Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict

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Dorothy Sayers is tired of men taking control of everything. In spite of the literary accomplishments of her female colleagues, they are being completely minimized by the men who are initiating the new Detection Club. a club for mystery authors seeking to heighten the prestige of the genre. Well, Dorothy will not take this lying down! After her little gathering of five women authors she feels have proven themselves worthy of being included, she hatches a plan to have them inducted into this club as well. Nevertheless, the men continue to ignore, even denigrate them. What if they, as writers of murder mysteries themselves, solve an actual, real-life murder mystery? Perhaps then their male peers will take them seriously. This, however, turns out to be more complicated than she ever imagines.

If you’re looking for a bit of morbid fun, this book is for you! The “Queens” as they call themselves, find themselves deep in the mire of a brutal murder that could potentially stump even them. As they delve deeper and deeper into the details, they learn to work together, to appreciate each other’s strengths and support each other through their weaknesses. We learn that everyone appears to have some sort of secret, some part of themselves that they would prefer be kept hidden from the public eye. They are vulnerable, because particularly at the time this story takes place, the interval between the great wars, women had little in the way of independence and relied not only on their “upstanding” reputations but also, of course, on the men around them. Even women with means. Even women who were as famous for their brilliance and talent as this authors were.

The characters themselves, as well as the plot, hold intrigue, humor, sensitivity, and surprise – keeping at least this reader completely engaged. Once again, Marie Benedict has done it!

I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhorn

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It’s been years, decades even, that Anna has been fighting in a German court to establish her identity as the Grand Duchess of the Romonov family. She’s been grateful for the support of her loyal childhood friends, who have shuffled her around from sympathizer to sheltering sympathizer. But she resents that she’s been abandoned by her extended family and her former teacher, who have accused her of being an imposter. Through this dual timeline, we learn both of Anna’s traumatic experience of living through the cruelty of the Russian revolutionaries, as well as her fight to survive the aftermath.

A huge fan of this author, I was somewhat disappointed by this particular novel of hers. I am always game for a dual timeline as well as most historical fiction. I was interested in the history and fate of Tsar Nicholas and the Russian Revolution. However, because this timeline skipped around so much, both in time and location – and never in a linear fashion – it became onerous to keep track of. Moreover, the story was relentlessly heartbreaking, with little in the way of lightness. Of course, it is a brutal story, but even the most brutal history can be relayed with moments of tenderness, some expressions of wit. There was poor little of relief in this telling and, so, a heavy load to carry.

That said, I absolutely learned from it and was, in fact, surprised at the ending. Glad I read it? I’m still not sure. But I certainly feel a bit smarter for having done so.

When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton

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Beatriz has been waiting… stewing actually. She has had to flee the home she adored, has been mourning the untimely death of her twin brother, and has been trying to see a way to extracting revenge for all of it. While her sisters have taken to the society life in Palm Beach, Florida – albeit at a lower social situation than they were used to – Beatriz has held fast to the belief that she’d return to Havana, that Fidel Castro will be ousted, and that they will see Cuba return to better days. When she meets a tall, broad-shouldered, extremely handsome stranger at the ball she’s been made to attend, she is shocked by how he so quickly rocks her world. At the same time, she struggles to remain firm in her desire to pursue justice for her brother and for Cuba.

This is a beautifully written historical fiction novel that enlightened me about this piece of history about which I admittedly knew too little. Written by the author of Next Year in Havana (which I’ve not yet read. I know, I’m going in the wrong order!), this book centers on the aftermath of the revolution that Fidel Castro led, focusing on those who fled mainly to Florida. We are given a close, personal experience of what it was like to live through the Bay of Pigs with family who were affected, followed of course by the Cuban Missile Crisis. We learn of the subterfuge, the Communist agenda, and the complicated spy network that Castro spun in order to hold onto power, and we come to understand why there was suspicion of Castro’s involvement in President Kennedy’s assassination. I certainly knew bits and pieces of this history, but learning about it from the Cuban perspective is extremely helpful.

