Our Woman in Moscow (by Beatriz Williams)

There was a time in England when Cambridge grads became traitors; among the most famous of these men were KIm Philby, Guy Burgess, Anthony Blunt and Donald Maclean. They hid in plain sight, not suspected for a long time because of their social class and educations. They were idealistic to start with but some devolved into alcoholism and of course, many defected.

This novel takes place within the time frame of these spies in the late 40s and early 50s. One of the spies, Guy Burgess, is even a character in the novel.

Two sisters Iris and Ruth are the book’s protagonists. When the story opens, Ruth is successfully running a modeling agency in New York. She and Iris have not spoken for many years. Readers will find out why when they read the novel.

When the two were still close, they lived in Rome during part of WWII. While there Iris falls madly in love with Sasha Digby. She makes the decision to follow him wherever he goes and, not to spoil anything they eventually make a big move. Readers will find out why.

One day, Ruth gets a call for help from Iris. She heeds it and this leads to the most exciting events of the novel.

Also in the story is Lyudmilla, a very conforming Russian. Where does she fit in the story and how do her life and the Digbys’ lives intersect? Again, read to find out.

Beatriz Williams has written an absorbing story here with an excellent plot twist. Events unfold; this is not a James Bond like read but it is a good one. The settings and characters shine.

Think about the title as you read. See how close you come to guessing some of the story’s resolutions. Enjoy the novel as you do. It makes for a good read.

The Bookseller’s Secret

A Novel of Nancy Mitford and WWII

by Michelle Gable

#TheBooksellersSecret #NetGalley

Right off the top, there were several reasons why I wanted to read this novel. (Thank you NetGalley and the publisher!) I was familiar with the author, am interested in the Mitford family, love stories set in bookstores, and enjoy dual time line novels. In this case, parts of the story are set in the present. while others take place during WWII. Both stories are well told and readers are aware that they will intersect.

The protagonist in the present is Kate. She has written several novels and is experiencing writer’s block. She does not want to take the easy route of writing a sequel to her most popular title. Her difficulty in putting a story to paper is convincingly portrayed. I could not help but wonder if Ms. Gable had first hand experience with this issue.

Kate travels to London to spend time with her close friend JoJo. This leads to her working at the shop where Mitford was employed years earlier. By the way, Kate did thesis work on Mitford and is interested in her.

The WWII part of the story takes place partly at the Heywood Hill book shop. This is a real store and I enjoyed visiting there virtually. It appears charming and very individualized for its customers as I found when I looked online.

In need of funds, Nancy begins to work at HH. Has she left something behind there?

In the present day, Kate meets a man who would like to find a missing manuscript. Readers learn why. He and Kate become involved in this project while Kate is working at Heywood Hill.

Readers become aware that Nancy and Kate share some things in common. Will they each be able to write again? How does working at the bookshop impact each of them?

I found this novel a bit slow to capture me but once it did I enjoyed it very much. Historical fiction lovers may well want to take a peek at this one!

British Library Crime Classics

by Martin Edwards

#BloodOnTheTracks #NetGalley

Those who enjoy vintage crime and short stories are sure to enjoy this collection that has been edited by Martin Edwards. As is true of his other compilations, Edwards has chosen wisely and offers readers a variety of authors who have set their stories on trains.

Here are tales that are of the Locked Room genre in that most iconic of settings, a train making its way to a destination. There are some well-known authors here as, for example, Conan Doyle and Dorothy Sayers. There are other authors with whom I was not acquainted. Still, I know them better after traveling with them through this volume.

I would also like to comment on this book’s cover. The artwork is very appealing and immediately invites the reader to use their imagination and travel on trains fr0m years past.

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

The House of Mirth is free and an American classic.

by Mary Alice Monroe

The Summer of Lost and Found is book seven of a series of novels set in an idyllic South Carolina community. I have not read all of the books and, while I will probably do so, my enjoyment of this title was in no way diminished.

This is the first fiction that I have read in which the Corona Virus is front and center as it impacts the lives of many of the characters. I think that the author did a masterful job with incorporating real life into the story. I hoped that David would successfully quarantine, that Linnea’s boyfriend would be able to leave England, that Hope would deal as well as a six-year-old might, and much more. I felt connected to each of them as they dealt with the early days of the pandemic.

The novel’s primary character is Linnea whom I remembered from book 6. She is experiencing changes and trying to reconfigure both her professional and personal lives. There are both a former and current boyfriend with whom Linnea has a relationship to figure out. Old boyfriend John is communicating through charming paper airplanes as the story begins. This is because he is quarantining due to Covid. Gordon is in England and may not be able to leave due to restrictions on entering the U.S.

Readers will enjoy spending time with a wide ranging cast of recurring characters, each of whom has their own story and also a connection with Linnea. There are Linnea’s aunt, her parents, her niece and her neighbor, just to mention a few.

Mary Alice Monroe knows how to invite a reader into a world. I very much enjoyed spending time there, even if Covid came along too.

I recommend this novel to those who enjoy women’s fiction.

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

One of Bustle’s “20 Best Beach Reads of 2021”
One of BookTrib’s Most Anticipated Reads of 2021
One of Get Literary’s Most Anticipated Reads of 2021
One of Country Living’s “30 Can’t-Miss Beach Reads for This Summer”
One of Frolic’s “25 Best Books of Spring 2021”

nyti.ms/3yB9O8N

Illustrations by Marjolein Bastin

by Jane Austen

#SenseandSensibility #NetGalley Pub Date 05 Oct 2021

The opening chapter of Sense and Sensibility is one of my favorite in all of Austen. I find her wit here to be so sharp. The reduction of expectations for the Dashwood family as they lose their property and much of their financial security, because of primogeniture, is described in a way that is actually quite scathing and revelatory of the estate’s new female doyenne.

There is much to delight in as readers observe Elinor and Marianne interact with each other and those around them. Suffice it to say, that each embodies one of the titular traits. A rereading of this novel is always welcome to me.

If you have not read S and S, I recommend it most highly. I especially want to draw you attention to this absolutely gorgeous edition of the book. It is surely true that there are many, many less expensive versions of the novel. That said, this enchantingly illustrated one will be adored by true Austen aficionados. The flowers throughout are just lovely. Consider making this one a gift for someone you know…maybe even yourself.

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

So many good choices here. Bel Canto is a true favorite for me as is To Kill a Mockingbird. I adored The Rose Code and The Alice Network is by the same author.

Which of these have you read or will you read now?

These titles are on sale during the week of 8.16.21. Each is $4.00

I am in the minority perhaps but did not even finish episode 1 on Netflix. I am posting this because I know many feel differently. What was your opinion?

And the prequels: