The Last White Rose by Alison Weir explores the life of Elizabeth of York, the mother of King Henry VIII. Elizabeth grew up and reigned during turbulent times in England. Weir's retelling of Elizabeth's story covers the death of King Edward IV (Elizabeth's father), the disappearance of her brothers (the Two Princes in the Tower),… Read More
Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr
Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr is a mosaic of a novel with bits of historical, contemporary, and sci-fi fiction storytelling all in one. The book is narrated by 5 different characters in 3 different timelines: Anna (a young girl in 15th century Constantinople while it is under siege by the Ottoman Empire) Omeir (a… Read More
The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray
The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray is a fictional account of the real-life story of Belle da Costa Greene, who worked as J. P. Morgan's personal librarian. Only her real name isn't Belle da Costa Greene. It's Belle Marion Greener. Long before she worked for one of the wealthiest men in… Read More
Fuzz by Mary Roach
Best-selling author Mary Roach is back again with a new book, Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law. This time, Roach explores human-wildlife conflict and its consequences. Can wildlife be subject to human laws? What is to be done if a tree falls and kills someone? How do you prevent bears from feasting on a fine… Read More
Rizzio by Denise Mina
At 128 pages long, this book is a quick read that can be finished in one sitting. Denise Mina's Rizzio is a fictionalization of the murder of David Rizzio, personal secretary to Mary, Queen of Scots. Rizzio, who is a favorite of the Queen, is brutally murdered in the Queen's own private chambers during a… Read More
Falling by T. J. Newman
Do you have any fear of flying? You may want to skip T. J. Newman's debut novel, Falling. If not, you might enjoy this fast-paced thriller that is tailor-made for the movies and written by a former flight attendant. Shortly after Flight 416 takes off, Captain Hoffman learns that his wife and children have been… Read More
Silence in the Library by Katharine Schellman
Silence in the Library is the second book in Katharine Schellman's Lily Adler Mystery series. This cozy Regency mystery opens with Lily's estranged father unexpectedly visiting. Lily feels that her father resents having a daughter rather than a son, and they seem unable to have a conversation without arguing. Tensions rise even more when her… Read More
The Social Graces by Renée Rosen
The Social Graces by Renée Rosen explores the rivalry between Caroline Astor and Alva Vanderbilt in the race to dominate society in Gilded Age New York City. Caroline Astor represents the "old money," while Alva Vanderbilt represents the "new money." Despite marrying into one of the wealthiest families in America, Alva is not invited to… Read More
The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner
Sophie Whalen is an Irish immigrant living an unhappy life in a crowded tenement in New York when she answers an ad to marry a man she has never met. She travels to San Francisco and marries Martin Hocking as soon as she gets off the train. She doesn't know much about Martin besides that… Read More
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
If you love both true crime and historical fiction, then The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner is the book for you! Half of this dual timeline story takes place in 1791 England where an apothecary (that can be found only be those who know where to find it) dispenses poisons to help women enact revenge… Read More