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

#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

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

by Colleen Cambridge

An e book bargain

#AFashionablyFrenchMurder #NetGalley

The American in Paris mysteries are so enjoyable. The sleuths in this three book, post WWII, series are Julia Child and her fictional friend Tabitha. Both enjoy living in Paris with its markets, neighborhoods, foods and more to explore. These settings are delightfully described.

Of course, Julia is learning to cook and makes sublime meals. She also tries to help Tabitha achieve some culinary mastery. Julia cooks for her husband Paul in a marriage that comes across as strong and supportive. Tabitha cooks for her grandfather and uncle; the latter is not her relation but is in a relationship with Tabitha’s grandfather.

This time the murder mystery takes place in the world of haute couture. I loved this setting and learned a lot about French fashion during the time period. Readers may be startled to know that Madame Lannet’s close friend thinks that the murder was committed by Christian Dior. Mon Dieu! And, there will be more than one murder.

Tabitha and Julia are on the case. Readers of the series will be happy to welcome them and the regulars back to print. Some will wonder if Tabitha will finally have her romance with a certain detective. Qui sait?

This book is one that it is easy to recommend. I very much enjoyed it and hope that the series will have a long life.

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

Pub date: 29 April 2025

272 pages

Historical fiction-Mystery & Thrillers

From the Publisher

Others in the series:

Delightful: Mastering the Art of French Murder

It is indeed: A Murder Most French (Colleen Cambridge)

#DeathatKingsCross #NetGalley

Mystery & Thrillers-Historical Fiction

326 pages

Pub date: 21 July 2026

Five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

My thoughts:

The Four Queens of Crime were among the very best of the best writers of detective fiction’s Golden Age. They were Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, Margery Allingham and Ngaio Marsh. Anyone who loves classic crime stories knows their names and all serious mystery readers have a treat in store for them if, somehow, these authors passed them by.

Limoncelli has included these four as key characters in two books, of which this is the second. She also includes an historical personage in Lilian Wyles, a police inspector. I thought the first book was very good and found this second title to be even better.

In this story set during WWII much happens. There is murder, at least one missing person, stolen pharmaceuticals, spies and many suspicious activities. There are also friendships and other relationships.Everything comes together in a crackerjack plot.

I highly recommend this title to those who enjoy historical mysteries.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Description:

from the publisher

DCI Lilian Wyles is confronted by a troubling case, one that only the four queens of crime can help solve—even amidst the ongoing war efforts.

Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Margery Allingham, and Ngaio Marsh are back in the follow-up novel to The Four Queens of Crime.

1941, London. When DCI Lilian Wyles finds a young woman murdered at King’s Cross Station, she needs the help of someone she can trust, but Richard Davidson, her former Scotland Yard partner, has joined MI5 and is busy tracking black market routes outside of London, so for now, she is on her own. 

After having met the four queens of crime during a murder investigation two years earlier, DCI Wyles has kept in touch. But Agatha, Dorothy, Margery, and Ngaio are all involved in the war effort and have problems of their own.

Agatha is volunteering at the University Hospital Pharmacy, where a dangerous anesthetic has been stolen. Dorothy has heard unsettling information from her connections at the BBC regarding members of the Royal Navy. Margery, who has been in the countryside helping families escape the city from the bombing, is worried about one of her charges whose older sister has gone missing. And Ngaio, who has relocated to New Zealand and is volunteering as an ambulance driver, has begun gathering secret intelligence from wounded soldiers and sailors that may put her in danger. 

When the four queens contact DCI Wyles for help, the information they share makes the final pieces of the puzzle fall into place. DCI Wyles once again finds herself collaborating with her old partners in crime to solve the mystery and close the case in this thrilling sequel, perfect for fans of Nicola Upson and Anna Lee Huber.

Editorial Reviews:

“An intricate and tense whodunit . . . Fans of British historicals will appreciate the challenge.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Limoncelli skillfully handles bringing four iconic mystery writers to life, as well as highlighting women pioneers in law enforcement . . . This twisty mystery delivers.”
—Library Journal

“London and the English countryside in 1941 are vividly brought to life . . . Limoncelli skillfully weaves facts and fiction to create an exceptional, page-turning historical mystery.”
—Booklist