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

#IntheSpiritofFrenchMurder #NetGalley

In the Spirit of French Murder is the fourth in a wonderful historical mystery series that features Julia Child as a main character. I dare anyone to read about her cooking without getting hungry! Also, Paris is beautifully evoked and might make a person want to visit. Other areas in France also come into the story.

Look at the cover. It reflects some things that are important in this novel. Also, it is possible that the title of this one has more than one meaning.

Anyone who has read the earlier books, will be delighted to visit with the many familiar characters including Tabitha, her love interests, her uncle and grandfather, the market stall owners and more. Note that I don’t think that it is necessary to have read the other books to enjoy this one but I think readers might want to.

What is the significance of the warnings of a psychic? What do the bluets mean? Will the murders be solved? Read this entertaining, atmospheric story to find out.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this title. All thoughts are my own.

Pub date: 28 April 2026

Post first published on 17 April 2026

Note the other titles in this series are reviewed on my blog.

Description:

from the publisher

After moving to France, Tabitha Knight has a new friend in fellow expat and Cordon Bleu student Julia Child, whose culinary tips can come in quite handy. But something’s cooking in postwar Paris, and it isn’t just cheese soufflé…

Tabitha has enjoyed an entertaining afternoon in Julia’s kitchen, but her return home is a bit jarring. As she arrives at her grandfather’s rue de l’Université mansion, a woman bursts out the door babbling about messages from spirits and a warning Grand-père must heed. Oncle Rafe angrily sends the woman on her way, and neither man will answer Tabitha’s questions.

It’s not the last she sees of the mysterious visitor. While she’s on a date that evening, she’s accosted by her again—and learns that Madame Vierca is a medium who claims to have visions of a dark fate that awaits Grand-père and Oncle Rafe. The very next night, Tabitha’s messieurs host a soiree at their new restaurant, inviting fellow Resistance fighters from the war known as the Nine Bluets. To commemorate the work of the Resistance network, the vase on the dinner table sports nine of the pretty blue flowers.

But shortly after the revelers leave the restaurant, one of Grand-père’s old friends is found dead on the street . . . and one of the nine flowers is missing from the vase. When a second member of the Nine Bluets is found poisoned the next day, and a bluet flower is left with the body, Tabitha cannot ignore Madame Vierca’s frightening predictions about her dear messieurs. She has no choice but to share her suspicions and fears with the enigmatic and unruffled Inspecteur Merveille.

Tabitha soon finds herself caught up in an investigation that takes her and Merveille to the seediest, most dangerous parts of the Left Bank—home of strange, fantastical legends, disquieting events, and unusual people. As she and Merveille desperately try to find a killer, they know they don’t have much time before the rest of the Nine Bluets are targeted . . . including Grand-père and Oncle Rafe.

From the Publisher:

From the publisher:

This irresistible, laugh-out-loud story full of heart, hilarity, and hijinks stars a protagonist who’s ready to slice, dice, and stir up a second chance at life by enrolling in culinary school to win back her husband’s heart. Imagine Legally Blonde’s Elle Woods meets Jesse’s own Vera Wong—what, like cooking is hard?

Mebel, a doting Chinese Indonesian trophy wife, is 63 and completely unprepared for life’s next act: her husband of 40 years, Henk, leaving her for their much-younger private chef. But rather than wallow, Mebel does what any self-respecting almost-divorcée would do: she enrolls in culinary school. After all, any good wife knows that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Take that, Henk’s mistress! Henk will be running back to Mebel in no time! Except, instead of kicking off her plans for revenge in a fabulous culinary institute in Paris, Mebel accidentally enrolls in a tiny program in the rainy English countryside. Amid culture shock, kitchen disasters, and unexpected friendships, Mebel begins to realize that maybe this escapade isn’t about getting her husband back. Maybe it’s about finding herself for the first time.

Whether you’re in it for the messiness, the mayhem, or the mouthwatering misadventures of a woman rediscovering her purpose, MS. MEBEL GOES BACK TO THE CHOPPING BLOCK is an absolute treat.

