Day Shift by Charlaine Harris

Day Shift by Charlaine Harris - 307 pages
Midnight, Texas - #2

Manfred has a problem -- one of his clients died during a consult and now the family is accusing him of stealing the client's jewels.  This would be problem enough, but the publicity isn't good for the town of Midnight.  Especially now when the Reverend is taking care of a young boy with unusual abilities.

This is the second book in the Midnight, Texas series by Charlaine Harris.  I found I liked this book more than the first one -- probably because it gave more background info on the various characters.  I'm looking forward to reading the final book in the series.

The Conquest of Lady Cassandra by Madeline Hunter

The Conquest of Lady Cassandra by Madeline Hunter - 325 pages
The Fairbourne Quartet #2

Lady Cassandra has been an object of scandal since she refused to marry the man who compromised her during her first season.  Now she lives with her aunt and is determined to protect her from her brother who wants to send her to an asylum.  Her plan means receiving the money from the auction of her jewels.  Unfortunately, Viscount Ambury, one of the buyers, refuses to pay until he gets the provenance of the jewels he purchased.

Hitler’s Holy Relics: A True Story of Nazi Plunder and the Race to Recover the Crown Jewels of the Holy Roman Empire

Hitler’s Holy Relics: A True Story of Nazi Plunder and the Race to Recover the Crown Jewels of the Holy Roman Empire

By Sidney D. Kirkpatrick

316 pages

I would recommend this book. It was a delight and well written. It tells of the true story of an art professor, Walter William Horn, turned detective while serving in the aftermath of World War II. He was requested to find the missing crown jewels which the Nazi had plundered.

The Fairy's Mistake by Gail Carson Levine

The Fairy's Mistake by Gail Carson Levine - 87 pages

This is a retelling of the fairy tale of the frogs and pearls.  A good girl is rewarded by a fairy by dropping jewels every time she speaks.  Her mean sister is punished by spitting out bugs and snakes when she speaks.  However, neither the reward nor the punishment turn out to be what the fairy intended.
This retelling is pretty good.  It was actually one of the better tellings of this fairy tale that I have read before.  (I think I've seen more twisted versions of this tale than regular versions.)  Another great fairy tale retelling for kids.