The Beekeeper’s Apprentice: or, On the Segregation of the Queen by Laurie R. King

Reviewed by Kristin

When I think of Sherlock Holmes, I picture a pipe-smoking figure in a deerstalker hat with a magnifying glass, haughtily spouting his deductions about the ne’er-do-wells skulking about in the shadows.  This image has become part of pop culture, even spreading to younger generations as the modern BBC version of Sherlock has become a popular television show.  Beyond the original Arthur Conan Doyle books, (as most of the original stories and characters are no longer protected under copyright) many authors have taken a shot at creating their own Sherlock Holmes stories.

Laurie R. King started just such a venture in 1994 with The Beekeeper’s Apprentice, featuring Mary Russell, a fifteen year old American girl new to the Sussex countryside who almost literally stumbles over Sherlock Holmes as she rambles across the land with her nose in a Latin text.  They are an unlikely pair:  an orphaned young girl with a most unpleasant guardian aunt, and a semi-retired, aging private detective whose main pursuit is beekeeping.  However, Mary’s quick mind intrigues Holmes and they soon become—if not friends—companions who challenge each other.

While there is a plot, a villain, and a dénouement, it is the flavor of the book that carried me along.  Mary (always “Russell” to Holmes) is a serious young lady with tragedy in her past.  Having lost her immediate family in an automobile accident in California, Mary returns to her family lands in England.  With her youth she brings a breath of fresh air to Holmes, his housekeeper Mrs. Hudson, and even Dr. Watson, who quickly becomes “Uncle John.”

Holmes’ gentler human side is portrayed in this story, more than just the self-important detective who proclaims his logical conclusions arrived at through brilliant deductive reasoning.  Mary seems wise beyond her years, but maintains an innocence befitting a young girl in the years during and after the Great War.  Mary is not just another version of Watson to reflect the brilliance of Holmes, but has a sharp mind of her own.  With her quick understanding and ability to reason, Mary becomes more of a partner than an apprentice, even at such a young age.

Adding to the written word, I have enjoyed the British accents on the audiobook version borrowed through R.E.A.D.S.  The pronunciation alone is entertaining—think of such words as “constabulary” and “advertisement” or even “ate” (pronounced “et”).

The Beekeeper’s Apprentice is only the beginning, and I am already looking forward to the rest of the books in the series.  Fans of the original Arthur Conan Doyle books should appreciate this addition to the Sherlock canon.

Nevermore: Eisenhower, Eating Local, Evicted, How the Other Half Lives, The Snowman, Coming Home

Reported by Kristin

Nevermore appreciates history, although not all history books are appreciated.  Three Days in January: Dwight Eisenhower’s Final Mission by Bret Baier may be one of those duds.  Our reader said that he kept waiting for the author to get to the main part of the book, which seemed to be Eisenhower’s “farewell speech” in which he would warn the United States against building up the military industrial complex on the eve of the Cold War.  Baier, the chief political news anchor for Fox, begins with Eisenhower’s childhood, goes slowly through World War II (but somehow skips all mention of D-Day) and even goes up through the 2016 presidential election, yet only dedicates a short section to the “Final Mission” mentioned in the title.

Set in Cornwall in the years before and during World War II, the novel Coming Home by Rosamunde Pilcher was enjoyed by another reader.  With beautiful settings and detailed descriptions of the characters’ actions, this story tells about young Judith Dunbar as she is attending British boarding school while the rest of her family is abroad.  Spanning both the European and Eastern fronts during the war, Pilcher weaves a tale that our reader very much recommends.

Back on this side of the Atlantic, Eating Local in Virginia: From Farm to Family by Phyllis Wilson was passed around and much liked.  The guide lists local eateries which use local ingredients, stores which sell locally grown items, farms which sell directly to the public, and local wineries, divided by region.  Several featured local food producers make this an interesting read.

Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond is a story of extreme poverty in Milwaukee.  Telling the stories of both landlords and tenants, Desmond explores the lives of people trying to scrape by with almost no income due to a variety of circumstances.  As part of his research, Desmond went to live in a trailer park during 2008 and 2009.  Living side by side with desperate people enabled him to tell their stories and promote some ideas of how to break the cycle of crime and poverty, but also showed that there are some individuals and families who might not ever be able to improve their lives.

The same reader also discussed How the Other Half Lives: Studies Among the Tenements of New York by Jacob A. Riis.  Originally published in 1890, this volume addressed the slums that existed in New York at that time.  Riis made suggestions for helping those families living in horrible conditions.  This is considered a classic work on the disadvantaged living in urban America.  Our reader said that in comparison this made her life seem like a dream.

