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

What could be better than sitting down with a new Marie Benedict novel? I have read nearly all of her books and admire her wide ranging subjects and the ways in which she brings the past to life. That is certainly true in this new novel.

This is a dual timeline story, something that is popular in historical fiction. What makes this one unique is that it is about Hatshepsut in ancient Egypt. Some readers may indeed know her name but they will get to go so much deeper as they read this novel. Truly the parts of the book about her and life in her time were very interesting.

I also enjoyed spending time with Evelyn (Eve) Herbert in the story that took place in the 1900s. It was fun to experience Highclere Castle (of later Downton Abby) fame and to spend time with Eve’s family and, of course, Howard Carter (he of the momentous discoveries). Of course, being on a dig was fascinating too.

Readers will see that Hatshepsut and Eve were both women of their time and women who wanted more than traditional roles. Readers will not forget either of them.

This is a novel that will be welcomed by fans of historical fiction, women’s fiction and the author. I highly recommend it.

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

Pub date: 24 March 2026

Post first published on 18 January 2026

Description:

from the publisher

Known for her “delightful blend of historical fiction and suspense” (People), New York Times bestselling author Marie Benedict, returns with a sweeping tale of a young woman who unearths the truth about a forgotten Pharaoh—rewriting both of their legacies forever.

In the 1920s, archeologist Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon of Highclere Castle made headlines around the world with the discovery of the treasure-filled tomb of the boy Pharaoh Tutankhamun. But behind it all stood Lady Evelyn Herbert—daughter of Lord Carnarvon—whose daring spirit and relentless curiosity made the momentous find possible.

Nearly 3,000 years earlier, another woman defied the expectations of her time: Hatshepsut, Egypt’s lost pharaoh. Her reign was bold, visionary—and nearly erased from history.

When Evelyn becomes obsessed with finding Hatshepsut’s secret tomb, she risks everything to uncover the truth about her reign and keep valued artifacts in Egypt, their rightful home. But as danger closes in and political tensions rise, she must make an impossible choice: protect her father’s legacy—or forge her own.

Propelled by high adventure and deadly intrigue, Daughter of Egypt is the story of two ambitious women who lived centuries apart. Both were forced to hide who they were during their lifetimes, yet ultimately changed history forever.

From the Publisher:

“Immersive … Benedict evokes the excitement of archaeology in colonial Egypt with an abundance of lush details. There’s plenty to enjoy in this story of two women defying expectations.” ―Publishers Weekly

“Benedict’s flair for bringing the past to life draws in readers, providing not only lessons in history but an engrossing and entertaining tale. The complex issues of exploration and the collection of antiquities add resonance to the story.” ―Library Journal

Note:

There are a number of reviews of other Benedict books on my site. They have all offered good reads. Are you a fan?

Also, some may want to look for Gill Paul’s novel, The Collector’s Daughter, which also features Evelyn Herbert. See review on my blog.

#AFoundingMother #NetGalley

The U.S. will note 250 years as a country soon. I imagine this means that there will be many new books published that look back at the country’s early years. I was intrigued to read this one, in particular, because I very much enjoyed an earlier book by Dray (Becoming Madam Secretary).

Here Dray and her co-author look at the U.S., beginning before the Revolution, through the eyes of Abigail Adams. She is portrayed as forthright, intelligent, an able manager of her family, a woman willing to move out of her small community for the sake of the country (of course, she enjoyed some of these travels), a wife, a daughter, a sister, a mother (one who faced losses), both the wife and mother of a president. Her roles were many and varied. All come to life in these pages.

One thing that readers might look out for as they read is the ways in which Abigail’s past and our present resonate with each other. To give one example, Abigail lived during the time of smallpox and decided to inoculate her family and herself. More recently many faced Covid and decisions about that vaccine, and others are again arousing some controversy. Another to ponder is how Boston was treated in terms of issues that seem similar to some with ICE in the present. For example, soldiers entering homes without permission. These connections made reading this book feel immediate even though the time was many years past.

