Memory Man by David Baldacci (2015) Grand Central Publishing

This has the marks of a mystery in terms of the killer is seen up-front in an early chapter of the book surrounding the explanation of the main character, Amos Decker, explaining his mental condition.  And in the repeated review of what is known so far leading to clues that are doled-out throughout the book – some of which the great detective, Amos, ends-up explaining to others or is revealed in the next chapter.  It is a thriller in that the pace is relentless and the stakes continue to increase the pressure; as more and more people are killed or threatened with their murder.

The Great Unexpected by Sharon Creech (2012) Joanna Cotler Books 

Naomi and her best friend, Lizzie, live in the town of Blackbird Tree. They’re both orphans living with people they’re not actually related to.  Naomi lives with Nula and Joe, who are kind-of her grandparents, but not really, and Lizzie lives with foster parents she thinks will adopt her.

Then there’s a boy who falls out of a tree and lands on Naomi.  His name is Finn, as is every fourth boy in Ireland.  But they’re not in Ireland.

Then there’s a woman in Ireland who is setting-up her revenge.  And it involves Nula and Naomi and Lizzie.

The Sorceress by Michael Scott (2009) Ember

Being the third volume of The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel.  The story of the twins continues with the Sorceress held captive on Alcatraz, guarded by a Sphinx who can drain her magical energy.  But Perrinelle has other talent – she can see and converse with ghosts.  Even though she has spent much of her long life blocking out their entreaties, now she needs them.  The primary candidate for her purposes is the ghost of the Spaniard who discovered the island and returned after his death because the view from the island was so beautiful.  He leads her to a spider goddess who is held behind wards.  Perry and the spider know each other and agree to work together, so Perry frees her from her prison, but decides to carry one of the spears that held her.  The spider helps Perry capture the Morrigan who has come to kill her.  Once the Morrigan is in the spiders’ former cell, Perry bargains and gets the Morrigan’s other personalities to take over and become an ally also.  This is necessary because Billy the Kid and Machiavelli are coming to kill Perry.  In the meantime, the twins are taken to London to see Gilgamesh so he can teach them about the magic of water.  Dr. John Dee failed to capture them in France, but England is his territory.  The twins want to return to America and the place to do that is Stonehenge.

The Imitation Game: Alan Turing Decoded by Jim Ottaviani, Illustrated by Leland Purvis (2016) Abrams ComicArts

Having seen the movie, this graphic novel version was a must read.  Turing’s life has been documented and written about several times, but this version holds no judgement of him and especially about his accomplishments.  It is thoughtful and broad, allowing the input of those who knew him and worked with him.  A satisfying read.

Montparnasse by Thierry Sagnier (2019) Apprentice House

Life for the artists and expatriates at the end of The Great War, living and loving in Paris.  The next time I visit Paris, I must go to Montparnasse and see if I can drink up half as much atmosphere as abounds in Thierry’s masterful rendition. 

He paints a vivid portrait of how amazing and complex a time it was to be in Paris.  It was a new beginning for the country after the war was over. And it was a terribly sad time, so many people faced terrible losses of life and limb. 

We see this through the eyes of American’s who have chosen to stay; a strong woman who cajoles her husband into staying, resulting in his becoming rich and possibly in each of them finding their own way to live and love, and through the eyes of a serial killer, who lures war widows for their money.  And through the landscape of the artists who lived in Montparnasse at the time.

This novel affects me both as a reader, drinking up the beautiful language and story, and as a writer.  I’m encouraged to follow Thierry’s/M. Renoir’s advice and write every day, even if it to describe a lemon, in its myriad aspects.

The Magician by Michael Scott (2008) Delacorte Press

Being the second volume of The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel.  Once in Paris, the twins and Flamel find themselves in a church.  Because of the modern age and people who like to destroy what is not locked down, there are locks and alarms on the church.  The police arrive along with another immortal, Machiavelli, who is now the head of France’s secret service.  He also supports the Dark Lords and thinks he has trapped the trio.  But Sophie has the ability to use the wind and she creates a fog so thick, the police cannot see her or her brother or Flamel.  They escape, or so they think, to the Compte de San Germain, who it turns out is married to Joan of Arc.  When Dee killed Yggdrasil, he loosed the Nidhogg from its roots.  Machiavelli has called upon the Valkyries, who hate Skathatch because she nearly wiped them all out.  Machiavelli’s personal assistant, chauffer, and bodyguard, Nodthose, also hates Skathatch for a similar reason.  He is the last of his kind.  But Machiavelli holds him back.  What they don’t know is Flamel has returned to his old house in Paris, which still stands, and retrieve Clarent, the twin to Excalibur, and the sword used by Mordred to kill Arthur.  Germain teaches Sophie Fire Magic.  Germain’s house is attacked and the Valkyries loose Nidhogg.  Sophie manages to freeze two of the Valkyries, but Nidhogg captures Skathatch and leaves for the river.  Josh, using Clarent, manages to turn the monster to stone and Skathatch is released just before the monster sinks into the Seine.  But before they all can catch their breath, Nodthose leaps from the river and grabs Skathatch.  Flamel and the twins leave for London.