I am also enamored by Beatriz’s character. She is staunchly independent, resists the comforts she might have felt entitled to, even risks her life in order to do what she feels is right. Particularly for the time she in which she is living and the family she grew up in, she is unusual and admirable.

I highly recommend this book. It’s exactly what I love about historical fiction: the opportunity to learn important pieces of our past but in the most entertaining way.

Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon

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The dual timeline here:

1944: Helene (aka Nancy) finds herself being flown back into France, under the cover of night. From the get-go, she learns that the “rules” don’t count here on the ground and survival is what is of the utmost importance. That and arming, feeding, clothing, and paying the Resistance fighters she is here to safeguard.

1936: Nancy Wake her younger self, one who has boldly talked her way into a job as a journalist (no formal training), one of her first interviews having been with a then little-known, arrogant and aloof politician named Adolf Hitler. Soon after, we are with her as she bears witness to the evil work of his disciples, torturing Jews in a characteristic gruesome fashion in a public square in Vienna. She is immediately spurred on to do something, anything, to fight against this evil force. At the same time, she also attracts the gaze of one of France’s elite and most eligible young men. So as Europe gears up for war, Nancy is falling in love.

This is another magnificent work of historical fiction from the author of The Frozen River (reviewed here relatively recently). We follow larger-than-life Nancy Wake, an Australian national who lived in Paris before the war, just long enough to be tutored by her best friend in the language, the look, and the poise of the French. But Nancy’s accomplishments were all her own. She proved herself in the early days of the occupation by the Nazis, enough to be noticed by the right men in the right positions. Most impressive was the fact that Nancy was able to garner the respect, loyalty, and support of the thousands of men she led in their unofficial battalions of the French Resistance. It was a testament to her courage, bravado, and willingness to put herself in harm’s way for those fighting for justice.

This is most definitely a MUST READ, not only because it is an utterly addictive novel, replete with emotion and suspense, but because it is our duty to honor individuals (and particulary women, who are so often ignored in war stories) who fought so bravely for justice, civility, and democracy.

Honeysuckle Season by Mary Ellen Taylor

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Two timelines and intersecting stories:

In 1941 we begin with Sadie, running from the sheriff of her small, Virginia town, fearful for her life. Forced to abandon the baby she hardly was prepared to birth, she is trying to escape not only the sheriff, but her doomed past.

In 2020, we meet Libby, newly divorced after having survived three miscarriages, she is trying to rebuild her life in the small town where she grew up. She feels just a bit of promise when she is invited to photograph a wedding at the beautiful garden estate she visited annually as a young girl with her late mother. So begins her new connection with this estate and with Elaine, its owner.

This is a moving, sometime painful work of historical fiction, that is simply written and yet engaging. We are drawn in to these sympathetic characters, as both Sadie and Libby have experienced their own versions of trauma. We are also drawn in by our curiosity about how these stories are intertwined. While we might have been kept waiting longer to learn this, in my opinion, there are still surprises that are revealed up until the very end.

One topic addressed here is that of eugenics, the practice of surgically blocking the reproductive capacity of those who are deemed “less than” by whatever group holds power. This reprehensible practice was allowed, even encouraged in many areas of our country – and likely continues in other parts of the world today. It is utterly staggering to conceive of the hubris of those who feel they are empowered to deny others’ freedoms, that they should be allowed to literally play God. It is also not unimaginable in our current, divided, and hate-filled moment that those in power might believe they are entitled to this.

On the more positive side, we are given the gift of meeting strong women characters, such as that of Olivia. Olivia has survived The Blitz in London and has come to the US as a newly married woman. She defies social norms and befriends Sadie, showing her kindnesses and generosity that shock Sadie, who is used to being treated with scorn because of her poverty and lack of education. They develop a truly beautiful friendship that lasts for decades, despite the pressure surrounding them to be apart.

