace Covington, 18, is the main character. She is socially inferior to every other character because her mother married down. Grace is the most moral person in the story though. She has high standards to live by and she actually follows them. Her beloved cousins Lillie and Oliver love being rich, especially Lillie. Lillie, also 18, tends to follow all of high society's rules with the exception of including Grace in all of her activities. She receives alot of throwback from her friends and her mother but loves Grace too much to exclude her. That said, Lillie behaves like the spoiled brat that she is. She lies in order to get her way and frequently sneaks out of the house. Oliver is a happy go lucky twenty year old. He loves going to all of the balls and other high society functions. All of the ladies are trying to catch him because of his family’s extraordinary wealth. 

Aunt Clove is a villain but not the true villain of the book. She hates Grace and wants her out of her kids' lives. She believes Grace is reducing their marriage prospects. The name Clove is interesting. Cloves are a sweet but pungent spice that requires additional spices to make it palatable. Pungent is a good adjective to describe Aunt Clove. Lillie’s friends complete the characters. All of them are rich snobs who lie and cheat in order to advance themselves socially. Lillie unfortunately does not see this. 

The setting is extraordinary. The reader can feel the awe that the fair's exhibits draw from the characters. They see the Chinese emporer living within a replica of one of his palaces. The Japanese exhibit had extravagant detail, and Thomas Edison was present at the Electrical City. He gave lectures on the promise of electricity. The Philippine Villlage was the largest one. It was used so the United States to show off the colonization of this recently acquired territory. Many more exhibits were described in detail. I can imagine how awe inspiring all of the exhibits were to those living in the 1800s. I felt the same wonder as the characters. One part of St. Louis was called the Tunnels. This is where you can find drugs and prostitutes. Addicts and prostitutes not only do business there but also live there. The Tunnels were described as being dangerous enough that you could get killed there. Author Emily Bain Murphy's description of the Tunnels scared me as well as the characters. She did a fantastic job of showing the reader the setting.

The death occurred about 100 pages into this 340 page story. Oliver’s secret girlfriend Harriet died right after he gave her a cocktail to drink. Harriet was despised by the rich because she was an actress. The police arrested Oliver and charged him with Harriet's murder as there was strichnine in the cocktail. Lillie and Grace vow to clear him but it is really Grace who works to identify the actual killer. Lillie is too consumed by society's rebuke of her family following Oliver’s arrest. Grace and her new found friend Theodore Parker made a list of possible killers. As they considered each one, the two of them spoke with several of them to determine whether they should be crossed off the list. There were plenty of red herrings while these two worked their list. The real whodunnit was a surprise though.

The Ivory City was recommended to me by several people. I knew it would be good but I was not prepared for how good it actually is. I absolutely LOVED this historical mystery. 5 out of 5 stars.

Buried Secrets

I was in alot of pain a few days ago and I thought an Amish fiction novel would be beneficial. This genre is my go-to place for comfort. It always works. Buried Secrets is the first novel in the author's Amish Book Club Mystery series. She states that it is a cozy Amish mystery, not Amish fiction. I guess that it qualifies as a cozy mystery. Tracy Fredrychowski is a new to me author and I loved her take for the series. The book was just published on April 1, 2026.

The publisher's summary:

A grave opened in the night. An empty coffin. And a group of elderly Amish sleuths must confront the secrets Sweet Briar tried to bury. Rosie Weaver treasures her simple, steady life — tending her garden, sharing tea with her monthly book club, and keeping danger safely tucked inside her books. Still, widowhood has left her the time to be watchful, even when she pretends otherwise.

When a young man’s coffin is discovered empty in the cemetery, Sweet Briar’s calm fractures overnight. The discovery unsettles Rosie and her group with a mystery they cannot ignore, prompting them to wonder what else lies buried beneath their small town.

As whispers about Josiah Miller’s rough past and bad crowd grow louder, Rosie, Irma Gingerich, and Lovina Frey realize they can no longer stand aside. Teaming up and cautiously sparring with English Sheriff Johnathan Carr, the three friends begin to untangle a story far more complicated than anyone expected. What kind of man is worth stealing from the grave, and who’s trying to protect his sins?

I must say right away that the book is written as a cozy mystery. The fact that most of the characters are Amish is coincidental. The cozy formula was used to write the story. 

The story opened with Clara Miller tidying up her fabric shop and complaining to herself about her son Josiah. Josiah was hanging out with Englishers, staying out late and, shock of all shocks, purchased fabrics for the shop that had modern designs. As an Amish woman Clara was fuming about the waste of money on these awful fabrics. She was also upset that she couldn't control Josiah. She thought he might leave the Amish community. By the end of the day Josiah had a buggy accident and died. 

