Dear John

Author: Nicholas Sparks

Title: Dear John

Genre: Romance, historical fiction

Publication Date: 2006

Number of pages: Audio book – 8 CDs

Geographical Setting: North Carolina, Iraq

Time Period: From late 1990s to 2007

Series (if applicable): N/A

Plot Summary: John Tyree, a rebel turned responsible army soldier, meets the girl of his dreams on a short furlough from active duty. While courting each other, John and Savannah Lynn Curtis quickly realize that they may have found the greatest love of their lives. However, their long-distance relationship puts major strains on them – more than either could have imagined. John must ultimately choose between serving his country in the aftermath of 9/11 and settling down peacefully with his newfound love. Passionate and bittersweet, this novel will have readers questioning both their personal definitions of love, and what it means to truly love another.

Subject Headings: Love – Meanings, True love, Military life, 9/11, Habitat for Humanity, Cancer, Sacrifices, Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Horses, North Carolina, Iraq

Appeal: Compelling, engrossing, densely written, detailed (characters), familiar (characters), intriguing secondary (characters), introspective (characters), layered, resolved ending, thought-provoking, bittersweet, contemporary, details of army life, heartwarming, nostalgic, romantic, timeless, conversational, graceful, thoughtful

3 appeal terms that best describe this book: Bittersweet, thought-provoking, romantic

Similar Authors and Works (why are they similar?):

3 Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors:

1). Horses Never Lie About Love: A True Story by Jana Harris – This story tells of a physically and emotionally scarred horse, True Colors, who is terrified of humans, but that eventually learns to live peacefully and love both humans and a new foal in her life. Readers may be interested in this testimony to the power and meanings of love in the life of a majestic and passionate creature.

2). Surviving Iraq: Soldiers’ Stories by Elise Forbes Tripp – A collection of candid tales from 30 soldiers who have served in Iraq in recent years. Honest and bittersweet, these stories tell memories from the lips of those who have served – uncensored and in full.

3). The House That Love Built: The Story of Millard and Linda Fuller, Founders of Habitat for Humanity and the Fuller Center for Housing by Bettie B. Youngs – The story of the founders of Habitat for Humanity, the world’s largest nonprofit homebuilding organization. This text will resonate with readers who are inspired by this organization and its mission to end homelessness and substandard housing through God’s love and the love of his people.

3 Relevant Fiction Works and Authors:

1). A Hopeless Romantic by Harriet Evans – This is the tale of a young woman who has become disgusted and nearly given up on finding romance in her life. While on vacation in Europe, Laura Foster meets the owner of a castle estate and unknowingly embarks on a new, and perhaps forever, romance.

2). In Sunlight, in a Beautiful Garden by Kathleen Cambor – This historical fiction work tells the tale of the collapse of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania dam in 1889. Though this event actually occurred, this story is fiction. Through this book, the author tells the stories of several different characters who live during this time, and who have vastly differing points of view. A bittersweet tale of love and destruction.

3). Look Back All the Green Valley by Fred Chappell – A nostalgic look at historical life in North Carolina with a man who is struggling with the deaths of his parents, and ultimately moving on in life. Jess Kirkman is amazed when he finds secret treasures among his father’s personal items that invite him to learn so much more about the man that had raised him.

Name: Melissa

The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt

Author: Caroline Preston

Genre: Historical Fiction; Adult books for young adults; diary novels; romance

Publication Date: 2011

Number of Pages: 240

Geographical Setting: New Hampshire, New York, Paris

Time Period: 1920’s

Plot Summary: This is a character-driven, coming of age work of historical fiction told via the art of scrapbooking.  Through postcards, fabric swatches, tickets, magazine ads, and other scrapbook-worthy ephemera from the 1920’s, readers follow Frankie’s life from small town New Hampshire to Vassar College to New York City to Paris and back to New Hampshire again.  Preston uses very little text (which is all done on a vintage 1915 Corona portable typewriter) to get to the happy ending in this coming-of-age gentle historical romance.

