The Kitt Hartley Mysteries Book 5

by Helen Cox

Pub Date 15 Apr 2021  

This is the fifth entry in a series about Kitt Hartley. She was formerly a university librarian but now is an amateur sleuth. I look forward to reading other entries in this series.

In this outing, there is a serial killer in Yorkshire. Oddly, the victims are all warned eleven days before their deaths. Things really heat up when a friend of Kitt’s is targeted. Kitt and her friend Grace are on the case.

I thought it was interesting to have a serial killer in a series that I had thought was a cozy. Still, readers may well enjoy this title and the earlier titles as well.

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

Enjoy your time at this cafe: Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe (Colgan)

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsApril 6, 2019

Thanks to Sourcebooks for re-issuing this delightful title by Jenny Colgan.  It was the first of her books that I read and I have been reading her stories ever since.  The author has a knack for developing relatable characters and warmhearted story lines.

In this one Issy Randall takes a risk and starts her own business.  The Cupcake Cafe is an appealing place in a lovely town.  You will feel that you can taste Issy’s food as you read the novel.  This is also a love story and a story about friendship.

For readers who want to read a book for sheer enjoyment this one is highly recommended.  Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to revisit Issy and co.

The Story of Climate Change

A first book about how we can help save our planet

by Catherine Barr; Steve Williams

This book begins billions of years ago when the earth was very hot. Children then learn how over time temperatures cooled and oceans were formed. From there, readers see the many changes that have taken place on the planet in a process that occurred over many, many years. They learn that some of these changes have had consequences that can hurt the climate, as for example with methane build up. The ways in which people, plants, animals and more have been impacted are matter of factly laid out. That could feel scary. However, the author ends the book with a reminder of the things that we can all do to improve the quality of our environment and world thus empowering kids.

The illustrations in this title are involving and colorful. There are some amusing captions embedded in them. They will keep the interest of the kids to whom this book is directed.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. I think that this book does a very good job in discussing a topic that kids should know about.

A Maisie Dobbs Novel

by Jacqueline Winspear

Pub date: March 23, 2021

I 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.

by Liz Fenwick

In this sampler, readers begin to know two sisters, Adele and Amelia. The story begins in the WWII era. The opening scene is of a wedding in 1945. Which sister is getting married? She is pregnant and about to wed an American. The story then flashes to 2015 and goes on to take place in the two time periods. I think that the character in 2015 is the granddaughter of one of the sisters. The novel’s Cornwall setting was appealing. To find out more, I will need to read the full book. Other readers may want to do the same.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this sample of the novel. All opinions are my own.

Classified

The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer

by Traci Sorell, illus. by Natasha Donovan

One thing that I love about kids’ non-fiction titles is that I often learn about something or someone previously unknown to me. That was certainly true with this book. I had not heard of Mary Golda Rose who was a twentieth century aerospace engineer. This Native American’s story is told here and it is intriguing.

Young reader’s learn that Mary’s Cherokee values shaped the person that she was. Her love of Math and Science led her to a successful career. From teacher to becoming an engineer at Lockheed, Mary worked hard and accomplished much.

This title includes helpful sections including a time line, a list of Cherokee values, source notes and a bibliography. Interested readers can thus look deeper into the life and times of this remarkable woman.

STEM education is a focus now. This book will encourage students, especially girls, to reach for the careers that they want. They will be impressed by what Mary achieved and, hopefully, will learn that they, too, can be successful.

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

True Stories of Animal Heroes: Onyx

The Wolf Who Found a New Way to be a Leader

by Vita Murrow

The illustrator of this title clearly loves and closely observes nature. The pages are a delight to view.

The book tells the story of the wolves who were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park after a number of years of absence. In particular. readers get to know Onyx, a somewhat timid wolf when the story opens but…as the author notes, he had his own way of thinking. Watch what happens when Onyx gets to know Bravo, a wolf from a family not his own and look to see what Bravo does when he becomes a grown wolf.

This title should be enjoyed by young animal lovers and conservationists.

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