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!
The Mysterious Bookshop is a wonderful place to visit in person. Luckily for those who can’t get there, Penzler publishes many titles. This time, he has collected seasonal stories that were first given to the store’s favored customers as a holiday gift. Now they can be read by bibliophiles everywhere.
Here are stories that follow three rules-they had to be seasonal, there needed to be a crime and, at least in part, must take place in a bookstore. From there, writers created their own engaging tales.
Some of the authors included in this volume are Lyndsay Faye, Ace Atkins, Laura Lippman, Ragnar Jonasson and Tom Mead. There are sure to be finds here for readers with varied tastes.
This book would make a perfect stocking stuffer. Penzler had indeed offered a gift to readers.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers-Mysterious Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
This dual timeline historical fiction title is a winner! The story was quite absorbing and kept me turning the pages with its two main focuses-one is about Jeanne/Anya a WWII SOE volunteer, and another is about a young woman named Celia who works in a bookshop as the novel opens.
What is going on in the bookstore under its new ownership? How will events from WWII and 1960s crises like the division of Berlin and Cuba come into the story? How will the characters and events in the two time lines be connected? Readers will want to know.
In these pages, there are traitors, people who care deeply for their country, professionals and amateurs, all of whom are impacted by world events. Along with these big world worthy plots, there are also storylines that impact the characters smaller, personal worlds. There are about family ties, secrets, trust, being in love, friendship, creating a life one wants and more.
The author does a marvelous job of bringing the two time periods to life. The social mores of each era are well portrayed and these societal rules definitely impact the characters.
The complex plot that kept me engaged and always eager to read another chapter. I was always wishing for the very best for Celia.
Historical fiction lovers, this is surely worth a read. The 1960s is a time period that I have seen less in historical fiction but one that is full of the conflict that makes for a good read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for this title. All opinions are my own.
When I think about what makes me engage with a book, the answer is generally the characters. Setting, plot and other elements of novels are also important but what I most seek is to spend time with the people and to care about them. Sarah Morgan gave me exactly what i wanted in The Summer Swap, a book that I recommend for an engaging spring/summer read.
Who is in the novel? Here are some of the people.
Cameron is an artist who is no longer alive but whose reputation and reach continue following his death.
Cecilia generally became known as Cameron’s wife but she was/is her own person. It was not always easy to be subsumed by her husband and their marriage was complicated. She is now trying to figure out what she wants (as are all the characters).
Kristen and Winston are Cameron and Cecilia’s middle aged children. Kristen is rather controlling, married to a surgeon and flirting with a possible dalliance as the book opens. Winston has a more laidback personality than the tense Kristen. Both Winston and Kristen have young adult children who also feature in the story.
Lily has had the hopes of her family placed on her shoulders. It is difficult when she realizes that she needs to find her own path in life, not do only what is expected. She has connections with Kristen’s daughter and has been in love with Winston’s son.
Watch out too for the journalist who flirts with Kristen. He may have ulterion motives.
As the story opens, readers learn that Lily is finding her way on the Cape. The Cape is also a place to which Cecilia travels when she escapes from the family party she did not want to attend. It is a place with some painful memories. Readers can expect that Lily and Cecilia will meet.
What happens to each of these characters makes up the essence of this very readable story. I enjoyed it so much and now will keep an eye out for a new book by this author. (I also liked her last novel The Book Club a great deal.)
Those who enjoy women’s fiction will, I am certain want to read The Summer Swap. Mark the calendar for its release date.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.
Last year, I read my first book by this author. He co-wrote it with the prime minister of Iceland. It was a very good read.
Now, here is a story that takes place in three time periods, has multiple perspectives, an historical illness (TB) that impacts the plot, murders, detection, interesting characters, relationships, and surprises. On top of all this, the academic/investigator has a love for classic mysteries that is shared with the reader.
This is a book that will be enjoyed by fans of traditional mysteries. Jonasson learned from a master. He is known for translating Agatha Christie’s books into Icelandic. He puts his skills to good use here.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
Anyone who read Days at the Morisaki Bookshop will, I am sure, be delighted to spend “More Days” there. Here is everything that made the first novel charming-the narrator and her family, a number of quirky characters, the neighborhood filled with bookshops, and, of course the books.
Those who have not read the first book will be easily brought up to date though they may well want to seek out the earlier title. Both books are short and quick reads even as readers may wish they were longer.
This is a book for bibliophiles, lovers of Japan and those who like unique and quirky stories.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for this title. All opinions are my own.
I enjoyed every paragraph of Keyes most recent book Again, Rachel. Therefore, I was thrilled to be given early access to this title by the publisher.
This is a story about Anna who is one of Rachel’s sisters. (The clan appears in a number of titles including an earlier book featuring Anna.) As the story opens, Anna has been a high achiever with her New York job and income. However with Covid, the end of a relationship and more, it has all become way too much for her. So she heads back to Ireland.
Not sure what she will do there, Anna is contacted on behalf of a friend who needs her help with a big real estate project. Anna hopes that her prior work experiences will be transferable. Will they? One complication is that an old love of Anna’s is also working on this development. Will sparks fly? Watch what happens in this long but enjoyable story that also touches on some issues including menopause.
What I liked about this book:
The characters, the setting, the ability to sink right in, the humor, the warmth-so much to recommend in these pages.
Fans of Keyes and those who like women’s fiction, give this one a look. Perfect for a summer day read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada-Doubleday Canada for this title. All opinions are my own.
Did you know that (according to this title’s author) people and dogs have been spending time together for 15,000 years? I did not. I realize though that this would allow for there having been many dogs in art over the years. This books showcases many of them.
Each dog is placed in historical context and its material is given, along with other of the author’s thoughts. The first dog is from the second century BC in Greece but looks far more modern.
This book does not go in chronological order. It was created for dipping in and out of. That said, I loved the second illustration of three dogs made by a Japanese artist. I was very interested in seeing everything that followed. I found so many favorites here…indeed, practically everything I saw I liked. My most favorite were many of the endearing Japanese dogs, however.
Cynophiles (dog lovers) will, I think, very much enjoy this title. It just might bring smiles to faces.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
This book has gotten a lot of hype, including being picked for Reese’s book club and receiving a starred review from Library Journal. Based on that, readers may expect a lot from this first novel. In my opinion, it delivers. It is the kind of read where I kept saying that I would return to other things that I had to do when I finished the chapter that I was reading…but then, I just kept on going. All in all, I really enjoyed this one. There are humor, family relationships, a murder…and all of this is well executed in these pages.
Readers meet the three women of the family. Lana has been a real go-getter. A cancer diagnosis has led her to needing some assistance not an easy thing for her. Lana asks her daughter for help and Beth brings her from LA to a quieter community by the water with a slough.
Beth was a teen mother. She is a nurse who lives on the grid but with a homespun lifestyle. She and Lana have a history of not seeing eye to eye. Beth is mom to Jack (Jacqueline), who, when the story opens has been a pretty independent and competent teen. She has led many expeditions on the waters near her house.
What will happen when a body is found? Which of these women will be under suspicion? (Readers find this answer early on.) Who will get involved in finding the truth? Will they succeed? Read this one to find out. Readers will be glad that they did!
Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for this title. All opinions are my now.
Pub date: 05 September 2023
From the Publisher
Editorial Reviews
Review
“Simon’s dazzling debut delivers everything a mystery fan could crave, including a realistically nuanced cast of characters, a vividly evoked coastal California setting, writing imbued with a deliciously desiccated sense of wit, and a perfectly plotted murder with enough red herrings deftly dropped in to confound the most experienced mystery reader. Insightful and frequently funny analysis of family dynamics wrapped up in a cleverly crafted cozy crime novel.” — Library Journal (starred review)
“Three women bond while investigating a homicide in Simon’s spirited debut…. Simon stocks her layered plot with plausibly motivated suspects and convincing red herrings, but it’s her indomitable female characters and their nuanced relationships that give this mystery its spark. Readers will be delighted.” — Publishers Weekly
