The Cloak from Bagdad

 Cartoonist, Carol Isaacs, uses the medium she knows best, the graphic novel, to tell the story of her family’s history.  She is the author of several books that share stories about growing up in London as the child of Iraqi Jews. This middle grade story was taken from Carol Isaacs original graphic novel The Wolf of Bagdad, a more detailed graphic novel version of the story for adults.

In The Cloak From Bagdad we meet Louise who was born in London and her parents who have immigrated from Bagdad, Iraq.  At home Louise and her family speak Arabic and eat Middle Eastern foods. Louise stands out in her London classroom with her dark curly hair and Middle Eastern features. Though Louise has asked about the family history her parents are reluctant to talk about why they left Bagdad. 

When Louise finds a box of old family photographs her grandmother tells her the story about why the family had to leave Bagdad.  Traveling back in time, Louise, under an invisibility cloak, the abaya, is able to see her mother as a young girl living in Iraq. She secretly follows her mother around. Louise can see the family celebrating Shabbat, then Purim and as they prepare for Passover.  She follows her young mother and uncle as they walk through the Jewish quarter to school. 

Louise witnesses as the anti-semitism grows in Iraq. Then as World War II escalates Hitler invades Iraq and the Jewish people there are in danger. Louise, hidden by her cloak, watches as the family with the help of a friendly neighbor escapes their home as the neighborhood is being attacked. 

Back at home in London, Louise understands the details of her family history, she feels more secure with her differences.  Now she is proud to share her family’s story. Louise tells the story of her family’s escape from Iraq for a school presentation. This gives the other students the opportunity to ask her questions and share some of their favorite family foods and experiences.  She learns that other kids at school have their own family customs and some of them are similar to hers.

This story is illustrated in comic book style with muted colors. With pen and ink drawings of her family, she is able to share the customs and clothing of the Iraqi Jews.  Isaacs draws the neighborhoods of Jewish Bagdad, Iraq, to illustrate how it may have looked in the 1920’s before it was destroyed and the Jewish people were pushed out.

The Taverna At The Edge of Night

 The Taverna At The Edge of Night is the newest mystery novel written by author H.Y. Hanna.  Hanna is the author of a few different mystery series including The Oxford Tearoom, The English Cottage Garden and  Bewitched by Chocolate.  Each of these book series were light cozy romantic mysteries.

This time Hanna has taken a sharp turn for a more dark and sinister mystery.  There is still some romantic interludes that help move the storyline along, but the plot follows a darker path and is more of a thriller novel.  Hanna has proven herself capable of stretching between genres.  

When Daphne travels to a small Greek Island to surprise her best friend Roxy she does know that she also is in for a surprise. Daphne is a young woman who has worked hard to develop her own business.  Her college roommate and best friend, Roxy, has recently left everything behind and moved to the small Greek island of Agia Eleni and open a taverna.  Daphne has recently sold her business and decides to visit her friend.  

Imagine the surprised look on both women's faces when Daphne arrives to find after traveling through dangerous terrain to the secluded island of Agia Eleni Roxy and taverna are not what she had imagined. Roxy is not happy to see Daphne because her dream has not become the beautiful little restaurant and hotel she has been posting on social media. 

As the two friends try to navigate their relationship, Daphne also is exploring the island and meeting the local citizens. She meets local artists and shopkeepers who warn her about the dangers of hiking the treacherous trails and about a recent deadly accident. She also meets handsome fishermen who offer to show her around the area in their boats.

As Daphne tries to find out what secrets the taverna and her friend Roxy are hiding she stumbles across a possible crime and the tragic accidental fall of a woman may not have been an accident after all.

H.Y. Hanna has proven that she can write a very intriguing plot, building tension, anticipation and twists and turns all deserving of a really good mystery.  She intertwines the action with beautiful descriptions of the scenery and develops her characters well. Hanna has stepped away from the light cozy and is sitting on the edge of the cliff with a new more exciting series in front of her.