Wow!  I don't usually get to start this one.

Read two HF mysteries by Boris Akunin.  Finished Sister Pelagia and the White Bulldog and Sister Pelagia and the Red Cockerel, which seemed to drag in spots.  Plot of the former is convoluted and interesting.  Not sure I like the style of that one.  The author on occasion comments directly to the reader about the novel and I don't really like that approach.  I like to see such musings at the end or the beginning of the book.  Sister had the same type of plot which I do enjoy.  Interesting ending.  Loved Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill, five stars.  Incredible read.  When I read the vast number of resources he used and, again, his acknowledgements to those who helped him with the novel I was amazed.  The depth of the story and the lengths to which he went to assure the accuracy of the details made this novel truly outstanding.  I so enjoyed Cleopatra A Life by Stacy Schiff.  The research for this historical is quite well done, too.  Yes, I liked it a lot.  And, I read Yellow Crocus by Laila Ibrahim, a warm, fuzzy story about friendship between a slave woman and a plantation daughter for whom she cares. Their lives become entwined several ways.

I'm enjoying The Witch of Painted Sorrows, a history mystery that takes place in Belle Epoque Paris and involves love, a bit of witchery and a family curse.  Not my usual fare but a well written story so far. 

Finally finished Stephen's Martin's "Henry Gresham and the Spanish Armada".  Liked it so much I picked  up the 2nd in the series "Henry Gresham and the Earl of Essex's" -the 2nd in the series as my free Kindle book for March(yep, made the deadline!)

Fast paced, details are accurate, good mystery-he does need help in writing the romantic scene at the end of the book-that was a let down.

Still working thru Penman's "When Christ and His Saints Slept".  So engrossing-so well researched.  A pleasure of an HF read....

Jan

I didn't love Sister Pelagia and the White Bulldog even thought I am Orthodox and into Russia. I am glad to hear that the second one is different and I have enjoyed one of his Boris Fanourin series.

I just started A Time Traveler's Guide to Medieval England by Ian Mortimer.  It is non-fiction, and interesting so far.

Jan - I love the Henry Gresham books! Haven't finished all of them - 2 more to go I think but they are great, IMO.

I finished up The Empty Throne by Bernard Cornwell today.  Our hero Uhtred is in fine snarky form, but physically is wounded and in pain from the previous book.  This story contains a few elements of the Fisher King myths that I really enjoyed.  We also get a chance to meet Uhtred's lovely daughter, Stiorra and Uhtred's warrior son, Uhtred.  Let's just say that the apples don't fall far from the tree.  Fans of the series will enjoy this one and I don't think one can ever have too much Uhtred!  Next I'm going to try Wine of Violence by Priscilla Royal.  I managed to get it for the kindle at that .99 deal on Amazon and the series got good recommendations here on the Forum.

Cheryl, I'll be interested in your thoughts on "Wine" when you finish it.  I started Death at Bishop's Keep, which is the first in a series of Victorian era mysteries by Robin Paige (husband/wife team of writers).  I've been eyeing these for a while, and was in the mood to try this first one.  So far, it's okay.  A bit slow, but not enough to make me try something else.

Vicky -- I have read all but the final two of the "Kate Ardleigh" series.  I think by nature they do not move especially quickly.  The thing I have most enjoyed is the well-researched "real" historical elements of each book.  In each book some element of the times is added, photography, motor cars, etc. all with the appropriate historical people when appropriate.

I am continuing on with "Rose Under Fire" albeit slowly.  Have been really tired when I hit the sack of late, so not many pages getting read, but enjoying it very much.

Thanks Becky...that's good to know!  One of my branches has the entire series, so I'm set. 

Hi, guys! Still rearing Russka, which I'm enjoying, and listening to Epitaph, which I am really enjoying as well. At first I wasn't sure about the female narrator, but she does a good job. 

I'm wondering if they switched to a woman since there is a good deal of focus on female characters in this book. In Doc, there weren't a lot of female characters except for Kate, who is absent so far from Epitaph. 

