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

by Thomas Schlesser

#MonasEyes #NetGalley

Many years ago I read Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder. Mona’s Eyes will do for the history of art what Gaarder’s book did for philosophy. Both of these books are wonderful and reward careful, unrushed reading.

Mona’s Eyes is translated from the French. It tells the story of a little girl who had an episode of temporary blindness. It is not clear as the story begins whether or not, she will face a life without vision.

Many intercede to care for Mona. The most interesting might be her grandfather, Henri/Henry. When Mona is supposed to be attending therapy sessions, instead her grandfather is taking her to Paris museums. He wants Mona to soak up the art so that it is in her memory and he wants her to learn the lessons that the works have to teach. It is from here that readers find out much about the history of art beginning with Botticelli and moving forward all the way to Pierre Soulage. There is ample description of each work as well as a sense of what Henri hopes Mona will take forward from each. To start at the beginning, the Botticelli is paired with learning to receive as well as give.

In addition to the art history, there is a plot relating to those around Mona including her family and friends. There are also details of her daily life.

There are no reproductions in the book so it is best to read this one with access to the works as they are described. That way, the reader can see what Mona is seeing.

I most highly recommend this title. Mark your calendar for its release date.

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

Pub date: 26 August 2025

Fiction-Literary fiction

432 pages

Note: This book is one that I hope to read soon. It is an e book bargain today.

Description:

from the publisher

Escape into the world of Sally Page with the perfect armchair read! From the author of the phenomenal bestsellers The Keeper of Stories and The Book of Beginnings comes another novel that will warm your heart. 

Can one small note give her the courage to find a new path? 

Kate gave up her dreams of being a painter years ago. But six little words pinned to the noticeboard of her local café could change her path forever. 

“To be, or not to be …”—printed on an orange card with no explanation—appears one morning. 

Each day, a new line from a different Shakespeare play is added, sparking curiosity throughout the café. Among the regulars is Bardy, a retired English teacher grappling with writer’s block. 

As Kate and Bardy follow this breadcrumb trail, they discover a local community group encouraging people to rediscover their own creative spark—and the long-lost courage to chase it. 

For Kate, their new group might just offer a second chance at happiness, if only Bardy can find the strength to share his story too…  

Note: This book is one that I look forward to reading soon. It is an e book bargain today for $1.99.

Description:

from the publisher

Three generations of women, an unforgettable summer of music, and the epic cross-country road trip they’ll never forget.

Summer, 1969: Eleanor Bell doesn’t have anything to lose. According to the doctors, she might not remember how to sing or play guitar soon, so why not head west now? Why not join the music festivals sweeping the country and lose herself in the music again, in a swan song of her own? 

Except she forgets, maybe on purpose, to tell anyone where she’s going. When her daughter, Leanne, discovers her mother missing, she enlists the help of her own daughter, Nora, to help her find Eleanor. The last thing Nora wants to do before starting as one of Yale’s first female undergrads is hit the road. But then Nora hears something strange on the radio—her grandmother’s voice, singing. Nora and Leanne hop in their Chevy for a cross-country road trip, always one step behind Eleanor, who has been dubbed the Dame of Rock n’ Roll by none other than Johnny Carson. 

Full of nostalgia and awash with the warmth of summer, Lost in the Summer of ’69 is an epic celebration of savoring the encore-no matter what the next act may bring. 

#HereOneMoment #NetGalley

What a concept! Imagine you are on a plane. You have your reasons for being there, things that you are thinking about and have settled in. Imagine that in the midst of whatever you are doing, a woman stands in front of you and tells you when you will die and of what. How would you react? How intense would that be? This is the monumental basis for Moriarty’s latest novel. No spoiler-she spectacularly pulls it off.

Get to know many characters. They are of different ages, sexes, experiences. How will they move forward when they have this information? Will it be true? Who is the woman making the predictions? Read this long (500 plus pages) novel that is divided into many short sections to find out. See if it will change you.

