Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too!

www.nytimes.com/2026/06/24/books/review/new-historical-fiction.html

308 pages

History

Pub date: 02 June 2026

Four stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

My thoughts:

Like many, I was an avid fan of the original Upstairs, Downstairs television series. From this experience I had a clear picture in my mind of Eaton Square and what it might be like to live there. In these pages, I got to see how close I was as I learned about the many famous and infamous people who called Eaton Square home.

This book is organized by address as it covers many residents of the Square. It also includes history on the location. I was especially interested in reading about Diana Mosley as I have recently read several Mitford biographies. That said, they were many others persons of interest in these pages.

Those who enjoy British history/social history with a down to earth vibe will want to give this title a look.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All thoughts are my own.

Description:

from the publisher

Windsor biographer Alexander Larman takes you behind the doors of Eaton Square, London’s most sought-after address.

In the classic PBS series Upstairs, Downstairs, the aristocratic Bellamy family lived at the fictitious 165 Eaton Place, a grand home in one of London’s most beautiful garden squares just minutes from Buckingham Palace. But, what really goes on behind the beautiful, polished doors of one of London’s most sought-after addresses?

In The Secrets of Eaton Square: Sex, Scandal and Infamy on the Road to Buckingham Palace, Alexander Larman opens those doors wide to the scandalous social and political history of Eaton Square that begins in the eighteenth century and runs right up until today. With a cast of characters that includes everyone from Neville Chamberlain, Joachim von Ribbentrop (the lover of Wallis Simpson), Diana Mitford, Vivien Leigh, Margaret Thatcher, and even James Bond, Larman’s book brings Eaton Square alive.

The list of luminaries and the powerful who lived on the square goes on and on today, from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Charles Saatchi to today’s parade of Russian oligarchs whose money has given the area a new moniker: “Red Square.” No matter what it is called, Eaton Square remains an iconic byword for moneyed luxury and glamorous discretion that, at times, is the playground of off-duty royals. Let Alexander Larman unlock the doors of Eaton Square for you. He has all the keys…

Editorial Reviews:

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

London’s Eaton Square has been the home of prime ministers, Hollywood celebrities, Nazi sympathizers, and one enduring murder mystery, as revealed in this delightfully gossipy if occasionally plodding account from historian Larman (Power and Glory).

lIBRARY JOURNAL

Larman (The Secrets of Eaton Square) delivers a thrilling book, blending juicy London gossip, keen social insight, and sweeping history into a page-turner about Belgravia’s wildest address, from swampy Five Fields to its scandalous ghosts. The witty, propulsive British prose fuses tabloid snap with scholarly heft, instantly grabbing history buffs, scandal fans, and London lovers. Originality of text and illustration crackles through house-by-house takedowns of rogues such as dueling Alvanley, profiteers of enslavement Bernal and Codrington, and oddball philanthropist Peabody, busting Victorian propriety myths via trial docs, diaries, and scurrilous pamphlets. The excellent illustrations pop with maps of the failed balloon launch, Grosvenor portraits, dueling pistols, and artifacts that bring the scandals to life and make them feel chaotic. The brilliance of the design and format shines with crisp chapters, embedded notes, and punchy epigraphs, ideal for print or digital. VERDICT Larman’s book will hook royal watchers as he unearths Eaton Square’s glittering grim side with sly urgency.–Lawrence Mello

#DeathTimesSeven #NetGalley

I have been reading Anne Perry’s novels since the very first in her Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series was published many years ago. This book’s protagonist is Charlotte and Thomas’s son, Daniel, an attorney. This is the seventh book that features him. Note for those who are new to Perry; there are also the Monk Elena Standish series.

It is so hard to know that there will be no more books by Ms. Perry as she died a couple of years ago. She was an author whose books were always must reads for me. I, and other readers, will miss her.

So, it was a bit elegiac for me to pick up Death Times Seven, knowing that it would be my last encounter in Perry’s world. That said, I dove right in.

