Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

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!

Little Woodford is a quintessentially British small town. This women’s fiction tells the stories of those who live there including a busybody councilor, the minister’s wife and the widow who moves from London to Little Woodford with her two young sons and stepdaughter. The reader becomes involved in these character’s less than perfect family lives. If you would like to armchair travel to Britain, this one may be for you.

Having looked at the newest Buzz Book Monthly, I can see that I will be very busy in May. There are so many good books coming; fiction/non-fiction, well=known and debut authors, just so much to enjoy. Take a look and plan your time. This is a great resource!

How welcome to see the return of Sigrid Harald after so many years!  
Wonderful to connect with this book and the characters in an engaging 
mystery that can be read by fans old or new.  There is enough backstory to 
make this an enjoyable read for those new to the series who are perhaps 
missing Deborah Knott.  
Margaret Maron brings the New York City of the 90s vividly to life.  
It is a world in which the WTC still stands and one could eat at Lutece.  
But all is not well as murders occur at a park bench.  Further, there are 
mysteries regarding Sigrid's former love, the artist Oscar Nauman.
This book is well written and highly recommended for Margaret Maron fans 
and anyone who likes a (slightly) gritty New York mystery.
Book provided by Net Galley for an honest review.

I am excited to say that this was my very first post on the site.