The Midwife of Venice

Author Roberta Rich puts the reader in Venice during the 1500s by describing the city with great detail at that time.

Hannah is a Jewish midwife, and she has been asked by a Christian Conte to aid his wife in the birth of their child.  This is against the edict of the Pope, but Hannah goes; for what midwife can refuse a woman in labour.  However, she has one condition; the Conte must provide her with enough money to aid in the release of her husband Isaac, who has been taken captive on the island of Malta.

This story relates the differences in religion between the Jews and Christians in the 16th Century and depicts how tough it was for Jews to live in a world dominated by Christians who ghettoised the Jewish people.

A very good read for those who enjoy historical novels.

The Burning Girl

Mark Billingham is another new author for me, and I was impressed with the first book I read by him, entitled "The Burning Girl".

Detective Inspector Tom Thorne finds himself and his team investigating a brutal murder where the victim has had a huge X carved into his back and his head blown apart by a bullet.  This sets the stage for a brutal turf war between gangs in London.  Can Thorne find the murderer and prevent London from being set ablaze by the two gangs as they fight it out for control?

Another thing that I liked about Billingham's writing is that as the reader, you get insights into Thorne's personal life.  It isn't all consumed by his police work.

I am looking forward to reading Billingham's next book, and I am sure that you will enjoy reading his work, too.

A Murderous Procession by Ariana Franklin

Adelia Aguilar is a "Mistress of the Art of Death" (modernly called a pathologist) who helps solve murders for King Henry II.  At Henry's request (order) Ariana is to accompany his 10 year old daughter to Sicily where she is to wed William II.  As the trip progresses people begin to die.  Is the princess the intended victim, or is it someone else?  Adelia is accompanied by her Arab friend Mansur and the grandson of a good friend, Ulf plus an interesting Irish sea captain; but unbeknownst to Adelia and the others there is another traveller in the group bent on revenge!

An enjoyable read.

Unfortunately the author died in January of 2011 and this is the last book in the series of "A Mistress of the Art of Death".

The Leopard

What a fantastic book!  Nesbo has done it again!  Harry Hole has successfully solved another case with an incredible climax!

Hole is depressed after losing two people he loved.  He goes to Hong Kong to drown his sorrows in booze and drugs.  Kaja Solness is sent from Oslo to bring him back to help solve what seem to be two unrelated deaths.  Shortly after returning a third death occurs.  Is it related?  Kripos tries to take over the case, and Hole is initially shunted aside, but they need his expertise.

Once again, Jo Nesbo provides clues that lead you hither and thither.  Can you solve the murders before Hole?

This is a book that, like me, you won't want to set aside.

The Serpent's Tale by Ariana Franklin

Adelia Aguilar is Henry II's Mistress of the Art of Death.  She has been summoned to investigate the death of Rosamund, Henry's mistress.  Evidence and rumour point to Eleanor, Henry's wife as the murderer.

On her way to the tower in which Rosamund lived and died, Adelia and her company come across another murder, which she must investigate.  A blizzard and cold snap traps Adelia and her company at the abbey of Godstow.  While at Godstow, the one person who might be able to tell Adelia who killed Rosamund is in turn killed in what the murderer hoped would be taken for a suicide.  Adelia is trapped at Godstow with Queen Eleanor and her mercenaries, which makes the investigation difficult.  Will Henry arrive in time to save her and prevent people from being wrongly accused?  Will his arrival prevent a civil war?

Read on, my friends.

The Devil's Star

Jo Nesbo starts off this book with the reader seeing a picture of water slowly trailing across a floor of an old and historic building and then dripping down into water.  The reader is left wondering where the author is taking you.

Then the murders begin.  Harry Hole's nemesis Tom Waaler is assigned the task of finding the murderer.  Harry Hole comes out of a drunken stupor to work alongside Waaler, whom he distrusts and hates.  Hole sets about getting into the mind of the murderer.   As usual Nesbo leads you down false trails such as the clues of red star diamonds left by the murderer, sets the reader up to think one thing only to discover that thought is incorrect.  You are left wondering who the real murderer is until the last chapters of the book.

Another incredible read.  One you won't want to put down.

Solemn Vows by Don Gutteridge

Marc Edwards has been promoted from Ensign to Lieutenant as a result of his service to the Governor of Upper Canada, Francis Head.

While attending a political rally with the governor, a prominent politician is assassinated.  Marc is assigned the task of finding the culprit.  While doing so he is also tasked to find out who is writing politically agitating letters in William Lyon Mackenzie's newspaper under the pseudonym "Farmer's Friend".

Of course Edwards gets himself into unplanned mischief with a few females throughout the story.

The story has a surprising twist in the end.  A good little read.