Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

The best crime fiction of 2025 so far — our critics’ top books

https://www.thetimes.com/article/a6c1b701-c3bb-4754-89bb-8853ceec05e5?shareToken=ff0b01214a3f0d629b9aaca04161a360

This is the third book that I have read by Jennifer Ryan. I very much enjoyed her earlier novels, The Chilbury Ladies Choir and The Spies of Shilling Lane. Ms.Ryan has found her authorial voice writing fiction about women and WWII. The Kitchen Front, also set during WWII, is a book that I highly recommend.

As the novel begins, the men are mostly away or involved in war work, while women try their best to manage both on the home front and in the kitchen. Food is scarce and rationing pervasive. There is a campaign to make creative, practical recipes using what is at hand.

In this story, food concerns lead to a cooking contest in a small village. The winner will be given co-hosting duties on a food related BBC radio show. The novel tells the story of four of the women who, through their recipes, try to win first prize. They are Audrey, a young widow with three children; Audrey’s sister, the snobby Lady Gwendoline; kitchen maid Nell and pregnant, unmarried, French trained chef, Zelda. Each of these characters comes to life with a backstory and relationships. I very much enjoyed spending time with each of them and also enjoyed the village setting. An added plus of this book is that each cook’s recipes are included, giving insight into what cooking was like in the 1940s.

I highly recommend this enjoyable novel. For Ms. Ryan, third time (for her historical novels) is definitely the charm!

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

Lisa See has written many works of historical fiction yet this is the first book of hers that I have read. It won’t be the last.

Ms. See tells an absorbing story and one that is filled with historical detail and, numerous characters and aspects of Chinese culture. Her settings come to life so gorgeously. Early in the book, the protagonist is traveling to Shanghai. I could feel her seasickness and claustrophobia. I think I was as eager as she was to get outside for some air. The author’s words made this voyage so vivid.

Characters are a strength of this writer. They are complex, multidimensional, interesting and relatable, despite the fact that they lived long before us. For example, the protagonist’s mother dies very early in the story. I had been admired her and was upset when she collapsed. The why of this was historically accurate and tragic to those of our present day. I could feel the daughter’s grief. Another example… a concubine was living in the home. She, too, was not a cardboard figure but rather a woman with feelings, education and a wish to help this grieving girl.

These are examples from early in the book but so much more follows. This is a long and involving novel. Along the way, readers will learn much about the China in the 1400s.

Readers are introduced to Yunxian and her friend/colleague Meiling . Yunxian has a life in which she tries to balance her love of medicine with the traditional women’s roles of the time. Readers will hope that she can achieve all that she wants.

Highly recommended to fans of historical fiction. I know that I will now read more titles by this author.

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

Pub date: 06 June 2023

368 pages

From the Publisher

#FamousLastWords #NetGalley

Five stars 🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠

Imagine that you are Cam and that your entire world is turned upside down. You have always found your husband, Luke, to be pretty laid back and so supportive. He cooks! Both of you are exhausted but adore your baby, Polly. And, Luke is so good that you always have some time to have a break and read. Imagine that you are a book agent, ready to go back to work on your first day…AND THEN, the unthinkable happens.

Your husband wasn’t there when you woke up and left a somewhat cryptic note. You soon discover that he is involved in a tense hostage situation. WTF (as the rude might say). How can this be? Why? How do you a piece a life back together after this? Did you ever know your spouse? Where is he? Alive? Not?

Also, imagine That you are Niall. He was the hostage negotiator. The decisions that you made are haunting you.

How will events unfold? Find out in this page turner. I was absolutely glued to it and recommend it highly for those who enjoy suspenseful stories.

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

Pub date: 25 February 2025

From the Publisher

by Tim Sullivan

#TheBookseller #NetGalley

The Bookseller is the seventh book in this series by Tim Sullivan. The first book was The Dentist, I think. The titles all seem to be related to professions and can be read in any order.

The protagonist of this series is neurodivergent and brings his perspective to all he does (not that this is surprising). This time, as the title tells readers, a bookseller is murdered, not necessarily so usual in that profession. Who killed him and why?

Add suspects, relationships in Cross’s life, a case to solve, and the ingredients for a good mystery are all there.

This is my first read by the author. It will not be my last.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA for this title. All is my own.

Pub date: 18 March 2025

Note: Today this is listed at just $1.99 for the e book

‘One of the most iconic British fictional detectives of the 21st century.’ DAILY MAIL
‘These are must-read detective novels.’ MARK BILLINGHAM
‘One of my favourite detectives.’ ELLY GRIFFITHS

Imagine that your family sends you (alone) to the U.S. because of financial hardship in Ireland and you will need to support your relatives back home. Imagine that you are able to take on someone else’s identity to become the servant of Andrew Carnegie’s mother. Will you be found out? Will your position be secure? These are among the premises of this richly detailed historical novel. Relationships between upstairs and downstairs, specifically between Clara and Andrew Carnegie are a major part of this novel. Read it too to learn more about the business world and women’s roles in the post Civil War U.S. Overall, an enjoyable read.

An e book bargain today

When readers who have heard of Dorothy Parker think of her, they often imagine her at the Algonquin Hotel issuing bon mots. Sarcastic and seemingly in possession of herself, many envied her. However, this historical novel about Dorothy and some of her friends and acquaintances reveals that she had many reasons to feel unsettled and unhappy. The support of three friends helped her to get through.

Early in this novel readers learn that Dorothy is having trouble finding work. She is also having many difficulties in her marriage; her husband came back from WWI a changed (and unpleasant) man. Dorothy’s friends include Jane, a newspaper reporter; Winifred who is an actress and, Peggy who works at a magazine. They form a bridge group where they not only learn to play cards but reflect on life.

These characters are surrounded by many men. They include those who spent time at the Algonquin. All are men of their time and their treatment of women is often condescending.

Will these friends find their happy/happier endings? Find out in this well written work of historical fiction.

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

This title was published in August 2022.

From the Publisher

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