Kendra likes mysteries, historical fiction and contemporary romance as well as puzzles and activity books.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023:  Kendra's pick this week is "Murder at Mallowan Hall" by Colleen Cambridge. Mallowan Hall, the country estate of Agatha Christie and her husband Max, is the setting for this murder mystery. A dead body is discovered in the library and Agatha's housekeeper, Phyllida Bright, is determined to solve the crime. I love this series...#3 is coming soon!!

September 12, 2023: Kendra's pick is the novel "Mrs. Polansky's Revenge" by Spencer Quinn. Mrs. Polansky has been scammed! After a middle of the night phone call (supposedly from her grandson) she awakes to find that all of her money is gone! Not one to take things lying down, she embarks on a journey to recover what is rightfully hers. Fun, Fast & Quirky characters! 

August 12, 2023: Kendra's pick this week is "We Are Starlings: Inside the Mesmerizing Magic of a Murmuration" written by Robert Furrow and Donna Jo Napoli and illustrated by Marc Martin. This is a lovely book told from the starling's point of view. Gorgeous illustations! If you have never witnessed a Murmuration, it is truly something to behold!!

July 12, 2023: Kendra's pick this week is the novel, "The Lost Summers of Newport" by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White - Three authors, writing three different characters, each with their own mystery. Spanning from the Gilded Age to the present day and set amongst the great mansions of Newport, this was a terrific read!

June 12, 2023:  Kendra's pick this week is "Death Comes to Marlow" by Robert Thorogood. The Marlow Murder Club is back investigating the suspicious death of Sir Peter Bailey. Found crushed to death in his locked study the day before his wedding, the police rule his death "accidental". But Judith and her friends believe otherwise and continue to delve into the clues and suspects. Fans of Agatha Christie will love this series! #deathcomestomarlow #robertthorogood #shopindie #shopsmall #kendraspick  

May 22, 2023: Kendra's pick this week is "The Marlow Murder Club" by Robert Thorogood. Fans of the Thursday Murder Club will enjoy this cozy mystery. Judith Potts, a 77 year old crossword puzzle creator, is taking her nightly (naked!) swim in the Thames when she hears a shout and then a gun shot. When the police come up empty, she decides to do a little investigating on her own with the help of the minister's wife and a quirky dog walker. Funny! Can't wait for #2. 

March 8, 2023: ”Golden Spoon" by Jesse Maxwell is Kendra's pick this week. Let's stir up a murder mystery! Ingredients:   - 6 bakers, all with a motive -- a producer of the TV show with her last shot at redemption -- the son of the household who is very reluctant to host the competition, but desperately needs the money for repairs to his creepy, falling down mansion -- the fading host of the Bake-Off -- a terrific rain storm, power outage, and a murder!  Let the games begin! Fun, fun, fun!

February 18, 2023: Kendra's pick for this week is one of her favorites now in paperback: "The Christie Affair" by Nina De Gramount. On December 3, 1926 the famous writer, Agatha Christie, disappeared for 11 days.  She never explained her whereabouts or her reasons.  Nina De Gramont has taken this mystery and wrapped it up in an ingenious series of plot lines, characters, and an even bigger mystery. #kendraspick #thechristieaffair #ninadegramont #shopsmall

November 16, 2022: Kendra's pick this week is the book, "Bear Says Thanks" by Karma Wilson.  Bear wants to make a dinner for his friends but he has no ingredients! One by one his friends arrive, each bearing a gift. This board book is a clever retelling of Stone Soup for a younger audience.

November 9, 2022: Kendra's pick this week in honor of Children's Book Week is "The Christmas Book Flood" by Emily Kilgore, illustrated by Kitty Moss. Based on a real Icelandic tradition, the Christmas Book Flood happens every year on Christmas Eve. People search for the perfect book to give their friends and loved ones to enjoy that night and share over the cold winter months. Beautiful collage-like illustrations! What a nice tradition to start in your family!!

October 26, 2022: Kendra's pick this week is "This Is Our City" by Tony Massarotti, an award winning Boston sports writer and co-host of Felger & Mazz on the Sports Hub. Here he has compiled stories from all 4 major sports organizations and chronicles the dominance of Boston over the last 20 years. Excellent gift idea for every sports fan!

October 19, 2022: Kendra's pick this week are 2 great activity books for all ages, "I Spy Spooky Night: A Book of Picture Riddles" by Walter Wick and Jean Marzollo and "Spooky Mazes" illustrated by Inna Anikeeva. Scare up some spooky fun for the kids this Halloween!