Subject Headings: The Twenties (20^th century), Scrapbooks, Women authors, Men/women relations, Growing up, Moving to a new city, Independence in women

Appeal: easy, leisurely paced, evocative, gently, lighthearted, nostalgic, optimistic, playful, romantic, upbeat, familiar, gentle, literary references, plot centered, resolved ending, details of 1920’s pop culture, engaging, homespun, vivid, well-crafted, unusual, richly detailed, character-driven, strong sense of place,

3 appeal terms that best describe this book: details of 1920’s pop culture, engaging, nostalgic

3 Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors

Scrapbooks: an American history by Jessica Helfand.   Written by a professor of graphic design at Yale, Scrapbooks provides readers with “an appreciative and analytical tour” of scrapbooks through the past century.  Readers who appreciated the scrapbook style of Frankie Pratt may enjoy this history of scrapbooking in America.

Some of my lives: a scrapbook memoir by Rosamund Bernier.  This memoir is not presented as a scrapbook in the same way as Frankie Pratt, but it will appeal to readers who enjoyed Frankie as an independent woman making her way in world (literally and figuratively).

America in the 1920s by Edmund Lindop. This title covers everything form politics to pop culture using text that is complemented by primary sources and period photos.  It will appeal to Frankie Pratt fans who enjoyed the authentic “scraps” used to create Frankie Pratt and want more information on the time period in a manner that is more fun to read than a dry history book.

3 Relevant Fiction Works and Authors

The Teahouse Fire by Ellis Avery. This is another coming-of-age story about that also offers a strong sense of place and nostalgic feel that Frankie Pratt readers may have enjoyed.

The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet by Reif Larsen.  Though this coming-of-age story follows a boy and is set in present day, this richly-detailed novel has large margins that are full of handwritten notes, maps, and drawings that “give the book the feel of an authentic journal,” similar to the authentic feel of Frankie’s scrapbook.

Paper, scissors, death: a scrapbooking mystery by Joanna Campbell-Slan. Though this is the first book in the mystery series, Paper, Scissors, Death and Frankie Pratt are both gentle and cozy stories with engaging characters.

Name: Ally C.

The Hummingbird’s Daughter

Author: Luis Alberto Urrea

Title: The Hummingbird’s Daughter

Genre: Historical fiction

Publication Date: 2005

Number of Pages: 499

Geographical Setting: Mexico

Time Period: 1880s

Series: n/a, but story is continued in Queen of America.

Plot Summary: The Hummingbird’s Daughter is the historic story of Urrea’s great aunt. After researching his Aunt Teresita for twenty years, Urrea recreated the magical stories of the People’s struggle and his aunt that were passed down to him. Teresita is born into hardship, her young mother abandons Teresita early on and with no idea of who her father is Teresita is forced to move in with an abusive aunt. However the small-village life opens up new possibilities for Terestia as she makes friends with a healing woman named Huila. It is soon discovered that Teresita also inherited skills in healing. Urrea uses a strong sense of place and nature writing to give Teresita the power to heal with herbs and plants. As Teresita becomes a young woman, it becomes obvious to the People that her ability to heal is more than earthly and they deem her to be a Saint. Crowds gather as she heals and sends a message that the Mexican government sees as rebellious and threatening. Through poetic language and a witty undercurrent an inspiring story is woven through historic details creating a dramatic and thoughtful image of Saint Teresita.

Subject Headings: Teenage girls – fiction. Young women – fiction. Mexican Civil War – fiction. Nineteenth century – fiction. Women healers – fiction. Women saints – fiction. Ranchers – fiction. Family – fiction. Paternity – fiction. Near-death experience – fiction. Faith – fiction. Revolutions – fiction. Midwife – fiction.

Appeal: magical, compelling, well-developed characters, faithful characters, character-driven, thought-provoking, political, atmospheric, historical details, descriptive language, poetic, inspiring, witty, strong sense of place, strong sense of nature, relaxed pace.

3 Appeal Terms that Best Describe the Book: magical, poetic, well-developed characters

Similar Authors and Works (why are they similar?):

3 Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors:
Teaching a Stone to Talk by Annie Dillard – A collection of writings about nature and spirituality, written with a poetic style.

Infusions of Healing: A Treasury of Mexican-American Herbal Remedies by Joie Davidow – Just as Huila taught Teresita the power of plants, you can learn too. 200 herbs, their descriptions, and their healing uses are explained in this book.

The Big Book of Women Saints by Sarah Gallick – It was her People that gave Teresita the title of being a Saint, we saw her own understanding of the situation, her inner desires, and her sense of purpose. Read about the lives of other Saintly women.