The authors of this title tell their story well. Even those who have read other books about Abigail Adams will, I think, enjoy this title.

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

Pub date: 05 May 2026

Post first published on 23 February 2026

Description:

from the publisher

In time for the 250th Anniversary of the birth of the United States comes a sweeping, intimate portrayal of Abigail Adams—wife of one president and mother to another—whose wit, willpower, and wisdom helped shape the fledgling republic. A stunning historical novel with modern-day implications from the New York Times bestselling authors of America’s First Daughter and My Dear Hamilton.

In the heart of revolutionary Boston, Abigail Adams raises her children amid riots, blockades, and the outbreak of war. While her husband, John Adams, rises from country lawyer to nation-builder, often away for years at a time, Abigail builds her own independence—managing their farm, making lucrative investments, amassing savings, battling plague and loss, and defending their home. Unafraid to speak her mind, she famously offers fearless political counsel, urging John to “remember the ladies” in the new government. Through it all, she becomes his most trusted confidante and indispensable ally.

When peace is secured, Abigail steps onto the world stage—exchanging ideas with Thomas Jefferson in the French countryside, navigating court life as the wife of the Minister to Great Britain, and presiding over the parlor politics of the early American republic in New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. Even after her husband’s presidential administration, she continues battling political foes and working behind the scenes to advance her family, secure independence for the women in her life, and ensure a better life for the next generation of Americans.

From war-torn streets to the chandeliered halls of power, A Founding Mother is the unforgettable story of a woman ahead of her time—one whose voice, vision, and valor still resonate powerfully today.

Literary fiction-Sci fi & Fantasy

406 pages

Pub date: 02 June 2026

My thoughts:

This book has gotten a tremendous number of good reviews and I was quite excited to receive an early copy of it from NetGalley and William Morrow. Thanks to both.

Here is a story about the difference between how life might be portrayed and what it is/was really like. It is about the difference for two children between their actual early years and their fictional portrayal in their author mother’s books.

Now as adults, one sibling is publishing a memoir while the other is planning an exhibit. Much will be revealed because of these decisions.

While I wanted to love this book and know that many others have, it was not the right book for me at this moment. It was a little too bleak or dark for me. It is described as Gothic so if that appeals to a reader, they will find much to love here.

All opinions here are my own.

Description:

from the publisher

A READ WITH JENNA TODAY SHOW BOOK CLUB PICK

“An extraordinary book. It’s a page-turner, full of mystery, but that’s the least of it. The language is dusted with magic. The Children reminded me of Ray Bradbury at his best.” —Stephen King

The haunting new novel from New York Times bestselling author Melissa Albert, in which the estranged adult children of a legendary author, written into their dead mother’s beloved fantasy series, must contend with the vine-like creep of legacy, memory, and magic.

Guinevere Sharpe has two childhoods.

In one, she and her brother, Ennis, live in the wooded shadow of their family’s isolated Vermont farmhouse; in the other, the pages of their mother’s world-famous Ninth City books, where their magical adventures have made them household names. In reality, Guinevere’s childhood isn’t the enchanted idyll her mother’s readers imagine: she and Ennis are growing up near-feral, unwashed and underfed, escaping each day to the wild woods they’ve made their playland. As Edith Sharpe’s books explode into epic popularity, the threats of a rural childhood give way to the escalating perils of fame—until the night it all goes up in flames, leaving Edith’s series unfinished and her children the sole survivors.

Now an adult coasting on her mother’s name, Guinevere is mid-promotion for a ghostwritten memoir when her estranged brother, an artist who has until now spurned his family’s legacy, announces an upcoming installation titled, simply, Mother. As rumors swirl around a death connected to his last show, unsettling recollections from Guinevere’s childhood begin to surface. Her public facade starts to crack, forcing her to confront the questions she’s spent the last twenty years running from: What really happened the night of the fire? And what dark history lies behind their mother’s fantasy world?

