The Maul and the Pear Tree by P.D. James and T.A. Critchley

Non-Fiction - 3.5 stars - Really interesting and dry at the same time, this book depicts London murder investigations in 1811, before the establishment of Scotland Yard and a unified police force. The research is thorough, but the detail can be tedious at times. Worth the read if you are interested in the subject and the time.

The Remains of an Altar by Phil Rickman

Fiction - 4 stars - This is a really decent book. Written in a very British slang-y style, it is truly for those who have at least limited knowledge of the way Brits speak. It is quite the mystery, and the main character, Merrily Watkins, is a female vicar who investigates paranormal activity within her parish. This book, beyond the actual story, gives a good glimpse into the socio-economic struggles that Brits are dealing with. I really enjoyed it - it's a good read.

Prime Suspect series by Linda LaPlante

Fiction - 4.5 stars - These are some great books! If you've ever seen the Prime Suspect series on Masterpiece Theatre, you've seen Helen Mirren as Detective Jane Tennison, the strong, often maligned female detective in the Vice Squad. She struggles with sexism in the workplace while trying to solve murders involving the dregs of humanity.

A Splash of Red by Antonia Fraser

Fiction - 3.5 stars - Another Jemima Shore mystery, this time involving a popular novelist. Lady Antonia Fraser writes a very satisfying book, and while this, like Quiet as a Nun, is not the caliber of her historical biographies, it, too, is very good.

The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey

Historical Fiction - 4.5 stars - Inspector Alan Grant is in the hospital and becomes interested in one of the greatest cases in history, the mystery of Richard III and the princes in the tower. Josephine Tey was a master of historical research and mystery novels, and this is a masterpiece melding of the two.

Quiet as a Nun by Antonia Fraser

Fiction - 3.5 stars - Antonia Fraser, the great historian, has also written some fiction/mystery novels. This is one of them, and it is really decent. Jemima Shore is a TV reporter who helps to solve the murder of an old friend at a convent. It is not quite the quality of her historical biographies, but it is a good story and it is well-written.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt

Fiction - 4 stars - As my mother-in-law says, "That is not Savannah!" However, it's a great story with memorable characters, and it is more intriguing and funnier than the movie (which I also liked). I highly recommend reading this book, even if only for the drag queen and the bulldog stories.

The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Fiction - 5 stars - Sherlock Holmes at his finest. This is a scary, suspenseful tale of murder, but also an easy read that you could finish in a few sittings (or one if you've got some time). I borrowed it from Zachary, and couldn't put it down. If you've never read any Sherlock Holmes mysteries, this one is definitely one to start with.

American Psycho by Brett Easton Ellis

Fiction - 4 stars - This book is disturbing on many levels, but it is the best use of deliberate detail that I have ever read. Everything holds the same weight (the description of the microwave=the description of the woman he's killing). I refused to see the movie as Christian Bale is one of my favorite actors, and I can't see him in this horrific part. It's definitely worth reading if you can stomach it.

Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin

Fiction - 3.5 stars - A good read and interesting story, this book keeps you enthralled to the very end. Very graphic images of children dying horrible deaths are disturbing, so if your constitution isn't up to it, don't read it. But, in all it was good, despite the historical inaccuracies.