The Good Husband of Zebra Drive, by Alexander McCall Smith

The Good Husband of Zebra Drive is the eighth book in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series. It is a worthy addition to the series. If you haven't read it, but already know that you like the series, have no fears, you'll like The Good Husband of Zebra Drive. If you haven't dipped into the series yet, but know that you enjoy stories that combine a deep insight into human character with an affection for it, without gratuitously displaying the ugliness of human character, give the No. 1 Ladies' Detectives a shot.

Miss Dido Kent mysteries, by Anna Dean

I read Bellfield Hall by Anna Dean some few months back and really enjoyed it, so when I was looking for a quick pleasure read recently I placed the next two books in the series on hold at the library. I quickly devoured them when they came in this week, foolishly staying up late into the night (or, early into the morning, to be more precise). I find Ms. Dean's mysteries very satisfying, with just a touch of romance to sweeten the deal.

Bellfield Hall, A Gentleman of Fortune, and A Woman of Consequence are set in the Regency Period of English history. The books recall Jane Austen to mind. The main characters, especially Dido Kent, are a delight to read about. Ms. Dean is masterful at tricking the expectations of her readers, or of this reader, at any rate.

If you enjoy mysteries you might want to give these a look-over. I appreciate the fact that they trip lightly over the less seemly side of life, unlike some other recently written mysteries I've tried. These books succeed as mysteries (not hard-boiled crime books) and as historical fiction. I would recommend them to my fellow mystery readers.

The Stars Shine Bright, Sibella Giorello

If you've read and enjoyed Sibella Giorello's other books in the Raleigh Harmon series, get your hands on The Stars Shine Bright. If you enjoy mysteries and crime thrillers, but haven't yet tried the Raleigh Harmon series, what are you waiting for? The Stars Shine Bright ranks as my favorite in the series. I spent an enjoyable couple days unable to put the book down.

Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska, by Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss

As you know if you've read certain other posts on my blog, I do not often read romance novels. I had a strong desire to read Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska, though, because it was written by a dear friend. And I can say, 'I knew her when!' When she had not yet written any books, and now she's written three (all in the Love Finds You series).

In Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Ginny is handed what seems to be the realization of her dreams: a big recording contract. She hesitates to accept it, fearing that the strings attached might be too burdensome. She turns for advice to the only person whose advice she trusts in the matter, Brett, the man she jilted two years ago. Ginny flies to Alaska to seek Brett's advice. There she meets Brett's Grandmother, who shares with her a correspondence from nearly a century earlier, detailing the blossoming of another relationship.

Ginny finds peace, and love finds Ginny. The reader gets two love stories in one book. If you like to read Christian romance books, I expect you'll like Love Finds You in Glacier Bay. I enjoyed it. I did think Ginny was a bit shallow to begin with, but she grew up as the story progressed, and that made me happy.