An Elm Creek Quilts Novel

by Jennifer Chiaverini

 #TheMuseumofLostQuilts #NetGalley

I enjoyed spending time with the Elm Creek Quilters beginning with the very first in the series, The Quilter’s Apprentice. I went on to read each entry as it came out.

After a bit, Chiaverini turned her hand to historical fiction. I thought that was the last that I would see of these characters, their quilts, their stories and some history. Happily, Chiaverini is now back at Elm Creek. There is this book and another one coming out in the spring. I think that her fans will rejoice.

In this book, readers catch up with so many of the people who have spent time at quilting classes and with those who teach them. There is a lot of focus on one of the younger women, Summer, who is trying to figure out what she wants to do. Does she want to continue in her Ph.D. program? In the meanwhile, she becomes involved with a very interesting project and meets a number of quilters. An old building is to be restored and an exhibit of historical quilts will be featured.

This is a quiet, easy to read story. It is perfect for when a reader wants a chance to slow down.

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

Pub date: 30 April 2024

Another title by this author:

It was for us: The Women’s March by Jennifer Chiaverini

by Ann Cleeves

Welcome back, Jimmy Perez and Willow Reeves!

Ann Cleeves is the author of many wonderful mystery series. She is, perhaps, best known for Vera but my favorites are the Jimmy Perez titles. Note that there are also series featuring the bird watchers named Palmer, and the Inspector Ramsays which were earlier and the more recent Matthew Venn books.

When Wild Fire was published, I thought that was the last time that I would read about Jimmy. I was sad about that so imagine how thrilled I was when I heard about this new title. When I received it from NetGalley, I was ecstatic.

Readers do not have to have read the other books to enjoy this one but whether the earlier entries are read before or after this one, they will offer readers a lot of pleasure. I recommend them all.

The story picks up with Jimmy and pregnant Willow who are now living and working in Orkney, whereas they had earlier been in Shetland. This gives them a fresh start but they will feel very much the same to fans of the books who will enjoy catching up with the couple and their young son.

This time, there is a lot of history about Orkney and an archaeological dig is an important setting in the story. When the first murder occurs, it is very personal to Jimmy as the victim is someone with whom he grew up. Jimmy is challenged to maintain his objectivity while also mourning. He needs to interview Archie’s wife Vaila and her parents among others. The killings do not stop at one murder. Readers can trust that Jimmy and Willow will work very hard to restore peace and order.

The settings in this book are beautifully brought to life. The important artifacts in the story are made vivid in the reader’s imagination. The characters are equally well described and are plentiful.

This book offers everything that a mystery lover of traditional stories could want. Those who already follow this series will be delighted and there may be new fans for Cleeves here.

Kirkus Reviews states: “A first-rate mystery full of historical detail and descriptions of a beautiful place.” I concur.

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

Pub date: 30 September 2025

Some others in this series:

Note that there are reviews on my site for the author’s other series featuring Vera Stanhope and the one with Matthew Venn.

Almost good-bye to Jimmy Perez: Cold Earth by Ann Cleeves

Farewell to Fair Isle and Shetland: Wild Fire by Ann Cleeves

Note:

Those who enjoy this book may also want to look at Stig Abell’s latest. It is somewhat similar and also very good.

The Burial Place by Stig Abell

From the Publisher

At first, I had avoided reading this book because of a huge spoiler that deterred me.  I am so glad that I eventually decided to change my mind.  The Frank is Frank Lloyd Wright, the renowned architect.  Think Falling Water among other places.

This historical novel takes place when FLW was a young man.  It tells the story of his first and second marriages in an involving and engaging way.  You might not always like Frank Lloyd Wright when you read this novel but I think that you will find him to be intriguing.  I very much enjoyed getting to know Mamah Borthwick Chaney, a Chicago society matron.  I will let you learn who she was for yourself.  Spoiler alert…The story has some very real tragedy but is well worth the read.

Highly recommended. 5 ***** out of 5.

