Purgatory Ridge by William Kent Krueger

 "You have a choice, Corcoran O'Connor. You can keep company with despair, or you can choose a different companion."     -Henry Meloux, from the novel

I would rate this one a 5+, one of the most exciting novels I have read in ages! This is number 3 in the Cork O'Connor series and my favorite so far. I have come to love this author.

Former sheriff of Aurora, Minnesota, Cork O'Connor cannot help getting involved in local crimes. This one starts out with a protest against cutting trees and a fire, leaving one man dead. It turns out the death was not accidental. Cryptic messages from someone calling himself "Eco-Warrior" have local law enforcement and even the FBI stumped for a time. A secondary plot has casino worker, John LePere, struggling with emotional problems caused by the drowning death of his brother.

The kidnapping of the wife and son of Karl Lindstrom III, lumber magnate, adds to the suspense but not only those two, but Cork's wife and young son, as well. As you would imagine, this adds to Cork's desperate efforts to find and rescue them. The perpetrators have different intentions, and the plot twists and turns to offer surprises and keep one turning pages. I could barely put the book down 3/4 through.

One of my favorite characters, other than Cork, who I feel like I know well by now, is Henry Meloux, an old Ojibwe medicine man. He is quoted above, and I think I quoted him in another post. He has such great wisdom and Cork consults him often.

If you like a great mystery, give this one a shot. I will be on to book 4, Blood Hollow. After that, maybe I will take a break and read something else. Maybe...

The Great Christmas Kidnapping Caper by Jean Van Leeuwen

 "It's the perfect place to spend the winter. Besides all the comforts of my own little house, there is plenty of food just an escalator ride away, TV to while away the long winter nights, the electric train for excitement. And with the cop around, just enough danger to keep life interesting. Yes, I have made my decision. I will not set foot out of the store until spring."

              -Marvin the Magnificent, from the novel

This is one of my favorite books to read aloud to kids at Christmas time. Remembering my fondness for it, I wanted to share it with some new children at our church. (Sadly, my grandchildren are way too grown up and I am not sure I ever shared it with them.) It is out of print so a bit difficult to find. I did manage to order two used copies.

I reread the book in short order since I wanted to loan it out. Although I knew the plot quite well, I enjoyed it so much---an easy read and lots of laughs! Illustrations by Steven Kellogg are wonderfully detailed and comical. The book gets a 5 rating from me. Fantasy is not a favorite genre, as a rule, but when it comes to children's literature there are several exceptions. 

Marvin the Magnificent is the main character, a mouse with plenty of bravado. To get out of the cold New York December, he steps inside a store which turns out to be Macy's. As you see in the quote, he finds it the perfect home for a mouse. He soon decides to fetch his gang: Raymond the Rat (the smart one) and Fats the Fuse (well-named because he is "pleasingly plump" and has a fondness for explosives). 

The much-beloved Santa Claus of the Macy's toy department discovers the mice living in the doll house and is kind to them. When he goes missing, the gang decides he has been kidnapped and they must find and rescue him.

If I revealed anymore, I'd spoil the surprises. Just read and enjoy! (If you can find a copy!)

Merry Christmas! 

The Christmas Thief by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark

"A very special chorus of gratitude to the folks at Rockefeller Center for the joy they have given to countless millions of people over the past seven decades with their tradition of finding and decorating the most beautiful Christmas tree in the world."

                 -from Acknowledgments in the novel

This is the 2nd novel of one volume---both Christmas mysteries by Mary Higgins Clark, "America's Queen of Suspense," and her daughter.

Private investigator Regan Reilly returns in this novel, now engaged to Jack Reilly, head of Major Case Squad of NYPD, whom she met in Deck the Halls. The two are planning a long weekend in Vermont along with Regan's father and mother, Nora, a mystery writer, as well as friend and journalist/amateur detective Alvirah Meehan and her husband.  A new character is introduced, Opal Fogarty, a former lottery winner whose millions were scammed by Packy Noonan. Alvirah invites her friend Opal to come along on the trip.

If the protagonists are familiar, the antagonists are new. Packy Noonan's release from prison is imminent, after 12 years of incarceration for cheating investors out of almost $100 million dollars, Opal having been one of the victims. His accomplices are Jo Jo, Benny and the unsuspecting Milo. Their roles are arranging a getaway car for Packy's escape from parole and a hideaway until they can retrieve the hidden millions, long since converted to diamonds and secreted away. And wouldn't you know the hideaway is near the lodge where the Reillys and others are staying!

The third part of the plot is the well-publicized cutting of the Rockefeller Christmas tree from a property in Vermont, very close to the vacationing Reillys and friends. So, you guessed it: the title refers to the theft of THAT tree---all 80 feet and 3 tons of it! Sounds crazy, huh? I'll let you read to find out why and how that comes about.

I will rate The Christmas Thief a 2.5, pretty far-fetched but it kept me reading until the end. 

Deck the Halls by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark

 "Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la la la la! 

'Tis the season to be jolly, Fa la la la la la la la! 

Don we now our gay apparel, Fa la la la la la la la! 

Troll the ancient Yuletide carol, Fa la la la la la la la!

             -lyrics from "Deck the Halls"

I found this book including two mysteries by these authors in a used bookstore. I felt like I would enjoy reading something Christmassy in December and the price was right!

I will say I am not sure what the title of this book has to do with the plot except that the setting is a few days before Christmas and there IS a deck involved. 

