Month: December 2025

Robert Thorogood is the creator of the popular TV series Death in Paradise. Here is the third of his Marlow Murder Club mysteries. (They are also going to be coming to TV, with the first series already available). It will appeal to those who enjoy Richard Osman’s series.

Here too are a group of friends who play amateur detective (and busybody). Judith, Becks and Susie have distinct personalities and are only to eager to use them to advantage as they poke their noses in.

When the Mayor of Marlow is murdered by the Queen of Poisons (do you know what poison this is?) the stage is set. Follow along with the team as they solve this cozy village mystery. It is perfect for when you need to be pleasantly distracted.

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

Pub date: 04 June 2024

From PBS-Masterpiece

About the Show

An all-new adaptation of Robert Thorogood’s novel The Marlow Murder Club is coming to MASTERPIECE on PBS on October 27,. 2024. The thrilling, four part series stars Samantha Bond who is joined by Jo Martin, Cara Horgan and Natalie Dew.

Samantha Bond (Downton Abbey, Home Fires) takes the lead as Judith Potts, alongside Jo Martin (Doctor Who, Back to Life) as Suzie Harris, Cara Horgan (The Sandman, Traitors) as Becks Starling and Natalie Dew (Sandylands, The Capture) as DS Tanika Malik. Steve Barron (The Durrells in Corfu, Mrs Sidhu Investigates) is set to direct.

Author and writer Robert Thorogood said: “After over a decade of working on Death in Paradise, I’m thrilled to be creating a brand-new murder mystery series for TV. I can’t wait for audiences to join Judith, Becks and Suzie on their adventures as they solve a series of fiendishly puzzling murders.”

#GilmoreGirlsPopCultureReferenceGuide #NetGalley

Anyone who spent time in Star’s Hollow knows how special the Gilmore Girls TV series was. It was such a clever, witty show with characters to whom viewers became attached. It is clear that Matt Browning was one of those who became deeply attached.

Browning has taken on a huge project by meticulously tracking the many pop culture references that were mentioned on the show. These include books/plays, fashion, music, geography and many more topics.

This book will be enjoyed by die hard GG fans. There will be those who do not feel that they need to know all of this in such detail. It will be each fans choice as to whether or not this book is for them.

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

Pub date: 03 March 2025

Description:

from the publisher

Finally understand every single pop culture joke, obscure reference, and witty one-liner that makes Gilmore Girls one of the most reference-packed shows in television history.

Gilmore Girls Pop Culture Reference Guide is an in-depth look at the thousands of topical references to people, places, movies, music, and events that make up many of the funniest lines on the ever-popular television series Gilmore Girls, bringing new and longtime fans alike in on the joke while educating readers about pop culture and world events from the turn of the twenty-first century. Despite the timelessness of its humor and heart, however, there is one aspect of Gilmore Girls that firmly anchors it in its era: the sizable cache of dated pop culture references that were topical for the time period but leave today’s viewers, especially those of younger generations, scratching their heads. 

Over the course of seven seasons and 153 episodes from 2000 to 2007, followed by a four-part revival series in 2016, Gilmore Girls has become a cultural touchstone with an extraordinarily devoted fan base. In every episode, its fast-paced style of dialogue offered biting observations and timeless humor about issues such as dating, sex, marriage, divorce, race, gender equality, gay rights, and more, while its characters offered rapid-fire pop culture references with seemingly every breath. Every episode is laced with jokes about people, places, and events that have been blurred, or even forgotten, by time, from the Bangles to the Mothman Prophecies to the works of Shakespeare to the long-forgotten Glitter. Meticulously researched episode by episode, Gilmore Girls Pop Culture Reference Guide is an eye-opening, illuminating encyclopedia of thousands of topical jokes that will help both new and longtime fans experience their favorite show in a whole new light.

Anyone who watches baking shows knows who the inimitable Prue Leith is. However, she has done more in life than spend time with Paul Hollywood as this book shows.

This is a brilliant cookbook. There are the expected sections such as breakfast, etc and many recipes that I would like to try. There are also many tips and “hacks” to help. Even better, there are q codes that link to cooking demonstrations!

