A captivating itinerant weaver who is also a Revolutionary War era murder investigator? What a great character! In fact, many of the main characters are quite engaging.

Setting the story in the midst of a Maine Shaker village is clever. Kuhns offers up insight into their way of life in a way that will probably entice some readers to do their own research (a bonus provided any good book, imho!).

The plot is intriguing but rather predictable. Nonetheless, I can see the beginnings of a good series here and I certainly would pick up a sequel ... or even a prequel!

This is a colorful, twisting art(ist) mystery. An earthy combination of art history and fantasy that kept me seated quite happily through several wintery days. I shall seek out Christopher Moore's earlier works.

King Peggy is one woman I'd love to have sitting in my living room for an evening of good talk. Her story is eloquently written. It is endearing and enduring. The words flow comfortably and I had a hard time putting it down!

Simply put, you couldn't possibly not want to visit the Night Circus. I was utterly besotted by this book. It twists. It turns. It demands attention be paid to the timeline. I felt aggrieved at having to close "The Night Circus" and periodically return to my everyday world. It is now the top title on my gift-giving list.

Marina Fiorato penned a fine historical look at the 1700s in a politically charged Siena. The description of the physical city is captivating. The characters, human and equine, are intriguing. While some of the tale is predictable, on the whole it kept my interest with its unexpected twists. I thoroughly enjoy novels that pique my interest to go look up the actual history of a time, an event, etc.. In this case: contradas, the Palio, and a relook at the reviled Medicis!

"Prophecy" continues the story of Giordano Bruno which began with Parris' "Heresy". The author's writing is clever enough that I did not flounder because of having not (yet) read the first book.

There is enough intrigue and conspiracy to keep a reader alert. As well as enough historical references to keep my "no kidding?!" penchant Google-ing with the book by my side. The characters and the plot are well developed. And I am pleased that the ending, while very satisfying, allows this reader to believe there will be a third in the series.

I can see myself carrying both "Heresy" and "Prophecy" with me on vacation this summer!

Told in the first-person, Jaffy Brown's story is of a life filled with wonder, exquisite joy, unbridled excitement, terror, brutal horror, survival, great sadness, love, and acceptance. I found myself totally and unabashedly absorbed in his nineteenth century world.

The teen-aged seafaring Jaffy laments that he will "never be able to describe all this, the way it felt". Not to worry … Carol Birch simply provides the most wonderful imagery you can possibly, well, imagine. Her descriptive narrative is vivid enough to have made my mouth water as an eight year old Jaffy tastes his first raspberry puff, to have made said mouth run dry during his on-sea adventures, and to have tears running down my cheeks when he struggles with the horror of choosing life or death.

I am enthused enough about the writing that I have ordered two earlier titles by Ms. Birch. She's that good.