Crossed: A Tale of the Fourth Crusade by Nicole Galland

I loved this book! As a medieval historian, I thought the take on this moment in history was superb, but also laugh-out-loud funny--like a marriage of Eugen Weber with Monty Python. Galland's character development is wonderful! While the events highlighted in the story present the sometimes tragic stupidity of western thought (and the voracious hunger for western power), the story remains hopeful and optimistic. I will definitely be recommending this to friends and library patrons!

Acceptable Loss: A William Monk Novel by Anne Perry

It has been a while since I've posted anything.  The "new job" and life just kind of took over, but I did want to share with you a novel that I've just finished reading.  It is one of a long line of Anne Perry's William Monk novels, Acceptable Loss.  This is the 17th novel in the series.  Who would think that an author who writes 4 series (and a number of books within each of those!) could keep the storylines so fresh, intriguing and exciting.  This time, things have changed between some of the major characters in the series, so the interest in the story goes up for me even more.  The question is, will the quest for truth and justice prevail, or will that quest be overruled by an unbending adherence to family loyalty?  There were times when the dilemmas that Oliver Rathbone faces made my stomach drop to the floor.  I cannot wait to read the next novel to see how the shift in dynamics will continue to influence these characters that I have come to love.  I've decided that Hester Latterly Monk is a wonderful role model, even if she is at times awkward and too outspoken (or maybe she is so wonderful because she is awkward and outspoken!).