Chasing Secrets by Gennifer Choldenko

Chasing Secrets by Gennifer Choldenko ISBN-13: 9780375990632 Hardcover: 288 pages Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books Released: August 4, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
San Francisco, 1900. The Gilded Age. A fantastic time to be alive for lots of people . . . but not thirteen-year-old Lizzie Kennedy, stuck at Miss Barstow’s snobby school for girls. Lizzie’s secret passion is science, an unsuitable subject for finishing-school girls. Lizzie lives to go on house calls with her physician father. On those visits to his patients, she discovers a hidden dark side of the city—a side that’s full of secrets, rats, and rumors of the plague.

The newspapers, her powerful uncle, and her beloved papa all deny that the plague has reached San Francisco. So why is the heart of the city under quarantine? Why are angry mobs trying to burn Chinatown to the ground? Why is Noah, the Chinese cook’s son, suddenly making Lizzie question everything she has known to be true? Ignoring the rules of race and class, Lizzie and Noah must put the pieces together in a heart-stopping race to save the people they love.


My Review:
Chasing Secrets is middle grade, historical novel for girls. It's set in 1900 in San Francisco. This is the type of book I enjoyed reading when I was ten (though this novel was written in present tense, which I don't enjoy.). As an adult, I felt the characters in the first half were rather simplistic. They became more developed and felt more like real people in the second half, which made the sad part of the ending even more sad.

Rumors say the plague has come to San Francisco, but the adults don't want anyone panicking as it'd hurt trade. Our heroine was confused by the adults denying the plague while taking actions to prevent getting it. Racial prejudice against the Chinese immigrants meant that many blamed them. While helping her Chinese friends, Lizzie had some dangerous adventures and finally learned that her family really does care about her.

There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this novel to history-curious tween girls.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

The Gilded Grave by Shelley Freydont

The Gilded Grave by Shelley Freydont ISBN-13: 9780425275849 Trade Paperback: 416 pages Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Released: August 4, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
In 1895, at the height of the Gilded Age, Newport, Rhode Island, is the summer home of the social elite. During her first Newport season, Deanna Randolph attends a ball given in honor of Lord David Manchester, a Barbadian sugar magnate, and his sister, Madeline. But on the nearby cliffs, a young maid lies dead, her neck broken—and a member of one of the town’s most prestigious families was seen talking privately with her shortly before her death.

Joseph Ballard humiliated Deanna when he refused the engagement their parents' proposed. Joe may be a cad, but he was her childhood friend and Deanna doesn’t believe he’s a killer. The two must navigate a world of glittering parties to discover why their family's sugar agreement with Lord Manchester isn't a sealed deal like they expected and why someone is killing maids at the house where the Manchesters are staying.


My Review:
The Gilded Grave is a historical mystery set in 1895 in Newport, Rhode Island. The historical and setting details brought the scenes to life. It was a clue-based, puzzle mystery. The mystery was complex enough that I could guess some parts and yet not be certain exactly who did what until the end.

The characters were complex and acted in realistic ways, and they really pulled me in. I like how Deanna acted her age and was trying to find her way as an adult while missing the freedoms of her childhood. She was generally sensible and kind, yet her lack of experience still showed.

Joe was a decent character, but I didn't like him as Deanna's apparent future match. He wanted to follow his unconventional dream even if it hurt her reputation, but he didn't support her following her own interests. He still treated her like a troublesome child that needed to be kept from danger. Will would make her a better husband as he respected her and appreciated her contributions to solving the mystery. However, it's pretty clear that match will never happen. Ah, well.

There was no sex. There was occasional bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this engaging and interesting mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

The Green Musician by Mahvash Shahegh

The Green Musician by Mahvash Shahegh Illustrated by Claire Ewart ISBN-13: 9781937786427 Hardcover: 36 pages Publisher: Wisdom Tales Released: August 7, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description from Publisher's Website:
In a distant kingdom lived a young musician named Barbad. His one dream was to play before the king in the royal court. But Barbad’s way was blocked by Sarkash, a jealous rival who would do anything to stop Barbad from meeting the king. But perhaps the palace wasn’t the only place to play before the king, for he loved to walk in his garden. What if Barbad was to hide in a tree for just the right moment to play?

