Do you have time for-A Walk Along the Beach A Novel by Debbie Macomber

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsAugust 27, 2020

Debbie Macomber is a prolific writer of women’s fiction. This, her latest title, is dedicated to her very close friend, a woman who died of cancer. Indeed, one of the two sisters in this title has had a bout with cancer as well. As a result, Harper wants to live her life to the fullest. She is a risk taker. Older sister and caretaker Willa worries about her and so does the reader of the novel, wondering if she will stay healthy.
As Harper’s story unfolds, so does Willa’s. She owns a coffee bar and bakery that I would love to visit. Into the store walks Sean, a former baseball player and now a photographer with a passion for good causes. The title of the book comes from the location of their first date. Will his relationship with Willa make it?
I know that Ms. Macomber is a knitter and one place Sean travels to is Bolivia where he wants to document the impact of climate issues on those who graze animals for wool. I assume that the issue is a real one because of the author’s interests. It adds an interesting travel story to the novel.
I enjoyed this book and its characters as they explored, faced challenges and cared about each other. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#AWalkAlongtheBeach #NetGalley

Time for a beach read: The Friendship List A Novel by Susan Mallery

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsJune 26, 2020

It’s summer now so, of course, I am thinking about summer reading. Here is a good one to put on your TBR pile if you are looking for a relaxing and enjoyable book
This is a story about Ellen who is a single mom as the story opens. She has a college bound son, Cooper, who is worried about leaving her by going away to school. What will happen? Why is he worried?
Readers watch as Ellen’s friend, Unity, steps in and up. She develops a list of challenges for Ellen to get her moving forward. Unity will also work on this list. (Readers learn that she is also stuck) How will they grow and change? Read the novel to find out.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this enjoyable read in exchange for an honest review.

A Kate Shackleton Mystery

by Frances Brody

Frances Brody has written a number of entries in her series featuring Kate Shackleton. The books are historical mysteries. I first bought the novels in England and was delighted when they became easily available in the States. Death at the Seaside is the eighth of the titles.

Before reviewing the book, I want to say how much I adore the cover. Each title in the series has an appealing cover that engages the reader. I always want to dip into the books as soon as I see the gorgeous illustrations.

This time Kate is on her way to visit a friend who lives in Whitby, a town that attracts a number of tourists and wants to maintain a good reputation. Soon Kate learns that her friend Alma’ daughter has disappeared. The only clue is a pawn ticket. And…what will happen once the jeweler is found dead?

Of course, Kate becomes involved and readers will follow her through the adventures that she has while solving the case. Long time readers will enjoy spending time with the regulars who assist Kate. New readers will easily be drawn in.

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

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Frances Brody writes marvelous British mysteries, and if you haven’t met the wonderful Kate Shackleton, Death at the Seaside is the perfect place to start this terrific series! Whether you are already a Brody fan or new to the Kate Shackleton series, Death at the Seaside is a mystery you just plain can’t miss!” –Charles Todd, bestselling author of the Ian Rutledge Mysteries and the Bess Crawford Mysteries

“A delightful trip through time and space to 1920s England with a heroine who would make the ladies of the Golden Age proud.” –Rhys Bowen, New York Times bestselling author of the Royal Spyness and Molly Murphy novels

“In Kate Shackleton, Frances Brody has created a smart and endearing sleuth whose resourcefulness and skill for deduction shine as she investigates murders in 1920s England. With vivid settings, colorful characters, and excellently-plotted mysteries, this series is an absolute delight!” –Ashley Weaver, author of the Amory Ames mysteries

“In Brody’s tightly woven eighth mystery set in 1920s England, PI Kate Shackleton takes a holiday in the resort town of Whitby…. Brody provides plenty of period flavor and just enough clues to point armchair sleuths to the solution.” —Publishers Weekly on Death at the Seaside

“Kate finds herself drawn into a complex case redolent of classic interwar mysteries in which motives abound and old secrets are eventually revealed. In addition to re-creating the feeling of the golden age, Brody this time provides a stronger mystery than usual.” —Kirkus Reviews on Death at the Seaside

100 Poems to Break Your Heart

by Edward Hirsch

Some of the many poets whose works are included in this collection are Wordsworth, Keats, Tennyson, Hardy, St. Vincent Millay, Langston Hughes, Anne Sexton, Randall Jarrell, Muriel Rukeyser, Robert Lowell, Sharon Olds and Phillip Larkin, among many others. This is certainly a good collection with, as the title suggests, a focus on heartbreak. What a topic for Covid times, although there are many kinds of losses and many centuries during which poets grappled with this emotion. Grief does not only belong to today.

