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

#TheParadoxClubBookClubKit #NetGalley

My thoughts:

Every book that I have read by Charlie Lovett has been one that I enjoyed. My favorites are probably First Impressions and The Lost Book of the Grail; however, that said, I feel that a book by this author is a must read for me.

I will be getting this book for sure. In the meanwhile, this book club kit has definitely whetted my appetite for what is to come.

Inside find a number of interesting entries. Among these are a letter from the author, an interview with him, discussion questions and more. There’s even a cryptogram. All of these can be enjoyed either by the intended book club or the individual reader.

One thing to note is that there are some spoilers in the book kit. Therefore a reader should decide when to access it.

I enjoyed this kit and look forward to reading the novel even more now.

Many thanks to NetGalley and We Are Bookish for this kit. All thoughts are my own.

Five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Description:

from the publisher

This is a downloadable and printable resource for book clubs reading The Paradox Club by Charlie Lovett. The kit includes an author interview, discussion questions, and more. This is not the actual book. This kit was sponsored by Disney Publishing Worldwide.

About the Book:
A lightning-paced mystery about a brilliant yet troubled young woman and her connection to a secret society where knowledge is power—and her father’s research is the key to its most dangerous secret.

Tess Maxwell grew up fascinated by the stars and her father Harry’s stories and his scientific lessons. But ever since Harry’s death ten years ago, Tess has felt out of sync with the world and suspects that there’s more to her father’s work—and death—than anyone has let on.

When she discovers a cryptic puzzle he left behind, she’s thrust into the hidden world of the Paradox Club, a covert organization operating out of an unremarkable Manhattan brownstone where scholars guard knowledge with the power to reshape human history. But the club is fracturing, a rogue member is moving to exploit its most dangerous secrets, and Tess’s family is at the center of it all. As she races to uncover the truth about her father’s work, Tess becomes a pawn in a battle for control of the society and the world‑altering information it protects. Can she confront the paradox at the heart of her father’s work and her difficult past to solve the mysteries of her identity, Harry’s death, and the universe?

The Paradox Club blends scientific intrigue, buried histories, and escalating danger into a propulsive mystery perfect for readers who love secret societies, intellectual puzzles, and revelations that upend everything we think we know.

Her Majesty The Queen Investigates

by SJ Bennett

#ADeathinDiamonds #NetGalley

A Death in Diamonds is the fourth entry in this most enjoyable series that offers readers Queen Elizabeth the sleuth, and what a talented detective she is. This title can be read on its own but readers will, I think, enjoy every one of the earlier books as well.

This time, a Bishop’s bolthole is the site of the murders of a couple seemingly having an assignation. The woman is wearing a valuable tiara that, it turns out, Princess Margaret had wanted to possess.

Who are these two? Why were they killed? Are their murders related to a series of subtle threats and annoyances that Queen Elizabeth has been facing? Is someone in the Queen’s most inner circle, in fact, unworthy of her trust?

As the Queen cannot do everything (after all, she has many other duties), she looks to help from her newest employee, the formidable Joan, to assist. The two communicate in varied ways, including by sending messages through what others will see as the frivolity of the Queen’s fashion.

What I most enjoy in this series is the reasonably plausible way in which the Queen’s life is portrayed. There are interactions between her and Philip and with Charles and Anne, the two children who are alive at the time that the story is set. The mysteries themselves also offer a fun read.

It is easy to recommend this title to Anglophiles and lovers of traditional mysteries. I look forward to the next in this series.

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

Pub date: 21 January 2025

The audio book:

How fortunate listeners are to have actress Samantha Bond read this story. She carries the story along and is a delightful companion throughout the audio. I feel that her British intonation adds a sense of verisimilitude to the novel.

Many thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for this excellent audio title.

All opinions are my own.

Look for reviews of these others in the series on my blog:

#TriviaChallengeforSeniors #NetGalley

192 pages

Four stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

My thoughts:

Here are over 500 trivia questions for either doing on one’s own, or using as the basis for a quiz night. The questions are organized by decade, beginning in the 1950’s and going through the 1980’s. The photos throughout give this title a nostalgic feel.

Each section begins with a brief introduction to the decade. Then the questions that follow are organized by topic, as for example, That’s Entertainment, A Moment in History, and Everyday Life.

This book will offer a non-stressful challenge to its audience while challenging recall of the trivia facts that the reader has stored up over the years.

I recommend this title to its intended audience. It could make a good gift that leads to discussion.

Many thanks to Zeitgeist for this title. All thoughts are my own.

Pub date: 03 November 2026

Description

Treat Yourself to 500 Trivia Questions in a Variety of Formats to Boost Your Brain Power!

You’ve lived through interesting and exciting times, but how much do you remember? This entertaining trivia challenge quizzes you on the people, places, and events of the decades that shaped generations. What was Elvis Presley’s first film role? How long did the Cuban Missile Crisis last? What tennis legend won the Battle of the Sexes against Bobby Riggs? What fast-food chain used the slogan “Where’s the beef?” And what boxer promoted a countertop electric grill? Exercise your memory muscles with these fascinating, brain-boosting questions!