Owen Kurtz is a gruff Amish man who saw the accident. He is a carpenter who just happened to have a pine coffin on his trailer. Owen kept passersby from seeing the body. He immediately put Josiah's body in the coffin, covered him with a horse blanket and drove the coffin to Bishop Zook's home. No one other than Owen saw the body. He maneuvered to keep folks away from the body and Josiah was buried the next day. Suspicious huh? As the summary above states, someone dug up the coffin and found that it contained bricks. No Josiah though. Later the body was found in Owen's barn.

Rosie Weaver hosts a weekly book club meeting with two other ladies in her cafe where a chapter is discussed each week. The plot of the book they were reading was eerily similar to an ongoing death investigation in their Sweet Briar community. After discussing their book they couldn't help but talk about the mystery surrounding the death of Josiah Miller. These three ladies, Rosie, Irma and Lovina, decided to do a little sleuthing of their own which irritated the Sheriff.

The Sheriff mentioned to Rosie that the death was a homicide. The way Owen described the body was very different from the way it actually appeared. There were witnesses to the buggy crash whose testimony differed from that of Owen.  The trio managed to identify the whodunnit and there was a big reveal at the end of the story.

Rosie Weaver is the main character. Her sleuthing abilities are extraordinary and she will make a fantastic amateur sleuth for future installments of the series. The mystery was perfectly plotted with a fast pace. I adored this story and am looking forward to reading more cozy Amish mysteries from the author. 

5 out of 5 stars.

Daughter of Egypt

Daughter of Egypt explores the lives of two powerful women separated by thousands of years. Hatshepsut lived in 1486 BCE in Thebes, Egypt. Evelyn Herbert lived in the 1920s in Hampshire, England. She grew up in Highclere Castle and went with her father Lord Carnarvon and his friend Howard Carter to Egypt every summer. They were excavating the royal tombs for treasure. The book was published on March 24, 2026

The publisher's summary:

In the 1920s, archeologist Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon of Highclere Castle made headlines around the world with the discovery of the treasure-filled tomb of the boy Pharaoh Tutankhamun. But behind it all stood Lady Evelyn Herbert―daughter of Lord Carnarvon―whose daring spirit and relentless curiosity made the momentous find possible.

Nearly 3,000 years earlier, another woman defied the expectations of her time: Hatshepsut, Egypt’s lost pharaoh. Her reign was bold, visionary―and nearly erased from history.

When Evelyn becomes obsessed with finding Hatshepsut’s secret tomb, she risks everything to uncover the truth about her reign and keep valued artifacts in Egypt, their rightful home. But as danger closes in and political tensions rise, she must make an impossible choice: protect her father’s legacy―or forge her own.

Propelled by high adventure and deadly intrigue, Daughter of Egypt is the story of two ambitious women who lived centuries apart. Both were forced to hide who they were during their lifetimes, yet ultimately changed history forever.

The story was told in an alternating format. Four or five chapters were devoted to Hatshepsut and then four or five to Lady Evelyn. I quickly became interested in Hatshepsut. She was a pharoah in her own right and this impressed me. Her political strategies helped elevate her to Queen, Regent and then Pharoah. I don't know if her machinations were true to life or imagined by the author. Lady Evelyn or Eve didn't excite me until her parents allowed her to travel with them to Thebes for archaeological digs. Her story then picked up. Her mother was trying to marry her off so Eve had to attend balls in both England and Cairo. She wasn't interested in marriage yet but never really met anyone who wanted a smart wife and she intended to continue her educational pursuits. Eve was fascinated with Hatshepsut. Howard Carter shared this fascination and they would select places to dig based on where they thought her tomb was located. Lord Carnarvon was none the wiser.

The politics of 1920s Egypt was a part of the story. There were Egyptian insurgents who were fighting for Egypt’s independence. In the story it took about ten years. Before the insurgents became successful, the laws allowed Carter and Carnarvon to keep whatever artifacts they dug up. They got rich by selling a few pieces but both men had huge private collections of Egyptian art. After the first elections on Egypt those laws were changed. The nation then owned everything found in the tombs. We know from history that this archeological team discovered King Tutankhamun's tomb. 

I enjoyed reading about both women's passion to be more than society allowed. Both achieved their wishes and the book had a feminist feel good vibe that I am always attracted to. I have read other accounts of Hatshepsut’s life and it never gets too old for me. She is such a captivating character from history. There is much more to the story though. Alot of pages are devoted to the archeological excavations and the banter between Carter and Lord Carnarvon.

I loved the book. I am rating it 5 out of 5 stars. 

Fatal Foliage

I received a free copy of this book from Book Sirens in exchange for an honest review. Amy Prescott's Fatal Foliage was published on March 22, 2026. It is the first book in a new cozy mystery series Ridgeway Springs Inn Mysteries. 

The publisher's summary:

A dead guest. A missing page. And a secret thirty-seven years in the making.

