Month: June 2020

Laurie King began writing historical mysteries featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes a number of years ago.  She began with The Beekeeper’s Apprentice, a book that I loved, and has now made it to her 16th and  newest novel, Riviera Gold.

There are many authors who write stories based on Sherlock Holmes. I think that the books by Ms. King are among the best in the genre.  In time, the story has made it to the Jazz Age and the novel has a mix of historical and fictional personages.  Among the real people are Gerald and Sara Murphy, but our intrepid duo is more interested in Mrs. Hudson.

There is murder and more in this title that I recommend.  Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#RivieraGold #NetGalley

The Finney books are modern classics.  I reviewed the Anna Lee Huber (see archive).  February House is about a very interesting group of people including Auden, Carson McCullers, Benjamin Britten, the Bowles, and Gypsy Rose Lee.  They once lived together in a Brooklyn, New York commune.

The riddles in this book are often quite challenging.  I think that even adults will find that they cannot solve them all.  Geared toward children 9 to 12,  this book contains many excellent puzzles to work out  Luckily, there is an answer key at the end, in case either adult or child is stumped.

Many thanks to Callisto, the publisher, for this fun book in exchange for an honest review.

From the publisher:

start Out Strong Are you a new riddler? No worries! Boost your skills with helpful solving strategies and warm-up riddles.

Riddle for Hours at a Time Stay focused and busy with a variety of word puzzles that are clever, amusing, and, most importantly, challenging!

Discover Classic Puzzles Fill up on fun facts about some of the world’s most famous riddles and see how things have changed over time.

Kate DiCamillo has written many wonderful children’s books including Because of Winn Dixie. She is a children’s author whom I admire so I was very happy to receive this title as an e galley.
This title is part of a series of chapter books about Deckawoo Drive although it is the first one that I have read. The tone is fun and entertaining. Stella, the verbal and precocious protagonist, is a second grader which gives a sense of the age a child might be to enjoy this book.
Young readers learn that Stella is thrilled with her second grade teacher, the beautifully named Tamar Calliope Liliana. All would be perfect in Stella’s opinion were it not for Horace Brown. What will happen in their relationship? Can they be friends?
Young readers will turn the pages to see what happens as the students in Miss Liliana’s class write poems with metaphors and as Stella and Horace are sent to the principal. What will happen to them? How will the day end?
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review. This is a delightful book for either reading aloud or for children who are beginning to enjoy chapter books.

Sulari Gentill has authored a number of books in an historical mystery series set in 1930s Australia. It is a time when there is much unrest; on the one side is the New Guard, a Fascist group, while, on the other, there are the Communists, among others. Historically, WWII is coming and tensions are high.

Ms. Gentill uses this time period to good effect in her mysteries which feature a mix of fictional and historical characters. In this one, the historical figures include a number of politicians and readers spend time at the new Parliament building. One does not have to stretch very far to find some parallels with our own uncertain times. There is a quote that relates to the story’s title and those (and our) times. It is “The dangerous language you speak of is the truth.”

The series in general and this novel feature family dynamics, political intricacies, murder, chases, romance and suspense. Readers familiar with the series will be delighted to spend time with main characters Rowly (a kind of Lord Peter Wimsey if Wimsey were more on the left), poet Milton, painter Clyde and the female sculptor, Ed. There is a new character as well, a woman with whom Rowly had been in love as a teen; will she take Edna’s place in his affections? Readers will also find that Wilf, Rowly’s brother, makes an appearance and the two seem as fractious as ever.

A lot happens in this novel. A communist is killed on the steps of Parliament. Egon Kisch, an anti-Fascist (a true historical figure) who wants to speak in Australia may not be allowed in the country; how will he and Rowly intersect? There is an unidentifiable young woman who is found murdered early in the novel; who is she? There is a famous air race and more. The novel is busy but it works.

Each chapter opens with a fictitious newspaper account. These add a sense of veracity to the book and parallel some of what happens. series.

I enjoy Sulari Gentill’s novels more each time that I read them. I highly recommend this one.

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

Jude, is a very sad read, but free today.  Otherwise, fiction and historical fiction.  The House by the Sea looks interesting.  I just bought it.

How many of you reading this review remember when Khzir Khan held up his copy of the Constitution during the last election cycle? How many of you recall anything that you learned about this document during your school years? It is so incredibly important to understand our Constitution, maybe never more than at this particular time.
This book provides a wonderful introduction (or refresher) to the important points that are included in the Constitution. It truly deserves a place in school and home libraries. The authors do a marvelous job of bringing their text to readers in a readable way and the illustrations will also engage children.
The authors begin by acknowledging the complexity of the Constitution and the difficulty that readers may find when encountering it . Nonetheless, they encourage children to see the original document in DC if they can. They then go on to make the Constitution accessible and relevant. There are clear explanations of the document and children will understand concepts including the branches of government, the amendments and more. They will also learn lots of trivia facts; for example, they will find out that the Constitution was written in secret. There are also many “What do you think?” sections that will invite readers to explore concepts..
I highly recommend this book. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read it and to offer my opinion of it.

Pub date:  July 1, 2020

Becoming a “big” sister or brother is a rite of passage for many.   It definitely evokes feelings in a child who is about to see a new member enter their family.

This book pays attention to the sibling that is already born,  something that will be welcomed by the soon to be big brother or sister who often feels pushed aside.  This is a book that can be completed by a child.  It has spaces to draw in, questions to answer, games, and sections that look to evoke feelings about what is ahead.  This book  can be a keepsake as both the older and younger child may well be interested in how it was completed at the time. Throughout, this title is cheerfully and engagingly illustrated.

This is a good resource and a nice way to be sure that an older sibling feels valued.  Many thanks to Callisto for this title in exchange for an honest review.

From the publisher:

#AtlasofAdventuresTravelEdition #NetGalley

Calling young adventurers! Choose where you want to go…it could be Europe; North or Central and/or South America; Asia and the Pacific East; Africa; Australia and Oceania or Antarctica. The whole world is there for you.
Each colorful spread is filled with illustrations and facts. Readers can also look for the two adventure guides in each new location. Visit the London Eye, the Louvre or the Moscow Metro in Europe. In North America spend time in Alaska, New York’s Central Park or take a Steamboat ride. And so it goes, with each region having so many things to explore.
This is such a colorful and appealing title. It provides a fun introduction to the many wonders of our world for the young armchair traveler.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review. This book is a keeper!

Jane Austen is, of course, well known for books such as Pride and Prejudice, and Sense and Sensibility.  But…she also wrote several other novels including this one.  To me, Northanger Abbey is a bit different from Austen’s other works.  It is her version of the Gothic tales that were popular during her own time.  In Austen’s version, the protagonist, Catherine Morland, would like to be more exciting, more like a Gothic heroine.  What will happen when Catherine leaves home for the first time?  What will happen during her visit to Northanger Abbey?  It is well worth reading this classic to find out!

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

#JaneAusten #NetGalley