• 500 enlarged-print trivia questions in different formats, including multiple choice, true or false, fill-in-the-blank, and more
• Questions divided by decade (1950s–1990s) and then by topic: entertainment, history, sports, innovation and discovery, and everyday life
• Answers that are put into context and include additional fun facts: For example, George Foreman is the boxer who promoted a countertop electric grill, but in Asia, the grill is marketed by Jackie Chan
• Questions and answers that are sure to spark memories and conversations; share the trivia challenge with your favorite people!
• A thoughtful gift for parents, grandparents, retirees, and other trivia-loving seniors who enjoy reminiscing

Written by a four-time Jeopardy! contestant, this fact-packed book will keep you thinking and guessing as you remember and relive the moments of your life.

Val McDermid is one of my favorite crime writers. She is a pioneer in the crime fiction world, beginning with her Lindsay Gordon series. Lindsay was the first lesbian to feature in a mystery as protagonist. By the way, these titles have been reissued along with the author’s Kate Brannigan novels. And, of course, Ms. McDermid’s fans also follow Tony Hill and Carole Jordan as well as Karen Pirie in the novels featuring them.

Not one to rest on her laurels, now there is this series. This one follows Allie Burns. Allie is a reporter on a Scottish daily at a time when women in the newsroom were few and rarely reported on anything other than women’s issues. Allie, though, is becoming a tough investigative reporter.

Two of the stories that Allie follows are the one with financial chicanery and tax evasion at its core, and a second that involves Scottish Nationalists who want to plan an IRA like bombing. Allie investigates both of these stories with fellow reporter Danny.

In my opinion this book starts a bit slowly but things speed up to be sure. What follows is a suspenseful and involving story with well sketched characters, settings and situations. McDermid started her career (after an Oxbridge education) at a local paper. She, presumably, uses this knowledge in creating Allie and the newsroom.

Fans of McDermid will be eager to read this title. I enjoyed this one and I look forward to additional titles in this new series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. I was very excited to read it. All opinions are my own.

Next in the series, 1989

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/23/books/agatha-christie-mystery-books.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

Mystery & Thriller

Pub date: 16 February 2026

Five stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

My thoughts:

I very much enjoyed Susie Dent’s first Oxford set story and was beyond thrilled to be approved for this title by NetGalley and Sourcebooks. Thank you!! I could not wait to sit down with it.

When I read first in the series, Guilty by Definition, I found the mystery to be fascinating. This was a novel where I just kept on turning the pages. Some of the reasons for this were that I loved the Oxford setting, the inside look at the fictional Clarendon Dictionary where the main characters worked (based on the OED), and the characters themselves. I was delighted to catch up with Martha, Safi, Alex and Oliver, among others in death writ large. Their interrelationships add interest to the story.

This book offers a well constructed story. A group of Oxford’s highflying graduates are in someone’s sights. There will be planned destruction for some of them. Why? What does this have to do with a young man who has contributed definition work to the Clarendon and his past history?

To find out what is going on, the dictionary crew will have to contend with the runic alphabet created by someone named Naylor (two of his descendants figure in the story). Cryptic messages using this alphabet are being left around the city. The dictionary team has input into deciphering them, but will they be able to find the killer? Pages will turn as readers wait to find out.

I figured out the “whodunnit” before the end of the novel but that, in no way, diminished by enjoyment. I highly recommend this title. It was everything that I look for in a British, Oxford set story.

Description:

from the publisher

From bestselling author and etymologist Susie Dent comes a follow-up to the critically acclaimed Guilty by Definition. Famed lexicographer Martha Thornhill is back, and when mysterious symbols start to appear near the dead bodies of university lecturers, her linguistic expertise could be the key to unraveling the mystery.

“If ever a book appeared to be designed specifically for me and my colleagues at the [New York Times] Book Review, it would be Dent’s Guilty By Definition, set among the logophiles and pedants of the Clarendon English Dictionary….delightful.” — The New York Times Book Review

“Will enthrall crime aficionados, puzzle solvers, Anglophiles and logophiles…fiendishly clever and marvelously entertaining debut?the perfect tonic for any philobiblist’s mubble-fubbles.” — The Washington Post

A dead writer’s alphabet. A living killer’s cryptic messages.

When mysterious symbols begin cropping up around Oxford, most dismiss them as bizarre graffiti. But lexicographer Martha Thornhill knows better. She recognizes the symbols from a runic alphabet created by a deceased fantasy writer whose papers she once worked on. When the graffiti is found near the body of a university lecturer, Martha knows this is no publicity stunt.

And when the suspicious death is assumed by police to be a suicide, she’s not the only one to have doubts. Called upon to lend their linguistic expertise to the case, Martha and her colleagues begin to unearth a tragedy that extends beyond the ancient walls of the university. As new messages portend more death, it’s clear that a spirit of vengeance is stalking the city’s streets. Together, they must find who is behind the cryptic messages, before they become the next victims.

