Welcome to this month's edition of Six Degrees of Separation, which is a monthly meme hosted by Kate from Books Are My Favourite and Best. The idea is to start with a specific book and make a series of links from one book to the next using whatever link you can find and see where you end up after six links. I am also linking this post up with The Sunday Salon, hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.
The starting point this month is Hydra by Adriane Howell,which was nominated for the Stella Prize shortlist.
The hydra is a creature from Greek mythology. My first book this month is call The Forgotten Palace by Alexandra Walsh. This is a book that has dual timeline. The historical timeline is about a young woman who works on an archeological dig in Knossos and the book also explores the myth of the minotaur, another creature from Greek mythology
Another series which has a female archaeologist is the Amelia Peabody mystery series by Elizabeth Peters, set in Egypt. For the purposes of this chain I have selected the thirteenth book, Lord of the Silent.
The first book in Deanna Raybourn's Lady Julia Grey series is Silent in the Grave, another Victorian lady investigator. It has one of the few opening lines that I remember reading in a book. Normally I don't remember opening lines.
To say that I met Nicholas Brisbane over my husband's dead body is not entirely accurate. Edward, it should be noted, was still twitching upon the floor.
You may notice we have a theme which is running through these first few choices. My next choice is the first book in the Pink Carnation series, The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig. Whilst this isn't a mystery in terms of figuring out who the murderer is, it is a spy mystery.
My next choice is Karen White's The House on Tradd Street. This series is a historical mystery but only because the story is of a modern woman who is solving old mysteries.
I really needed this month to have seven degrees of separation so I could include a book by Beatriz Williams. Instead my last choice is a book that is jointly written by Lauren Willig, Karen White and Beatriz Williams. They have written a number of books together but the one I am going to choose to round out my chain today is The Lost Summers of Newport.
The starting point for next month is Friendaholic by Elizabeth Day
Lovely chain. I've read all of the "Team-W" books (Williams, Willig, White), except this one. I didn't get the ARC so I'm waiting for the paperback to come out.
ReplyDeleteThose are all unfamiliar books to me, so I don't really follow the connections, but the idea is interesting. I just read the last book about an archaeologist who is also an amateur detective, that is Ruth Galloway in the 15-book series by Elly Griffiths. I think it might fit your theme.
ReplyDeletebest, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
I read and liked almost all of the Elizabeth Peters Egyptian books. Such a good mystery writer on her topic.
ReplyDeleteSo many interesting books on your chain. I've never read Elizabeth Peters but I've heard so many good things about her books. I have to give her a try.
ReplyDeleteThat's cool how you link the books. I always get confused when I think about joining in.
ReplyDeleteGreat chain - I got busy and didn't do one this month :(
ReplyDeleteTerrie @ Bookshelf Journeys
Some good ones here! I never got that far along with Elizabeth Peters but I did enjoy Silent in the Grave and The Secret History of the Pink Carnation. Although now that I think about it, I did not continue with those series either.
ReplyDeleteStill, I live near Newport so the next time you come to the states, consider coming to Massachusetts as there is lots to see and Newport only 90 minutes away. My brother was studying there a few years ago and decided it was too far to commute on a daily basis but he got to know the area very well. I like the touristy parts and the gorgeous "cottages" enjoyed by the rich New Yorkers.
You always find the best historical fiction books. I like it that you shared some books in the historical mystery subgenre.
ReplyDeleteThese are all new to me, though I'm familiar with several of the authors you shared.
Whew! That first line from Silent in the Grave!