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!

Jane Austen: The Biography

by Elizabeth Jenkins

#JaneAustenTheBiography #NetGalley

This past semester I learned so much about Jane Austen. I took a class in which I read all six of Austen’s major works. I saw a very clever production of Pride and Prejudice in which each actor performed multiple roles with one actor being both Darcy and Lady Catherine, among several others. I am lucky enough to be going on a special guided tour of an exhibit on Austen. I have just finished watching Miss Austen. So…yes, this was a good time to receive approval for a biography of the author. I wanted to go into a deeper dive on her life.

This book is a reissue. That, in no way, takes away from its value. There is so much to be learned about the Austen, her family, her novels, and the times in which she lived in these pages. Jenkins puts the author and her writings in context and perspective.

This book will be enjoyed by those who would like to learn more about Austen and to see how she was written about in the 1930s.

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

Pub date: 03 July 2025

Biography

368 pages

Alibis Collection

#Alibiscollection #NetGalley

This collection includes stories by writers who will be familiar to readers of mysteries and thrillers. Here are stories by very popular authors including Freida McFadden, Sally Hepworth, David Lagercrantz, Chris Bohjalian, Chadd Zunker, and Wanda M Morris.

Along with the stories, readers can also find out a bit more about each of the authors.

Read a story by a writer that you already enjoy or easily take a chance on someone new. Either way, there are some good tales here.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for this title. All opinions are my own.

Note: I think that this title is free in both print and audio for those who subscribe to Amazon Prime or Kindle Unlimited.

288 pages

Mystery & Thriller

What did it take to be part of: The Mademoiselle Alliance by Natasha Lester

#TheMademoiselleAlliance #NetGalley

I have read many WWII historical novels so was not certain that I wanted to read another one. However, as Natasha Lester is one of my favorite authors, I decided to go ahead and am so very, very glad that I did. I recommend this book most highly.

In this novel readers meet Marie-Madeleine Meric who was a true historic personage. Readers follow her in the 1920s in Morocco and later during WWII when, with bravery, she faced unimaginable risks.

Marie-Madeleine married her husband somewhat impulsively thinking that they would have a life of great adventure. He went to Morocco to gather intelligence and relied on MM to translate for him. However, it also turned out that he was quite controlling and MM eventually left him to go to France.

Readers should know that even when Edouard tried to control her, MM had a mind of her own and for example twice took part in a famous road race, had her own friends and helped in a women’s clinic. Also,unlike her husband, MM was compassionate and deeply loved her son and daughter.

When WWII was brewing and came, MM became involved in the intelligence gathering process, eventually becoming the head of the Mademoiselle Alliance. Through this work, readers meet a wide cast of characters with whom she worked. Two of the most important were Leon and Navarre. They and many others faced unimaginable danger and heartache in these pages.

Natasha Lester is a writer who animates history. She vividly describes setting sand imbues her characters with life. This author made me care so much for MM and those she cared for.

Note that some readers may find resonance with present day life in the rising of Hitler as a dictator who used the military to achieve his ends and who persecuted untold millions. This adds extra resonance to this story.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House-Ballantine for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 08 April 2025

448 pages

Historical fiction

From the Publisher

From the author of The Paris Orphan, THE MADEMOISELLE ALLIANCE
A powerful story readers will not be able to put down. –Madeline Martin
A passionate, fiery tribute to a historical woman. –Kate Quinn
Deeply researched and gorgeously written. –Kerri Maher

Other novels by Natasha Lester:

What is hidden? The Paris Secret by Natasha Lester
Where did she go: The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard (Natasha Lester)
Hope that will be the right number: The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre by Natasha Lester

An e book bargain: Fresh Water For Flowers

by Valérie Perrin, Hildegarde Serle (translator)

Narrated by Sara Young
#FreshWaterForFlowers #NetGalley

Pub date: June 1, 2021

Fresh Water for Flowers is the first book by Valerie Perrin to be published in English. The writer’s native language is French. Fresh Water is a beautiful book that is told in a unique voice. Protagonist, Violette, was abandoned by her mother and grew up in care. She was a loner until she becomes involved with Phillipe Toussaint. Together they have a child but Phillipe eventually disappears.

Phillipe and Violette worked at a railroad crossing although Violette did most of the work; they later go on to become cemetery keepers. Violette remains there after Phillipe leaves.

The story is told from Violette’s point of view. She tells it all, her hard times, her hopes, the things that she learned and taught herself, the people she sees and cares for and those with whom she works. All this within the background of the cemetery and many sayings from gravestones.

This novel is filled with humanity. I recommend it.

I am reviewing the audio version. It was a beautiful listen and I was sorry when the story ended.

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

Yes, that Jacqueline: Jacqueline in Paris-an e book bargain

A Novel

by Ann Mah

#JacquelineinParis #NetGalley

Jacqueline Kennedy was one of the world’s most well-known and iconic women. Her life has been well documented for sure. However, in this title, Ms. Mah, recalls and imagines an earlier time in Jacqueline’s life, long before she was a Kennedy. Here, she is a young girl, a Vassar student, on a junior year abroad in Paris.

In the author’s imagination, Jacqueline had to fight to get to Paris. Her mother and stepfather needed to be persuaded to let her go. Jacqueline’s mother’s goal for her daughter was a good marriage. When she finally agreed, it was with caveats regarding some young men that her daughter should meet. J’s mother also makes special arrangements for J to live with an aristocratic family, not in a dorm.

The book opens as J is arriving in France and follows her experiences and growth. In an early chapter, J is brought up against the reality of the Bouviers and how the family was not so well established as she had been led to believe. This exemplifies the ways in which time away from home leads to new understandings and perspectives.

Readers follow Jackie in a post war France that is still recovering. They make their way around the city with J and, such is the author’s talent, they feel that they could be there. In addition, readers follow the stories of those with whom Jackie comes in contact, including the family with whom she lives, the aristocratic Paul and some purported Communists, to round things out.

Fans of historical fiction are pretty certain to enjoy this novel.

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

Pub date: 27 September 2022

PRICE$27.99 (USD) Hardback
PAGES352
From the Publisher
Jacqueline in Paris

Jacqueline in Paris

Bruce Holsinger quote