Murder in the Park

I selected Murder in the Park for the Calendar of Crime Challenge. The book was published during March 2022 and because the story takes place in a town that I used to reside in, I knew I had to read it. The book is the first one in a new mystery series taking place in Oak Park, Illinois. Elizabeth Fairchild is the amateur sleuth. She is a widow living with her parents during the 1920s.

The publisher's summary:  

June, 1925. Having been widowed in the Great War, Elizabeth Fairchild lives a quiet life at the home of her wealthy parents in genteel Oak Park village, Illinois. Although she does her best to avoid emotional entanglements, determined never to be hurt again, Elizabeth forms a close friendship with gentle Mr Anthony, who owns the local antiques store.

But tragedy strikes when Mr Anthony is found stabbed to death in the alley behind his shop. Why would anyone murder a mild-mannered antiques dealer who simply loved beautiful things? A robbery gone wrong? A gangland execution? Or could it have something to do with the mysterious customer who bought a gold pocket watch from Mr Anthony on the day he died? 

When one of her father's oldest friends is accused of the crime, Elizabeth determines to expose the real killer. But her investigations soon attract unwelcome attention. With gangsters moving into the neighbourhood from nearby Chicago, Oak Park is no longer the safe haven it once was. Could Elizabeth be seriously out of her depth?

I enjoyed the beginning of the book; just the introduction of the characters. The murder occurred early and I expected the rest of the story would be about the sleuthing. However, there was no sleuthing. Elizabeth relied on other characters to set up a meeting with neighbors. In the meeting she asked too many questions, resulting in the Chicago police breaking into her house to scare her while she hid in the basement. Another character informs Elizabeth that the Chicago police are corrupt and controlled by the mob. He insinuates that Mr. Anthony was a mobster because he was Italian. Anthony's Catholic faith also made him appear suspicious to his Oak Park neighbors and most of them thought he was involved in criminal activity for this reason. Elizabeth thought that the Walosa group, the female branch of the KKK, probably had something to do with Mr. Anthony's death since there was a local branch of them in Oak Park. Elizabeth learns new information about what may have happened at social events she is invited to.

Murder in the Park is a straight murder mystery story. There was no real plot action though. It seemed to me that the author concentrated on the setting with narrative and dialogue. She forgot to write a story. The characters she created could make fantastic characters in future novels.

No rating.

Night Angels

Night Angels is Weina Dao Randel's 4th novel. She wrote the Empress of Bright Moon duology that many historical fiction fans loved. In her newest novel, Randel writes about a diplomatic couple who are risking their lives to help Jews in Vienna escape the Nazis. It is inspired by the true story of Dr. Ho Fengshan.

The publisher's summary:  

1938. Dr. Ho Fengshan, consul general of China, is posted in Vienna with his American wife, Grace. Shy and ill at ease with the societal obligations of diplomats’ wives, Grace is an outsider in a city beginning to feel the sweep of the Nazi dragnet. When Grace forms a friendship with her Jewish tutor, Lola Schnitzler, Dr. Ho requests that Grace keep her distance. His instructions are to maintain amicable relations with the Third Reich, and he and Grace are already under their vigilant eye.

But when Lola’s family is subjugated to a brutal pogrom, Dr. Ho decides to issue them visas to Shanghai. As violence against the Jews escalates after Kristallnacht and threats mount, Dr. Ho must issue thousands more to help Jews escape Vienna before World War II explodes.

Night Angels is a gripping historical fiction novel that grabs your attention from the first page. I found myself rooting for Fengshan as he faced mounting pressure to stop issuing visas. He endured threats to his and his family's physical safety from Adolph Eichmann and his superiors in China. His career in the Republic of China diplomatic corps was also threatened. Fengshan, a Christian, became more emboldened with each threat. As these threats became more intense, Fengshan knew that it was his mission in life to save as many Jews as possible from the Nazis. In the end, he did not care what he had to endure from the Nazis.

