A little mystery

This time around I have a mix of books, 1 adult book, 3 Children's/YA.

First I listened to Skulduggery Pleasant - Playing with Fire by Derek Landy, read by Rupert Degas. Once again, Degas does an amazing job with this story. Great fun! Of course, school-girl turned magician Valkyrie Cane and her mentor skeleton detective Skulduggery Pleasant have to save the world - and have a few close calls along the way. Skulduggery never stops his sarcastic jokes and remarks (and I love him for it). Valkyrie and the bad guys may not appreciate his wit, but it cracks me up.

Next up was the Red Blazer Girls by Michael Beil. Four best-friends who go to Catholic school in Manhattan, hang out at the local coffee shop Perkatory and support each other through thick and thin get involved in a 40 year old mystery. An older woman who lives next door to their school needs help finding a lost birthday gift from her father for her estranged daughter. Using what they know about math, history and literature (with a little help from some teachers), the girls follow the clues and find the missing (not to mention priceless!) ring. A fun read for those who like to solve puzzles.

Dovey Coe by Frances O'Roarke Dowell is up next. Dovey Coe tells of how she is accused of murdering her sister's former sweetheart, Parnell Caraway. Dovey swears that she didn't do it though. Growing up in the mountains of North Carolina in the 1920's, Dovey is pretty happy with her life. She and her brother Amos (who is deaf) and their dogs run freely on the mountains, there's always enough to eat, she and her family live in a 5 room house and they get at least one pair of shoes each winter - what more could you ask for? But when Parnell comes around courting Caroline, Dovey worries everything may fall apart. Dowell does a great job of giving Dovey a wonderful voice that rings true (reminding me of Scout Finch in some ways). The Southern dialect and setting add depth to this story. The ending is a little rushed, but it doesn't really take anything away.

Finally, Room by Emma Donoghue. WOW. Five-year old Jack and his Ma enjoy their days in Room reading stories, having phys ed., eating, and watching TV (but just a little). In fact, from Jack's point of view, life in Room is great. But after Jack's 5th birthday Ma tells him that there is life outside of room and that she was kidnapped 7 years ago and now since he's getting older and braver it is time to make their own Great Escape. Jack's Great Escape is successful but life in Outside may not be all that Jack expected, or wants. Wrenching, tender and even funny at times this is an amazing story. Reminiscent of the real-life Austrian case of Josef Fritzl this book terrifies and inspires at the same time. When I was about two-thirds done I just HAD to talk to someonewho had read it because it was so consuming. This is certainly a story that stays with you.