Here is a synopsis of the books that I read this month:
The Art of a Lie by Laura Shepherd-Robinson is a historical mystery set in London in 1749. After her husband is murdered, confectioner Hannah Cole struggles to keep her family sweet shop afloat. When she discovers her husband had secretly amassed a fortune, she becomes entangled in a web of deception, suspicious allies, and a magistrate’s investigation into the source of the money. As Hannah uncovers her husband’s hidden life, she must navigate betrayal, intrigue, and dangerous secrets while fighting to protect her livelihood and reputation. The novel combines mystery, historical detail, and suspense, with themes of trust, survival, and the consequences of hidden truths. Historical fiction is probably my favorite genre. I would recommend it!
Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I’ve Loved is a memoir by Kate Bowler about her life after being diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer at age 35, when she seemed to have everything going well—a thriving career, a loving marriage, and a young son. As a scholar of the “prosperity gospel,” which teaches that faith leads to blessings and success, Bowler is forced to confront the reality that suffering often has no clear explanation. Through humor, honesty, and faith, she explores illness, uncertainty, mortality, and what it means to live fully when life doesn’t go according to plan. The book challenges the idea that “everything happens for a reason” and instead offers a compassionate perspective on finding meaning and hope amid hardship.
