The Farnsworth House Haunting: On the Gettysburg Ghost Trail by Richard Estep

Following links on this page may result in my earning a small fee.

[The following is a rare cross-post from one of my other blogs. If you like paranormal and spooky topics, visit spooky.bethwojiski.com. This book is reviewed there as well.]

I’ve had this book on my to-read list for a long time, and a couple of months ago, I finished it in only a couple of days. I was able to get it in the Kindle edition.

Synopsis:

This book is a history of the Farnsworth House and the role it played in the Battle of Gettysburg in July of 1863. It is also a history of Richard Estep and his team’s investigation of the Farnsworth House, with experiencer accounts included as Mr. Estep interviewed people who had witnessed objects moving, strange voices, etc. while he stayed there. He also included evidence from Brad Klinge of Ghost Lab (and known for video footage of a soldier on the battlefield). The Klinge brothers had done an investigation of Farnsworth House that was very interesting, which was touched on here. Finally, at the end is a short piece of historical fiction to give the reader a realistic sense of what things were like during the war.

My thoughts:

I gave this book 5 stars on Goodreads without even hesitating! It was a real page-turner and well researched, with a friendly, accessible voice and tone. You could almost imagine Richard Estep just talking to you as you read it. I appreciated his thoroughness in both historical research and trying to get a balanced sense of what the paranormal issues are. He has a knack of giving your mind’s eye the details it needs to envision past and present together as he discusses his team’s investigation.

I was particularly impressed by the short fiction piece at the end. I had no idea that would be in the book before I started, but it was an immersive experience and I got quite emotional. I used to be a Civil War reenactor, and I know Gettysburg quite well. For someone to be able to help you really see the battles for the human toll they took is quite a gift.

Get the book:

You can find The Farnsworth House Haunting: On the Gettysburg Ghost Trail in various formats on Amazon. At the time of this posting, it was also available for free with your Kindle Unlimited subscription. I read this book via my KU subscription and love that for a small monthly fee I have excellent books at my fingertips anytime I wish! 

Inquire with your local bookstore or library about availability in those venues. While I provide links to books as a courtesy, if you want to support your library or indie bookstore, or buy from the author directly, I always support that!

Have you been to Farnsworth House, and if so, have you had an experience? 

Submit your story or share one in the comments! I'd love to hear all about it, especially as I am about to go to Gettysburg in a little more than a week.

The Tale Teller: A Leaphorn, Chee & Maneulito Novel by Anne Hillerman

Following links on this page may result in my earning a small fee. 

It's been a long time since I've read a Detective Joe Leaphorn mystery, so when I saw The Tale Teller by Anne Hillerman pop up on my library app's search results when I was looking for a mystery audiobook to listen to, I immediately borrowed it!

Synopsis

Navajo policeman Joe Leaphorn is retired from the Tribal Police, but he is still active as a private investigator. He agrees to look into an unusual case of a donation to a local Navajo museum going missing sometime between the time it was sent and the time it arrived at the museum. Complicating matters are the fact that the donor is anonymous and there is a need to keep these inquiries quiet so as not to create scandal for the museum or its director. 

Meanwhile, Sergeant Jim Chee is investigating a series of robberies of family jewelry and other valuables from members of the Navajo community, and his wife, Officer Bernie Manuelito, discovers a dead body on a popular trail while out on a run.

As each investigates his or her own cases, parallels start to be drawn, clues start to merge, and time starts to run out to find the answers before someone gets hurt.

My Thoughts

Hands down, I loved this book! I didn't want to stop listening to it when I had to go and do other things. It was the perfect novel to get lost in as I worked with my hands (I am an avid crafter and like to read and craft at the same time...thank God for audiobooks!)

When I saw the author name, I assumed Anne Hillerman was related to Tony Hillerman, original author of the famous Joe Leaphorn series. Turns out she is his daughter and has carried on his work after his death. I had read Tony Hillerman's first few books in the Leaphorn series when I was a young teenager, and I loved them, so I'm thrilled to see there are more books. I know that once I finish going through Martha Grimes's Richard Jury series in order, I'll probably start reading the Leaphorn series in order.

What I specifically liked about this book was the characters. Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito all came to life under the beautiful narration of Christina Delaine, and I quickly forgot I was listening to a narrator. But for a character to come to life via a voice artist, they must be written well. Bernie, Joe, and Jim are all complete characters on their own. I especially appreciate how strong and capable women are written in this book, and that respect for women is emphasized. The mysteries were great, too—there were no pat endings or loose ends. The way the mysteries intertwine was particularly well done. And finally, I appreciate learning some of the beliefs and traditions of the Navajo people, for whom I have great respect. The book gives you enough references that, should you choose to inform yourself of what happened to the Navajo people historically, you can learn more.

Get the Book

The Tale Teller by Anne Hillerman is available on Amazon (hard copy or Kindle ebook) or Audible (audiobook). 

While I am an Amazon affiliate and appreciate any support you give by clicking on my links, I also support libraries and indie bookstores. Small businesses and libraries can always use the business, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic shut them down for a long time. If you prefer to shop local, click here to find an independent bookseller near you. As I mentioned above, I borrowed this in audiobook format from my local library via the Libby app.

5-Minute Stress Relief: 75 Exercises to Quiet Your Mind and Calm Your Body by Elena Welsh, PhD

Following links on this page may result in my earning a small fee from affiliates. 

Below is a rare crosspost from one of my other blogs, positively b.e.e. I reviewed this book there due to its subject matter. I hope you enjoy it! If you're interested in regular, positive content, consider subscribing to positively b.e.e.'s updates!

Let's talk about stress this month. I imagine right now, a lot of people are stressed out over back-to-school stuff, more so in a pandemic.

Typically, parents would be preparing their kiddos to go back to school—buying new clothes, backpacks, school supplies and lunch boxes—but 2020 has really done a doozy on the process this year. 

I really feel for parents, teachers, and kids right now. Are schools opening or not for in-person classes? Do parents have to figure out home school or online learning options? Will kids ever get to see their friends during the school year and have normal, kid lives again? How are teachers going to cope with all of this, too? How do administrators keep kids safe if they return to in-person classes?

It's so incredibly stressful for all involved, with decisions literally impacting life and health to come. I don't envy anyone faced with these choices. 

Back-to-school stress isn't the only stress out there, but is a huge piece of the stress that I'm seeing in my circle of friends right now. Since stress is always a component of life, I thought it would be a good idea to review a book that may help.

5-Minute Stress Relief: 75 Exercises to Quiet Your Mind and Calm Your Body by Elena Welsh, PhD

I chose this book because I thought it would help people during the particularly stressful times we are encountering this year. It is written by a licensed clinical psychologist, Elena Welsh, who is based in Los Angeles, California and specializes in self-help books informed by science. 

Synopsis

This book says it will “take the stress out of relieving stress!” Sign me up! 

It offers simple activities one can do in order to reduce your stress levels, and it claims each of these will help you feel calmer within a few minutes. The book is small and portable, making it easy to travel with. It starts with  the idea that stress will happen, but you can change your relationship to stress in order to shift your experience.

The book is organized in a few different parts: 

Part One explains why you’re feeling stress and discusses what is physically happening in your body during stressful situations. The author discusses the parasympathetic nervous system and how stress can potentially be useful either in times of danger or in other situations that are not dangerous. She even discusses how generally happy situations, like weddings and births, can cause stress, and what a person can do about that. Causes, symptoms, and the mind-body connection are all explored in this easy-to-read section.

Part Two consists of a series of 5-minute exercises. She starts with various ways to quiet the mind—including one of my favorite techniques: listening to the sounds around you—but she lists many other ways, too. She then has a segment about writing your stress out, which of course appeals to me, since I work in the writing world. She gives several examples of writing prompts and even space to write them within the book. There is a small surprise in the book that I don’t want to spoiler too much, but you might want to have some colored pencils on hand.

My Thoughts

For such a small book, it is extensively researched if the reference list is anything to go by, with sources primarily coming from scientific journal articles about cognitive behavior and the effects of cortisol and stress, to the effects of mindfulness and flow practices (such as tai chi, for example) on stress levels, and more. I’m impressed by this level of research, in particular. I don’t think I’ve ever seen SUCH a heavily researched work for a smaller self-help book like this one. It may be tiny, but it's mighty!

My advanced reader copy does have an error in the pagination of the table of contents, but that's not a big deal. Hopefully they fixed it in the final print run. 

I think this would be a worthy addition to anyone’s toolkit if you are looking for ways to reduce your stress, particularly with 2020 going the way it has been. It addresses many kinds of stress and Elena Welsh writes in a way that is accessible to any reader and is authoritative in her knowledge. It's also easy to use the book if you want to hone in on a specific issue you'd like to address, and it's a fun read.

Get the Book 

5-Minute Stress Relief: 75 Exercises to Quiet Your Mind and Calm Your Body by Elena Welsh, PhD is published by Callisto Publishers, and I acquired my copy through their advanced reader program.  

You can purchase the book online at Amazon, and at the time of this writing, it is available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership.

While I am an Amazon affiliate and appreciate any support you give by clicking on my links, I also support libraries and indie bookstores. Small businesses and libraries can always use the business, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic shut them down for a long time. If you prefer to shop local, click here to find an independent bookseller near you.

Be well! 🐝💛

 ~positively b.e.e. is on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Follow me there!~

The Trespass by Scott Hunter (An Archaeological Mystery Thriller)

Following links on this page may result in my earning a small fee from affiliates. 

I read this book for free via my Kindle Unlimited subscription.

Synopsis

University anthropology professor Simon Dracup's daughter is kidnapped, and now someone is trying to kill him. Why? 

Simon knows it has something to do with his grandfather's old diary, recently bequeathed to him in his aunt's estate. The pages within hold secrets that someone doesn't want getting out, and if he wants to stay alive and get his daughter back, then Simon must figure out what happened with his grandfather's last archaeological expedition and why it matters so much to certain factions.

My Thoughts

Within a chapter, I was totally hooked! I always wanted to be an archaeologist as a kid, and I loved the Indiana Jones series of movies. I love a good thriller that sends basically ordinary people on an adventure around the world, hunting for clues a lá Dan Brown's The DaVinci Code. The book has an interesting take on a biblical premise: what happened to Noah's Ark after the floodwaters receded, and what could be found on the ark if archaeologists ever excavated? And why do people care so much?

There are nail-biting scenes galore with terrorists, CIA operatives, and the addition of a few interesting minor characters who love a good adventure.  

My only quibble is this: while I liked the final action scenes, the end felt a little abrupt. It was like action-action-action and then it was over. I would have liked to see one more scene at the end, perhaps showing the characters a few weeks or months later, just wrapping it all up with a neat little bow. 

Get the Book

You can find The Trespass (An Archaeological Mystery Thriller) by Scott Hunter on Amazon. As noted above, at the time of this writing, the book is free on Kindle Unlimited or available for purchase. It is also available on Audible. Inquire with your local bookstore or library about availability in those venues.

Downsizing: The 5-Step Method for Life Transitions Big and Small by Mia Danielle

Following links on this page may result in my earning a small fee from affiliates. 

I received this book from the publisher as an advanced reader copy. 

Synopsis

There are many reasons one may have to downsize their home, from life changing events such as divorce or retirement, empty nest, needing to move homes, or simply due to having too much stuff. 

This book, written by minimalism expert Mia Danielle, hopes to address how to keep calm and focused while addressing the task of downsizing.

My Thoughts

First of all, I was impressed with the layout and organization of the book. The chapters are organized by life event. The reader can go straight to the chapter that fits their current situation. 

Each chapter addresses what tools you'll need, the logistics of how to get your ducks in a row for that life change, and even addresses checking in with your feelings, preserving memories, etc. Additionally, there are pages that help you track things like how you are feeling emotionally as well as planning and checklist activities and donations/sales trackers for the items you let go of.

All in all I think this will be a really useful book as I try to downsize my own life. I am looking forward to using the tools within and getting rid of the extra stuff I don't need but have somehow convinced myself to keep (so far).

My only complaint— and it's a minor quibble—is the cover of the book just doesn't really draw me in. It's not that attractive, and I might not notice it if it were on a bookstore shelf. (Thankfully, Amazon and other online retailers make it easy to search by subject matter, presenting the reader with many options to consider regardless of cover.)

Get the Book

You can find Downsizing: The 5-Step Method for Life Transitions Big and Small by Mia Danielle on Amazon. Inquire with your local bookstore or library about availability in those venues.

The Body in the Bookmobile by Connie B. Dowell (A Millie Monroe Mystery Series — Book 1)

Following links on this page may result in my earning a small fee from affiliates. 

I read this book for free via my Kindle Unlimited subscription.

Synopsis

Newly dropped out from law school and feeling a bit adrift, Millie Monroe lands what should be an easy-peasy job as a library bookmobile driver in a new-to-her town in scenic, small-town Virginia. On her first day there, she moves in with her cousin, finds a good craft beer joint, and likes her new coworkers. Things seem like they'll be okay ... until they aren't. On her first day of work, a retired librarian is found dead in her van. As is typical of the cozy genre, despite multiple warnings from police not to investigate, Millie and her friends do—and things go haywire from there!

My Thoughts

This was a fun little mystery, but emphasis on "little." Why do I say that? I feel like the book's plot wasn't too deep or complicated. While not all books need to be really twisty, the "twists" advertised in this book's Amazon description didn't really do much for me. It wasn't a bad mystery, though, by any stretch. I just wanted a bit more to the plot and action than what we got. 

I also felt like the book's ending was a bit pat, easily wrapped up before we really got going without much in the way of clues to the reader as to what was going to happen until it suddenly did. And I didn't really believe the main character's motivation for investigating. It's typical in a cozy genre to want to roll your eyes a little as the protagonist, against ALL advice to the contrary, gets themselves embroiled in the mystery, because otherwise there wouldn't be a book—but Millie just didn't convince me.

I liked the cover art very much, and this book would grab my eye if I saw it on a bookshelf, especially since I am a bibliophile. I am a sucker for mysteries set in libraries, book shops, and now bookmobiles. The Body in the Bookmobile appears to have been professionally edited—yay!—but I found some irritating homonyms that were not caught in a proofread. "Breaks" for "brakes" and "pearl two" for "purl two" being two that come to mind instantly. That said, as an editor and proofreader, I know we are not perfect at what we do, and a small amount of errors are acceptable, so it is what it is. (Knitters, please try not to groan at "pearl two.")

I did like the tiny bit of action in the end. I don't want to spoiler you, so all I'll say about that is Millie's way of confronting someone in a time of high stress is something I haven't seen too often in a cozy, and I kind of respect her for it.

I plan on reading Book 2 in the series, A Villain in the Vineyard, because I liked the characters and I want to see what happens next in their lives. The two main characters started Book 1 by making big changes in their lives, which means there is room for character growth and interpersonal relationships to be expanded upon, so I'm curious to see how they develop. 

If you're looking for a light, fun cozy mystery with characters you'd probably like having a beer with, this book may be a good fit for you. 

Get the Book

You can find The Body in the Bookmobile by Connie B. Dowell on Amazon. At the time of this writing, the book is free on Kindle Unlimited or available for purchase on Kindle. I did not see a paperback version offered at the time of this review. Inquire with your local bookstore or library about availability in those venues.

Murder in Mykonos by Jeffrey Siger (Chief Inspector Andreas Kaldis Series Book 1)

Following links on this page may result in my earning a small fee from affiliates. 

I purchased this book in the Kindle edition.

Synopsis

Andreas Kaldis has just been "promoted" — out of Athens and straight into a position as chief of police in Mykonos, a vacation "paradise" with a seedy underbelly that is often downplayed or pushed under the rug in order to not negatively impact the tourist industry.

Kaldis isn't exactly great at playing "politics" — he doesn't have a lot of patience for it. He'd rather just get the bad guys and the numbers be damned. You get the impression that this is what got him "promoted" out of Athens to a distant island.

So when a body turns up buried in a sacrificial manner under some church flagstones, and it's similar to a cold case from years back, he quickly puts two and two together and realizes the problem won't wait for politicians to get their act together. He needs to save a young woman's life and put the killer behind bars. 

Will posturing politicians cause more needless deaths through their inaction, or will Kaldis succeed in putting old skeletons — and politics — to rest once and for all?

My Thoughts

This was quite a thrill to read! I read it in a couple of nights, despite being exhausted from work. I really enjoyed the character of Kaldis and some of the others he meets along the way, including an older detective he teams up with. I'm glad this is a first in a series, as I will definitely read more adventures of Andreas and gang. There were times when I laughed a bit at his views of things, but mostly the book was darker and more serious in tone. 

Note: Those with any sensitivities to sexual violence, torture, etc., may want to tread carefully here. I consider myself to be semi-sensitive to these things, and while I didn't find it to be excessive, there were a couple of scenes that made me skim a bit rather than dwell any details. 

That said, it was a fascinating setting and story, with complex characters, some of whom you root for and some of whom you hope they get what's coming to them. I look forward to reading the next in the series! 

Get the Book

You can find Murder in Mykonos in various formats on Amazon. Inquire with your local bookstore or library about availability in those venues.