Book Review: Rest in Pizza by Chris Cavender

✰✰✰½ Amateur sleuths Eleanor Swift and her sister Maddy Spencer are back in another Pizza Lovers Mystery. This installment finds the town of Timber Ridge in a frenzy over the upcoming visit of celebrity chef Antonio Benet. Chef Benet's scheduled appearance at the grand opening of Cindy Rankin's new bookstore seems too good to be true, and it's bound to be memorable. Unfortunately, when the famous chef is found dead inside A Slice of Delight just minutes before his appearance, there is no shortage of suspects including Eleanor. Eleanor suddenly finds that she and her sister must juggle pizza making and sleuthing in order to solve the mystery before the publicity hurts business or someone else winds up dead.

The Bottom Line: This installment of the Pizza Lovers Mystery serves up just the right combination of fun, mystery, and pizza. Rest in Pizza was the first book in the series that I read, and I found it to be very enjoyable. You can pick up the series and start reading at any point or you can read the books in order if you wish. This is a real treat for summer beach reading. Fans of cozy mysteries and culinary mysteries will want to give this one a try. Also, readers who enjoy mysteries by Joanne Fluke and Laura Childs will want to check it out.

Details: Rest in Pizza by Chris Cavender. Hardcover published in 2012 by Kensington Books. 304 p. ISBN: 978-0-7582-7150-1

Book Review: Round Mountain by Castle Freeman, Jr.

✰✰✰✰ Author Castle Freeman, Jr. presents a collection of short stories centered around the townspeople of small, rural community called Round Mountain. The collection weaves together a tale of country life that many readers will identify with.

The stories are tied together through the central character, Homer Patch. Homer's friends come and go as we follow them from their youthful antics through middle age and into old age. As the characters age, their true colors start to show. Each story builds upon the reader's understanding of the individual characters and their interactions.

The Bottom Line: This collection of previously published short stories is beautifully written. I enjoyed the antics of the townsfolk; many reminded me of people I grew with in a small town. My favorite stories in this collection were "Charity Suffers Long" and "The Women at Holiday's." Enthusiastically recommended for anyone who enjoys stories about country life. It's the perfect reading for a lazy weekend.

I received a free copy of this book from Concord Free Press in exchange for a donation. This book is part of a special project by Concord Free Press, Kodak, and Castle Freeman, Jr. to aid relief efforts for towns that fell victim to Hurricane Irene. While the book is free, they ask that the reader donate to a charity and then pass the book along so that the giving can continue. For my part, I enjoyed the book and made a donation of $20 to the Vermont Irene Flood Relief Fund.

Details: Round Mountain by Castle Freeman Jr. Paperback published by Concord Free Press in 2012. 156 p. ISBN: 978-0-9847078-2-9

Book Review: The Poisoned House by Michael Ford

✰✰✰½ Travel back in time to Victorian England with this entertaining ghost story by Michael Ford. Abigail "Abi" Tamper is a scullery maid employed at Greave Hall in London in 1855. Her mother died during the recent cholera outbreak leaving Abi orphaned. Abi is now at the mercy of Mrs. Cotton, the cruel housekeeper who is also the sister-in-law of Lord Greave. Filled with despair, the young girl decides to run away from Greave Hall only to be caught and returned to a life of misery and drudgery.

As she accepts her fate, there is an air of change in Greave Hall.  Lord Greave's son, Master Samuel "Sammy" Greave, returns from fighting in the Crimean War. He has suffered a disabling injury and requires constant care. As a child, Sammy was  like a brother to Abi. However, young Abi soon learns that things are not always what they seem.

A series of paranormal events leads Abi to believe that her mother may not have died a natural death. Abi begins to believe that she is being haunted by ghost; she suspects it's her mother warning her from the grave. Prompted by the haunting, Abi begins to investigate the secrets of the house and its inhabitants. As Lord Greave slowly goes mad, Abi must find a way to reveal the truth before someone else gets hurt.

