Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

Below is the link to the current Book Review’s mystery reviews.

The link below is to an article featuring thriller reviews.  It was written by Charles Finch who writes his own historical mystery series.

This is a simple story book for young listeners. They will see how well a mother owl takes care of her baby when he becomes ill. The routines of a sick room are simply explained. The reader also sees Little Hoo’s friends arrive. They can’t play with Little Hoo but come back with a get well surprise for him. Children will be reassured to know that when ill, they can feel better soon.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-galley. The opinions are my own.

#LittleHooHasTheFlu #NetGalley

Four very different titles.  One is a historical novel, one a women’s fiction title, one suspense and one a re-read of that modern children’s classic.  I am enjoying each for a different reason.  Reviews will be coming as I finish.  Have you read any of these?  What did you think?

This is quite a clever book in my opinion.  The illustrations are engaging, the text is informative and in the book (unlike in my e-galley), there are flaps to lift; I don’t know about you but I always found flap lifting to be fun when I read with my children.

In this book, children are invited to find a missing movie reel.  Along the way, they are presented with an appealing history of communication.  There are small boxes on each two page spread that are filled with interesting facts.  Children can learn about everything from the discovery of the Rosetta Stone, to telegraphs, to the discovery of graphite, to the printing press, telephones and of course, the movies.  All are presented in a way that makes learning easy and fun.

I highly recommend this one to both kids and adults.  You will all be entertained.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this enjoyable book. The opinions are entirely my own.

#AllAboardTheVoyageOfDiscovery #NetGalley

Here are some examples of the illustrations from the book.

Another month with so many potential good reads.  Great to know that I can stay in and read with the freezing temps outside.  Note that some authors have more than one book as a bargain; for example, Robyn Carr and Charlaine Harris.  Below is a mix of family dramas, historical novels, mysteries and romance.  Enjoy!

From the publisher:

#TheUltimateCartoonBookOfBookCartoons #NetGalley

This visually appealing book consists of a series of two page spreads. Each features modes of transportation. For example, there are two pages that illustrate and talk about hot air balloons. There is another two page spread that is about travel by camel and yet another that features fire engines, police cars and ambulances. I found Around the World in 80 Ways to be a fun, engaging and well illustrated book. I learned a lot about ways of getting around! If you know a child who is interested in how we move, they will most likely enjoy leafing through this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. The opinions are my own. Happy trails!

#AroundTheWorldIn80ways #NetGalley

Dual narratives currently appear to be popular in historical fiction. The recent novel, The Gown, uses this structure. These books offer the perspective of the present while exploring an earlier time and demonstrating that, whatever the period, characters look for meaning, relationships and safety. In this enjoyable novel by Julia Kelly, the reader gets to know Cara in the present and Louise during WWII. The device that links them is the diary that Cara, an antiques expert, finds when she is evaluating the objects in the home of a character with a link to Louise.

When the novel opens, Louise is living with her parents and is a dutiful daughter who dreams of one day moving to California with its sunshine and greater educational opportunities. However, her present is WWII Cornwall where she meets and falls for Paul. The evolution of their relationship is a key part of the novel.

The war provides Louise with the opportunity to enlist and leave her small community. She becomes an “ack-ack girl.” According to the website The Female Soldier, ack-ack girls “were members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) that helped operate Anti-Aircraft Guns in the defense of Britain from German bombing raids during World War 2.” Louise becomes an integral member of an integrated male/female unit. She writes extensively to Paul while in the service. Will they have a happily ever after? You will need to read the novel to find out.

Cara, following a recent divorce, is giving most of her attention to her job until she meets a neighbor. Their relationship evolves. Will they have their happy ever after?

Throughout the book, Cara discovers Louise through her diaries, just as the reader does. These entries form an integral part of the narrative.

There are other stories as well, especially that of Cara’s grandmother who does not want to talk about her wartime life and who appears to be harboring a secret. Cara wants to know all that she can while her grandmother is alive to tell her. Will she find out?

Each of these narrative threads is handled well by the author and I very much enjoyed reading this novel. I experienced more of what it was like to live in London during wartime and connected with the characters and their stories. My only caveat would be that some of the physical romance feels a bit formulaic while it is the relationships that are more interesting.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-galley in exchange for an honest review. I recommend Light Over London to those who enjoy historical novels set during the second world war.

Other reviews:

“Kelly weaves an intricate, tender, and convincing tale of war and romance with skill and suspense.” (–Publishers Weekly)

“Kelly deftly balances intrigue with mystery and historical detail in her latest novel… A charming imagining of the historical gunner girls.” (–Kirkus Reviews)

“Kelly has crafted two convincing, conflicted heroines in Cara and Louise, and the resolution of Louise’s romance is satisfyingly empowering. Hand this to fans of Jennifer Egan’s Manhattan Beach (2017) and other tales of the vital roles played by women in wartime.” (–Booklist)

I read this author’s first novel, The Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.  In that novel, he traveled to see Queenie Hennessy.  In this novel, the reader learns more about her.

Praise for The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy

“In the end, this lovely book is full of joy. Much more than the story of a woman’s enduring love for an ordinary, flawed man, it’s an ode to messy, imperfect, glorious, unsung humanity. . . . [Queenie’s] love song is for us. Thank you, Rachel Joyce.”—The Washington Post

“Destined to change your world. One can’t help but see life, and the end of it, differently after experiencing this novel. Full of wisdom and heart, it will overwhelm its readers with a deep sensitivity.”—Bookreporter

“[A] beguiling follow-up . . . In telling Queenie’s side of the story, Joyce accomplishes the rare feat of endowing her continuing narrative with as much pathos and warmth, wisdom and poignancy as her debut. Harold was beloved by millions; Queenie will be, too.”—Booklist (starred review)

This one is in my TBR pile.  It is a thriller.

One of The Washington Post‘s 10 Best Thrillers and Mysteries of the Year
One of Publishers Weekly‘s Best Books of the Year
One of Real Simple‘s Best Books of the Year