Phryne Fisher is a woman who lives her life the way that she wants and does not apologize for it. Readers may be familiar with her from other books in the long running series. Others may know Phryne from her TV exploits in Miss Fisher’s Mysteries on Acorn TV. Either (or both) ways or even if a reader does not already know her, it is worth while spending time with this protagonist. (Those new to the series do not have to have read the other books but will just have to accept that they do not know all of the characters’ backstories.)
A lot (!) is going on in this book. It opens with a scene that may well jar current sensibilities as an Asian character is called something maybe appropriate to the time of the story but not to our times. Why was this raid done? Was it successful?
At the same time, there are other subplots. Phrnye’s adopted daughters are volunteering at an institute for the blind where someone may indeed be turning a blind eye to discrepancies in the books. Also, why has one of Phryne’s daughter been locked in the music room?
Phrnye find a body (as she tends to). Is this connected to opium pipes that were found in a garden? Who is sending Phryne poisoned pen notes about her personal life (she does have a habit of taking lovers of whom Jeoffrey appears to the the latest)? What is happening with her Asian lover? And to her relationship with police officer Jack?
There are also two women (lovers) who have escaped their institution. Who are they working (and dancing) for?
Will all of these plot lines come together? It will be a test of Ms. Greenwood’s abilities but she has done it before. Follow her lead in 1920s Melbourne where the story takes place. It is an enjoyable read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
As far as I know, this favorite author of mine has not written a mystery like this one before. Well, here is yet another tour de force by Ms. Benedict. It feels like she is skilled at writing both a detective story and historical fiction. I recommend it highly.
Many know who the Queens of Crime were. This group included Dorothy Sayers, Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Baroness Orczy, and Margery Allingham. They all have prominent roles in this enjoyable story that is narrated by Dorothy Sayers.
At the time that the story was set, a number of male writers of detective fiction decided to band together in a society. Well, the women wanted a part of this too and pushed their way into the Detection Club.
In this story, these women want to prove their worth by solving a real case. They become involved in figuring out what happened to a British nurse who was murdered in France. They are intrepid in following clues, making hypotheses, and working to bring matters to a resolution.
Along with the crime story, readers are given insight into who these women of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction were. I enjoyed these parts of the story and also what was shared about the creation of their novels.
All in all, this is a most engaging read that fans of historical crime fiction and Benedict will enjoy. I think that Benedict will find some new enthused readers as well.
Note: I am a fan of toggling between the audio and reading editions of titles. They complement one another and add to my enjoyment. In this instance, the audio book narrator did a wonderful job of speaking in the voices of each of the main characters. This added to my pleasure in this title.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. Also, thank you to Macmillan Audio for the audio book. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 11 February 2025
Another forthcoming title featuring these characters:
Imagine, the letters one has sent out into the world, the letters received back in turn, are like the pieces of a magnificent puzzle, or, a better metaphor, if dated, the links of a long chain, and even if those links are never put back together, which they will certainly never be, even if they remain for the rest of time dispersed across the earth like the fragile blown seeds of a dying dandelion, isn’t there something wonderful in that, to think that a story of one’s life is preserved in some way, that this very letter may one day mean something, even if it is a very small thing, to someone?” Sybil Van Antwerp has throughout her life used letters to make sense of the world and her place in it. Most mornings, around half past ten, Sybil sits down to write letters—to her brother, to her best friend, to the president of the university who will not allow her to audit a class she desperately wants to take, to Joan Didion and Larry McMurtry to tell them what she thinks of their latest books, and to one person to whom she writes often yet never sends the letter.
Sybil expects her world to go on as it always has—a mother, grandmother, wife, divorcee, distinguished lawyer, she has lived a very full life. But when letters from someone in her past force her to examine one of the most painful periods of her life, she realizes that the letter she has been writing over the years needs to be read and that she cannot move forward until she finds it in her heart to offer forgiveness.
Filled with knowledge that only comes from a life fully lived, The Correspondent is a gem of a novel about the power of finding solace in literature and connection with people we might never meet in person. It is about the hubris of youth and the wisdom of old age, and the mistakes and acts of kindness that occur during a lifetime. Sybil Van Antwerp’s life of letters might be “a very small thing,” but she also might be one of the most memorable characters you will ever read.