Find out if Barbad's dream comes true in this magical tale of patience and determination. Stunning artwork from award-winning illustrator, Claire Ewart, gently brings this whimsical story to life. Adapted from a 1,000 year old Persian story by Mahvash Shahegh, the tale of Barbad the musician is originally found in the legendary “Book of Kings” (Shahnameh), which tells the story of the mystical past of ancient Persia.


My Review:
The Green Musician is a children's picture book based on a 1,000 year old Persian story. It's for ages 6 and up. The story is a nice, fairly simple one about a talented boy who finds a way to play for the king even though a rival tries to prevent him. It's a good message about not letting obstacles keep you from your dreams.

The illustrations have the look of watercolor paintings, and they do a good job of telling the story along with the text. I enjoyed just looking at the illustrations for a bit. At the end, the author explained what happened to Barbad after the events in this story, as the tale is based on a real, historical person. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable story.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt:

The Bones Will Speak by Carrie Stuart Parks

The Bones Will Speak by Carrie Stuart Parks ISBN-13: 9781401690458 Paperback: 336 pages Publisher: Thomas Nelson Released: August 11, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher through BookLook.

Book Description from Back Cover:
In Copper Creek, Montana, Gwen Marcey is struggling to put together her life after cancer and divorce. When her dog retrieves a skull of a murder victim and leads her to the victim's grave, Gwen uses her forensic art ability to identify a serial killer. She is horrified to discover all the victims look like her fourteen-year-old daughter.

The murderer is a "lone wolf," a member of the terrorist group Phineas Priesthood-and he has a score to settle with Gwen. Unraveling the tangled Christian Identity movement, where race-not grace-provides salvation, Gwen is in a frantic rush against time. She must use all her skills to uncover the killer before he can carry out his threat to destroy her and everyone she loves.


My Review:
The Bones Will Speak is a Christian suspense novel. This is the second book in a series. This book didn't spoil the previous mystery, but I'd recommend starting with that one. I didn't always understand why Gwen and her daughter acted like they did, and the first book might have helped flesh that out.

Gwen was resourceful, but she deeply resented her ex-husband and that effected her judgment (and her driving) at times. Her best friend urged her to forgive her husband so she could heal. Gwen's daughter really confused me. At times, the 14-year-old acted like she resented her mother and was in full rebellion. She knew she was in danger, but she didn't lock the doors when told to and even refused to jump into a river because "it's cold." But then she'd act like a naive, trusting 5-year-old who just knows mommy will make things all better. She trustingly opened the door to a stranger. There was a reason to open the door, but a teen would have realized a potential flaw with that reason.

The mystery was clue-based. Whodunit deliberately left obvious clues and Gwen pointed out others, so it was easy to put together whodunit. There were two possible people for the unknown challenge-coin holder, but clues quickly cleared that mystery up, too. So the story hinged on its high level of suspense. This was a creepy story with a sick whodunit who cruelly killed many animals and people. There was danger at every turn.

Still, I had a hard time believing how easily the killer was able to find girls whose facial structure looked just like Gwen's daughter and who had a genetic disease or disfigurement. There was no sex or bad language. The crime scene gore was not graphically described.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Death of an Airman by Christopher St. John Sprigg

Death of an Airman by Christopher St. John Sprigg ISBN-13: 9781464204821 Paperback: 260 pages Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press Released: 1934; Aug 4, 2015

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
When an aeroplane crashes, and its pilot is killed, Edwin Marriott, the Bishop of Cootamundra in Australia, is on hand. In England on leave, the Bishop has decided to learn how to fly, but he is not convinced that the pilot's death was accidental. In due course, naturally, he is proved right. The Bishop and Inspector Bray of Scotland Yard make an appealing pair of detectives, and ultimately a cunning criminal scheme is uncovered.


My Review:
Death of an Airman is a historical mystery set in 1934 in England. It's actually a reprint of a story that was written as a contemporary mystery. It's in the style of Christie; as in, the focus is on finding the clues rather than developing characters, but the characters still come across as real people.

