Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

I love to read, recommend books and open the world of reading to others. I tutor to ensure that the next generation of readers will know the joys of a good book because their reading skills have improved. I am an avid reader, especially of mysteries and fiction. I believe that two of the world's greatest inventions were the public library and eyeglasses!

No Two Persons

A Novel

by Erica Bauermeister

I love holding a new book, looking at the cover, wondering what is inside and whether I will be able to fully enter its world. It doesn’t always happen but, when it does, it always feels like magic. That feeling is what keeps me reading for pleasure I think.

In this novel Bauermeister shows just how deeply she understands the power of books. I think that the title No Two Persons signifies how we all see a given book through our own lens.

Alice is the first character whom readers meet. Her home life is not easy. She has escaped into books for many years and wants nothing more than to write. Through grief and hardship, she writes a novel titled Theo.

We all know that once a book is published it belongs to more than just the author. Here, Bauermeister shows how this one book impacts each character in the subsequent (somewhat interlinked) chapters. For example, meet the reader who finds the novel in a slush pile, meet an actor with a setback who discovers Alice’s book and finds that his career opens in a new way. Keep meeting new readers in all of the pages that follow.

I love the way that this novel reminds all of us of the power of imagination, reading and connection.

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

Pub date: 02 May 2023

304 pages

Literary fiction

An e book bargain-Come visit: Welcome to Glorious Tuga (Francesca Segal)

#WelcometoGloriousTuga #NetGalley

It is not easy to get to glorious Tuga. This fictional island is far from anywhere, takes a long sea (sick) journey to get to, and is often not accessible. It is a very distant (fictional) British outpost.

The islanders are descended from several families. Many have distinctive dimples. Some want to stay there, a few want to leave (and come back) and once in a while an incomer arrives.

In this story readers meet Charlotte Walker, a vet, who has traveled to Tuga where she plans to live for a year while studying a particular tortoise. She is escaping her London life and her demanding mother while hoping that, in Tuga, she may discover her father, advance her career and enjoy a new experience.

On the trip to Tuga, Charlotte meets Dan. He is a physician who has studied abroad and is returning to Tuga to take over his uncle’s practice. He and Charlotte spend a lot of time together on the trip out. Will they have a future?

These are only two of the many, many characters who populate this warm hearted story. It takes a bit to sort them all out but there is a helpful character list at the start of the novel. Get to know them, their stories, their interconnections, challenges and loves in these pages.

Many have already declared this to be a special book. I agree.

It seems to me that one of the joys of being an author is that the writer can create an entire world, populate it how they want and decide the fates of their characters. Segal has done all of this in creating Tuga. I recommend enjoying a (virtual) visit there.

First in a trilogy.

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

Pub date: 02 July 2024

What led to: Death at the White Hart

A Novel

by Chris Chibnall

#DeathattheWhiteHart #NetGalley

When I was offered an early read of this title, I was beyond excited. I had already known about Death at the White Hart and knew that I would want to read it (as would anybody who saw Broadchurch). So, did it live up to my expectations? Definitely, yes.

This book has a somewhat cinematic feel to it which makes sense given the author. I could very much picture it as a TV series with the multiple settings, many characters, and some strong visuals (antlers attached to a dead man, anyone?)

The story is well told but, initially, asks that the reader pay attention as the characters are introduced. Their interrelationships are very much a part of the plot. There are pub keepers, police officers, many people in the community, relatives and acquaintances, as well as at least one more organized crime figure type.

The detective has her reasons for having come back to the community where she grew up. Still, Nicola had expected a somewhat better station. How will she and her team fare? Will her marriage make it?

All in all, this was a most enjoyable read. It is easy to suggest that mystery/thriller readers pick this one up. Kirkus Reviews states “Hopefully, this is the start of a beautiful series.” I most definitely agree.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group- Viking Penguin for this time. All opinions are my own.

From the Publisher

With its compelling pair of detectives and tense, creepy atmosphere, I defy you to stop [reading]
Layered, human, suspenseful, & surprising-this guy knows how to tell a story says Lee Child
A master class whodunnit... moody, immersive, and surprising too, says Gillian McAllister about

The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams is an e book bargain

#TheReadingList #NetGalley

A BEST OF SUMMER READ ACCORDING TO NEWSWEEK, PARADE MAGAZINE, NBC NEWS, LITHUB, AND POPSUGAR!

This author’s love of books, libraries and people shine through in this title. The novel tells the story of Mukesh and Aleisha as well as some others. Mukesh was widowed and feels lost without his wife. When he comes across her copy of The Time Traveler’s Wife, he wants to return this overdue book to the library. This is a surprisingly difficult expedition for him. Mukesh even literally has difficulty getting in the library door which he does not know how to open.

Inside the library is Aleisha who is halfheartedly performing her duties as a summer employee. While her brother always adored the library as a child, Aleisha did not enjoy being there. Will this change?

Over the course of the novel, these two characters interact and their lives change as the result, in part, of a book list.

Bibliophiles will very much enjoy the book’s premise and will root for the characters. They will also enjoy seeing the book titles and lists that the author includes in this novel.

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

Have fun too: Word Search Puzzles for Brain Fitness

90-Day Challenge to Engage Your Mind and Improve Focus

by Matthew Stock

#WordSearchPuzzlesforBrainFitness #NetGalley

This book is part of a series of puzzles by this publisher. This time the focus is on word search puzzles.

As the title indicates, the puzzles offer a 90 day challenge. So, there are 10 easy puzzles, followed by 40 medium ones and, finally, 40 hard ones. Each word search has a theme, as for example, Pizza Party where there are words like anchovy and spinach, to name just two. As the puzzles get more difficult, they are bigger and the words may appear in more directions with more overlaps.

Some bonus puzzles are also included. For those who are unfamiliar with this type of puzzle, there are some guidelines and suggestions before the first puzzle page.

Looking for some gentle brain stimulation this summer? Want to have some fun at the same time? If so, this title is worth a look.

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

Pub date: 15 July 2025

Puzzles

256 pages