Title: “The Marlow Murder Club” 
Author: Robert Thorogood

Judith Potts is in her late seventies and lives blissfully alone in her mansion on the Thames River. While out on one of her regular swims, she hears her neighbor, Stephan, yell out just before a gunshot.  Judith runs to call the police and once they search her neighbor’s yard, they come to tell her that nothing seems amiss and not to worry.  Judith refuses to let it go and decides to investigate some on her own.  While walking his property, she comes across his body on the bank with a bullet in his head.  Now that the police believe her, they working to find the killer.   

When another member of the small community ends up dead with the same wound and the trinket left behind, it’s clear that there is a serial killer on the loose.  Judith has been going around town asking questions and making enemies.  Now a group of three ladies are becoming unlikely friends and are working together to find the killer before a fourth victim is slain.   

Title: “The One and Only Ivan” 
Author: Katherine Applegate

Ivan, a silverback gorilla was taken into captivity and ends up being raised like a human. Ivan lives in a circus-themed mall with other animals. When a young elephant named Ruby comes to the mall, Ivan makes a promise to get Ruby to a zoo where she can live with other elephants. Ivan uses his skills and talents to paint pictures of Ruby and several others. His paintings sell well and draws a lot of attention. The story is based partly on a true story about an actual silverback gorilla named Ivan. Ivan now lives in the Atlanta Zoo and is doing well. His life with his animal friends and their way to a better life and home is not real life, but it is sweet and heartwarming. Grade school children will enjoy reading this book and its sequel. You can check this book out at the library and on Hoopla.