I highly recommend this title to home cooks.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto publishing group for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 15 October 2024

#EmilyDickinson #NetGalley

This title is part of a series on women in poetry. It does a wonderful job of both showcasing and illuminating the works of Dickinson.

I loved the cover of this volume and was so interested to see that it was inspired by one of Dickinson’s poems that begins “The robin is the one.” That poem, and many of the others, seem deceptively simple but they are often profound.

The poems are thematically organized into the following categories:

Love

Death & Spirituality

Identity & Creativity

and

Nature.

Readers can dip in wherever they like and will find something to think about. In addition, readers can go for a deeper dive by reading the notes.

All in all, this is a lovely addition to Dickinson collections. It would make a perfect gift.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Gemini Book Group for this title. All thoughts are my own.

Pub date: 05 February 2025

Description:

from the publisher

Explore the enigmatic life and poetry of Emily Dickinson, whose poetry delves into themes of death, nature, love and the complexities of the human soul, making her a timeless figure in American literature.

This volume offers a deep dive into Dickinson’s most iconic poems, organized into thematic sections that illuminate her contemplations on individuality, spirituality, nature, love and the afterlife.

From the haunting stillness of Because I Could Not Stop for Death to the vibrant celebration of nature in A Narrow Fellow in the Grass, Dickinson’s poems resonate with an intimacy and depth that remain remarkably relevant today.

This collection features both well-loved works and lesser-known gems, paired with insightful commentary that places them in their historical and personal context.

Poet and literary critic Pelé Cox writes an introduction to the book and analysis of ten of the more complex poems, providing readers with a greater understanding of Dickinson’s solitary life, her reclusive nature, and the quiet genius that has captivated generations of readers.

As Dickinson’s poetry continues to inspire new generations of readers and feminists, this book is the perfect companion for anyone fascinated by her unique voice and profound impact on poetry.

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.

Description:

from the publisher

INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
The 19th mystery in the #1 New York Times-bestselling Armand Gamache series.

Relentless phone calls interrupt the peace of a warm August morning in Three Pines. Though the tiny Québec village is impossible to find on any map, someone has managed to track down Armand Gamache, head of homicide at the Sûreté, as he sits with his wife in their back garden. Reine-Marie watches with increasing unease as her husband refuses to pick up, though he clearly knows who is on the other end. When he finally answers, his rage shatters the calm of their quiet Sunday morning.

That’s only the first in a sequence of strange events that begin THE GREY WOLF, the nineteenth novel in Louise Penny’s #1 New York Times-bestselling series. A missing coat, an intruder alarm, a note for Gamache reading “this might interest you”, a puzzling scrap of paper with a mysterious list—and then a murder. All propel Chief Inspector Gamache and his team toward a terrible realization. Something much more sinister than any one murder or any one case is fast approaching.

Armand Gamache, Jean-Guy Beauvoir, his son-in-law and second in command, and Inspector Isabelle Lacoste can only trust each other, as old friends begin to act like enemies, and long-time enemies appear to be friends. Determined to track down the threat before it becomes a reality, their pursuit takes them across Québec and across borders. Their hunt grows increasingly desperate, even frantic, as the enormity of the creature they’re chasing becomes clear. If they fail the devastating consequences would reach into the largest of cities and the smallest of villages.

Including Three Pines.

My thoughts:

I have been a loyal (and delighted) reader of Penny’s novels ever since Still Life was published. With The Grey Wolf we are at book 19. Next up is The Black Wolf which will pick up where this novel left off.

The beginning of the novel was just lovely. I enjoyed being back in Three Pines and feeling the love and community that exist in that space. However, unfortunately that peace is completely shattered when Gamache and his team become involved in unthinkable events.

There is a lot going on in this book. There are many characters, many places, and many references to events in earlier books. I found it a bit challenging to keep up. I finally stopped trying and just barreled ahead.

While I think that there is much to recommend The Grey Wolf, it is not my favorite Penny work. I very much liked the time in Three Pines (though there was less than in other titles) and the fun of seeing characters from earlier books reappear. However, I think I prefer my Penny smaller. This was a story about a potential catastrophic event and it is told on a big scale. For me, it was not as effective as some of the earlier books.

Have you read The Grey Wolf? What are your thoughts? I continue to puzzle mine out.

