Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

#ACaseofLifeandLimb #NetGalley

Readers who got to meet Gabriel Ward in the first book in the series (A Case of Mice and Murder) will be absolutely delighted to spend time with him in this second novel in a proposed trilogy. (I wish it could be more, Ms. Smith). Those who have not read the first book can read this one first but I am pretty sure that they will then go back to read the other title.

There is a lot of plot in this book. I will not give it all away so that readers can enjoy the circumlocutions of the story as they read. There is a case involving Topsy Tillotson who is a music hall star. There are a series of upsetting packages and their accompanying notes. There are murders. Certainly, all this enough is to keep the pages turning in this traditional, historical mystery.

There were many things that I loved in the book including the time spent in the law courts and environs. It is a self contained world with chambers, living spaces, refectories, chapels and, watch out for the cat. I found that the characters were very interesting and idiosyncratic.

Ward himself is very precise and ordered. He is a man who does not easily left others in. He grows a bit and does value some of his connections over the courseof the story.

The book is cleverly plotted and includes an interesting dilemma for two of the male characters. One of them is in the law court while the other is a cleric. No more to say as readers should have the experience of discovery.

Smith writes with the authenticity of knowing her setting and the law courts intimately. She has also researched the history of the time in which the story is set.

I most highly recommend this book.

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

Pub date: 18 November 2025

First posted on 17 January 2026

Description:

from the publisher

AN ELLE BEST MYSTERY OF THE YEAR

“I was immediately besotted . . . Brilliant.” -Janice Hallett, internationally bestselling author of The Appeal

All is calm, all is bright . . . until reluctant sleuth barrister Gabriel Ward is tasked with finding the culprit of yet another grisly crime in the Inner Temple.

Christmas Eve, 1901. Gabriel Ward KC is hard at work on a thorny libel case involving London’s most famous music hall star, Topsy Tillotson, and its most notorious tabloid newspaper, the Nation’s Voice, but the Inner Temple remains as quiet and calm as ever. Quiet, that is, until a severed hand arrives in the post.

While the hand’s recipient, Temple Treasurer Sir William Waring, is rightfully shaken, Gabriel is filled with curiosity. Who would want to send such a thing? And why? But as more parcels arrive-one with fatal consequences-Gabriel realizes that it is not Sir William who is the target, but the Temple itself.

Someone is holding a grudge that has already led to at least one death. Now it’s up to Gabriel, and Constable Wright of the City of London Police, to find out who, before an old death leads to a new murder.

From the Publisher:

About the Author:

Sally Smith spent all her working life as a barrister and later King’s Counsel in the Inner Temple. After writing a biography of the famous Edwardian barrister, Sir Edward Marshall Hall KC, she retired from the bar to write full time. A Case of Mice and Murder, her first novel, was inspired by the historic surroundings of the Inner Temple in which she still lives and works and by the rich history contained in the Inner Temple archives. A Case of Mice and Murder is the first in a series starring the reluctant sleuth Sir Gabriel Ward KC

Review:

“Ms. Smith (herself a barrister and Inner Temple resident) nicely balances scenes of legal and detective work, peppering the narrative with details about her characters’ personal lives and back stories. Gabriel grows as an attorney and human being by embracing the empathy he feels for his clients and other citizens. With its lawyerly shenanigans and emotional poignancy, A Case of Life and Limb is a real corker, as a policeman who sometimes counsels Gabriel might say.” ―The Wall Street Journal

AN ELLE BEST MYSTERY OF THE YEAR

“I was immediately besotted . . . Brilliant.” -Janice Hallett, internationally bestselling author of The Appeal

The first book:

Many Agatha Christie novels are e book bargains today!

#StorybookEnding #NetGalley

I am always drawn to novels that are about books so was quite interested in reading this author’s debut work. The main setting is a bookstore in the Pacific Northwest.

There are many characters in these pages. That said, there are three principals. Westley (named for a character in The Princess Bride) is a (very) handsome, yet somewhat self-effacing man. April works for a real estate company called Picket Fences; her job is virtual and she misses more regular human contact. The third main character is Laura. She was widowed young, has a six year old daughter and is a personal shopper. I enjoyed reading about her work.

One day, April decides to be more decisive. She brings in some used books (with a note in the Anhtony Horowitz title) to the store where Westley works in that department. April knows that he looks inside the titles to remove loose papers before shelving them. April, therefore, hopes that Westley will read her note and they will begin a bookish correspondence that could, eventually, lead to a relationship. However, Westley does not see the note, the book is picked up by Laura who reads it. This means that April and Laura begin communicating with one another when they each think that they are writing to Westley. How will this resolve? Readers wait a while in this somewhat slowly paced book to find out.

The author knows her books and there are many good titles scattered throughout these pages. Macdonald also does a lovely job describing the bookstore and the cafe that is there. She also introduces a wide variety of other characters including a movie crew that wants to film in the store.

