Watch Her by Edwin Hill

 

 Watch Her by Edwin Hill. Kensington Publishing, 2021. Adult fiction, mystery.

Third in his series about Harvard librarian Hester Thursby, this novel joins Little Comfort and The Missing Ones in fast paced adventure. Hester meets a wealthy couple, Jennifer and Tucker Matson, at a party to show off their for-profit Prescott University. The couple has one adult daughter, Vanessa, but lost a toddler who drowned many years ago. Hester is hired to follow up on some students who seem to have disappeared under the guise of a financial audit. Central to the story is Maxine, a middle-aged woman, who has known the family for years and works at the university. Maxine also has connections to the police department through her brother Stan. Add a student street artist, Barret, Boston policewoman, Angela White, and Hester herself to the narrative for a compelling mystery with duplicity, murder, and secrets aplenty.

Love in the Library by Maggie Tokuda-Hall

 Love in the Library by Maggie Tokuda-Hall. Illustrated by Yas Imamura. Candlewick Press, 2022. Children's picture book.

During World War II, many Japanese Americans were forced to leave their homes and live in camps as prisoners. The author's grandparents met and married and had their first child while living in the Minidoka camp in Idaho. This lovely picture book does not dwell on the politics. It is the love story of Tama, a young woman who works in the library, and George, a young man who loves Tama more than he loves to read. Told in simple words, the story describes their situation: "Constant questions. Constant worries. Constant fear." Yet, there are miracles, too. Love is a miracle. Hope is a miracle. Being human brings oneness. "The miracle is in all of us." wrote Maggie's grandmother.

With all the the divisions in our world today, this is a reminder of the wonders that can happen, the loves we can find, the resilience we can nurture in ourselves and others. It is based on a true story about love and family. It was Maggie Todkuda-Hall's to tell and she has done it well. 

The Secrets We Share by Edwin Hill

 

The Secrets We Share by Edwin Hill. Kensington Publishing, 2022. Adult fiction. Mystery.

Publication due in March, 2022.

Although this is a stand alone novel, readers who enjoy it will certainly want to read all the others in the Hester Thursby series by Edwin Hill. (See more reviews in this blog.) Hester, the Harvard librarian, does make a small appearance in this new mystery, but the main character is Boston policewoman Natalie Cavanaugh.  Fans of Hill may also recognize Angela White, Natalie's boss.

Natalie's sister, Glenn, is a food blogger and is about to publish her first cookbook. Glenn is set to become a real celebrity, but when a body is discovered in an old building, Glenn and her daughter Mavis are drawn into a mystery. And, of course, Natalie is pulled in, too.

Glenn and Natalie's father had been murdered in the woods near their home many years ago. Their old next-door neighbor who also had two children was convicted of his killing. Now someone is posting strange messages on Glenn's blog. Are the two murders somehow connected?

Natalie has long had questions about her father's death. Now it seems that she really doesn't know the truth about the past or the current situation.  What can she do to stay safe and keep those she loves safe? 

Hill uses details about Boston to make an interesting setting. His characters are so well defined that readers will think they know them. This may herald a whole new series for his writing. Stay tuned! 

The Missing Ones by Edwin Hill

 

 The Missing Ones by Edwin Hill. Kensington Publishing, 2019. Adult fiction, mystery.

Second in the series about Harvard librarian Hester Thursby, this tale takes place mainly off the coast on Finisterre Island. (The island in the book is fictional. Author's note says it was based on Monhegan Island.) 

The missing sister and friend of the first novel (Little Comfort), Daphne, seems to have sent an urgent message to Hester. That's what brings Hester to the island. The characters on the island range from an inn keeper to the local police to seafarers. The details are delicious and reflect true Maine. Two missing boys figure into the story as well as an old Victorian house now empty and possibly used by druggies and homeless people. Hester's investigations ultimately bring Morgan, Kate, and Angela to Finisterre also. Can Hester solve the mysteries before another person is murdered and/or another child goes missing? 

If you are not familiar with Edwin Hill, please do read his mysteries. I am on a tear with his novels and greatly enjoying the series. I would recommend that you read the books in order. Kate ages one year in each of the first three books so it's fun to follow along and see her progress. 

Little Comfort by Edwin Hill

  Little Comfort by Edwin Hill. Kensington Publishing, 2018. Mystery. Adult fiction.

  Hester Thursby works as a librarian at Harvard's Widener Library, but she also runs a side business helping to find missing persons. With her knowledge of databases and resources, she is quite successful. Hester is an appealing character with her significant other, Morgan, a vet. Hester's best friend, Daphne, is Morgan's sister. Unfortunately, Daphne left the duo and also left her small daughter, Kate, with them. While Hester has not been prepared for the role of mother, she works hard at it, even taking maternity leave to care for Kate. 

  When Lila Blaine contacts Hester and asks her to find Lila's brother, Sam Blaine, Hester becomes intwined with both the handsome Sam and his lifelong friend, Gabe. The men have travelled America, using different names and are now in Boston. Wendy Richards, a very wealthy young woman thinks Sam is someone he is not. The story turns deadly and Hester and Kate are caught in the twisty tales the men tell.

  This is adult mystery fiction at its best. Hill's descriptions of little Kate ring as true as his dramatic pacing and character development. 

A Well-Behaved Woman: A Novel of the Vanderbilts by Therese Anne Fowler

 A Well-Behaved Woman: A Novel of the Vanderbilts by Therese Anne Fowler. St. Martin's Press, 2018. Biographical fiction.

Alva Smith grew up in a wealthy family of sisters who lived in both the United States and abroad. After the Civil War, though, the family is quite poor and adrift after the death of their mother. With a sick father, Alva is well aware that in order to save the family, she must marry well. Championing her good family name, Alva finds William Vanderbilt whose family has money, but is considered "new money" and is shut out of society in New York City. 

This novel tells Alva's story rather sympathetically. It tells how Alva apparently met William. After they married, Alva designs Vanderbilt mansions and stands up to the notorious Mrs. Astor. Her great friend, Consuelo Yznaga, though, in this novel ultimately betrays Alva. Yes, Alva masterminds the wedding of her own daughter, Consuelo, to British nobility, but is not the pushy mother who is described in other books.  She loves her family and wants only the best for them. Alva here well remembers how it felt to be poor.

Later in life, Alva becomes quite the supporter of the rights of women to vote and be independent of their husbands. She has a successful second marriage, here described as a love match. 

Fowler has created a glimpse of life during the Gilded Age with tiny details as well as a sweeping brushstroke. From New York City to Newport to Paris, readers will travel the era and enjoy every moment!