One Corpse Too Many, by Ellis Peters

This is the second in the mystery series featuring Brother Caedfell, a well-traveled monk who makes use of sharp skills of observation to solve mysteries.  These stories are set in the English middle ages, and Peters does a great job of making the setting, characters, and Brother Caedfell's detective role believable.  This is a fairly straightforward murder mystery, but also involves some intrigue over the rivalry for the English throne.  A fun read.  188 pages.

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain

 Hank Morgan, a 19th-century resident of Hartford, Connecticut, suffers a blow to the head, and awakens to find himself transported back to the time of King Arthur. He is ridiculed at court for his strange appearance and dress and is sentenced) to burn at the stake. The date of the burning coincides with a historical solar eclipse in the year 528, which Hank had learned about in his earlier life. While in prison he informs the King that he will blot out the sun if he is executed.
 

He sends word to King Arthur that he will blot out the sun if he is executed. When the King decides to burn him anyway, and the eclipse takes place, he convinces the people that he caused it. He is released, and is given the position of principal minister to the King. He learns about the practice and superstitions of the people, and using his knowledge from the future, industrializes the country. He sets up secret schools that teach modern ideas.

The book makes fun of contemporary society, but the main thrust is a satire of romanticized ideas of chivalry, and of the idealization of the Middle Ages 1n 19^th-century literature.

 
158 pages
copyright 1889