Lastly, another reader picked up The Snowman by Jo Nesbo.  Midway through the Inspector Harry Hole series, in this installment a young boy named Jonas discovers that his mother has vanished and that the only clue is her pink scarf on a snowman in their yard, a snowman that Harry did not build.  This thriller about a Norwegian serial killer is downright chilling, and as our reader said, “Nobody told me it was a little spicy!”

It Happened One Season

Reviewed by Ambrea

It Happened One Season is a collection of short stories—or, more accurately, novellas—written by Stephanie Laurens, Mary Balogh, Jacquie D’Alessandro, and Candice Hern.  When collaborating on this project, Laurens, Balogh, D’Alessandro, and Hern asked their readers what they would most like to see in a novel.  Their readers answered:  a handsome soldier returning home from the Napoleonic Wars, a young lady sick of enduring another season, a proposed marriage of convenience—and a love that blossoms unexpectedly.  In It Happened One Season, each author writes her own novella, following these basic plot points, and creates a wholly unique love that’s sure to make readers swoon.

Full disclosure before I continue discussing It Happened One Season:  I did not read the entire book.  I read “Only Love” by Mary Balogh and “Fate Strikes a Bargain” by Candice Hern, and I basically skimmed “The Seduction of Sebastian Trantor” by Stephanie Laurens and “Hope Springs Eternal” by Jacquie D’Alessandro.  So, I’ve decided I won’t make any judgements on the stories I didn’t read; rather, I’ll talk about the ones I did.

I started with Mary Balogh’s novella, “Only Love.”  It was a sweet little romance, but, sadly, it was…well, it was forgettable.  Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed it while I was reading; however, I find I can’t even remember the names of the characters anymore, let alone the full story.  I found it to be fun, and I even remember thinking how I loved the budding affection between the protagonists.  It was a good story, but it wasn’t seared-into-my-memory kind of good.

“Fate Strikes a Bargain,” on the other hand, made more of an impact.

Like the other three short stories in this book, Candice Hern’s novella features a female protagonist facing another unbearable season without a suitor and a weary, battle-hardened hero who must somehow convince her to accept a marriage proposal to satisfy familial obligation.  (All the stories literally have the same plot points, so no surprises here.)  However, “Fate Strikes a Bargain” was strangely compelling.

As I sank into the story, I found absolutely loved reading it.  I mean, it hit all the right notes for me:  wonderful character development (for such a short story), satisfying plot pace, historical accuracy.  Granted, it’s a bit predictable, but it quickly had me smiling and laughing by turns.  I loved watching how Philippa and Nathaniel interacted, and I loved watching their relationship develop.  And I really liked that the author wasn’t afraid to create characters with flaws, like Philippa with her physical infirmity and Nathaniel with his PTSD.

They’re not perfect people.  Nathaniel can’t stand getting caught in a crowd; Philippa struggles to dance.  Nathaniel suffers from night terrors regularly, struggling with his memories of the war; Philippa fights to fend off even the best intentions of her family, trying to establish her independence.  They’re not perfect, but they manage to find happiness in each other—and I appreciated that.  I know when I finished reading “Fate Strikes a Bargain,” I had to sit back and sigh with contentment, pleased with my book and, somehow, pleased with the world at large.

I found all sorts of warm, fuzzy feelings in this book on a cold winter day.

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

Reviewed by Christy H.

            Madeline and Celeste are close friends who also happen to have children. Celeste’s twin boys and Madeline’s youngest daughter are all starting kindergarten together soon. When Madeline rolls her ankle on the way to orientation day and receives help from recent transplant and young mom Jane, Madeline welcomes the reserved woman into their fold. Then things get crazy.

            On that same orientation day, Jane’s son, who is also starting kindergarten, is accused of bullying which causes tension between her and the other moms – most of whom are already on their guard against this single newcomer who is still in her early twenties. This is merely a catalyst for an escalating series of events that will eventually end in a murder.

            Big Little Lies is ostensibly a murder mystery but it’s also about the resilient friendships between women, the mind boggling politics of dealing with other parents, and a splash of classism thrown in.  Madeline is sort of the de facto leader of her trio. She’s funny, quick to anger, and intensely loyal. She also loves confrontation especially if it involves a snooty mom. Celeste is insanely rich, gorgeous, and quite aloof, although not unfriendly. Jane is shy and uncertain at times but loves her son and her new friends. However, she’s still not sure about the rest of the school parents.

            I really enjoyed this novel. I loved the silliness of some of the arguments, and Madeline’s feistiness.  (She was my favorite character). I loved the friendship between the women, and how fiercely Madeline wanted to protect them. However, some of the subplots veer off into the bizarre. Particularly the way Madeline’s teenage daughter decides to raise awareness for human trafficking – a subplot, I might add, that doesn’t really go anywhere or add anything. For all the novel’s soapy fun, it does delve into some dark subject matter including domestic violence and dubious sexual consent. Just a warning for readers who may be sensitive to those topics.

