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

#IsItTooLatetoMakeaRunforIt #NetGalley

368 pages for the book

10 hours and 30 minutes for the audio

Five stars 🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠

Released on 03 November 2026

My thoughts:

Judi Dench and Brendan O’Hea previously collaborated on Shakespeare, The Man who Pays the Rent, a book/audio that is one of my favorite titles ever. Here they again come together to talk about many aspects of Dench’s life. Their affection for one another and the way in which they banter shows them to be very good friends. It was an utter pleasure to spend time with them.

Dame Judi, who is in her 90s, is as sharp and witty as ever. She has many tales to tell about her growing up, her marriage, her family, her roles and more. Just one example; I adored hearing about her trees. She plants one for each person whom she loved who has died. It is a glorious tradition.

This is a book that I may read more than once. Ditto listening to the audio. They provided just what I needed.

I most, most highly recommend this title, along with the Shakespeare book.

Note that the audio includes a bonus conversation between Judi and Brendan. Don’t miss it.

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

From Publishers Weekly-This generous memoir is a testament to what a happy fact it is she hasn’t done so yet. It’s a delightful account of a life well-lived.(Nov.)

From Kirkus Reviews-Hilarious, fortifying notes on a life largely spent chasing fun.

Description:

from the publisher

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Judi Dench and Brendan O’Hea chat about her life on the stage, on the screen, and, above all, behind the scenes…

In Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It? Judi Dench and Brendan O’Hea take us on a heartfelt and hilarious tour of her extraordinary life and career. From growing up in York and being miffed at not getting the part of Mary in the school Nativity play, to playing before sold-out houses on Broadway and in London’s West End, she’s done it all. She walked the red carpets of Hollywood, turned James Bond’s M into the most astute, unflinching Head of MI6 anyone could ever have imagined, and won an Oscar, a Tony, Golden Globes, Oliviers, and BAFTAs along the way.

Yet despite the accolades, she has been accompanied by doubt. From the movie producer who said she had “everything wrong” with her face, to the theatre director who advised her against doing sitcom. Is it any wonder she leaves a bag by the rehearsal room door in case she has to make a run for it?

But stepping out of her comfort zone has been Judi’s guiding principle and in Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It?, she reveals all to Brendan – her friend and writing partner. She tells stories of pranks (both onstage and off), dissects her greatest screen roles, shares tales of her joyful marriage to actor Michael Williams, and talks about her passion for nature and animals.

As told to Brendan O’Hea, this is Judi Dench’s story – funny, honest, intimate, enlightening, surprising, moving, and deeply inspiring. Over ninety years in the making, Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It? is the story of the world’s most beloved actor.

An e book bargain

I am always delighted to settle in for another visit with Rowly, Edna, Clyde and Milton. Each of these characters is eccentric and interesting. We have an aristocrat, an artist, a poet and an artisan. Together they form a formidable quartet.

The Rowland Sinclair mysteries take place in the run up to WWII and in a world that feels rather ominous. Ms. Gentill always does her research and brings authenticity to both the setting and the background history of her stories. This time, I learned about Chiang Kai Shek, those who were pro or anti-Communist and the troubled relations between Japan and China. This history adds verisimilitude to the story.

The story begins as Rowly’s brother ( a more conventional sort) wants to send him and his friends to Shanghai to meet with those who may want to purchase Sinclair wool. Rowly is firmly instructed to equivocate in all of his business dealings. Can he?

The Shanghai that the protagonists visit is depicted as a city of immigrants and locals with many classes and nationalities in its society. For example, Rowly has a Chinese butler and an Indian driver.

As readers of the series know, where Rowly goes, trouble follows. In this novel, he meets a “taxi girl” named Sasha. She is reputedly from the Russian aristocracy. Alexandra now sells dances with her to those at the Cathay Hotel. This is quite a step down from her former life in her own country. Rowly dances with her…when the worst happens to Sasha and she is found dead in Rowly’s hotel room, there is a case to be solved.

This is an intricate and involving story. It is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. I do think, though, that many readers will want to explore all of the titles after they finish this book.

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

#TheFridayBookshop #NetGalley

251 pages

Pub date: 05 November 2026

From the publisher:

If you’re reading this, the perfect book has found you.

