Killer Stuff and Tons of Money by Maureen Stanton, 326 pages

Anyone who has watched "Antiques Roadshow" has wondered what wonderful treasure resides in their attic or dreamed about discovering a priceless antique at a garage sale. Curt Avery is someone who makes his living buying and selling antiques. He had his love of antiques triggered by digging up old bottles as a young boy, spent time working at an auction house, and learning the hard way by buying "mistakes". This book looks at the world of dealers who troll flea markets, antique shows, and even Ebay now to buy low and try to sell high. Also discussed is how reproductions can drop the floor out of the market, changing trends, and how even Martha Stewart affected the antique market.

Fledgling by Octavia Butler, 310 pages

Shori wakes up, alone and injured in a cave, with no memory of who she is. Before she knows it she is killing animals and healing her injuries, but unfortunately not her memory loss. After finding a young man and becoming attached after drinking his blood, Shori discovers that she is not the young black girl she appears to be, but is instead a fifty-three-year-old "vampire" who has been genetically altered to be able to walk in the day. Her family has been wiped out in a horrific attack that she managed to survive. Will Shori be able to protect herself and her "minions" while she tries to find out who's responsible for the attacks before they strike again?
This was an interesting update of the vampire story, weaving science and historical lore in a new twist.

Teacher Crush by Kate William, 135 pages

Pretty and talented Olivia Davidson has always seemed independent. So it comes a total surprise to Elizabeth Wakefield when Olivia confides in her that she's lonely. Everyone she knows is going out with someone, and now she's ready for a new boyfriend. Then Stuart Bachman, a gorgeous artist, starts teaching at Sweet Valley High. Olivia takes his class and is completely swept off her feet by him. Soon Mr. Bachman is all Olivia thinks or talks about. And it looks as if he may return her feelings. Has Olivia found true love, or is she headed for heartbreak?

Flamingo Fatale by Jimmie Ruth Evans, 445 pages

Wanda Nell Culpepper is a divorced, trailer-living waitress trying to raise her two daughters and grandson. When her ex-husband stumbles back into their lives, she wastes no time in telling the deadbeat dad to beat it. Unfortunately, the very next morning she stumbles across his dead body, skewered with one of her pink flamingo lawn ornaments. Now Wanda must work to prove her innocence before she ends up behind bars or worse.
This was the first murder mystery I'd ever read with a flamingo lawn ornament as the murder weapon. I must say, the world needs more trailer park detectives. This was a lot of fun, but at times it reminded me way too much of people I grew up with.

The Murder of the Century by Paul Collins, 325 pages

In the summer of 1897 a torso wrapped in oilcloth was pulled from the river off the Lower East Side by young boys. The discovery, followed by blueberry pickers finding wrapped limbs, set off a newspaper frenzy about this horrifying crime. Newspaper reporters raced to try to identify the body and stir up circulation, many times beating the police to clues. This case was mainly responsible for the creation of the tabloid as we know it today. This case had blood, sex, and lots of intrigue, everything needed to grasp the attention of not only New York but the whole country.
This nonfiction book was fascinating, not only giving a close-up view of New York police, but also the newspaper world at this pivotal time. Very well researched and written, a must read for true crime and American history buffs.

Todd's Story by Kate William, 215 pages

When Todd Wilkins and his girlfriend, Elizabeth Wakefield, land jobs as counselors at Secca Lake Day Camp, the summer is off to a great start-until Todd runs into a counselor named Kevin Holmes. Everyone else thinks Kevin is terrific-including Elizabeth. But Todd knows Kevin's secret: Kevin was in jail, and Todd helped put him there! Todd suspects that Kevin wants revenge, even though Kevin acts as if he's turned over a new leaf. When Kevin's around, Todd becomes edgy, defensive, and rude. Soon even Elizabeth is siding with Kevin. But when a crime wave hits Sweet Valley, Todd knows he was right all along. Can Todd expose Kevin's criminal scheme before Kevin gets his revenge...and hurts Elizabeth in the process?

Ernie Pyle's War by James Tobin, 312 pages

Ernie Pyle was the go-to war correspondent during WWII for many Americans because he covered the common soldier. This book covers Ernie's career, starting out as an aviation reporter, then a travelogue reporter, and finally a war correspondent. I had never heard of Ernie Pyle, but by the end of the book I felt like I knew him. Ernie's columns had the same reaction for his readers, creating an impression of a common man who was everyone's neighbor, reacting the same way we would. This book brought alive a section of American history that I had really only knew based on watching The Waltons (sorry, this time period wasn't my favorite) but I will now be looking for other books to read on this tumultuous time. I'm very glad I read this for the library book club.