Not much is said about Fengshan's faith. The author only tells us that he is a member of the Lutheran Church. However, we never see him going to church. Perhaps the churches were closed by this time period of 1938 to 1940. The author does not tell us. The reader sees Fengsham driving by his church to look at it when he is overwhelmed. He is initially prompted by his wife Grace to save her friend Lola by giving her a visa. Fengshan does not want to do this because his bosses are against angering the Nazis. China needs weapons from Germany in order to fight the Japanese who were occupying China. He is unable to ignore his wife's pleas and with each visa that he processes, Fengshan feels easier about what he is doing.

I loved reading about this little known part of WWII history. The twist of foreign diplomats dealing with the Nazi regime is a new one for WWII fiction. It gives us a fresh perspective on how foreign countries, non-Allies that is, dealt with Germany during the war. 

Night Angels is a must read! 5 out of 5 stars.

The Last Kingdom

The Last Kingdom is Steve Berry's 17th Cotton Malone novel.  I have loved all of them and this one is no different. In this installment of the series King Ludwig II of Bavaria who was deposed in 1886 mysteriously drowned three days later. He was eccentric and has been referred to throughout history of "Mad King Ludwig." In the years before he died, Ludwig engaged in a worldwide search for a new kingdom.  He wanted a new kingdom that was separate from Bavaria because he hated the politics in his home country. This new kingdom was supposed to be a retreat for him. The question posed by history is whether he found a place for this kingdom and whether he built it. 

We then see main character Cotton Malone enter into the story.  His protege, Luke Daniels, has infiltrated a renegade group that is intent on winning Bavarian independence from Germany. Daniels also has gained the trust of the prince of Bavaria who will inherit the throne when his terminally ill brother dies. The princes of Bavaria all descend from the Wittelsbach family who has held the throne for over 700 years. Prince Stefan von Bayern is counting on a 19th century deed proving that Ludwig II found a new kingdom and that he has legal title to the land. Malone and Daniels travel to Ludwig's three fairytale castles, Neuschwanstein, Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee, and battle a number of deadly adversaries who are all intent on finding that last kingdom.

I had some difficulty becoming interested in the story. In fact, I was so bored after reading the first 30 pages that I went online to check reviews. I thought that maybe the author had finally hit a dry spell. All of the reviews were good so I thought that the problem was me. Maybe it was. However, the story picked up around page 65 and it then became a page turner. That said, the premise for the story was a little farfetched. The idea that Bavaria could legally be separated from the rest of Germany was not plausible to me. It is upon this idea that the entire story is based and why would the penultimate spy Cotton Malone even bother with it? 

The writing was crisp but I found myself putting the book down often. It's hard for me to believe that I am rating a Steve Berry book only 3 out of 5 stars.

The Porcelain Moon

The Porcelain Moon is Janie Chang's fourth novel. It takes place in France during World War 1 and follows the travails of two young women in France as the country is torn apart by he war. Main character Pauline is Chinese and is in France with her cousin to support the family’s porcelain trade. 

The publisher's summary:

France, 1918. In the final days of the First World War, a young Chinese woman, Pauline Deng, runs away from her uncle’s home in Paris to evade a marriage being arranged for her in Shanghai. To prevent the union, she needs the help of her cousin Theo, who is working as a translator for the Chinese Labour Corps in the French countryside. In the town of Noyelles-sur-Mer, Camille Roussel is planning her escape from an abusive marriage, and to end a love affair that can no longer continue. When Camille offers Pauline a room for her stay, the two women become friends. But it’s not long before Pauline uncovers a perilous secret that Camille has been hiding from her. As their dangerous situation escalates, the two women are forced to make a terrible decision that will bind them together for the rest of their lives.

Set against the little-known history of the 140,000 Chinese workers brought to Europe as non-combatant labor during WWI, The Porcelain Moon is a tale of forbidden love, identity and belonging, and what we are willing to risk for freedom.

