Agatha Christie’s letters reveal clashes with her publisher

https://www.thetimes.com/article/82589ecc-3623-4c6f-b6c5-4c15008bab26?shareToken=f015fbfd706cbdb6524c339657c60afa

Elin Hilderbrand has written many novels that take place on Nantucket.  This is her first murder mystery and the first book that I have read by the author.  The setting is beautiful and full of details of how the well-to-do spend their summers on the island.

A wedding is scheduled to take place.  The groom, Benji is the scion of a wealthy family while his bride to be, Celeste,  comes from a loving, middle-class background.    Celeste and Benji’s parents come to life in portrait-like depictions.  Benji’s mother is a society woman who writes mystery novels and always hosts in the most proper ways.  Her husband, Tag, is a man who has had many affairs. They live a life of luxury but do not have a happy marriage.  In contrast,  Celeste’s parents are “salt of the earth” types who have a loving relationship.  Karen, who has breast cancer, is portrayed in a wonderfully empathetic fashion.  Kudos to the author for sympathetically but not maudlin-ly describing Karen.  Bruce, Celeste’s dad, clearly adores both his wife and child.  They both want only Celeste to be happy and secure.

Celeste’s maid of honor is the murder victim.  For fear of spoilers, I won’t say more about what happened or the solution of the mystery.  There are numerous suspects and many relationships come into play.

This is what I would describe as a good summer read.  It is a long (over 400 pages) novel in which the reader becomes immersed.  If you want a light summer escape, this one is worth trying.

Note that this is now a mini series.

by National Trust Books

#HiddenTreasuresoftheNationalTrust #NetGalley

I was so delighted to receive early access to this title. It features the inimitable Mary Beard who is an excellent guide.

The book is organized by parts of the country beginning with London with the last chapter being Norther Ireland. Go in order or dip in. Either works well.

Anglophiles, whether in England or not, will found so much to enjoy in these pages. I’d be hard pressed to say whether I preferred the photos or the text. Both were quite engaging.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the National Trust* for this title. All opinions are my own.

*Also many thanks to the Trust for all that they give us!

Pub date: 08 May 2025

by Nicola Whyte

American cover

British cover

Did you know that somewhere in London there is a teeny tiny square? Well, author Nicola Whtye discovered it, leading to her creating a similar spot for the setting of this very good, debut mystery.

Celeste, in her 80s, is the inquisitive doyenne of the square. She knows all of the residents who live in these close quarters. Sadly, it is known that one resident, Linda, has a husband who harms her physically. When he is murdered, events are off and running. Will his murder be the only one? No spoilers so read the novel to find out.

The characters in the square all come across as individuals. There is everyone from Dixon who functions as Celeste’s butler and more, to struggling mystery writer Lewis, young cleaner Audrey, lawyer Mia, and a number of others.

Looking for an enjoyable traditional mystery that runs to 400 pages ? Look no further. This is a delightful one.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Union Square & Co for this title. All opinions are my own.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Whyte gets everything just right, constructing memorable characters and landing several shocking plot twists. Readers will be just as hard-pressed to identify the culprit as Lewis and Audrey–and they’ll have a marvelous time trying.”
–Publishers Weekly

“The multiple points of view… a beautifully rendered setting, and plot twists galore add up to a satisfying cozy debut.”
–Booklist

About the Author (courtesy of Amazon)

Nicola Whyte studied Drama at Aberystwyth University and spent many happy years as a bookseller before becoming a web developer. She now co-owns a digital agency in the southwest of England. Her work has been listed for the Comedy Women in Print Prize, the BPA First Novel Award, and the Cheshire Novel Prize. 10 Marchfield Square was named as runner-up in the 2023 Daily Mail First Novel Award. She lives near Stonehenge in Wiltshire with her family.

by Mark ONeill

Anyone who has not seen the movie, To Catch a Thief, has a treat in store. I have watched it multiple times, each time with great enjoyment. Therefore, I was intrigued by this title which is a sequel (approved by the estate) to the earlier movie (and book). I requested it right away from NetGalley and was delighted to receive it.

I loved spending time with John Robie and Francie again in this suspenseful and enjoyable novel. Take a virtual trip to France, sit down with this one and watch your day go by happily.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 01 April 2025

A Novel

by Diana R. Chambers

#TheSecretWarofJuliaChild #NetGalley

Julia Child has been having a fictional moment. She has been a detective in Paris in the new series by Colleen Cambridge and has been in a TV series as well. In The Secret War of Julia Child, Diana R. Chambers nimbly lets readers into Julia’s world.