This fall, THE FRIDAY BOOKSHOP (Berkley Hardcover; on sale November 3, 2026), a delightful work of Japanese healing fiction by Sawako Natori, translated by Yui Kajita, is sure to lift your spirits and offer up all the joy, wisdom, and heartwarming charm you never knew you needed inside its pages.

Devoted readers know that bookshops are sacred spaces that deal in treasure, and that booksellers themselves are essentially magicians, conjuring the stories we desire when we most need them. In THE FRIDAY BOOKSHOP, Natori celebrates all that we gain from bookstores in a tale that will warm your heart and have you ready to make a trip to your own local shop!

Step into the Friday Bookshop, nestled inside a rustic train station outside of Tokyo, where the perfect book finds you the moment you need it.

Fumiya is a college student who stumbles into The Friday Bookshop, a tiny store rumored for its peculiar charm, in search of a rare book for his ailing father. There, he not only finds the very book he seeks, but also a café where the food menu changes daily on the chef’s whim, a vast underground vault lined with bookshelves, lovingly converted from an old, abandoned subway platform, and a cast of zany shop owners who take him under their wing.

The Friday Bookshop quickly becomes Fumiya’s favorite place—so much so that he begins to work there part-time. Through colorful interactions with the booksellers and their visitors, as well as mouthwatering dishes inspired by the books they recommend, it’s impossible for him not to fall in love with the seemingly ordinary yet enchanting little bookstore.

And best of all, at the Friday Bookshop, Fumiya learns to embrace the joy of reading, and that books can be a means to connect with other people and navigate the twists and turns of life.

With its charming Japanese setting, real book recommendations, mouthwatering dishes, and a cast of quirky shop owners and visitors, readers of Before the Coffee Gets Cold and Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop will fall in love with THE FRIDAY BOOKSHOP. Natori delivers another uplifting installment in the growing healing fiction genre, exploring how books bring us comfort in hard times.

About the author and translator:

Born in 1973 in Hyogo Prefecture, Sawako Natori is a novelist and a freelance scenarist for games and audio dramas. She won the Train Station Booksellers Award for The Lost and Found Corner at Penguin Railway in 2015. Her other novels include Noah’s Ark in the Library, Books Awaiting at the Literary Inn, and The Galaxy Library.

Yui Kajita is a literary translator and illustrator, originally from the countryside of Japan. Her translations include Run with the Wind by Shion Miura, The Samurai Detectives by Shotaro Ikenami, and The Friday Bookshop by Sawako Natori. She has a PhD in English literature from the University of Cambridge.

Library Journal calls The Friday Bookshop a charming, slow‑paced, book‑loving tale set in a quirky Japanese train‑station bookstore, but not an essential title in a crowded healing‑fiction field

My thoughts:

I am a fan of the Asian novels that feature foods and books. They are generally leisurely comfort reads for me and that is certainly the case here. Anyone who already knows this genre is in for a treat. This will also be the case for new readers.

Many thanks to Berkley for the opportunity to be part of this spotlight tour. Thanks as well to NetGalley.

All thoughts are my own.

In this novel, The Golden Hour literally describes the hour before sunset. It is an ephemeral time.  “The sun disappears.  The night arrives.”  This image is true to the novel where there are both bright and dark times for the characters.

In this novel, there is sunshine and shadow.  There is love and connection along with the potential to lose those whom one most deeply cares for.  As is true is many historical novels, the reader learns about these tropes through characters in two different time periods.  Eventually their stories converge.

In the earlier time period, readers follow Elfriede whose story begins in Switzerland in 1900.  Elfriede, who is breathtakingly beautiful, is married but not in a passionate relationship.  Suffering what we would now call postpartum depression, she is sent to a clinic to recuperate.  While there, Elfriede meets Wilfrid, the man who will be most critical to her being.  Around Elfriede swarm other characters including her son, Johann, and the children of her husband’s mistress whom she loves as her own.  There is much more to Elfriede’s story than I am including here so you will need to read the book to get the full scope what happens to her.

The second time line is the 1940s.  We meet Lulu who has quite a backstory.  She is in the Bahamas reporting on daily life whereshe joins the circle of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.  Life is a mix of decadence, amurder and Red Cross volunteer work.  While in the Bahamas, Lulu again meets up with Benedict, whom she loves as Efriede loves Wilfred.

Of course the stories and lives of Lulu and Elfriede intersect.  No spoliers, so no more except to say that there are several love stories, some of which are about parental/filial and not romance.