Before reading this book I knew nothing about the Chinese laborers who came to France during WW1. I learned alot about this little known part of history and am glad that the author highlighted it. I was hoping to read more about the porcelain industry but it was merely the backdrop to the lives of the characters.

The chapters alternated between Pauline and Camille's story and toward the end of the book these stories merged into a pleasing ending. Both Pauline and Camille were interesting characters but I was more attracted to Pauline's story. She came to Paris as the illegitimate niece of the Pagoda owner Louis Deng and was able to build the life that she wanted there. She had many more challenges to overcome than Camille so she was my favorite character.  There was always the possibility that she could be sent back to China as the bride of someone who she did not know and that's pretty scary.  Pauline always knew that if a marriage was arranged for her that she would go along with it to maintain her family's pride. This is heroic.

The Porcelain Moon is a must read for historical fiction fans. It was just published last week and you need to get a copy of it.  5 out of 5 stars.

Someone Else's Life

Annie Lin’s life crumbles. Her dance studio goes bankrupt. Her mother and beloved dog are gone the same year. Then a terrible accident leaves her young son traumatized. It’s time for a change. Palm trees, mai tais, peace and quiet―Annie should be at ease, safe in her new Kauai home with her husband and son. She hopes proximity to her family can provide them all with a sense of belonging and calm. But soon items from her past start turning up―her dog’s collar, a bracelet that disappeared years ago―and she has the unnerving sensation she’s being watched. Reality begins to fracture, and Annie’s panic attacks return. When, during a brewing storm, a woman appears on her doorstep looking for shelter, Annie is relieved to have the company and feels an unexplainable bond with her visitor. As the night progresses, Annie realizes the woman is no stranger. Their lives are inextricably intertwined―and Annie might just lose everything.

Atmospheric and Hitchcockian. Both of these descriptions of the book are accurate. I couldn't put the book down and was extremely interested in figuring out what was happening. I couldn't believe that Annie let Serena into her home and knew that Serena was going to be the villain. However, some of the red flags that Annie ignored were unbelievable. While Annie knew what was happening was questionable she continued to let it happen. Annie should have trusted her instincts and made her leave. Of course, we wouldn't have a great story if she had and this is a fantastic story. It's always amazing to me when an author's debut novel is so good.  I expect nothing but suspenseful stories from her in the future. She has two more novels ready to be published in the next year.  Check this book out.

5 out of 5 stars.

Five Steps Beyond

After beginning Five Steps Beyond I was soon astonished to discover that I was at the 60% mark in the story. Before I knew it I had finished reading the book. This shows how good this story is. The book is the final installment in the Titus Ray Thriller series by Luana Ehrlich. The main character is Titus Ray, an American Christian spy who works for the CIA.

The publisher's summary:

CIA operative Titus Ray took five steps. But not just any steps.

They were five steps beyond his expectations, five steps beyond his experience, five steps beyond his past.

He took five steps beyond his expectations . . .

When Titus is summoned to the White House, he expects to be offered a Top Secret assignment. What he doesn’t expect is where that assignment will take him, and how he’ll survive if he accepts it.

He took five steps beyond his experience . . .

Even though Titus has been through a lot in his twenty-year career with the Agency, he’s never had to learn about uranium enrichment, he’s never had his appearance altered, he’s never had to be a marriage counselor.

He took five steps beyond his past . . .

Operation Strike Out finds Titus revisiting his past to prevent the Iranians from developing a nuclear weapon to annihilate Israel. When he discovers the tentacles of his past are reaching into his present, seeking to destroy his future, he realizes he has to act quickly.

Will his prayers be answered in time or has his time come to an end?

