The Celtic Riddle by Lyn Hamilton

Name: The Celtic Riddle: An Archaeological Mystery
Author: Lyn Hamilton
Genre: Adult Fiction/Mystery
Reviewer: Karen Pellett
Rating: Like
Alerts/Warnings: Swearing, Drinking
Premise (be brief): - Toronto shopkeeper Lara McClintoch is back--and heading for Ireland--in this thrilling new novel in the series called "exotically absorbing and culturally colorful" by "The Midwest Book Review." (King County Library)
Opinions: I enjoy a good mystery and this is a good mystery. I also loved learning a lot about Ireland and Celtic Lore. If you are looking for a good old who-dunnit story this is for you. If you want to learn more about Celtic myth and legend then this story is also for you. So pick it up, check it out and enjoy the read.

The Beekeeper's Apprentice...by Laurie R. King

Name: The Beekeeper's Apprentice or on the segregation of the queen
Author: Laurie R. King
Genre: Adult Fiction/Mystery
Reviewer: Karen Pellett
Rating: Fabulous
Alerts/Warnings: None
Premise (be brief): - Long retired, Sherlock Holmes quietly pursues his study of honeybee behavior on the Sussex Downs. He never imagines he would encounter anyone whose intellect matched his own, much less an audacious teenage girl with a penchant for detection. Miss Mary Russell becomes Holmes' pupil and quickly hones her talent for deduction, disguises and danger. But when an elusive villain enters the picture, their partnership is put to a real test. Martin's Press. (King County Library)
Opinions: Fabulous!!!! I love Sherlock Holmes, but this is Sherlock Holmes with a feminine twist. Can you imagine such an intellect as Holmes training up a 15 year old girl in his ways of deduction. I couldn't either, but it is FANTASTIC. This book is the beginning of a series of books with Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes working together to solve cases. I own all of the books in this series that have been published to date and I am dying for more to come out. This book was so good that a couple of years ago I recommended it to my book club. Everyone was skeptical from the start, but when we actually met to discuss it everyone raved about it. This is a must read from my point of view.

Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo

Name: Midnight for Charlie Bone (Children of the Red King Series)
Author: Jenny Nimmo
Genre: Teen Fantasy/Sci-fi
Reviewer: Karen Pellett
Rating: Fabulous
Alerts/Warnings: None
Premise (be brief): - Charlie doesn't want to believe it when he discovers that he can hear the thoughts of people in photographs. But his horrible aunts are delighted - it means that he is one of the chosen and must attend the Bloor's Academy for gifted children. (Pleasant Grove Library)
Opinions: Fabulous!!!! Now this is an easy read, but it is one that was quite enjoyable. I think I actually enjoyed it better than Harry Potter (AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!) Did she really say that? Yes, I did. Harry Potter was definitely more detailed of a read and much more envolved. Don't get me wrong, I still think it is fabulous and I own all seven books and have read them several times. However, for a story about a magically "endowed" child going to a special school I think I preferred the story line of Charlie Bone much more. Not everyone at Bloor's Acadamy has special abilities, but for those who do...each ability is different. Whereas, with Harry Potter everyone at Hogwarts has some ability of magic, but each person has different areas they are better at. At Bloor's you have kids both magically endowed and regular kids striving together to save the day. This book is so good that my husband and I are reading the rest of the entire series together. So far we have gone through a book a day. Its a fast read, but well worth reading.