Comments:

‘A MUST-READ’ Woman’s Own

‘A CLEVER, TWISTY MYSTERY’ Good Housekeeping

From espresso to matcha, discover a coffee (or tea) and book pairing for National Coffee Day.
— Read on www.libbylife.com/blog/quiz-national-coffee-day-pairing

A Novel

by Fiona Davis

City residents and/or tourists have surely passed the Frick museum on Fifth Avenue many times. The art that Frick collected is magnificent and includes works by Rembrandt and many others. Seeing them is well worth a trip.

But, how much do you know about Frick himself? He was one of those Americans who, like Morgan, Carnegie and others, made huge fortunes and lived luxurious lives. This historical novel by Fiona Davis imagines aspects of his life primarily through the stories of the very real Helen Frick, his daughter, and another character Miss Lillian who is based on a real person.

Mill Lillian, also known as Angelique, was an artist’s model and the one whose sittings were most desired. The real Angelique adorns many New York City landmarks. The book will provide a good sense of where to look for them. Like the true personage, Lillian faces some difficulties. In the novel, these lead her to a fortuitous opportunity as Miss Helen’s private secretary.

The relationship between Helen and Lillian forms the basis for one story line in the book. Through this narrative, readers get a bird’s eye view of what life in the Frick household was like for both the upstairs and downstairs residents. Readers learn about a tragedy in the family and its on-going repercussions. They also learn why the novel is called The Magnolia Palace.

In a more modern timeline, set in the sixties, readers spend time with a young model who becomes snowbound in the mansion following a photo shoot. She spends time with a young intern. Together they make some surprising discoveries. Will the two narratives come together? Pick up the book to find out.

Lovers of historical fiction and those who have enjoyed other titles by Ms. Davis will want to take a look at The Magnolia Palace. The author’s notes indicate what was true and where literary license occurred.

While not my favorite Fiona Davis book, I did enjoy this one. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

#Licorice #NetGalley

Middle grade fiction

213 pages

Pub date: 20 October 2026

Four stars ****

My thoughts:

This is a chapter book that has illustrations; I think that kids will enjoy them. These pen and ink drawings tie in nicely with the text. Middle schoolers will also enjoy the story, as narrated by a cat, if they are comfortable with the spookiness level.

As an adult, I love how clever this book is. Of course, kids may not realize this, but Licorice is a retelling of Rebecca. Adults will notice the references, as for example, an address of Manderley Road and the story’s opening lines. There are also familiar names like Max. This made it a fun title for me as I have read and re-read Rebecca.

This new take on a well-known title could be enjoyed by both adults and kids.

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

Description:

from the publisher

A feral tabby cat is finally adopted by a loving family at 5 Manderley Road, only to realize that her new home might be haunted by the cat who lived in the house before her. Spine-chilling and heartwarming, funny and charming, Licorice is a purrfect retelling of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca for young readers, by award winning author Kara LaReau.

A young and frightened kitten is brought into a new household.

A boy named Max is trying desperately to get over the loss of his former beloved pet.

But ghosts don’t always enjoy being forgotten.

Sometimes they have to make their presence known.

In her cage at the Mount Charles Animal Shelter, Kitty has no other choice but to be the captive audience of the opinionated Bunny Van Hopper. But it’s better than the woods. Kitty can still remember the rain that came and swept everything… everyone… away. Here, at least she has food and company, even if Bunny’s words scare her.

And then Max appears at the shelter. Max has adopted all sorts of pets over the years. Rumor has it that he treats all of his pets with care and kindness. And of all the animals at the shelter, he actually chooses her—a scrawny and scared kitten. Kitty is going to be home at last. But she can’t seem to get Bunny’s words out of her head as Max takes her away in her carrier…

“You’re going to regret this! I just know it!” Bunny Van Hopper cries. And perhaps Bunny is right…

There is a scent lingering in the house on 5 Manderley Road. The scent rises from every chair leg, every carpet fiber, every throw pillow, even inside the bathtub. Everything smells like Licorice. It is the strongest upstairs in Max’s room, almost overpowering. If the smell isn’t enough, Duchess, the family’s old parrot, won’t let Kitty forget that she is a replacement. And soon, Kitty finds herself trapped in the long shadow of the cat that came before her. But is it just a shadow? Or is there something really there on the other side of it…haunting her…

Licorice is a fantastically kid-friendly book full of mystery and suspense, for fans of Kate DiCamillo, Katherine Applegate, and Aaron Reynolds.

From the Publisher:

Editorial Reviews:

*”LaReau retells Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca for young audiences with a feline protagonist… A purrfectly fresh and fun take on a beloved classic: bewitching, mysterious, and thoroughly engrossing.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

*”Moments of genuine creepiness alternate with cozy instances of domestic life across Kitty’s wistful narration which perceptively considers the dichotomy between the freedom of the outdoors and the safety of a kept life….A satisfying emotional arc and hopeful resolution make this an appealing tale for animal lovers and mystery readers alike.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review

“A twistingly haunted story about the power of finding your own place; an excellent addition to middle grade collections” — School Library Journal