Anderson-Dargatz, Gail. A Recipe for Bees, 1998 : On the day that Augusta and her husband sit in their retirement home on Vancouver Island, waiting for news of their son-in-law who is undergoing an operation, Augusta remembers the days of her childhood and marriage on a remote farm deep in British Columbia.  Augusta was a woman with a reputation and her husband was a good man, but unable to demonstrate his deep love for his wife.  Slowly we see unfold a love and marriage that was deepened over time and a woman who came into her own only in her later years.  A feeling for the isolation of the little towns and farms of British Columbia is evident in this quiet but moving novel.

Debbie Wordinger, Indian Prairie Public Library.

Daheim, Mary.  Hocus Croakus, 2003 : In the 19th installment of the Bed-and-Breakfast mystery series, Judith and Joe, along with their cousins Rennie and Billy, take a vacation to the Lake Stillasnowamish Resort Casino while their Seattle Bed-and-Breakfast is being renovated.  The first night, as the group watches an illusion show, the lights mysteriously go out.  Later, as Judith is trying to win a convertible, she sees the illusionist’s dead body inside the convertible!  Judith tries to solve the case, but her husband Joe, a police detective, tries to discourage her from getting involved, and Rennie becomes obsessed with gambling and is no help.  Meanwhile, something very suspicious is going on back at the bed and breakfast, and Judith must travel back and forth to find out why progress is not being made.  Then a second murder occurs!  The ending will surprise readers.  The book can be read as a standalone or as part of the series.  Recommended for readers who enjoy cozy mystery series.

Anna Dombrowski, Calumet City Public Library

Delaney, Vicki. Valley of the Lost, 2009 : This is second in the Molly Smith series set in a small mountain town in British Columbia.  Molly became a policewoman after the death of her beloved fiancé. Molly, who named Moonlight at birth by her hippy mother and father, investigates the murder of a young girl and the origins of the baby she was caring for as her own.  Although the characters are likable enough and the setting is pleasantly drawn, the mystery storyline was very weak and sometimes downright silly.

Debbie Wordinger, Indian Prairie Public Library.

Jance, J.A.  Until Proven Guilty, 1985 : J.P. Beaumont is a Seattle homicide detective.  When he and his new partner are called to a crime scene and find the body of a five year old girl, strangled with her own night gown, the hunt for the killer leads them into the secretive world of a religious cult.  While trying to investigate the case Beaumont also encounters a beautiful woman who seems to be unusually interested in the murder, though she claims she doesn’t know any of the people involved.   The reader gets a good taste of Seattle as the detectives follow clues around the city, leading to a final denouement at Snoqualmie Falls.  The first of a series.

Nancy Bent, La Grange Public Library

Krentz, Jayne Ann. Deep Waters, 1996 : After suffering from debilitating anxiety attacks, Seattle department store CEO Charity Truitt retreats to the small town of Whispering Waters Cove to run a bookstore. Months later, after inheriting property, Elias Winters – a well-known corporate consultant – moves to the Cove. As their relationship strengthens, Charity and Elias must deal with small town gossip and politics, as well as a murderer.

Jennifer Asimakopoulos, Indian Prairie Public Library

Margolin, Phillip. Proof Positive, 2006 : When attorneys on both sides of the aisle realize evidence from the Oregon State Crime Lab doesn’t add up, forensic expert Bernard Cashman starts to cover his tracks – by committing murder. Amanda Jaffe is among the lawyers investigating the bizarre and dangerous happenings. Third in a series.