            Perhaps the ending ties everything up in a pretty, too tight bow but sometimes that’s ok. Sometimes you want horrible people to get what’s coming to them (no matter how absurdly) and for everyone to live sort of-happily ever after. HBO recently announced a mini-series based on this book with Reese Witherspoon as Madeline and Nicole Kidman as Celeste (great choices, in my opinion). While the previews make it look especially dark I hope it retains some of the novel’s irreverence. I look forward to trying out other works by Liane Moriarty as well as watching the mini-series.

Nevermore: Ove, Girl on the Train, Lucifer Principle, Summerlong, and I, Richard

Reported by Kristin

Nevermore readers have been divided over A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman: some love it and some hate it.  Ove is a Swedish man, retired at a young age and recently widowed.  His obsessive habits show the strain he has been under and how he is desperately trying to regain control of his life.  He is not a particularly likeable character at the beginning, but even those who disliked the book agree that he becomes understandable and more likeable before the book closes.  Another reader said that she just started the book last night, but that she really understands Ove’s OCD characteristics.  Another reader is looking forward to the movie (coming soon to a library near you.)

Continuing with fiction, another reader had just finished The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins.  The story centers around Rachel who passes neighborhoods on the train and wonders about the people she sees, to the point of obsession.  As a crime is committed, Rachel becomes involved in the investigation because she has been observing neighborhood activity as she passes on the train.  Our reader called this a very well written and interesting book, although full of dysfunctional characters.

A masterful British mystery was next with I, Richard by Elizabeth George.  A series of short tales, this collection plumbs the depths and darkness of the human psyche.  The first story features detective Thomas Lynley who appears in other of George’s works.  Richard the Third is also featured in the title story in a twisting tale which combines actual historical figures with a modern mystery.  Our reader considered this a satisfying book from a very good writer.

Another reader turned to non-fiction with The Lucifer Principle: A Scientific Expedition into the Forces of History by Howard Bloom.  Although first published in 1995, this book continues to feel relevant today as Bloom explores how people form groups in order create societal change.  Calling his field “mass behavior,” Blooms draw from microbiology, physics, cosmology and psychology (among other areas) in order to understand how people have made changes through the relatively short time of recorded history.  Our reader found it very fascinating.

Next up was a fantasy called Summerlong by Peter S. Beagle.  Lioness Lazos is working as a waitress, but is a mystery to those around her.  She obviously has a secret, but is drawn to a couple who offer her a place to live on their property.  With some sort of mysticism, Lioness changes the lives of those around her.  Beagle is better known for his fantasy classic The Last Unicorn, but our reader very much enjoyed this newer novel.

My Prairie Cookbook: Memories and Frontier Food from My Little House to Yours by Melissa Gilbert

Reviewed by Kristin

Whether you’re craving a dose of nostalgia or a helping of comfort food, My Prairie Cookbook by Melissa Gilbert is the book for you.  Gilbert has interspersed snippets of her life on “Little House on the Prairie” with homey and reasonably easy to prepare recipes.  Believe me, if it’s going to take 17 ingredients and 3 hours to make, I’m probably not going to make it.  These recipes are simple enough that I may put on an apron and try a few.

The “Little House” pictures in the book took me right back to the late 70’s.  Of course I do mean the 1970’s, although the show was set in the 1870’s and 1880’s.  Every girl in my class must have had a prairie skirt and sat glued to the television when that familiar music started.  Do you hear the opening notes in your head?  I do, all these years later.

Gilbert discusses her close relationship with Michael Landon (Pa) and her enduring friendship with Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson).  She describes Landon as a boss, father, and mentor to all of the crew.  I was glad to read that Arngrim was a much nicer person than her Nellie character—her acting definitely had me believing that she was a horrid, spoiled brat.

Gilbert also answers frequently asked questions from her fans, aka “Bonnet Heads.”  One person asked what the cast was actually eating when they sat down to dinner on camera.  Surprisingly, it was often Kentucky Fried Chicken!  Dinty Moore beef stew, Pillsbury biscuits and peanut butter sandwiches were among other offerings portrayed as Ma’s cooking.

The first recipe in the book caught my eye: Puffy Oven Pancakes.  I think I’ll try the oven method next time we have everyone together for a family breakfast, rather than continuing to stand over the stove flipping pancakes while everyone else is eating.  With four to six ingredients, (depending on toppings,) and 20 minutes in the oven, that sounds like a crowd pleaser.

From Big Ol’ Blueberry Muffins to Prairie Peach Cobbler, Gilbert has served up a collection of recipes to please a wide variety of palates.  Come check out the cookbook from the new non-fiction section and be sure to look for the Little House on the Prairie DVDs as well.