Favorites

Here's a plug for some of my favorite authors. I may have listed some of these books in the past, but I've been on a reading binge, and have been revisiting old friends while adding new ones to the bookshelves. If you're looking for something good to read, try some of these.

For those who like history with their mystery (pardon the rhyme), check out these excellent series:

Inspector Ian Rutledge, Scotland Yard detective immediately after WW I, by Charles Todd.

Barker & Llewellyn, private enquiry agents, in late 19th century London, by Will Thomas.

Hawkenlye Abbey, set in late 12th century England, by Alys Clare.

Jane Austen as a sleuth, in a series by Stephanie Barron.

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For the science fiction, thriller, or fantasy crowd, check out these books:

Strong-Arm Tactics by Jody Lynn Nye (a bit of fun and unexpectedness in outer space).

The Reckoning by James Byron Huggins (conspiracies, commandos, and stuff).

The Return of the Sword, an anthology of short sword-and-sorcery tales, featuring one by Jeff Draper of Scriptorius Rex blog.

The Last Light of the Sun by Guy Gavriel Kay (a "fantasy historical" novel set during the time of the Vikings).

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova (an interesting, intelligent, creepy "history" of the "real" Dracula).

The Briar King (and the entire Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone series) by Greg Keyes.

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Miscellaneous genres:

Rora by James Byron Huggins (probably Huggins' best work, a true story of a fight for religious freedom during the time of the Spanish Inquisition).

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers (a book I didn't expect to read or like; a retelling of the Book of Hosea set during the California Gold Rush; good for romance readers).

Eagle in the Snow by Wallace Breem (excellent historical novel set at Hadrian's Wall during the last days of the Roman Empire).

Silence and Shadows by James Long (archeology and a former rock star--what's not to like?).

The Darkness and the Dawn by Thomas B. Costain (set during the last days of Attila the Hun).

Possession by A.S. Byatt (scholarly sleuthing by two modern academics concerning the lives of two poets who lived 100 years earlier).

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I've also been revisiting movies and television series on DVD. Currently, I'm watching the Western series "Lonesome Dove: The Outlaw Years" from 1995.