I love the choices that the Poisoned Pen Press makes when choosing titles. This book is no exception. It is so topical with climate change as an issue that focuses much of the action. The story opens as a couple is found dead. Was it a murder/suicide or could it have been a carefully staged execution? The couple’s son wants to know.
Enter Geneva Chase. She is a complex character who was introduced in an earlier novel. I have not read that one but will probably go back and do so. Geneva has her own issues, problems and people surrounding her. What will happen as she investigates events?
This title will be enjoyed by those who like a contemporary story with characters that come to life.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I absolutely adored Dear Mrs. Bird which was published in 2018. That book felt entire to itself so I had no idea that there would be a new novel featuring Emmy. This sequel was every bit as charming, engaging and emotional as the first. Add to all of those qualities humor and sadness and AJ Pearce has done it again!
Cheerfully Yours can be read as a standalone but I recommend both titles, in any order, simply for the joy of the reading experience. Unless you are a true cynic, these books will be enjoyed.
In Cheerfully Yours, WWII is still raging. Emmy continues to work for the woman’s magazine where she became Mrs. Bird’s assistant in the first novel. Here the magazine is under an editor who believes in his staff and their abilities. He invites Emmy, despite some checkered work history, to come with him to an important meeting at the Ministry of Information. The minsters want to encourage women to work in war industries and hopes that magazines like Emmy’s will be a way to reach them. Emmy is very excited to become a reporter.
Through a chance meeting, Emmy comes to know Anne. Anne has two children, has been widowed and is working in a factory. Emmy wants to tell Anne’s story. Through this and other story elements readers learn about the obstacles that women faced within the work force. Through her fictional characters, Ms. Pearce engagingly immerses readers in the subject.
Readers also will meet or become reacquainted with Emmy’s closest friend, Bunty. They will also watch as Emmy and Charles spend time together.
One authorial decision that I really enjoyed was her choice of capitalizing certain letters in phrases. These add an emphasis, often comic, to the text.
This is a novel with hope and heart. It is about many kinds of love (for family, friends, romantic attachments). Readers will feel better for spending time with the irrepressible Emmy and those around her. I recommend this one most highly.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
The Books of the Dead is the second in a series, following Death in Paris, which I have not yet read. I found The Books of the Dead to be a novel that will appeal to lovers of cozy mysteries who are able to suspend some disbelief.
Our two sleuths, Magda and Rachel, are American ex-pats who live in Paris. They have a relationship with a French Inspector, Boussicault, who involves them in solving some of his cases. Why this would happen is the what requires a reader’s suspension of disbelief.
The case involves several murders and the theft of valuable pages from historic books. Suspects include those who work for or do research at the Biblioteque Nationale. Each suspect has a backstory that gives credence to why they may have committed the crimes. While solving the case along with our detectives, the reader gets to dash around Paris, spending a sufficient amount of time in cafes and bars.
The end of the book includes some extras. For example, there is a glossary of French terms.
I found this book to be an easy and relaxing read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.
I read fewer cozy mysteries than I once did so they have to look interesting if I am to pick them up. Having read last year’s novel by this author, I was eager to read her sophomore effort. I enjoyed The Hour of Death very much.
The series is set in small village Wales and many of the characters are in religious life. I found the descriptions of the Sisters’ daily life to be endearing and appealing. Pryderi feels like the perfect community, even though there are developers encroaching and murders taking place.
Protagonist, Sister Agatha, is a librarian, cheese maker and would be author of detective fiction. Her heroes are Inspector Barnaby and Armand Gamache, among others. The insertion of these and other loved mystery authors seems to fit right in. Sister Agatha’s main partner in crime is Father Selwyn. The two have known each other since childhood and together follow the clues, often while drinking Welsh teas.
In this new book by the author, an important member of the WI is killed. Of course, the question is “who did it?” Around this, there are other female characters, most especially Lucy, whose story unfolds over the course of the novel. Returning characters, including the female Bishop and Sister Gwennyd, add to the book’s pleasure.
This is not the hardest mystery to solve but the story is very enjoyable. Highly recommended if you like cozy mysteries.
Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Press for this relaxing and seasonal read that takes place in the buildup to Christmas.
