Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

I enjoyed this mystery novel which seems to be the start of a new mystery series with Florence Nightingale as the sleuth. Florence has just been placed in charge of the Establishment, a prototype hospital for gentle women (those who would not be at a workhouse hospital but could not afford to be cared for at home). A nurse is murdered and the story builds from there. This book does an excellent job of setting the scene and of bringing 1850s London to vivid life. Many historical personages appear in the book and seem to fit right in. The mystery is solved in a very Agatha Christie like manner with all of the main characters in a room together. Like Hercule Poirot, Florence deduces all. A thoroughly enjoyable read for fans of Anne Perry. Of additional note, I learned a lot about Florence herself. Thanks NetGalley!

As soon as I finish reading a Ruth Galloway mystery, I long for the next one to come out.  I very highly recommend the series.  The characters are quirky, the relationships complicated, the settings well described and…the mysteries are good too.

In this latest novel, Ruth, a forensic archaeologist, travels to Italy.  She is accompanied by her friend Shona, Shona’s son and Ruth’s daughter, Kate.  Nelson, a police inspector and Cathbad, a Druid (yes!) eventually travel to Italy as well. The Italian town setting is eerily described.

Ruth has come to Italy to offer an opinion on ancient bones but bones from WW II also come to light.  There is intrigue and murder.  All is eventually solved.

Best of all, there are the relationships; Ruth and Nelson, Nelson and Michelle, Michelle and Tim, for the adults and other relationships between parents and their children including Ruth and Kate, Nelson and Kate and Michelle and Laura.

While the mysteries are good, it is quirky, eccentric Ruth and her relationship with Nelson that I most eagerly follow.  If you have read the series, rejoice in this latest entry and, if you haven’t, start from the beginning and rejoice in discovering a fine series.

#TheDarkAngel #NetGalley

This is Fiona Davis’s third New York City based historical novel and it is a winner! I have not read her earlier books,The Address and The Dollhouse, but may well do so now.
The Masterpiece has a dual narrative structure, one story is set in the 1920s-30’s and the other in the 1970s. The stories of Clara Darden and Virginia Clay overlap and intersect.
Darden is an illustrator, teacher and painter in the earlier era while Virginia, a divorcee, begins working at Grand Central around the time when the landmark battle was underway. Each woman has a backstory, relationships and challenges, all of which are well depicted.
Did you know that in the 1920’s there was an art school right in Grand Central? Did you know that Sargent was one of the founders? Are you interested in historical preservation? Do you enjoy a story with a plot twist? If you can answer yes to any, or all of these questions, I highly recommend this book.

#TheMasterpiece #NetGalley

I adore this series which tells the stories of women of many talents. The books are short but detailed and factual with appealing illustrations. Georgia comes to life as a young girl who loves art and moves away from home to become an artist. Her love of city architecture, the appeal of looking at things up close and her deep appreciation for the southwest all shine through. Plus, the reader learns about Alfred Stieglitz. A great series for parents and children to share. These books provide role models for dreaming children.

#GeorgiaO’keeffe #NetGalley

This is the most buzzy of buzzes! This publication is available through NetGalley or you can access it at Amazon. It is absolutely worth looking at. Among the exciting things to mention for the fall season …Jodi Picoult, Tana French, Barbara Kingsolver and Kate Atkinson all have novels coming out.  They and so many others are listed in this Book Buzz.  It will be a great season for reading!

As June approaches, love and weddings start to be on people’s minds. If you don’t have a real June wedding to attend, take some time to spend a fictional summer on Nantucket and be a guest at a wedding there.
David and Alison are a middle aged couple who have found love after their spouses died. Their relationship is sweetly portrayed. The drama in the novel comes from the intricacies of their adult children’s relationships. There are Alison’s children. First is Jane who is married to Scott; both are hardworking but are they right for each other? Then we have Felicity and her husband, who spends a lot of time at work with his assistant. Will their marriage survive? Does Felicity want it to? Then there are David’s children; pregnant Poppy and her playboy brother. Poppu wants to take over her father’s company but is she prepared?  She  does not want to welcome Alison in to family. There is also Poppy’s playboy brother who may create a lot of havoc.  Read this novel to find out how all of these dramas play out. Along the way, you will be treated to a generous and lovely slice of life on Nantucket. Enjoy!

#AnantucketWedding #NetGalley

Reviews of these novels should be coming soon.  Thanks NetGalley for three great reads!

Every Elly Griffith’s book is a treasure.  The series features Ruth Galloway who is a forensic archaeologist.  The stories are always interesting and the characters are a joy to spend time with.

Nancy Thayer’s novel is good women’s fiction about an upcoming wedding and the impact on the 60 something year olds’ children.  Many relationships are explored in this novel and the reader enjoys vicarious time on Nantucket.

The Masterpiece is fascinating.  This is an historical novel about Grand Central Station and the art school that was there in the 1920s.  Part of the novel takes place then and part in the 1970s.  Of course, the two stories link up.

Full(er) reviews of these books will be forthcoming.

Seeing this book as a bargain reminded me of what a wonderful series the Kathy Kolla and David Brock series is.  The Marx Sisters was the first book.

As I read this when it first came out, I am borrowing information from the author’s website to tell you more.  See below.

First published : 1994 Hamish Hamilton/Penguin, UK; 1999 Arcade, USA

Jerusalem Lane is a little piece of Dickensian London untouched by development, its inhabitants mainly refugees from pre-war central Europe. But could elderly Meredith Winterbottom really have been killed for the politics of another age?

As DS Kolla and DCI Brock delve into the Lane’s eccentric melting pot, past and present interlink in unexpected ways. What connects Mrs Rosenfeldt and Adam Kowalski to a smooth property developer and an American academic? And what is Meredith’s son Terry up to? Not to mention the dottily Marxist sisters. Could this be a recipe for murder?

Shortlisted for the CWA John Creasey Award for the best first crime novel of 1994.

One of the most intelligent, intriguing and well thought-out debut crime novels I have read for a long time. (The Times, UK)

The Marx Sisters is a well-wrought, well-paced, original and elegant crime mystery. (Australian Book Review)

There are at least ten novels in the series so if you like one, keep going.  My favorite was the Malcontenta.  See below from the author’s website.

For DS Kathy Kolla the chance to investigate the unnatural death of a physio at the exclusive Stanhope House Clinic seems the ideal opportunity to leave behind more mundane police duties. Especially when what at first seemed suicide or accidental death is clearly more complicated. A cover-up to shield the clinic’s illustrious clients, or murder?

So Kolla is not at all pleased when she is abruptly taken off the case, and turns to DCI Brock for help. But their unofficial inquiries flounder in the mire of corruption as the violence behind the clinic’s respectable face escalates out of control.

Joint winner of the inaugural Ned Kelly Award for the best Australian crime novel of 1995.

I look forward to Buzz Books Monthly and am never disappointed. This is a great resource for learning about what to read as the new books for the month are released. This time read excerpts from good fiction, including the new novel by Allison Pearson. She wrote I Don’t Know How She Does It and will now examine midlife issues for her characters. There are also listings of fiction, non-fiction and debuts for June. Take a look and savor your next read.