Highly recommended.

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

Pub date: 10 September 2024

From the Publisher

#FamiliusBooks #NetGalley

200 pages

Description:

from the publisher

Plant the seeds of reading with research-based, fun-filled activities that help preschoolers build early literacy and prereading skills at home or in the classroom.

Struggling to teach your child how to read and don’t know where to start?

From educator and literacy coach Cathy Allen Falk, Planting the Seeds of Reading transforms the science of reading into simple, playful strategies that lay the groundwork for reading success. Once only known to educators, these research-backed methods are now accessible to parents and caregivers who want to give their children a strong start to early literacy.

This isn’t about pushing children to read early; it’s about preparing the soil for the day they start reading on their own.

Through fun, age-appropriate activities that are perfect for home or the classroom, your child will develop essential prereading skills like phonemic awareness, vocabulary growth, fine motor skills, and letter recognition. Best of all, the activities require little to no prep and can be done with everyday materials you already have.

With just a few minutes a day, you can nurture your child’s reading readiness, build confidence, and create the fertile ground where lifelong literacy skills will grow.

My thoughts:

I care deeply about children’s literacy. It is the reason that I have been a reading tutor for over ten years. For this reason, I was quite curious about this title.

This book offers adults ways to set the stage for a child’s reading without pushing them and while, hopefully, keeping everything enjoyable.

Some of the chapter headings are Reading Aloud, Playing with Words and, Learning Letters. There are also several appendices, including nursery rhymes, action rhymes and songs.

I had thought that this book would be more like a workbook for kids and adults. It is not that. Rather it is filled with information, including book suggestions, and ideas for activities to do with a child.

This book could be quite useful. However, I think that some adults might shy away from it because it is text heavy. My suggestion would be to just do a little bit at a time and to be aware of whether or not a child is engaged.

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

Editorial Reviews:

“Falk provides parents and caregivers with the science-based, engaging, and actionable tools to move young children into the world of reading.”―Timothy Rasinski, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Reading Education, Kent State University

“A powerful yet fun guide to building a strong reading foundation.”―Rhonda Mickey, Pre-K Instructional Coach & Reading Specialist, Fort Wayne Community Schools

“Cathy Allen Falk generously shares her expertise in early literacy development. . . . all certain to bring joy to adult and child alike.”―Isabel Nuñez, Ph.D., M.Phil., J.D., Dean, School of Education, Professor of Educational Studies, Purdue University Fort Wayne

“[Cathy Falk] makes learning new skills a playful yet impacting experience. What greater gift can any adult give to a youngster than the ability to read and comprehend the world’s library of knowledge?”―Dennis E. Hensley, Ph.D., Author of Teach Yourself Grammar and Style and The Freelance Writer’s Handbook

I first read a novel by this author during Covid. It offered just the kind of read that I wanted/needed at that time. I continue to enjoy Novak’s books which offer well drawn settings, interesting characters and enough plot to keep me turning the pages.

Readers follow three main characters in this story. The first is Charlotte. She married a pro basketball player who is a bit of an egotist. Should they be together? In addition to being a wife who tries to give her husband more than he may have deserved, Charlotte has published a first novel. She is suffering from writer’s block and has a due date for her second book when the story opens. Note that Charlotte will also learn something impactful early in the book. This is something with which she will need to come to terms.

Julian and Sloane are twins and long time friends of Charlotte. They each are at a crossroads. Julian has been given a medical diagnosis (not a spoiler as this comes out early in the story) and wonders if he will be able to continue as a landscape photographer. Will he and Charlotte become more than friends?

For her part, Sloane needs to make some important decisions in her marriage to Ben. One major issue requiring careful thought for Sloane is whether she wants to become a mother.

Charlotte discovers that she has a half sister in Italy. These three characters travel to Italy to meet Lilly and to discover what they want in life. The story takes off from here.

Readers will want the best for Lilly and these three. Enjoy this long novel as their lives evolve.