About the author:
Virginia Evans is from the east coast of the United States. She attended James Madison University for her bachelor’s in English literature. After starting a family, she went back to school for her master’s of philosophy in creative writing at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, where she had the good fortune to study under Carlo Gébler, Eoin McNamee, Claire Keegan, Harry Clifton and Kevin Power. She now lives in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, with her husband, Mark, two children, Jack and Mae, and her Red Labrador, Brigid.
My thoughts:
Anyone who remembers a time when snail mail was all there was, anyone who enjoys receiving mail (maybe just a birthday card once a year), anyone who longs for letters and loves the way writers express themselves in them will most definitely want to read this book. I am so very glad that I did.
This entire story unfolds in the letters that Sibyl writes. As she composes them, the reader get to know her and those around her. Sibyl has taken on many roles over her long life-she has been an attorney, a wife, a mother, a sister-in-law, a friend, a neighbor, a class auditor…and the list goes on. Sibyl expresses herself so well on paper in this book that is a love letter to the epistolary form.
Those who appreciate good fiction that is well written will absolutely want to pick this one up. It is a title to savor.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.
PS. Watch for who Sibyl writes to (Joan Didion for one) and the books that she is reading. They enhanced my experience with this novel.
Anthony Horowitz is a creative and imaginative author of complex mysteries. This book follows on his earlier novel, The Magpie Murders that also featured Susan Ryeland and the story within a story detective, Atticus Pund. I liked this title more than that first title in the series.
When the story starts, Susan has left England to run a hotel on a Greek island. It seems that venture is beginning to pale so when the opportunity comes to return to England, Susan is on her way. Susan is asked to investigate the disappearance of a hotelier’s daughter. Cecily was not seen again after calling her parents to tell them that, based on an Atticus Pund novel, she believes that a guest murdered at the hotel a number of years previously, was not killed by the accused and then convicted hotel worker. Does this sound a bit confusing and convoluted? Well, it just may be.
Susan investigates the case and, as part of her research, rereads the Atticus Pund book. That novel is very cleverly inserted in the middle of the book. I found this to be so appealing. There was the book cover, the blurbs, the copyright, everything one would expect but, again, it is a novel within the novel.
Will Susan solve the case? What happened to the missing daughter? Who committed the murder at the hotel and that is then fictionalized in the Pund book? There are many characters and there is lots to solve here.
This book is original and intriguing. I very much enjoyed it. It is long at over 600 pages so settle in for a long read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I recently “discovered” Australian author Tricia Stringer. This has been part of my exploring and reading women’s fiction by several Australian authors including Sophie Green, Maya Linnell, and Sandie Docker.
The Family Inheritance is the second book that I have read and enjoyed by Ms. Stringer. It might be a little predictable at times but it offered exactly the kind of escape that I was wanting. At over 400 pages, I got to spend lots of time with the characters.
This is the story of three generations of women and the many family and friends who surround them. In the oldest generation readers meet Hazel and Alice. They are sisters with both ties and secrets. Next is Felicity-what is her connection to both Hazel and Alice? Then, in the youngest generation, meet Greta.
The relationships of each of these women to the men in their lives is one significant thread of the book. Each considers what has happened to them and what they want for their future.
Will these characters find their peace and happier endings by the end of the book? Read this one to find out.
By the way, Stringer has a novel coming out in October 2025. I will be purchasing it.
Discover the enriching lessons of winter through practices that promote rest, contemplation, and rejuvenation, including rituals for self-care, slow living, mindfulness, and creativity. Perfect for fans of Wintering and How to Do Nothing.
Wintering is the practice of slowing down to rest and recuperate, just as nature does in the quiet winter months. This enchanting little book makes it easy to discover the joys of these essential pauses that allow us to nourish our bodies, quiet our minds, and rejuvenate our spirits so we can welcome the bright promises of spring. A mix of evocative photography and charming illustration enriches the experience, inviting us to browse, linger, contemplate, and engage with the reflections and suggestions.