Overall, while the writing is plain, the story a bit predictable, it is still a worthwhile and enjoyable read, in my opinion.

On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

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In a letter to his mother, Little Dog shares his story, his experience as the son of a Vietnamese woman who has lived through a terrible war, and has come to America with her own mother who has also suffered greatly. Little Dog communicates his own trauma, growing up in an abusive and impoverished household. When he falls in love with his coworker, as a teenager, it is the first time he feels seen, appreciated for who he really is. We learn how this both opens up his world and creates more heartache for Little Dog.

I am conflicted over this book. On one hand, the writing is extraordinarily poetic. The language is, at times, beautiful – creating images, experiences for the reader that are vivid and tactile. Little Dog relays tender moments with his grandmother, who seeks beauty where she can find it. He paints terrifying scenes of abuse at the hands of his mother.

On the other hand, the author also jumps from timeline to timeline, from narrative to narrative – occasionally within the very same paragraph – and it is incredibly confusing to follow. We never know if the next sentence will refer to a time in Vietnam or in Hartford, CT, if it will be describing a scene he has experienced or something his grandmother has survived. The subject/story line shifts as frequently as the pages turn. I appreciate a volley between perspectives, dates; but here it happens without any transition and much too often. It is just too confusing.

There is, underneath it all, a powerful story of generational trauma. But it is quite a bit of work to get there.

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

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I rarely reread novels because generally I feel there is so little time and so many books – but this one is an exception. I have already reviewed this novel previously (please search my former review), and I stand by my initial recommendation as a MUST READ.

There are few novels written with such insight, such kindness, and such a generous outlook on the foibles of mankind as this one. The character embodied in the Count is utterly endearing, for his humility, his wisdom, and his humor. While he has been accustomed to wealth and opportunity, he also, shaped as we learn by his grandmother, has a deep appreciation for everyone, no matter their station in life, no matter their role. And so, even as he is sentenced to house arrest (albeit in the nicest hotel in Moscow), he befriends most of the staff, the guests, and even finds a helpful role for himself so that he may be productive. Still we see his most tender aspect as we observe his interactions with the children he befriends and cares for. He treats even then with the utmost respect – and earns theirs in return (along with most others’ as well).

We can all learn so much from his character – and from this incredible novel that I might just read again at some point!

It remains one of my all-time favorites!

As Bright as Heaven by Susan Meissner

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As Bright as Heaven by Susan Meissner: 9780399585975 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

Pauline and Thomas Bright have uprooted their young family from their rural tobacco farm to the city of Philadelphia. The Great War is still raging and yet it feels like the right move. They have just suffered the loss of their youngest child from a heart defect and a fresh start might be just what they need. Moreover, there is opportunity, as Thomas’s uncle Fred has agreed to bring him into his funeral home business and, as Uncle Fred is himself a bachelor, he has plenty of room in his large home for the Bright family. When the Spanish flu descends upon the city, it wreaks havoc on the family, however. On the other hand, it also brings new joy, in the form of baby Alex.

This is an emotional piece of historical fiction, blending the impact of both the first World War and the Spanish flu pandemic – a mighty double blow to our country. While we have the Covid pandemic fresh in all our minds, we forget that we have been here before, coping with a terrifying disease for which we have no immediate cure or vaccine, and from which there were thousands of deaths. While science has moved forward quite a bit since the Spanish flu, and we do have flu vaccines, this story reminds us that we never know what may be around the corner, lurking and waiting to challenge our knowledge, challenge our resources.**

That said, the story on the whole is well-written, providing details through a rotating narration, predominantly via the three remaining sisters in the Bright family. They are poignant characters, both vivid and endearing. Evie, the eldest is the most academic, setting her sights on medicine as a career. Maggie is more the maternal one, interested in helping her mother prepare the bodies for visitation. And the youngest, Willa, gradually finds her (musical) voice and seeks pleasure where she can find it. We come to love them, root for them, and pray for their happiness.

