Twenty-one Days is an offshoot of Anne Perry’s Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series. I read the first book, The Cater Street Hangman, in 1979. I can still remember not wanting to arrive at my destination on the subway because I wanted to keep reading.
So, it was with much anticipation that I began this novel in which Charlotte and Thomas’s son, Daniel, is the protagonist. He is all grown up, has attended Cambridge and is a newly qualified lawyer. Daniel is assigned several cases in this story, the 21 days has to do with the number of days it will be until a man convicted of murder will be hanged…or will he? Is he guilty? Read the story for a somewhat complex and engrossing solution.
It was lovely to see Thomas and Charlotte as peripheral characters and to read about Jemima, Thomas’s sister, who is now in New York. Victor Narraway and Aunt Vespasia also are mentioned. There are also new and very likeable characters as well.
If you like Anne Perry, read this! If you don’t know Anne Perry, read this and then work your way through the series starting with the book mentioned above. Highly recommended by me.

Found this in my local park. Great idea!

FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW

What a smart change of pace for Deborah Crombie in A BITTER FEAST (Morrow, $25.99), a classic village whodunit that challenges her sophisticated city sleuths, Detective Superintendent Duncan Kincaid of Scotland Yard and his wife, Detective Inspector Gemma James. This power couple is supposed to be enjoying a restful weekend in the bucolic Cotswolds, but a fatal road accident and a series of suspicious deaths swiftly shatter the peace at their host’s country house.

Crombie has a deft hand with plot, and this one is enriched by characters like Viv Holland, the gifted chef at the local pub, and Fergus O’Reilly, who becomes a person of interest because he looks good in a fedora. But the book’s beauty is in its descriptions of pastoral life: the handsome dogs, the luscious meals and, best of all, the glorious gardens. Murder has some damn nerve, disrupting the tranquillity of such a heavenly place.

MY REVIEW

I was thrilled to receive this novel from NetGalley and HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review. I have read every book in this series of very British mysteries that, surprisingly, are written by an American author who lives in Texas. A Bitter Feast is book 18 in this fine series that has deepened over time. If you can, read the books in order for the people, the history and the relationships but, if you can’t, this could be read as a standalone.

Detectives Duncan Kincaid and Gemma Jones, who married many books ago, are invited to the country with their three children (Backstories on the children appear in earlier books as only one is the shared child of both Gemma and Duncan). They are invited by another police officer, Melody Talbot (again backstory in earlier novels), to her parents beautiful Cotswold home for the weekend. The descriptions of the countryside and the house will make you wish that you could hop a plane, unless you already live in Britain.

Of course, there are murders. There is also lots of food as chefs are important characters in the story. Why was a famous chef murdered? Why was his demise followed by others? And of course, whodunnit? I thought that I knew but I was wrong.

My only regret upon finishing A Bitter Feast was knowing that I now have to again begin the wait for the next book by this author. If you like traditional British mysteries/police procedurals, I highly recommend.

by Patrice Mcdonough

#ASlashofEmerald #NetGalley.

Fans of historical fiction/mystery titles will want to give this title a look. It features (as is often the case but still such fun) an unconventional woman (a medical examiner) and a Scotland Yard detective. They are in London in the year 1867.

The background for this entry in the series is the art world, one that includes some women painters. What is happening to their sitters? What is behind the suicide and murder in this world?

I am a fan Deanna Raybourn’s novels. Those who enjoy her books or this genre will, I think, enjoy McDonough’s books. Characters, setting and plot all are engaging.

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

Pub date: 25 February 2025

#DeathUnderaLittleSky #NetGalley

‘I LOVED this. I found it totally immersive, and couldn’t wait to squeeze some time from my day to return to it. The writing is very classy and the conclusion came as a surprise, which is always a treat’ Ann Cleeves

My thoughts:

Death Under a Little Sky is the first story that Abell wrote featuring Jake, Livia, Diana and the many others who live in a small, rather isolated community. The people and the place are both lovingly described in much detail with the resultant creation of a world.

How did Jake come to be here? He was a police officer who went through some hard times both professionally and in his marriage. An uncle left him this place that is indeed “Under a Little Sky.” Existence is literally out of this world; Jake has no modern conveniences or cell phone service. He does have an amazing library and excellent music though. How Jake adapts and creates a meaningful life is one theme of the book.

Even away from much of the world, bad things can happen. When old bones are unearthed they point to a murder. Jake cannot stop himself from investigating despite the fact that many wish he would do no such thing. There are threats yet Jake persists even when a second person is murdered.

Readers will be interested in the outcome of the case but much of what makes this novel intriguing is getting to know Jake and the many other characters. I read the second in the series before this (not a problem) so enjoyed each person’s first entry into the story in these pages.

Recommended to those who want a good story that proceeds at a bit of a leisurely pace with much excellent description.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 29 February 2024

From the Publisher

Broken Ground by Val McDermid

#BrokenGround #NetGalley

Val McDermid writes a number of series; of them all, the Karen Pirie novels are my favorites. Broken Ground is the newest of these.
I enjoy Karen. She is a quirky woman who has faced a significant loss and is still recovering. In this novel, she gingerly considers a new relationship. She is an old fashioned copper who cares about justice and what is right. She is loyal to those on her team who are still learners.
Karen is the head of the Historical Cases Unit in Scotland. Spending time with her, the members of her team (including her adversaries) and her cases is always time well-spent. In this novel, there are several stories; one relates to events of WWII, another to a serial rapist, and there is also a present day murder. Each of these plots is explored satisfactorily.
I finished this book today and am already looking forward to what happens next in the series. I highly recommend both this book and the series.

Many (!) thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this satisfying read.

#SwimmingforBeginners #NetGalley

Loretta lives a carefully controlled and planned life. She has a fiance with whom she shares a measured relationship. Surprises are not her thing. Loretta works hard, wants a promotion and is trying her best to fit in at work, even if this has her doing things that she does not enjoy. Loretta is traveling abroad to meet with a client when…she meets Phoebe at the airport and her life changes.

Readers get to know Loretta and Phoebe well. Their relationship will change both of them in ways that they were not expecting or prepared for.

Those who enjoy warmhearted stories with quirky protagonists, this novel is for you. The last heroine I enjoyed who reminded me of Loretta was in Lessons in Chemistry. Both of these women have their unique style and ways of living their lives.

I very much enjoyed this book and am delighted to recommend it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bedford Square Publishers for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 14 September 2023

As my kids hit 16 I gave them 16 books each. Here’s how I chose them

https://www.thetimes.com/article/bce40260-e5ab-498c-84a4-ab06a6b96341?shareToken=298c0e4e5de1913e838098f5ef554a72

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

#TheFarmersWife #NetGalley

As soon as I saw the cover of this book, I knew that I wanted to read it. The book fully delivered on what I was hoping for.

This is a beautifully written account of the life and family (several generations) who live and work on a farm in the Lake District. Start at the beginning with Helen’s reflections which are beautiful and insightful. Go on to read the whole book.

The author knows that she is lucky to live in such a beautiful area but also acknowledges that she, her husband, four children and animals have good times and challenges. All are recounted well.

In addition to the narrative, there are some lovely line drawings in these pages (starting with the hens). There are also many recipes.

Readers who enjoy memoirs, stories about women and/or who fantasize about a rural life, here is just the book for you (or someone on your holiday list). I really enjoyed it.

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

This title was published in September 2023

From the Publisher

#TheFarmersWife #NetGalley