October 12, 2022: Kendra's pick this week is "Disney Hocus Pocus" by A.W. Jantha and is based on the screenplay by Mick Harris & Neil Cuthbert and the story by Davis Kirschner & Mick Harris. It's just a bunch of Hocus Pocus!! Sanderson sisters are back in this novelization of the beloved Halloween classic! Beautiful (and creepy!) illustrations by Gris Grimly, make this a must have for all fans. "Winnie, I smell children . . .!"

October 5, 2022: Kendra's mystery series pick for Mystery Series Week is the Thursday Murder Club Mysteries by Richard Osman. Welcome to the Thursday Murder Club, where four septuagenarians meet and try to solve cold murder cases. But then a real life murders occurs at their posh retirement home and the group of friends take on the case and 2 more. Quirky characters and witty dialogue make this series a delightful read. Love it!!

September 28, 2022: Kendra's pick this week is "Farmhouse" illustrated and written by Sophie Blackwell. This is a story of an old house and the family that lived there. Absolutely beautiful illustrations! The more you look, the more you discover! Kendra's pick for next year's Caldecott Award.

September 21, 2022: Kendra's banned book pick this week is "The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton.  Kendra remembers spending an entire summer reading and rereading this book with her cousin. It has been challenged for drug and alcohol abuse, and having characters from broken homes and gangs.

September 14, 2022: Kendra's pick this week is the novel "The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches" by Sangu Mandanna. This is a fun read full of quirky characters, a budding romance and of course magic, magic, magic!!!

September 8, 2022: Kendra's pick this week is 2023 Calendars! We don't have a lot of space to display calendars but we can order them! Wall, desk, page a day are all available! If you have a yearly favorite or you'd like to look at our catalogue, step in or call us!!

August 31, 2022: Kendra's pick this week is pick this week is the picture book, "A Parliament of Owls", written by Devin Scillian and illustrated by Sam Caldwell. "I love this book"! A gentle introduction to collective nouns with rhyming text and fun colorful pictures. From a charm of hummingbirds to a shiver of sharks, this is a delightful read aloud.

August 24, 2022: Kendra's pick this week is the picture book "A Spoonful of Frogs" written by Casey Lyall and illustrated by Vera Brosgol. Witch is brewing up a cauldro of Frog Soup and her final ingredient is a spoonful of frogs! But how do you catch a frog on a spoon? Simple text and hilarious illustrations make this a fun read aloud!

August 17, 2022: Kendra's pick this week is "The Bodyguard" by bestselling author, Katherine Center. Hannah Brooks is a highly trained bodyguard. Jack Stapleton is a well known actor, who is also being stalked. When Jack's mom gets sick he has to return to the family ranch; but he doesn't want anyone to know that Hannah is his bodyguard, so they pretend to be boyfriend and girlfriend.What could possibly go wrong?! This was a fun, quick read and a good choice for Romance Book Month.

August 10, 2022: Kendra's pick this week is "The Man Who Died Twice" by Richard Osman. Now in paperback! The Thursday Murder Club is back! This time the septuagenarians are facing a powerful arms dealer, a drug lord, and the mafia; all while searching for $20 million worth of stolen diamonds! The 3rd installment comes out in September. Can't wait!!

July 20, 2022: Kendra's pick this week is the picture book, "Chickadee: Criminal Mastermind" written by Monica Silvie and illustrated by Elina Ellis. This is a fun story about a Chickadee who thinks he is a mastermind criminal because he stole from a vault of gold (which turns out to be a bird feeder)! Great pictures and lots of interesting facts about our beloved state bird.

July 13, 2022:  Kendra's pick this week is an "Island Wedding".  Yeah! Just in time for summer reading, a new Jenny Colgan! In a return to the Scottish Island of Mure, Flora and Joel are finally getting married in a small wedding. But the unexpected homecoming of the beautiful and glamorous Olivia, who wants an over the top, blowout wedding, is causing some snags in Flora's careful plans.
June 15, 2022: Kendra's pick this week is "My Blue-Ribbon Horse" by Elizabeth Letts. When I first read the adult version of this true story about an unlikely horse who goes on to win the National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden, I thought it would make a great children's book. Here it is! Purchased for only $80.00, Snowman became a national American hero for his courage and perseverance.

June 8, 2022: Kendra's pick this week is "Something Wilder". She really enjoyed this fast-paced funny romance/mystery from the team writers,  Christina Lauren. Lily Wilder is just scraping by, using her father's old maps to lead treasure hunting tourists through the canyon lands of Utah. But this latest trip has taken a turn for the worse and she has to solve a real treasure hunt before it gets even more deadly. Great escape beach read.

June 1, 2022: Kendra's pick this week is "The Complete Waste of Time" by Louis Catlett.  Keep your brain active!  These puzzles for grown-ups are fun, addictive, and some are very hard!