The Bottom Line: The story of Abigail Tamper is told from the viewpoint of a 15 year old girl's "handwritten manuscript."  This ghost story is a quick read with a few predictable twists and turns. Abigail Tamper is a believable character who values friendship. The elements of suspense and the supernatural in a Gothic setting that will appeal to many YA readers, especially girls. While The Poisoned House is entertaining and fun, it is not overly scary. Also, I was surprised to find more than a few typographical errors and misspellings. Recommended for teens and tweens who enjoy reading historical fiction with classic suspense and mystery components.

Details: The Poisoned House by Michael Ford. Hardcover published by Albert Whitman & Company in 2011. 328 p. ISBN: 978-0-8075-6589-6

Book Review: The Hangman's Daughter by Oliver Pötzsch

✰✰✰✰ The year is 1659 in Schongau, Germany and the world is a different place filled with superstition and fear of witchcraft. A series of unspeakable crimes have recently been committed against the orphans of the town. One by one they are found murdered and the rest are missing. Fear quickly permeates the town and the midwife, Martha Stechlin, is quickly accused of being both a witch and a murderer. She is taken into custody, and it is the hangman's duty to extract a confession from her.

While others are quick to rush to judgment, the hangman, Jakob Kuisl, does not believe that the woman who brought his children into this world could be capable of such horrific crimes. However, without any evidence to the contrary, Kuisl is forced to continue with the torture.  As the intensity of the torture escalates, Kuisl's resolve to find the real murderer strengthens.

Thus, begins Kuisl's quest to solve the crimes with the help of his beautiful daughter, Magdalena, and her admirer, Simon Fronwieser, a young physician who will stop at nothing to impress Kuisl. Together the trio must find the missing children and solve the murders before it is too late for Martha Stechlin.

The Bottom Line: This story takes many complicated twists and turns and has multiple protagonists. Riveting and spellbinding, Oliver Pötzsch's debut novel is a fast-paced thriller. Additionally, this book provides an interesting look at life in 17th century Bavaria. Also, I found the role of the executioner and his knowledge of anatomy and herbs to be fascinating.

Overall, The Hangman's Daughter is highly recommended for mystery buffs, fans of thrillers and those interested in historical fiction. Also, those who enjoy trying something a little bit different may enjoy it as well. However, it is important to note that due to the descriptions of torture and child murder, this book is not for the meek. That being said, this book is fascinating and I, for one, am definitely looking forward to the next installment, The Dark Monk, which is scheduled to be released this summer.

Details: The Hangman's Daughter by Oliver Pötzsch. Paperback published by AmazonCrossing in 2010. 448 p. ISBN: 978-1-935597-05-6

Book Review: Why Read Moby-Dick? by Nathaniel Philbrick

✰✰✰½ Facing the challenge of reading Herman Melville's Moby-Dick this summer, I picked up this little book of essays looking for motivation. The chapters are short and insightful; Philbrick includes information about everything from whaling to whaleships, from Nantucket to chowder. Additionally, I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes look at Melville's life as he wrote his masterpiece, his struggles with his writing, and his experience working aboard a whaleship. Additionally, other chapters help explain Melville's dry humor, wit and use of characterization. Finally, of particular interest to me was the information about Melville's friendship with author Nathaniel Hawthorne.

The Bottom Line: Whether you are attempting to read Moby-Dick for the very first time or rereading it for the fifth, Why Read Moby-Dick? is a helpful primer with insight into both Melville and his classic novel. This compact collection of essays is a quick read and not at all imposing. Author Nathaniel Philbrick has indeed motivated me to read Moby-Dick. I'll also be reading Philbrick's In the Heart of the Sea later this Summer for my book club, so I'm excited to see how this all comes together. Recommended for those reluctant to read Moby-Dick for the first time and for those needing a fresh view of the classic work.