The Children is wise to the mythic weight childhood memories gather over time, and the way our most beloved stories grow up with us. It’s for anyone who’s ever revisited an old favorite and found its pages cast in a darker light, the line separating magic from reality blurring as we discover the books that once comforted us carry shadows of their own.

Editorial reviews:

Recommended by the New York Times • Los Angeles Times • People • New York Magazine • the Chicago Tribune • Forbes • Cosmopolitan • Oprah Daily • New York Post • Goodreads • Literary Hub • Good Housekeeping • Buzzfeed • Red • Page Six • Book Riot • AARP • Publishers Weekly • The Millions • She Reads . . . and more!

From Kirkus Reviews:

Albert balances traditional storytelling, fairy-tale elements, and inventive narrative structures like museum labels to create a novel way of looking at the places where the past and the present—both real and imagined—meet. Once it’s revealed, the truth—of the farmhouse, their mother, and Ennis’ reason for leaving—is darker and stranger than Guin could have imagined. Though the novel effectively maintains a sense of suspense and dread, it sometimes struggles under the weight of multiple nonlinear timelines. Regardless, Albert’s prose is undeniably beautiful as she contemplates memory, family lore, and the ways that art can both save and destroy people.

From Library Journal:

VERDICT- YA author Albert’s (The Bad Ones) adult debut is an atmospheric gothic fantasy that sees an eccentric set of siblings reframing their troubled childhoods, the legacy of their mother’s book series, and their present lives. A great addition to every collection.

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From the Publisher:

#TheOdyssey #NetGalley

I recently spent a semester reading Emily Wilson’s translation of the Iliad. I hope to one day read her rendition of the Odyssey. In the meanwhile, I adored this book. It is written for children ages 9 to 12 but anyone could enjoy it, in my opinion. It offers an excellent introduction to this important work.

The illustrations are bright, engaging and pair perfectly with the text. I also really like all of the introductory material that the author includes. She lets readers know that Odysseus was a complex character who sometimes did not speak honestly. She also points out that, while readers can make their own decisions about his veracity, they can enjoy the spirit of this story. It includes many adventures including the story of the Trojan Horse.

I highly recommend this edition of the classic.

Many thanks to NetGalley and DK-DK Children for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 23 June 2026

Description:

from the publisher

Voyages across the sea, man-eating monsters, witches, gods, and goddesses: The Odyssey is the ultimate adventure story.

Take a journey across the sea and follow the heroic, catastrophic, and sometimes downright gruesome tales of the Greek king Odysseus in this modern retelling of Homer’s The Odyssey. A story of trickery, lies, and perseverance, watch as Odysseus is tested to the limits by the Cyclops; sirens; and lots of meddling, angry gods.

Written by self-proclaimed Greek myth nerd, and host of the Let’s Talk About Myths, Baby! podcast, Liv Albert brings this ancient Greek Epic to life. Liv’s version of The Odyssey portrays Odysseus as he really was: a complex man who did many great things … and just as many bad. Littered with historical facts, maps, and family trees, Liv brings all of her knowledge and expertise to this future classic, making it the only version of The Odyssey you’ll ever want to read.

From the Publisher:

Editorial Reviews:

About the Author:

Liv Albert is the creator and executive producer of the top rated ancient history podcast, Let’s Talk About Myths, Baby. Liv studied English Literature and Classical Civilizations and regularly speaks at universities across North America about the wide world of Greek mythology and history. She has authored many pieces on Greek mythology, including the best-selling title Greek Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook. Her retelling of The Odyssey is her first children’s book.


Hazem Asif is an illustrator who has worked internationally across various markets including publishing, film, and academia. He’s collaborated with Google, Harper Collins, Bloomsbury, The Lancet HIV, and the Doha Film Institute.

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This is the fifth title to feature Marlow amateur detectives Becks, Suzie and, of course, Judith. I have read all of the series and also have watched the TV show. Now, I have just read book 5 which I enjoyed.

