Tag Archives: CL Polk

History’s Mysteries: The Naturalist’s Daughter and Witchmark

28 Aug

The Naturalist’s Daughter
by Tea Cooper
The Naturalist’s Daughter is about two Australian women who have a hundred years between them but share similar curious natures and adventurous constitutions. Rose Winton grows up in Agnes Banks, NSW in 1808 assisting her naturalist father Charles Winton on his research of the platypus, sometimes referred to as mallangongs by the native inhabitants. Tamsin Alleyn is a librarian who travels from Sydney to find out if an old sketchbook may have been Charles’s work. Both women must use all their courage to uncovers their respective mysteries. There is also a charming romance between Tamsin and a lawyer assisting with the estate sale the sketchbook is part of. At one point Rose travels to England and her story takes a bit of a gothic turn, but the story overall has a core of sweet wholesomeness and the quaint old-fashioned language and vivid descriptions of the past will intrigue those who enjoy historical fiction. Tea Cooper is also the author of a variety of other historical novels including The Butterfly Collector, The Fossil Hunter, The Girl in the Painting, and The Women in the Green Dress.

Witchmark
by C.L. Polk
We read Witchmark by C.L. Polk for the Hoboken Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Discussion in August. I had enjoyed several of Polk’s previous works so was intrigued to check out this genre spanning work set in a world similar to Edwardian England after a World War and hear what the book discussion group thought of their work. The book mixes together mystery, fantasy, romance, and historic fiction into a delightful concoction. Wealthy families use their power to control the weather and society around them. Miles is trying to hide from his magical destiny, first as a soldier and now as a doctor at a military hospital. But someone from his past turns up and then he meets a charming gentleman straight out a fairy story and his days of hiding come to a dramatic end. Can Miles solve the mystery of a murdered patient whose life he tried to save? This is the first in the Kingston Cycle Series.

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager

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A Dash of History with Your Mysteries: Even Though I Knew the End by CL Polk, Peril in Paris by Rhys Bowen, and Of Dragons, Feasts, and Murders by Aliette De Bodard

9 Nov

Even Though I Knew the End
by CL Polk
I had previously read and enjoyed CL Polk’s novel about witches The Midnight Bargain so was curious to check out their latest novel, Even Though I Knew the End. Even Though I Knew the End is a supernatural noir which takes inspiration from The Great Gatsby and is set in an alternative Chicago in the early 20th century where magic and demons are real and deals at the crossroads bring your heart’s desire for the cost of your soul. The supernatural elements are cleverly integrated and the sweet Sapphic romance as well as a story of reunited siblings was fast paced. If anything, it was over a bit too quickly for my taste, I wanted more of the charming characters and their adventures. It also had probably one of my favorite fictional demons. Lucky for you no soul selling required, you can check out a copy from the library.

Peril in Paris
by Rhys Bowen
Peril in Paris, on the other hand, is a good choice for those looking for a historic mystery with less fantasy of the supernatural variety and a bit more humor. I wasn’t sure now that Georgina was married and pregnant with her first child if some of the adventure in the Royal Spyness might be lacking, but Peril in Paris cured any worries I’ve had. Although I’m always a fan of the capers of the poor yet aristocratic Georgina, this novel was one of my favorites with Georgie encountering such historic figures as Coco Chanel and Gertrude Stein when she visits her friend Belinda in France and assists her husband on a secret mission for Britain. Of course there is also a murder mystery to be solved. Rhys Bowen does a brilliant job of weaving together history, humor, romance, and mystery. Fans of cozy mysteries even those not typically interested in historic settings will be delighted. I received an early copy of Peril in Paris and Even Though I Knew the End for review from Netgalley. Hoboken Public Library patrons can borrow them using the Libby App from eBCCLS.

Dragons, Feasts, and Murders
by Aliette De Bodard
Another quick fantasy/mystery read, the novella, Dragons, Feasts, and Murders is the first in the Dragons and Blades series which spun off from the Dominion of the Fallen Trilogy. During Lunar New Year, the dragon prince, Thuan takes his husband Asmodeus, a fallen angel, home to spend time with family, however, the revelries are interrupted by a murder that Asmodeus can’t resist attempting to solve. The setting is an alternate history Vietnamese inspired kingdom at the bottom of the Seine River in post-apocalyptic Paris where characters have an aquatic creature side to their humanoid appearance, which is depicted in as intriguingly original a way as it sounds. You can also borrow the second in De Bodard’s series Of Charms, Ghosts and Grievances from Hoopla.

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager

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