Organized around the five senses—with advice on what to see, what to listen for, what to touch, how to breathe, and how to taste—these pages make it easy to create your own wintering practice through:
Nature-inspired rituals for rest, stillness, and contemplation
Recipes, meditations, and creative projects to encourage slow living
Inspiration from wintering traditions throughout the world
And so much more.
Brimming with enlightening lessons and lovely, nature-inspired artwork throughout, this cozy companion from the author of A Little Book of Japanese Contentments reminds us that moments of peace, beauty, and joy are always available if we know how to look for them.
EASY GUIDE TO SELF-CARE: This petite handbook-sized volume is filled with inspiring wisdom and simple-to-follow tips, offering easy ways to incorporate rituals for well-being into our everyday lives.
DIGITAL DETOX: Filled with screen-free activities, The Pleasures of Wintering offers an enriching alternative for anyone exhausted by social media and invites us to experience the joys of being present, slowing down, and embracing simple pleasures.
WELLNESS GIFT: This beautifully designed hardcover book is infinitely giftable to friends, family, partners, co-workers, students, or anyone who needs a gentle pick-me-up.
Perfect for:
Meditators and mindfulness practitioners
Nature enthusiasts and people interested in cold-water plunging and other forms of contrast therapy
Anyone interested in digital detoxing and stress relief
Crafters, artists, knitters, journalers, or anyone seeking to kickstart a creative habit
Readers of personal development and self-help bestsellers like Wintering and How to Do Nothing
My thoughts:
A number of years ago, I changed my mindset about the winter. I used to dislike that it got dark so early but came to love that, because of this, I felt less pressure to be out and about. Instead, sometimes in the evening, I would light a candle, make a cup of tea and read a good book. Bliss.
Anyone who can relate to this mindset (or who aspires to do so) may want to take a look at this title.
I liked the photos and graphics in this title. I also liked the many quotes and some of the facts. For example, I thought about the bees in winter after reading about them.
Readers will also find many suggestions for how to approach this time of year. In addition, there is also personal reflection in this book. This may speak more to some readers than others.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
“A lovely book that encourages readers to choose a slower, more mindful way of living through embracing meaningful and reflective behaviors… a helpful self-care guide for anyone seeking to ease life’s hectic pace.” ― Library Journal
About the Author
Erin Niimi Longhurst is a Japanese-British writer based in London. Her writing explores self-care, food, travel, and Japanese practices for well-being. She is the author of Little Book of Japanese Contentments and Omoiyari: The Japanese Art of Compassion.
March 2026 Prepub Alert: forthcoming titles to know, share, and buy; plus a downloadable spreadsheet of all the titles and an Edelweiss catalog with plot summaries, author profiles, and more.
— Read on www.libraryjournal.com/story/Prepub-Alert-March-2026-Titles
When I read the description of this title, I was eager to pick it up. I loved that it was centered on a book store (that only sold books from before 1900) and that literary ghosts were said to appear nightly.
This is the story of Aurelia who inherited a small shop from a relative. As the story opens, she has faced loss and is adrift. The reader hopes that the magic of this bookstore will lead Aurelia to a sense of peace and happiness.
While I liked this book, I did not love it. For me, it was a bit slow to get going. For instance, I watched as Aurelia observed the ghosts and felt like I was kept waiting for her to be in contact with them.
This is a nice story with a slow moving romance that those who can suspend disbelief may want to read. I just wish that I had liked it a tiny bit more.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the author for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 03 November 2025
Editorial Reviews
Review
“…[A] charming tale of a writer finding inspiration and a chance at true love via the characters in her favorite classic novels… [A]n appealing blend of fantasy and romance… A delightful love letter to great literature.” —Kirkus Reviews
“In a love letter to readers and dreamers, debut author Andersen crafts a richly layered world in which beloved characters come to life … From the warmth of Marmee from Little Women to the wisdom of Sergeant Cuff from The Moonstone, each character she meets in her literary explorations enriches Aurelia’s world … Readers will find themselves eagerly turning the page, breathless for more in this new series.” —BookLife
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 