About the author:

Jesse Q. Sutanto is the author of adult, YA, and children’s middle grade books. She has an MSt in Creative Writing from Oxford University and a BA in English Lit from Berkeley, though she hasn’t found a way of saying that without sounding obnoxious. The film rights to her women’s fiction, Dial A for Aunties, was bought by Netflix in a competitive bidding war. Her adult books include Dial A for Aunties, its sequel, Four Aunties and a Wedding, and Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers. Her YA books include The Obsession, The New Girl, and Well, That Was Unexpected. Her MG books include Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit and its sequel, Theo Tan and the Iron Fan. Find her on Twitter @thewritinghippo and on Instagram @jesseqsutanto.

My thoughts:

It is always a pleasure to find a book with a protagonist who is a mature woman given a good storyline. That said, readers don’t have to be of any particular age to enjoy this book.

I also love stories that have a cooking or baking background so that also drew me to this novel, as did the idea of finding oneself as a woman in her sixties. It was fun to see how Ms. Mebel makes her way from pampered wife, to a cooking school course, to getting to know new people, and enjoying (and learning) from new experiences.

This book did not disappoint. I will miss Ms. Mebel.

Those who enjoy women’s fiction will enjoy this one. It might well appeal to readers of Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame as well.

This book has gotten many positive reviews. Here are some from the major book review magazines.

“Sutanto’s (Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man)) heartwarming, feel-good story of a formerly entitled woman who learns she has desires of her own and is more than arm candy is laced with humor and will appeal to readers who enjoy stories of women reinventing themselves.”—Library Journal

“Sutanto, who is behind the beloved Vera Wong mystery series, has created another unsinkable and unstintingly funny 60-something female character, and readers should derive much pleasure witnessing Mebel’s transformation from castoff wife into Chinese Indonesian Golden Girl. Soufflé lightness, deliciously flavored with feminism.”—Kirkus Reviews

“The lessons beyond the kitchen about trust friendship, autonomy, resilience, (a little) revenge, and most importantly, her true self prove that even ‘at sixty- three, there is still so much more to life, so many more things to discover.’ Let’s hope Sutanto brings Mebel back soon.”—Booklist

“Sutanto keeps the pages turning with tight plotting and thoroughly enjoyable characters. Readers are in for a treat.”—Publishers Weekly

Many thanks to Berkley Publishing for the invitation to this blog tour. All thoughts are my own.

Pub date: 28 April 2026

Post first published on 28 April 2026

This is Fiona Davis’s third New York City based historical novel and it is a winner! I have not read her earlier books,The Address and The Dollhouse, but may well do so now.
The Masterpiece has a dual narrative structure, one story is set in the 1920s-30’s and the other in the 1970s. The stories of Clara Darden and Virginia Clay overlap and intersect.
Darden is an illustrator, teacher and painter in the earlier era while Virginia, a divorcee, begins working at Grand Central around the time when the landmark battle was underway. Each woman has a backstory, relationships and challenges, all of which are well depicted.
Did you know that in the 1920’s there was an art school right in Grand Central? Did you know that Sargent was one of the founders? Are you interested in historical preservation? Do you enjoy a story with a plot twist? If you can answer yes to any, or all of these questions, I highly recommend this book.

#TheMasterpiece #NetGalley

#OursIsaTaleofMurder #NetGalley

This title offers a rather dark and twisting story that will appeal to readers who don’t read cozies. This is definitely not that.

There are complex characters in these pages who are not always likeable. Watch for them in their neighborhood. Think about what it means to be a mother. Be prepared for murder and some surprises as the intricate plot unfolds.

This book is not fully for me but I definitely admire the suspenseful way in which the novel unfolds.

Publishers Weekly states “Few readers will have seen it coming, but they will, in hindsight, be impressed by Murphy’s ingenious narrative structure and clever placement of clues.”

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this title. All thoughts are my own.