The story takes place in multiple countries and each place leaves the reader feeling like they are there. The denoument includes what may be a surprise for many readers.

I enjoyed The Golden Hour.  The characters are vivid, the pages turn and I was sorry to come to the end.  I give this novel 4.5 starts out of 5.

Have you read this one?  What did you think?

Reviews

The title of Flynn Berry’s book has two meanings. The novel’s protagonist, in one scene, mentions the apple variety known as the Northern Spy; however, more significantly Northern Spy refers to those who are spying in Northern Ireland.

This absorbing novel tells the story of sisters Marian and Tessa. Tessa is a new mom who passionately loves her son. She works for the BBC and as the novel opens is not involved in the sectarian conflict. However, much happens after Tessa sees her sister in footage of an IRA robbery. Questions are raised: did Marian want to be there or was she a victim? As the answers spool out, readers learn a lot about the conflict, recruitment to the IRA, informers and the complexities of the choices that the characters are asked to make.

Ms. Berry is skilled at showing how a person can be recruited to the IRA bit by bit. She gives life to the beliefs that motivate the characters who see sectarian violence as the way to achieve a united Ireland. In doing this, Ms. Berry offers a suspenseful novel characters that readers will care about.

I do think that elements of the plot required suspension of disbelief. That having been said, I recommend this one!

A Murder Unmentioned is a novel in the Rowland Sinclair series that is published by the Poisoned Pen Press, a great source for mystery novels.

The cover reflects the period of the novel. It shows some characters in the book including Rowly’s dog, Lenin and his aircraft Rule Britannia. Rowly and one of his friends are inside. As you read the book, this beautiful illustration, is worth going back to for references from the story.

For those who don’t know, this series takes place prior to WWII when Hitler is in the ascendant and Rowly would like to do all he can to show the world the disaster that is coming. This is always a part of the novels. As has been true in other books in the series, some real life characters make an appearance; in this one they include politician Bob Menzies and garden designer Edna Walling.

The delight of these novels lies in spending time with Rowly and his friends. There is the unconventional artist Edna, the poet Milton and another artist friend. They have communist leanings and are definitely anti-Fascist.

Other prominent characters are Rowly’s conservative brother, Wil, his wife Kate and their two young sons. Master Ernest is featured in this one as a pivotal character. At only age six, he seems destined to follow in his uncle’s footsteps.

In this novel, the reader learns a lot about Rowly’s early life and his relationship with his sadistic father. You will feel for the young Rowly. This part of the book was not easy reading.

When the novel opens, Rowly’s father has been dead for thirteen years. The murderer was not found and the central mystery of this one is finding who killed him.

This is a good entry in a good series. Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for this chance to read the e-galley. The opinions are my own.

This is the first, but will not be the last, book that I read by this author. Her novels are now being published by the wonderful Poisoned Pen Press, a great place to find new authors and series.

#AmurderUnmentioned #NetGalley

My review of an earlier entry in the series:

The Rowland Sinclair mysteries take place in the 30s and Rowly reminds me of that great thirties sleuth, Lord Peter Wimsey. He is an artist who is surrounded by his communist leading friends including the lovely Edna, a sculptress. This novel picks up where the prior one ended with the group escaping from Germany at a time when the Nazis were rising and brutal. They come to England where they try to alert the government to upcoming perils and to solve the mystery of an upper class man who is found dead. Subsidiary figures abound including H.G. Wells and Evelyn Waugh.
I truly enjoyed this novel and recommend it to fans of historical mysteries. I look forward to reading more. Thanks for this one, Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley.

Molten Mud Murder is published by the excellent Poisoned Pen Press, a small press that is dedicated to mystery fiction. This is author Johnson’s first novel and the first in a projected series.

American protagonist, Alexa, is a forensics examiner whose specialty is teeth. She has come to New Zealand on a fellowship, falls in love with the country and wants to stay longer. She manages to insert herself into the murder case involving a city counselor.

What I struggled with a little: Alexa took many risks that felt plot driven. Some mysteries, such as what happened to her friend, Mary, were not fully solved. Perhaps that is for another book.

What I liked: The setting on the North Island of New Zealand and the ways in which the landscape is brought vividly to life. The information about tribal Maori customs and rituals. That there was a back story for Alexa. The hint of romance between her and Bruce, the Senior, a term for the chief detective. The details on forensic examination.