If you enjoy historical cozy mysteries

I finished The Counterfeit Lady (Victorian Bookshop, Bk 2) :: Kate Parker 

It is a wonderful historical cozy mystery. Set in Victorian England gives lots of good info around European naval development race. Shows difference between classes and how some for aristocracy and other from middle class would like to be able cross lines. Highly recommend.

Started Grail Knight by Angus Donald.

I found a Bernard Cornwell at the thrift store yesterday.  "Sword Song".  Really rare for the thrift store to have "my" kind of HF, so I was pretty excited.  This is an earlier Uhtred than I've read previously, so it's kinda fun to know where Cornwell has taken the character.  

Jan

Good morning all!  Happy Easter, Happy Passover!  Happy We-Can-Finally-See-Some-Sunshine Day! 

I'm about halfway through Death at Bishop's Keep, and I'm enjoying it.  But for some reason I couldn't find it yesterday afternoon, so I picked up my Kindle and started Becoming Marie Antoinette, which I'm also enjoying.  Now I'm stuck in that horrible place--reading two books that I really like!  #FirstWorldProblems

I finished up Wine of Violence by Priscilla Royal last night.  I thought it was good, well written with some interesting characters.  I'm not quite ready to declare it up there with the "Brother Cadfael" books, but then I've only read one as opposed to the entire Cadfael series.  It was certainly worth the .99 from Amazon!  I'm using this for the "first in a series" and the "1200's" categories for the reading challenge.

I am reading an older Susanna Kearsley book Season of Storms :: Susanna Kearsley

I love her books going between the past and present. I am not too far into this one but enjoying it so far. Anyone read this one by Ms. Kearsley?

Alice

So, I'm reading Grail Knight by Angus Donald (borrowed it from the library).  I went online to look for the next book in the Outlaw Chronicles, The Iron Castle, only to find it doesn't exist - at least not in the US.  Have I missed something?  Do I have to order it from the UK? 

Carolyn- I ordered Iron Castle on Audible (gasp- and haven't read it yet) but Book Depository has a paperback version for 10.95 (free shipping). It won't be released for 15 more days. That's the cheapest price I've found and I went to Fetch Books and Abe Books.

The next one is coming out in June titled The King's Assassin(UK) or Rebel Lord (USA). - at least June is the date that Book Depository is giving. Only one more book after that I guess.....

You're a godsend, Jeanne!  Just ordered it - thanks! 

Alice - I love everything by Susanna Kearsley! I did enjoy Season of Storms. I just received her newest A Desperate Fortune, and am trying to keep my self from opening it. If I start, I'll not get to my taxes on time. Debbie

I finished The Boston Girl: A Novel :: Anita Diamant  in a few hours. It was pleasant enough story just not a lot of content. Love stories set in Boston but this one just didn't grab me. Oh well

Forgot to mention that I am reading Sidney Chambers and The Problem of Evil by James Runcie. Love this series. Still have managed to stay away from the new Susanna Kearsley, mostly because the Grantchester book is so interesting not because I have any willpower. Must. Do. Taxes.

Debbie

I am reading The Nightingale (Hardcover)  by Kristin Hannah. I was dubious if I would like the book, but it is very good. I hated to put it down last night but I was to tired to read any longer. Starts in 1940 France and goes through the horror of occupied France. Characters pop out at you and you will become very involved in their lives. Highly recommend.

Alice

I finished The Mangle Street Murders by M.R.C. Kasasian.  I thought it was okay, maybe it is suffering in comparison with Fatal Enquiry.

Hi everyone,

Haven't posted here before but I am so enjoying Trade Wind by M. M. Kaye that I felt I had to mention it.  Almost finished, just about 100 pgs to go.

I've read her mysteries (Death in Kashmir, Berlin, Cyprus, Kenya, Zanzibar, Andamans) and they are interesting but very short with not a lot of depth. This one (Trade Wind) and The Far Pavilions have so much more detail that I can really get engrossed in them.

I also have the first book of her autobiography but cannot locate the second or third volume.

Does anyone else love her work?

Leslie