There are several challenges for Daniel in the pages of this historical mystery. His friend and fellow lawyer, Toby, is faced with a horrific tragedy and some questions about exactly what happened to his parents and Daniel is there for him. In another story line, there is a case in the Old Bailey that Toby was defending. Daniel will become involved in that as well. Daniel’s wife Miriam will also have a role in these pages, something that fans of the series will welcome.

I recommend this book to those who already know Anne Perry’s novels. Those who are new to her books, may want to start one of the series in order. They will undoubtedly catch up and then read this one.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 14 April 2026

Post first published on 6 April 2026

Description:

from the publisher

Two violent crimes challenge the investigative skills of young Daniel Pitt and his wife, Miriam, in the final novel of iconic mystery writer Anne Perry’s beloved Daniel Pitt series.

“A towering achievement from a towering talent—superb!” —Jeffery Deaver, author of the Colter Shaw series

1913: Junior attorney Daniel Pitt must step in for his friend, fellow attorney Toby Kitteridge, whose parents have been brutally attacked. Toby’s mother is dead and his father, a village vicar, is barely alive. With Toby returning to the family home in rural Ipswich, struggling with grief and disbelief, Daniel remains in London to substitute for Toby and defend Peter Ward, on trial for the sexual assault and murder of a young woman.

Daniel is convinced that Ward is innocent, yet the evidence seems to prove otherwise. Eager to assist, his pathologist wife, Miriam fford Croft, offers her forensics expertise and exposes a community of fellow pathologists who may have purposefully omitted information from their autopsy reports. Despite Miriam’s involvement in the case, Daniel finds himself distracted by his desire to help Toby, who is too distraught to investigate the attack on his parents. And when the evidence points to Toby’s father as the killer of Toby’s mother, Daniel faces two of the greatest challenges of his young career: proving the innocence of both Peter Ward and Reverend Kitteridge. One mistake in London and a blameless man will hang. One mistake in Ipswich and Toby’s father will go to prison for life.

Death Times Seven, the seventh and final novel in Anne Perry’s Daniel Pitt series, was completed by Victoria Zackheim, an author and editor as well as Perry’s close friend. Rich in intrigue and courtroom drama, this engrossing novel marks a fitting finale to the career of an author widely praised as the queen of historical crime fiction.

Religion & Spirituality

176 pages

Four stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Pub date: 06 October 2026

My thoughts:

This title was first published a number of years ago and is being reissued.

I was drawn to this book when I saw Pooh on the cover. As someone unfamiliar with Taoist principles, I was interested to learn more and was curious to see what Pooh would teach me. As a person who loves Winnie, I was eager to find out.

I found this book to be interesting and engaging. I enjoyed the many extracts from the Pooh stories. The author integrated these with teaching about the Tao. I very much liked some of the principles that were described.

Hoff writes in an engaging style. I like how there are conversations between the author and Pooh in these pages.

This is a nice book to read a bit of each day.

Many thanks to Simon & Schuster-Simon Element for this title. All thoughts are my own.

Description:

from the publisher

Experience the gentle character of Winnie-the-Pooh through the lens of ancient Taoist principles, illustrating how simplicity, humility, and naturalness lead to a happier and more harmonious life.

First published in 1982, The Tao of Pooh introduces the principles of Taoist philosophy through the gentle humor and familiar world of Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne. Rather than offering an academic study, Benjamin Hoff examines these core ideas in an engaging and accessible way.

At the heart of the book is the concept of living in harmony with the Tao—the natural way of things. Pooh, with his unpretentious and sincere outlook, embodies the principle of wu wei, or “effortless action.” He does not strive to be clever or ambitious. Instead, he responds naturally to life as it unfolds. In contrast, characters such as Rabbit, Owl, Eeyore, and Tigger reflect common human tendencies toward overthinking, worry, gloom, or restless energy.