Jennifer Asimakopoulos, Indian Prairie Public Library

Rock, Peter.  My Abandonment, 2009 : Caroline and her father live in Forest Park near Portland, Oregon.  They live in a cave, grow their own food, and occasionally go into town to buy groceries with her father’s disability checks from the army.  One day, they are discovered by a random jogger, who reports them.  They are arrested, since living in Forest Park is illegal, and taken to the police station, where they are questioned and tested.  The tests show that Caroline has not been abused, sexually or otherwise, and that she is academically slightly ahead of where she needs to be, as she was homeschooled and has read the encyclopedias through the letter “F.”  She seems to be quite a self-possessed, intelligent 13 year old, although quite naïve about many things and has difficulty interacting with other girls her age.  The authorities decide to give Caroline’s father a job working on a farm, with the understanding that Caroline will attend school in the fall.  After a few months, her father becomes very paranoid that they are being watched, so he and Caroline escape in the night.  As they continue on their journey, Father becomes more and more paranoid, until a tragedy occurs and Caroline must find her own way in the world, and we discover the truth about Father.  Caroline’s voice is matter of fact, observant and naïve at the same time.  The reader should pick up on the fact that there is so much more going on than what she tells us.  This was a very engrossing read, and touches on issues of Stockholm syndrome, PTSD, and mental illness, without ever using those words.  It is inspired by a true story, although the book is definitely fiction.  This would be a good book both for adults looking for something thought provoking and for precocious but innocent YAs.  It is also available on CD, read by Tai Sammons.

Anna Dombrowski, Calumet City Public Library

Stein, Garth.  The Art of Racing in the Rain, 2008 : Enzo, the narrator of this lyrical novel, is a dog.  Enzo has learned many things, educating himself by watching TV and by studying the humans around him, particularly his master, Denny.  Denny is an up-and-coming Seattle-based race car driver, and Enzo tells his and Denny’s intertwined stories through aphorisms from what he has learned about navigating a car in a race – it isn’t always about going fast, but about how you handle the car.  Handling Denny, and watching him handle the death of his wife and the three-year custody battle over his daughter, Enzo shows what it takes to be wise and compassionate.

Nancy Bent, La Grange Public Library

Stirling, S.M.  Dies the Fire, 2004 : One day there is a sudden crackling of electricity, and most forms of power cease to operate.  Planes fall from the sky, automobiles stop dead, and explosives (including firearms) will no longer detonate.  The country is thrown into chaos and an enormous percentage of the population dies through a combination of disease, banditry, and cannibalism.  Oregon’s Willamette Valley is fertile and temperate enough to allow hand and animal-powered farming, and several groups center themselves there:  a band of Wiccans lead by a witch and her coven, a group of mercenaries lead by a former Marine and an elf-like Tolkien addict, and the Lord of Portland, who is determined to reestablish the feudal system with the help of former gang members.  This rousing book makes excellent use of the geography of the region, and is the first in a lengthy series.

Nancy Bent, La Grange Public Library

Wood, Patricia. Lottery, 2007 : Perry is a 32-year-old man with learning disabilities.  He has lived with his grandparents until first his grandfather and then his grandmother dies.  Perry, cheated out of his house by his selfish brothers, goes to live above the boat supply store where he works.  Life is fine until the lottery ticket Perry buys each week comes up a winner.  Suddenly Perry’s life is inundated by requests for money, most particularly by his unethical family.  The way in which Perry manages to create his own family and find a solution to his lottery “problem” is a refreshing good natured tale.

Debbie Wordinger, Indian Prairie Public Library.

Young William P.   The Shack, 2007 : After his youngest daughter is kidnapped and brutally murdered during a family camping trip, Mackenzie Phillips is full of sadness and anger at God.  During a snowstorm, Mac receives a strange note, supposedly from God, inviting him to spend a weekend with him at the shack where evidence of his daughter’s murder was found.  When he comes to the shack, Mac indeed meets God- in all three persons- the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  As Mac spends time with the triune God, he is able to ask God all the questions he has always wanted to ask.  He comes to realize that God was not responsible for, nor desired, his daughter’s death, and he is very changed by the whole experience.   This surprise best seller, also available on CD, began as an independently published book spread by word of mouth and internet publishing.  It is not exactly standard Christian fiction, but has been read by several book clubs in churches and libraries.  It is sure to spark discussion!
Anna Dombrowski, Calumet City Public Library

Zellnik, M. J. Murder at the Portland Variety, 2005 : In 1890s Portland, seamstress Libby Seales is shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Vaudeville coworker (and magician’s assistant) Vera Carabella. When the police dismiss the case, Libby searches for the truth with the help of a new friend, journalist Peter Eberle.

Jennifer Asimakopoulos, Indian Prairie Public Library