There were three viewpoint characters: the Bishop, the local detective, and the Scotland Yard detective. The detectives were clever. They tracked down reasonable leads, asked good questions, and would quickly realize when the various scenarios they came up with didn't match the clues. We learn the clues as each character finds them, so we have a chance to guess new scenarios before the detectives do.

It's not easy to make all the clues fit together. Like the detectives, I would guess, realize that doesn't quite work, but how about this, but no... I had a good idea of whodunit and how shortly before the detectives. They were still missing critical information that the reader knows. I like it when you can guess just before the detectives, but they're still clever fellows. Nice!

There was no sex. There was a fair amount of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this intriguing mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Hidden Agenda by Lisa Harris

Hidden Agenda by Lisa Harris ISBN-13: 9780800721923 Trade Paperback: 305 pages Publisher: Revell Released: Jan 6, 2015

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Olivia and Ivan Hamilton barely know their workaholic father--a man who never married their mother. During a rare visit to their father, Ivan is horrified when he witnesses his father's security guards torturing a man. The evidence points to their father being involved in the illegal drug trade. In shock, the siblings decide to try to save the condemned man because it's the right thing to do. But are they putting their lives in danger for a corrupt man or a good one?

Michael Hunt doesn't see a way to escape. The undercover assignment he's been working for the past eight months has just been blown. He's presumed dead by friends and family. With a hit out on his life and corruption inside the Atlanta police department, Michael finds himself hunted by both the cartel and the law. But can he really trust the children of a man who may be a merciless drug lord?


My Review:
Hidden Agenda is a Christian romantic suspense novel. It's the third book in a series. You can understand what's going on without reading the previous novels. However, some events from the previous novels are spoiled in this one, so I'd recommend starting with the first book.

The suspense is high from start to finish. It's mainly created by the physical danger, but it's also from the relationship tensions. Who can they trust after all the lies? Also, Ivan is deaf, but he's now an adult. He wants his sister to stop mothering him and see him as a capable adult. These relationship dynamics kept the story interesting. I appreciated that Olivia and Michael realized they need to get to know each other under normal circumstances to see if their on-the-run attraction is a enduring one.

The Christian element was mostly in how their faith effected their decisions, like the siblings saving a man they weren't sure of or people deciding to forgive the lies that they were told by loved ones. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this suspense novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Michael Midas Champion, Book 1 by Jordan B. Gorfinkel, Scott Benefiel

Michael Midas Champion: Book One by Jordan B. Gorfinkel, Scott Benefiel (Illustrations) ISBN-13: 9780425280782 Paperback: 114 pages Publisher: InkLit Released: August 4, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
As Champion, the crimson guardian of his hometown Urbana Falls, Michael Midas battles vengeful samurai, wicked sorcerers and evil creatures, earning the gratitude of the people he saves—and the heart of Dani, the woman he loves.

But being a superhero doesn’t pay the bills. All of Michael’s super-strength and stamina is defenseless against the daily trials and tribulations of making ends meet. Beneath his colorful costume, he’s another struggling blue collar worker, full of lingering self-doubt about his role as Champion.

Michael’s super and civilian identities collide when he’s confronted by Truck, his grade school bully and romantic rival. His long-time nemesis has evolved into an endlessly adaptable, monstrous supervillain, determined to destroy the world—and he’s got the power to do it.

Torn between fulfilling conflicting responsibilities to his family and to mankind, can Michael Midas Champion find the power to be a hero at home as well as on the job?


My Review:
Michael Midas Champion is a superhero comic with the hero's story being told to a boy who's upset with his father. Book one is mainly about a bullied boy who has an all-star athlete as a rival for a girl's affections. Both rivals gain superpowers and keep on fighting over the girl. The underlying theme is that Michael feels insecure in his relationships and like he can't be a hero both on the job and at home. Michael was a likable character, and the graphics and text told the story well.

However, the story jumps around a bit. We start in one place, then jump back in time to the origins of our hero. We're left at the end of Book One with the ongoing dilemma repeating itself as the climatic last scene. It came across as a comic that fathers wish their wives and kids would read rather than an adventure in itself. It was a fun read, but I wasn't hooked into wanting to read the next book as it didn't seem like it held anything new in store.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt.