Death in the West Wind by Deryn Lake gives us another chapter in the life and times of Mr John Rawlings, apothecary and sleuth extraordinaire. It's April 1759 and this time he's on his honeymoon: which doesn't, of course, stop him from becoming involved in another mystery and another investigation. Fast, fun, intriguing and written by a writer who knows her period and her characters from the inside out.
Born Fighting by James Webb has as its subtitle How the Scots-Irish Shaped America. More than 27 million Americans alive today can trace their ancestry back to Scotland. Those who descend from forebears who migrated to Ireland as part of the bitterly resented plantation of Ulster in the 17th century before moving on again to America call themselves Scots-Irish. This immensely readable book traces their often blood-stained history. The author argues that these struggles forged the stubborn character of the Scots-Irish culture and personality which in turn defines many aspects of life in the United States. Erudite, thought-provoking, passionate, moving and lyrical.
These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer. Nobody does it better. Romantic, sexy, witty and entertaining - and with the bonus of a lovely cover.
Night Song of the Last Tram by Robert Douglas is a touching, evocative and often funny memoir of the author's childhood in the Glasgow of the 1950s. His close and loving relationship with his mother Janet is particularly well-drawn and also immensely moving.