Blending storytelling with philosophical insight, Hoff presents Taoism as a path of simplicity, authenticity, and inner balance. Illustrated with E. H. Shepard’s original drawings, The Tao of Pooh remains a timeless and inviting guide to finding wisdom in the uncomplicated, natural self.

Editorial reviews:

“Hoff explains the central tenets of Taoism and further illustrates them with familiar excerpts from The House at Pooh Corner stories, Chinese proverbs, maxims, and tales from Lao Tzu and others. The result is at once thought-provoking and charming.”– “Library Journal”

“Hoff’s classic introduction to religion places A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh characters in fictional scenarios to explore the ideas behind Taoism, bringing Western familiarity to an Eastern philosophy that might seem, at a cursory glance, a bit difficult to grasp. Hoff draws clear parallels between Milne’s characters and the central tenants of Taoism.” –Publishers Weekly (starred review).

Anyone who has read a book by Elly Griffiths and who then sees a new title by her will immediately snatch it up (as I did). Those who have never read books by her are missing out. Griffiths’ series featuring Ruth Galloway is one of my favorite ever. I have also enjoyed her stories featuring Harbinder and the ones set in Brighton.

So…I was very excited to see that Griffiths had a first book out in what will be a new series. I loved it.

This title does require some suspension of disbelief as it includes time travel (a much more common trope these days). However, I enjoyed spending time in each of the time periods while waiting to see how the stories would come together.

Much like Ruth, Ali is an idiosyncratic and highly likeable protagonist who solves murders. Griffiths has many characters surrounding her in both the Victorian and modern eras.

I think that the author researched the historical period well. Many details bring that time to life.

This atmospheric read is highly recommended to mystery lovers. I will be reading the next book soon.

By the way, the top cover is for the U.S. edition. I prefer the second which is the British one and that is the one that I purchased.

Post first published on 8 May 2026

Description:

from the publisher

“A pleasure from finish to start.” —Anthony Horowitz

“Fresh and exciting, with both humor and thrills, Griffiths’ first book in her new series knocks it out of the park!” —Shari Lapena

Some murders can’t be solved in just one lifetime.

Ali Dawson and her cold case team investigate crimes so old, they’re frozen—or so their inside joke goes. Nobody knows that her team has a secret: they can travel back in time to look for evidence.

The latest assignment sees Ali venture back farther than they have dared before: to 1850s London to clear the name of Cain Templeton, an eccentric patron of the arts. Rumor has it that Cain is part of a sinister group called The Collectors. Ali arrives in the Victorian era to another dead woman at her feet and far too many unanswered questions.

As the clock counts down, Ali becomes more entangled in the mystery, yet danger lurks around every corner. She soon finds herself trapped, unable to make her way back to her beloved son, Finn, who is battling his own accusations in the present day.

Could the two cases be connected? In a race through and against time, Ali must find out before it’s too late.

Next in the series:

This book has been published in the U.K. and releases later this year in the U.S.

#MoreThanEnough #NetGalley

Have you ever wanted to be a member of a book club? How about one where the four members always buy the books but don’t read them and, rather, use the book club as the raison d’estre for regular get togethers? If that premise appeals and, if you like stories about the complex lives of women, this is one to read.

There are four women who are the main characters in these pages, but the story is really Polly’s in many ways. Readers follow her on a difficult fertility journey and get to sit in on some of her classes at the private girls’ school where she teaches English. They also get to know her in her marital and family relationships, as well as in her friendships. There is a kind of kitchen sink of issues as, along with infertility, Polly’s father has cognitive impairment and a DNA test upsets her homeostasis.

Readers also get to know a philanthropist, a therapist and a lawyer. These are Polly’s good friends, each of whom has their own issues. For example one of the women is facing a tough cancer diagnosis.

