"The Valley of Fear" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

     Published in 1915, this Sherlock Holmes mystery occurs before his fatal encounter with his nemesis Professor Moriaty.  Although the professor does not appear in this story, his evil and powerful presence in England is felt and acknowledged by Mr. Holmes.
     A warning comes to Holmes at 221 B Baker St.: a certain Mr. Douglas is in serious danger.  The note comes from a confederate of the diabolical Professor Moriaty.  Following the note is the arrival of Scottish police detective, Inspector MacDonald.  He announces that a Mr. Douglas of Manor House in Sussex has been brutally murdered.  Holmes and Watson quickly travel to the nearby village of Birlstone to investigate.
     The Manor House is built on the location of a medieval castle and is surrounded by a moat, complete with a drawbridge.  The residents of the house at the time of the murder are Mr. Douglas, his wife, and a close friend, Cecil James Barker.  Conflicting stories circulate concerning Mrs. Douglas and Cecil Barker: some say that Mrs. Douglas was a most devoted and faithful wife and Mr. Barker a loyal friend; others say that she seemed to be slightly partial towards Mr. Barker, which upset her husband.  This last rumor may possess more truth than fancy, at least Dr. Watson seems to think so.  He notices an absence of sorrow from the recently widowed Mrs. Douglas, and even discovers her laughing with Mr. Barker.
     The evidence points to a stranger who arrived at Birlstone shortly before the murder and has disappeared since.  Holmes, meanwhile, takes more interest in the disappearance of a dumbbell from the room where Mr. Douglas was murdered than in the stranger.  This obsession with the missing dumbbell frustrates Inspector MacDonald, but, as usual, Holmes's instincts never fail him.
     The Valley of Fear is divided into two parts: "The Tragedy of Birlstone" and "The Scowers."  The mystery will not disappoint Sherlock Holmes fans, but the second half may be less interesting to some.  The first part is the mystery surrounding the death of Mr. Douglas and the brilliant solution by Holmes.  The second part is the background story, explaining the motive behind the murder.  My sister finished this book before me, and told me that the last half of the book was not the mystery, but a separate story.  She was a little disappointed, because she had been hoping for a long Holmes mystery, like Hound of the Baskervilles.  The Valley of Fear, however, is more like A Study in Scarlet, a mystery and then a long background story.  Knowing this ahead of time, I was able to really appreciate the last half of the book.
     "The Scowers" is an incredible piece of historical fiction based in the United States during the late 1800s.  A coal mining town in Pennsylvania is run by a "mafia" type organization called The Scowers.  They are a union, but operate with violence and threats.  The inhabitants of the Valley of Fear are greatly oppressed by The Scowers, but no one can stop them.  The Scowers are wealthy and can bribe every official in the area.  The protagonist of the story is John McMurdo, a man recently arrived in the Valley of Fear from Chicago.  He joins forces with The Scowers, swiftly moving through the ranks of the fiendish crime ring.
     I really enjoyed both parts, but I especially enjoyed "The Scowers."  It is original and enthralling.  I hope you enjoy Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's short novel, The Valley of Fear.
     Since writing this post, I have a few observation to add.  First of all, my sister and I have come to find the last half of this novel - the section about The Scowers - the best half of the book.

     Second, if you're like me, you love great stories but cannot always find the time to sit down with the physical copy of the book.  Whether I'm doing chores around the house or driving to school, I love having a good audiobook to listen to.  I highly recommend this Naxos Audiobook recording of The Valley of Fear performed by David Timson.  David Timson has read all of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries and novels for Naxos Audiobooks.  He is remarkable at changing his voice for each of the characters.  At times you forget that you're listening to only one person.  These are amazing audiobooks for the Holmes fan or the Holmes novice.

"The Story of the Treasure Seekers" by E. Nesbit

"The Story of the Treasure Seekers: Being the Adventures of the Bastable Children in Search of a Fortune."