Description:

from the publisher

“A shocking collision made all the more satisfying by Murphy’s brilliant twists… Clear your schedule—you won’t be putting this down until that last, mesmerizing page.”  —Carter Wilson, USA Today bestselling author of Tell Me What You Did

“Beautifully creepy. Deliciously dark.” —Iliana Xander, bestselling author of Love, Mom

One quiet neighborhood
Three different families
Bound by murder

Klara never wanted the house with the white picket fence. Troy never wanted anything else.

Nothing is quite right with this happy couple, but they fit right in. The mother in the blue house, Mary, is cleaning out her son’s old room before she sells, haunted by the mistakes of her past and afraid of what her home has become. Next door, Henry, freshly laid off and back living with his parents, has plenty of time to watch everyone—especially wives. He knows something is wrong. But then then nothing is quite as it seems, and sometimes you miss what is right in front of you. 

Murder will soon thread its way through this world in ways no one will see coming—unless you’ve been plotting all along.

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From the Publisher:

#ILoveItWhenWeReadTogether #NetGalley

This sweet book celebrates the joys of reading between adults and children. The many reasons that reading can be a wonderful shared activity are nicely noted. There are suggestions of ways that stories influence the reader. The illustrations are engaging and show a diverse group of people.

This is a nice way to reinforce why we read to the kids in our lives.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Mission Point Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 12 August 2026

Description:

from the publisher

I Love It When We Read Together invites reading partners to create their own special rituals with gentle prompts and endearing illustrations that encourage kids to read along, spot animals, and spark lively conversations. This book is perfect for building fluency and connection. Inspired by the literacy challenges of the pandemic, early childhood educator Karolyn Wallace crafts a cozy experience that helps families bring the joy of reading home.

An e book bargain

#AFamilyAffair #NetGalley

Robyn Carr is the author of several series of novels including The Grace Valley Trilogy, the Virgin River books and the Thunder Point stories. She has also written a number of standalone titles of which this is one.

This is a story about family and the ways in which people react, cope and look for happiness in their relationships. Some of the characters whom readers get to know include:

Anna-She has been recently widowed after her husband went on a dangerous white water rafting trip. What was he trying to prove? Anna, herself, was raised by a single mother and has worked hard since going back to law school. She wants and needs financial security and the knowledge that she can care for herself.. Anna is a judge who, as a lawyer, specialized in cases involving women and domestic violence.

Chad-Anna met him when she literally rescued him. He worked as a counselor but had his own issues (as counselors often do.)

Together, Anna and Chad had three children. Each of them is coping with their father’s death. Jessie is a doctor who pushes too much in her relationships; Mike is a teacher who has trouble committing and Bess, who has Asperger’s, sees life in her own unique way.

Add to this core family, Chad’s best friend Joe. He is a support to Anna but hopes for more. There is also a mysterious young, pregnant woman who appears at Chad’s funeral.

This novel tells the story of each of these people as they cope with loss and growth. Those who enjoy stories with characters about whom they will care and those who enjoy women’s fiction may want to pick up this title.

See my archive for the blog tour on this title.

Many thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing-Mira for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 05 April 2022

#OtherPeoplesSummers #NetGalley

Sarah Morgan has become one of my favorite authors when I want a story with good characters, plot and settings. That is definitely true in her newest novel which has all of these qualities.

Characters include two women who were best friends and are now coming back together. They are Milly and Nicole. There are other characters as well from Milly and Nicole’s lives.

Milly lives and works at her family’s lakeside resort. While no specific location is given, I would visit there if I could! Milly is recently divorced and mom to a young teen.

Nicole made it big as an actress. She has not been able to secure her mother’s admiration and, as a child, adored Milly’s more open and affectionate family.

A scandal causes Nicole to reach out to Milly. From here, the story takes off. It is one about reconciliations, friendship, living a good life even when that is not a perfect life, and more.

Highly recommended to readers of women’s fiction.

