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The Summoner’s Sins (Sandal Castle Medieval Thrillers #3)
The Summoner’s Sins (Sandal Castle Medieval Thrillers #3)
Keith Moray | 2021 | Fiction & Poetry, Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Summoner’s Sins is a really engaging historical fiction set in the 14th century. I really liked that real historical people were used in the narrative, and the attitudes of medieval people towards religion and witchcraft always fascinates me. The average medieval person was a very superstitious type - which I suppose was an understandable way to make sense of the world without science. Curses shouted out from the gallows abound in this story, and there are plenty of rebels in the background who are only too happy to make it look as though they are curses that have come true.
Richard Lee is a reasoned and logical man, and able to tell a curse from an actual murder - and thank goodness for him! I really liked the characters that Keith Moray has written in to this story, and Richard and Hubert are great lead characters. Richard is a god-fearing man, but he doesn’t let religion get in the way of the truth. Hubert is ever faithful to Richard and their pursuit of the truth.
I really very much enjoyed this book - I do like historical fiction (you’ve probably guessed this by now!) and I enjoy a good mystery. This delivered in spades on both counts.
Many thanks to Sapere Books for providing me with an e-ARC.
  
Historical isn't one of my favorites when it comes to genre but this one had enough romance and mystery to keep me interested. The writing was intriquing and very well done. It made me feel as if I could see and feel what was happening to and with the characters. Stephen was a bit odd at first, I didn't know what to think of him but he made me laugh and smile. And then I fell in love with him and with Sybil. The secondary type characters also made me smile and feel good. Which is always fun because sometimes the other characters get put into the background and you don't feel them, but not in this story. I am so glad I got to review this one
  
Ivan's Childhood (1962)
Ivan's Childhood (1962)
1962 |
(0 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"The Mirror was the closest cinema came to poetry. Tarkovsky abandoned narrative and mixed up different perspectives, stitching together the personal and the historical in a totally unique way. He made some other powerful films, but for me The Mirror is the one I keep going back to for air and inspiration. Its collage, fractured-mirror approach and refusal of anything literal and linear make sure the film will always keep its power and mystery, not unlike Eliot’s Waste Land. I have a problem these days getting through Tarkovsky’s more linear films, with these long, slow tracking shots that have spawned so many imitators (mainly male directors who love to exercise their power over a captive audience for hours). The other Tarkovsky film I can watch repeatedly and keep discovering anew is Ivan’s Childhood."

Source
  
The Moonlight School
The Moonlight School
Suzanne Woods Fisher | 2021 | Fiction & Poetry
9
9.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Are you looking for a book that is based on illiteracy? This book called "The Moonlight School" is about that, and a little mystery is popped in as well. It seems like this is mostly about the mountain people that are in Rowen County.

This book is a few main characters, Cora Wilson, Lucy Wilson, Angie Copper, and Finley James. One other one that name is Brother Watt. The author pops a little romance in this book as well. However, most of this book is about learning to read and write.

Will they be able to get the folks' help in the hills to learn to read and write? Will the Moonlight School campaign be stopped in its tracks? Will Lucy find her sister, or will she accept god answer? There seems like there some romance going on, and will Lucy choose Andrew or Watt?

My favorite is learning about how the night schools started. I love the fact that we know about illiteracy and how it the solution came about. This book seems to occur based on actual historical events. That seems like a good idea.

If you are a book fan, well, this is a book you may want to read, It about books and teaching an adult to read. There some mystery in the plot, The author wrote a perfect story plot.
  
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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post

Mar 4, 2022  
Sneak a peek at the paranormal cozy mystery GHOST AGENTS by Jemima Pett on my blog, and enter the giveaway for a chance to win a signed copy of the book - 3 winners!