      This is a charming story about six siblings: Dora, Oswald, Dicky, Alice and Noel (twins), and Horace Octavius - better known as H.O.  Their mother died, and the children are basically left to raise themselves.  They have a loving father, but he is usually preoccupied with business, leaving the children to have unusual and memorable adventures.  The story is told by one of the children, but never stated by which one until the very end of the story. 
     When Mr. Bastable loses his money, Oswald, the leader among the children, decides that it is up to the young Bastables to recover the family fortune.  This noble mission instigates most of the misadventures.  How often their good intentions are bitterly reversed! 
     Their quest leads them to dig for treasure with the aid of Albert-next-door and Albert-next-door's uncle; they pretend at being detectives; they try to sell Noel's poems (such classics as "Lines on a Dead Beetle That Was Poisoned"); they try their hand at editing a newspaper; they meet a real princess; and they have a memorable run-in with Lord Tottenham.
     Written in 1899, "The Story of the Treasure Seekers" is a wonderful example of the genius of British writers.  C.S. Lewis even mentions it in one of his Chronicles of Narnia books, The Magician's Nephew: 
     "In those days Mr. Sherlock Holmes was still living in Baker Street and the Bastables were looking for treasure in the Lewisham Road."*
     Full of imagination and British humor, E.Nesbit's book is a merry romp in Victorian England through the eyes of six imaginative children.




*Lewis, C.S. Chapter One. The Magician's Nephew. The Chronicles of Narnia. New York City. HarperCollins Children's Books, 1994. pg 1.

"Chronicles of Avonlea" by Lucy Montgomery

     The creator of Anne Shirley returns to the delightful Prince Edward Island, with more stories of warmth, family, and romance.  The delightful Anne graces a couple of these stories with her charming presence, but only as a supporting character.  But not to worry: Lucy Montgomery introduces her readers to other wonderful and unforgettable characters. 
     This collection of twelve short stories is full of Montgomery charm, whit, and humor.  Anne of Green Gables fans will not be disappointed!  Meet Ludovic Speed, a man who has been courting his lady for fifteen years!  In "The Quarantine at Alexander Abraham's", a man-hating woman is quarantined in the home of a woman-hating man.  And Pa Sloane attends an auction that sells just about everything - including a baby!
     You won't find a dull moment in L.M. Montgomery's "Chronicles of Avonlea."
Other short stories include:

~ Old Lady Lloyd
~ Each in His Own Tongue
~ Little Joscelyn
~ The Winning of Lucinda
~ Old Man Shaw's Girl
~ Aunt Oliva's Beau
~ The Courting of Prissy Strong
~ The Miracle at Carmody
~ The End of a Quarrel

     Chronicles of Avonlea, among other books by L.M. Montgomery, were the inspriation for the delightful and popular Canadian television show Road to Avonlea.  If you enjoyed Kevin Sullivan's Anne of Green Gables series, you will love this 7 seasons series. 
     The seasons feature many actors from the Anne of Green Gables series: Colleen Dewhurst (returning as Marilla Cuthbert), Patricia Hamilton (returning as Rachel Lynde), Marilyn Lightstone (returning as Miss Stacy), Jackie Burroughs (Amelia Evans), Cedric Smith (Rev. Allen), Robert Collins (Mr. Barry), Jayne Eastwood (Mrs. Hammond), Mag Ruffman (Alice Lawson), Rosemary Dunsmore (Katherine Brooke), Bruce McCulluch (returning as Mr. Lawson), Paul Brown (Mr. Phillips), and Jennifer Inch (Ruby Gillis).  Jonathan Crombie appears as a guest star in Season Three, returning as Dr. Gilbert Blythe.  Although they played minor roles in the Anne series, Jackie Burroughs, Cedric Smith, and Mag Ruffman have lead roles in this series. 
     In addition to wonderful, established Montgomery characters like Marilla Cuthbert, Miss Stacy, and Rachel Lynde, this series introduces a host of fun, enjoyable new characters.  Some are from Montgomery's novel The Story Girl.  Others were created for the TV series.
     Guest stars that appear in the series include Peter Coyote, Christopher Reeves, Christopher Lloyd, Diana Rigg, Madeline Kahn, Robby Benson, and Michael York.
     From the breath-taking scenery to the heartwarming stories this is a fun series for the entire family.  The road to Avonlea is a road I love to frequently travel.
   