When foliage tour organizer Phillip Swanson is found dead in the Ridgeway Inn's beloved library annex, the town of Ridgeway Springs is ready to call it a tragic heart attack. But former archivist Eloise Stevens knows something doesn't add up. A rare first-edition book appears out of nowhere. A page has been torn from a decades-old guest ledger. And buried in her late father's private records is a notation that suggests Swanson's visit was no coincidence.

Newly returned to Vermont to run her family's historic inn, Eloise never planned to become an amateur sleuth. But as she pieces together old land disputes, forgotten easements, and the quiet connections between longtime residents, she realizes this mystery began long before the autumn leaves turned crimson.

With a retired judge guarding his composure, an antique dealer collecting more than antiques, and a small town where everyone knows everyone else's history, Eloise must untangle the past to protect the inn's future.

Because in Ridgeway Springs, some secrets aren't dead. They're just pending.

There are a few problems with the book. 95% of the writing is narration. More dialogue between the characters would bring both the plot and the characters to life. The characters were flat. We read about their backgrounds but without listening to them talk with the other characters we don't know who they really are. We don't know what makes them tick. In a cozy mystery, especially the first in a series, meeting the characters is important. It’s also important to see how they react to events in the story. I don't believe the author has done a good enough job for readers to want to continue to read the series. 

The mystery itself was plotted well and the pace was fast. I liked that the death occurred in the first chapter so the remainder of the book could be about solving the crime. The development of events was written well. The planting of clues and the twists were perfectly timed.

Concerning Eloise's amateur sleuth skills, she is a fantastic researcher. While the police were interviewing all of her customers, Eloise began to read her father’s notebooks and ledgers. She eventually finds a page about Phillip Swanson, the man who was killed in her library in the first chapter. In order to solve the crime Eloise had to run a title examination. It turns out Swanson did not come to Ridgeway Springs as a tourist but as a man who had come to finish something that he had started in 1987. At that time Swanson and two others filed papers questioning an easement to Eloise's property. I was impressed with the author's knowledge of land records. Running a title search on a piece of property is not a skill most legal professionals have. Eloise's knowledge here is amazing.

As I mentioned above, there was too much narration. This is why the story suffers. Rating the book takes some consideration because the mystery itself was plotted well. I am going to rate the book 2.7 stars out of 5 stars.

Mother of Red Mountains

Mother of Red Mountains  was published on December 16, 2024. It's a family saga that takes place in China after the Revolution. The story is a historical fiction novel that is based on true events and real people. It won many awards in 2025 and 2026.

The publisher's summary:

In the shadow of China’s tumultuous mid-20th century, an ambitious civil engineer is determined to protect her baby girls.

Despite a childhood marked by tragedies, Jun carves out a stable life for herself while shrewdly and skillfully navigating a male-dominated and politically charged society. As she rises through the ranks in her profession, she turns to her in-laws to help care for her daughters.

But when the Red Guards threaten her young family due to their connection with her in-laws’ capitalist class, Jun fears their very existence is in jeopardy.

Amid frequent threats to their safety, can Jun rise above the challenges and safeguard both her family’s future and their fragile stability?

Mother of Red Mountains is a historical tale that creatively weaves together history, personal stories, and the complex culture of revolutionary China, magnificently crafted by Apple An. Showcasing the power of sheer grit and determination, this book traces the journey of a formidable woman who dares to dream against all odds.

The book sweeps across multiple remarkable decades during which China was experiencing the throes of socio-political upheaval. Laying between its covers is the intriguing story of Jun, from an innocent girl who helps her Baba’s shop to an ambitious woman, who despite hardship and amid rampant gender inequality, aspires for more than her preordained life. With grit, wit, and hard work, Jun becomes a star civil engineer at the best institute in the country with a great promise for a bright future. Jun’s life takes an unexpected turn at the onset of China’s Cultural Revolution when constant raids of Red Guards frighten her toddler girls, being cared for by her capitalist in-laws.

Apple An encapsulates the authenticity of a dramatic era and the soul of a woman who navigates political and personal turmoil and eventually finds her motherhood surpasses all her ambitions and expectations in life. Each character is finely etched, while the vivid descriptions of China - its vast landscapes, unique customs, and people - strike a chord of familiarity yet curious fascination.

I enjoyed the book but must say that the summary above is a little deceptive. Jun does not have to deal with the Red Guards until the very end and her contact with them was only with their poor treatment of her in laws.

Xiaojun, or Jun, grew up in Chifeng, which means red mountain, with older brothers Xi-Chang and Xi-Dan and a younger sister named Xia. Jun helped her father with the bookkeeping for the family’s grocery market from a young age. She was very smart and learned fast. Jun was her father’s favorite child not only because she was smart but because of her beauty. Jun’s mother died when she was twelve. She became responsible for Xia as oldest brother Xi-Chang was in the army and Xi-Dan married quickly in order to get sons that could carry on the family business. Soon thereafter Jun’s father turned sixty and sold the family business. Money was left for Jun to continue her educational pursuits as well as Xia's. Jun was on her own with responsibility for Xia while she was still in middle school but she didn't have any concerns about any of it. Jun developed romantic feelings with Yanshao. She thought these feelings were reciprocated as the two of them spent every available time together.

