THE DISTANT HOURS by Kate Morton is historical fiction in true gothic style, replete with all of the elements of the genre: setting, plot, characters. The primary setting is Milderhurst Castle in Milderhurst Village, not far from London in England, between 1939 and 1992; a ruined castle complete with a moat that has been filled in, whispering walls, stormy nights; principal characters who are isolated from the rest of the outside world.

In Agenda’s November issue I briefly told you about Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series, seven books published between 1991 and 2009, with the eighth and final in the series due out sometime in 2013. Since I started this series in September of last year, 2011, having been introduced to it when visiting my sister, I have not been able to put it down.

In 1945 after the end of WWII, Claire Beauchamp Randall, a nurse during the war, is reunited after six years with her husband, Frank Randall, who fought in the war, for a second honeymoon.

Lately it seems I have a run on unsympathetic characters. Two books I’ve read recently—one fiction and one non-fiction—have main characters that deserve pitying for their less than honest personalities.

Jodi Picoult’s 2011 bestseller, explores the question of same sex parenting. As always, her themes are about issues that can negatively impact the family structure. In this case, Picoult deals with the issue of in vitro fertilization, same sex marriage and adoption, religion, teen suicide, and others.

As always Follett demonstrates his great faith in and respect for women and their intelligence and strength of courage. Lady Maude of England and Ethel Williams, Welsh peasant and former head housekeeper of Ty Gwyn, Maude’s family estate, are two such characters. In addition he demonstrates the intelligence and courage of the young men of these countries, who though formally uneducated, often show greater wit and intelligence than their superiors, both on the battlefield and in the political arena.

Once again Jodi Picoult with her unique manipulation of interior monologue allows the reader to see into the thoughts of each of her characters, making for suspense as well as objectivity. In House Rules, her 2010 bestseller, the main character, eighteen-year-old Jacob Hunt is autistic, having been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome on the autism spectrum at age three. Jacob has an IQ of 255, has a special interest in forensics analysis, and spends his time setting up crime scenes.

Never again will I judge a book by its cover—in this case, its title. ”Why would I want to read a book about a girl with a dragon tattoo or about a girl who played with fire and finally about a girl who kicked the hornet’s nest?” I asked myself when Amazon.com recommended these books to me.

I enjoyed this fast-paced crime novel with its theme of hope and redemption when all seems to be lost. Jenkins tells the story in such a manner that Boone’s pain and suffering becomes so real that the reader not only empathizes with him but feels every bit his pain throughout his ordeal.

Very well written and captivating from beginning to end, this novel has it all—sex, politics, exploitation under the guise of conservation . . . comedy (the limits and amounts of money Vin Haven and Walter go to to preserve the cerulean warbler) . . . tragedy . . .. Suspenseful to the very touching, heartwarming end!