Not quite a “MUST READ” but this novel will move you and engage you.

**Which is why it is terrifying that our current administration has cut back on research funding, particularly for vaccine research. One would imagine that having had such a recent pandemic, we’d be smarter than this…!

The Unseen World by Liz Moore

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It’s early 1980’s and Ada suspects something is going on with her father, David. She knows they’ve always been different – it’s clear from the way in which their friends/neighbors, Liston and her family, are so “normal” and opposite from them in almost every way. Liston’s children go to school whereas she is homeschooled. Liston’s children are noisy, socialize with friends, and are shown physical affection regularly. But although David is not like others, she adores him for his brilliance, his inclusion of her in his work, and the example he has set. But after a lapse from David during a social gathering in his home to welcome his new graduate students into his lab, Ada senses that things will be different now – perhaps forever.

This novel, while not as wildly stirring as the author’s more famous one, The God of the Woods, is a more subtly powerful one: it confronts the devastation of Alzheimer’s Disease, the early origins of the AI bot, homophobia, and what it feels like to be “different” as a child. Ada’s story is told in two time frames – one beginning in the early 80’s and the other beginning in 2009, after she’s grown. We first meet her at the age of 12, and are privy to reflections on her unusual childhood of being homeschooled and taken in as part of the workforce in an academic computer lab. She socializes with grownups, she only knows the parenting of David, immersed in the culture of solving puzzles, challenging the mind, science and nature. Yet she is beginning to long for peer relationships. What would it be like to have a friend her age? What would it be like to go to school? The thought terrifies and intrigues her in equal parts. Sadly, as David’s heath declines, she is soon thrust into the “normal” world and has to figure out a way to survive while still holding onto the David she adores.

The intrigue comes when David is exposed as not being who he has claimed to be. His story has always been that he’s a disowned heir to a famous New York City family, yet as his health declines, and his estate is transferred over to Liston until Ada reaches legal age, there are discrepancies that come to light. This upends Ada’s world, leaving her angry, confused, and feeling abandoned. What we learn about David is unsurprising and still devastatingly sad.

This is absolutely a worthwhile read. It is both a peek into our past and a projection into our future, written with both heart and scientific insight.

The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai

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Sonia is a grad student at an elite college in Vermont. Sunny is an aspiring journalist, working as an editor of news articles in New York. Their lives cross when they each return to India, as their complicated families become connected. There is something of a spark between them – they both feel it. But will their respective demons continue to obstruct their being together?

Somehow, this novel has made it to multiple favorite lists of 2026 and I am a fair bit stunned as to why. Perhaps I am not literary or sophisticated enough to appreciate it, but I found this book to be simply too much work. I could not wait for it to be finished. At its core, there is a valuable story with relevant themes of identity, family, and the immigrant experience. But the author seemed to have sought a way to use 100 words to say what he might have said in 25 – over and over again. In reaching too high for the poetic and the symbolic, the author lost me with with what felt merely aspirational.

An example of this is a tool the author favored: writing a sentence followed by the expression of the opposite. This occurred more times than I could count. If he had utilized this once or twice, it might have carried more weight, might have been thought-provoking. The overuse of this negated its potential profundity. Similarly, the author utilized dreams to communicate the struggle of characters. But, again, overuse of this became tiresome. The reader is kept waiting for something to happen… anything.

The one positive aspect of this tome is that we are exposed to the Indian experience of battling the cultural contrast between their homeland and the US. This is portrayed as both vast and challenging. Both Sunny and Sonia have lived in both countries, but feel somewhat disconnected even as they strive to be more American. I believe their loneliness comes from not only not being with each other, but being away from their family, their home.

I am curious to hear other viewpoints, to know if I am alone in feeling as I do about this book. Any thoughts?