Fiction Pick of the Week: The Beautiful Mystery

The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny 2012

Louise Penny is back with book eight in the Chief Inspector Gamache series (but a hint to readers, start at the beginning of this wonderful series with its recurring cast of characters).  In her appealing personalities and charming settings, she has created a unique and irresistible venue for a uniquely Canadian mystery series.  Add to that a sensitive exploration of our everyday strengths and failings, tempered by a sharp but affectionate sense of humour, and the world of Armand Gamache, Chief Inspector for the Surete du Quebec, becomes a sure-fire winner.   In this latest installment, a death at an isolated monastery takes Gamache out of his customary Montreal and into the backwoods of Quebec, where the monks have, for centuries, been custodians of the barely-surviving art of the Gregorian chant, known as The Beautiful Mystery.   But the tensions and controversies in this closed community make Gamache begin to wonder what really lies underneath the veneer of brotherhood, as long-buried secrets begin to emerge. In the process, Penny’s own fascination with plainchant has shed light on this little-known musical form, and she has done for Gregorian chant what Dorothy L. Sayers did for the art of English bell-ringing.

Friday at the Branches: The Good Doctor

The Good Doctor by Vince Agro 2011

The book is set during the onset of WW II and revolves around neighbourhood in the north end of Hamilton which was populated primarily by immigrants from a small town in Sicily. Through the eyes of his young nephew, it tells the story of the neighbourhood doctor, who was the community leader for these immigrants. As a leader, he tried to guide and protect his fellow immigrants from the influences of fascism and the ramifications of being a fascist in Canada during this time in our history. The narrator also describes the day to day lives of immigrants during this time. He tells stories of him and his friends growing up in the neighbourhood, the lives of the adults around them, the clubs and associations which were typical of the Italian community at this time.  Throughout the book, references and analogies are made to operas. The book would be of interest to those interested in local history, especially if you lived in the North End of Hamilton.

Friday at the Branches: The Juliet Stories

The Juliet Stories by Carrie Snyder

This novel-in-stories is divided into 2 sections. Section one takes place in Nicaragua, where Juliet is living with her “peacenik” parents and two younger brothers. She has a kind of freedom that children dream of … all the while living in a potentially dangerous situation. When one of her younger brothers is diagnosed with cancer, the family has to come back to North America. The second section is a series of chronological stories that all relate to Juliet and the various characters in her life. “The quality of the writing pulls us through”.

Friday at the Branches:Extensions

Extensions by Myrna Dey

A treasured old photograph was Arabella’s grandmother’s only memento of her long-dead twin. So why is there an exact copy of it in a garage sale in rural Saskatchewan? The many threads of the story are woven together in the alternating voices of Arabella, an RCMP constable, and her great-grandmother Jane, who came to Vancouver Island in the late 1800s with her Welsh mining family. There’s something for everyone here – a fascinating bit of Canadian history, a touching story of family relationships, and murder investigations that span more than a century. This is Saskatchewan author Myrna’s Dey’s first novel; it was the People’s Choice nominee for the 2011 Giller Prize longlist.

Fiction Pick of the Week: Far Side of the Sky

Far Side of the Sky by Daniel Kalla 2011

Nominated for the OLA Evergreen Award, Far Side of the Sky is a novel which interweaves fact and fiction in a fast-paced, fascinating novel. Franz Adler, his daughter Hannah, and his sister-in-law Esther seek passage out of Austria following the Kristallnacht in Austria. Many countries have closed their borders to Jewish refugees, but secure passage is found on the Italian liner Conte Biancamano. China’s borders are still open so the family flees to Shanghai looking for a better life. Life in Shanghai is foreign and difficult for the family. It is here that they meet Sunny, a half-Asian nurse, and their lives become interwoven with hers. The novel is divided into 6 major parts and takes place between November 1938 and August 1942.

Far Side of the Sky is a beautifully written story of adversity, triumph, love, and the strength of the human spirit. Daniel Kalla has done a wonderful job describing this lesser known event in World War II history. This is a must read for those who enjoy a mix of historical, wartime, and romance fiction.

