May 2020 – Page 16 – Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too!

Recently published: Little People, Big Dreams/Bob Dylan by Maria Sanchez Vegara

Young readers and listeners will learn how Robert Zimmerman became the famous, somewhat reclusive, musician Bob Dylan in this entry in the Little People, Big Dreams series. Finding his voice and using it are what made this singer, songwriter and multiple instrument playing musician the person that he became. Attention is paid to the kind of music Dylan makes and the ways in which he is his idiosyncratic self. Nicely illustrated and with additional biographical information at the end of the book, this is another excellent entry in an excellent series.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#BobDylan #NetGalley

From the publisher:

Bob Dylan (Little People, BIG DREAMS)


Inspired by his rock idols, Robert taught himself the guitar, the harmonica, and a strange instrument called the autoharp, which he played to an audience that was easily pleased.	Robert soon started composing his own songs. He had a real talent for writing rhymes and making words fit to a beat. The songs were poetic yet powerful, and he wrote them under his new name: Bob Dylan.	Bob’s music spoke about things that mattered: civil rights, war, and religion. Without trying, he became the voice of a generation eager to change the world, putting down in words what millions of people felt.	He received all the awards an artist could dream of. And he was the first musician ever to be recognized with a Nobel Prize for Literature. But—in true Bob style he didn’t show up to the ceremony.

Now out: Counting animals with Lily and Milo by Pauline Oud

This is a sweet counting book that young children should enjoy. Lily, a rabbit, and Milo, a mouse, count all of the different farm animals that they see, going from one-to-ten. There are vows, lambs, kittens and more and even a little surprise at the end. The book is brightly and charmingly illustrated. Definitely a title to read with a toddler who is learning to count.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#CountinganimalswithLilyandMilo #NetGalley

Who does not tell the truth? This Is How I Lied A Novel by Heather Gudenkauf

This is the first book that I have read by this author who has written a number of successful thrillers. The premise was intriguing. A high school student was murdered in a cave. Who did it? Why?
The case is not solved at the time. Now, a number of years later a new clue has been found and the case is being re-opened. During the initial investigation, the investigator was the father of one of the victim’s friends. Now, in the current time line, the detective is that daughter and friend, Maggie. She is heavily pregnant and volunteers to review the old files and work on the case.
I liked the setting of this story. However, I found that there were characters who were most unlikable including the victim’s sister, Nola, and the victim’s boyfriend from the time, a bully and abuser. I found that I did not enjoy the book as much as I had hoped because of these characters to whom I did not want to relate. I did want to see the case resolved however.
If you like your stories on the darker side, this may be for you. It was a tad too much for me.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Pub Date

#ThisIsHowILied #NetGalley

Bad things happen in an idyllic spot: Murder in a Scottish Shire by Traci Hall

This is the first entry in what, I think, will be a series. The things that I loved most in this cozy mystery were the setting, the characters and the knitting. The story takes place in a small Scottish town that, aside from murder, sounds like an idyllic place to live. The protagonist, Paislee, is surrounded by family and friends. She runs Cashmere Crush, a friendly shop, for wool and knitting.

As often happens in mysteries, there are two murders. As an amateur, Paislee annoys the detective but…of course, finds the killer. I was pretty sure that I knew who this was and I was right. There is a clue that really points to the perpetrator.

This is a good book if you just want something easy and distracting. There is Scottish dialect which tries to add authenticity but can also be distracting.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.