July 2017 Book Report

Love Thy Neighbor (2003) by Ann Turner

The subtitle of this YA book is “The Tory Diary of Prudence Emerson, Green Marsh, Mass. 1774.”  This fiction book is written as if by a young girl at the start of the American Revolution. What makes it so interesting is that it’s written by someone on the “other side” of the war. Prudence is from a proud family that supports the King and is slowly shunned by the others in the town as things heat up. Even her older brother chooses the side of the Patriots. Very interesting perspective.

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The Black Vulture (1941) by Gene Ashcroft

Talk about your Gothic intrigue!! I loved this book! Old Silas Flint dies and in his will exacts revenge against those who wronged him. Everyone in the will MUST come and stay in his crumbling mansion for a certain duration and is free to hunt for hidden treasure. Whoever is still alive at the end and has found the treasure wins. Great atmospheric piece!

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Death at Sea (A Murder Mystery in 3-D) (1994) by Len Oszustowicz

Fun little book illustrated with “magic eye” pics. You’re supposed to be able to find the clues in the pictures to solve the murder of elderly Millicent Prestwood for her millions. It takes place aboard her late husband’s yacht, and everyone there is a suspect. The pics are a tad difficult to figure out, but the story is top-notch and witty. I wish the author had actually written some real mysteries.

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O Christmas Tea (2016) by Amy Woods/Kristen Eckhardt

Jan and Elaine host a famous food critic who wants to write a review of their tea room. When the critic collapses after tasting some of the tea and goodies, a rival tea room is suspected of poisoning her. The health department shuts the tea room down and the cousins now must find out who the perp is.

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The Paper Dolls (1964) by L.P. Davies

I first read this in junior high and it bothered my mind a great deal. I had never really read much in the way of psychological weirdness before. It haunted me for a long time. Reading it again recently, I was able to appreciate it much more. It takes place in England at a fancy private school. A tragedy occurs that points to something very odd going on with one of the young students, Rodney. Rodney was adopted as a baby and his parents are obviously afraid of him. Teachers Gordon and Joan do some digging and learn that Rodney has a twin somewhere. They try to find the twin and discover the results of experiments done in a concentration camp.