Category Archives: adult
Rushing to Paradise – J. G. Ballard
The French are considering a nuclear test on Saint-Esprit Island. In order to facilitate the building of a runway, albatross nests have been destroyed and birds were killed by the hundreds. Dr. Barbara’s mission in life, at least for now, … Continue reading
All Standing: The Remarkable Story of the Jeanie Johnston, the Lendendary Irish Famine Ship – Kathryn Miles
Nicholas Reilly always gave his place of birth as The Atlantic Ocean. He was born on Easter Sunday the day his vessel, the Jeanie Johnston, embarked on its maiden voyage to North America. That he and his family and all … Continue reading
Ashenden – Elizabeth Wilhide
This is the first time I have encountered a house as the main character in a novel, and I find I quite like it. Ashenden is a stately English country manor house built toward the end of the 18th century. … Continue reading
Finding Camlann – Sean Pidgeon
The unfinished manuscript just isn’t right and archeologist Donald Gladstone is at a loss. His publisher wants more punch to appeal to more readers. Donald wants to stick by the facts, and only the facts. Unfortunately, there are no facts. … Continue reading
The Child’s Child – Barbara Vine
Andrew and Grace inherit their grandmother’s large London home, Dinmont House, and decide to share the rambling mansion, dividing up the bedrooms, sitting rooms and libraries. The arrangement works well, until Andrew brings home his new love, James. James is … Continue reading
The Great Pearl Heist: London’s Greatest Jewel Thief and Scotland Yard’s Hunt for the World’s Most Valuable Necklace – Molly Caldwell Crosby
Joseph Grizzard was finely dressed, extremely intelligent, affluent, with a family and a nice home. He was also a master criminal, quietly controlling a large gang of jewel thieves. The unique pink pearl necklace proved to be irresistible. Scotland Yard’s … Continue reading
Black Fire: The True Story of the Original Tom Sawyer and of the Mysterious Fires That Baptized Gold Rush-Era San Francisco – Robert Graysmith
A firebug some called the Lightkeeper was plaguing San Francisco. He always struck when the Lightkeeper’s Wind was blowing away from the camps of ex-convicts on Telegraph Hill. In the course of eighteen months he would burn San Francisco to … Continue reading
The Uncommon Appeal of Clouds: An Isabel Dalhousie Novel – Alexander McCall Smith
This is the 9th novel in the Isabel Dalhousie series. As with most series, it helps to read them in order, but can be read randomly. The books are classified as mysteries. They are really books of philosophy with a … Continue reading
Some Girls, Some Hats and Hitler: A True Love Story Rediscovered – Trudi Kanter
Trudi Miller lived in a beautiful building in Vienna. The ground floor was occupied by a large luxury store. The other three were each divided into two apartments. Trudi rented both apartments on the first floor. The one overlooking the … Continue reading
When America First Met China: An Exotic History of Tea, Drugs, and Money in the Age of Sail – Eric Jay Dolin
The winter had been one of the worst in recent memory. John Green, captain of the Empress of China, had wanted to sail from New York in early February but river ice had barred his way. Finally on Sunday, February … Continue reading
Flight Behavior: a novel – Barbara Kingsolver
Dellarobia knows about death. By the time she was a senior in high school, her parents had died, the unborn child who necessitated her marriage had died, and her dreams of going to college and escaping her backwoods community had … Continue reading
Garment of Shadows – Laurie R. King
This is the twelfth installment in the mystery and adventure series featuring Mary Russell and her husband, Sherlock Holmes. Having awakened in bed with a skull throbbing so painfully she wanted to weep, she realized that she could not just … Continue reading
The Kingmaker’s Daughter – Philippa Gregory
Little Anne, nearly nine years old, is processing into the throne room at the Tower of London, come to pay her respects to the Queen who will be crowned tomorrow. She steps forward to make her curtsey and is stunned … Continue reading
The Red Chamber – Pauline A. Chen
In the spring of 1721 Lin Daiyu and her father are nearing the end of the Forty-Nine Days Mourning, keeping vigil beside her mother’s coffin. A strange man appears, like them, wearing mourning robes of un-dyed hemp. At first her … Continue reading
Sky Dragons – Anne McCaffrey and Todd McCaffrey
A deadly plague has killed most of the dragons of Pern and without the dragons, there is no defense against the next thread fall. Trying to save Pern from devastation, a group of dragonriders go back in time led by … Continue reading
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