Night School (Jack Reacher #21)

Night School by Lee Child is the 21st book in his Jack Reacher series - a retired Army MP who wanders the US stumbling onto situations that need to be resolved. This novel is a jump back to his time in the Army.

In 1996, Jack Reacher is a major in the US Army military police. He is an investigator who sees things that others often miss.

Coming off of a successful mission, Reacher is given a medal and told he is going back to school. The vague title of the class sounds like improving agency cooperation with other US alphabet groups. But really it is a black hole - an assignment so boring that no one will look for him while he works with two agents (FBI and CIA).

The CIA has an asset in Germany who is part of a new group out of the Middle East. The asset overheard a messenger say that the American wants one hundred million. Of course, this set the NSA in motion. They don't know what is going on, but it must be big.

With so little information the team, supplemented by helper of their choice, can try to figure out what would be worth that much, or try to find the messenger for the next part of the negotiation - without burning the asset. Reacher calls his favorite sergeant, Francis Neagley. One of my favorite supporting characters in any series, I was thrilled to get another book with Neagley!

Child's series is filled with great reads. Fans of mystery, suspense, and characters with their own, unbending sense of right and wrong, will love this series.

Child, Lee. (2016). Night School. New York: Delacourte Press.

Life After Life

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson is an amazing book. Read it now!

Ursula was born on a snowy night in February 1910 to Hugh and Sylvie Todd. She is the third Todd child, to be followed by two more.

But there are complications. Ursula is born with the umbilical cord around her neck - blocking the flow of oxygen. She dies.

Again, February 1910 on a snowy night - Ursula Todd is born and the doctor arrives in time to save her.

And so her life goes. Either a divine intervention resets Ursula's life so that she lives, or we are seeing one of the possibilities - alternate timelines - of her life.

Ursula lives in a fascinating time in western history. Her father, Hugh, will fight in WWI. England, and the lives of everyone in it, will be greatly affected by World War II a few years later. Siblings Pamela and Teddy, aunt Izzie and Ursula's parents live through good times and bad - with the decisions Ursula makes bearing more weight that any of them would think.

I cannot say much else without major spoilers. This is one of the best books I have read. The writing is excellent, the storytelling superb and the twist - the thing that makes this book absolutely unique - combine to make it a must read. Fans of writers like Lauren Groff, AnneMarie MacDonald or Sarah Waters will especially love it.

Atkinson, Kate. (2013). Life After Life. New York: Back Bay Books.

Journey to Munich (Maisie Dobbs #12)

Journey to Munich by Jacqueline Winspear is the twelfth book in her historical mystery series featuring Maisie Dobbs.

It is 1938. Maisie Dobbs is back in London after time spent in Spain, once again being a nurse in a war. She is still recovering from a personal loss. When she returns to London, she is not sure where she belongs. Her old flat is rented out and her house has too many memories. She finds herself walking toward her old office when she encounters a man with whom she used to work.

Robert MacFarlane is no longer with Scotland Yard. He now works for the Secret Service. And he has a job for which he needs Maisie's help. Having no plans of her own, Maisie agrees to a meeting.

The German government has been holding a British man in one of their prisons - at Dachau. They have agreed to release him, but only to a relative. Unfortunately, the man's only relative - his daughter - is not well enough to travel. And she does (slightly) resemble Maisie. The man is a boffin, or engineer, and England needs him for the likely war with Germany. Luckily, the Germans do not know how valuable an asset they have captured.

Maisie will come in contact with the Nazi machine, in a city cowed by fear. On top of her assignment, she will be asked by a family friend to look in on his daughter who is rumored to be in Munich, and ask her to come home - a request that will put Maisie in more danger as she is going not as herself but as Edwina Donat.

Winspear is an amazing writer. Of the one hundred plus books I read each year, this is one of my favorite series. Maisie Dobbs is one of the best protagonists in fiction. Read this series from the beginning. Read it now! Go on, run to your library or bookstore and get started!

Winspear, Jacqueline. (2016). Journey to Munich. New York: Harper.

The Art of Being Normal

The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson is the story of two students who

David Piper is an outsider. He has two good friends and not many others. The popular kids have picked on him for years. His parents think he is gay and keep hinting that it is okay. But he is not gay. He was born into the wrong body. He is a girl trapped inside a boy.

