No Place Like Murder

              

No Place Like Murder: True Crime in the Midwest by Janis Thornton

Summary: A modern retelling of 20 sensational true crimes, No Place Like Murder reveals the inside details behind nefarious acts that shocked the Midwest between 1869 and 1950. The stories chronicle the misdeeds, examining the perpetrators' mindsets, motives, lives, apprehensions, and trials, as well as what became of them long after. 

True crime author Janis Thornton profiles notorious murderers such as Frankie Miller, who was fed up when her fiancé stood her up for another woman. As fans of the song "Frankie and Johnny" already know, Frankie met her former lover at the door with a shotgun. Thornton's tales reveal the darker side of life in the Midwest, including the account of Isabelle Messmer, a plucky young woman who dreamed of escaping her quiet farm-town life. After she nearly took down two tough Pittsburgh policemen in 1933, she was dubbed "Gun Girl" and went on to make headlines from coast to coast. In 1942, however, after a murder conviction in Texas, she vowed to do her time and go straight. Full of intrigue and revelations, No Place Like Murder also features such folks as Chirka and Rasico, the first two Hoosier men to die in the electric chair after they brutally murdered their wives in 1913. The two didn't meet until their fateful last night. 

An enthralling and chilling collection, No Place Like Murder is sure to thrill true crime lovers. 

Angie’s comments: Local author Janis Thornton is back with another true crime book. Tipton County locations and residents are featured in some of the tales. Most of the crimes I had not heard of, so it was a really interesting look into crimes of the past.

 

Recommended for readers who like true crime and local history. 

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Artcurious

            

Artcurious: Stories of the Unexpected, Slightly Odd, and Strangely Wonderful in Art History by Jennifer Dasal

Summary: A wildly entertaining and surprisingly educational dive into art history as you've never seen it before, from the host of the beloved ArtCurious podcast.

We're all familiar with the works of Claude Monet, thanks in no small part to the ubiquitous reproductions of his water lilies on umbrellas, handbags, scarves, and dorm-room posters. But did you also know that Monet and his cohort were trailblazing rebels whose works were originally deemed unbelievably ugly and vulgar? And while you probably know the tale of Vincent van Gogh's suicide, you may not be aware that there's pretty compelling evidence that the artist didn't die by his own hand but was accidentally killed--or even murdered. Or how about the fact that one of Andy Warhol's most enduring legacies involves Caroline Kennedy's moldy birthday cake and a collection of toenail clippings?

ArtCurious is a colorful look at the world of art history, revealing some of the strangest, funniest, and most fascinating stories behind the world's great artists and masterpieces. Through these and other incredible, weird, and wonderful tales, ArtCurious presents an engaging look at why art history is, and continues to be, a riveting and relevant world to explore.

Angie’s comments: While I have little interest in making art, I love history. Artcurious was nice segue into the art world for me, and the stories behind the art make the art more intriguing.  

Recommended for readers who like history and/or art. 

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Elemental

    

Elemental: How the Periodic Table Can Now Explain (Nearly) Everything by Tim James

Summary: If you want to understand how our world works, the periodic table holds the answers. When the seventh row of the periodic table of elements was completed in June 2016 with the addition of four final elements--nihonium, moscovium, tennessine, and oganesson--we at last could identify all the ingredients necessary to construct our world. 

In Elemental, chemist and science educator Tim James provides an informative, entertaining, and quirkily illustrated guide to the table that shows clearly how this abstract and seemingly jumbled graphic is relevant to our day-to-day lives. James tells the story of the periodic table from its ancient Greek roots, when you could count the number of elements humans were aware of on one hand, to the modern alchemists of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries who have used nuclear chemistry and physics to generate new elements and complete the periodic table. 

In addition to this, he answers questions such as: What is the chemical symbol for a human? What would happen if all of the elements were mixed together? Which liquid can teleport through walls? Why is the medieval dream of transmuting lead into gold now a reality?Whether you're studying the periodic table for the first time or are simply interested in the fundamental building blocks of the universe--from the core of the sun to the networks in your brain--Elemental is the perfect guide.

Angie’s comments: A humorous but insightful look into the periodic table and hwo the elements make up our lives. I love reading books about the elements, and I still managed to pick up a lot of information that I didn't know. 

Recommended for readers interested in chemistry.

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First Comes Scandal

First Comes Scandal

Summary: She was given two choices...

Georgiana Bridgerton isn't against the idea of marriage. She'd just thought she'd have some say in the matter. But with her reputation hanging by a thread after she's abducted for her dowry, Georgie is given two options: live out her life as a spinster or marry the rogue who has ruined her life.

Enter Option #3

As the fourth son of an earl, Nicholas Rokesby is prepared to chart his own course. He has a life in Edinburgh, where he's close to completing his medical studies, and he has no time--or interest--to find a wife. But when he discovers that Georgie Bridgerton--his literal girl-next-door--is facing ruin, he knows what he must do.