In these pages, readers get a sense of how Julia felt about herself (too tall, for one), her parents, her hopes to do something with her life, her wishes for a relationship and more. Readers also find out about Julia’s experiences in WW II. She worked for “Wild” Bill Donovan and was stationed in India and Ceylon, among other places. Some of her work was clandestine. Some of it led to her meeting Paul Child-of course, Julia McWilliams became Julia Child in time.

This story is about much that happened before Child became known for her cooking. It offers an immersive look at her life and WWII. I recommend it highly to fans of Child and historical fiction.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks-Landmark for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 22 October 2024

Delightful: Mastering the Art of French Murder

Now out: A Murder Most French (Colleen Cambridge)

Murder in Chianti by Camilla Trinchieri

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsJune 13, 2020

For some reason, during the corona virus pandemic, I have been spending a lot of time in virtual Italy reading mysteries that are set there.  My guides, until I read this novel, were Donna Leon and her Inspector Brunetti, and Andrea Camilleri and his Detective, Montalbano.  Their novels feature an engaging protagonist, beautiful locations and, VERY IMPORTANT, delicious food.

So, I was curious about this book set in Tuscany and happy to receive an ARC.  I was not disappointed.  This novel, the start of a new series, and its detective, fit right into the sub genre of Italian police stories.

The protagonist of Murder in Chianti is widower and former New York City police detective, Nico.  He has moved to Chianti following the death of his wife, Rita.  Rita has a cousin in Chianti who owns a restaurant, one source of the delicious sounding food in the novel.  Food wise, I would give a lot to get breakfast where Nico does each day.  I also would like to sample some of the alcohol mentioned in the book, especially the red wines.

Around Nico are the police officers who want his help in solving a case, Perillo and Daniele.  The murder of the story has ties with the past.  The victim left Italy a number of years ago and became a successful vintner in California.  Why did he return to Italy?  How does this visit lead to his death?  Who will be hurt as the case is solved?

This was a very readable book and one that I enjoyed.  I recommend adding it to your TBR list.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an hoenst review.  I look forward to the next novel in this seris.

Miss Honeysett is a prim woman who is 85 years old. She believes that the time has come to take control of the end of her life. This leads her to contact a Dignitas like clinic and submit an application. Will her request be granted? Will Eudora want it to be?

Readers learn that Eudora faced a number of tragedies and disappointments over the course of her her life. Most chapters in the novel include a flashback to a key moment for Eudora. No spoilers so I do not want to write more.

So many of the reviews that I saw for this novel were quite praiseworthy so I looked to it with very high hopes and expectations. It did not disappoint. This is a novel that engages the reader through its characters and its story lines. I think that readers who enjoyed novels like The Little Paris Bookshop or The Lido will want to read this one…as will many others.

In the present, Eudora meets the irrepressible Rose. The two have a relationship that evolves over the course of the book as Rose awaits becoming a big sister.

Another important character is Stanley. His friendship with Eudora and Rose is impacted by some memory issues. What will happen to each of them?

At times acerbic, at times touching this is a novel that I most definitely recommend. The audio version is also well done and the narrator reads with a clear, easy to follow style.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

So many people think of museums, Broadway, shopping, crowded streets and more as what makes up New York City. It is true that all these things are there but, in addition, much nature can also be found. Before reading this book, I would have named Central Park, the Bronx Zoo, and the Botanical Gardens. Now I have learned of much more in this very appealing title.

After meeting your guide, read about New York history and how to be a naturalist. Then start to become one. Look at flora and fauna including fungi, plants, fish and mammals to name just a few. Next go to a borough and check out what can be found.

With engaging text and visuals, this book will be welcomed by both those who live in the city and those who are visiting.

I most highly recommend this book!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Timber Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 22 April 2025

#HereOneMoment #NetGalley

What a concept! Imagine you are on a plane. You have your reasons for being there, things that you are thinking about and have settled in. Imagine that in the midst of whatever you are doing, a woman stands in front of you and tells you when you will die and of what. How would you react? How intense would that be? This is the monumental basis for Moriarty’s latest novel. No spoiler-she spectacularly pulls it off.

Get to know many characters. They are of different ages, sexes, experiences. How will they move forward when they have this information? Will it be true? Who is the woman making the predictions? Read this long (500 plus pages) novel that is divided into many short sections to find out. See if it will change you.

Highly recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 10 September 2024

From the Publisher