    

"The Circular Staircase" by Mary Roberts Rinehart

     The hall.  The living room.  The card room.  The billiard room.  No, I'm not referring to Clue.  I'm referring to Mary Rinehart's exciting 1908 mystery novel "The Circular Staircase:" a well-mapped "Who Done It" mystery with a dash of early Edwardian culture to boot.
     Middle-aged spinster, Miss Rachel Innes, rents a large house, Sunnyside, for a summer of relaxation.  Sunnyside has different plans, though.  She is accompanied by her grown nephew and niece, Halsey and Gertrude, respectively, and her maid, Liddy Allen.  Sunnyside is a mansion, with numerous rooms and a circular staircase.  It is owned by a Mr. Paul Armstrong, the owner of the Trader's Bank.  Miss Innes is not long at Sunnyside before becoming emotionally and physically tangled in the confusing web of a first-rate mystery.
     Shortly after her arrival, Miss Innes and her household is visited in the middle of the night by a mysterious invader, who leaves nothing behind except a cuff-link and a few dents on the circular staircase.  The following night, the son of Paul Armstrong is murdered.  The prime suspects are Gertrude's fiance and Halsey.  The police and a detective, Mr. Jamieson, arrive to unravel the mystery, but it is Miss Innes, the teller of the tale, who is the true heroine of the story.  A plucky woman, with a dry sense of humor, Miss Innes is the perfect protagonist for "The Circular Staircase." 

   

"In His Steps" by Charles M. Sheldon

     Hard times have come to the town of Raymond.  The wealthy take little interest in the plight of the poor and down-trodden.  They avoid the worst part of Raymond, referred to as the Triangle by the locals.  
     A lone man, jobless, wanders the streets of Raymond, searching in vain for help.  Eventually, he arrives at the home of a local pastor, Henry Maxwell.  Rev. Maxwell, preoccupied with composing his Sunday sermon, speaks briefly with the man.  He is sorry about the man's unfortunate condition, but he has no job to offer the man.  
     The next day, Sunday, the wealthy members of Rev. Maxwell's church arrive to listen to the well-written sermon and enjoy the lovely voice of Rachel Winslow, a singer in the church choir.
     As the sermon begins, a man, the same man who had been desperately seeking help, stands.  He comes slowly down the aisle, towards the front of the church.  Addressing the congregation, he asks, "What do you Christians mean by following the steps of Jesus? . . . Of course I don't expect you people can prevent everyone from dying of starvation, lack of proper nourishment, and tenement air, but what does following Jesus mean?" (Sheldon, 17 & 18)
     This plain, honest question challenges Rev. Maxwell and, for the better or worse, affects the entire town of Raymond.  Although this story was written over a hundred years ago, the questions the man asks challenges both Christians and non-Christians today.  "What does it mean to be a Christian?"  "How should Christians approach the social ills and troubles of the world?"   "If they did, what would be the consequences in our cities, our society?"

                                                            Matthew 16:24-25  


Sheldon, Charles M.  In His Steps.  23rd ed.  United States of America:  Spire Books a division of Baker Book House Co., 1999.  Paperback.

"Yankee Doodle Boy" by Joseph Plumb Martin

     War!  War with England, the Mother Country.  After the fatal confrontation between British soldiers and New England Patriots in Lexington on April 19, 1775, the original thirteen colonies embarked on an eight year journey, fighting against incredible odds to secure their independence from the world's strongest empire.      
     Whenever you think of the Revolutionary War, what faces and names come to mind?  George Washington?  Benjamin Franklin?  Thomas Jefferson?  Our textbooks tell us of the brave and daring deeds of these great men: of the important documents they wrote, the delicate negotiations they accomplished, the battles they won.  We read of the Continental Army as one large mass of volunteers led by famous and infamous generals.  We remember the generals, but what about the men they led to defeat or victory?  What of their stories? 
    Probably unknown by name to the average person, Joseph Plumb Martin is one of those people who fought for our liberties.  He was only fifteen years old when he signed up to fight the Redcoats in 1776.  He grew up in the Continental army, serving his country until the war ended in 1783.  This Connecticut Yankee experienced the terror of battle and the boredom of camp life.  Martin froze and starved at Valley Forge and witnessed the defeat of Cornwallis at Yorktown.  He died in Maine in 1850, but he left to posterity an invaluable account of his service in the Continental Army.  
     His autobiography, published in 1830, was originally entitled "A Narrative of Some of the Adventures, Dangers and Sufferings of a Revolutionary Soldier, Interspersed with Anecdotes of Incidents That Occurred Within His Own Observation."  Rather a mouthful, isn't it?  I have never read the original; instead, I have read an edited version of Martin's remarkable story.  "Yankee Doodle Boy" was edited by George F. Scheer in 1964.  It is an excellent story, well edited by Mr. Scheer.  The story of Joseph Plumb Martin takes us behind the scenes of the War for Independence, reminding us that, powdered wigs aside, these colonials were very much like you and me.
     As time passes, dulling our senses as it is prone to do, it is vital that we refresh our frail memories and recall the story of the birth of our nation and men and women and their ideals and beliefs that shaped our country - people like Joseph Plumb Martin.

