Great reads for adults and children!
This was the first book that I read by Ellery Adams and I truly enjoyed it. The protagonist, Nora, is a bookseller who believes that there is a book that is just right for each customer’s particular emotional state; the notion that one could get meaningful suggestions from a bookseller was lovely in this day of internet sales. I enjoyed the many literary references and the back stories of the protagonists. There are also hints of romance. If you like cozies, I would recommend this book highly.
336 pages
Historical fiction-Women’s fiction
Four stars ****
Pub date: 02 June 2026
From the publisher
As a young Queen Elizabeth II prepares to take the throne, three women in her employ will discover where they belong in a rapidly changing world in this heartwarming novel from the bestselling author of The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir.
London, 1953. Buckingham Palace and the many employees vital to the smooth running of the monarchy find themselves in bedlam as the Queen’s coronation quickly approaches.
Caroline Brimstone, assistant dresser to the queen, watches the queen finding the strength to rule—a woman taking charge of her future. Meanwhile, Caroline’s life is worn thin by her gambler husband, and she is barely holding on as every penny she earns seems to run out the door. When a trip to Balmoral brings her face-to-face with the man she once loved, she finds herself at a crossroads between what her life is and what her life could be. Can she, like the queen, find the strength to define her own future?
Lucy Jones is a junior wardrobe assistant who positively radiates life—she’s young, idealistic, and eager to become a famous singer. So when a handsome, wealthy man at the palace promises to help her on her way to stardom, she’s over the moon to have such a supportive husband-to-be. And if he’s asking some things of her that she’s not quite sure about, isn’t that just part of the glamorous life?
Miranda Miller has come over from America just in time to help with preparations as a temporary secretary in the palace. The job is a perfect way to gather information for the article she’s writing about the coronation for a magazine back in New York; the article that will keep her boss from firing her because of her gender.
But as all three women discover, just because a woman will soon be sitting upon the throne, it doesn’t mean that society will change overnight—and if they want to carve places for themselves in this world, they’ll have to do it together.
My thoughts:
Having enjoyed every book that this author has written, I was very excited to receive an early copy of this title. It did not disappoint.
Ryan immerses the reader in the lives of her three protagonists. Caroline, Miranda and Lucy meet because they each work at Buckingham Palace. Each has their own backstory and struggles. Readers will wish for good things for all of them.
In addition to the stories of the three women, readers are treated to an intimate view of the preparations for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth. I very much enjoyed the way in which Elizabeth was portrayed.
This book will be enjoyed by Anglophiles who adore historical fiction. I am one of them.
Many thanks to NetGalley andBallantine for this title. All opinions are my own.
#APlaceintheSun #NetGalley
Jo Thomas is a go to author for me when I want a “good read,” meaning one that will keep the pages turning, has a delightful setting (with yummy food), and characters with whom I want to spend time. All of these are present in A Place in the Sun as I (virtually) traveled to Italy with widow Thea and her two young children.
The house that Thea’s husband had bought needs A LOT of work; will the multi-talented Giovanni, help? The meet cute of Thea and he is indeed cute and he will indeed help.
Readers will hope for good things for Thea as she gets to know the people in her new community. Her husband died too young. Her finances were a mess but perhaps Italy will have the answers. This is what the reader will want.
Spend time with the people in this part of France. You won’t want to leave.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 19 June 2025
Phryne Fisher is a woman who lives her life the way that she wants and does not apologize for it. Readers may be familiar with her from other books in the long running series. Others may know Phryne from her TV exploits in Miss Fisher’s Mysteries on Acorn TV. Either (or both) ways or even if a reader does not already know her, it is worth while spending time with this protagonist. (Those new to the series do not have to have read the other books but will just have to accept that they do not know all of the characters’ backstories.)
A lot (!) is going on in this book. It opens with a scene that may well jar current sensibilities as an Asian character is called something maybe appropriate to the time of the story but not to our times. Why was this raid done? Was it successful?
At the same time, there are other subplots. Phrnye’s adopted daughters are volunteering at an institute for the blind where someone may indeed be turning a blind eye to discrepancies in the books. Also, why has one of Phryne’s daughter been locked in the music room?
