Month: May 2023

I enjoyed this one and reviewed it

Good and reviewed by me.

I heard her speak and plan to read this soon.

The illustrations in this title are absolutely lovely. There seem to be some collages here with ppealing people and scenes. The author’s interpretation of “shape” is very broad and moves well beyond triangles or squares to amorphous shapes like wind or certain emotions.

I liked this book but feel that the concept may slightly confuse some as the shapes leave the literal to become emotions or ideas. Nonetheless this is a title that an adult and young child could enjoy together and that could prompt some good talk.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

#LessonsattheSchoolbytheSea #NetGalley

I am always delighted to spend time with a book by this author. She writes the kinds of stories that give readers an opportunity to exhale.

This title is part of a series of stories set at a school. This is the third novel. Readers may want to go back and spend time with the others if they have not already read them. However it is possible to read this as a standalone. A list of major characters is included at the beginning of the story.

Boarding school stories are staples for young readers. Colgan tries to give adults that same sense of enjoyment in this series.

Students Fliss, Alice and Simone are back following the summer break. There is a new student character introduced as well. Teacher Maggie also returns and has some complications to her love life.

In addition, there is a boys’ school close by. There is a teacher there who is also important to the plot.

Regular readers of this author’s books will want to give this one a look. New readers may enjoy it as well.

Read the author’s introduction to the novel to learn more about its composition. There is a recap here for those unfamiliar with the series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper and Harper Voyager for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 07 March 2023

FREE

The first in the series

Catherine Bruns has written many cozy mysteries. With this title,she begins a new cozy series set in Vermont.

Leila’s father is well known for his excellent maple syrup. Leila always thought that he was well regarded and yet someone has murdered him. Why? With family members suspected and in crisis, Leila leaves Florida and returns to Vermont where she tries to figure out what happened. She is a likeable amateur sleuth and readers will enjoy following her as she figures things out.

This title will be enjoyed by those who like cozy mysteries. As is often the case with the subgenre, the setting and characters are good and the violence is muted.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press. All opinions are my own.

This title was published in October 2022.

This one left me in tears

Start of an excellent series

On October 4, 2022, legendary author Peter Robinson, creator of the long-running Inspector Banks series, passed away after a brief illness. Beginning with Gallows View in 1987, Robinson delivered a novel in the series, or short story collection, almost every year until his death. He also managed to find the time to write three stand-alones.…

Peter Robinson, Remembered — CrimeReads

#MurderwithEarlGreyTea #NetGalley

Here is the ninth in a cozy series set in Amish country (in Pennsylvania). Daisy, a friend and her fiance’s dog discover a body. Was the person a victim of a hit and run or was something more murderous the cause of death? Readers can most likely answer that question. Daisy, herself, will figure this out while she also plans a party for her parents and thinks about her own wedding plans. Luckily for the reader, she is a terrific multitasker.

Murder with Earl Grey tea is just the sort of mystery that cozy readers love. They will enjoy this one and will wish that they could actually visit Daisy’s Tea Garden.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this title All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 23 May 2023

Readers of suspense and thriller novels who enjoy those that feature female protagonists and lots of twists will want to give this title a look. The plot, characters and setting will all draw the reader in.

Two women meet seemingly at random. Both have had children. While Cerys no longer has any to care for, Lily has a four year old…and a violent husband. These three go to live with a widow in Wales where Cerys acts as her housekeeper. What happens from here will keep readers riveted until the final twist.

Recommended to those who enjoy domestic suspense. There are secrets, complex pasts and a need to survive in these pages. Publishers Weekly gave this title a starred review, always a good sign. PW says that it is this author’s best work yet.

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

Pub date: 07 May 2023

From the Publisher

A good summer read. Reviewed by me.