I'd never heard of Bletchley Park until I saw that one of my favorite historical fiction writers, Ruta Sepetys, was coming out with a new novel entitled The Bletchley Riddle. A little Googling revealed that Bletchley Park is a country house in Buckinghamshire, England, that was purchased by a British government agent for use as a code-breaking center during World War II. The work that was done there was top secret, accomplished by mostly young people, and has been credited with shortening the war by 2-4 years. So, what specifically went on there?

Now that the mysteries of Bletchley Park have been declassified, the public can read all about it. Even though I haven't been a child for *ahem* quite some time, I particularly enjoyed learning about the Park from two books written for middle grade readers that came out this year—The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win World War II by Candace Fleming and the aforementioned The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin. They make perfect companion reads. I read Fleming's non-fiction account first, which gave me a great basic understanding of the Park. Having that foundation enhanced my enjoyment of the novel, which tells an exciting fictional story about two siblings who work there.

The Enigma Girls provides a thorough, very readable account of what Bletchley Park was, the work that went on inside its walls, what that work entailed, who performed the jobs, how their work impacted the war, and, most fascinating to me, how it affected them on a personal level. I was especially amazed that so many of the Park's workers were young (most were under 21) and female. The fact that these young ladies answered the call of their government to leave their homes for an unknown period of time to live in an unknown place and to perform unknown "war work" duties that they were absolutely forbidden to talk about—even with other workers at the Park—is astounding, really. As the book's subtitle indicates, Fleming focuses on ten specific workers, which gives the text a close-up, intimate feel.

A lot of the code breaking that went on involved using complicated machinery and tedious deciphering methods. Fleming explains these in detail, which does get a little dull and overwhelming at points. Other than that, though, The Enigma Girls is an excellent read. It's interesting, conversational, and inspiring. I highly recommend it for anyone, middle grader or not, who's interested in learning more about this lesser known aspect of World War II.

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The Bletchley Riddle begins with a splash. Not literally, but it does involve a plucky 14-year-old giving her chaperone the slip and escaping the ship that is supposed to take her to safety in America. Lizzie Novis has no interest in leaving England, no matter how dangerous the war gets. She has too much to do. Her mother, an American who was working for the U.S. Embassy in London, disappeared 9 months ago while on a trip to Poland. Although she is presumed dead, Lizzie refuses to believe it. She has tried to enlist her brother's help in finding their only parent, but he has repeatedly told her to drop it. Just when he's decided to stop communicating with her, she finds an important clue that she hopes will entice him into helping her investigate. 

When Lizzie goes in search of her brother, she discovers even more secrets. A math student at Cambridge, 19-year-old Jakob is now doing a top secret war job in the countryside that he can't talk about. Since he can't leave his sister on her own, he has no choice but to take her with him to Bletchley Park, where she becomes a messenger at the mysterious facility. As Lizzie puzzles out what is going on at her hush-hush new workplace, she enlists the help of new friends to figure out what really happened to her mother. The more they dig, the more disturbing and risky their investigation becomes. What was Willa Novis really doing in Poland? Could rumors that she was a traitor to the Allies possibly be true? What is happening behind all the closed doors at Bletchley Park? Can the efforts of an ordinary teenage girl truly make a difference in such a vicious, overwhelming war? Lizzie is about to find out.

The Bletchley Riddle is fiction, written to entertain more than educate, so it's no surprise that it moves a lot faster than The Enigma Girls. With short, snappy chapters filled with action and intrigue, it tells a compelling and engrossing story. Although it goes over a lot of the technical details that were discussed in The Enigma Girls, Sepetys and Sheinkin explain them in a shorter, simpler way that never bogs down the plot. In fact, the tale focuses more on the mystery of Willa's disappearance than the goings-on at Bletchley Park, blending the most exciting aspects of both to keep the novel rocking along. 

I love the characters in this novel, especially feisty, outspoken Lizzie. Jakob, Colin, and Marion are perfect foils for her with their calmer, more grounded personalities. Combining their various talents, they make an appealing, well-balanced team.

Along with an interesting Bletchley Park backdrop; an intriguing, exciting plot; and warm, likeable characters; Sepetys and Sheinkin add in dashes of humor and romance along with a plot twist or two to round out this enjoyable novel. What results is a solid, satisfying read that educates and entertains at the same time. I loved it.

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If you enjoy learning about code-breaking and lesser-known aspects of World War II, you should dig both of these excellent reads. Each is worth the read on its own, but they complement each other so well that you really should try them both to get a complete picture of all the intrigue and intent focus that once defined Bletchley Park. 

I missed my favorite weekly meme last week for the very best reason in the world: my first grandbaby was born last Tuesday! My daughter-in-law has a heart condition that put her in the ICU for post-partum observation until today, so this little cutie was discharged from the hospital before her mommy. Because of that, the two of us have gotten to spend lots of time together this week (especially late at night). She's a sweet, calm baby, and we're all smitten with her.

My son and daughter-in-law don't want pictures of their precious newborn's face on the Internet, so you're just going to have to trust me when I say that she is the most beautiful granddaughter ever born! (Although my red, squinty eyes make me look demonic in this picture, they're just the result of me crying lots of joyful tears.) 

Today's TTT topic is a fun one: Top Ten Atmospheric Books. I love a story that immerses me in a rich, evocative setting that makes me feel like I've stepped right into another world. If a book is described as "atmospheric," I will 100% take a closer look at it. It's maybe not so surprising then that the word I tend to most overuse in my reviews is "atmospheric." My memory isn't the greatest (I am old enough to be a grandma, after all) so I don't remember all the details that made these books stand out to me, but I described them all with my favorite review word. 

