PURE ESCAPISM
Summer is often viewed as the time to indulge in lighter reading fare—mysteries, thrillers, beach reads and the like. Here are two recent notable novels (one a first novel) that are well written and meet the criterion of being thrilling or suspenseful.
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
First time novelist, Penner has penned an historical thriller about an 18th century female healer or apothecarist who also dispenses poisons. Nella will provide them to any woman desiring to kill off a cheating or abusive man. She mainly provides women with helpful herbs and salves, but her own life situation led her down this alternate path.
In the present day, Caroline Parcewell has learned that her husband was unfaithful, but proceeds alone to London on their anniversary trip. On a mud larking expedition, Caroline discovers an old vial which leads her to a hidden apothecary. Seeking answers, she consults someone at the British Library and delves deeper into the historic record.
Penner does an amazing job of detailing Nella’s life and her interactions with a young girl, Eliza, and then linking that with Caroline’s research. Some readers might think that the parallels between Nella’s work and Caroline’s marriage strain belief, but I found them convincing enough. A most accomplished debut!
The Survivors by Jane Harper
Australian Jane Harper is a recent favorite author of mine. I’ve now read all four of her mystery novels. The Survivors is set on the Tasmanian coast and concerns the recent death of Bronte, a young woman working as a waitress at the local Surf and Turf tavern.
Twelve years ago, another young woman, Gabby Birch, died, and two men drowned in a very bad storm. Kieran was eighteen at the time of the big storm and is still haunted by guilt over his own actions that day when his older brother Finn died. Bronte’s drowning brings up memories. Kieran and his wife, Mia, friends Ash and Sean, and his parents Brian and Verity struggle to cope while secrets long festering are slowly revealed. This is an atmospheric mystery with more conversation and less action, but still compelling. You won’t soon forget the underwater caves of Tasmania!
SUMMER READING
Here are some of the titles I hope to read this summer. A couple of them are for my book group so I may put them off until early fall, closer to when the group discusses them. Besides these titles, I have a stack of other books waiting in the wings.
Eleanor by David Michaelis
I’ve read several biographies of Eleanor Roosevelt including Blanche Wiesen-Cook’s monumental three volume work. Nonetheless, I look forward to this recent biography drawing on new research about her life.
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
A much-praised novel about the Dust Bowl set in the 1920’s and 30’s. Hannah is the author of twenty novels, but I don’t think I’ve read any of them.
Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead
This historical novel about a female aviator covers decades and locales from Montana to London to modern day Los Angeles. Cast in the role of aviator Marian for a new film a hundred years later, Hadley’s quest to find her place dovetails with aspects of Marian’s life. I found Shipstead’s earlier novel, Seating Arrangments, finely drawn and am really looking forward to this tome!
The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue
A novel of the 1918 pandemic, this time set in a Dublin hospital. Donoghue is author of the highly touted and gripping novel, The Room, as well as Frog Music.
The Secrets of Mary Bowser by Lois Leveen
A historical novel about a real person, Mary Bowser, a slave then freed, who posed as a slave to spy on Jefferson Davis.
The Sentence is Death by Anthony Horowitz
For those who enjoyed The Magpie Murders, this is another puzzling murder mystery by a prolific and acclaimed English writer. Like in the earlier mystery, Horowitz himself is a character.
The Time of Our Singing by Richard Powers
A novel of the Civil Rights era combining love and music in the marriage of a Jewish scientist and a Black singer. Published in 2003. Powers is also the author of The Gold Bug Variations and Overstory.
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
I very much enjoyed Gyasi’s Homegoing so look forward to this novel about a Ghanaian family in the U.S. trying to make it midst addiction, depression, and prejudice.
Note: Header image of reading couple is courtesy of www.mymcpl.org (Mid-Continent Public Library).