A Blurb:
“It takes great courage to write a novel about historical people, and in particular to give voice to someone as mythic as Frank Lloyd Wright. This beautifully written novel about Mamah Cheney and Frank Lloyd Wright’s love affair is vivid and intelligent, unsentimental and compassionate.”
——Jane Hamilton

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.

The Whispered Word by Ellery Adams is an e book bargain

#TheWhisperedWord #NetGalley

The Whispered Word is the second entry in the Secret, Book and Scone Society series.  The main characters’ secrets were fully described in the first book but a reader can still enjoy this one as a standalone novel.

What I enjoyed most about this book were the characters and the setting.  Yes, belief has to be suspended, but I would love to visit and spend time with Nora and her three closest friends.  Nora’s town, Miracle Springs. attracts people in need of saving and second chances.  Nora owns the local bookstore and is a very astute and well-versed bookseller.  There are many references to both fiction and non-fiction titles throughout the novel.  Nora herself is named for the character in Ibsen’s play.  Just a few of the titles mentioned in the novel include The Witch of Blackbird Pond, A Doll’s House, Harry Potter, One Snowy Day and a number of books on adoption and tidying up.

But of course, there is more than just books in this book.  Abilene comes to town and is a young girl who has had a difficult life and clearly has secrets of her own.  Has she committed crimes including murder?  There is also a shop, Virtual Genie that is offering to consign goods for people in the town.  It looks like a fantastic service but is there more to it?  You can probably answer these questions but finding out the answers is still fun.

The Whispered Word is about friendship, relationships, taking risks…and solving mysteries.  It is an excellent cozy.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.  I enjoyed my second visit with these characters and am eager for book three.

My sister and I fought so bitterly over our copy of “Little Women” that our mother had to buy a second one. Obviously, we didn’t learn much from the story.
— Read on www.nytimes.com/2025/08/22/books/review/siblings-childrens-books.html

Our critic on the best new books this month.
— Read on www.nytimes.com/2025/07/22/books/review/new-romance-novels.html

www.nytimes.com/2025/08/21/books/haunted-house-books.html

by Tirzah Price

#PrideandPremeditation #NetGalley

From the title, it is clear that this book will have something to do with Pride and Prejudice and, indeed, it does. While this is a book for kids, many adults who like Austen retellings may want to read this as well. It is quite clever in how it situates the original P and P characters into the story which takes place in a time period similar to that of the original.

Those who’ve read P and P know that Lizzie is clever, independent and has her own mind. This is true in this title as well. As the book opens, Lizzie is working in her father’s law firm. She wants her work to be recognized but that is quite difficult for her as a young woman. Rather, the loathsome, Mr. Collins takes credit for her labors. Also working in the office as a secretary is Catherine. These are just some of the old friends who appear in this title.

When a certain Mr. Bingley is accused of murder, the plot line is set. Read along for an enjoyable take off on the original. I found it to be a fun read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collin’s Children’s Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub Date 06 Apr 2021

From the Publisher

Next in the series

This is the fourth, and final, book in the series that began with Last Call of the Nightingale. The Last Drop of Hemlock and The Last Note of Warning were books two and three.

The novels take place in the 1920s and feature some queer (gay) characters. There is a speakeasy that is important throughout the series. The feel of the nightclub is made very real to readers.

Readers get to know Vivian Kelly who spends much time at the Nightingale. They also spend time with Vivian’s relatives.

This time, the nightclub feels very unsafe. The reasons for this may well lie in the past. Will the Nightingale survive (last book in a series so readers may wonder)? Will whatever happened in the past be resolved? How will Vivian fare as the series ends?

Those who enjoyed spending time with Vivian will, no doubt, be sorry to finish this book as they may want more Vivian. She is given a send off of which she is worthy.

Note: It might be best to read the books in order so as to fully appreciate the backstories of the characters.

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

Pub date: 17 June 2025

Mysteries & Thrillers-Historical Fiction