Book 5 picks up where book 4 ended. This means that there is a subplot about Judith and her ex husband who reportedly died from drowning. Judith’s husband had a daughter with someone else. This daughter is making accusations against Judith. Did Judith do something unforgivable? What did really happen? Those who have read the earlier books will want to know, as will some new to the series.

Around this, there are once again too many murders in Marlow. For a small, pretty place, it has an outsize number of crimes, maybe a bit like in Christie’s St. Mary Mead.

Celebrities have been killed. Why? Is there a common thread? Of course, the intrepid threesome will do their best to find out.

I look forward to a new book in this series and hope Thorogood will give this to readers.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 07 July 2026

Post first published on 22 May 2026

About the book:

from the publisher

Description

“Fiendishly clever!” – Kirkus reviews

The new cozy crime novel from the bestselling author of The Marlow Murder Club, now a major TV series on PBS Masterpiece!

Two dead celebrities. One village full of secrets.

Someone is killing celebrities in Marlow. First, it’s a famous soccer player. Then, a bestselling thriller writer. When two shocking deaths rock their quiet riverside town, Judith, Suzie, and Becks—the unstoppable Marlow Murder Club—must untangle a dangerous web of blackmail and scandal to catch a killer.

But with their trusted police ally DI Malik suddenly suspended, and Judith’s own past threatening to resurface, the women are on their own. Suspects are multiplying like tabloid headlines, secrets are stacking up, and time is running out.

Can the Marlow Murder Club crack the case before the killer strikes again—or will this be the end of their crime-solving adventures?

From the Publisher:

A Novel

by Julia Whelan

Sewanee has not had an easy time of it. As the novel opens she is on a plane where a few embarrassing things happen. One of these is that a four year old repeatedly quizzes Sewanee about her eye patch. The author skewers a certain school of parenting in the scenes that follow. This is indicative of the tone of this novel.

Sewanee is on her way to Las Vegas where she will attend a book convention and also meet up with her closest friend Adaku, an actress. Sewanee has stopped acting and is now an audio book narrator. The book that she listens to in the beginning of the story is also satirized.

What happens as the story advances will include changes for Sewanee. This arc begins with a one night stand. Readers will hope that she gets her happy ending.

Author Whelan has narrated audio books herself which adds authenticity to the narrative. That said, I wanted to like this book more than I actually did. It took me awhile to feel immersed in the story. I feel in the minority as Taylor Jenkins Reed, Emily Henry and Jodi Picoult, all authors I very much like, have endorsed this one.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 02 August 2022

A Novel

by Susan Mallery

The cover really says it all. Here is a novel that is for a relaxing summer day as can be seen in this woman who is relaxing with a beach read. It is the story of three friends and those around them. Readers follow Bree, Mikki and Ashley in their intersecting lives.

The women come together when they rent a common space for their businesses. Bree has a bookstore, Mikki owns a gift shop, and Ashley bakes splendid sounding goods. Each of these women has relationships both past and present that impact them. Bree’s relationship with the older Lewis was complicated and she now does not seem to want to be close to a man. What will happen when she meets Ashley’s brother? Mikki is getting divorced and starting to date again. Ashley seems to have the perfect relationship but is it as good as it seems?

Those who enjoy classic women’s fiction and/or those who have read other novels by Ms. Mallery will want to give this one a look. For myself, I wanted just a bit more from this novel. I am often drawn to books about books but there was not quite as much about the store as I might have hoped for. Also, while I enjoyed spending time with these characters, I never found it hard to put the book down for a while.

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

Pub Date 31 May 2022

#TheAstralLibraryDeluxeLimitedEdition #NetGalley

I loved Quinn’s novel, The Rose Code, and, after that one, I have always read her books. I enjoyed The Briar Club but it did not displace The Rose Code as my favorite. Now Quinn has written The Astral Library; this one is different from her earlier books that offered suspenseful historical fiction.

