Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

This is a relaxing read; the type of book that I read before going to bed at night. Darcy and Riley make an appealing couple. While the story is somewhat predictable, that is not a bad thing as this is the sort of book that one reads expecting good things to prevail. There was back story on the main characters which added some depth. The town, the villagers and the lighthouse are all lovingly described. So…an enjoyable read for those who like light romantic novels..

This is the first book that I have read by this author; she has one previously published mystery in the series. Each chapter begins with a literary quote from either Wuthering Heights or Jane Eyre. These presage events and/or emotions experienced by the characters in the chapter. I enjoyed the quotes and the many book references throughout the novel. The main characters were appealing although overall the characters and mystery would have benefited from greater depth and nuance. This was a good, cozy read.

Books and novellas by Anne Perry are always most welcome! This year, the author’s Christmas story gives the reader the opportunity to get to know Charlotte Pitt’s grandmother, Mariah Ellison, better. Mariah struggles with her own past as she tries to right a past injustice. Mariah is human, flawed, strong and admirable, much as we all are. Anne Perry writes with compassion and understanding. A great holiday gift for any fan of this author’s series. Highly recommended.

The Seagull is a Vera Stanhope mystery, a novel in one of Ann Cleeves’ two series, both of which are excellent. (The other books are the Shetland novels.) Both are also TV dramas available in the U.S. and originally from Britain.
I especially enjoyed this book because of the back story. The reader learns more about Vera’s parents and her childhood. I also enjoyed spending time with favorite characters, including Holly and Joe.
This novel is about an historical crime with implications for the present. The story is well told and the pages kept turning. Highly recommended.

Awarded to me today by NetGalley for some of my reviewing work.  Thank you NetGalley!

Many of us have warm memories of Anne of Green Gables, both from the novel and the Megan Follows and Colleen Dewhurst TV series. An updated series Anne with an E can now be streamed on Netflix, although I have not seen it. Anne was a favorite character for me and I have reread the novel as an adult. So…as you can imagine, I was excited to learn about this book. It is wonderful! I was torn between moving ahead quickly and savoring. This is a book to be enjoyed for the many photos and for the insight into Maud Montgomery’s life. Even if you have never read Anne of GG, this book provides a lovely, serene and visual armchair travel experience. Highly recommended!

My first read of a Jo Thomas novel. Loved the vivid descriptions of Cretan life and food. A story of second chances and choices. An easy and pleasant read, even if it feels a bit predictable at times. Read for lovely characters and some great armchair travel.  Thanks to Netgalley for this read.

I am reading this nonfiction title  for an undergraduate class, Religion and Healing.  This book offers a profound look at the culture, practices and beliefs of the Hmong people and how these clash with Western medicine when the Lee’s daughter, Lia, is found to have epilepsy (in Hmong culture, the title of the book is the Hmong word for this condition.)  This book is enlightening and heartbreaking.  In our current political climate, it offers a poignant reminder of the importance of learning about other’s belief systems without judging.  Recommended for all readers but especially for those in the “helping” professions.

I adored this book.  It has everything that an Anglophile could possibly want.  There are churches, books and searches.  There is romance between a Brit and an American.  There are mysteries and family connections. There are even arguments about print versus digital.   On your first cold night in this fall, imagine you are by the fire and enjoy this read!

Elly Griffith’s Ruth Galloway series is up to its ninth book.  I have been reading about Ruth from the very first novel and have fallen in love with this bright, flawed, human and quirky scholar of bones and archaeology.  Each book gives the reader a chance to catch up with Cathbad, a Druid; Nelson, a DCI and his wife Michelle, along with Judy, Clough, Kate and many others in the academic, police and local world of Norfolk.  The books are best read in order for full enjoyment.  Start with The Crossing Places and come up for air after you spend time underground in the latest, The Chalk Pit.  A favorite series of mine!