From the Publisher:

Kirkus Reviews says:

One of those rare triple-deckers that’s actually worth every page, every complication, every bead of sweat.

#VowsandVillainy #NetGalley

One’s wedding day is supposed to be a happy and memorable one. However, in this latest entry in Penney’s series, instead there is murder and mayhem when a Shakespearean themed wedding goes awry. How will a murder be solved? Will the weddings take place?

Readers of traditional mysteries know the answers but the fun is in getting there. It was enjoyable to spend time with these characters and their lives in Cambridge, England. Those who have read other titles in the series will want to look for this latest entry while, those new to the series, may want to read every one.

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

Pub date: 25 November 2025

Review written on 16 December 2025

Description:

from the publisher

Vows and Villainy is the fifth book in Elizabeth Penney’s delightful Cambridge Bookshop series set in Cambridge, England, where celebrations are about to commence.

It’s wedding season in Cambridge, and Molly Kimball is thrilled that it’s almost time for her best friend’s special day. With the help of her boyfriend Kieran Scott, she is determined to be the best maid of honor for Daisy and Tim. Daisy’s heart is set upon a Shakespeare-themed wedding to be held at Hazelhurst House, Kieran’s family’s home. The Scotts are also hosting a Shakespeare troupe for the summer, and the actors have kindly agreed to be part of the festivities.

But all goes awry with the discovery of Sir Nigel Peck, a famous actor with a checkered past and present-day misdeeds, floating dead in the moat with flowers strewn around him, à la Ophelia. When Kieran’s brother Alan becomes a top suspect, Molly and company must investigate to uncover the ugly truth behind this picturesque scene . . . before more bodies pile up.

Can Molly solve the murder before Daisy and Tim say “I do”?

About the Author:

from Amazon

ELIZABETH PENNEY is the author of more than two dozen cozy mysteries, including the Apron Shop, Cambridge Bookshop, and Ravensea Castle series. The first in the Cambridge Bookshop series, Chapter and Curse, was a 2022 Mary Higgins Clark Award nominee. Elizabeth spent her early years in England and France and now lives in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, where she pens novels and tries to grow things.

Praise for the Cambridge Bookshop series:

“A complex mystery featuring the historic charms of Cambridge and a likable, clever sleuth.”―Kirkus Reviews

“Penney adds to her list of popular, feel-good reads with the start of a new series . . . will please her fans and everyone looking for a diverting read with a pleasantly nostalgic British cozy, a keep-’em-guessing murder mystery, and a lighthearted romance.”―Booklist

Readers who enjoy a Gallic mystery with a British protagonist may well enjoy this second food titled mystery following on the author’s Death and Croissants. It is written by a British comedian who brings a certain sensibility to the genre.

Richard has gone out for dinner. The menu is a tasting one and he has not tasted enough (he is still hungry). The beginnings of a mess emerge with the goat cheese parfait that is the dessert course.

Soon, there is, of course, a murder. It takes place in a cheese related locale. Will Richard, a local B and B owner figure out what has happened? How will his amie, Valerie, contribute? Read this one to find out. It will especially be enjoyed by Francophiles.

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

Pub date: 05 March 2024

#AMurderMostFrench #NetGalley

Four stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This series began with last year’s Mastering the Art of French Murder. This second title is every bit as delightful.

Here is an historical mystery set in post WWII Paris. It features a fictional protagonist, Tabitha, and a friend of hers. That friend is the larger than life Julia Child. Together the two become involved in murderous situations.

This time, chefs should beware what they drink. Not too far into the novel, two have died after imbibing what should have been very special vintages. Tabitha and Julia are on the case even if the police inspector (and possible romantic interest for Tabitha) does not want their help.

What I like best in this book (and in the first one) is the evocation of Paris. When Tabitha and Julia visit a market it is easy to visualize the food and want to start cooking. And speaking of which, every time Julia is around food, and that is often, the book is so much fun.

Highly recommended to those who are foodies, those who love Paris and those who like historical mysteries. I hope there will be a third book soon

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

Pub date: 23 April 2024

This 12-question challenge will test your knowledge of all things Austen.
— Read on www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/12/16/books/review/16TBR-AUSTEN-QUIZ.html