Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

20+ Mind-Twisting Mysteries

by Ana Gallo

#SleuthSolveArt #NetGalley

Put on your sleuth hat (adult, child or work together) to solve the twenty puzzles in this book. These brain teasers relate to art, either in periods or works and look like fun to solve.

There are entertaining cartoon like illustrations throughout. Use logic, think and try to come up with the solution. The puzzles are graded by difficulty and cover many time periods and art movements. Start with paleolithic times and make your way to more modern art, including the cubists and surrealists.

This book offers a fun combination of learning and solving. It would make a great gift for a child and could offer some non screen time fun. This title is part of a series so solvers might want to look for the other ones as well.

Note that the back of the book has a section called “Experience the Art.” There are a number of projects here.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 15 April 2025

www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/03/21/books/private-eye-detective-books-mystery.html

www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/03/24/books/review/animal-book-adaptations.html

www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/books/thriller-books.html

www.nytimes.com/2025/03/26/insider/answer-their-questions-come-away-with-your-next-book.html

A Novel

by Lauren Willig

Pub Date 02 Mar 2021   

Lauren Willig has written many novels including those in her Pink Carnation series. This title is based on true events; during WWI a unit of Smith College graduates traveled to France to offer aid and assistance. These real life volunteers are acknowledged at the beginning of the novel.

The book’s protagonist, Kate, was a scholarship student at Smith. This experience left her with an excellent education and some feelings of insecurity despite her friendship with the wealthy, Emmie. A few years after graduation, Emmie recruits Kate to be one of the fictional band of sisters of the title. These “sisters” include the married woman in charge of the volunteers, two female physicians and the other Smithies. Their experiences in France and the interrelationships of the characters form the basis for the story.

This book has an interesting premise and the story is well told. I especially enjoyed the letters that begin each chapter. My only quibble was that, at times, it was a bit difficult to differentiate the characters. Many, but not all, had a trait or relationship that helps the reader to keep track.

Willig includes information at the novel on her historical sources and the ways in which her own education led to the writing of this title.

Of note: I alternated between listening to the audio of this title and reading it. The audio was well produced and engaging. It is so nice to be able to follow a story by doing both. Also, I note the beautiful cover of the novel; it drew me in.

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

I have read lots of Louise Penny books and all of the more recent ones. I decided, though, that I wanted to go back and read all of the titles in order. This will take a while but I am excited about doing this.

Still Life is the book that introduces all of the important series characters whom readers will get to know over many novels. There are those in the police including, most importantly, Armand Gamache. He reminds me of Donna Leon’s Brunetti. Both are filled with humanity in a world that can be cruel. Other police officers include second in command Jean Guy who also develops a familial connection with the Gamache family. Also get to know Lacoste and Nicholl.

The location of this story is such a big part of the series. Three Pines is a small place with a variety of characters living there (meant both as people and those who are idiosyncratic). Meet poet Ruth, bookstore owner (with a past) Myrna, the owners of the bistro, artists and others. It as if all of life can be found in this small place.

This story is about the murder of artist Jane. Get to know her and the others in Three Pines. Follow the series. It is one of the very best out there.

Have you read any of the books? If so, do you love them also? I’d love to know.

My Life in the Restaurant Underbelly

by Hannah Selinger

⭐⭐⭐

Town & Country‘s Best Books of Spring 2025 | Kirkus Reviews’s Most Anticipated Nonfiction of Spring 2025

Most of us go out to eat at some point. We enter restaurants with expectations in terms of food, drink, and service, yet often don’t think about those who work hard to ensure our good meals. Recently shows like The Bear have offered a fictional insight into the restaurant kitchen.

Author Hannah Selinger fell in love with the restaurant business and went on to work at many top restaurants with many well-known chefs. Here she recounts some of her experiences. In addition, Selinger shares details of her biography.

The restaurant world comes to life in these pages. Readers experience both the front and back of house. They may feel differently the next time they go out to dine.

Some reviews have noted the author’s tendency to apologize for her “privilege.” If this will put a reader off because of its tone, fair enough. Others may enjoy this account even taking note of the disclaimers. Also be aware that the author describes her book as “creative non-fiction” so not necessarily all factually true. That said, readers can tell that Selinger considered writing as a career since she tells her story well.

Foodies will decide if this is of interest to them. It just may be.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 25 March 2025

From the Publisher

New Books to Make Your Heart Race

#TheMinotaurSamplerVolume15 #NetGalley

I always highly recommend the Minotaur Samplers. They consistently offer such an easy way to decide what books to read. This time there are samples, descriptions and author info on books by Kelsey Cox; Olivia Worley; Camilla Sten; Mary Dixie Carter; Alex Finlay; Stacy Willingham.

Take a few minutes and review this one. What will you want to read? I have definitely added to my own reading list.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press-Minotaur for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 25 March 2025

Kristy Woodson Harvey has been writing novels for a while but I have not read many of them. That will change now as I very much enjoyed A Happier Life.

It is easy to recommend this title to those who enjoy women’s fiction with its good characters, a wonderful North Carolina setting, family relationships, romance, friendships, a bit of mystery…what more could a reader want?

Keaton Smith is at a crossroads. Readers will find out why and what leads her to leave the big city for a small community.

Keaton is going to fix up her grandparents’ home so that it can be sold. What happened to Becks and her beloved? They got together despite the opposition of Becks ‘s family and were a deeply loving couple. Why did they disappear leaving their children (one of whom is Keaton’s mother) without answers?

While Keaton is working on the house she meets a single dad and his precocious child. She also meets many of Becks’s friends and discovers a book in which Becks kept the details of her many dinner parties along with some thoughts on life. Becks is in! She begins to care a great deal for the grandparents she never knew and this newfound community.

This is just the barest description of this novel. Read it to find out more. I think that it offers an emotional read. I enjoyed it very much.

From the Publisher