09 September 18

Dark Tide Rising by Anne Perry

Adult reading although nothing too bad for middle school. Exeter comes to Monk for help in ransoming his wife from kidnappers who want to meet in the worst Thames slum. Things go badly and even worse, Monk's team is under suspicion by each other. I figured this one out pretty early, but the writing is so good that I didn't mind following to the end.

Louisana's Way Home by Kate DiCamillo

Kate DiCamillo is a guaranteed good read. Following in the footsteps of Raymie Nightingale, Lousiana tells us her story as a first person narration. Her grandmother has dragged her away from what she has known as home and friends and Louisiana has no idea why. Touches of humor (as often happens with DiCamillo) and insights into local characters make this a sweet yet touching story. Yes I cried. And laughed. So good.

My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand

This did have a lot of sexual innuendo but considering the main couple is married, surprisingly little "consumation". When the narrators jump in it gets pretty humorous. This is Lady Jane Gray, but without the beheading and adding changes into a variety of animal forms. Most of the characters are from history, but quite a few liberties are taken for the best. Enjoyable. YA for romance and some violence, although there is a funny point where we are assured no dogs die.

The Agony House by Cherie Priest

part graphic novel and part chapters, there is an old comic book writer who has died mysteriously. Denise has just moved into the home in New Orleans with her mother and stepdad to renovate the "craphole". A classic ghost story with the creepiness part of the house itself. I like the relationship between Denise and her stepdad. There's some good dialog about gentrification and white privilege too. Some of the 50s references seemed too current. Not my genre but kids will enjoy this one. YA for creepiness.