Leo Denton is new to Eden Park School. He transferred from the rough school in town. Rumor has it that he got kicked out for cutting off the finger of a teacher. But the truth is that he transferred for a chance to have a better life and a shot at university.

David wants Leo to join him and his friends Zoe and Felix for lunch, but Leo is convinced that it is better to be invisible and not have any friends. He wants to keep his secrets to his self. But David is persistent and so is a beautiful girl that Leo has trouble ignoring.

Williamson has written a sensitive and compelling novel about a transgender teen and the struggle to get others to see you as you see yourself.

Available in May 2016 in the US.

Williamson, Lisa. (2016). The Art of Being Normal. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux.

Career of Evil (Cormoran Strike #3)

Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith (a pseudonym for JK Rowling) is the third book in the Cormoran Strike series. Strike is a private investigator in London. He and his assistant, Robin Ellacott, have a lot of cases after the publicity of two previous cases.

As Robin gets to work one morning a messenger is waiting with a package addressed to her. She signs the sheet and takes it up to the office. But it is does not contain the disposable cameras she ordered - it holds a human leg.

With the police focusing on only one possible suspect, Cormoran and Robin start their own investigation into the dark and twisted world of three men who may be involved - all of whom have a reason to target Strike and the people around him.

Galbraith is a masterful storyteller. Both Cormoran and Robin are great character though very different. Mystery and suspense readers who have not discovered Robert Galbraith would be wise to run to the nearest library and start reading the first book.

Galbraith, Robert. (2015). Career of Evil. New York: Mulholland Books.

Manners and Mutiny (Finishing School #4)

Manner and Mutiny by Gail Carriger is the fourth book in her Finishing School series - about a school that teaches girls espionage along with etiquette.

England is awash in the latest technology - mechanicals used as maids, butlers and more. They have all been recently updated with a special valve - a valve that Sophronia and her friends think will lead to something big. Months ago all of the mechanicals stopped working and started to sing the same song - surely a test.

Sophronia, Agatha and Dimity continue their education at a strange school that floats in a large dirigible in the moors of England. They seem to be having a hard time getting any adults to believe the severity of the problem.

In this conclusion to the series, Carriger continues her wonderful alternate history of England in the 1850s. Her characters are delightful - fans will be excited to see some of them in her other two series. If you are looking for a fun, light read, start one of her series today. Her world is brilliant!

Carriger, Gail. (2015). Manners and Mutiny. New York: Little, Brown and Co.

Half a War (Shattered Sea #3)

Half a War by Joe Abercrombie is the third book in his Shattered Sea series.

The kingdoms around the Shattered Sea are at war. The war has been coming for a while as the High King and his Ministers try to control more and more of what goes on within the different kingdoms.

The kings of Gettland and Vansterland have promised help in defending Throvenland from the High King's army - but that help has not arrived. King Fynn has had to make a deal with the High King. But the High King has betrayed the agreement. Bright Yilling, the king's champion, has destroyed the city and killed most of the royal family of Throvenland.

Princess Skara is disguised and escapes with the pirate Blue Jenner. She is taken to Gettland, to Queen Laithan - her cousin. But Skara vows to see herself back in her family's land. She will do what she must to save her kingdom.

Abercrombie has created a great fantasy series. There is a twist to the story that I will not give away, but please read it so we can discuss the hidden with  the story!

Abercrombie, Joe. (2015). Half a War. New York: Del Rey Books.

Half the World (Shattered Sea #2)

Half the World by Joe Abercrombie is the second book in his Shattered Sea series.

Thorn Bathu is one test away from becoming a warrior. Each year of study runs more girls out of the program until she is the last one. Now Thorn is the last. But something goes wrong during her last fight and a classmate is killed. Her teacher, who never wanted to pass her, accuses her of murder.

Brand watched Thorn's last test. It was unfair as she was set against three classmates. Brand tries to be good, but did not speak up at the unfairness of it. But when she is sentenced to the full impact of the law - which may include stoning to death - Brand has to speak up. He talks to Father Yarvi, the King's Minister, and doing so loses his place as a warrior himself.

Father Yarvi has use for both Thorn and Brand. He is about to leave on a mission to find allies in the ever changing political climate. The High King is exerting pressure on the kings of the land, as if he wants to usurp their power with his own. Yarvi and his crew will travel half around the world, fighting their way for the opportunity to have a few worlds with rulers who may stand at their side should war come.

Abercrobie's trilogy is a great work of fantasy fiction. His characters are compelling and readers will become fans quickly. Read this series!

Abercrombie, Joe. (2015). Half the World. New York: Del Rey.

Half a King (Shattered Sea #1)

Half a King by Joe Abercrombie is the first book in his Shattered Sea series - about a prince who was never meant to be king.

Prince Yarvi is about to take the test to become a Minister. He has been studying most of his life. As the second son of the king he would not be king anyway, but being born with a deformed hand and unable to yield a sword doesn't help.

A few days before he leaves for the city across the sea where the High King lives, Yarvi's brother and father are killed. Suddenly he is the king of Gettland. His first duties are to bury his family and then lead a raid on the neighboring king who killed them.

His uncle has promised to keep him safe and fight by his side, but it is a set up. The uncle who was always kind is about to kill him and take over the throne.

When Yarvi falls over the side of the tower he is presumed dead. His uncle wants the body to bring back as proof of his death in battle. But Yarvi is not dead. He landed in the sea and somehow survived. Now he is alone in a foreign land.

Abercrombie has created a wonderful character in Price Yarvi. The trials and torture to which he is subjected form a great story and fine beginning to this series. Wonderful read.

Abercrombie, Joe. (2014). Half a King. New York: Del Rey.

Waistcoats and Weaponry (Finishing School #3)

Waistcoats and Weaponry by Gail Carriger is the third book in her Finishing School series of alternate, steampunk history set in 1850s England.

Sophronia and her friends attend Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing School for Young Ladies of Quality. A school that no only teaches them to catch a good husband, but become spies.

When one of her best friends receive an urgent notice from home then runs off, Sophronia wants to help. Given permission to leave the school for her brother's engagement ball, Sophronia and her friend Dimity are escorted off of school grounds.

When the ball is interrupted by two werewolves and a Scottish Lady, Sophronia leaps at the chance to help. What follows is an adventure of both great feats and mishaps.

Carriger has created a wonderful young adult series set in the same world as her adult Parasol Protectorate series. This is a fun, historical version of Ally Carter's Gallagher Girls series.

Carriger, Gail. (2014). Waistcoats and Weaponry. New York: Little, Brown and Company.

Clean Slate

Clean Slate by Andrea Bramhall is a romance story that proves that some people are just meant to be together.

Morgan Masters is a college art teacher. She recently left her wife and is living in a crappy apartment near campus. When one of her class models asks her to get a drink, Morgan at first declines. Once she is talked into the evening she is on a path that will change everything.

Outside of the bar, Morgan is attacked. When she wakes up in the hospital she had lost part of her memory. She knows who she is, but nothing from the last twenty years. She is sure someone is playing a joke on her when the doctor says it is 2012, not 1992.Her partner, who is still in shock over Morgan leaving, doesn't know what to do.

With the help of her best friends, and previous college roommates, Morgan tries to come to terms with what has happened during the last twenty years. Including her mother's death, the fact she is married, and that she has two children.

Imagine knowing someone for years and sharing your life with them and they are just getting to know you. Bramhill took a concept that has been done again and again and made it new.

Bramhall, Andrea. (2013). Clean Slate. New York: Bold Strokes Books.

Etiquette and Espionage (Finishing School #1)

Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger is the first book in her Finishing School series - an alternate history, steampunk tale about a finishing school that teaches dance, dress and etiquette along with death, diversion and espionage.

Sophronia Temminnick is the youngest child in a London household. Her sisters are all about dressing and following social rules while Sophronia is more interested in how things work. She is always getting into trouble and while trying to eavesdrop on a conversation between her mother and a friend, she tumbles out of the dumbwaiter and splatters food all over her mother's friend.

This is the same day she learns that she is being sent to a finishing school - Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality. She will be traveling to the school with an academy representative and two other students.

Even before she can arrive at the school, the action begins. And the longer Sophronia is at school the better suited she thinks she is to be there - in spite of the fact that she regularly breaks the rules.

Carriger has created a wonderful steampunk world. The Finishing School series takes place in the same world as her adult series, the Parasol Protectorate. This first book in the series is a delight and I cannot wait until I can start the second book.

Carriger, Gail. (2013). Etiquette and Espionage. New York: Little, Brown and Company.

A Dangerous Place (Maisie Dobbs #11)

A Dangerous Place by Jacqueline Winspear is the eleventh book in her Maisie Dobbs historical mystery series.

Maisie is a psychologist and detective but has taken time off of work to focus on other parts of her life. Continuing the story after four years, Winspear catches up readers with letters describing what Maisie has been doing and leaves us up to date to begin the new mystery.

Returning from India to England at the request of her father's wife, Maisie leaves her ship in Gibraltar - unable to going home. Much has changed in her life in four years and she is not ready to face the memories that await her.

In Gibraltar, Maisie discovers the body of a photographer. As is her nature, she decides to find out what happened to him - was it a senseless killing by a refugee from the Spanish Civil War who fled across the boarder seeking safety? Was he killed because he was Jewish? Or was being silenced?

Maisie is one of the best characters ever written. She is an intelligent woman who found her own place in spite of the societal rules of her time that limited women. In this volume, she confronts much of her past and uses a case to make peace with her past so she can move on. Winspear is a brilliant writer who everyone should read. If you haven't started this series, buy Maisie Dobbs today!

Winspear, Jacqueline. (2015). A Dangerous Place. New York: Harper.

Secret Lies

Secret Lies by Amy Dunne is the story of a new friendship that changes the lives of both young women.

Jenny O'Connor is popular. She and her three best friends are known for their rude comments toward other students. But the truth is that she is never the one saying rude things and she doesn't really like two of her three friends. She doesn't feel like she can be herself around them.

Nicola Jackson does not really have any friends. Her life consists of high school and trying to avoid her mother's boyfriend. Since she was twelve, he has been beating her and threatening to kill her.

After a particularly rough morning Nicola is fleeing her home when she literally runs into Jenny. She knows who Jenny is but doesn't believe that Jenny knows who she is - but Jenny has noticed her before. Jenny offers to take Nicola home and clean up her hand that was hurt when they crashed to the ground.

Nicola is suspicious, but Jenny seems to genuinely want to help. After spending the day together, Jenny convinces Nic to spend the night - and when she accidentally walks in on Nic changing into her pajamas and sees the scars on her back, she makes up a lie to convince her parents to allow Nic to move in for a while.

Dunne has written a steamy teen romance novel with an underlying story of overcoming abuse. Both of her characters have secrets that they have never felt comfortable talking about and together they begin to heal. This is a great YA lesbian novel.

Dunne, Amy. (2013). Secret Lies. New York: Bold Strokes Books.

365 Days (365 #1)

365 Days by K.E. Payne is a story in journal form.

Clementine Atkins, Clem or Clemmie to her friends, keeps a diary. Each year starts on January 1 and follows the calendar to the end of the year. Clem is sixteen. She lives in England and attends high school. Her best friend is Alice.

Clem's diary this year will be a little different. It will focus a lot on relationships. Her first date with Ben, a boy who she guesses she likes, her crush on J who doesn't know she exists, and the new girl at school Hannah Harrison.

Payne has created a character with whom readers will identify. Clem is trying to figure out where she fits in the world and how to navigate the very new relationships in her life. Though in a diary format the story is dynamic and humorous, plus sweet and serious.

Payne, K.E. (2011). 365 Days. Valley Falls, NY: Bold Strokes Publishers.

The Silkworm (Cormoran Strike #2)

The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith is the second book in the Cormoran Strike mystery series. Strike is an ex-Army private investigator who is doing better after the publicity of his last case.

Since Strike solved the mystery of the death of a famous actress, he is a popular choice for a private eye. He has numerous cases - mostly messy divorce or cheating cases. With the help of his secretary and assistant, Robin, he is doing well.

When the wife of author Owen Quine hires Strike to find her husband she is under the assumption that he is off finishing a book. While she doesn't have money to pay for Strike's services, she assures him that her husband's agent will pay. Besides, she is sure he is at a writer's retreat somewhere.

Owen Quine disappeared after turning in his latest manuscript. He thinks it is brilliant - others think he will be taken to court for libel. The book, Bombyx Mori, may give quite a few people motive for murder - if they have read it.

Cormoran and Robin have their work cut out for them on this case. Galbraith has created two great characters who readers will follow through many a strange and twisty mystery.