Jun wanted to attend college but that required three years of high school. Being shrewd, Jun decided to attend vocational school with Yanshao. She would still be able to work as a civil engineer. The school was located in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia where both male and female students were accepted. She selected this career because it would help rebuild China under the communists. Jun thought that the country would benefit from the communist doctrine. She graduated and began working as a civil engineer. Jun always impressed her bosses with her work ethic and ability to solve problems. However, she was placed in a job near the school but Yanshao was sent to a rural area. Jun was courted by Bin-Kai and they soon married and had a daughter named Lianlian.

The story ended abruptly with the Red Guards harassing Jun's in-laws. You have to get another book to find the ending. This disappointed me. I can see Jun’s story continuing in another volume but feel there should have been more to this particular novel. 

All things considered, I loved this novel and am rating it 4 out of 5 stars.

Girl in a Red Silk Sari

I love reading Indian fiction so I could not pass up this book when I found it on Amazon. The author, Sharon Maas, is new to me. I am surprised that I have never heard of her before as she writes historical fiction about women and their struggles. Her past settings include France, Germany and India. Girl in a Red Silk Sari was published in April 2025.

The publisher's summary:

Madras, India. Caroline steps off the plane into the searing heat, senseless with worry. So much has changed since her first visit. This time, a piece of her heart is missing. This time, she is here to find her daughter…

Caroline Mitchell has never truly made peace with her past—and the circumstances that led to her separation from her beloved child. And when thirteen-year-old Asha vanishes without a trace, she faces every parent’s worst nightmare.

Desperate to find her, Caroline returns to India determined to do whatever it takes. The search will mean reconnecting with her estranged husband Kamal, and burying the memories of everything that happened between them. It will lead to the darkest corners of Mumbai’s infamous red-light district—a world of shadows, secrets, and unspeakable horrors. There, she discovers her precious daughter has been caught in a trafficking ring that preys on vulnerable children.

As Caroline navigates the labyrinthine streets and corrupt systems of Mumbai, she must find the strength to become the mother she has always wanted to be. Her mission will test her in ways she could never have imagined—but can she reach Asha in time, and save her from a terrifying fate? And if so, will she finally be able to heal the wounds of the past.

This was a captivating story. The first half introduces us to the characters, their lives, loves, personality and family backgrounds. Later the story becomes a mystery as Asha's friends and family search for her. While the pace was always good it speeds up into a frantic pace as the search for Asha continues. 

All of the characters were fascinating. It was interesting that they all had different personalities but got along well. Caroline is the stereotypical New England Brahmin. In her youth she was more adventurous which is why she moved to India with new husband Kamal. Kamal was a quiet man who always followed his family’s honor system. When they arrived in India, Caroline's thesis research required that they split up their living arrangements. She could never have completed her research if she followed Kamal to his place of employment, two hours away from her. Caroline lived with the Pandian family who allowed her to have few responsibilities. After the birth of her daughter Asha she left the care of the baby to the family. It began with nursing struggles. I was surprised that Caroline continually made decisions that separated her from caring for the baby. It’s not something I expected a wealthy woman would do and if she was home in America her mother probably would have helped her bond with the baby. She was selfish to the n'th degree. 

After two years in India Caroline was homesick and went home for a visit. Of course, she left Asha in India. Caroline decided to remain in America, without Asha, and thought that Kamal would follow her back to America. However, Kamal kept getting good engineering jobs in India and stayed there. Both thought the marriage would last though. It didn't because Caroline had an affair.

Asha stayed with the Pandian family eight more years until Mr. and Mrs. Pandian died in an auto accident. Asha was sold by her Pandian brother to a brothel. When her parents realize that she is missing they both gather together in India to find her. There were many twists in the search. My heart felt sorrowful each time they hit a roadblock. I was invested in the lives of this family and felt that I was part of the family too. These were intense feelings.

Girl in a Red Silk Sari is an emotional journey. I absolutely loved it. 5 out of 5 stars.

Death at a Firefly Tea

It is always exciting when a favorite author publishes a new novel. I have been anxiously awaiting the publication of Death at a Firefly Tea. It's the 30th installment of the Indigo Teashop cozy mystery series by Laura Childs. The series protagonist is tea shop owner Theodosia Browning. She is an amateur sleuth who investigates murders in Charleston, South Carolina where she lives and works. Death at a Firefly Tea is my selection for March's Calendar of Crime Challenge. I got behind in my reading last month.

The publishers summary:

As fireflies dazzle like tiny glowing lanterns, tea maven Theodosia hosts an elegant evening tea on the patio of the Tangled Rose B and B. But in this gentle darkness an intruder has made their way in and slipped deadly drugs into the baked Alaska of Mrs. Van Courtland, one of Charleston's local grande dames. Shocked by this brazen act, urged on by Mrs. V's grieving son, Theodosia begins her own shadow investigation. Soon, she finds herself at odds with a greedy developer, the questionable residents of Honey Badger House, a vengeful ex- daughter-in-law, ne'er do well relatives, and a housekeeper who knows all the secrets. As Theodosia hosts a Moulin Rouge Tea and a Queen Victoria Tea, her tea sommelier Drayton is assaulted by a masked stranger and the fiancae of Mrs. V's son is kidnapped. It's only at the Starry Starry Night black tie ball that Theodosia stumbles upon the killer and gets pulled into a dramatic life and death chase.

This book is another great entry into the Indigo Teashop series. It is a perfectly plotted mystery with several unexpected twists. I was trying to read slow in order to savor the story because I know I have to wait another year for the next book. However, that proved to be impossible. I read the book in one sitting. Author Laura Childs' last couple of books were perfectly written and this one fits into that category. Initially I didn't understand what a firefly tea was supposed to be. It all made sense in the first chapter as a group of folks had an afternoon tea of sorts after dark. The fireflies were lit up. I can remember looking at them when I was young but I certainly did not get tea. As usual, several relatives of the deceased asked Theodosia  to investigate and find the murderer. Police detective Burt Tidwell told her to not interfere but throughout the story he keeps asking for her opinion on the investigation. Tidwell is usually gruff and rough around the edges but he was different in this novel. He did not appear in the past few books so I am glad to see him again. 

The teas and food served at the Indigo Tea Shop are described so well that I began looking for restaurants in my area that serve afternoon tea.  There was afternoon tea hosted by Theo in this novel. There was a Victorian Tea. The Indigo Teashop was lavishly decorated for the event and the food served fit the Victorian era. The food descriptions made me hungry and I felt like I was there in person at the Indigo Teashop. It's the best part of this cozy mystery series. Drayton Connelley is Theo's tea sommelier and Haley is the baker. I love Drayton. He is my favorite character in the series. Drayton is always well dressed and has a debonair attitude around him. He helps Theo investigate the murders and the two of them always end up in a precarious situation. Haley basically stays in the background. Another nice feature in these books are the recipes. For every food and dessert concocted by Haley, there will be recipes at the end of the book. I am going to have to make Drayton's Shrimp Chowder.

Death at a Firefly Tea is a superb cozy mystery. Cozy fans will want to read it. 5 out of 5 stars.

April Armchair Travel Plans

I have alot of international travel planned for next month. I will be returning to Japan for Kylie Lee Baker's Japanese Gothic and Asako Yuzuki's Hooked. Yuzuki is the author of Butter which I reviewed last year. Butter was one of my top books in 2025. India is also a nice trip I will take for Sharon Maas' Girl in a Red Silk Sari. I am then traveling to medieval Italy with Gregory Maguire's Mirror Mirror. It was originally published in 2004 but was republished in February 2026. The story is about the Medicis. Another big trip will be to ancient Egypt. I will be reading I Am Cleopatra by  Natasha Solomons and Marie Benedict's Daughter of Egypt. I am also going to Korea for Honey in the Wound by Jiyoung Han. This novel is about Koreans under Japanese Occupation. One final trip will be to 16th century England with The Lost Book of Elizabeth Barton. Jennifer Brown wrote this novel about the Boleyn family. 

If I don't run out of reading time, I might be reading T.N. Daigle's Cypress Run, Amy Prescott's Fatal Foliage and Murder at a Firefly Tea by Laura Childs. I have many other books on my nightstand that I recently purchased but cannot be sure I will have time to read them. American Han, Bad Asians, Nowhere Burning, The Girl in the Attic and White River Crossing are possibilities for April. I believe the settings for all of these novels are in the United States. 

April should be a month of heavy reading for me. If it's not too cold I will walk to a nearby beach with my coffee mug and begin my reads. Sooooo, where are you traveling in April?

Captivating Character of the Month: March

The Captivating Character of the Month is a weekly meme hosted by the Reading Ladies blog. The meme runs on the fourth Friday of every month where participants can link their posts. Lisan Liu from Janie Chang's historical fiction novel The Fourth Princess is my captivating character of the month for March. The novel was recently published on February 10, 2026. Lisan is a Shanghai orphan who was raised by a wealthy benefactor. Master Liu made sure that Lisan was educated. He wanted Lisan to serve in his household after her graduation. Lisan had other plans. She wanted to get a job and use her management and English skills. Lisan was a plucky girl who obtained an interview with Caroline Stanton to be her secretary. She desperately wanted this job and was lucky enough to get it. Without any fear, Lisan left the Liu home and moved into the Stanton estate. It was unusual for a girl to be that independent but Lisan definitely had this trait.

