During the 1890s, the Midwest was a bustling thoroughfare of trade, commerce, expansion, and investment. Like the Northeast in its heyday, it was also fertile ground for con men.

A Mr. Charles O. Davies—perhaps an assumed name—arrived in Peru, Iowa in the mid-1890s to a hero's welcome. Appearing to be a wealthy financier, he bought the local bank and stood ready to invest in local businesses. A few short months later, Davies was convicted of robbing banks, forging checks, murder, and a host of other crimes. His alleged actions were front page news sensations in Iowa. The bank robberies and fraud caused grave economic impact on the region, and many wanted Davies to hang for these crimes alone. Which crimes, if any, Davies actually committed was never proved in court.

Davies evaded authorities for months after becoming a suspect. He was captured by bounty-hunters after a cross-country chase, then sent to jail in Iowa to await trial. With the help of fellow inmates, Davies escaped from jail the night before he was to be sent to the gallows. What were the true circumstances surrounding these crimes? Did Davies have any accomplices? What were his motives? Was he falsely accused? Author and former journalist J.D. Hylton crafts a compelling reconstruction of these events based on years of research. Many questions remain unanswered, and Hylton has skillfully blended fact with supposition to create an utterly believable drama.

J.D. Hylton presents a hilarious look at coming of age and life in a small Iowa town. Hylton's homespun humor reminds me of Tom (We'll leave the light on for ya'!) Bodette. The story resolves enigmatic issues. For example, why do cows wear necklaces? What's the best defense against an attacking casket? What future does life hold if you can't be a midget? How can an Iowa town of 200 souls dispose of its dead whale? How can a croquet set and a suit of long winter underwear aid the attempt of three small children to bombard Madison County's courthouse with a Civil War cannon? And, why wait three days to invite a burglar to breakfast?

BLOOD AT THE BOOKIES             
by Simon Brett                          

Love all of Simon Brett's Fethering Mysteries! In Brett's charming ninth Fethering mystery (after 2007's Death Under the Dryer), retiree Carole Seddon must solve a murder at the local betting shop. Jude, Carole's West Sussex neighbor and friend, discovers the body of recent Polish émigré Tadeusz Jankowski at the bookie's office. No one knows why Tadeusz was in Fethering, though his sister, Zofia, guesses he may have been in love. Carole and Jude scope out the local college, where Tadeusz was reportedly seen, and encounter a drama professor lothario who falls for Jude. Help comes from unexpected places, as Carole discovers a new friend in one of the town's habitual gamblers as she and Jude scramble to unmask the killer. Brett continues to flesh out his characters with a subplot about Carole's desire to see her new granddaughter while avoiding her ex-husband. With Brett's usual flair for smalltown snobbery and a dash of college politics, this latest cozy whodunit is sure to please longtime fans of the series.

Those hilarious southern sisters, who prove that sibling rivalry never ends, are heading for a vacation at the beach. Mary Alice's flamboyant behavior aside, serious, sensible Patricia Anne looks forward to relaxing at her sister's beachfront condo in Destin, Florida, so she kisses her ever-loving spouse Fred goodbye, reminds him to water the plants and feed the dog, and the girls head south for some fun in the sun. Watching the sun go down on the beautiful shores of the Gulf of Mexico is a welcome respite for Patricia Anne is concerned...until a dead body washes up in the waves and the victim turns out to be one of Mary Alice's friends. With no witnesses to the crime except a few great blue herons, the sisters have no choice but to bypass the clueless police and follow their own instincts to find the killer. Before long they're on a murky trail of dirty real-estate deals, giant turtle habitats, and a sea of evidence pointing to a mammoth motive for murder.

This is one of the most wonderful books that I've ever read--it touches the heart and soul!

Cynical but successful businessman Nick Cominsky faces a dilemma when he accepts an invitation to join Jesus of Nazareth for dinner at a local restaurant. Nick is convinced that his friends at work are pulling a prank. But the man sitting across from him appears to be quite serious, introducing Himself as “Jesus. My family called me Yeshua.”

Nick accepts his dinner companion’s suggestion to suspend his disbelief and “proceed as if I am Jesus.” What follows is a fascinating conversation that covers family relationships, world religions, and the afterlife, among other topics. Along the way, Nick confronts his own unfulfilled longings, spiritual uncertainties, and anger with God and he begins to wonder if the man across from him holds the answers to his deepest questions.

Dr. Dyer’s book deals with finding the solutions to our problems within ourselves – our spiritual selves. He gives examples of how negative thoughts can reduce our energy and strength levels. His all-encompassing book deals with spirituality, psychology, self-help, philosophy, religion, and health.

This is the first book on writing that was recommended to me by my writing instructor, Jimmy Butler. It is a wonderful book that describes the elements and character types necessary for a good story.

Lewis’s book, recommended by Dr. Wayne Dyer, describes how balancing energy within the body can restore individuals to wellness. I love this book!

Newton, a hypnotherapist, shares therapy sessions with us where he has regressed clients to lives between lives. (I am neither endorsing nor ruling out reincarnation. I am keeping an open and curious mind.) The book is a mind-opening-and-expanding read!

Finney is a wonderful time travel storyteller. I am a firm believer in time travel. Just wish I knew how to do it!

ABOUT TIME                                                 
by Jack Finney

This book of short stories about time travel by Finney is delightful, especially if you are a time travel nut like me.