Top Ten Tuesday is, as always, hosted by Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl. She has COVID, so give her some extra love today.

Top Ten Atmospheric Books

1. Dry by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman—This YA novel is about a drought in California that makes people so desperate for water that they create a dystopian situation for themselves. The story is so vividly told that my throat felt parched the entire time I was reading it. I've never guzzled as much water while reading before!

2. Anything by Kate Morton—Morton is one of my all-time favorite authors because her books are always soaked in atmosphere. They feature old homes, buried secrets, and evocative settings.

3. Bluebird by Sharon Cameron—This YA historical is one of my favorite novels about World War II. It's stunning for a number of reasons, one of which is its immersive setting.

4. The Broken Girls by Simone St. James—Haunted house stories are often eerie and atmospheric. This one, set in an abandoned school for troubled girls, certainly is. Even though it creeped me out big time and ultimately gave me nightmares, I couldn't stop reading it. That's how gripping it is.

5. I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys—Almost everything about this historical teen novel feels heavy and oppressive. This is done on purpose so that the reader can feel deeply what it must have been like to live in Communist Romania under the rule of a cruel, power-hungry tyrant.

6. The Girls in the Stilt House by Kelly Mustian—Set in the 1920s in a squalid Mississippi swamp community, the setting comes very much alive in this novel about two girls living bleak, hardscrabble lives who come together to cover up a murder.

7. Eventide by Sarah Goodman—I read this spooky teen novel while doing the overnight shift with my grandbaby. It's got a "don't go into the woods" plot that had me jumping a little every time I heard a noise that wasn't a sweet baby coo.

8. The Armand Gamache series by Louise Penny—These are my favorite mystery books, in part because the author makes the little town of Three Pines come alive in such a brilliant way. Yes, it's a quaint, cozy village, but its residents are complex individuals with abundant quirks, faults, and secrets. This causes the hamlet to come alive in a way that makes me want to move there immediately, warts and all.

9. These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly—It's been years since I read this YA mystery set in Gilded Age New York City, but I remember loving it. A page-turner for lots of reasons, it boasts a vivid setting. 

10. The Dry by Jane Harper—Like #1, this contemporary Australian mystery novel is set in a parched, drought-stricken land. The author creates such a dynamic backdrop that I could taste the dust in the air.

There you go, ten atmospheric books I enjoyed reading. Have you read any of them? Which titles did you choose for your list today? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.

Happy TTT!

If you want to join in the TTT fun (and you definitely do), click on over to That Artsy Reader Girl for all the details.

Okay, so here's the idea. I'm going to list ten of my favorite authors who are currently writing books and what I like about their work. Then, I would LOVE it if you would recommend similar books/authors that you think I might enjoy. I'm open to new genres (except for erotica and anything too graphic), but my go-tos are definitely mysteries, thrillers, historical fiction, historical mysteries, general/women's fiction, and family sagas. I tend to shy away from anything too literary or strange or fantasy-y. Non-fiction recs would be awesome as well. Make sense? Alright, put your thinking caps on and give me some great new books/authors to try! 

If I Like These Ten Books and Authors, What/Who Else Would I Enjoy?

- in no particular order; images are of my favorite book by the author or the first book in my favorite series by them - 

1. Kathy Reichs

• Writes: mysteries/thrillers/crime with a focus on forensic science (Reichs is a forensic anthropologist.)
• What I like about her books: strong female lead; likable, complex characters; forensics explained in a way that is approachable, but not condescendingly simple; upbeat vibe, edge-of-your-seat plotting, and humor throughout 

• Writes: historical fiction, family sagas, family secrets novels, dual-timeline 
• What I like about her books: atmospheric settings, complex family dynamics, compelling plots, clean content, Gothic vibes

3. Kelley Armstrong

• Writes: mysteries/thrillers/crime for adults and YA; also writes urban fantasy and supernatural novels, but I haven't read any of those (not my genre)
• What I like about her books: strong female leads, humor, exciting plots, complex characters and relationship dynamics, understated romance as subplots

4. Ruta Sepetys

• Writes: YA historical fiction
• What I like about her books: unique settings, vivid historical detail, sympathetic characters, engaging prose

5. Louise Penny

• Writes: mysteries/thrillers/crime with a bit of a literary bent
• What I lilke about her books: rich, detailed settings; complex, sympathetic characters; lead character with wisdom and morals; interesting mysteries; easy to sink into

6. Maureen Johnson

• Writes: YA contemporary fiction and YA mysteries/thrillers
• What I like about her books: warm vibe; page-turners; likable characters; twisty mysteries

7. Stacey Lee

• Writes: MG and YA contemporary and (mostly) historical fiction with a focus on the Chinese-American experience
• What I like about her books: rich, historical settings/details; unique take on known historical events; compelling plots; clean content; engaging

8. Riley Sager

• Writes: thrillers, psychological thrillers, mysteries, spooky books
• What I like about his books: creepy without being terrifying; intriguing premises; addicting stories; plots that pull me in and keep me reading fast and furious

9. Jennifer Ryan

• Writes: historical fiction
• What I like about her books: upbeat in spite of heavy subject matter; likable, sympathetic characters; strong female characters; vivid historical settings/details; engaging reads; clean content

10. Susan Meissner