Storybook Ending was an enjoyable read for me although, I think that it could perhaps have been edited a bit. Also note that the author’s style includes a lot of parenthetical asides.

Kirkus Reviews states that this is “A perfectly charming read for devotees of the written word and anyone who’s ever hoped to find love in a bookstore.” So true.

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

Pub date: 27 May 2025

Post first published on 16 January 2026

Description

A charming story about friendship, community, and the magic that happens in bookstores—when an anonymous note left in a book finds the wrong recipient.

April, a smart and lonely tech worker, worries work from home has gotten out of hand: She’s left an anonymous note in a book for Westley, the clerk at her Seattle neighborhood bookstore who has a gentle smile and looks great in flannel. But thanks to fate, Laura—a busy single mom who had given up on love—buys the book, finds the note, and thinks Westley has left it for her. A handsome man who loves books seems like just the plot twist she has been looking for.

Meanwhile, Westley—not the most perceptive—is too distracted by the movie filming at the store and the ambition it’s unlocked in him to notice either of the two women. But as April and Laura’s anonymous correspondence continues back and forth, their mundane routines are challenged, sparking a glimmer of hope. Is a happy ending in the cards for them?

A heartwarming web of mistaken identities and serendipitous encounters, Storybook Ending is a playful tribute to friendship, love stories of all kinds, and to the objects—from a forgotten slip of paper to someone’s heart—left between the pages of books we loved.

From the Publisher:

The cover:

I found the cover of this book to be so inviting that I couldn’t wait to see what was inside.

What it’s about:

Between the two beautiful towns in a stunning mountainous area of Japan rattles the Hankyu Line train. Climb aboard, where THE PASSENGERS ON THE HANKYU LINE takes readers on a journey alongside the unlikeliest but surprisingly relatable group of passengers. Among them is a pair who find themselves in a one-sided rivalry, a melancholy woman dressed in white, a love-smitten student, a toxic couple, two lonely university students, and an old lady traveling with her granddaughter, who insists that they adopt a dog (preferably a dachshund.)

Already a bestseller and beloved classic in Japan, THE PASSENGERS ON THE HANKYU LINE features the authentic and warm storytelling Arikawa is known for and will leave readers feeling that even in the most mundane circumstances, situations, and locations, there is magic in life that’s worth living. 

Perfect for readers of Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi and We’ll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida.

The book is by the author of The Travelling Cat Chronicles

My thoughts:

Readers will want to meet the eleven passengers who are traveling on this train. Each has a story and perhaps a decision to make. Will they help one another? Will they help themselves? Find out on two of their commutes.

I have not yet read this title but plan to start it now. I have been saving it to savor.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for this title.

From the publisher:

ALSO, if you’d like, we’ve made a fun “find out where the Hankyu Line and its passengers are taking you today!” quiz. Check it out here:  https://x5h4gde8rss.typeform.com/to/uOkif04k

Editorial Review:

From Kirkus Reviews:

A gentle intertwining of small vignettes that evoke smiles in the characters—and the reader.

Pub Date: 03 June 2025

ISBN: 9798217187188

Page Count: 256

Publisher: Berkley

From page-turning thrillers to tales of espionage, find your perfect crime in these mystery novels that will hit shelves soon!
— Read on www.penguinrandomhouse.com/the-read-down/mystery-coming-soon

#ElizabethBarrettBrowning #NetGalley

Whether or not a reader is already aware of EBB’s poetry, here is a book to savor. There are more than 100 poems by her in these pages-a good reminder that she wrote so much more than the very well known “How Do I Love Thee?”

Following the introduction, this title is organized by topics, each of which has its own introduction. These sections include Love; Death and Spirituality; Social Justice; and, Women’s Rights and Feminism. Some of the many poems is followed by a critique for readers who want a deeper understanding of the work.

Here is a book that brings EBB’s poetry to life for readers.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Gemini Books Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 17 February 2026

Post first published on 15 January 2026

Description:

A curated collection of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poetry that explores the personal, political and intellectual depth of this pivotal Victorian poet.

From the intense affection of ‘How Do I Love Thee?’ to the powerful social protest in ‘The Cry of the Children’, the lyrical beauty of Barrett Browning’s poetry continues to fascinate modern readers.

In this evocative introduction to Barrett Browning’s work, over 100 poems are organised into thematic sections, allowing the reader to gain a deeper understanding of her perspectives on life, liberty and love.

Perfect for fans of feminist literature and poetry, this collection celebrates the pioneering legacy of Barrett Browning as a talented poet, social reformer and independent woman.

A Novel

by Jamie Brenner

#ANovelSummer #NetGalley

I enjoy stories about women, their friendships and their lives. This is exactly what Jamie Brenner delivers in A Novel Summer.

Readers meet three young women as the story opens in Provincetown on Cape Cod. They include Colleen who has grown up on the Cape. Her parents own a bookstore (and one that I would like to visit). Shelby grew up moving around as her family was a military one. She dreams of being an author. Hunter has grown up in a family (and a wealthy one) that has deep roots in Boson. Despite not having to work, Hunter wants meaning in her life. The three become good friends.

