classic Archives

Mystery of the Brass Bound Trunk, The

The Fierceness of 1940s Nancy Author: Carolyn Keene In the 1940s version of The Mystery of the Brass Bound Trunk, Nancy, Bess, and George are planning to take an exclusive girl’s school tour trip to South America. In preparation for the trip, Carson Drew has gifted Nancy a beautiful brass bound trunk with her initials carved into them. But this trunk ends up being the catalyst for many different problems – even attracting armed thieves into the Drew’s home. Meanwhile, one of the students’ mothers, Mrs. Joslin, discovers that Nancy will be present for the trip and demands that the gumshoe [...]

Frances Carden2026-03-21T15:36:45-07:00March 21st, 2026|Tags: classic, cozy mystery, mystery, Nancy Drew, The Mystery of the Brass Bound Trunk, ya|

Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, The

“All shall be done, but it may be harder than you think.” Author: C.S. Lewis The world is at war, but for four English children, this is a distant reality. They’ve been sent from the bustle and danger of London to a professor’s remote country manor for safety. Here, their days are filled with exploration, and one rainy day in particular, the youngest, Lucy, makes a discovery that will change everything. In this creaky English manor, there is a wardrobe filled with old furs, but it is no ordinary wardrobe. It leads to a magical world – one that is [...]

Frances Carden2025-12-08T15:53:51-07:00December 8th, 2025|Tags: Aslan, book review, C.S. Lewis, children's classic, classic, Narnia, read, reading|

The Last Chronicle of Barset

“Money is worth thinking of, but it is not worth very much thought.” Author: Anthony Trollope In The Last Chronicle of Barset Anthony Trollope brings the Barsetshire Chronicles to a close with a stimulating scandal, an unexpected death, a forbidden romance, and a failed romance. What better way to close out a rousing Victorian drama? This time, Barsetshire is consumed with the case of a supposedly stolen check. The proud but impoverished Reverend Josiah Crawley has cashed a note for 20 pounds to pay his butcher bill. He believes this money was given to him by his friend, Dean Arabin, but [...]

Frances Carden2025-11-26T16:16:01-07:00November 26th, 2025|Tags: Anthony Trollope, Barset, Barsetshire, book review, classic, drama, fiction, read, reading, victorian|