When I was contacted by the publisher with an invitation to read this book, I was over the moon. I had heard about it and was eagerly awaiting its release. It was an immeasurable treat to have early access.

This title offers a series of reflections and conversations between Judi Dench and Brendan O’Hea. Originally written for an archive, the two got the idea to publish a book together, and the reader is so lucky that they made that decision.

Within these pages, readers get to share in Judi’s life and her professional career. Her love for her husband, her daughter and her craft all come across. She is witty, wise, and it was an absolute pleasure to read her words.

Judi Dench and her husband, referred to Shakespeare as the man who pays the rent because they were in so many productions over the years. However, Shakespeare never really became routine for them and Judi brought her best self to every performance.

The first play that is reflected upon is Macbeth. Judi Dench very much views it as a play about the relationship between Lord and Lady Macbeth. She sees the deterioration of their marriage as a true tragedy.

Included here are Dench’s thoughts on nineteen plays interspersed with other reflections. A couple of examples of these are Company and Fireside Ramblings.

For anyone who admires Judi Dench or who wants to more deeply understand the bard, this book is a must read. I adored it.

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

Pub date: 23 April 2024

New thrillers for September — a diplomat on the run and the new Peter James

https://www.thetimes.com/article/a8e431ea-6151-4ee9-a7ee-8838e4339c9c?shareToken=e990728b96fe053e062ce3bc6a7e46e9

Everyday Thoughts from Your Feline Friends

by Luis Coelho

#TheBookofPurrs #NetGalley

Cat lovers (and others) will enjoy this one. Some of the entries are comic. Others are written to offer a bit of self-love, comfort and wisdom. Who couldn’t use that?

This book would make a nice holiday gift for a cat person (purrson?).

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

Pub date: 22 October 2024

by Vinita Hampton Wright

#2025ABookofGraceFilledDays #NetGalley

This book of 365 short meditations begins with Advent and continues through the year. Each entry includes a quote from the Bible followed by something to think about.

This is a book for those who are of the Christian/Catholic faith primarily. It does offer some good opportunity for reflection. Think of concepts like grace and gratitude.

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

Pub date: 30 July 2024

by Rosemary Wells

#TheLittleChefs #NetGalley

I was/am a great fan of this author’s Max & Ruby series. I did not know about the stories contained in this volume and was delighted to give them a read.

This book has some of the same qualities that have made Wells a beloved author. The illustrations are whimsical and the stories are imaginative. I think that kids and their adults will enjoy this collection of averted cooking disasters. I know that I wish that the Little Chefs would come to visit me!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Astra Publishing House for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 22 October 2024

100 logic puzzles to solve the murder mystery

by Dan Moore; Clarity Media; Collins Puzzles

 #MurderattheMillpond #NetGalley

Anyone who enjoys puzzles and/or mystery novels will want to take a look at this title. Within the framework of a traditional crime story readers find a number of puzzles; these are completed in order to solve the case. Some of the puzzle types may be familiar to solvers while others may be new.

Anyone who has happily purchased the Murdle books will enjoy this one as well. I plan to buy the hard copy as I think that I need pencil and paper to truly enjoy this one fully.

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

Pub date: 12 September 2024

#MotherDaughterMurderNight #NetGalley

This book has gotten a lot of hype, including being picked for Reese’s book club and receiving a starred review from Library Journal. Based on that, readers may expect a lot from this first novel. In my opinion, it delivers. It is the kind of read where I kept saying that I would return to other things that I had to do when I finished the chapter that I was reading…but then, I just kept on going. All in all, I really enjoyed this one. There are humor, family relationships, a murder…and all of this is well executed in these pages.

Readers meet the three women of the family. Lana has been a real go-getter. A cancer diagnosis has led her to needing some assistance not an easy thing for her. Lana asks her daughter for help and Beth brings her from LA to a quieter community by the water with a slough.

Beth was a teen mother. She is a nurse who lives on the grid but with a homespun lifestyle. She and Lana have a history of not seeing eye to eye. Beth is mom to Jack (Jacqueline), who, when the story opens has been a pretty independent and competent teen. She has led many expeditions on the waters near her house.

What will happen when a body is found? Which of these women will be under suspicion? (Readers find this answer early on.) Who will get involved in finding the truth? Will they succeed? Read this one to find out. Readers will be glad that they did!

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for this title. All opinions are my now.

Pub date: 05 September 2023

From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Simon’s dazzling debut delivers everything a mystery fan could crave, including a realistically nuanced cast of characters, a vividly evoked coastal California setting, writing imbued with a deliciously desiccated sense of wit, and a perfectly plotted murder with enough red herrings deftly dropped in to confound the most experienced mystery reader. Insightful and frequently funny analysis of family dynamics wrapped up in a cleverly crafted cozy crime novel.” — Library Journal (starred review)

“Three women bond while investigating a homicide in Simon’s spirited debut…. Simon stocks her layered plot with plausibly motivated suspects and convincing red herrings, but it’s her indomitable female characters and their nuanced relationships that give this mystery its spark. Readers will be delighted.” — Publishers Weekly

The Cozy Christmas Cookbook

50 Recipes to Rediscover the Magic of the Season

by Taylor Vance

For anyone who thinks about the holiday season well in advance, here is a book for you. Instead of the blazing sunshine that I have today, I will think of fireplace warmth as I peruse these recipes.

The chapters are a bit whimsically named. For example, one is title Yummy Stocking Stuffer Sides, while another is Deck the Halls with Sips & Sugar.

The recipes seem easy to follow. The illustrations are inspiring. See for example the Ho, Ho Holiday Appetizer Wreath. For another appetizer, consider Santa Suit Button Mushrooms. Keeping with adorable recipe/illustration, see the one for Rudolph’s Reindeer Burgers. A nice looking dessert is the Joyeux Dark Cherry Clafoutis.

All in all, this cookbook teams up the cute and the tasty. It seems perfect for its audience.

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

Five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

In my opinion, Marie Benedict is among the best of the current writers of historical fiction. Here, once again, the author has succeeded in writing an absorbing story that is based upon historical fact. Unlike in her earlier novels, this time she tells the story of six important characters (rather than one) who were sisters. They were so different from each other that it is hard to believe that they had the same parents.

The family included one son, Tom and many daughters. There was Nancy, the novelist. Diana was beautiful, married to one of (those) Guinnesses but she left

Bryan to be with the Fascist Oswald Mosley. Unity was somewhat of a fanatic who was deeply enamored of Hitler while Jessica was a Communist. There were also younger sisters Debo and Pamela.

Benedict tells her chapters from different characters points of view. She often has characters detailing their experiences in the same time frame.

There is a very rich history in this family. Readers will enjoy learning more about the Mitfords in this well written story.

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

From the Publisher