Five Steps is the second book in the series which I have read so I am a little sad that I just recently discovered the series when it is ending.  I can always go back and read the earlier books but its not the same as knowing that future books are coming. The Titus character is rather brave. He has returned to Tehran on a mission after almost losing his life there two years ago. In this installment of the series he is charged with getting a flash drive from a nuclear scientist that holds info on Iran's uranium enrichment program that would enable them to create a nuclear weapon. During the mission Titus comes face-to-face with the man charged with finding & killing him two years ago and, yes, this man recognizes Titus even though Titus is wearing a disguise. The suspense level is high. Titus's faith is more prominent than in the first book of the series which I read last year. Initially, I was put off by Titus's inner thoughts.  It seemed that Titus would not be able to be a great spy because there were actions that he did not want to take. However, the suspense kept me reading. By the time the story was over, Titus's faith did not bother me. 

4 out of 5 stars.

Book of the Month: February

I had a difficult time deciding which book was my best read for the month. Four books that I read were excellent: The Godmother's Secret, Cor Rotto, The Orchard and Hide. The deciding factor was innovation in genre. The Orchard, by Amish fiction writer Beverly Lewis, combines the modern world into the Amish world in a new and shocking way. The main thrust of the story was an Amish character's participation in the Vietnam War.

The main character, Ellie Hostettler, grew up near an apple orchard that her father owned. Twin brother Evan was expected to take over the business but Evan's interest in the ways of the Englischers has been disconcerting to his family. Evan got caught attending the funeral of an English friend, Jack Herr, who died in Vietnam. Evan has been highly influenced by his friendship with Jack. He is considering joining the army to fight in Vietnam and when he fails to register as a conscientious objector the Hostettler family is devastated. Meanwhile, the ladies are all trying to find husbands which, of course, they find or it wouldn't be Amish fiction.

Book Cover of the Month: February

It shouldn't be any surprise that I have chosen Andi Watson's graphic novel Paris as my book cover of the month. The bold colors on the cover are what induced me to buy the novel. Unfortunately, the comic strips inside the book were done in black and white. Simon Gane drew and colored the cover. His artwork on last month's Sunburn was my favorite book cover for January.  Gane is a British artist from Bath who works for Vertigo. Vertigo is an imprint of DC Comics that caters to mature audiences but also more sophisticated cartoonists. Gane is also a magazine and children's book illustrator. 

New America

New America is a Comixology Original political thriller that explores the future of a divided nation. Curt Pires is the author of this three part series.  The story of the New America is set in a near-future landscape where a group of secessionists have broken away from the U. S. and created a new nation. They hope that it will be a utopia but an outbreak of violence makes it look just like the old America. Is this a foreshadow of what could come to Americans in the real world?

The story begins with the end of the old America with a partisan Congress, problems at the border, white supremacists and a crazy President Trump. The New America, though, is not any better. While the new president is African American, he uses power just like the white ones did. The politics is the same. The exception is that there are now armed guards everywhere throughout the nation. Citizens of the old America are seen as terrorists. 

This is a depressing comic. There wasn't much plot movement to keep me interested in the story but I kept reading because I expected a big ending. I didn't get it but perhaps that is the point. Separating the different factions in our country will not work. We have to talk to each other.

The Vision

The Vision #1 is a graphic novel about an android called Vision.  This android, sometimes called a "synthezoid," was built by the villainous robot Ultron created by Hank Pym. Originally intended to act as Ultron's son and destroy the Avengers, Vision instead turned on his creator and joined the Avengers to fight for the forces of good.  Part 1 collects the comic series 1 through 5 and was published in 2015 by Marvel.

The Vision wants to be human so he goes to the laboratory where he was created and he builds a family. There is his wife, Virginia and two twin teens Viv and Vin who look like him. They also have his powers and share his ambition to be ordinary. However, they have the power to kill. Ordinary, huh?

I found it amusing that this family always flew to wherever they were going.  If they wanted to be ordinary they should have walked or drove a car.  However, the kids flew through the air in order to get to school and, yes, they were seen in the air by students. It was also pretty amusing to see the kids try to learn the subjects everyone has to take in high school. Virginia would quiz them daily to ensure that they were doing well. Their power to kill, though, could not be turned off and we see Virginia and the twins use their powers of force when they were threatened.

This was a fun story so I will be getting the subsequent novels.

The Orchard

The Orchard is an Amish fiction story that takes place in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The main character, Ellie Hostettler, grew up near an apple orchard that her father owned. Twin brother Evan was expected to take over the business but Evan's interest in the ways of the Englischers has been disconcerting to his family. Evan got caught attending the funeral of an English friend, Jack Herr, who died in Vietnam. Evan has been highly influenced by his friendship with Jack. He is considering joining the army to fight in Vietnam and when he fails to register as a conscientious objector the Hostettler family is devastated. Meanwhile the ladies are all trying to find husbands and their Amish reserve prevents them from being proactive.  

The Orchard was a relaxing read and it was difficult to put down. I did so but only for an hour because I wanted to know what was happening with Evan. Ellie's feelings about the peacefulness of the orchard made me feel peaceful too. She enjoyed walking there most days, especially when family drama was upsetting her. I can relate to this as walking through a park helps me deal with drama as well. Of course, it wouldn't be Amish fiction without romance. The romance side to the story was sweet but what I enjoyed most about this tale is the intrusion of the Vietnam War in Amish life.

5 out of 5 stars.

Can't Wait Wednesday #18

I am anxiously awaiting the April 4, 2023 publication of Harini Nagendra's Murder over a Red Moon.  It is her second novel in the Bangalore Detective Club Series. 

In this installment of the series, new bride and amateur sleuth Kaveri Murthy agrees to investigate a financial crime for her mother-in-law. Her husband's cousin is facing financial ruin while there is talk in his company that someone embezzled funds. All of this occurred under the blood moon eclipse. Soon thereafter, Kaveri's life is threatened. The story takes place in 1921 colonial India. Anti-British sentiment is rising and women's suffrage is being debated giving the book some political flair.

The Apprentice

The Apprentice: Love and Scandal in the Kingdom of Naples was written by one of my favorite authors Christine De Melo. It is her 16th novel and I have enjoyed them all. However, this story is peculiar.

The publisher's summary:

Naples, Italy 1600: In a desperate attempt to avoid an undesirable fate, “Carlo” dispatches an urgent letter to estranged cousin, Giovanni Balducci, on the eve of the Florentine Maestro's departure to Naples. The deceptive youth convinces Giovanni that he needs an apprentice, so they travel south to complete important commissions, including the adornment of the macabre San Gaudioso catacombs. What began as an adventure takes a perilous turn when the apprentice falls in love with a local monk.

Carlo meets the famed nun, Sister Giulia di Marco, and her confessor, Father Aniello Arcieri, a few years later while restoring an altarpiece in a church. The charismatic pair gradually draw the lonely artist into their scandalous Confraternity of Carnal Charity, whose wealthy noble acolytes believe divine glory can be achieved through sexual ecstasy. Unable to continue living a lie, Carlo confesses a big secret to Sister Giulia. The crafty nun wastes no time assigning the novitiate a prominent role within the cult, which soon captures the attention of the Holy Inquisition. To make matters worse, the priest leading the investigation is someone the artist knows all too well.

This gripping account of forbidden love and danger revolves around actual historical accounts. The author has spent considerable time researching in Naples, especially within the mysterious and bizarre underground catacombs.

If I had never heard about sex cults before, The Apprentice would not have been plausible. However, I once worked on a legal case where a prostitute claimed that salvation could only be obtained through sex with her. This prostitute requested that her home be exempt from property taxes because it was a church. Of course, she lost. Had I not been involved with the case, I probably would not have finished this book. The plot is bizarre even though it is plausible. I enjoyed, though, reading about the artists. I learned how they worked on paintings, obtained jobs and that they frequently were away from home working on commissions. The twist at the midway point I did not see coming and was a surprise. The plot changed significantly here and I am not sure it was for the better.

3 out of 5 stars.