Spoiler below:

I do think that the complexity of adoption could have been given more importance in this book. A character discovers they were adopted and very little attention is given to this reveal and its impact. I also think that the birth mother in the story was described in some stereotypical and negative ways.

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

Pub date: 07 April 2026

Post first published on 12 May 2026

Four stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

398 pages

Description:

from the publisher

An Instant USA TODAY bestseller!

A sun-soaked trip to the Amalfi Coast promises a fresh start—and reveals secrets never imagined in New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak’s tender new novel.

In the wake of her debut novel’s breakout success—and a very painful public divorce—Charlotte Williams-Jackson has something to prove. With her second novel overdue, she’s scrambling to hold it together. But her focus is rocked when she discovers that her childhood wasn’t as it seemed—and she has a tween half-sister who’s been orphaned in Italy.

Alongside her best friend, Sloane, and Sloane’s charming brother, Julian, Charlotte ventures to the Amalfi Coast to meet her sister. She would never turn her back on family, especially since this girl doesn’t have anyone else, but between her looming deadline and her entire identity being flipped upside down, it’s a lot. Determined to rebuild her life, Charlotte must confront the relationships she’s held dear—and the loss of those she thought she had but didn’t—forcing her to question everything she understood about herself and the bonds that shape a family.

More from Brenda Novak:

• The Summer that Changed Everything
• The Banned Books Club
• Tourist Season
• The Bookstore on the Beach
• The Messy Life of Jane Tanner

From the Publisher:

www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/06/01/books/review/world-changing-books.html

by Beth O’Leary

#SweptAway #NetGalley

Romance-Women’s Fiction 384 pages

Beth O’Leary definitely has her fans. Her earlier books include The Wake Up Call, The Road Trip, and The No Show. Here she again offers a novel that her fans may want to read. At close to 400 pages it will offer escape for a bit.

Take two people who meet and don’t really expect to spend a lot of time together. They have their differences, starting with their ages as Zeke is almost ten years younger than Lexi. However, what is likely to have been one night together transforms when the houseboat they are on (readers will find out why) goes out to sea. Uh-oh. What will happen as they wait/hope for rescue? That’s the premise here.

Follow Zeke and Lexi over the next twelve days. Imagine what it would be like to spend that amount of time in a confined space with a person that you don’t really know. Will they be swept away both on the boat and by falling in love?

Readers will hope that everything works out for these two. Read the book to find out what happens.

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

Pub date: 01 April 2025

From the Publisher

An e book bargain

#HistoryLessons #NetGalley

My thoughts:

Daphne Overture is a professor at a fictional, very selective institution of higher learning where she studies and teaches French Colonial history. Daphne has been highly successful but keeps her head down at her college; she is just one of a handful of Black professors and is even sometimes called by the first name of one of the other ones!

Luckily for both Daphne and the reader, she has strong (if sometimes annoying to her) family connections and good friends. Readers will enjoy getting to know all of them.

Daphne had a paperback book, Papillon. Readers learn early on that it was taken from her, most likely by a professor named Sam who has been murdered. How? Why? What is the connection between this book and a murder? Is the book related to Sam’s work on prison conditions?

Along with getting involved herself, Daphne gets to know a former police officer who is now a bookstore owner. Readers will hope that they find romance, I think.

Along with the characters and the plot, I loved the academic setting. The ins and outs, the competitiveness, the appearance of the physical college , the threats by some in the hierarchy against others, plagiarism, students taken advantage of by professors and more all make for compelling reading.

This book also highlights the experiences Daphne has regarding race on her campus. It offers a reminder of a need to do better.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Soho Press-Soho Crime for this title. All opinions are my own. I truly hope that this title is the first in a series.

Pub date: 01 July 2025D

From the publisher:

A college history professor must solve her superstar colleague’s murder before she becomes the next target in this funny, romantic debut mystery, perfect for readers of Janet Evanovich, Kellye Garrett, and Ali Hazelwood.

As a newly minted junior professor, Daphne Ouverture spends her days giving lectures on French colonialism, working on her next academic book, and going on atrocious dates. Her small world suits her just fine. Until Sam Taylor dies.

The rising star of Harrison University’s anthropology department was never one of Daphne’s favorites, despite his popularity. But that doesn’t prevent Sam’s killer from believing Daphne has something that belonged to Sam—something the killer will stop at nothing to get.

Between grading papers and navigating her disastrous love life, Daphne embarks on her own investigation to find out what connects her to Sam’s murder. With the help of an alluring former-detective-turned-bookseller, she unravels a deadly cover-up on campus.

This well-crafted, voice-driven mystery introduces an unforgettable crime fiction heroine.

From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for History Lessons

A New York Times Editors’ Choice
A Library Journal Mystery Debut of the Month

“History professor Daphne Ouverture might be your next favorite unsuspecting sleuth.”
—USA Today

“History Lessons brilliantly mixes pointed satire, fabulous characters (especially Daphne’s two besties) and a thoughtful meditation on whose fortunes get to rise, and whose are ground down on the altar of power.”
—Sarah Weinman, The New York Times Book Review

“Wallbrook has crafted a campus mystery that’s both propulsive and cerebral. The book blends classic whodunit pleasures with a reflective exploration of race, power and who gets believed. Also: ‘Drag Race’ jokes, squirrel riots and a simmering romance with a bookish ex-cop. Top marks.”
—The Seattle Times

“Clever, quirky, and full of heart, History Lessons is a cozy mystery for the academics and romantics among us.”
—Shondaland

NOTE: AS OF THE TIME OF THIS POSTING, THIS BOOK IS AN E BOOK BARGAIN AT JUST NINETY-NINE CENTS.

#ABookshopSummer #NetGalley

Women’s fiction

350 pages

Four stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pub date: 12 February 2026

Description:

from the publisher

📚 An intriguing, twisting and heart-warming novel set in a bookshop that has an unexpected impact on people’s lives. From the author of The Second Chance Book Club and Found in a Bookshop 📚
When the Lost for Words bookshop in York hosts an event for a new reading project, four strangers’ lives will change in ways they could never have expected . . .

Trixie is hosting the event. She loves her job at Lost for Words, and she’s feeling grounded and calm – until a phone call from her ex throws everything off course.

Cherry only goes to the event because she needs to get out. Caring for her grandmother without any help is exhausting – and lonely. Maybe things will be different if her long-lost sister finally comes home.

Rhiannon and Guy really hit it off at the bookshop; it feels like the start of something special. And Guy is fantastic with Rhiannon’s baby. But Rhiannon is keeping quite a big secret . . .

When you spend time with people who love books, you’re sure to learn something about yourself – and maybe see a way to start in a different direction. As each of them is about to find out . . .

My thoughts:

The first book by this author that I read was The Lost for Words Bookshop. I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of the story and how much I cared for the protagonist. Since then, I have always looked forward to this author’s new books.

It was delightful to discover that this story takes place at The Lost for Words where Trixie has a project about which she is excited. She wants to bring together a group that will want to read aloud at each meeting. The first book she chooses is Virginia Woolf’s, The Waves. I find this to be a charming premise as it is very far from living life on a screen-the participants will meet at the shop for the readings.

There are a few characters who are important in addition to Trixie. Cherry is the focus of much of the story. She is the twin who remained home when her sister went off to have adventures. Cherry is really missing her as the novel opens and she is feeling the weight of caring for her grandmother. How will Cherry grow over the course of these pages?

There are others who are important as well including mother to a young child, Rhiannon. What is she keeping private and not telling the others? Rhiannon gets along well with Guy. Will they become more than friends?

Those who enjoy a book about books, people who care for one another, and stories in which characters grow, will want to give this title a look. Readers will also enjoy the many book titles that are sprinkled throughout the story.

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

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From the Publisher: