Month: August 2024

Ethel is 73 years old. She can play the senior citizen card when needed but there is so much more to this vibrant woman. Ethel has retired from the FBI but her quick brain, skills, and schemes are as fresh and effective as ever. Get to know her in this enjoyable mystery/caper about murders and shenanigans affecting the Supreme Court.

The author juggles a lot in terms of a complicated scheme in which it takes a little while for readers to figure out what is going on. There are senators, supreme court justices and their clerks, the FBI, Ethel’s relative and friends along with all living in a DC that comes to life here. There is a serious issue underpinning the story that has to do with a Supreme Court’s pending decision on precious metals and mining. The issue feels quite timely.

Those who enjoy cozy thrillers (is there such a thing?) are certain to want to read this one. There is an earlier title in the series as well and I hope that there will be a third to come.

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

An e book bargain

Mary Lennox; does any reader ever forget her? This story of her transformation and growth has stood the test of time. The enchantment of the garden has remained irresistible for generations.

There is no greater treat than introducing a child to the magic of a book. This gorgeous edition of The Secret Garden is perfect for doing exactly that. The illustrations are many, vibrant and enticing.

Remember that there is magic here for adults as well. I definitely want the hard copy of this edition for myself!

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

Pub date: 05 March 2024

An e book bargain

#thatnightinthelibrary #NetGalley

I read and enjoyed this author’s first, The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, so was intrigued by this second novel set in the world of books.

Here is a locked room mystery that fans of that genre will enjoy. However, they may feel differently in going into libraries for a while.

A group of friends hopes that a night in the library will be transformative and it is…just not in the way that they hoped.

This is a suspenseful read. Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 11 June 2024

The first book:

What could go wrong in: The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections

An e book bargain

#mysterywriter #NetGalley

One thing that I love about Sulari Gentill is that she never seems to rest on her laurels. I very much enjoyed her novels about Rowly Sinclair and his group of friends. These are historical mysteries, set in the 1930s, in a series that began with A Few Right Thinking Men. There are good characters who are good friends and good stories in each of the entries.

Ms. Gentill then began to write some standalone novels and stories set outside of Australia. These include After She Wrote Him, The Woman in the Library, and now, The Mystery Writer. Each has an intriguing and, perhaps quirky, story.

In this new book, Theo (Theodosia) has decided to leave law behind. She wants to be a novelist. When her mentor is killed and her brother becomes a suspect, the scene is set.

A few things to ponder…who was the murderer, where is Theo’s manuscript, and what secret things are happening? Get ready for the unraveling.

It is easy to recommend this one.

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

Pub date: 19 March 2024

New crime fiction for August — Ann Cleeves, Janice Hallett and more

https://www.thetimes.com/article/25e952d5-101c-40d1-bf9f-c3826b707c56?shareToken=157c8ca556a47e71cc47b94d6a492c51

“Impossible Creatures” has prompted comparisons to Tolkien, Lewis and Pullman, but action, not awe, is Katherine Rundell’s strong suit.
— Read on www.nytimes.com/2024/08/23/books/review/katherine-rundell-impossible-creatures.html

THIS NOVEL IS AN E BOOK BARGAIN

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsMarch 22, 2020

Meet Me in Monaco feels like the perfect title for right now.  It is a gentle, romantic story that will allow its readers to escape daily life.  Much of the book is set in France with its beautiful towns and countryside.  And then, of course, readers also spend time in Monaco itself.

The background for the story is Grace Kelly’s wedding to Prince Rainier but Sophie and Jim are also prominent characters for whom readers want the best.  Sophie is a parfumier with a beloved family business that is facing financial ruin.  The man she is to marry does not always seem right for her.  Jim is a photographer assigned at times to follow Ms. Kelly.  Jim is divorced and the woman in his life is daughter, Emily.

Sophie meets Jim when he chases Grace into Sophie’s store.  From this beginning, readers will spend time with the three and with the others who surround them, all the while hoping for fairy tale endings.

The book follows a typical narrative structure with the addition of nterspersed news articles.  These are fun to read and help readers to feel that they are witnesses to the action.

This novel was written by two authors who worked very well together.  It was impossible for me to detect who was writing when.

I highly recommend this novel for those who need a bit of feel good time.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

an e book bargain

Pub Date 27 Jul 2021  

I must confess that I did not know nearly as much as I thought I did about the movement that led to the (eventual) right for women to vote in the United States. I was aware of those who started the movement both the U.S. and England but I was familiar with only one of the three women featured in this novel.

The three are Alice Paul, Ida Wells and Maud Malone. Each has her life story told against the vivid backdrop of the politics of the day and their individual histories.

Alice Paul was raised as a Quaker; Ida Wells knew much about slavery, and Maud Malone was an Irish American librarian. What led each of these women to fight so hard for something that many now take for granted? Jennifer Chiaverini helps readers to understand why they worked persistently for what they believed in.

These three are not the only ones who appear in the book. To name just two others, there are Jane Addams and Ava Vanderbilt.

The history that Alice, Ida and Maud lived through comes to life in this novel. I was especially struck by all that Ida Wells endured including the impact of yellow fever on her life, the lynchings of people that she knew and much more.

Around these women are the men, many of whom wanted to thwart votes for women. They included President Wilson. Will the women succeed in organizing a massive march for the day before his inaugural? Read this one to find out.

I found The Women’s March to be among my very favorite books by this author. I learned a lot but did not feel that I was being lectured to.

This historical fiction should be on reading lists for high school students and up. It would make a superb book club selection.

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

#TheReadingList #NetGalley

A BEST OF SUMMER READ ACCORDING TO NEWSWEEK, PARADE MAGAZINE, NBC NEWS, LITHUB, AND POPSUGAR!

This author’s love of books, libraries and people shine through in this title. The novel tells the story of Mukesh and Aleisha as well as some others. Mukesh was widowed and feels lost without his wife. When he comes across her copy of The Time Traveler’s Wife, he wants to return this overdue book to the library. This is a surprisingly difficult expedition for him. Mukesh even literally has difficulty getting in the library door which he does not know how to open.

Inside the library is Aleisha who is halfheartedly performing her duties as a summer employee. While her brother always adored the library as a child, Aleisha did not enjoy being there. Will this change?

Over the course of the novel, these two characters interact and their lives change as the result, in part, of a book list.

Bibliophiles will very much enjoy the book’s premise and will root for the characters. They will also enjoy seeing the book titles and lists that the author includes in this novel.

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

This book is another in Louise Penny’s series featuring Armande Gamache. Gamache is easily one of my favorite fictional detectives. He and the regulars of Three Pines have definitely become a part of my world.

Kingdom of the Blind should not be read before reading Glass Houses. See below for my review of that title. This story in some ways follows directly on that earlier book.

A lot goes on in and I kept me turning the pages while putting off things that needed attention. There are old wills, financial schemes, murders, drugs, relationships and the many ways in which people can be blind.

How well do we really know those around us? Some of the characters in this book will find out. What does one do to fight evil? How do people make moral and amoral choices? How do we care for others? These are some of the big themes that readers will ponder, all while reading a fast paced story.

You cannot go wrong by reading Louise Penny. Perhaps start in order and then keep going!

The book right before this one:

Glass Houses