Just had a book discussion at Virginia's. There were 10 or 12 of us, I think... great turnout. We discussed the book Midnight Assassin by Patricia Bryan and Thomas Wolf. It's a nonfiction book about a murder that happened in Iowa in 1900. More interesting to me than the actual murder though was the documentation of the hardships of being a farm wife in the late 1800's and early 1900's in this country. Our discussion was spirited and fun. We also read a one-act play written by the reporter that covered the murder trial. Many facts were changed, but it was obviously based on and built up from what happened during the Hossack trial. I liked the book because it really didn't lead you in one way or another. The wife of the victim was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Her second trial led to a hung jury, and she went free. It was a good summer read. It wasn't something I'd normally pick up for myself, which is why I love book discusion groups. We all need to read out of our comfort zones to continue to grow as readers. For more on the murder and the book, check out this website. Thanks for hosting and suggesting the book, Virginia!
I love that book! We had to read it in English 10. :D
ReplyDeleteI just came across your blog and wanted to say hello and thanks for reading MIDNIGHT ASSASSIN. I am Tom Wolf, one of the authors. It is very gratifying to find readers who liked the book and the way we approached the story. It is a fascinating story. Both of us have connections to Iowa, so we loved doing the research--especially the background and history of what farm life was like in the late 1800s. Greetings to everyone in your book group! And thanks for including the link to our website on your blog. Best regards, Tom Wolf
ReplyDeleteWow, Tom... hello to you too, and thanks for commenting on my blog! I'll pass on your greetings to the others in the group. Your book definitely inspired a great discussion. Thanks for writing Midnight Assassin!
ReplyDeleteWay to go Tena!
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool! Now I want to read it!
ReplyDeleteYou go, girl!!!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed our discussion, too. It was a highlight of my summer. Did you know that the authors interviewed DeeAnn's mom in the process of writing of the book? I thought it was so cool that DeeAnn had spent part of her childhood with her grandparents in their caretakers' apartment in the courthouse described in the book (was it Indianola or Winterset?)
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that, VB! Awesome! I think we should road trip to Indianola sometime and find all the sites!
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