Month: November 2020

Now out:

The Big Book of Espionage

by Otto Penzler

#TheBigBookofEspionage #NetGalley

No one does an anthology better than Otto Penzler of the Mysterious Bookshop. His anthologies are filled with stories; this one is no exception coming in at over 800 pages. This may make it the perfect gift for someone that you know this holiday season. They will be immersed in tales that will keep them going for a while.

The book starts with an essay on espionage in its glamorous fictional guise. It is pointed out that the lives of real spies may be a bit more dull. Then come the stories. They are by writers well and less well known and cover historical eras including The Great War, World War II, “Other Terrors, Other Battles,” and The Cold War. Some of the many authors included are W. Somerset Maugham, John Buchan, Edgar Wallace, Eric Ambler, Erle Stanley Gardner, Joseph Finder, Sara Paretsky and Ian Fleming, among others.

This is a great book for you or someone on your gift list. Highly recommended.

What is a Dream?

Let’s Go Dreaming, Book 2

by Shanita Allen

#WhatisaDream #NetGalley

This book for young listeners is about dreams, the kind that we have at night and also the kinds of dreams that we dream during the day. The story is told by a child to his dog. Note, that the dog speaks, initially surprising the child. I am not fully sure how well this works as the story’s mechanism. It felt less than perfect to me.

What children will take from this book is that dreams can be lovely. They are described in terms of many senses.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

Now out:

Stop that Virus!

by words&pictures

#StopthatVirus #NetGalley

Even the youngest children listen to what the adults around them say. So, no doubt, they have been hearing the word virus. This title with its lively illustrations will be welcomed by families. It helps young children to understand how the body fights a virus and how a person gets better.

This title will offer reassurance to many children while a few might need to understand that these small figures that look somewhat like people are not really inside them. All will know that their bodies work to keep them safe and healthy

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

Does she need to slow down? Hot to Trot

An Agatha Raisin Mystery

by M. C. Beaton; Rod Greene

#HottoTrot #NetGalley

Regular readers of this series will welcome the return of Agatha Raisin. She is an intrepid protagonist who never fears interfering. She is in typical form in this entry when she crashes the wedding of her former lover. Naturally there is a murder and, of course, Agatha will investigate. As she endeavors to solve the case, Agatha learns more about the victim and the equestrian world.

Readers who have enjoyed the series will note that this one has a second author. That is because M.C. Beaton died last year. He does his best to write a title that the author could be proud of. He certainly achieves that goal.

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

Now out in paperback: The Old Success by Martha Grimes

The Old Success follows last year’s The Knowledge, a book that I really enjoyed. The Old Success is not quite as good but will still be welcomed by fans of Richard Jury and his eccentric circle of friends. Old readers, for example, will probably love Melrose’s latest attempt to get at his aunt. You do not have to have read all the books in the series to pick this up but it may help to know a bit about the cast.
In this novel, there are three murders. One takes place in the Scilly Islands, one in Exeter Cathedral and one on a family estate. Are they linked, and if they are, what is the connection?
As usual, there are characters who are children and essential to the story. In this case, the reader meets Zillah and Zoe. What did they witness? What is their connection to the bigger mystery surrounding the deaths?
The title of the book comes from the name of a pub, as is usual for Martha Grimes. Those in the pubs are witnesses and friends, including a retired police officer who solved all his cases. There is also his granddaughter who is talented at working with horses. Quite a mix.
Of course, all is solved. I read this book quickly. I rate it at 3 stars.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance read in exchange for an honest review. The book publishes in November.

This is my review from the e galley of this title, originally published last year.