Friday at the Branches: Cool Water

Cool Water by Dianne Warren 2009

Cool Water is set in the small western Canadian community of Juliet, Saskatchewan. The novel brings to life several characters who are interconnected because they share the same small town. Her characters are real people. Warren understands how where we live reflects who we are. It is an unpretentious, understated book about the basic goodness of people. Cool Water is a novel about everyday life which includes disappointments, challenges, and the joys we all encounter. I love when a book surprises me and Cool Water is one of those books. Highly Recommended.

Fiction Pick of the Week: Midwife of Venice

The Midwife of Venice by Roberta Rich 2011

Hannah is a skilled midwife living in the Jewish ghetto in 16^th century Venice. Her husband has been captured at sea and is living as a slave in Malta. She is desperate to bring him home, but with no money, she is unable to do so. One evening, against her Rabbi’s wishes, she agrees to help a Christian woman during a difficult birth. Hoping to pay her husband’s ransom, she has been offered a great deal of money by the woman’s distraught husband. What ensues becomes a fast-paced historical thriller, where Hannah is running for her life from people who think nothing of destroying her life and the lives of her family. Great choice for historical fiction readers.

More Can Lit: The Bride of New France

Bride of New France by Suzanne Desrochers 2011

This excellent historical novel is about Les Filles du Roi. The main character, Laure Beausejour, leaves the orphanage of Salpetriere to journey to New France to marry one of the male soldiers or fur traders. Ther best friend Madeleine accompanies her on the voyage but dies shortly after their arrival at Quebec City. The novel is divided into three parts: Part 1 is about Laure's time at Salepetriere; Part 2 is about her voyage on the ship to the New World; and Part 3 is about her arrival and settlement at Ville Marie (Montreal).

Appeal factors are strong characterization and vivid descriptions of life in New France and Paris during the 17th century. The main character, Laure, is strong willed and not your "typical" woman of that time period. If you enjoyed The Nine Lives of Charlotte Taylor by Sally Armstrong, you might want to try this book.

Fiction Pick of the Week: Elizabeth Hay

A Canadian book in honour of Canada Day!

Alone in the Classroom by Elizabeth Hay 2011

Alone in the Classroom is an interesting cross between a murder mystery and a relationship novel. The novel deals with the life of Connie Flood, an eighteen-year-old teacher who is working in a small town in Saskatchewan. While Connie is working in Saskatchewan a fifteen-year-old student, Susan, is sexually assaulted by the school principal. Connie develops a special relationship with one of her students, Michael, who is struggling in school. Seven years later in the Ottawa Valley an eight-year-old girl goes berry picking and is found murdered. The narrator, Ann Flood, effectively connects these two mysteries. The appeal factors of this novel are realistic and well-drawn characters.

Canada Day!

Happy Canada Day! In honour of Canada Day, the Good Book Psychic would like to draw your attention to a site that celebrates Canadian books. Developed by the Association of Canadian Publishers in association with the Canadian Publishers' Council, 49thShelf is a virtual space where visitors can browse, review, make book lists, and discover new Canadian authors.

A neat feature is the Read Local Map which challenges visitors to read books by local authors and add books to the map. What a novel way to celebrate our nation's special day!

Fiction Pick of the Week: The Virgin Cure

The Virgin Cure by Ami McKay 2011

Moth, abandoned by her father and raised by her hard-scrabble, fortune-telling mother, roams the mean streets of New York City in 1871 dreaming of a better life than that of the tenement slum where she lives. When she turns 12, her mother sells her as a servant to a wealthy, demanding –and, as Moth soon learns, brutally cruel – woman, Mrs. Wentworth. With the help of another servant, Moth breaks free only to land on the streets again, this time totally alone and homeless. A chance meeting leads to a tentative friendship with Dr. Sadie, a ground-breaking female physician who tends to the poor and desperate. McKay’s vivid descriptions make the novel come to life as the reader inhabits the bawdy Bowery district and filthy streets of NYC, as well as the sumptuous concert halls and brothels. Dr. Sadie is based on the author’s own great-great grandmother. The title comes from the myth of the time that deflowering a virgin would cure a man of deadly syphilis. Sprinkled throughout the novel are snippets from newspapers, journals and periodicals of the era, providing a glimpse into the lives of both the privileged and the down-trodden.

