An Atlas of Forgotten Horticultural Treasures

by Sandra Lawrence

#LostGardensoftheWorld #NetGalley

Garden lovers will enjoy dipping into this collection which features 40 gardens that have, for varied reasons, been lost. For each of these, there is beautifully evocative artwork to help readers imagine the garden in it glory. The text further details what made each of these places special.

These gardens were once found all around the world. Readers travel to The Garden of Dreams, Little Acorns, Warley Place, Bachs of Khajuaro, Gardens of the Nations, Madinat al-Zahra, Wah Bagh and these are just a few of the places.

This would make a lovely addition to the library of a garden lover! The author makes a wonderful guide. She has loved gardens ever since she became a reader of Frances Hodgson Burnett.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 01 October 2024

From the Publisher

Death at the Sanatorium

A Mystery

by Ragnar Jónasson

One of the “LA Times” must-read books this fall, DEATH AT THE SANATORIUM by Ragnar 
Jónasson is an Icelandic Noir thriller with a clever whodunnit worthy of Agatha Christie. 
https://read.macmillan.com/lp/death-at-the-sanatorium-9781250770769/

My thoughts:

Last year, I read my first book by this author. He co-wrote it with the prime minister of Iceland. It was a very good read.

Now, here is a story that takes place in three time periods, has multiple perspectives, an historical illness (TB) that impacts the plot, murders, detection, interesting characters, relationships, and surprises. On top of all this, the academic/investigator has a love for classic mysteries that is shared with the reader.

This is a book that will be enjoyed by fans of traditional mysteries. Jonasson learned from a master. He is known for translating Agatha Christie’s books into Icelandic. He puts his skills to good use here.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Now out and such a good read: Reykjavik

365 Hopeful Meditations for Peaceful and Reflective Evenings All Year Long

by Emily Silva

#SunsetGratitude #NetGalley

This title is part of a series by the author. I will look for the others. I find this to be a book that I would look forward to picking up each evening. It provides a quick time to reflect on life and to find that, sometimes elusive, sense of gratitude. Looking for a moment of calm? If so, buy this book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 24 September 2024

100 Recipes to Cook Together

by Sonja Overhiser and Alex Overhiser

#ACoupleCooks #NetGalley

The very first photo in this cookbook shows a scrumptious looking plate of pasta-I was in from there! I also love the idea of cooking with someone else- of course that can be any two people, not necessarily a couple. And, of course, one could cook alone if that is the plan.

This book is over 300 pages long so will stay fresh with its audience over the course of many kitchen enterprises. Chapters include Everyday Dinners; Just for Two; Gatherings; Mornings; Sides; Bakes; Appetizers & Snacks; Sweets; and Drinks. One recipe from each: Chicken Cutlets with Honey Mustard Pan Sauce; Truffle Pasta with Mixed Mushrooms & Goat Cheese; Curry Salmon Burgers with Cilantro Chutney; Mini Cardamom Cinnamon Rolls; Roasted Butternut Squash & Onions with Garlic Butter; Spiced Latte Loaf; Warm Goat Cheese with Jam; Brown Butter-Miso Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars; and Lillet Spritzer.

There are additional section ins this book including an author’s note and their story, advice on how to use the book, where to begin and more.

I would like to purchase the hard copy of this book. The recipes are easy to follow and the food looks appealing.

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

Pub date: 15 October 2024

This is the first book that I have read by Ellery Adams and I truly enjoyed it. The protagonist, Nora, is a bookseller who believes that there is a book that is just right for each customer’s particular emotional state; the notion that one could get meaningful suggestions from a bookseller was lovely in this day of internet sales. I enjoyed the many literary references and the back stories of the protagonists. There are also hints of romance. If you like cozies, I would recommend this book highly.

This is Fiona Davis’s third New York City based historical novel and it is a winner! I have not read her earlier books,The Address and The Dollhouse, but may well do so now.
The Masterpiece has a dual narrative structure, one story is set in the 1920s-30’s and the other in the 1970s. The stories of Clara Darden and Virginia Clay overlap and intersect.
Darden is an illustrator, teacher and painter in the earlier era while Virginia, a divorcee, begins working at Grand Central around the time when the landmark battle was underway. Each woman has a backstory, relationships and challenges, all of which are well depicted.
Did you know that in the 1920’s there was an art school right in Grand Central? Did you know that Sargent was one of the founders? Are you interested in historical preservation? Do you enjoy a story with a plot twist? If you can answer yes to any, or all of these questions, I highly recommend this book.