This collection will most appeal to serious readers of poetry. There are many kinds of poems including sonnets, aubades, a villanelle, a nocturne and more. The erudite editor has selected poems that have special meaning to him and he explicates them all. Some readers may not want all of this additional content but it is worth looking at, at least some of the time. Other times, readers can dip in and read whatever poem they like on its own merits. Readers who take their time with this title will learn a lot and feel a good deal as well.

The Consequences of Fear

A Maisie Dobbs Novel

by Jacqueline Winspear

have loved the Maisie Dobbs series since the very first named title that was simply called Maisie Dobbs. That first in the series took place during WWI. By the time of the newest novel, Britain is heavily involved in WWII and Maisie is involved in her sixteenth investigation. Over the course of the books, all of which are excellent, Maisie evolves and grows. She goes from being a very bright housemaid to an independent woman who investigates a wide variety of cases, both those that are private and those that are for the government. While most of the books take place in England, Maisie has also been to Gibraltar and Germany. Her relationships deepen and grow and this is one facet of the stories that always brings me back. There are also love, loss and a little girl called Anna as one makes their way through the series.

In this entry, a young boy witnesses a murder. However, he is not believed by everyone. Maisie becomes involved in trying to determine what exactly happened. The concept of honor becomes important to the solving of the case. At the same time, Maisie is interviewing potential agents who, if approved, will be dropped into France as saboteurs and intelligence agents. How will she make decisions when some of the candidates are people she knows? How strained will she be by the constraints of the official secrets act? What will happen with the romantic relationship that has more recently come into her life?

Ms. Winspear has a talent for creating engaging characters. The setting of wartime London also is quite evocative. These are just some of the pleasures that are here for the reader.

This title will be eagerly welcomed by fans of Ms. Dobbs. New readers can jump in too but they may then want to go back to the beginning to see how Maisie evolves and to fully enjoy and engage in her life.

I very much enjoyed this novel. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

The Encyclopedic Museum

by Donatien Grau (editor)

Pub date: April 13, 2021

A few years ago, I took an art history class and learned what an encyclopedic museum was. It is generally a large institution that has the goal of covering much art, everything from the ancient Egyptians through the most modern of modern art. There are those who love these large institutions and others who have offered critiques. This book looks at a variety of opinions on this topic. It is divided into sections on the Origins and Practice of Encyclopedic Museums; Encyclopedic Museums Around The Globe; and Methodologies and Potentials of the Encyclopedic Museum.

Those interviewed in the book include Grayson Perry, Thomas Campbell, Max Hollein and Kwame Anthony Appiah among others. Thus a wide range of views are included.

This book should be of interest to art historians, educators and museum goers.

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

Earth-Friendly Tips and Comic Strips

by Patrick McDonnell

I have adored the Mutts comic strip ever since the first time that I read one of Patrick McDonnell’s sweet entries. He has a way of universalizing human experience through his animal characters.

In this collection, the focus is our earth and the environment. Mixed in with the comics are suggestions for things that we all can do for our planet. Mr. McD is not (too) preachy and he makes many good points. And, of course, readers will get to spend time with Mooch, Earl and all of their friends. I defy anyone not to smile at times as they dip into this book.

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

by Janet Skeslien Charles

The Paris Library is a novel that I highly recommend even with the abundance of choice in WWII historical fiction. The importance of the American Library and the commitment of those who worked there is a reminder of how important books are, perhaps even more so, when the world is in chaos. Readers will enjoy the many books that are named over the course of the novel. They would make for a good TBR list.

All good novels tell stories about characters. This one is peopled with those that readers will get to know with all of their strengths and flaws. Some are good, some not so good and some a mix of the two. All are brought to life.

Odile is a young woman when the story opens. She lives with her father, who is in the police, her brother, an idealist, and her mother who eventually learns that her husband is involved in an affair. Odile has always loved books and lands her dream job at the American Library. There she meets a wide ranging group of patrons and staff. Her brother’s fiance, Bitsy, also works at the library. Odile gets to know Margaret as well; she is a British ex pat and another key protagonist.

Each of these characters faces the war, issues of loyalty and friendship and disillusion. Their intertwining stories are well depicted as are the many settings in the novel.

Odile’s romantic interest for much of the book is Paul. He, too, is a policeman. Readers will follow as some of his decisions make Odile even more aware of the cruelty of war.

As is true of many novels written today, there is a dual story line. This takes place in Froid, Montana where Odile came to live. There a young girl befriends Odile and tries to figure out her own life in the aftermath of her mother’s death. There is much that Odile has to teach her young friend.

I both listened to and read this story. The narration was flawless with individuals coming to life with different voices and accents. It was a wonderful listen.

I highly recommend this book. I hope that readers will enjoy it.

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