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

Pub date: 06 May 2025

General fiction-women’s fiction

308 pages

From the Publisher

Other books by this author:

Note: While some of these are listed as e book bargains, that was true at the time of the original post and may no longer be true.

The Holiday Cottage

An e book bargain-The Book Club Hotel (Sarah Morgan)

Readers will want to make time for: The Summer Swap (Sarah Morgan)-an e book bargain

#TheParisSecret #NetGalley

Note that I am commenting on the extended preview. ALSO NOTE: I HAVE SINCE READ AND VERY MUCH ENJOYED THE WHOLE NOVEL!

This book appears to have many elements that will make it an engrossing read. I will certainly buy the book so that I can spend more time with this book’s characters and story lines.

After an opening set in the days after WWII, the novel moves to the year 1928 when Skye and Liberty Penrose are children being raised by their single mother. Their mother Vanessa, who predicts the future for clients, is a pilot who has passed on her love of the skies to her aptly named older daughter.

When the reader first meets Skye, she is ten and unconventional. Younger sister Liberty appears prone to temper tantrums and may be less than stable. Skye meets Nick during this summer and it is clear that they will have connections throughout the entire story.

The book jumps to 2012 in the following section. In this, a descendant of one of the main characters, Kat, travels to Cornwall to visit her grandmother’s house. Grandmother Margaux has ties to Nick and Skye as I think will become clearer.

This is another story with sections set before, during and after WWII. Illuminated through Skye is a story of the women who flew planes during the war. There is a sense that Liberty and the other main characters will face many threats as the novel continues. It also feels like the past and present will tie together by the end of the book.

This appears to be an involving and interesting novel. As noted above, I will be purchasing it so that I can see how it ends.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this preview. All opinions are my own.

About the book:

from the publisher

The lives of four sleepless strangers intersect late at night as they attempt to solve not just their own anxieties but also the mysterious disappearance of one of their own, from New York Times bestselling author Allison Winn Scotch.

In the city that never sleeps, it’s not always easy to share what’s on your mind with the people who know you best. Huddled in an all-night diner over coffee and pancakes, a lonely middle-aged mom, an injured baseball pro, an elusive retiree, and a young waitress examine the thoughts that plague them in the middle of the night.

Empty-nester Sybil does what she does best: rolls up her sleeves and spearheads the efforts to turn this group of strangers into friends. Aimless after an injury threatens to ruin his career, Zeke finds genuine connection among the unlikely group. Tight-lipped Julian, who’s seemingly adrift in retirement and attempting to rebuild a relationship with his daughter, expands their circle when he takes their cagey diner waitress, Betty, under his wing. Betty, cautious about strangers and uncertain about strokes of good luck, entertains the trio in an attempt to resolve her own problems, which she keeps close to the vest.

Within a few restless months, the group of strangers have become a fragile family. And when one of them goes missing in the dead of night, they’re thrust into a propulsive mystery pulled straight from the true-crime podcasts Sybil obsesses over. Though ill-prepared and unequipped for the job, they begin to piece together the clues left behind. In chasing down answers, they uncover a reason for their friend’s disappearance, and are forced to wrestle with the question of how well you can really know anyone—and once you do, how much are you willing to risk to save them? And in doing so, save yourself?

From the Publisher:

From Kirkus Reviews:

Told in close third person throughout, the book follows each of the four main characters, letting readers into their thoughts as they navigate personal drama, insomnia, and emerging group dynamics. Full of nuanced real-life issues, like caring for ungrateful family members, making complex and long-ranging career choices, and learning to separate those choices from a sense of self, the book is also filled with gripping suspense as the friends attempt to locate Betty.

My thoughts:

Successful author, Allison Winn Scotch has tried something new here and, no surprise to her readership, she has done it well. I enjoyed getting to know all of the characters and found the plot to be engaging (even if it did require some suspension of disbelief). If AWS writes more suspense novels, I will definitely be reading them.

Many thanks to Berkley for the invitation to this blog tour. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you to everyone who has read posts here. I appreciate your support.