A Marriage of Convenience

It might not have been the most romantic of proposals, but Nicholas never thought she'd say no. Georgie doesn't want to be anyone's sacrifice, and besides, they could never think of each other as anything more than childhood friends... or could they?

But as they embark upon their unorthodox courtship they discover a new twist to the age-old rhyme. First comes scandal, then comes marriage. But after that comes love...  

Angie’s comments: This is a prequel to Quinn's Bridgerton series, but you don't have to read those to enjoy this book. This is an engaging romance between friends, and includes a strong willed heroine who knows her own mind. 

Recommended for readers of historical romance.

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American Sherlock

American Sherlock: Murder, Forensics, and the Birth of American CSI by Kate Winkler Dawson

Summary: Known as the 'American Sherlock Holmes,' Edward Oscar Heinrich was one of America's greatest forensic scientists, with a skill level that seemed almost supernatural. Heinrich spearheaded the invention of new forensic tools that police still use today, including blood spatter analysis, ballistics, lie-detector tests, and the use of fingerprints as courtroom evidence. His work, though not without its serious - some would say fatal - flaws, changed the course of American criminal investigation. Based on years of research, American Sherlock captures Heinrich's life, work, and legacy.

Angie’s comments: Partly a biography of Heinrich, the book really shines when concentrating on Heinrich's cases. I learned more about some famous cases of the 1920s and 1930s, including Fatty Arbuckle's case. 

Recommended for readers interested in true crime.

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Murder Cuts the Mustard

Murder Cuts the Mustard by Jessica Ellicott

Summary: n the lean years following World War I, brash American adventuress Beryl Helliwell and prim and proper Brit Edwina Davenport form a private inquiry agency to make ends meet, hoping that crime does indeed pay . . .

The latest occurrence to disturb the peace in the quaint English village of Walmsley Parva hits rather too close to home-in fact, the prime suspect has taken up residence in Edwina's potting shed. Her elderly gardener Simpkins has been secretly sleeping there after a row with his disreputable brother-in-law and housemate, Hector Lomax.

When Hector is found murdered in the local churchyard, Constable Gibbs comes looking for Simpkins, who was last seen arguing with his kin in the pub the night before. Based on the sad state of her garden, Edwina has grave doubts that the shiftless Simpkins could muster the effort to murder anyone. The two sleuths throw themselves into weeding out suspects and rooting out the real killer.

But this is no garden variety murder. The discovery of a valuable ring, a surprise connection to Colonel Kimberly's Condiment Company, and a second homicide all force Beryl and Edwina to play catch-up as they relish the chance to contain the culprit . . . 

Angie’s comments: This is a lovely historical cozy mystery. Although part of a series, you don't have to read the others to enjoy this tale. Beryl and Edwina complement each other, and it is amusing to read how they perceive each other. A look back at England after World War I. 

Recommended for readers who enjoy historical cozy mysteries. 

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Mrs. Jeffries and the Alms of the Angel

Mrs. Jeffries and the Alms of the Angel by Emily Brightwell

Summary: When a wealthy widow is murdered, Mrs. Jeffries investigates what happens when money can't buy your life in this all-new installment in the beloved Victorian Mystery series.

Margaret Starling wasn't the sort of woman anyone expected to be murdered. She was on the advisory board of the London Angel Alms Society, she was an active member of St. Peter's Church, and, best of all, she was always willing to lend a hand to a friend or a neighbor in need of advice. She was also a wealthy upper-class widow. But money alone won't protect you when someone decides it's high time you met your maker.

Margaret's next-door neighbor considered her an odious busybody, the Reverend Reginald Pontefract wished she'd never set foot in St. Peter's, and half the advisory board of the London Angel Alms Society heartily hoped she'd come down with pneumonia before the next quarterly meeting.

All in all, Margaret wasn't as well regarded as she'd always thought she was. But Mrs. Jeffries and Inspector Witherspoon know that justice isn't a popularity contest, and they won't rest until they sift through the suspects to catch a sinister scrooge.

Angie’s comments: This was the first book I have read in this series, and it works well as a stand-alone novel. I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy historical mystery. The pace was quick and the characters interesting. 

Recommended for cozy mystery readers. 

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The Peaceful Valley Crime Wave

The Peaceful Valley Crime Wave: A Western Mystery by Bill Pronzini

Summary: Bill Pronzini's riveting western mystery,The Peaceful Valley Crime Wave, takes on the modern world with old-fashioned violence--and his Peaceful Valley is anything but...

Nothing much happens in Peaceful Valley, Montana. And that's just how Sheriff Lucas Monk likes it.

Aside from the occasional drunken brawl or minor disturbance out on the reservation, he hasn't had to resort to his fists or sidearm in years.

That is, until mid-October, 1914, when the theft of a wooden cigar store Indian sets off a crime wave like nothing Lucas has ever seen. Teenager Charity Axthelm goes missing, Reba Purvis's housekeeper is poisoned with cyanide Reba is sure was meant for her, and Lucas's gut tells him that this is only the beginning.

It's not long before the first corpse shows up, bringing the peace in the valley to a thundering end.

