Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

#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

www.nytimes.com/2025/12/12/books/joanna-trollope-dead.html

#ThisBookMadeMeThinkofYou #NetGalley

I was so very excited when Berkley approved me for this title as I have enjoyed Libby Page’s novels ever since I came across The Lido. Picking a favorite book of hers is not easy but this one might just be it. It was sooo good.

This is a story for anyone who can imagine a tragic loss and the need to find a way forward. It is also for anyone who loves books. The intersection comes in this novel when the books lead to healing for Tilly Nightingale.

Not a spoiler because readers know this almost immediately, Tilly is a young widow. She desperately misses her husband Joe. He is very much a presence throughout this story.

Joe has left a unique gift for Tilly. Every month for a year, there will be a book waiting for her at a local bookshop. I do not want to spoil the fun by revealing any of these (real) book titles.

Each book leads to something for Tilly. There is growth through travel, for example. Again, I don’t want to spoil the reader’s pleasure by saying more.

For each month of the year, Page also has a list of books by topic. Readers will get some good suggestions in these.

Even though this title is predicated on loss, in some ways it felt like a fairy tale to me. Readers will hope for something of a happy ending by the novel’s end.

Meet Tilly and a rather special bookshop owner. Spend time with Tilly’s family and friends. Finish this book and start asking when will a new book by Libby Page come out?

I highly recommend this title. I loved it.

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

Pub date: 03 February 2026

Post first published on 15 December 2025

About the book:

from the publisher

A woman receives an unexpected gift from the man she loved and lost—a year of books, one for every month—launching a reading-inspired journey to live, dream, and love again in this glimmering and heart-stopping novel.

Twelve books. Twelve months. One chance to heal her heart…

When Tilly Nightingale receives a call telling her there’s a birthday gift from her husband waiting for her at her local bookshop, it couldn’t come as more of a shock. Partly because she can’t remember the last time she read a book for pleasure. But mainly because Joe died five months ago….

When she goes to pick up the present, Alfie, the bookshop owner with kind eyes, explains the gift—twelve carefully chosen books with handwritten letters from Joe, one for each month, to help her turn the page on her first year without him.

At first Tilly can’t imagine sinking into a fictional world, but Joe’s tender words convince her to try, and something remarkable happens—Tilly becomes immersed in the pages, and a new chapter begins to unfold in her own life. Monthly trips to the bookstore—and heartfelt conversations with Alfie—give Tilly the comfort she craves and the courage to set out on a series of reading-inspired adventures that take her around the world. But as she begins to share her journey with others, her story—like a book—becomes more than her own.

Reviews:

“A beautifully crafted tribute to books, booksellers, and the transformative power of reading… Readers of all kinds will be captivated by this tender exploration of loss, healing, and the enduring connections that books create.”—Library Journal (starred review)

“Page creates a cozy world that shimmers with whimsy even as she delicately explores grief… The novel serves as a reminder that books have the power to shape lives… The perfect cozy read for book lovers, sure to break and heal hearts.”—Kirkus (starred review)

About Libby Page:

from Amazon

Libby Page is a Sunday Times bestselling author whose work has been published in over 20 territories around the world. Before becoming an author, she worked in journalism and marketing. She is a keen outdoor swimmer and lives in Somerset with her husband and young son.

Other books by Libby Page:

www.nytimes.com/2025/12/11/books/hidden-gems-books-favorites.html