Month: August 2021

sleuthofbakerstreet.ca/i/1584200/August_2021_e_MOM_Read.pdf

A novel of suspense featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes

by Laurie R. King

#CastleShade #NetGalley

I have been reading this series about Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russell ever since the first book, The Beekeeper’s Apprentice was published in 1994! This is entry number seventeen. Ms. King continues to keep this long running series interesting and engaging.

When this book opens, Russell and Holmes are getting ready to travel to Roumania. The daughter of Maria of Roumania is under threat. Why? Is it to do with her or with someone wanting to get at Marie. Marie is herself connected by blood to Queen Victoria; she is related to both her and the Russian Tsar. Readers learn about Marie’s history, dynastic marriage and move to Roumania. They learn, too, about the decisions that she has made for her country and her devotion to a place that she has come to love.

Along the way, readers also learn about Dracula and the many legends and superstitions that existed at the time. This is all quite fascinating.

When Holmes and Russell get to Roumania, their work intensifies. There are many strange occurrences along the way. There are also welcome creature comforts that Mary had not been expecting.

I enjoyed the setting of this novel and the rich history that was presented. I also liked following Russell and Holmes as they talked, sparred and worked together.

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

A Collection of Traditional American Home-Cooked Recipes

by Jennifer Boudinot

#CountryKitchenCookbook #NetGalley

Pub Date 24 Aug 2021

This cookbook celebrates American cuisine in 100 recipes divided up by “Homestyle Breakfasts;” Irresistible Snacks & Starters;” “Scrumptious Salads & Sides;””Hearty Main Dishes;” and “Country Desserts & Cakes.”

This beautifully photographed title is filled with hearty, country cooking. The author starts out with a recipe that exemplifies what is within these pages. It is an easy to follow recipe for a Sunday Casserole that is filled with eggs, bacon, hash brown potatoes and more. That one is followed by more stick to your ribs food. Just a few of the recipes included are for Country Cobb Salad, Barbeque Baked Chicken, Buttermilk Biscuits, Hoppin John with Pork, and Coconut Cream Pie.

So, it is clear that this is not a cookbook for those on diets. All others, or those who are taking a break from healthy eating, will find much to enjoy here.

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

nyti.ms/3lEgjE7

nyti.ms/3Coiimb

I was looking through my list of books and discovered that these two are each just ninety-nine cents

FROM AMAZON on The Perfect Lie:

Five years ago, Erin Kennedy moved to New York following a family tragedy. She now lives happily with her detective husband in the scenic seaside town of Newport, Long Island. When Erin answers the door to Danny’s police colleagues one morning, it’s the start of an ordinary day. But behind her, Danny walks to the window of their fourth-floor apartment and jumps to his death.

Eighteen months later, Erin is in court, charged with her husband’s murder. Over that year and a half, Erin has learned things about Danny she could never have imagined. She thought he was perfect. She thought their life was perfect.

FROM AMAZON on The Burial Circle (I have read and enjoyed other books in this series)

On a stormy night in December, a tree is blown down on an isolated Devon farm. When the fallen tree is dragged away, a rucksack is found caught amongst the roots – and next to it is a human skeleton.

The discovery of the body and the rucksack revives memories for DI Wesley Peterson. A young hitchhiker who went missing twelve years ago was last seen carrying a similar backpack. Suddenly a half-forgotten cold case has turned into a murder investigation.

Meanwhile, in the nearby village of Petherham, a man is found dead in suspicious circumstances whilst staying at a local guesthouse. Wesley’s friend, archaeologist Neil Watson, is studying Petherham’s ancient mill and uncovering the village’s sinister history. Could the string of mysterious deaths in Petherham over a hundred years ago be connected to the recent killings?

As Wesley digs deeper into the case, it seems that the dark whisperings of a Burial Circle in the village might not be merely legend after all . . .

Cloud Cuckoo Land is a gorgeous book. I think that I may prefer it to this author’s earlier All the Light We Cannot See.

Half-Sick of Shadows is a story about Arthur, Guinevere and others told from the point of view of Elaine, the Lady of Shallot. One of my favorite books is The Once and Future King so I am really looking forward to this one.

Yours Cheerfully is a follow-up to Dear Mrs. Bird which I recommended highly when I reviewed it.

Pride, Prejudice and Other Flavors is a Jane Austen retelling.

The Heron’s Cry is the second entry in Ann Cleeves’s new series that features Matthew Venn.

What are you reading now or looking forward to? Share your recommendations, please. Thanks

by Compiled by Barbour Staff

#DailyWisdomforWomen2022DevotionalCollection #NetGalley

Pub Date 01 Oct 2021

This book is geared toward Christian readers who can seek inspiration each day of 2022 with this title. Each entry include a quote from the Bible, followed by a short reading that invites contemplation. There is then a short prayer.

For example, the entry for January 4th begins with a quote from Genesis about Noah, the flood and waiting for the waters to recede. The next short section is about what is like to anticipate something much wanted like a Christmas gift or the birth of a baby. Wisdom is then offered about the wonderful things that happen in their right times. There is then a very short prayer.

Those who like to begin or end their day with a period of calm reflection may well enjoy this title.

PLEASE NOTE: THE COVER OF THIS BOOK LISTS THE YEAR AS 2020 BUT THIS TITLE IS FOR 2022.

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

My First Greta Thunberg

by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

#GretaThunberg #NetGalley

Pub Date 24 Aug 2021

This title is for children who are still a bit too young for the Little People, Big Dreams series. This entry in the My First series tells the story of Greta Thunberg in simple sentences along with accompanying llustrations.

Young listeners learn that Greta cares very deeply for the world. They see how she moved from doing small things to becoming a global phenomenon. Children will discover that by working together with others, big things can be accomplished. They will also learn that kids can help to change the world and get adults to listen to them. What good things to know!

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

by Adam Ciccio

#ClavisPublishing #NetGalley

Pub Date 07 Sep 2021

Young Andy worries… a lot! That he is bothered by this is clear. The author of this picture book shows him looking for help from some non-human friends. For example, a dog says to bark. (Is this helpful for a human child?) Finally, Andy makes it home and looks to his mother for what he needs. In a didactic way, she explains that anxiety is just a feeling. So, Andy takes this in and begins to feel much better (this feels kind of simplistic to me although the message of trying to work with one’s feelings is true.) By the end of the book, Anxious Andy is Andy.

I almost never give a low rating to a book but this one did not appeal to me as either a reader or a mental health professional. I disliked the use of labels like anxious or shy. I also found the quick turnaround that Andy undergoes quite unbelievable. Kids usually progress, regress, go in spurts but rarely are so quickly cured.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. I regret that I cannot recommend it more highly.