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2022/03/book-blitz-and-giveaway-ghost-agents.html

**BOOK SYNOPSIS**
An organization that has operated in secret for centuries... a mystery that threatens to burn it all to the ground… and she’s the only agent who can stop it…

To the residents and tourists of Galveston Island, Claire Abelard is the friendly young woman who works at the local candy store by day and leads ghost tours of the island’s haunted locations by night. They don’t realize this persona is a cover for Claire’s real job as an agent of the Bureau for Historical Preservation, a clandestine organization that monitors and assists energy projections, or the entities more commonly known as “ghosts.”

When projections begin disappearing from around the island, Claire worries that history may be repeating itself. She launches a dangerous investigation and uncovers a sinister, arcane organization whose agenda threatens not only Galveston’s ghosts, but everything she has worked her whole life to protect.

The truth behind the disappearances rocks Claire’s world to its core and shows her that ghosts aren’t the only things that can come back to haunt you.
     
The Mapmaker's Children
The Mapmaker's Children
Sarah McCoy | 2015 | Fiction & Poetry
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I loved this book with each turn of the page. It gave you two stories that went well together. You get a modern mystery. You also learn about history at that time.
 
This book has you learn about Sarah and her family. We learn about slavery and what it like to be a part of the UGRR? The historical fiction and story go through the past to the future.
 
What will happen to Sarah and helping other by being so brave? The abolitionist John Brown has a daughter that might really be talented. She and Eden have something in common. Will Eden uncover the secrets of the past to the future?
 
You do learn about slavery and what our country was going through at that time. Eden may find a story that connects to the Hills from the past to present.
  
Well, I've found yet another cozy mystery series to add to my must-buy list! I really enjoyed the setting - a working historical farm - and learned everything I could want to know about maple syrup production. Not in a clinical way, but as interesting bits of information presented during the story.

Our heroine Kelsey has her hands full trying to run the farm, raise her kindergarten-age son, and solve a murder before the police can pin it on one of her young employees. There was an interesting cast of characters, and that homey, small-town feel that I love in a good cozy.

While previous events are mentioned, it's not necessary to have read book 1 to know what's going on.

NOTE: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
  
A Barlow Lens (Circles #2)
A Barlow Lens (Circles #2)
Elizabeth Noble | 2020 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Mystery, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A BARLOW LENS is the second book in the Circles series and we continue with Wyatt and Val as they try to solve a mystery from a time-gone-by.

I LOVED THIS STORY! I really enjoyed reading about the historical side of things, and how Tom and Philip managed to be together. Archie was a nasty piece of work and I really can't say I'm sad about his ending!

There is mention of horse-racing in this one but nowhere near as much as in the first, simply because it isn't the focus in here. I loved how it was still there and an important time for Wyatt and Val, but I'm also glad the emphasis was on Tom and Philip.

Two for the price of one and both thoroughly enjoyable. Absolutely recommended by me.
  
The Strange Case of Caroline Maxwell
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Recommended reading "The Strange Case of Caroline Maxwell "Paperback – 12 Sep 2014 by Amanda Harvey Purse. 


This book has all the ingredients that makes a great mystery novel. The question is what is there not to love history mixed with fiction, Sherlock Holmes, Jack the Ripper with a great references to Agatha Christie and a famous little Belgian detective. 


Amanda's book deserves so much more then the twos reviews it has on Amazon .


The book is truly well researched and comes across as a great labour of love , I loved spotting the historical cases that where mixed among the fiction. If you have the opportunity to read this book I recommend you do it's not to be missed.


Amanda I loved this book from start to finish thank you for the opportunity to read it I hope to see more of this wonderful character
  
This was a fun read with a unique setting, and was a great start to a new series. When Maddie and her pal Adele find a body in the Paranormal Museum, I expected ghosts galore. There is a paranormal element to the story, but it has more to do with an historical crime rather than the modern one. One mystery keeps Maddie and her friends busy during the day, and the other helps her decide whether to stay in town and run the Paranormal Museum or keep looking for work elsewhere. I enjoyed both stories, and the cast of characters, from Maddie's friends and family, to the two police officers handling the murder case, and then the attractive neighbor next door. I'm looking forward to reading more about the museum, Maddie, and her friends.

Note: I received a free copy from the author and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.