3 Relevant Fiction Works and Authors:

Sacred Ground by Barbara Wood – In this character-driven, moving, and compelling novel, a young female healer is cursed by another person in her village. The curse affects and radiates through her life and her family relationships.

Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc by Mark Twain – Through Twain’s witty writing style, moving tone, with a strong sense of place, he explores the life of Joan of Arc in this historical fiction.

Malafrena by Ursula K. Le Guin – Like The Hummingbird’s Daughter, this is a historical fiction and a coming-of-age story combined, with a relaxed pace and an atmospheric tone the story of a man who leaves his town to join a revolution.

name: Jaymie

Maisie Dobbs

Title: Maisie Dobbs

Author: Jacqueline Winspear

Genre: Mystery–Historical

Publication Date: 2003

Number of Pages: 294

Geographical Setting: London

Time Period: WWI-era England

Series (If applicable): Maisie Dobbs

Plot Summary: Intelligent, spunky Maisie Dobbs deals with “discreet investigations” for a living in London just after World War I.  Her first case appears to be a run of the mill infidelity matter but leads her to the Retreat, something of a convalescent home and monastery combined, and elevates the mystery to a higher level.  As the mystery unfolds, so does Maisie’s personal history, from working as a servant in a grand household, to her education encouraged and supported by Lady Rowan, to her time spent on the front as nurse during World War I.  Mystery, history, war and romance are woven together in this upbeat and engaging read.

Subject Headings: The Teens (20^th Century); Women detectives; Extramarital relations; Domestic workers; Nurses; Human nature; Women psychologists; The Twenties (20^th century); Psychologiest-detectives; Murder; World War I veterans; World War I; Dobbs, Maisie; Housekeepers.

Appeal: compelling; easy; relaxed; comfortable; compassionate; poignant; upbeat; engaging; series (characters); strong secondary characters; character-centered; richly detailed; historical details; accessible; engaging; unpretentious; well-plotted; compelling;

3 appeal terms that best describe this book: character-driven; engaging; strong woman protagonist

3 Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors

Below Stairs by Margaret Powell.  This memoir of a “affecting portrait of a vital, intelligent young woman“ (Kirkus) details the author’s time in service as a kitchen maid in 1920s England. Readers might enjoy reading about what Maisie’s life may have been like had Lady Rowan not encouraged Maisie’s education.

Elsie and Mairi Go to War: Two Extraordinary women on the Western Front. Elsie Knocker and Mairi Gooden-Chisholm, like Maisie, are courageous, intelligent and unconventional women who set up an aid station on the Western Front.  Readers who enjoyed Maisie Dobbs may also enjoy this true account of spunky nurses during World War I.

The Great Silence: Britain from the shadow of the First World War to the dawn of the Jazz Age by Juliet Nicolson.  Readers who appreciated the details of Britain during the World War I era in Maisie Dobbs may appreciate this social history of the first two years in Britain following World War I.

3 Relevant Fiction Works and Authors

In the Bleak Midwinter by Julia Spencer-Fleming.  This first novel in mystery series also features a strong, smart, independent woman protagonist who is war veteran.  Though In the Bleak Midwinter takes place in the US after the Iraq War, this compelling story also offers a strong sense of place that readers may have enjoyed in Maisie Dobbs.

A Duty to the Dead by Charles Todd. Like Maisie, the main character in this mystery series is a strong, resourceful and self-sufficient woman serving as a British nurse during World War I.  The only difference between this character-driven, compelling mystery series and Maisie Dobbs is that the mysteries take place during the Great War.

Alfred and Emily by Doris May Lessing.  Half fiction and half memoir, Alfred and Emily opens with a novella that imagines what life for her parents would have been like if World War I had never happened.  Fans of Maisie Dobbs may be interested in an idea of what Britain would have been like if WWI never happened.

Name: Ally C.

The Book Thief

Author: Markus Zusak

Title: The Book Thief

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publication Date: 2005

Number of Pages: 552

Geographical setting: Germany

Time Period: Word War II (1939-1945)

Plot Summary:  Liesel Meminger knows death.  It is the reason why she is in foster care.  After suffering the loss of her mother and brother, this young German girl develops a knack for stealing books.  Her talent is of even greater value when she learns to how to read, and can regale the stolen stories to her family and neighbors.  Her obsession takes her on a number of adventures to obtain what she desires most – books.  Set during the Holocaust outside Munich Germany, this haunting work of fiction is captivating and powerful.

