I'm a little bit late to the party today, but I didn't want to miss out on my favorite weekly blog event. This week's topic is a fun one, too: Top Ten Books With Honorifics in the Title (submitted by Joanne over at Portobello Book Blog). You don't find this trend much in my favorite genre (mystery/thriller), but it's more prevalent in my second fave (historical fiction). We'll see if I can come up with a list of ten. It's going to be a bit tough, methinks...
As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl.
Top Ten Books On My TBR List With Honorifics in the Title
- in no particular order -
1. Dear Mrs. Bird by A.J. Pearce—I've already read this delightful historical novel about an advice columnist dispensing wisdom during World War II, but there are now a few sequels, the newest of which comes out in August. I need to reread this first installment and then continue with the series.
2. A Murder for Miss Hortense by Mel Pennant—The titular character of this mystery is a Jamaican nurse living in England who has many talents. She's working with a community of Black investors when a John Doe is discovered, a Bible verse the only clue as to what happened and whodunit. The discovery takes Miss Hortense back to her long-hidden past. It's up to her to solve the killing without destroying the life she's built in England in the process.
3. Mr. Churchill's Secretary by Susan Ella MacNeal—The first in a historical mystery series, this novel introduces Maggie Hope, a brilliant young woman who's as smart and capable as anyone in British intelligence. Because of her gender, the only job she's qualified for at No. 10 Downing Street is a typist. It's not long before her superiors recognize her real abilities and start giving her assignments that will put her and everyone she loves in grave danger.
4. The Last Grand Duchess by Bryn Turnbull—In this historical novel, the heartbreaking story of Russia's royal Romanov family is told through the eyes of Olga, one of Anastasia's sisters.
5. Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder by Catherine Lloyd—Another series opener, this book features Lady Caroline, who's left penniless after her father's suspicious murder. She takes a position as a lady's maid in an odd household where suspicious things are happening, including the murder of a family member. Along with the lady of the house, Caroline investigates the murder.
6. The Second Mrs. Astor by Shana Abé—As indicated by its title, this novel tells the story of Madeleine Talmage Force, the 17-year-old socialite who attracted the attention of 46-year-old, recently divorced John Jacob "Jack" Astor and married him in 1911. The scandal became the talk of the town. After honeymooning in Egypt, they boarded Titanic for their journey home, only to meet with disaster...
7. The Goddess of Warsaw by Lisa Barr—Screen legend Lena Browning is known for her glamorous Hollywood roles. No one knows the truth about her past as a Polish Jew who fought with the Resistance to take down the Nazis. When someone in her present threatens to expose her, everything—and everyone—she loves comes under threat. It's up to her to protect her family and her secrets.
8. The Lady and Her Quill by Ruth A. Casie—This historical mystery/romance features two feuding authors who are competing against each other in a challenge to determine who is the more talented writer and the more skilled detective.
9. Detective Aunty by Uzma Jalaluddin—The first in a new cozy series, this mystery introduces Kausar Khan who returns to Toronto after thirty years in order to help her daughter, who has been accused of murdering her hated landlord. Kausar soon discovers that the killing is only one of a number of crimes that have occurred lately in her old neighborhood. What is going on? She's determined to find out and clear her daughter's name in the process.
10. Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray—Frances Perkins was a formiddable woman who was determined to make a difference by enacting societal change. When she met Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a young lawyer with an outsized ego, she was not impressed. Unbeknownst to both of them, the two would form a powerful, unlikely partnership, one that would take them both to the White House. This novel tells Frances' story.
I had to repeat a few honorifics, but I made it to ten. Phew! Have you read any of these? Which titles with honorifics did you feature on your list today? I'd love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.
Happy TTT!
This is a great list! I haven't read any of these, but Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder and Detective Aunty both sound really fun!
ReplyDeleteOoh nice picks! These are all new to me ones. This was a fun scavenger hunt kind of topic and I really enjoyed it! Wish I'd thought of a few more honorifics as I thought of more titles after seeing other posts! Lol.
ReplyDeleteThis one was hard for me, but I can see how it's maybe a little easier if you read historical fiction. xD A lot of these sound really interesting, and I really like the Miss Morton's cover!
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a fun TTT theme. And I almost put Dear Mrs. Bird on my list, too. The Lady and her Quill is one that I really want to check out. Have a great week, Susan. :D
ReplyDeleteDear Mrs. Bird sounds like a good read.
ReplyDeleteYou found some really good ones! I don't think I've heard of any of them before!
ReplyDeleteThis was an easy and fun prompt this week! Great job! ~Carol @ ReadingLadies
ReplyDeleteI've also read Dear Mrs. Bird, it was a good story.
ReplyDeleteThese all look excellent. I have got more into Historical Fiction recently, especially Historical Fiction Mysteries - love them!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!