This mystery should appeal to armchair travelers, lovers of New Zealand and those who enjoy action packed mysteries. Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this proof in return for an honest review. I look forward to the author’s next book.

#TheDailyBunnyBook #NetGalley

Pub date: 02 February 2027

Five stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Description:

from the publisher

Fill your year with hoppiness and adventure! This adorable collection features more than 365 bunny comics from beloved creator Will Quinn.

Enter . . . the bunny-verse!

Experience a year in the life of delightfully relatable bunnies with this collection of 365+ hare-larious comics. Filled with heartwarming humor, gentle encouragement, and plenty of punny bunny jokes, this charming little book delivers a daily dose of comfort, laughs, and wholesome animal antics.

Read from front to back to follow the adventures of an endearing cast of bunnies, birds, cats, and other adorable creatures, check in each day for a quick smile, or dip in whenever you need a little comfort from some very bighearted bunnies.

Throughout the collection, the bunnies share funny observations, playful advice, and little bits of wisdom about friendship, feelings, everyday struggles, and finding joy in small moments. And there’s even more to discover in the back of the book, including a special behind-the-scenes section featuring Will Quinn’s sketches, line art, and insights into his creative process.

• BELOVED SOCIAL MEDIA CREATOR: Take your daily bunny obsession offline with Will Quinn’s debut book: the first-ever collection of his beloved bunny comics! This carefully curated best-of collection includes original, never-before-seen comics alongside lots of fan-favorite hits.
• ENJOY A BUNNY COMIC EVERY DAY: Start every day the right way with 366 bunny comics, one for every day of the year—including leap year! These offer the perfect pick-me-up whenever you need a little comfort, encouragement, or a laugh.
• COZY HUMOR WITH HIDDEN DETAILS: Packed with charming visual details, funny references, and behind-the-scenes sketches, this collection rewards readers who love art, comics, gaming, and pop culture. Fans will be delighted by all the Easter eggs, literal and figurative!
• HEARTWARMING GIFT FOR ANIMAL LOVERS: Filled with sweet animal characters and uplifting messages, this cozy comic collection makes a thoughtful gift for bunny lovers, comic fans, and anyone in need of a little extra joy. Perfect for Easter baskets, birthdays, Mother’s Day, holidays, and everyday gifting.

My thoughts:

The author tells readers that he started making these drawings to cheer on his sister when she started medical school. He has kept going, much to my joy.

This book is absolutely adorable and I will undoubtedly purchase it in the hard copy for both myself and others that I know. The drawings are well rendered and sweet. They will make the reader smile and feel a bit heartened. What could be better!

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

#LargePrintColoringBookforRelaxation #NetGalley

104 pages

Pub date: 19 January 2027

3-4 stars 🌟🌟🌟-🌟

Description:

From the publisher

Color Your Way Around the World with 50 Vintage-Inspired Travel Posters

Discover memorable places near and far—no passport required. Large Print Coloring Book for Relaxation features 50 hand-drawn, bold, vintage-inspired travel posters depicting cities, landmarks, coastlines, and natural wonders from around the globe. Part of the pleasure of travel is the chance to escape the everyday, and even imagining a faraway place can bring that same sense of relaxation and possibility. With every page, coloring becomes a creative mini-vacation from the comfort of home.

• Easy-to-see large-print designs: Enlarged images with bold outlines, widely spaced lines, and minimal fine detail make these simple designs easy to see and color, for a more accessible and enjoyable coloring experience.
• Relax and recharge: Slow down, relieve stress, improve focus, and enjoy a calming, mindful activity that offers a creative escape from the everyday.
• Explore the world through color: Visit Paris, Venice, Tokyo, New York City, Machu Picchu, the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, Niagara Falls, the Maldives, Hawaii’s breathtaking Nā Pali Coast, and more—all without leaving home.
• Create your own vintage masterpieces: Created especially for this book by illustrator Ana Jarén, each hand-drawn design captures the nostalgic look and charm of classic travel posters. Re-create the vintage aesthetic or choose your own color palette to make each scene uniquely yours.
• Perforated, single-sided pages. Each design is printed on its own perforated page for easy removal, so you can display, share, or gift your finished artwork.
• A thoughtful gift for travel lovers: Perfect for coloring enthusiasts, vintage art fans, armchair travelers, and anyone dreaming of their next adventure.