This time, Quinn has written a novel with some elements of fantasy. Main character Alix travels to the Astral Library which is like no library I know of-I only wish that it were real. How does Alix get there?

Well, Alix’s mother left her to the vagaries of the foster care system. Note that Quinn clearly sees the flaws in this system for those who are in need. Alix (names Alexandria for the famous library) has had one consolation only in her young life and that has been reading, reading, reading.

When the story opens, Alix is struggling financially and emotionally. One day, when at the Boston Public Library, she accesses the Astral Library meeting with it idiosyncratic head. Alix is told that she can choose to enter the world of any one book. (Read the story to find out what she chooses). While in the library Alix faces danger and adventure. She visits books and times that are real for her in these moments. For example, Alix visits Sherlock Holmes and the world of Huck Finn. In another plot in this novel, Alix enters paintings as, for example, one by Thomas Cole.

What will happen to both Alix and the Library? What will her life be like by the end of this novel? Readers will hope that her life improves. I know that there is one character that I hope she will be involved with long term (again no spoiler so won’t say who).

This book is part of what seems like a recent genre to me in which people enter the world of books or a character from a novel appears in the life of a book’s protagonist. This is a trend that I have enjoyed.

Those who can roll with this story without questioning how the events could happen will enjoy a book with lots of mentioned literature and art. These are elements that I enjoyed.

Note too that a theme of this novel is body positivity. Alix is a size 22 and there is someone she knows who makes a gorgeous blue dress for her. There is also commentary on the importance of libraries and the importance of all kinds of books being available to all.

I recommend this book to those who like their books to have that books within books vibe.

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

Pub date: 26 February 2026

Description:

from the publisher

This stunning DELUXE LIMITED EDITION is only available on the first printing while supplies last! The collector’s hardcover features stenciled edges, illustrated endpapers, and jacket effects.

From New York Times bestselling author Kate Quinn comes a gorgeously written fantastical adventure which poses the question: Have you ever wished you could live inside a book? Welcome to the Astral Library, where books are not just objects, but doors to new worlds, new lives, and new futures.

Alexandria “Alix” Watson has learned one lesson from her barren childhood in the foster-care system: unlike people, books will never let you down. Working three dead-end jobs to make ends meet and knowing college is a pipe dream, Alix takes nightly refuge in the high-vaulted reading room at the Boston Public Library, escaping into her favorite fantasy novels and dreaming of far-off lands. Until the day she stumbles through a hidden door and meets the Librarian: the ageless, acerbic guardian of a hidden library where the desperate and the lost escape to new lives…inside their favorite books.

The Librarian takes a dazzled Alix under her wing, but before she can escape into the pages of her new life, a shadowy enemy emerges to threaten everyone the Astral Library has ever helped protect. Aided by a dashing costume-shop owner, Alix and the Librarian flee through the Regency drawing rooms of Jane Austen to the back alleys of Sherlock Holmes and the champagne-soaked parties of The Great Gatsby as danger draws inexorably closer. But who does their enemy really wish to destroy—Alix, the Librarian, or the Library itself?

#KillsWellwithOthers #NetGalley

This book invites readers to again spent time with the Killers of a Certain Age. Although I have not read the first in this series, I felt that I was able to jump right in.

Readers meet four women who have a spectacular skill set including proficiency in disguise, strategy and killing. They are Helen, Billie, Natalie and Mary Alice. These women are called back into service to avenge a colleague’s murder and the mayhem then briskly takes off.

This book is full of action, drama, excitement, good characters, a variety of global settings and more. It is a kind of James Bond for the older woman (but not too old) vibe. I found it to be very enjoyable.

I have read other series by this author. This one is a bit different. Kudos to Raybourn for doing something new …and succeeding.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 04 March 2025

From the Publisher

The Crime Writers Association Daggers have been synonymous with quality crime writing for over fifty years. These prestigious awards started in 1955, less than two years after the Association was founded.
— Read on www.waterstones.com/category/cultural-highlights/book-awards/the-cwa-daggers