Subject Headings: 1. Germany–History–1933-1945–Juvenile Fiction. 2. Books and reading–Fiction. 3. Storytelling–Fiction. 4. Death–Fiction. 5. Jews–Germany–History–1933-1945–Fiction. 6. World War, 1939-1945–Jews–Rescue–Fiction.

Appeal: haunting, moving, dark, absorbing, character-driven, intense, complex, compelling, lyrical, challenging, sophisticated, powerful.

3 appeal terms that best describe this book: absorbing, haunting, sophisticated

Similar Authors and Works (why are they similar?):

3 Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors

1. Night, Elie Wiesel – a narrative of a boy who survived the Holocaust in various camps.

2. Auschwitz: a new history, Laurence Rees – a historical account of what happened in Auschwitz.

3. A Lucky Child: a memoir of surviving Auschwitz, Thomas Buergenthal – an autobiography of wht it was like to survive Auschwitz at the age of eleven.

3 Relevant Fiction Works and Authors

1. Auschwitz, Pascal Croci – a graphic novel that tells the story of two survivors of the concentration camp

2. Postcards from No Man’s Land, Aidan Chambers – similar in that it is character-driven, stylistically complex, compelling with to references Word War II.

3. Keturah and Lord Death, Martine Leavitt – a dark, gripping fantasy in which, Death is one of the main characters.

Shanghai Girls

Author: See, Lisa

Title: Shanghai Girls

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publication Date: 2009

Number of Pages: 314

Geographical Setting: China, United States (Los Angeles)

Time Period: 1937-1957

Series: 1^st of sequel (Dreams of Joy)

Plot Summary:

Sisters, Pearl and May live a care-free and enjoyable life of modeling and luxuries wealthier Chinese were afforded in the 1930s until one day their lives were changed forever.  Forced into arranged marriages with two brothers, the girls are forced to flee war-torn China and head to America to be with their husbands.  Life in America is hard for the women, forced to live with and work for in-laws that appear to be cruel.  The women must rely on each other through the many struggles they face. This book explores complicated family relationships and the difficulties of immigration, especially for Chinese in the 1950s.

Subject Headings: Chinese-American women, Immigrants-United States, The Thirties (20^th century), Sisters, Chinese-American immigrants, Father and daughter, Husband and wife, Family secrets, Betrayal, Loyalty.

Appeal: leisurely paced, bittersweet, moving, emotionally charged, well-developed characters, strong secondary character, character-centered, unresolved ending, historical, descriptive writing, sobering, family-centered

3 Appeal terms to best describe book: moving, character-centered, family-centered

3 Fiction read-alikes:

Paradise Alley, by Kevin Baker. This book was chosen because it is about immigrants, and suspicion being cast upon them. This book is also historical fiction, and explores racism, and parts of history that aren’t often discussed.

Away, by Amy Bloom. This was chosen because it deals with issues of immigration in the early 20^th century.  It also deals with a mothers love for her daughter.  It also has rich, fully developed characters, and is read at a relaxed pace.

The Buddha in the Attic, by Julie Otsuka. This book is similar in that it is about women immigrants to the U.S.  and it deals with stereotyping and skepticism during the war. It also explores the hardships of raising children in the U.S. with a culture very different from yours. Like Shanghai Girls, it is character driven, historical, moving, and sobering.

3 Non-fiction read-alikes:

The Sisters: The Saga of the Mitford Family, by Mary S. Lovell.  This book explores the lives and relationships between 6 sisters who take different paths in life.

Girlfriends: Invisible Bonds, Enduring Ties, by Carmen Renee Barry. This book explores the loyalty and sometimes complicated relationships between women friends. The friendship between May and Pearl is an important theme in the book.

The Rice Groom: Growing up Chinese-American: From Number Two Son to Rock ‘n’ Roll, by Ben Fong-Torres.  This book is about growing up Chinese in Oakland’s Chinatown in the 1950s, and facing discrimination.

