The Gray Drake

The second in The Burr Lafayette mystery series starts off quite similar to the first installment (The Pink Pony) when Lafayette takes a case (that he really shouldn't) when promised money. His assistant Jacob really wants Lafayette to get involved because it involves a legendary fisherman and all Jacob cares about is fishing, carrot juice, and weed. Despite his better judgement Lafayette signs on and all he gets in return is an expensive fishing rod for his efforts. Lizzie is charged with murdering her husband a year ago and it's up to the least likely legal team to prove her innocent. Lots of sleuthing, eating, and courtroom drama. Until this book I assumed that this series takes place modern day but towards the end of this book it mentioned that the year was 1989 so that was eye opening for me. The book seems kind of ageless. I made it to the end not correctly guessing the murderer so that was a plus. Another intriguing installment in the series. I can't wait for the next one!

The Switch

 

Endearing, cute, witty, and implausible. A perfect feel good fluff read filled with quirky characters. Leena and her grandmother Eileen decide to swap lives for 2 months. Eileen has had a nervous breakdown at work (she's taken no time off after the death of her sister) and needs to have a nice breather in the countryside. Her grandmother Eileen is a recent divorcee who has never experienced London. The two will swap not only their homes but their phones and friends. Things are a little tricky initially but soon they are relishing their new experiences and adventures. Of course there is a little romance, a little intrigue, and a lot of fun. A very cute book.

White Too Long

 

Absolutely fantastic. This is by no means an easy read, but a necessary one. We are long overdue on acknowledging and atoning for past (and present) transgressions against the BIPOC community. White American Christianity cultivated and fostered slavery, segregation, and fear mongering far too long to just wipe it under the rug and say "sorry." Robert P. Jones does an exemplary job describing the roots of racism in American Christianity (Catholics, Protestants, Lutherans, Episcopalians), the theology, the practice, and the monuments (I was appalled to find out how much Confederate imagery is found in Southern Churches - Robert E Lee depicted as a saint in stained glass?!). The author also scientifically and historically backs up all his claims which adds that extra gut punch. It's not all doom and gloom though. He ends by telling stories of change from around the country and then maps out ways in which white Christian Americans can move forward hand in hand with their Black brethren. It's time to come together to acknowledge, condemn, and work towards meaningful change - not just platitudes. A phenomenal book. 

The Snow Fell Three Graves Deep

Woah - this book gave me freaking chills. I remember being fascinated with the horrific fate of the Donner Party when I was younger - but I hadn't given it much thought since. This remarkable telling of events is told in verse, journal entries, letters, and maps. The slow build up of terror guarantees that you won't be able to tear your eyes off the page. Told through multiple perspective: a German immigrant, an orphan boy, an 8 year old, a father, and two indigenous scouts help give this story a well rounded view of the situation. For those that aren't aware - The Donner Party got trapped in the mountains not even 90 miles away from a fort by an extremely early winter. They slowly starved to death and succumbed to cannibalism - it was truly horrific. This book..... is one I will 100% read again and recommend to teens and adults - the notes and the statistics at the end are also wonderful additions. The author really shined a lot on an awful situation and refrained from placing the blame on anyone while still remaining objective. Marvelous storytelling!!

The Pink Pony

 

The Pink Pony is a favorite bar of many and the morning after the famed Port Huron-Mackinac sailboat race, poor Jimmy Lyons is found strangled to death there. Mackinac Island has never before had a murder and it's all anyone can talk about. Burr Lafayette is vacationing on the island after participating in the sailboat race, and in no time at all he is pressured to take on the defendant despite never been involved in a murder trial. Burr is an excellent litigator, despite having a problem hanging on to money (especially after his divorce); without any other cash prospects he agrees to try and clear Murdo of murder charges. The first step is trying to find other suspects (of which their is no shortage as Jimmy owed everyone money) but he's having a damned hard time getting any evidence. His loyal dog Zeke, his two dependable co-workers, and a lot gin martinis are needed if he's going to turn from litigator to lawyer - but what if Murdo did do it? Filled with island life, boating, booze, regional food, and a cast of quirky characters - this is a book readers won't soon forget. Lots of twists and turns will leave readers puzzling over the case themselves. An excellent start to a new mystery series!

My Life as a Villainess

Lippman, Laura. My Life as a Villainess: Essays. digital. 5hrs 50mins. 2020. Harper Audio. ISBN 9781094156590. $29.99. 

New York Times bestselling crime novelist, Laura Lippman, dazzles in this sparkling essay collection. Readers will finally get to meet the woman behind the novels in this unabashedly poignant collection of personal essays. From motherhood to her early career in journalism to love and loss and Twitter - many facets of Lippman's life are candidly broached, often with humorous and astute observations. Essays can go from laugh out loud funny to achingly sad in a heartbeat - but the tone always remains insightful and optimistic. Brilliantly narrated by the essayist herself, Lippman is great at controlling the levity and seriousness that each essay demands. A wonderful balance of essays- readers will feel like they get far more than a glimpse into the life of crime writing legend. Not just for fans of the author, these essays broach far more than her work and should have a wide appeal. - Erin Cataldi, Johnson Co. Public Library, Franklin, IN

Little Fires Everywhere

Wow - this is a book that makes you think. What if? What if? What if? What is good and bad - how do you decide between impossible scenarios? When teenaged Pearl and her mother Mia move to Shaker heights they turn the Richardson's lives upside down - at first they are just renters, but then Pearl befriends one of the sons, Moody and Mia starts cleaning the Richardson's big house. Soon their lives are intertwined in ways they never thought possible. The book opens with the Richardson's house on fire and then goes back to the beginning, by the end of the book all is revealed and readers are more than invested in the lives of these deeply flawed yet still relatable characters. I loved all them, the quandaries they faced, the drama. This was a stellar book - one that I won't soon forget about and will surely return to.