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.
Meg Shaffer’s previous novel, The Wishing Game, was one of my favorite books last year. So, I was incredibly excited to receive an e galley of The Lost Story.
In this title, the author develops an imaginative story that pays homage to CS Lewis. Just as Lewis did, Shaffer creates an alternate and magical world populated by unique characters and situations. As in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, characters lives will be transformed.
Two boys, Rafe and Jeremy, disappeared only to miraculously return six months later. How did their relationship and lives fare after this? What happens to them and a young woman named Emily fifteen years later? No more plot reveals as readers will want to have their own experience while reading this.
Good and evil, many kinds of love, and adventure await in this highly recommended title. BookPage has given it a well deserved star review.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing-Ballantine Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Louise has finally gathered the courage to take the police civil service exam, but when she returns to her secretary job at the midtown publishing house of Van Hooten and McChesney, she’s shocked to find the offices smoldering from a deadly, early morning fire. Huddled on the sidewalk, her coworkers inform her that Guy Van Hooten’s body has been found in the charred ruins. Rumors of foul play are already circulating, and the firm’s surviving partner asks Louise to investigate the matter.
Despite a number of possible suspects, the last person Louise expects to be arrested is Ogden McChesney, an old friend and mentor to her aunt Irene. Louise will have to search high and low, from the tenements in the Lower East Side to the very clouds above the tallest skyscrapers, to get to the bottom of an increasingly complex case . . .
How it starts:
From the publisher:
How would you aid a police officer in making the arrest of one or more violent criminals?
My forehead broke out in a dewy film of panic. Ever since this past summer when I’d found myself in the middle of a murder investigation, I’d envisioned myself as a policewoman in the New York Police Department. In my dreams, I would rise quickly through the ranks by dint of hard work, bravery, and cleverness to become a detective. I set my mind on taking the police civil service exam and studied every night after my workday as secretary at the publisher Van Hooten and McChesney. I also set aside Sunday afternoons, as well as any other moment I could sneak a few glances at my well-thumbed pamphlet of New York City’s municipal ordinances. I was nothing if not determined.
Yet here I was, taking the long-awaited test, and my cleverness had deserted me at Question 2.
About the author:
Liz Freeland lives with her husband in Montreal, where she writes and astounds the locals with her makeshift French. An elderly cat or dog (or two . . . or four) can typically be found in her apartment, and during the busiest day, Liz usually finds time to sneak in an old movie.
Other titles in this series:
Book One
Book Three
My thoughts:
Those who enjoy historical mysteries that feature strong women protagonists will want to give this title a look. They will then meet Louise who wants to be in the police but works in publishing as the story opens. When a murder occurs, Louise knows the victim and at least one suspect. She gets involved.
Follow Louise as she traverses Manhattan trying to figure everything out. Readers will hope that she solves the case and gets her position with the police.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this title. All thoughts are my own.
NOTE THAT ON 15 AUGUST, THIS TITLE IN E BOOK FORMAT IS UNDER THREE DOLLARS
Expect the unexpected in this fun debut to, what I hope, is a new series by Tamara Berry. It offers some eccentricity, a good story line and some unexpected events, all within the traditional(ish) mystery genre.
Amber must be feeling pretty desperate. She leaves home in the middle of the night and, although well below age, escapes to a community for older adults. Probably desperate to go here and to meet up with a relative she doesn’t even know. And, what about that tortoise? Add murder to the mix and the story is on its way. Lucky Amber has had some PI training.
This title is definitely worth a look and seems perfect for these lazy summer days.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
Kirkus Reviews says: A knockout series debut from a veteran author with street cred in both mystery and romance…Despite Berry’s breezy tone and drop-dead-funny japes at Seven Ponds and its eccentric residents and staff, she tells a heartrending tale of how complicated families can be.” ― Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
Central Park is an iconic part of New York. It is a remarkable space that was set aside in the city’s real estate for people of all classes, and one that is beloved by many. Poochigian invites the reader into the park from the first page where he dedicates his book to the man who planned the park, Frederick Olmsted. His admiration is clear.
Poochigian immediately speaks directly to the reader, urging them to take a look at the park, which, they will come to see, is filled with beauty and variety. Next, the walks and commentary-there are four and they are glorious with inviting text (really(!) because the reader is constantly invited to come see) and photos. I wish that there were more of these.
Follow one of these walking tours, either virtually or when it is possible to be at the park in person. Those who are visiting for the first time will, I think, be amazed by how much is on offer. Those who already think that they know the park, will find that there is a bit more to discover. Note that some of this is grim as in the detailing of “The Preppy Murder.” Yet, the good far outweighs the sad.
The text is beautifully written and a pleasure to read. Poochigian is a poet and it shows.
Get to know the park through this title. It is special.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Familius for this title. All thoughts are my own.
They can’t even agree on what to read, so how are they going to solve a murder?
Having recently moved from London to a small Cornish seaside village, Nova Davies started a book club at the local community center, but so far it’s a disaster. The five members disagree on everything, and to make matters worse, a significant sum of money is stolen during one of the meetings, putting the much-loved community center at risk.
Suspicion for the theft falls on book club member Michael, especially when he disappears and a dead body turns up at his house. But the book club has their own theories. Agatha Christie superfan Phyllis is determined to prove Michael’s been framed, while romance reader Arthur believes there’s a mystery woman involved, and teenage sci-fi fan Ash thinks dark forces are at play.
While trying to locate Michael, solve the murder and recover the stolen money, each of them has their own secrets to protect. But despite the danger closing in, they won’t rest until they’ve cracked the case and gotten everyone safe at home with a book, where they belong.
About the Author
Freya Sampson works in television as a creator and executive producer. Her credits include two documentary series for the BBC about the British royal family as well as a number of factual and entertainment series. She studied history at Cambridge University and in 2018 was short-listed for the Exeter Novel Prize. She lives in London with her husband, two young children, and an antisocial cat.
My thoughts:
I very much enjoyed Freya Sampson’s Nosy Neighbors. Anyone who liked that one will want to read this author’s new release. For those who have not read books by Sampson, here is a lovely place to start.
Sampson writes stories that feature quirky individuals who find themselves in interesting situations. The novels are about connections between people, and the plots that surround them. That is certainly the case here.
Nova has moved to a small Cornish village with her partner. They are living with his family which is not easy. Pamela, a bossy future in law, is over organizing Nova’s life. Will Craig and Nova survive as a couple?
At the same time, Nova’s work life is equally challenging. To mention just a few of the obstacles, there is a book club member who may be a thief, Nova’s employer is attacked, and dealing with the idiosyncratic people who come to the center. These include a woman with a smelly dog who sees herself as Miss Marple, an elderly man whose blind wife loves romances in fiction, and a young boy with a crush, among others.
Readers will enjoy finding out how the many people and plots are resolved in a perfect escapist read. Give it a try!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for this title. All opinions are my own.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 