May 24, 2022: Kendra's pick this week is picture book, "Hot Dog" by Doug Saluti. Poor little dog is just too hot! An escape to the beach is exactly what he needs! Very engaging illustrations and the simple story make this a read aloud for those "dog days" of summer.

May 17, 2022: Kendra's pick this week is "Summer on the Bluffs" by Sunny Hostin, co-host of "The View". Every summer "Ama" Vaux Tanner invites her 3 goddaughters to visit her in Oak Bluffs, but this season will be their last. Ama is going to leave the house to one of the young women. A story of relationships and secrets, last year's terrific beach read is now available in paperback!

May 10, 2022: Kendra's pick this week is "Big Truck Little Island" by Chris Van Dusen. When a big truck gets stuck on a small island road, big trouble happens! Van Dusen's illustrations are, as always, bold and colorful and the rhyming text is great for reading aloud. Based on an actual event that occurred on Vinalhaven, an island off the coast of Maine. Chris Van Dusen is our featured author of the week.

May 3, 2022: Kendra's pick this week is "The Newcomer" by Mary Kate Andrews. Last summer's hot beach read is now available in paperback! Part mystery and part romance, this novel is the perfect beach read. "I really enjoyed it."

 

April 27, 2022: Kendra's pick this week is the new picture book in "The World of Claris", "Abigail Fig the Secret Agent Pig" by Megan Hess. Abigail Fig is a "wonderful, curious Parisian Pig". She loves to ask questions, but her employers do not appreciate her nosiness! But it turns out to be a good thing when a kidnapping occurs and Abigail must come to the rescue. A rhyming story with great illustrations!

April 20, 2022: Kendra's pick this week is the classic mystery, "Death on the Nile", featuring the unforgettable Hercules Poirot, from the queen of detective novels, Agatha Christie. A luxury cruise on the Nile is shattered by the murder of a beautiful young woman and Poirot must use all of his "little gray cells" to solve the puzzle. Recently made into a film starring Kenneth Baranagh, this is one of Christie's best!

April 13, 2022:   Kendra's pick this week "Welcome to the School by the Sea" by Jenny Colgan, is the first in a new series set at an English borading school in Cornwall.  The new teacher, Maggie, is determined to break out of her dreary life in a city classroom and actually teach to students who want to learn.  Then there are the girls, some of whom are thrilled to be there, and others who are not.  Fun, engagiing, and a peek into life in a boarding school.  Loved it!

April 6, 2022: Kendra's pick this week in honor of Poetry Month is "Sylvia Long's Mother Goose", a classic anthology of the simplest poems for the very young! Beautiful illustrations with an element in each rhyme that connects to the next. Fun! 

March 30, 2022: Kendra's pick this week is "Knight Owl" written and illustrated by Christopher Denise.  Ever since he hatched, Owl hs always waned to be a Knight.  So when the opportunity arises to become one he applies to Knight School and is accepted!  A cute story about being brave and using your talents to outwit even the scariest opponent.  Gorgeous illustrations!

March 23, 2022: Kendra's pick this week is "The Last Chance Library" by Freya Sampson.  The sleepy little village of Chalot is about to lose their library due to budget cuts.  Quiet, shy librarian, June Jones, needs to break out of her shell and find a way to save it.  With the help of an odd assortment of eccentric characters, she sets out to try her very best.  A fun, witty and charming story.  Loved it!

March 16, 2022:  Kendra's pick this week is "All the Queen's Men" by SJ Bennett.  In the second installment of Her Majesty the Queen Investigates series, Elizabeth II probes into the murder of a housekeeper who has worked in Buckingham Palace for decades.  There is also a mystery involving a painting of her beloved yacht, Britannia, which was hung outside her bedroom.  Could the two be somehow connected?  Witty, suspenseful, this book is full of intriguing glimpses of life at the palace - a great follow up to "Windsor Knot".

March 9, 2022:  Kendra's pick this week is "The Soulmate Equation" by Christina Lauren. What would happen if you could find your soulmate through a DNA-based matchmaking company? Jessica and River are about to find out! A fast paced and funny romance for anyone looking for an easy read.

March 2, 2022:  Kendra's pick for this week is "The Christie Affair" by Nina De Gramount.  On December 3, 1926 the famous writer, Agatha Christie, disappeared for 11 days.  She never explained her whereabouts or her reasons.  Nina De Gramont has taken this mystery and wrapped it up in an ingenious series of plot lines, characters, and an even bigger mystery.

February 9, 2022: Kendra's pick for this week -- one of her favorites is now in paperback: "The Windsor Knot" by SJ Bennet, the first in the new series, Her Majesty the Queen Investigates.  An intriguing murder occurs at Windsor Castle and the Queen is not happy with the direction the investigation has taken.  With the help of her assistants, she sets out to solve the crime herself.