#TheMasterpiece #NetGalley

Great Churches of London

by Derry Brabbs

Anyone who loves London and/or Ecclesiastical history will enjoy spending time with this title. There are so many gorgeous photos that draw the eye. The text is also filled with interesting history.

There are so many churches in London. I think that the author was wise to organize them by time period in this book. Because of this structure, readers are able to get a sense of changes over time. The book begins with the Medieval and Tudor era and moves to the 20th century in its last section.

I loved looking through this book. One does not have to be religious to appreciate what was built over time and what led to the building of these churches.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

Five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Anne of Green Gables

The Complete Novel, Featuring the Characters’ Letters and Mementos, Written and Folded by Hand

by L. M. Montgomery with contributions by Barbara Heller

This edition of the beloved classic will be a gift to true lovers of the red headed young orphan. As the cover promises, in addition to the novel, this volume includes character’s letters and mementos, written and folded by hand. What a treat! I will need to purchase the book as these special additions are not in the e galley.

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

Five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

From the Publisher

by Fiona Barton

#TalkingtoStrangers #NetGalley

Talking to Strangers is an absorbing addition to Barton’s earlier books. Once again readers get to spend time with Elise King. She has been through a lot (no spoilers) but is back on the job. She and her partner are on the complex case of Karen Simmons. Was her murder related to her desire to find “the one?” Who murdered her? She had been so full of life and part of a group of singles. Does this connect to her murder?

Kiki (so named by an editor) is a reporter who is following the case. She has been preparing to write articles about on-line dating. Not the easiest way to meet someone as Kiki discovers when she is on a date after a swipe early in the book. She and Elise have a history.

Readers also meet Annie. How, if at all, is a tragedy in her past related to the current case? Readers will definitely want to know.

Readers of thrillers will, I think enjoy this book. I recommend it for the way the story comes to life and for the time I got to spend with the characters. I also liked that the chapters were from the points of view of several of these people. Many chapters are short so it is very easy to keep turning the pages. Remember to pay attention to characters who may not feel like the most significant ones.

Here is what Kirkus says: A compelling demonstration of the sad truth that there’s no neutral way to conduct a murder investigation. Everybody pays.

I say, Watch out!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 27 August 2024

From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Tense and topical” — People

“Barton effortlessly toggles between each woman’s viewpoint, maintaining suspense as she builds to the plot’s devastating resolution.” — Publishers Weekly

What happened with the: Local Gone Missing by Fiona Barton

 #TheSummerSwap #NetGalley

When I think about what makes me engage with a book, the answer is generally the characters. Setting, plot and other elements of novels are also important but what I most seek is to spend time with the people and to care about them. Sarah Morgan gave me exactly what i wanted in The Summer Swap, a book that I recommend for an engaging spring/summer read.

Who is in the novel? Here are some of the people.

Cameron is an artist who is no longer alive but whose reputation and reach continue following his death.

Cecilia generally became known as Cameron’s wife but she was/is her own person. It was not always easy to be subsumed by her husband and their marriage was complicated. She is now trying to figure out what she wants (as are all the characters).

Kristen and Winston are Cameron and Cecilia’s middle aged children. Kristen is rather controlling, married to a surgeon and flirting with a possible dalliance as the book opens. Winston has a more laidback personality than the tense Kristen. Both Winston and Kristen have young adult children who also feature in the story.

Lily has had the hopes of her family placed on her shoulders. It is difficult when she realizes that she needs to find her own path in life, not do only what is expected. She has connections with Kristen’s daughter and has been in love with Winston’s son.

Watch out too for the journalist who flirts with Kristen. He may have ulterion motives.

As the story opens, readers learn that Lily is finding her way on the Cape. The Cape is also a place to which Cecilia travels when she escapes from the family party she did not want to attend. It is a place with some painful memories. Readers can expect that Lily and Cecilia will meet.

What happens to each of these characters makes up the essence of this very readable story. I enjoyed it so much and now will keep an eye out for a new book by this author. (I also liked her last novel The Book Club a great deal.)

Those who enjoy women’s fiction will, I am certain want to read The Summer Swap. Mark the calendar for its release date.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 07 May 2024