The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo

The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo. Illustrated by Sophie Blackall. Candlewick Press, 2021. Children's chapter book.

Is this a fable? Maybe. Is it a fairy tale without fairies? Perhaps. Is it my new favorite book? Absolutely! Beatryce is a small girl who is found in the pen with a goat by Brother Edik, a monk with a wandering eye and a wish to hear a tale about a mermaid. The girl, the goat, the monk, a boy named Jack Dory, and Cannoc, a weird man with a long, gray beard, go on a quest like no other. Beatryce, at first, knows only her name. But, the girl can READ in a medieval time when girls cannot. And Brother Edik knows a prophecy about her. And, soon, the king himself is after her. As Beatryce begins to remember her past, the tale really takes off for Beatryce is about to discover her future. 

I cannot fathom DiCamillo's imagination as she creates unique and memorable characters like these. I can only envy her smooth writing as it pulls readers in and gives more clues. I admire the way she gives characters love, light, and an appreciation for books and reading. Sophie Blackall's black and white illustrations really beg for full color; they are sparse and few, but add to the story. The gorgeous endpapers of gold and ivory make me wish for wallpaper like it. The combination is stunning, comforting, and truly a tale for our times.

"We shall all, in the end. be led to where we belong. We shall all, in the end, find our way home."   ---p. 185 

Mrs. March: A Novel by Virginia Feito

 Mrs. March: A Novel by Virginia Feito. Liveright Publishing Corporation, An Imprint of W.W. Norton and Company, 2021. Adult fiction.

George March looks like a man who has it all. His latest novel is very successful. His wife throws the perfect family dinners. And, he has a son, Jonathan. Their family lives in a high rise on the Upper East Side.

But, Mrs. March notes every detail of everything and when the baker says that her husband must have based the female character in that latest book on Mrs. March herself, she is indignant since she has not read the book, but knows that character is not a quality person like she is. She soon begins to find fault with George as she did with his first wife and his grown daughter. Her own sister and mother live far enough away that she doesn't have to visit. She has time and money to eat take-out well and go to museums. She allows Jonathan to play with a boy upstairs and seems rather distant with them all.

Readers will be interested in the little snippets that tell of Mrs. March's background. As the plot really gets going, there are clues that George and his editor may have been involved in a murder in Maine. What has George really been doing on those "hunting weekends"? Who is the trustable one in this marriage? Not a thriller, but gradually and steadily building to an unpredictable conclusion, this is one great exploration of the little things that make a life. 

At the Edge of the Orchard by Tracy Chevalier

 

 At the Edge of the Orchard by Tracy Chevalier. Viking, 2016. Adult historical fiction. 

The Goodenough family has settled in Ohio in 1838. They have several children and work hard to farm the soil. James plants apple trees lovingly and tenderly. It takes fifty apple trees to stake a claim to the land. Sadie unfortunately sees the trees and competition for James' time and love. She drinks too much of the applejack and becomes a harsh and bitter woman.. Their relationship is difficult and makes up the first part of this tale. 

The youngest son, Robert, can be found in California in 1856 and his story makes up the latter part of the book. Readers find out what happened to the Goodenough family. Robert works with William Lobb who is cataloging and sending seeds and seedlings of redwood and giant sequoia trees back to England. His insights on the Gold Rush, people he meets, and the country itself are intriguing.

While hard work and trials take up a lot of the pages, there is hope and heart, too. John Chapman (Johnny Appleseed) is a character. And, the book itself is so well put together with even the end pages showing cross cut apples. Readers will be longing to taste a Golden Pippin apple! 

Who is Maud Dixon? by Alexandra Andrews

   Who is Maud Dixon? A Novel by Alexandra Andrews. Little, Brown and Company, 2021 Adult fiction/mystery.

 Florence Darrow escaped growing up in Florida and now has a job in New York City as an editorial assistant. Florence really wants to write. Everyone at work is intrigued by a bestseller by Maud Dixon, the name which hides its author's identity. When Florence makes some missteps at work, she finds herself looking for a new job and amazingly starts work as an assistant to Maud Dixon, a woman who is really Helen Wilcox. Maud wants to learn from Helen, but ends up trying to imitate her. When Helen invites Florence to go to Morocco with her, Florence jumps at the chance. But, from there, this twisty tale takes all sorts of unexpected turns. Who is Helen really? Will Florence ever be able to write her own book? Alexandra Andrews has written a whale of a debut novel herself and readers will find themselves enjoying every minute of this roller coaster ride! 

The Royal Secret: A Novel by Lucinda Riley

 

 The Royal Secret: A Novel by Lucinda Riley. Atria paperback, 2018. Adult mystery.

    Interesting youngish  adults propel this story of English romances, mystery, and scandal. Journalist Joanna Haslam and her friend Simon grew up in Yorkshire. Both have high powered jobs in London now. When acting legend, James Harrison, dies, they are both caught up in fast paced action and intrigue about his past. Harrison's grown grandchildren, Zoe and Marcus, provide touches of aristocracy and family secrets. The setting moves from London to Ireland to Yorkshire in cinematic ways. All of their jobs and connections twist and turn to ramp up and move forward the plot. An author's note at the beginning only adds further drama to this multi-layered novel. 

Murder at Mallowan Hall by Colleen Cambridge

 

 Murder at  Mallowan Hall by Colleen Cambridge. Kensington Books, 2021. Adult historical mystery.

Fans of Agatha Christie will want to pick up a copy of this first in a new series about housekeeper turned detective, Phyllida Bright. She works at Mallowan Hall, home of Agatha Christie and her second husband, Max Mallowan. A house party is taking place and a body is found in the library. Sound familiar? This fast paced mystery pays homage to Christie as it involved her in the search for the murderer, but Phyllida is the central character who follows in Poirot's footsteps. Phyllida had been a nurse and made friends with Agatha. Certainly there is more to their backgrounds that perhaps will be revealed in other books.  The characters are interesting, the plot is unpredictable, and we can only hope that Phyllida as many more mysteries in her future! 

In the Garden of Spite by Camilla Bruce

 

In the Garden of Spite: A Novel of The Black Widow of La Porte by Camilla Bruce. Berkley (an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC), 2021. Adult historical fiction. Biographical fiction.

After a traumatic situation in Norway, Litte Brynhild Storset moves to America to live with her older sister, Nellie. She changes her name to Bella and wants to start a new life. The entire novel tells what happens to Belle Gunness in Indiana. From city streets of Chicago to farms in the countryside, Bella focuses on herself. Murder, arson, greed, and anger fill this well written novel which is actually based on a real person. While the neighbors and even Nellie have their own suspicions about Bella, she seems to be able to avoid any convictions or firm evidence against her. Obviously, the happy life she dreamed about eludes her...or does it?

An author's note tells what is true and what has been added to make the novel move more smoothly. Details about life in Norway in the 1870's is fascinating and makes it easy to see why moving to America was a popular option. Readers who enjoy this novel may be interested in doing their own research to see photographs and read accounts of the real Belle Gunness.