January 26, 2022: Kendra's pick this week is the picture book, "A Unicorn Named Sparkle and the Perfect Valentine" by Amy Young. Sparkle the Unicorn (really a goat in disguise!) wants to make a Valentine for Lucy, the person he loves the most in the world. However, Sparkle can't cut or paste or draw, but he tries his very best!

January 19, 2022: Kendra's pick this week is the interactive large board book, "Mermaid Dance" by Matthew and Mara Van Fleet. The MerKids have been invited to a ball but they do not know how to dance! Not to worry, the other sea creatures will show them how! Six sturdy pull tabs make the characters move! Fun!

January 12, 2022: Kendra's pick this week is "A Deadly Affair" by Agatha Christie. This is an all new collection of love gone horribly wrong -- a great Valentine's Day gift for mystery fans! 

January 5, 2022:Kendra's pick this week is "The Vineyard at Painted Moon" by Susan Mallery. This big hearted novel set in beautiful wine country tells the story of a young woman's search for family and love. A warm novel, for a cold winter's day!

December 29, 2021:  Kendra's pick this week is "The Treasure Hunt" by Nick Butterworth Recently republished, this book in the best selling classic series, Percy the Park Keeper, will delight young readers as they search the park looking for clues and the treasure!

December 15, 2021:  Kendra's pick this week is one of her favorite Christmas books of all time, "Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree" by Robert Barry.  Mr. Willowby's Christmas tree is too big to fit in his house, so the top is chopped off and thrown away.  What happens to the little treetop? Ryming text is great for reading aloud and the illustrationsare adorable.

December 8, 2021: Kendra's pick this week is "Deck the Halls Crossword Puzzles" edited by Will Shorts.  Take a rest from the holidays and relax with a New York Times crossword puzzle!

December 1, 2021: Kendra's pick this week is "Hercule Poirot's Christmas" by Agatha Christie.  Snuggle up with this classic, cozy mystery.

November 24, 2021: Kendra's pick this week is "Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone" by Diana Gabaldon. Finally!! The long awaited ninth book in the Outlander series! It is 1779 and Claire and Jamie are reunited with their family on Fraser's Ridge. But the Revolutionary War is having an effect and tensions are running high. This is a nice long novel to enjoy over the Winter!

November 18, 2021: Kendra's pick this week is "The Man Who Died Twice" by Richard Osman.  The Thursday Murder Club is back! This time the four septuagenarians are facing a powerful arms dealer, a drug lord, and the mafia; all while searching for $20 million worth of stolen diamonds.  Kendra loves this series!

November 10, 2021: Kendra's pick this week is "Grand Jete and Me" by Allegra Kent and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser (Fancy Nancy). This is a delightful story about a little girl's trip to the Nutcracker ballet with her Grandmother, Grand Jete, an ex Prima Ballerina. The tale of the Nutcracker is simply told and the pictures are gorgeous!

November 3, 2021: Kendra's pick this week is the book, "Chez Bob" by Bob Shea. What would happen if a hungry alligator opened a birdseed restaurant on his nose? A lot of birds would come to dine and Bob could have a bird for lunch! This picture book has great illustrations with an ending for everyone to love!

October 6, 2021: Kendra's picks today remind us that Halloween is on it's way.  We have fun and spooky titles for infants though adults such as "Find Spot at the Halloween Party" by Eric Hill, "Monster Mash Mad Libs" by Tristan Roarke,  "What Is the Story of Dracula?" by Michael Burgan, and "In the Tall Grass" by Stephen King and Joe Hill.

September 28, 2021: Kendra's pick this week is the Highlights book, 'Jumbo Book of My First Hidden Pictures" which will provide hours of fun for young puzzlers! Besides hidden pictures ,  there are mazes, connect the dots, matching, and more!

September 21, 2021: Kendra's pick this week is "The Ghostly Tales of New England" by Carrie Juettner. This book in the Spooky America series is adapted for younger readers (ages 10 to 12). Learn all about the ghosts and haunted places of New England!

September 15, 2021: Kendra's pick this week, "We're All In the Same Boat" by Barney Saltzberg is a cute little story about we all have to work together to get things done. Simple illustrations truly get the point across and don't forget to find the frog!  

September 8, 2021: Kendra's pick is "Norman Didn't Do It", a new picture book by one of her favorite children's authors, Ryan T. Higgins (Mother Bruce). Norman is a porcupine and his best friend is Mildred, a tree. But when a visitor arrives, their friendship is tested. Fun text and great illustrations.

September 3, 2021:  Kendra's pick this week is Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman. In a peaceful retirement community in England, four friends have formed the Thursday Murder Club,where they discuss cold crimes and try to solve them.  But when a real murder occurs in their midst, all kinds of things start to happen.  Witty, fast paced and a lot of fun!