Book Review: Liberty Falling by Nevada Barr

Tough yet vulnerable Anna Pigeon, worried about her sister who is very ill in the hospital in New York, spends some time on the Ellis and Liberty Island National Monuments. While dealing with her sister’s crisis, she faces dangers of her own.

I enjoyed Anna as a heroine—she’s well written and very real. I enjoyed how Nevada Barr was able to describe the “behind-the-scenes” settings of the Monuments, the part the tourists never see, and make you feel like you are truly there. She is deft at writing suspense while still keeping her characters and their situations engaging.

I didn’t really care for the mystery or its resolution—in my mind, the plot took second place to the settings and characters. But I did enjoy the book and probably will read more.

Book Review: Aunt Dimity's Death by Nancy Atherton

Take a pinch of mystery, a bit of a ghost story, a bittersweet wartime romance, and a thoroughly engaging heroine who finds a little romance of her own. Add some lovably quirky supporting characters and a cozy setting and you have a recipe for a delightful reading experience. Lori never thought Dimity was real—until Dimity died. Finding out the mystery behind Dimity’s life, with the help of Bill Willis, helps Lori heal from her own heartbreak and embark on new adventures. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more in the Dimity series.