Books for History Lovers
by Campbell Sharpe
Last week, I voted in my local election. I got the little sticker and discovered a new room in my park district’s rec center. Now, it is Independence Day and those of you who subscribe to the newsletter might have seen Patricia’s list of Fourth of July-themed books. However, the fourth is only one day, so I figured I’d recommend some Cozy Cat books that make you feel like wearing a red-white-and-blue “I Voted Sticker” every day of the year. Some of these books are historical, exploring America’s past. Some are current, cozy stories taking place in our nation’s capital or exploring the intrigue of policy-makers. All of them investigate the many mysteries America has to offer.
Letters From Brackham Wood
In 1937 England, twenty years after losing contact with her only living relatives, Moira Edwards sends a Letter from Brackham Wood, where she has been serving as a maid of all work, to the last known American address of her uncle and aunt, and their daughter - thus putting in motion a series of letters spanning World War II. In these letters, Moira and her cousin, Margaret Walker, a doctor living in Spokane, Washington, reflect on their lives, the world's condition, changing times for women, and a case of espionage in which she, Moira, finds herself at the center.
The Cadet's Threat
Hannah Sparrow leaves her corporate job in the Midwest to pursue the quiet life of a small Alabama town. There, she becomes fast friends with her neighbors, Earl and Lisa, who introduce her to life in the Land of Dixie. The three volunteer at the archeological remains of LaGrange Military Academy, formerly known as the West Point of the South. Hannah’s invited to view the school’s archives, where she stumbles upon a century-old cadet journal detailing conflict and intrigue at the academy. When the journal ends with the disappearance of the cadet and a mysterious riddle, Hannah and her friends set out to solve the mystery. But their investigation leads to long-buried secrets that some in the town would prefer to remain forgotten. And thus, a race begins to solve a century-old riddle before Hannah becomes the next victim.
Murder in the Cemetery
Residents of a charming, quaint, maritime village on Lake Ontario are shocked when they learn that another murder has occurred in their bucolic coastal town. This time the victim is the childhood friend of the criminal consultant hired by the police chief to investigate the crime. The quiet setting of a bright spring morning is the antithesis of the appalling way the victim was killed in a historic cemetery where casualties of the War of 1812 are buried. This suspenseful thriller with a historical subplot and a surprise ending will make lovers of maritime cozy mysteries want to read more. This clean fiction novel contains lots of exciting twists and turns. Helping Ed discover secrets that have risen from the grave and the reason for his friend’s murder doesn’t deter Annie from cooking for friends and family, and the book offers gourmet recipes she prepares for them.
Death at the Presidents Church
They have met many presidents. They are politically well connected. They were born and raised in the social circles of Washington D.C. So why have Charlotte and Ruth Dupree taken such an interest in the death of a homeless man? Drawing from their experiences with former presidents, along with their usual charm, the Dupree Sisters find themselves navigating through a labyrinth of Washington luncheons, social events, and gossip to uncover the facts behind a death that most people would overlook. Join the Dupree Sisters as they use their persistence and good manners to learn the truth behind The Death at Presidents Church.
Sex Change
Retired school teacher Nina Bannister has not been idle in her golden years. Now, this famous resident of Bay St. Lucy, Mississippi, is heeding the call of duty again, by running as a replacement candidate for the U.S. Congress, when the state’s present Representative is killed in a plane crash. To her great surprise, Nina is elected, and––to her even greater surprise––she quickly finds that she is not cut out for the lowly life of a newbie––kowtowing to party leaders. When Nina suggests in an off-hand moment (which is secretly recorded by her staff and uploaded to social media) that the government would be better run by women, a nationwide revolution begins, and Nina becomes its figurehead. Little does she know, however, that a lone disgruntled man is furious with her actions and intends to get his retribution against Nina and all of her followers. Can Nina bring about true change in Washington? Or will her nemesis bring about her demise before she even has a chance to start? This all happens when Nina Bannister goes to Washington and national politics undergoes a Sex Change.
Though the United States is a theme of this list, the books are available in every country through Amazon. When your barbeques are over and the sparklers have been put away, you can keep up your patriotism with these books.