Fiction Pick of the Week: I Am Half-Sick of Shadows

I Am Half-Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley

The fourth book in the Flavia de Luce series takes place in Buckshaw, the estate home where eleven-year-old Flavia lives with her irritating sisters and father. Due to suffering finances, Flavia’s father opens his estate to a film crew to film a movie on the premises. Being just a few days before Christmas, the vicar of the village Bishop’s Lacey has asked the famous star, Phyllis Wyvern to act out the famous Romeo and Juilet season at Buckshaw. Due to a terrible snow storm, those who came to watch the play had to spend the night. At some point, while everyone was asleep, Phyllis was murdered! Follow Flavia as she uncovers the truth behind this murder while keeping the police inspector on his toes.

Also available on audiobook

Fiction Pick of the Week: Tampered

Tampered by Ross Pennie 2011

Hamilton, Ontario public health officer Dr. Zol Szabo returns, this time investigating the food related deaths of residents at an upscale retirement residence. Somehow the deaths don’t seem either natural or accidental -- and as Zol digs deeper, he discovers that the victims were political and technological movers and shakers decades before. Could the deaths be murder? And if so, why now? Zol’s investigation is complicated by political pressures, extending right up to the Prime Minister’s office. With a colourful cast of characters, a brisk and complex plot and fascinating insights into our health and food protection systems, the Zol Szabo books are a particular treat for Burlington and Hamilton readers, with lots of local colour and locations, and some clever observations on politics and public service both locally and beyond.

Fiction Pick of the Week: The Canterbury Trail

The Canterbury Trail by Angie Abdou 2011
The Canterbury Trail is a present day tale of a weekend trek to a remote cabin in the Canadian Rockies. With the end of the ski season upon them, three separate groups from the small mining town of Coalton, B.C. head out for one final weekend of skiing in the backcountry. When the redneck snowmobilers, stoned ski bums, hippies, lesbians, urbanite, and the local real estate developer with his pregnant wife all converge on the same cabin, dysfunctional relationships are plentiful, and each is examined from various perspectives. As can be expected from the stereotypes presented in this story, drug use, drinking, profanity, and sexual innuendo are extensive. Despite having 14 characters to follow, and a number of underlying themes to consider, the events that take place over the course of the weekend are somewhat predictable. The abrupt ending, however, was unexpected. This is the second novel written by Angie Abdou, a Canadian author. Her first novel, The Bone Cage, is a Canada Reads 2011 Nominee. For readers who like Miriam Toews and Elizabeth Hay.

Fiction Pick of the Week: The Guilty Plea

The Guilty Plea by Robert Rotenberg

Following on the success of his debut Old City Hall, Toronto criminal lawyer and novelist Robert Rotenberg uses his inside knowledge to bring us a Toronto legal scene as exciting as anything on Law and Order. On the eve of his tabloid-fodder divorce trial, grocery heir Terry Wyler is found brutally murdered in his kitchen -- his estranged wife Samantha is found in possession of the murder weapon and makes no attempt to provide an alibi. But if it’s an open-and-shut case, why is she still hiding something? Is she really guilty, or protecting someone else? Detective Ari Greene tries to untangle the complex secrets of the Wyler clan, while treading carefully through the backroom deals and plea bargaining tactics of high-powered Toronto lawyers, whose personal relationships might just make all the difference to whether a case is won or lost.

Fiction Pick of the Week: Death Spiral

Death Spiral by James W. Nichol 2009

Canadian WWII Spitfire pilot and wounded war hero Wilf McLaughlin returns to his rural Ontario hometown after almost 2 years in rehab hospitals in France and England. His body may be permanently damaged, but Wilf is determined to get his law degree, join his father’s law firm, and rebuild his life.

However, strange things begin to happen as soon as Wilf starts looking into the firm’s clients’ affairs. Bodies start turning up in mysterious circumstances. Is it just a coincidence, or did Wilf’s homecoming stir up some long forgotten resentments?

This psychological thriller will keep you in your chair reading through until it’s done. A tour de force that will haunt you, if you let it.