Details: Why Read Moby-Dick? by Nathaniel Philbrick. Hardcover published by Viking in 2011. 144 p. ISBN: 978-0-670-02299-1

Book Review: Sin in the Second City by Karen Abbott

✰✰✰½ Take a trip back in time to the early 1900s and step into the perfumed parlors of the Everleigh Club. Author Karen Abbott takes the reader on a tour Chicago's notorious Levee, a vice district which featured "sporting clubs" for every interest. The Everleigh Club was the most famous and expensive brothel of it's time, and entertainers, royalty, sports icons, and politicians came from all over to sample it's delicacies.

The club was owned by sisters Minna and Ada Everleigh, as they called themselves. The sisters came to Chicago with grand plans and aspired to elevate the industry of prostitution. Their girls, or butterflies as they were known, received health care and a salary. The girls were even tutored in literature and could converse on any topic. The business savvy Everleigh sisters were way ahead of their time.

However, this book is not just about the infamous sisters and their brothel. Abbot explores the role of the Progressive Era reformers in shaping the sexual culture of America at the turn of the century. As the reformers lead by Reverend Bell gained momentum, the sisters always managed to stay just one step ahead of trouble. Nevertheless, their reign ended in 1911 when there was a crackdown on the red-light district, and Chicago was changed forever.

The Bottom Line: Author Karen Abbott invites the reader to take a look behind the scenes at the world-famous club and the women who thrived there. With money, sex, and murder, you're sure to be entertained by Sin in the Second City. With a cast of characters that includes "Hinky Dink" Kenna, Bathhouse John Coughlin, Madam Vic Shaw, Reverend Ernest Bell, and Chicago Assistant State's Attorney Clifford Roe, you can't go wrong. This is a nonfiction book that reads like fiction. It is filled with anecdotes and features a fascinating look at brothels and the Progressive Era at the turn of the 20th century. Recommended for history buffs and those interested in Chicago's underworld.

Details: Sin in the Second City: Madams, Gangsters, Playboys, and the Battle for America's Soul by Karen Abbott. Hardcover published by Random House in 2007. 384 p. ISBN: 978-1-4000-6530-1

For more information, you can visit Karen Abbot's website or the Encyclopedia of Chicago.

Book Review: Unhallowed Ground by Mel Starr

✰✰✰✰ Hugh de Singleton, surgeon and bailiff, is back in the fourth installment of the series. Once again Master Hugh is overseeing activities in Bampton in the absence of Lord Gilbert. Hugh and his new bride, Kate, are just settling into married life when he is summoned to the apparent suicide of Thomas atte Bridge. Thomas had been found hanging from a tree with an overturned stool lying nearby.

It seems simple enough; however, Master Hugh is troubled by what he observes at the scene and suspects that a murder has been committed. Having wronged almost everyone in town at one time or another, it comes as no surprise that few mourn the death of atte Bridge. Indeed, Hugh finds that there is no shortage of villagers who would have wanted Thomas dead. Chief among the suspects is Master Hugh's old nemesis, John Kellet. Rumor has it that Kellet is a changed man, but Hugh finds this difficult to believe.

Although it would be easier to simply let the matter rest, Hugh struggles with his conscience and must decide whether to pursue a killer among his friends or not. Alone in his convictions with only the support of his new wife, Hugh must act before someone else gets hurt.

The Bottom Line: Unhallowed Ground: The Fourth Chronicle of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon is written in first person. The story unfolds in a chronicle written by Master Hugh. Hugh's writing exposes his thoughts as he searches for the murderer and does some soul searching. Author Mel Starr provides the reader with a fun puzzle and a fascinating look at medieval village life and medical practices.
This is an enjoyable, quick read that is perfect for the weekend. While it is the fourth book in the series, it can be read as a stand alone. However, I have enjoyed reading the series in order and watching Master Hugh grow in character and struggle with his faith. The book includes both a map and a glossary. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction, cozies, and medieval mysteries. I'm looking forward the fifth installment of the series, The Tainted Coin.

Details: Unhallowed Ground: The Fourth Chronicle of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon by Mel Starr. Paperback published by Monarch Books in 2011. 240 p. ISBN: 978-0857210586 Note: I received a copy of the book from Kregel Publications in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible by the Early Reviewer program at LibraryThing.