The Other Boleyn Girl

Author: Philippa, Gregory

Title: The Other Boleyn Girl

Genre: Biographical, Historical Fiction, Romance

Publication Date: 2002

Number of Pages: 664

Geographical Setting: England

Time Period: 1509-1547

Series (If applicable): Tudor Novels number 2

Plot Summary:  When Henry VIII becomes infatuated with the Boleyn sister’s, England townspeople are uncertain if they can trust either one of the women to take over the throne as Henry’s queen. Mary is the story’s narrator and it is through her eyes that we are retold this tale of the king’s court and the numerous affairs that are taken place within the palace walls. As Ann becomes the infamous lover of Henry and strives to replace Queen Catherine, Mary, who was once the king’s mistress and had 2 children with him, seems to fall back in the shadows and becomes the “other Boleyn girl”. This novel is engaging from the first page to the last and moves fairly quickly. The reader will enjoy learning about the two main characters and their development over the years both in and outside the palace as well as the various relationships among the court. Gregory captures the complicated story of love and lust in the Tudors saga.

Subject Headings: Boleyn Family,  England,  Henry VIII,  Anne Boleyn,  Mary Boleyn,  Mistress, History, Great Britain

Appeal: Character Driven, Romantic, Suspenseful, Dramatic, Descriptive, Detailed, Sister Riverary, Tudors, Ambition, England, Palace Life, Plot-Driven, Engaging, Power, Love, Anne Boleyn, Mary Boley, Henry VIII

3 appeal terms that best describe this book: Sisters, Palace Life and Love

Similar Authors and Works (why are they similar?):

  3 Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors

The Lady in the Tower: the fall of Anne Boleyn by Alison Weir. During her final days before her execution, Anne, the second wife of Henry VIII, Weird talks about the tragic life that she faced as both a Queen and a prisoner. Despite many myths and rumors that surround this fascinating woman, the book is a compelling portrait of one of the most influential queens.

Riding the bus with my sister by Rachel Simon. Rachel has a sister named Beth who has an intellectual disability. She spends the majority of her day riding the buses in her Pennsylvania city. When asked to accompany her on a bus for an entire year, Rachel not only learns life lessons from her wise sibling but also viewing the world through Beth’s eyes. This novel will pleasure readers for its honesty, humor and quick pace.

Loose Woman: Poems by Sandra Cisneros. This collection of peoms celebrates the female aspects of love varying from reflective to erotic. It is a character-driven, relaxed pace book that has a reflective and moving tone. It is lyrical and explores the consequences of being Hispanic women and the tough, free-spirited “loose” women that she associates with.

     3 Relevant Fiction Works and Authors

            Cleaopatra Confesses by Carolyn Meyer. This book follows Princess Cleaopatra in a coming of age story taking place in ancient Egypt.  Following a young princess to her adolescent years, this detailed book keeps readers engaged from beginning to end. A novel of life’s luxurious, sibling rivalry and intelligent woman who want only one thing; to rule their country.

Dutchess of Aquitaine: A novel of Eleanor by Margaret Ball. This compelling and powerful story of Eleanor a strong-willed queen at an early age of 15. She marries the crown prince of France and for what seem like a happily ever after fairy tale, her life takes an startling turn. Readers will enjoy Ball’s well-paced novel with compelling characters. This book is a crowd pleaser for those who enjoy learning about the inner workings of palace life.

While my sister sleeps by Barbara Delinksy. Molly Snow has always lived in her sister’s shadow. Robyn, who is an Olympic athlete and favorite child of the Snow family, Molly feels that she will never be the star in her parent’s eyes. It isn’t until Robin has a heart attack that may be fatal that Molly realizes how important her sister really is to her. In this thought-provoking story, Delinksy shows the hardships of letting go and the true meaning of love and family.

Garden of Beasts

Author: Jeffrey Deaver

Title: Garden of Beasts

Genre: Adventure, Historical Fiction

Publication Date: 2004

Number of Pages: 11 discs

Geographical Setting: New York City, New York; Berlin, Germany; other various

Time Period: 1936

Series (If applicable): N/A

Plot Summary:  When hitman Paul Schumann finds himself caught in a sting set up by New York City police, he recognizes that his luck has run out.  Preparing himself to be tried, jailed and probably executed, Schumann is surprised when he is given a choice: instead of facing the consequences in America, he can work a job for the American government and assassinate a political leader in the burgeoning Nazi government.  When he accepts, Schumann is sent off on a wild and crazy ride through Berlin where he meets local characters, beautiful women, and the most dangerous and evil villains in the world at that time.  Narrated by several characters other than Schumann, including a German police detective hot on Schumann’s heels and the object of Schumann’s assassination plot, the audio book version’s performer Jefferson Mays does a decent job of differentiating between characters and uses accents to provide local color.

Subject Headings: Mafia hitman; Nazi Germany; German Olympics; Adolf Hitler; Jesse Owens; Assassination plot; Detectives; Anti-semitism

 Appeal: Builds in intensity, engrossing, fast-paced, atmospheric, dangerous, dramatic, menacing atmosphere, stark, detailed characters, flawed characters, strong secondary characters, multiple points of view, action-oriented, character-centered, cinematic, investigative, multiple plot lines, plot twists, thought-provoking, detailed setting, historical details, political, unpretentious language, jargon

3 appeal terms that best describe this book: Builds in intensity, flawed characters, historical details

3 Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors

In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson

A piece of narrative nonfiction, this title describes the lives of the William E. Dodd, the American ambassador to the Third Reich, and his family as they lived in Berlin during the period before World War II.  Figuring in the story also are the characters of Göring and Goebbels who are featured in Jeffrey Deaver’s novel of almost the same title.

Hitman: The Untold Story of Johnny Martorano: Whitey Bulger’s Enforcer and the Most Feared Gangster in the Underworld by Howie Carr

This biography of Johnny Martorano, a hitman for the mob tells the story of life for a real hitman.  It also discusses the knowledge of some politicians and the FBI of Martorano’s activities.  This mirrors Schumann’s eventual connection to political and law enforcement organizations as well as giving more information about his line of work.

Backing Hitler: Consent and Coercion in Nazi Germany by Robert Gellately

This title discusses and rejects the idea that the German population as a whole knew nothing about the atrocities committed by Hitler and his minions.  It discusses this point of view using primary sources including case studies and news sources.  Some of the terms and ideas touched on in Garden of Beasts are presented and expounded upon in this book.

3 Relevant Fiction Works and Authors

A Game of Lies by Rebecca Cantrell

The third in a series about German crime reporter Hannah Vogel, this title takes place during the 1936 Olympics in Hitler’s Berlin, Germany.  This historical mystery shares a time period and setting with Garden of Beasts.

Casino Royale: a James Bond novel by Ian Fleming

This first James Bond novel has 007 taking on the Soviet Union.  It includes many elements similar to Deaver’s Garden of Beasts including adventure, international intrigue and assassins and is written with a fast-paced and suspenseful style.

Killing Castro by Lawrence Block

This novel, written in 1961 tells the story of 5 Americans offered $20,000 to kill Fidel Castro.  The fast-paced suspense story includes multiple plot lines and a suspenseful feel that may appeal to fans of Garden of Beasts.

Name: Christi H.

The Night Watch (Audio-Unabridged)

Author: Waters, Sarah (Narrated by Juanita McMahon)

Title: The Night Watch (Audio-Unabridged)

Genre:  Historical Fiction Publication Date: 2006

Number of pages: 13 CD Disks

Geographical Setting: London, England

Time period: World War II.

Plot Summary: In this lyrical and structurally complex story, the author describes the atmosphere of the World War II-era London through the experiences of four main characters-Viv, Kay, Helen, and Duncan-and a full set of secondary characters. As the narrative of the book moves backwards from 1947 to 1941, Waters very slowly reveals the details of her characters and their eventual connections through love, hardship and tragedy.  As most of Waters’ books, the story deals with homosexuality and love between women, but it also casts light on the issues of suicide, pacifism, and class and gender roles during that time period. The story does a fine job at showing the physical devastation of the war and the psychological scars caused by betrayal, longing, loss and regret, still the books feels underwhelming when compared to other novels by Sarah Waters.  The backward construction is clever but it also rids the plot of any mystery and greatly slows down the pacing, while the multiplicity of characters decreases their complexity and emotional resonance.  These construction flaws are only underscored by Juanita McMahon’s audio delivery. The narrator tries to differentiate between multiple characters by using different tones and accents but, with a mostly androgynous set of characters, it does not quite work. Also, poor editing and lack of significant pauses make it difficult to keep track of transitions between different people, places and times in the story. Although I am a great proponent of audio books, I feel that this book would be better experienced through reading.

Subject Headings: World War II, 1939-1945 England-London-Fiction; London Bombardment-World War II; Historical Fiction; Psychological Fiction; War Stories; Relationships; Gay and Lesbian Relationships.

Appeal: character-driven, intricately-plotted, relaxed-paced, atmospheric, moody, bleak, compelling, descriptive, lyrical, dark, psychological, uneasy, multiple points of view and plot lines, complex, episodic, layered, historical frame.

3 Appeal Terms that Best Describe this Book: complex, atmospheric, character-driven.

3 Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors:

1) World War II London Blitz Diary (A Woman’s Revelations Enduring War and Marriage) by Ruby Alice Side-Thompson: An unfiltered account of the destruction and the quality of life during the London Blitz. Also, it is a compelling and dark story of an unhappy marriage, social conventions, and personal loss.

2) London at War, 1939-1945 by Phillip Ziegler: A story about a diverse group of Londoners–men, women, and children, rich and poor, heroes and cowards– living through the London Blitz. Through the use of a rich collection of interviews, diaries, books and newspapers, the author creates a complex and compelling portrait of Londoners during the World War II.

3) Coming Out Under Fire: The History of Gay Man and Women In World War Two by Allan Berube: A comprehensive history of gays’ and lesbians’ involvement in the war, including information on the work opportunities, the relationships, the gender and race relations, and on the impact of the anti-gay laws.

3 Relevant Fiction Works and Authors:

1) The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman: A lyrical and complex story about a group of women trying to survive during the first century’s siege of Masada. Similarly to The Night Watch, this novel is rich in historical details, full of diverse characters, layered plot elements, and psychological drama.

2) Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian: A small group of people is fleeing westwards through Europe devastated by World War II. The story is historic in setting, lyrical in language, and addresses similar subject of love and physical and psychological destruction of war.

3) The End of the Affair by Graham Green: Tells a story of an affair during the London Blitz, and the mystery behind the woman’s decision to end the affair. Aside of the similarities in time and setting, the story is also character-driven and deals with relationships and the psychology of love and loss.

Megan Rosol

The Hangman’s Daughter

Author: Oliver Potzsch

Title: The Hangman’s Daughter

Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction

Publication Date: Published in Germany in 2008. Translated into English by Lee Chadeayne in 2010.

Number of Pages: 435

Geographical Setting: Bavaria (Modern-day Germany)

Time Period: 17^th Century

Series (If applicable): N/A

Plot Summary: In a small town in 17^th century Bavaria, children are being murdered. Adding to the town’s panic, signs of witchcraft are found on each of the victims. With marauding soldiers left over from the Thirty Years’ War roaming the countryside and faced with the danger of famine or poverty from a bad crop year, the town council just wants this problem to go away. The town’s midwife, Martha Stechlin, is quickly arrested on suspicion of witchcraft and murder. Jakob Kuisl, as town executioner, is forced to torture Martha to make her confess to the murders. Jakob does not believe that Martha is either the murderer or a witch and finds himself with just days to find out who is really killing the children. With the help of his daughter, Magdalena and Simon, the town’s young doctor, who is also in love with Magdalena, Jakob, sets out on the dangerous mission of proving Martha’s innocence.

Subject Headings: Executioners, Witchcraft, Midwives, Bavaria, Thirty Years’ War

Appeal: Engrossing, Builds in intensity, Atmospheric, Dark, Suspenseful, Plot-driven, Well-drawn characters, Violent, Investigative, Historical details, Small-town, Well-researched

3 appeal terms that best describe this book: Dark, Suspenseful, Historical details

3 Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors

1) The History of Torture by Daniel P. Mannix. Readers can learn all they want to know about this gruesome aspect of human history.

2) Witchcraft: A History (Dark Histories Series) by P.G. Maxwell-Stuart. This is a scholarly yet readable look at witchcraft from Roman times to the present.

3) The Thirty Years’ War 1618-1648 (Essential Histories Series) by Richard Bonney. This book explains why the Thirty Years’ War was a turning point in the development of warfare and looks at the especially devastating effects of the war on civilians.

3 Relevant Fiction Works and Authors

1) Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin. Set in the twelfth century, this historical mystery is about a female medical student from Italy who comes to England to investigate the deaths of four children.

2) The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco. Though written in a challenging literary style, this historical mystery set in a medieval Italian monastery would appeal to fans of The Hangman’s Daughter.

3) The Sheen on the Silk by Anne Perry. This is a stand-alone historical mystery set in 13^th-century Constantinople at the beginning of a Crusade.

Name: Elizabeth Allen