Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

Is there a reader out there who hasn’t felt stressed at some point?  There are many routes to help; a number of these involve the assistance of mental health professionals.  But, in addition, or sometimes, we want a read that helps us to understand ourselves better, to feel that we can make changes or to be able to accept ourselves in our perfect imperfection.  I want to start periodically giving a nod to some of the books that might be helpful.

Brene Brown has written many books and I may blog others later.  Here I have noted  two that I have found incredibly helpful to peruse.  The Gifts of Imperfection is clearly written and helps the reader to embrace her ten guideposts.   A blurb on this book:

From Booklist

I have blogged on Susan Wiggs, a writer of women’s fiction before.  This book came out in 2016.  It tells the story of a woman whose life drastically changes after an accident.  I like the book’s setting in Vermont and its exploration of how to move forward after tragedy.

From Booklist:
“Soul-satisfying…Will delight readers of Robyn Carr and Debbie Macomber…Wiggs writes with effortless grace about what breaks families apart and what brings them back together. Add this to her gift for crafting exquisitely nuanced characters and flair for perfectly capturing the rhythm of life in a small town.” (Booklist (starred review))

I have not read Fiona Barton’s first book, “The Widow,” although I probably will now. Her sophomore effort, “The Child,” is intriguing and suspenseful Who is the baby found on the building site? How are the characters and their stories connected? What does it mean to be a parent? To grieve? To confront and accept one’s past? “The Child” is about all of this while being a page turner. I did guess the answer to the central mystery but this did not in any way lessen my enjoyment of this novel. I feel confident that Fiona Barton’s next book will be, “third time the charm.” Recommended for suspense fans.

Have you ever been asked to name your favorite fiction title?  Have you ever tried to answer this question just for yourself?  When I am in this situation, I always think about Bel Canto.  I delayed reading this novel for ages.  Who needs to read a novel about a hostage situation I would ask myself.  Life is tough enough.  Wow!  Was I wrong.  This is an amazing book.  Never have I cared about characters so much and been so sad to know that there could not be a happy ending for them all.  The set up is a hostage takeover at an opera performance for a private party and the aftermath of this event.  All of the characters are nuanced and I cared for each and every one of them.  If you have not read this, do so, do so, do so!

I read these novels when they first came out and truly enjoyed spending time with Henry and Emmy Tibbett.  The first four books in the series have just been re-issued.  If you like traditional, British mysteries with minimal violence these are to be highly recommended.  I think that I will be buying and reading the novels again.  Note that there are more than four books in the series, so possibly more will be released in the future.

FYI: “Patricia Moyes (1923-2000) was a British mystery writer best known for her “Henry Tibbet” series of old-fashioned mysteries. During WWII Moyes joined the Royal Air Force and became a radar operator and flight officer. Subsequently, she worked as assistant to actor and director Peter Ustinov, with whom she collaborated on a film script. She also spent some years as assistant editor for British Vogue. A cat lover, Moyes wrote two books about cats.”

All of these truly wonderful (!!!) Lord Peter Wimsey novels are available for $2.99 today.  I have read and re-read the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries.  Not only is he a marvelous character but there is the fabulous Harriet Vane as well, to say nothing of Wimsey’s man Bunter, his mother, his brother and so it goes.  These are from the golden age of mystery and are truly golden.  If you have never read Dorothy Sayer’s books you have such a treat ahead of you.  Buy one, buy all and enjoy….or buy to reread which I am abou to do.

This preview volume is a great resource! Approximately 26 upcoming mystery novels are given a summary and preview. There is great variety including cozies, PIs and historical mysteries. I have added quite a few to my TBR pile including ones with protagonists like Florence Nightingale, Alice Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. I have read some of the cozies already and enjoyed them. If you are unable to access this title which I got from NetGalley, I suggest that you look at the publisher’s website for a solid list of upcoming books.  For a new publishing company, they are doing a great job!

This book has received lots of publicity and some excellent reviews.  I would give it three stars.  The story is clever and I especially loved how the novel within the novel was so authentic, with advanced praise and comments about being made into a television series.  I did not find the story as engaging as I had hoped that I would, nor did I find the characters to be especially likeable.  Give this a try though because I think I am in the minority in not rating MPM more highly.

A new book by this author releases in early June.

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!

The next book in this series comes out in May.  I am re-posting this to let you know how great the Ruth Galloway novels are!

Mindful Me is a book that should be in every preteen to young adult’s library. Kids in that wide age range often do not share their deepest feelings with their parents. Many times they feel intense stress. This wonderful book teaches mindfulness in a way that is easy and sensible. The authors also encourage kids letting a “helpful adult” know what is going on when things are not going well. Full of helpful exercises and advice, this book is highly recommended…and may I add that it would be an excellent resource for adults as well!