                                                        God bless the U. S. A.


Information about this edition and Joseph Plumb Martin was paraphrased from this source:
 Scheer, George F.  Yankee Doodle Boy.  Ed. George F. Scheer.  New York: William R. Scott, Inc., 1964.  Paperback 

"Peter Pan and Wendy" by J.M. Barrie

     "All children, except one, grow up."  Since Peter Pan first flew into the pages of literature, he has enchanted and endeared himself to generations of children that, unlike him, did grow up, and to adults who never fully lost the innocence, joy, and excitement of youth.
     First written as a play in 1904, "Peter and Wendy" was published as a book in 1911.  I have seen several movie and television adaptions of this lovely story, but none fully do justice to Barrie's amazing wit and incomparable style.  It is a wondrous testimony to its author that after one hundred years people still read and love his masterpiece.  Perhaps this is because Peter Pan is not merely a child's book: it is much more.  Its themes, the depth of its characters, and its insight into life fascinates us just as much as the tale.
     I have included a couple of excerpts from this timeless book that I hope encourages you to read and cherish "Peter and Wendy":

     '[Mrs. Darling] was a lovely lady, with a romantic mind and such a sweet mocking mouth.  Her romantic mind was like the tiny boxes, one within the other, that come from the puzzling East, however many you discover there is always one more; and her sweet mocking mouth had one kiss on it that Wendy could never get, though there it was, perfectly conspicuous in the right-hand corner.
      'The way Mr. Darling won her [Mrs. Darling] was this: the many gentlemen who had been boys when she was a girl discovered simultaneously that they loved her, and they all ran to her house to propose to her except Mr. Darling, who took a cab and nipped in first, and so he got her.  He got all of her, except the innermost box and the kiss.  He never knew about the box, and in time he gave up trying for the kiss.  Wendy thought Napoleon could have got it, but I can picture him trying, and then going off in a passion, slamming the door.'* 

     And about a special place in Neverland, Barrie writes . . .
     'If you shut your eyes and are a lucky one, you may see at times a shapeless pool of lovely pale colours suspended in the darkness; then if you squeeze your eyes tighter, the pool begins to take shape, and the colours become so vivid that with another squeeze they must go on fire.  But just before they go on fire you see the lagoon.  This is the nearest you ever get to it on the mainland, just one heavenly moment; if there could be two moments you might see the surf and hear the mermaids singing.'*

     * Barrie, James M.  Peter Pan and Wendy.  United Kingdom: Hodder & Stoughton, 1911.  Print.

"Hours with Girls" by Mrs. Margaret E. Sangster

     I cannot take the credit for discovering this treasure.  My mother found it one day and thought it might interest me greatly.  It once belonged to my great-grandmother, Dora Lackner.  On the page leaf, in lovely, old-fashioned penmanship, is written 'Presented to Dora Lackner for learning Beatitudes  Sept. 29, 1900.' 
     "Hours with Girls" grants readers a unique chance to understand the culture and the ideals that shaped the young women of the late Victorian era.  Mrs. Sangster gives advice on such varied topics as dress, leisure time, friends, admirers, faith, and individuality.  Although some of the advice is a little out dated (such as the number of dresses a young lady should have), the majority of wise counsel is relevant to the twenty-first century young lady (such as time management).
     This small book sheds new light on a woman's role in Victorian America.  Mrs. Sangster encouraged girls not to be idle or simply wait to be married.  " . . . do not regard marriage as the only thing worth living for," she says.  "A happy marriage is indeed the crown of a woman's life, but many women live in a large, noble, and useful way, blessing all around them, and yet are never married."
     "Hours with Girls", published in 1881, is a wonderful and relatively easy read.  If you have read Jane Austen, this book will be a breeze!  
     Chapter topics include:  Self-Control, On Paying Your Way, Hospitality, Courage, Reading the Bible, Being Yourself, and Economy and Extravagance.