#TheHourOfDeath #NetGalley
My review of the first book in the series:
The Shadow of Death is a cozy mystery by an author who is new to me. The novel’s protagonist, Sister Agatha, is a Jessica Fletcher like amateur detective. In the book the reader finds murder, financial shenanigans and characters who have troubled pasts. The delights in the novel are the setting, the insights into modern (un-stuffy) religious life and the warmth of the characters. My guess is that we will be reading a sequel this time next year!
This book grabbed my interest immediately because, on the first page, a favorite childhood fictional character of mine was mentioned. You may not know her, but she was Trixie Belden. She, her brothers, Honey and Jim had adventures and solved mysteries with their club. They had exactly the life that I wanted .I loved Trixie more than Nancy Drew. As this was exactly how the fictional detective in this book felt, I knew that I wanted to read more.
The amateur sleuth in this title is Greer. Her husband had been murdered (not a spoiler as this is mentioned early in the novel) and she has sought a new life away from New York City. Greer goes to library school and moves to a small town in upstate New York. A library patron and friend to Greer is murdered. What is behind the murder? Who did it? How will intrepid, amateur sleuth Greer fare? Will the solution tell her more about her husband? Find out in this cozy mystery.
In addition to Trixie, I loved the library setting and the mention of various books and authors. Readers will wish for a library like this, despite the crimes.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.
There are more than thirty entries in the popular Agatha Raisin series that was penned by M C Beaton. Luckily for the reader, R W Green has stepped up to work on the stories.
Fans of Agatha Raisin now have both the novels and a TV series on Acorn TV for enjoyment of the unique Ms. Raisin. Those who love her will surely want to read this book.
In this entry, Agatha has taken up walking. Since trouble has a way of following her, naturally Agatha runs into an elderly couple and a victim. Why was this (disagreeable) man known as the Admiral murdered? And, as they say, Who Did It? Agatha will, in her own inimitable way, be on the case.
Agatha fans will no doubt welcome this latest novel. New readers may also enjoy getting to know this unique character.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
This title is an entry in the Little People, Big Dreams series for the very youngest children. The story is simply told and filled with illustrations. Young listeners will learn about Steve’s interests and curiosity, and how these led to his and his friend’s creation of the home computer. They will see that Steve changed the world in ways that had not previously been imagined.
The first pages mention that Steve had been adopted. I feel that perhaps a bit more (like the next page or so) could have said something about his family life. As it is, the fact just hangs there a bit.
I liked this entry in the series. However, it felt a bit like an ad for Apple to me. Nonetheless, young listeners will have been introduced to an original and an icon.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.
A Christmas Carol is, I think, one of Charles Dickens’ most popular stories. So many know the main aspects of the tale but, I imagine there are those who either have never read the original or who have not read it for many years. Now would be a good time to change that!
This version of the story is enhanced by its’ absolutely gorgeous and appealing illustrations. They are detailed and have a softness to them that I found that I very much appreciated. The illustrator’s artistry clearly adds to the reader’s experience as the pages turn.
Rereading A Christmas Carol has led me to remember that it would make a great Christmas season read aloud with a child. True, some of the vocabulary may need to be explained but there is something to be said for introducing a child to such a well-known and loved story.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.
A Seasonal Guide to the City’s Most Instagrammable Places
by Sara Santini; Andrea Di Filippo
#PrettyLittleLondon #NetGalley
The book, Pretty Little London, had its origin in an Instagram account. The account belonged to a couple who did not grow up in England. The two wanted to enhance their sense of London as a beautiful city with all it has to offer. The result is a beautiful compilation of photos showing London in every season.
Each seasonal chapter opens with a detailed map. I found these to be very appealing with their cute drawings. Thanks to these, readers who visit or live in London can find the locations that are described in the book. For each entry readers will find both beautiful photos and text. The text includes descriptions of things to see and also what look like great suggestions for eating, drinking, shopping and more.
This title also includes some advice on Instagramming and taking photos. These sections will be of interest to those who want to work on their own projects.
I really love this book. It makes me want to hop on a plane and visit one of my favorite cities while having the chance to make new discoveries.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.
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This one is free.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 