Protagonist Regan Reilly, a private investigator, is visiting her mother, crime novelist Nora Regan Reilly, who is hospitalized with a broken leg. Right away Regan's father Luke disappears with his driver, Rosita. It soon becomes clear they have been kidnapped for ransom.

Regan, along with her friend Alvirah, an amateur sleuth, set out to find and rescue the two victims. Head of the NYPD Major Case Squad, Jack Reilly, works with them and wouldn't you know, there is some chemistry between him and Regan!  

Two little boys are missing their mother, Rosita, adding more urgency to the situation but there is some humor offered by the kidnappers as C.B. hurls insults at Petey, who obviously isn't the brightest light in the chandelier! 

I am giving this novel a 3, good entertainment but not much literary value.

Adventures in Faith by Nancy Warlick

 " I See Your Pain

I see your pain

     and want to banish it

     with a wave of a star,

but have no star.

I see your tears

     and want to dry them

     with the hem of an angel's gown,

but have no angel.

I see your heart fallen to the ground

     and want to return it

     wrapped in cloths woven of rainbow

but have no rainbow.

God is the one

     who has stars, and angels and rainbows,

and I am the one

God sends to sit beside you

until the stars come out

and the angels dry your tears

and your heart is back in place,

rainbow blessed."

                 -Anne Weems

I begin with this poem which the author mentioned is among writings that have inspired her. Knowing Nancy as I do, it is a beautiful description of her own spirit! I feel very blessed to count her among my close friends. She is an amazing woman, often referred to as the "Energizer bunny" or even Saint Nancy!

I must rate this memoir a 5; I enjoyed it immensely! Although it is not exactly a page-turner, Nancy's story is compelling and inspiring. I knew about some of her accomplishments, but I learned so much more through this reading. 

Nancy's subtitle is A Reflection of My Life in Africa and, indeed I knew she and her husband Bill had been missionaries in Africa. I never realized how many countries they had served in---5---Congo/Zaire, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique and Madagascar. I found it so interesting that they had to evacuate Congo for their own protection after speaking out against the evil tyrant, Mobutu. And I was so impressed with her lobbying in Washington, DC against US support of Mobutu.

Some of my favorite parts were the ones about Nancy's work with children, especially working with the street children in Zimbabwe, helping to start the Lovemore House and the Namumu Orphanage Center and Kanyama Crisis Nursery in Zambia, where she fell in love with little Stanley, pictured on the book cover. I remember her reports to our church congregation about these projects and that our annual Mission Fairs at Park Lake Presbyterian Church raised money for them. We have met some of the African pastors Nancy and Bill worked with when they visited our church---Paul Neshangwe, Nedson Zulu, Sebber Banda. I only wish I could have met Joan and Craig Trevelyan who did such amazing work with vulnerable children.

Our church has given generously to many of the needs brought to our attention by Nancy and Bill and also by their daughter, Elizabeth, and her husband, Dan Turk, missionaries in Madagascar. We have donated money for wells, fishing boats, birthing kits, building of churches, scholarships to Justo Mwale Theological University, bicycles for pastors who must serve many churches and many more, including the children's homes mentioned previously. 

Adventures in Faith is not without humor---especially tales of unusual pets the Warlick family had. Numerous parts are exciting where sickness or political danger threaten. The descriptions of some of the children they encountered are poignant and the whole book showcases examples of loving God and others. What a wonderful legacy Nancy has offered us in the writing of this memoir!

Crispin The Cross of Lead by Avi

 

"Lady Fortune is friend and foe.

Of poor she makes rich and rich poor also.

Turns misery to prosperity

And wellness unto woe.

So let no man trust this lady

Who turns her wheel ever so!"

        -Bear's song, from the novel

Recently I have read and blogged 2 selections of children's literature. I mentioned earlier that I read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe because of my granddaughter's performance in a school drama. There is a very different motivation for this one. A friend asked for suggestions of historical fiction for her grandson and I realized I still had a copy of Crispin in my bookcase. I remembered reading it years ago when I was still teaching and knew it was a compelling story, a Newberry Medal winner as a matter of fact. I couldn't think why I still had this novel in my collection since I had long ago given away my classroom library. When I pulled it off the shelf with the intention of passing it on to the grandson, I realized it is an autographed copy of the book signed by the author when he spoke at our local library. I still intend to give it away.

The setting of this story is 14th century England, a time when there was very strict social class structure and much hard labor and injustice for the lower classes. The protagonist has been called Asta's son for all of his 13 years but after his mother, Asta, dies, he finds out his given name is Crispin. With his mother gone, he has only one friend, Father Quinel, and one frightening enemy, John Aycliffe, the steward of Lord Furnival, who seems something like the sheriff of the small town. When Aycliffe falsely accuses Crispin of theft, he names the boy a "wolf's head" which means anyone can kill him. This sends Crispin on the run, taking with him a cross of lead given to him by his mother. 

As Lady Fortune would have it, Crispin meets up with Orson Hrothgar, a huge man called Bear. At first Bear is quite threatening and makes Crispin his slave. As they travel together though, their relationship changes. In many ways Bear saves Crispin and late in the story, Crispin is able to repay him. Bear reminded me of Hagrid in the Harry Potter series----a giant of a man, intimidating but kind-hearted.

I really enjoyed rereading this novel. I will rate it a 5 as juvenile fiction. I would think it most appropriate for grades 4 and higher.