This novel is well written and engaging. It will be welcomed by those who enjoy stories about women. There is a reason why Quindlen’s books are generally must reads for me.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 24 February 2026

Post first published on 9 March 2026

Four stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Description:

from the publisher

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “Quindlen is as observant and as wonderfully readable as ever, attuned to women’s lives and the nuances of their voices.”—Jennifer Weiner, The New York Times Book Review

A woman confronts the surprising results of an ancestry test and begins to question the meaning of family and friendship in this wise, tender novel teeming with life—from the beloved #1 New York Times bestselling author of After Annie

No one knows you like your book club.

High school English teacher Polly Goodman can talk about everything and anything with the women in her book club, which is why they’ve become her closest friends and, along with her veterinarian husband, the bedrock of her life. Her students, her fraught relationship with her mother, her struggles with IVF—Polly’s book club friends have heard about it all.

But when they give Polly an ancestry test kit as a joke, the results match her with a stranger. It is clear to Polly that this match is a mistake, but still she cannot help but comb through her family history for answers. Then, when it seems that the book club circle of four will become three, Polly learns how friendships can change your life in the most profound ways.

Written with Anna Quindlen’s trademark warmth, humor, and insight into the power of love and hope, More Than Enough explores how we find ourselves again and again through the relationships that define us.

352 pages

Biographies and Memoirs

Pub date: 06 October 2026

Four stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

My thoughts:

I had heard of this author but had never read anything by her. However, I was drawn to this title because of my fondness for the novels of Agatha Christie.

In these pages, readers learn a great deal about Christie, the person, and about her many novels. At the same time, readers learn what led the author to this project and are given insight into her life, thoughts and those around her.

Rentzenbrink found comfort in reading the books and approaching them in order. She also enjoyed the order of the worlds described in Christie’s works, the vivid sense of past times and their connection to her present, and the sense of resolutions in which the world is put to rights.

Those who have enjoyed novels by this author and those who love the works of Agatha Christie will find this book to be interesting and engaging. They will hope that Christie does indeed bring the author the cure that she sought.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for this title. All opinions are my own.

Description:

from the publisher

A good mystery isn’t just entertainment; it’s a tonic for life’s hardships

Like so many of us living through the upheaval of the last five years, journalist and Sunday Times bestselling writer Cathy Rentzenbrink found that to keep her spirits up, she needed a project to throw herself into—something to keep her from the daily assault that is the always-on nature of modern life. When she found herself drawn to revisiting the work of Agatha Christie, she knew she had found her subject.

The literary legend of Agatha Christie extends beyond the quality of her books, the popularity of her characters, and the wide range of adaptations that her work has inspired. As Cathy devoured anew the powerful, clever, relevant stories of Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, she began to see parallels not just between the books’ lessons and the times we were living through but between the comfort and purpose Christie’s writing gave her during similarly tumultuous times and the balm of her books for readers today.

The more she read, the more Cathy admired Agatha Christie and the more the she became convinced that the enduring and sustaining appeal of her work was a kind of skeleton key to unlock better ways to heal and to cope with adversity, no matter what topsy-turvy period of history we’re living through. For aficionados and newbies alike, this charming, endearing book about books reminds us that stories can feed our souls.

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From the author’s website:

Cathy Rentzenbrink first fell in love with the books of Agatha Christie at the age of nine, when her grandmother introduced her to them and paid her 10p for every Agatha mystery she finished. An avid reader ever since, Cathy went on to work as a bookseller at Waterstones and as the Books Editor at The Bookseller, before becoming the Sunday Times top ten bestselling author of The Last Act of Love and many other titles. When she was facing the end of her marriage around her 50th birthday, Cathy sought relief in Agatha’s books once more, and found them giving her the emotional glue she needed. She remains a staunch fan of any mug with an Agatha Christie quote on it.

#TheGlassKey #NetGalley

I had never read a title by this author but was quite interested in The Glass Key, based on both the book description and the cover. It was a terrific read and I have already purchased Geard’s two earlier novels.

