Recent Reads {A Christmas Odyssey}

A Christmas Odyssey by Anne Perry - I think I've read all of Perry's Christmas novellas now, and all are quick mystery reads.  Some I definitely enjoyed more than others - there were a couple that seemed to leave more loose ends than I liked, and many end with a bit of a contrived "happy ever after" type of ending.  However, being novellas, there's a limit to how involved the mystery can be, because it must be presented and solved within 200 pages or less.  And being Christmas novellas, it's customary to have a happy ending with relationships restored and peace and goodwill winning the day.  So as long as one reads these expecting a sort of Hallmark movie rather than a dark and intricate murder mystery thriller, it's generally a satisfying read.  A Christmas Odyssey sees Henry Rathbone venturing into the seamy underworld of Victorian London, along with a couple of characters more suited to that environment, in order to locate the son of one of his friends.  The goal is to locate the young man, who has been living rather dangerously for some time, and to bring him home to his father for Christmas.  As expected, they do find him and eventually get him home to his father, but the search provides the storyline, and the character of Squeaky Robinson winds up being central.

Recent Reads {Duty and Desire}

Duty and Desire by Pamela Aidan - This is the second "Novel of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman" in Aidan's trilogy focusing on Mr Darcy and his experiences during the time of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.  Aidan continues to write in a style quite similar to Austen's, so that the thoughts and motives she ascribes to Darcy and Georgiana, and other shared characters are quite believable.  She also introduces several other characters from Darcy's circle of acquaintances and invents a life for Darcy during the 'silent period' of Pride and Prejudice.  This installment opens during the Christmas season at Pemberley and develops the characters of Darcy, Georgiana, and Colonel Fitzwilliam.  Darcy is still struggling to set aside his fascination with Elizabeth Bennet, and decides that he needs to actively seek a wife that will be more suitable as mistress of Pemberley and to his social status.  To that end, he accepts an invitation to an old schoolmate's house party, and the second half of the book is devoted to the events at that gathering.  One of the ladies at the house party does capture his attention, giving Elizabeth some competition, although she doesn't know it!  There are also some strange and disturbing events at the party, and Darcy and his intrepid valet, Fletcher, work to unravel the mystery.  Although the characters are believable, and this party of the storyline involving the revival of interest in occult practice in Great Britain at the time is true to history, I felt that I had somehow jumped into one of Carrie Bebris' "Mr and Mr Darcy Mysteries" unexpectedly.  To me, this seemed an odd turn for Aidan's story to take.  But overall, an enjoyable book that does have me looking forward to the conclusion in These Three Remain, since by the end of this book, Darcy is beginning to acknowledge to himself that Elizabeth's character is the standard by which he measures all other women, and there is the sense that he is realizing that he will not easily forget her, and perhaps doesn't want to.

By the same author:  An Assembly Such as This

Recent Reads {Feed Your Family for $12 A Day}

Feed Your Family for $12 a Day by Rhonda Barfield - I finished this guide to saving money on groceries awhile ago, so this brief review is past due!  The book was practical and written from real-life perspective, and I did find some useful information and ideas.  I particularly appreciated that it wasn't written as a step-by-step formula of what to do and in what order - it was a collection of suggestions and options, often with pros and cons of different approaches given so that the reader can evaluate what is likely to work for her own family.  Barfield includes a number of recipes that she has gathered and uses herself.  She also references many other resources that the reader may find helpful.  Near the end of the book is a "Checklist for Savings" where all the possible suggestions in the book are summarized in a bulleted list - I loved this because it saved me jotting down my own notes as I read, and gave me a quick reference to the things I decided we could try.  Barfield also includes an Appendix with her own real life shopping list and menus, which really adds to practical value of the book, as I could see exactly what she bought and how she used it.

Recent Reads {The Christmas Chronicles}

The Christmas Chronicles - The Legend of Santa Claus by Tim Slover - This little book was on the feature display shelf at the library and looked like a quick read so I decided to give it a whirl.  I was certainly right about it being a quick read, and it might even make a good read-aloud.  It was truly enjoyable as well!  The 'true story' of Santa Cluas is told with some unusual twists, presented as the biography prepared by Santa's court historian.  The story is sweet, and humourous in places, and has a fairytale charm.  i think it would be an especially fun read for those who still want to believe in Santa, and who enjoy having their children continue to believe.

Recent Reads {Silent on the Moor}

Silent on the Moor by Deanna Raybourn - This is the third in the Lady Julia Grey series, and I found it just as hard to put down.  Raybourn has invented a cast of eccentric and fascinating characters, and intriguing mysteries for them to solve, and I've become a fan. 8-)  In this installment, Julia and her sister Portia visit Brisbane at his recently acquired property in Yorkshire.  The buildings are in disrepair, the inhabitants of the household are odd in the extreme, and it isn't long before Julia realizes that the people and situation are not simply strange - there is something sinister and dangerous going on.  As usual, she and Brisbane lock horns over what is to be done about it, and there is plenty of tension between them.  After an attempt on Brisbane's life, it seems that things should settle down and justice be served, but it's not quite that simple... 

I love Raybourn's style and unique characters, and look forward eagerly to reading the fourth Lady Julia book.  I own these first three, and I have a feeling I will buy the fourth rather than wait my turn for it at the library!

By the same author:  Silent in the Grave, Silent in the Sanctuary, The Dead Travel Fast

Recent Reads {An Assembly Such as This}

An Assembly Such as This by Pamela Aidan - It was only a matter of time until I picked up another Jane Austen spin-off series, and this one by Aidan focuses on the story of Pride and Prejudice from Darcy’s point of view. Much more story-telling and detail than in Mr Darcy’s Diary, which I read awhile ago, and I thought the author did a fine job of presenting perspective on characters and backstory in a style very similar to Austen’s. This made it quite believable and gives very plausible motives for some of the actions Darcy and others took in Pride and Prejudice. This is the first of a trilogy of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman books, and follows Darcy through his first arrival at Netherfield and his initial return to London, speculating on what he was doing, thinking, and feeling upon meeting the Bennets and other residents of Hertfordshire.  So far I've found this novel in three parts to be entertaining and interesting.