Spell the Month in Books - March

For March's Spell the Month in Books I chose several books I read in 2007:

Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin aka Diana Norman (20007). This is the first in a historical mystery series set in 12th-century England about Adelia Aguilar, a female forensic pathologist from Sicily, summoned by Henry II to investigate the murders of children in Cambridge, which have been blamed on the local Jewish community. I enjoyed her books, especially A Catch of Consequence, which begins in Boston. I know her daughter finished her final book after she died but I have not read it yet.

Austenland by Shannon Hale (2007). Jane is so obsessed with Mr. Darcy that real men simply don’t live up to expectations. When she is given a trip to a Jane Austen-themed resort in England, she can participate in the Regency-era lifestyle, while interacting with two different men, a gardener and an actor playing a Darcy-like role.

The Reason for Roses by Babs H. Deal (1974). Set in Alabama in the late 1930s, orphaned Spencer is being brought up by her grandmother but with four lively cousins there are always parties, picnics or other activities taking place. This was a somewhat melancholy coming of age story recommended by a Betsy-Tacy friend. My review.

The Camel Club by David Baldacci (2005). The first time I read this I was a little creeped out by the main character who calls himself Oliver Stone (although that is not his name) and lives under the radar at Arlington Cemetery. He has a group of quirky friends who enjoy discussing conspiracy theories. Then they witness a murder and find themselves involved in a real conspiracy theory! I became a big fan of this series and enjoy giving this book to people to get them hooked.

His Majesty’s Dragon by Naomi Novik (2006). Imagine Jane Austen combined with the Dragonriders of Pern (I thought everyone knew this series but I guess it was popular quite a while ago) – basically, the characters are fighting the Napoleonic wars – on dragons! The relationship of Captain Will Laurence and his dragon-cub is well done. I read at least three in this series and thought they were very well done, despite my not really liking adult fantasy very much. I read at least three in this series and thought they were very well done, despite my not really liking adult fantasy very much.

Have you read any of these?