Angie’s comments: A relatively short read, this is an entertaining historical cozyish Western mystery. Not as cozy as some cozy mysteries, but still in the same line. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting Peaceful Valley with its Western flavor.

Recommended for readers of historical cozies or Westerns. 

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Invitation to Die

Invitation to Die by Barbara Cleverly

Summary: Cambridge, 1924, in early summertime. 

Everyone is punting, flirting and dancing the tango but bright young Detective Inspector John Redfyre finds himself mired in multiple murders. One morning, his dog discovers a corpse laid on a tombstone. An army greatcoat suggest the dead man may have been a soldier, though the empty bottle of brandy and a card bearing the words 'An Invitation to Dine' on the victim tie him to one of several unsolved cases linked to and sinister dining club. He gradually unearths the dead man's story and fights to right an ancient wrong.

Angie’s comments: You don't need to read the first in the series to read this second one in the Detective Inspector Redfyre series. This is an interesting mystery that involves the British war against the Boers in South Africa around 1900. The book switches between two different timelines, one right after the murder and the other a few weeks later. Make sure to pay attention to the chapter headings to know what part you are in! I enjoyed the history and the hints that are scattered about.

Recommended for readers of historical mysteries. 

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The 1980s

Revisit the 1980s with these items. Ricky Burns The Beginner's Guide to Classic Motorcycle: your step-by-step guide to setting up a workshop, choosing a project, dismantling, sourcing parts, renovating & rebuilding classic motorcyles from the 1970s & 1980s Request this item Hard to Find 45s on CD: 80s Essentials & Beyond CD Request this item Kathleen Rooney Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk Request this item Request this item in large print Request this item as audiobook If you want any more suggestions or ideas, please call or come in the library today!

Murder at Archly Manor

Murder at Archly Manor by Sara Rosett

Summary: A high-society murder. A spirited lady detective. Can she out-class the killer before an innocent person takes the fall?

London, 1923. Olive Belgrave needs a job. Despite her aristocratic upbringing, she's penniless. Determined to support herself, she jumps at an unconventional job--looking into the background of her cousin's fiance, Alfred.

Alfred burst into the upper crust world of London's high society, but his answers to questions about his past are decidedly vague. Before Olive can gather more than the basics, a murder occurs at a posh party. Suddenly, every Bright Young Person in attendance is a suspect, and Olive must race to find the culprit because a sly murderer is determined to make sure Olive's first case is her last.

Murder at Archly Manor is the first in the High Society Lady Detective series of charming historical cozy mysteries. If you like witty banter, glamorous settings, and delightful plot twists, you'll love USA Today bestselling author Sara Rosett's series for Anglophiles and mystery lovers alike.

Travel back to the Golden Age of detective fiction with Murder at Archly Manor.

Angie’s comments: What a fun historical cozy mystery! The pace is fast and the characters are just perfect for a murder mystery. The clues to the murderer are there, you just have to figure out what clues are important. Murder at Archly Manor almost feels like it was written in the Golden Age of English detective stories. 

Recommended for readers of cozy mysteries, historical mysteries, or Agatha Christie novels. 

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Influenza

Influenza: The Hundred-Year Hunt to Cure the Deadliest Disease in History by Dr. Jeremy Brown

Summary: On the 100th anniversary of the devastating pandemic of 1918, Jeremy Brown, a veteran ER doctor, explores the troubling, terrifying, and complex history of the flu virus, from the origins of the Great Flu that killed millions, to vexing questions such as: are we prepared for the next epidemic, should you get a flu shot, and how close are we to finding a cure?

While influenza is now often thought of as a common and mild disease, it still kills over 30,000 people in the US each year. Dr. Jeremy Brown, currently Director of Emergency Care Research at the National Institutes of Health, expounds on the flu's deadly past to solve the mysteries that could protect us from the next outbreak. In Influenza, he talks with leading epidemiologists, policy makers, and the researcher who first sequenced the genetic building blocks of the original 1918 virus to offer both a comprehensive history and a roadmap for understanding what's to come.

Dr. Brown digs into the discovery and resurrection of the flu virus in the frozen victims of the 1918 epidemic, as well as the bizarre remedies that once treated the disease, such as whiskey and blood-letting. Influenza also breaks down the current dialogue surrounding the disease, explaining the controversy over vaccinations, antiviral drugs like Tamiflu, and the federal government's role in preparing for pandemic outbreaks. Though 100 years of advancement in medical research and technology have passed since the 1918 disaster, Dr. Brown warns that many of the most vital questions about the flu virus continue to confound even the leading experts.

Influenza is an enlightening and unnerving look at a shapeshifting deadly virus that has been around long before people--and warns us that it may be many more years before we are able to conquer it for good.

Angie’s comments: This was an interesting look at the flu, including a history of how the flu was treated and business of flu medicine. The writing is for non-medical professionals, and the book itself is relatively short. I found the sections on the business of flu and who is recommended for the flu vaccine thought-provoking. 

Recommended for readers interested in medicine, medical history, and/or history.  

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