My thoughts:

Those who enjoy travel, whether virtual or real, as well as those who enjoy coloring, will, I think, enjoy this title. It has a number of pictures to color starting in Paris and traveling all around the world, as for example, to Easter Island.

The pictures are not overly complex as they do not have many small spaces to color, but they do look like they would offer coloring enjoyment. So, get out your pencils, crayons or markers and enjoy.

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

#ShrinkSolvesMurder #NetGalley

330 pages

Mystery & Thriller

Four stars ****

My thoughts:

I wanted to read this book from the moment that I learned about it so, thank you NetGalley for this enjoyable read (all thoughts are my own).

I knew that the author was a therapist so was interested in how her day job connected with this new writing experience. Indeed, Perry offers some psychological insights to the reader. For instance, she gives a pretty clear differential diagnosis for suicide. Yes, there is a question of suicide for the victim but I would describe this as a cozy mystery.

Here are eccentric characters, a fairly grumpy protagonist, a depiction of life in a village and some crime solving. Anyone who likes their mysteries on the light side will, I think, want to give this one a look.

Many thanks to Crown Publishing and (again) NetGalley for this title. All thoughts are my own.

Post first published on 08 August 2026

Description:

from the publisher

A small-town psychotherapist draws on all her knowledge of the human psyche to solve the murder of a patient in this warm and witty mystery novel—by a real psychotherapist turned #1 internationally bestselling author.

“Bears all the hallmarks of a Richard Osman-style cozy: a small community with a picturesque setting; prickly-but-lovable middle-class types who turn to crime-solving in later life. An enjoyable blend of mystery and gentle satire.”—The Guardian

Living in idyllic coastal Sussex, Patricia Philipps enjoys her quiet life—walking the cliffs, shouting at poorly disciplined dog owners, telling tourists to keep their distance from the crumbling cliff edges, and cold-water swimming.

Then a body washes up near Beachy Head, upending her carefully curated life as she discovers the deceased is one of her clients—her “Three O’Clock,” in fact.

The police chalk it up to suicide, but Pat sees things differently. She reads people. She understands them—their lusts, their loves, their quirks, their ticks, their tells, their deepest desires. She looks, she listens, she watches. And she never jumps to conclusions. After all, she spends her days listening to secrets, resentments, fantasies, and motives. She’s certain someone wanted Henry Clayton dead.

With her chaotic best friend Pritchard (part-time poet, full-time meddler) in tow, Pat swaps the therapist’s couch for the crime scene. It’s time to unpick the lies, untangle the egos, and catch a killer hiding in plain sight.

From the Publisher:

Excerpts from the author’s interview with the BBC

Of her new release, she said: “It’s a cosy crime novel for people who like to lose themselves in a book and for people who like a good page turner.”

Shrink Solves Murder is for everyone, she said, but particularly those who enjoy Agatha Christie and Richard Coles novels.

“There are some similarities between me and my main character but she’s much grumpier than me. I’d make a useless sleuth,” said Perry.

From Penguin Books Australia

The warm, witty and wise crime caper by the nation’s favourite therapist

***THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR***

**OVER THREE MILLION COPIES SOLD WORLDWIDE**

‘Fantastic book: wickedly witty, with delightful, quirky characters and a cracking plot’ JACQUELINE WILSON
‘An assured and hugely enjoyable murder mystery debut. It’s brilliant!’ RICHARD COLES

What Waterstones says:

The bestselling author of The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read delivers a deliciously witty and warm crime caper, as psychotherapist Patricia Philipps swaps the therapy room for sleuthing after one of her patients whose secrets she is extremely familiar with ends up dead.

Her 3 o’clock just became a murder case…

When a body washes up near Beachy Head, the Police chalk it up to suicide — a tragic but not uncommon end in these parts.

But local psychotherapist Patricia Philipps isn’t convinced.

The victim? Her three o’clock patient, Henry Clayton.
The cause? Supposedly self-inflicted.
The truth? Pat suspects murder and she’s trained to spot what others miss.

After all, she spends her days listening to secrets, resentments, fantasies and motives. And she’s certain someone wanted Henry Clayton dead.

With her chaotic best friend Pritchard in tow (part-time poet, full-time meddler), Pat swaps the therapy room for the crime scene. It’s time to unpick the lies, untangle the egos and catch a killer hiding in plain sight.

Shrink Solves Murder is a warm, witty and wise crime caper from the nation’s favourite therapist.