This is a bit of a tough review to write because I don’t want to give too much away. There is just so much for the reader to discover.

Here is an over 400 page book with a plot that is complex, twisty and involving. There are also many characters and relationships to track in two timelines, one during WWII (Norway) and the other in the 2000s (Ireland). Readers will want to know how these come together. In addition, pay attention to the title of the book and learn about the significance of The Glass Key.

This is a book that will appeal to readers who enjoy The Seven Sisters series and the recent Sea Stone Sisters. As is true of the books just cited, The Glass Key offers a most immersive read. I highly recommend it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Headline for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 18 June 2026

Description:

from the publisher

The breathtaking new novel from the bestselling author of the Richard and Judy Book Club pick The Midnight House.

‘I just loved this sweeping and deeply moving book of dark secrets’ SANTA MONTEFIORE
‘A page-turning mystery, richly layered and irresistible’ CARMEL HARRINGTON
‘A gorgeous novel. Beautifully written and twisty. I loved it’ EVE CHASE

In Ireland, Maggie has grown up hearing her mother tell her the bedtime story of The Glass Key. It’s a Nordic fairytale passed down by Maggie’s grandmother Anna Swan, who mysteriously left her home one stormy night years ago, never to return. Now Maggie’s grandfather has died and going through his things, Maggie is shocked to discover a faded wartime letter, asking him to take in a baby. In that moment she realises that Anna Swan was a woman of many secrets.

Only by travelling to Norway and discovering the story of four brave young women whose lives were forever changed by the occupation of their tiny islands, can Maggie uncover the shocking truth about her family – and finally unlock the mystery of the glass key…

‘You can taste the salt air and bathe in the glow of the Northern Lights’ KATE QUINN
‘A captivating story that unlocks an emotional doorway to the past’ EVIE WOODS
‘Epic, emotional and immersive. One of those books I wanted to savour’LOUISE DOUGLAS
‘Brimming with mystery, family secrets and heart’ MADELINE MARTIN
‘An old school epic that will have readers turning the pages long into the night’ SINÉAD CROWLEY

 #TheSummerSwap #NetGalley

When I think about what makes me engage with a book, the answer is generally the characters. Setting, plot and other elements of novels are also important but what I most seek is to spend time with the people and to care about them. Sarah Morgan gave me exactly what i wanted in The Summer Swap, a book that I recommend for an engaging spring/summer read.

Who is in the novel? Here are some of the people.

Cameron is an artist who is no longer alive but whose reputation and reach continue following his death.

Cecilia generally became known as Cameron’s wife but she was/is her own person. It was not always easy to be subsumed by her husband and their marriage was complicated. She is now trying to figure out what she wants (as are all the characters).

Kristen and Winston are Cameron and Cecilia’s middle aged children. Kristen is rather controlling, married to a surgeon and flirting with a possible dalliance as the book opens. Winston has a more laidback personality than the tense Kristen. Both Winston and Kristen have young adult children who also feature in the story.

Lily has had the hopes of her family placed on her shoulders. It is difficult when she realizes that she needs to find her own path in life, not do only what is expected. She has connections with Kristen’s daughter and has been in love with Winston’s son.

Watch out too for the journalist who flirts with Kristen. He may have ulterion motives.

As the story opens, readers learn that Lily is finding her way on the Cape. The Cape is also a place to which Cecilia travels when she escapes from the family party she did not want to attend. It is a place with some painful memories. Readers can expect that Lily and Cecilia will meet.

What happens to each of these characters makes up the essence of this very readable story. I enjoyed it so much and now will keep an eye out for a new book by this author. (I also liked her last novel The Book Club a great deal.)

Those who enjoy women’s fiction will, I am certain want to read The Summer Swap. Mark the calendar for its release date.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 07 May 2024

www.nytimes.com/2026/06/12/books/most-saved-books-summer.html