The Hum and The Shiver by Alex Bledsoe

This book features an insular clan of slightly askew folks whose talents for music dominate their lives.  A mysterious clan that chooses to avoid society at large and has secrets that are never to be told.

Bronwyn Hyatt is a likeable rebel in this book.  She tried to escape her fate and her family.  Her unwillingness to accept authority resonated with me and I’m sure with many others.   Her personal habits are meant to shock and yet if you flipped her gender her behavior would be lauded by many men.  

The premise of the book is very thought provoking.  This review is difficult because some of the more interesting factors would definitely be spoilers.  If you enjoy Thomas Tryon and some of Stephen King’s less flamboyant books, you will enjoy this music prone mystery.

I highly recommend it.

Body of work of Alex Bledsoe

Web Site: http://alexbledsoe.com/

The Devlin Diary by Christi Phillips

The Devlin Diary is historic fiction at its best. The story vacillates between the 1670s and the present. The mysteries of King Charles’ court and the experiences of a young American scholar at Trinity College in England provide the background of the mystery. How murders in 1670 can possibly influence a murder in the present underlie the mystery.

Phillips did a masterful job in characterization. She painted solid portraits of the main characters providing the necessary information for the reader to develop strong feelings on each individual. Her portrayal of the sordidness of the English Court contrasts dramatically with the rose tinted perceptions commonly held about English Court life. If you have read any of my other reviews, you are aware I am fond of strong female characters. Phillips crafted two women that I would be proud to know and hope that my granddaughter would emulate.

I felt the plot was intricate without being confusing. I particularly liked not being able to pre-determine the true villain. Being a romantic at heart, I also liked the final conclusion. Any loose ends were neatly bundled at the climax of the story.

I would recommend the book to those who enjoy mystery, romance and history and gentlemen don’t be put off by the comment on romance, it isn’t a romance novel, it is an excellent mystery novel that includes romance. I am going out to get her previous book, The Rossetti Letter. I don't give five dragons very often but this book demanded them.

Body of work of Christi Phillips

Review: http://www.likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/bookReview.pl?BookReviewId=7315

Web site: http://www.christi-phillips.com/

Coming tomorrow, questions and answers from the author, Christi Phillips!