Phrnye find a body (as she tends to). Is this connected to opium pipes that were found in a garden? Who is sending Phryne poisoned pen notes about her personal life (she does have a habit of taking lovers of whom Jeoffrey appears to the the latest)? What is happening with her Asian lover? And to her relationship with police officer Jack?
There are also two women (lovers) who have escaped their institution. Who are they working (and dancing) for?
Will all of these plot lines come together? It will be a test of Ms. Greenwood’s abilities but she has done it before. Follow her lead in 1920s Melbourne where the story takes place. It is an enjoyable read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 07 November 2023
An e book bargain
In The Thing He Told Me, Laura Dave offers a perfect and immersive novel. Readers, put this one on your list of summer musts!
When Hannah falls in love with Owen, she marries him and moves to California to live with him and his teen daughter, Bailey. Owen has deep computer knowledge and is involved in the launch of a software program that is primed to make investors lots of money. The program that Owen works on will help users to erase items from their public histories. Is there an irony in this being Owen’s work?
One day, Owen disappears. He leaves a note for Hannah asking her to protect daughter, Bailey. From what? Who? From here a brilliant story filled with slow burning suspense engrosses readers. No spoilers so no more here.
The characters in this book and their relationships are so very well portrayed. I felt as if I knew Hannah and Bailey and found myself rooting for their developing connection with one another. Will Hannah, Owen and Bailey be reunited?
What led Owen to run? Is Hannah correct to believe in him? Find out. I highly (!) recommend this one.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I very much enjoyed reacquainting myself with David and Evelyne in this second in the series. The two are once again involved in espionage, murder and the war that is ongoing.
Evelyne has been away for training and is ready for her first mission. It seems simple enough and, in fact, Evelyne wishes that more was being asked of her. It is supposed to be a task with a mere one night away. She is to check out Blackthorn Park prior to Chuchill’s visit to the facility.
Of course, the job did not turn out to be simple. A murder occurs. Is it political? Personal? Does it have to do with the work that is being done at Blackthorn Park? David and Evelyne will have to sort this out.
At the same time, readers will witness Evelyne and David’s relationship. Those who read the first book will be curious to see how this goes. New readers may well be curious too.
In addition to the overall good plot, I enjoyed the settings with their sense of wartime England. I also liked the many additional characters including Evelyne’s actress friend at her boarding house.
I recommend this one to those who enjoy mysteries set during WWII. This is a traditional story that many mystery readers should love.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 01 October 2024
With mystery, intrigue, and the hints of romance international bestselling author Julia Kelly is known for, Evelyne Redfern returns in Betrayal at Blackthorn Park.
Freshly graduated from a rigorous training program in all things spy craft, former typist Evelyne Redfern is eager for her first assignment as a field agent helping Britain win the war. However, when she learns her first task is performing a simple security test at Blackthorn Park, a requisitioned manor house in the sleepy Sussex countryside, she can’t help her initial disappointment. Making matters worse, her handler is to be David Poole, a fellow agent who manages to be both strait-laced and dashing in annoyingly equal measure. However, Evelyne soon realizes that Blackthorn Park is more than meets the eye, and an upcoming visit from Winston Churchill means that security at the secret weapons research and development facility is of the utmost importance.
When Evelyne discovers Blackthorn Park’s chief engineer dead in his office, her simple assignment becomes more complicated. Evelyne must use all of her—and David’s—detection skills to root out who is responsible and uncover layers of deception that could change the course of the war.
Apologies for the above appearing twice. I could not successfully delete it.
#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
#WhatYouAreLookingForIsintheLibrary #NetGalley
I am a great fan of books about books. A favorite of mine is The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George, and I recently read Days at the Morisaki Bookshop. Aoyama’s lovely title shares with the others a love of books and reading, an acknowledgment of how books open worlds to readers, and an understanding of how self-knowledge and growth are fostered through reading. A bit like, Wait Until the Coffee Gets Cold, What You are Looking for consists of a series of vignettes about people who are at a crossroads. When they meet a very particular librarian, they may not understand why she gives them certain recommendations (a small felted frying pan, the suggestion of a children’s book when the reader was asking for books on Excel) but readers can trust that all will become clear and that the books’ borrowers will benefit. This book is one that reads in a deceptively simple manner. There is much to think about as well in these pages, however, especially about the meaning of work. This book would make a delightful gift for a book lover. It looks very nice in its hardcover version. Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 