A legend from Lars Mytting's Norwegian hometown tells of two centuries-old church bells that, like conjoined twins, were never meant to be separated. Inspired by that story and by the real-life move of a stave church from Norway to what is now Poland, he embarked on a set of three novels in which history and myth mingle to determine the future of the isolated village of Butangen.

In Butangen in 1880, ancient stories still wield great power. Along with a crucifixion scene and a tapestry of the Day of Judgment, the church features carvings of Norse myths and imaginary creatures. In the tower are two commemorative bells cast to remember Halfrid and Gunhild Hekne, conjoined twin sisters and local weavers who died on the same day.

The church is to be taken down and reconstructed in Dresden. Meanwhile, Astrid Hekne, a maid at the parsonage, is completely bound to her father's household, as well as to the pastor's, and it is understood that when (not if) she marries everything that she owns will pass to her husband. As a descendant of the conjoined Hekne twins, Astrid considers herself the guardian of the Sister Bells and feels called to sabotage their removal ... continued

It's no secret that Lars Mytting loves trees. He wrote a novel titled The Sixteen Trees of the Somme (2017), and is known for his international bestseller Norwegian Wood (2015), a nonfiction guide to sources of firewood that gives instructions on how to chop, stack and cure wood for burning. With The Bell in the Lake, he continues with the subject of wood as material by delving into Norway's architectural history, specifically its famous stave churches.

While stone cathedrals were constructed elsewhere in the Middle Ages, in parts of northern Europe wood was the building material of choice. More than 1,000 stave churches were assembled in Norway, mostly in the 12th to 14th centuries. The name refers to the type of timber framing used. Viking boat- and home-building skills were applied to these medieval churches, which feature intricate carvings of real and mythical animals (such as dragons), and combine Norse and Christian symbology.

The stave churches were typically constructed in rural valleys and fishing villages, and ranged from simple chapels like Undredal Stave Church, which only seats 40 people, to elaborate multi-level constructions with tiered roofs and turrets like Heddal Stave Church, Norway's largest ... continued

This week we look at the influence of renowned American artist Edward Hopper, and suggest a 14-minute video by Eyes On Cinema about the artist's impact on the world of film, including the famous director Alfred Hitchcock.

Isabel Lincoln is gone. But is she missing?

It's up to Grayson Sykes to find her. Although she is reluctant to track down a woman who may not want to be found, Gray's search for Isabel Lincoln becomes more complicated and dangerous with every new revelation about the woman's secrets and the truth she's hidden from her friends and family.

Featuring two complicated women in a dangerous cat and mouse game, Rachel Howzell Hall's And Now She's Gone explores the nature of secrets ― and how violence and fear can lead you to abandon everything in order to survive.

"[R]azor-sharp... Full of wry, dark humor, this nuanced tale of two extraordinary women is un-put-downable." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Smart, packed with dialogue that sings on the page, Hall's novel turns the tables on our expectations at every turn, bringing us closer to truth than if it were forced on us in school." - Walter Mosley