Galbraith, Robert. (2014). The Silkworm. New York: Mulholland Books.

Acid

Acid (Agency for Crime Investigation and Defense) by Emma Pass is set in a future where a police force controls the government of Britain - now the Independent Republic of Britain.

Jenna Stone is in one of the most secure prisons in the IRB - Mileway Maximum Security. She has been there since she was convicted of killing her parents. She is surrounded by criminals who think they can take advantage of her because she is small. At seventeen her only friend - or the only person who is nice to her - is the prison doctor. He taught her how to defend herself. Now he is helping her more. She doesn't know why, but he is helping her escape.

There are groups at work against Acid, which is not an easy thing to organize in a land where you can be jailed for speaking against the government. Even just a casual comment that seems like a complaint will get the attention of the Acid agents.

Now Jenna is out of prison, living in disguise. But no one has told her why they got her out. Or what her role she will play in the attempt to overtake Acid.

Pass has created a dystopian novel with a strong female character. Her world is well-formed and readers will get lost in the fast-paced plot. Great read.

Pass, Emma. (2014). Acid. New York: Delacourte Press.

The Cuckoo's Calling (Cormoran Strike #1)

The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith is (hopefully) the first book in the Cormoran Strike detective series. Robert Galbraith is a pseudonym for JK Rowling.

Cormoran Strike is a private detective. He is not having much luck in business at the moment and he has just left his girlfriend to move into his office. He had been using a temp service for a secretary but can no longer afford to pay her - but forgot to cancel the service.

When Robin shows up for her first day of work for a PI, she just misses being run over by a beautiful woman leaving the building. When she gets to the top of the stairs, she is not missed by Strike, who knocks right into her.

Now Cormoran's luck might be changing. Robin seems like much more than a secretary and suddenly he has a new client - one who can pay.

John Bristow found Strike in the yellow pages and remembered his name from childhood. Strike was friends with John's older brother. And now that he needs help, Strike seems like the best option. John's sister, the supermodel Lulu Landry died three months ago. The police ruled it a suicide, but John is convinced she did not jump to her death. He hires Strike to prove it.

Galbraith is a great writer who weaves this mystery like a master. Anyone who likes mystery will love this book and hope for more featuring Cormoran Strike.

Galbraith, Robert. (2013). The Cuckoo's Calling. New York: Mulholland Books.

Never Go Back (Jack Reacher #18)

Never Go Back by Lee Child is the eighteen book in his Jack Reacher series. Reacher is ex-Army and was the head of the MP Special Unit, the 110th. Since retirement he has been traveling around the United States and both getting into trouble and solving problems he finds along the way.

Reacher just arrived in Virginia from North Dakota. He is back at the 110th headquarters in Rock Creek, just outside of Washington, D.C. He came all this way because he spoke to the current commander, Major Susan Turner and wanted to meet her in person.

But when he arrives, it is not Major Turner in the office. Major Turner has been replaced by a temporary officer because she has been arrested for taking a bribe. And Reacher is told not to leave, that there are two cases pending against him.

Child's series just gets better. Fans will read any adventure involving Jack Reacher, and this one includes a jail break, a manhunt including the FBI, Army, DC police and four unknown thugs, and a conspiracy that reaches up the military command chain.

Child, Lee. (2013). Never Go Back. New York: Delacourte Press.

Grass for His Pillow (Tales of the Otori #2)

Grass for His Pillow by Lian Hearn is the second book in her Tales of the Otori series set in a fictional medieval Japan.

Otori Takeo is a member of the Tribe - a group of people genetically linked by blood and trained to be assassins and spies. Though he wants to live the life of an Otori, the Tribe has offered him a choice - join them or be killed. Since his father was killed when he left the Tribe, Takeo feels he had no choice but to join them and accept their training.

Shirakawa Kaede was promised to marry Otori Shigeru. She is heir to two lands - Murayama where it is traditional for women to inherit land, and Shirakawa where she will have to fight to be seen as the leader. Either way, she has decided to make her own fate - she will not be married off to someone she does not know or love.

Hearn's tales of clans and alliances set in this imaginary medieval Japan encompasses all that is great about historical fiction, epic fantasy, and great storytelling. This series is brilliant! Read it now!

Hearn, Lian. (2003). Grass for His Pillow. New York: Riverhead Books.