Lisan proved to be indispensable. She understood the Chinese staff and all of their superstitions. She was able to explain to the Stantons why they acted as they did. Lisan was bold in her approach to the job and sometimes I felt that she knew that she was stronger than Caroline Stanton and that she knew better than her employer. Frankly, she did. 

I am much older than Lisan Liu was in the story. However, I am still not as bold as Lisan. I wish that I was. She was a go-getter and always successful in her endeavors.  Lisan deserves to be my captivating character of the month.

Book Cover of the Month: March

French illustrator Marguerite Sauvage is the artist who created this book cover. She has extensive experience in comics and animation, with leading clients such as DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, and IDW. She’s known for her expressive characters and fashionable designs, as well as her stand-out color palettes. Her cover design for Don’t Forget Your Briefcase has an appealing color pallette of bright red, green yellow and blue. The color pallette is what drew me to the comic. The person holding a briefcase, however, is not the person in the story who handles it. Rather, a young boy has possession of it for most of the story. 

The plot centers on Elmo, a ten-year-old kid, who carries his dead father's briefcase with him to his elementary school every day. After hurting a bully, he is suspended and his mother, a Russian spy working in the White House, takes him to work with her. It is Inauguration Day and as the new president walks toward the Oval Office, he is assassinated. In the commotion Elmo picks up the wrong briefcase. It's the nuclear football with the codes to launch a nuclear strike. While all this sounds serious, the story is hilarious.

After graduating with a degree in Law and Communication at Paris University, a longtime passion for image conducted Marguerite to become a freelance illustrator. Recently Marguerite has started working in animation and video games as well as in sequential art and cover art for comic books publishers. Marguerite now resides in Montréal.

Book of the Month: March

I had to think hard about which book is my favorite of the month. The contenders were The Fourth Princess by Janie Chang, Cold Zero by Brad Thor and The Star From Calcutta by Sujata Massey. The authors of these three books each wrote their best books in their series to date. After reflecting on them for a few days I decided that Cold Zero by Brad Thor was my best novel for March.

Cold Zero is a spy thriller but it isn't part of Thor's Scot Harvath spy series. There are fresh new characters and the main character, Kasey Sheridan, is a CIA spy extraordinaire. In fact, she would be a great protagonist for a new series. Now, I don't know what the authors think about this but I am giving them a strong hint that I would like a new series.

Cold Zero opened with an autonomous taxi causing mayhem in Hong Kong streets. Chinese scientist Chen Li and CIA officer Kasey Sheridan are trying to escape from China along with Chen's briefcase which contains the Sky Fire technology. Chen is not in this taxi though. The Chinese, however, believe he is and are chasing it. During the chase Chen and Sheridan board a private plane in Macau heading towards New York City where Chen plans to defect. It is soon determined that the two are list in a plane crash. The plot just gets crazier after the crash.

The writing between the two authors, Brad Thor and Ward Larsen, is superb. There are no lows in the plot. It has nonstop action throughout the story and the short chapters help the fast pace of the book. Cold Zero is a thriller reader's thriller. I loved this book and can see it on my top ten mysteries of 2026.

Total Suplex of the Heart

Total Suplex of the Heart was published in 2024 by Humanoids. This 161 page graphic novel is about a young journalist, Georgie, who goes undercover in the local hardcore wrestling scene, exploring themes of identity, toxic relationships, and self-discovery in a male-dominated world. The story is inspired by author Joanne Starer's own experiences.

The publisher's summary:  

Glowing up isn’t the same as growing up.

Georgie’s always been nerdy: Teased by jocks, spending her lunchtime with a comic in hand, and falling in love with wrestling from Saturday nights on the couch with her dad. But that was then – This is now!

She’s out of school, freelancing as a journalist, and hot as heck. In an effort to prove to her mom that she has a “real job,” she goes undercover in the local hardcore wrestling scene to investigate a piece. She’s quickly swept up in the drama, both in and out of the ring. With new friendships developing and potential romance blossoming, she’s riding the wave of attention that temporarily silences her own insecurities. But as girl fights, casual hook-ups, and creepy older men begin to dominate her days, Georgie has to ask herself who really holds the power in her life, and whether she’s happy with where it’s headed.

This was an enjoyable story. It would be nice if it continued with another release. I cannot remember any past comic concerning the wrestling world so the story is unique. Poor Georgie had to endure alot of sexism but she let it all fall by the wayside. The wrestlers who became her friends were always trying to get her into bed and a few of them got lucky. At one point Georgie thought she was pregnant and didn't know who the father might be. It turned out her menses stopped because of her anorexia. She questioned her relationship with Steve. They were living together but Georgie was doing all of the work in the relationship as well as in their business teaching women how to wrestle. 

Georgie was a sympathetic character, the only one in the comic. Her mental health struggles and the trauma from being raised by an incompetent mother scared her. She accepted poor treatment from her friends because she felt that was all she deserved. You just want to hug her. 

Total Suplex of the Heart is an intriguing story. I am rating it 4 out of 5 stars.

I Could Pee on This

This is a book of poetry, seemingly written by cats. Published in 2012, it is a humorous book perfect for cat lovers. As the publisher states:  

Animal lovers will laugh out loud at the quirkiness of their feline friends with these insightful and curious poems from the singular minds of funny cats.

With poem titles like "Who Is That on Your Lap?," "This Is My Chair," "Kneel Before Me," "Nudge," and "Some of My Best Friends Are Dogs," the poems collected in I Could Pee on This perfectly capture the inner workings of the cat psyche.

With photos of the cat "authors" throughout, this whimsical poetry book reveals kitties at their wackiest and most exasperating (but always lovable).

The poems are placed in four categories:  family, work, play and exisyence. All of my favorite poems are in the family category and include the title poem I Could Pee on This:  

Her new sweater doesn’t smell of me 

I could pee on that 

She’s gone out for the day and left her laptop on the counter

I could pee on that

Her new boyfriend just pushed my head away 

I could pee on him

She’s ignoring me ignoring her 

I could pee everywhere 

She’s making up for it by putting me on her lap 

I could pee on this 

I could pee on this 

I also loved a cat proverb: They say there are twenty-four hours in a day but I’m only up for three of them and two I consider overtime.

The funny jokes within these poems will appeal to men and women of all ages but may not be appropriate for kids. Some of the poems, not many, contain salty language. I can see this book on my coffee table. While it's not large, just 112 pages, I think my guests will enjoy it. Of course, all my guests are cat lovers.

3 stars out of 5 stars.

The Lightbearer #1

Son of Light is the first book in the Lightbearer comic series. In just 21 pages the reader is introduced to Tomiwa. Tomiwa is  just a 13-year-old student trying to survive school, family expectations, and everyday life in the city of Lagos. However, he  sees things that no one else can see. Strange moments begin to happen. Shadows that move when they shouldn't, silence that falls when everything should be loud, and a feeling that he is being watched. Then one day, everything changes. A mysterious figure rescued him from a car accident. This figure is always calm and radiant. He has been watching Tomiwa for a long time.

I am not sure who or what the figure is. He is most likely an angel but I also wondered if he was Jesus. The story seems to show that there is a hidden battle happening around us every day. The battle is between light and darkness that most people cannot see. Tomiwa can see it though. I believe Tomiwa is a lightbearer. Lightbearers are people who embody and share goodness, virtue, and positive impact, regardless of religious affiliation. They are people who step in to help others, act with integrity, and stand up for what's right, even in small ways.

I am definitely interested in reading more of the series. We rarely see a comic that embodies goodness. Written by Samson Awobusuyi, the comic offers us a new kind of African superhero. According to the publisher the series has African storytelling, a superhero origin drama, a spiritual mystery and a faith-inspired themes of light overcoming darkness. It was published on March 7, 2026. I cannot wait to read the next release of this series. 

5 out of 5 stars.

The Dressmaker of Khair Khana

The Dressmaker of Khair Khana is a memoir about journalist Gayle Lemmon's trips to Kabul, Afghanistan looking for stories about women living in war torn countries. Lemmon writes articles for the Financial Times. In this book she centers on Kamila Sidiqi who ran her own business during the reign of the Taliban in the mid 1990s. 

After graduating from a two year teaching program at Sayed Jamaluddin Teacher Training Institute, Kamila heard whispers concerning the Taliban being close to Kabul and would most likely overun Kabul by the next day. Kamila hurried to catch a bus for long bus ride that would take her to her family’s home in the neighborhood of Khair Khana, a northern suburb of Kabul. The Taliban did reach Kabul the next day and Kamila's graduation certificate was no longer useful as the Taliban forbid women from leaving their homes. Kamila's father and brother fled the city before they arrived so she was responsible for taking care of her family. Unable to teach and desperate to support her family, Kamila masters the art of dressmaking and passes on the skills to her younger sisters. In order to find work for the budding business, Kamila frequently makes the dangerous trek to the market and meets with the owners of local dress shops. Soon the business is growing, and Kamila sees an opportunity to help other women in her community. With the help of her sisters, she opens a tailoring school in their home to teach women how to sew and to give them work once they completed their training. At a time of almost insurmountable poverty, she is able to employ nearly one hundred of her friends and neighbors, all the while escaping the scrutiny of the Taliban.

Kamila is an inspiring lady. She makes me look lazy. The author hopes that her book will change the tradition of portraying women as victims of war and pitied. Instead Lemmon believes that they are survivors of war whose bravery and determination held their families and communities together. This is a true story and yet it reads like a novel. I had to check twice to see if this book was historical fiction or a memoir. It’s a memoir. Lemmon made many trips to Kabul over a three-year period to interview women. 

I loved this book. It is an uplifting story of the brave women of Afghanistan who eked out a life under the most horrific circumstances. It gives me hope that I can handle anything that life throws my way. 5 out of 5 stars.

Shiokari Pass

Shiokari Pass is a moving tale of love eclipsed by sacrifice an tragedy. It is based on a true story. I selected the book for the Japanese Reading Challenge 19 and am so glad that I read it. The main character is Nobuo Nagano. After becoming a Christian he finds himself in a bind. He wants to marry his childhood sweetheart, Fujiko, but the marriage conflicts with his newfound faith. Nobuo knows that he should not be unequally yoked with a nonbeliever. Set in Hokkaido at the turn of the nineteenth century, when for the first time Western culture and ideas were beginning to challenge Japan's long-held traditions, Shiokari Pass takes an intriguing look at Japanese life and thought of a hundred years ago. The book was a bestseller in Japan and a successful motion picture as well. Based on the life of a high-ranking railway employee who was revered for his humanitarian deeds, Shiokari Pass offers a revealing glimpse of the long, hard road traveled by Japanese Christians. It was published in 1968 in Japan.

The story opened when Nobuo Nagano was ten years old and his grandmother Tose was complaining about his mother. Nobuo had been told that she died but that was not true. Tose had thrown her out of the family home for becoming Yaso, a Christian. The Nagano family were ardent Buddhists. Nobuo’s best friend was Yoshikawa and we watched them grow up together and remain friends throughout life. This was unusual because the Nagano family were of the samurai class and Yoshikawa was from a lower social class. When Tose passed away Nobuo’s mother Kiku and her daughter Michiko moved to the Nagano house. Both Kiku and Michiko were Yaso. While his father was not a believer he attended church with them every Sunday. Nobuo, however, refused to go. Nobuo had planned to attend college but because his father died, Nobuo decided to forego higher education and obtained a job with the railroad in order to support Kiku and Michiko. At one rail station Nobuo wandered in to a Sunday School class and the rest, as they say, is history.

I enjoyed reading about Nobuo and Yoshikawa's conversations both as youngsters and as adults. They were philosophical even at a young age and thought through what it meant to be human. It was quite interesting to see two young lads discuss such deep topics and heartwarming to see them remain close friends throughout life. I also enjoyed reading about Nobuo’s conversations with his family concerning Yaso. Nobuo’s objections to Yaso were explained in detail. He compared Yaso against the power of Buddha and how Buddha helped him live life. This was his stumbling block. 

Life in Japan one hundred years ago was fascinating to read about. The country was beginning to change due to the influence of Western culture. The manner in which Nobuo and Yoshikawa sailed through life, bending some Japanese rules, was shown. It was an intriguing time to be alive. Yoshikawa remained a Buddhist. However, almost every person Nobuo encountered worshipped Yaso and it caused him to think deeply about whether Buddha matched Yaso's power to transform people. There is also some romance in the story as Nobuo becomes attracted to a few girls but sets his sights on marrying Yoshikawa's disabled sister Fujiko.

The title of the book comes from the place where Nobuo died. I would like to refrain from any additional spoilers in case one of my blog readers wants to read the book. The ending was certainly dramatic. I think the best word to describe this novel is heartwarming. I loved it and believe you will too. I am rating it 5 out of 5 stars.

Can't Wait Wednesday #47

 

This weekly meme is hosted by the Wishful Endings blog. The meme spotlights the books that we are excited about but have yet to read. Generally, they're books that have yet to be released. 

Ruins will be published on March 31, 2026. It is a quest story about an  archaeologist, Professor Ember Agni, who seeks a lost civilization. Along the way she is forced to confront her crumbling marriage and personal life. The genre is literary adventure and mystery.

The publisher's summary:  Professor Ember Agni is a rising star in archeology, trying to balance an unfulfilling career in academia and a crumbling marriage, all while pursuing her true passion: unearthing a lost empire that no one else believes existed. Just as she’s about to give up on the ambitious expedition she spent a decade trying to fund, a message arrives from overseas. A former student claims to have found something extraordinary—an artifact that hints at the forgotten world lying beneath history’s tidy surface.

​

With vindication finally within reach, Ember risks everything for the sake of discovery and undertakes an odyssey that will either make her name or ruin her. Driven by unwavering faith in her vision of the past, she challenges the limits of her nation, her colleagues, and herself in order to exhume the missing pieces of how humanity began. But as she journeys deep into an untouched wilderness, in dogged pursuit of a dead civilization, she collides with the wreckage of her own life. On the brink of either discovery or destruction, Ember must choose who she wants to be, and to what kind of world she wants to belong.

I think that I will enjoy it. How about you? What book are you waiting to read?