Soon after the book opens, we move forward with these characters. Shelby has written a best seller; a rival bookstore wants to open; Hunter is at loose ends.

What will happen to each of these women? Will they find happiness? Romance? Will their friendship survive? Find out in this read that will speak to those who enjoy women’s fiction.

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

Pub date: 16 July 2024

From the Publisher

A Novel

by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb

#ChristmaswiththeQueen #NetGalley

Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb have mastered the art of writing together. This book reads seamlessly and I have no absolute idea of where one author’s voice ends and the other begins. This was also true in their earlier collaboration, Meet Me in Monaco, a book that I very much enjoyed. I loved this one too.

Christmas with the Queen was exactly the kind of read that I was looking for, one that would transport me to another time and place. The story opens in 1952 when London was enveloped in a murky fog. Elizabeth was new to the throne. The novel goes on to cover a five year period (with some back history).

The story principally follows two characters, each of whom has an interesting profession and story. Jack is working in the Sandringham kitchens during the festive period. Olive is a trainee reporter with the BBC. When her boss became ill, she travels to Sandringham to write a seasonal story. These two (re) meet and readers follow them over the years.

There is enough detail to bring Sandringham, the Queen, her corgis and the royal experience to life. It is delightful to observe Elizabeth in the novel. There is a charming scene fairly early in the book when Elizabeth strolls into the room where a star struck Olive is sitting. She will reappear.

This is a lovely book. Readers will want the best for these characters.

If a reader wants to get into the Christmas spirit without the frenetic quality of holiday life, come to this book with a cup of tea and relax. I am very glad that I did just that.

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

Pub date: 19 November 2024

From the Publisher

#TheBookClubforTroublesomeWomen #NetGalley

The early sixties were a time of nascent change for many, including women. There was restlessness as some felt that being a housewife and mother was not fully satisfying in and of itself. (This may have been true before, of course, but it was at this time that Betty Friedan published a book that spoke to and legitimized these feelings).

In this novel, Marie Bostwick looks at a group of women who are living in a planned, suburban community outside of Washington DC. The group includes Margaret who was a bright, successful college student when she met her husband. Now she is a mother of three. When she gets an opportunity to do a bit more will she take it?

Bitsy married an older man. She loves horses but passed on vet school to marry a vet. Readers will find out why. Bitsy is having trouble with the suburban dream because she hasn’t been able to have a child.

Viv is a mother to many with a husband who seems supportive. But, when she wants more and looks for a job, will she tell Tony?

Then there is artistic, chaotic Charlotte. She challenges Margaret and the others. Will she cross a line too far?

These women meet regularly in a book club with the first book being The Feminine Mystique. Readers follow their lives over the course of this long and satisfying novel that is special to the author (read what she says).

Recommended to those who enjoy (women’s) fiction and would like a look at the 1960s.

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

Pub date: 22 April 2025

Historical Fiction-Women’s Fiction

384 pages

From the publisher:

From the Publisher

#PizzaPractice #NetGalley

I think anyone who wants to make pizza and related items in their home kitchen should take a look at this comprehensive and beautifully illustrated title. There is much that will inspire. Even those who do not aspire to making their own pizzas, will enjoy the mouth watering illustrations.

This is a book that pizza makers will, I think, very much enjoy. I like that, before going to recipes, the author sets the cook up for success in the introductory sections. Then, find recipes for so many kinds of pizza (including desserts) as well as focaccia and pita based ones. Seasonal pies, white pies, sauces and so much more are found in these pages.

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

Pub date: 24 March 2026

Post first published on 14 January 2026

Description:

from the publisher

From acclaimed baker Tara Jensen: The definitive primer on baking pizza dough, with brilliant color photos, illustrations, and easy-to-follow recipe layouts.

Pizza dough is a gateway for many home bread bakers, allowing them to experiment with different tools, toppings, ingredients, timings, and shapes. This companion guides you step by step from the simplest doughs to artisanal bakes. Here are 89 recipes any baker can perfect, with simple cook-along layouts and ways to explore different ingredients, techniques, flours, and heat sources for perfecting pizza, pita, and focaccia.

Bright and visually rich, with more than 60 color photographs, this baking book provides expert guidance on how to:

• Set up your baking space with the right ingredients and tools
• Cook over fire or with an outdoor oven, or trick out the oven that came with your apartment to bake an impressive pie
• Learn the perfect ratios of toppings to crust
• Build classics such as Margherita, Clam, and Pepperoni pizzas, as well as a collection of fancifully delicious takes, including Breakfast pizza; Delicata Squash, Shallot, and Gruyere; and a particularly luscious Pancetta and Brown Butter Pineapple pie
• Craft a foolproof focaccia
• Discover all you need to know to make pita with kids
• And much more!

No book on pizza is complete without simple sauces, dips, and drizzles, such as Lemony Roasted Garlic Cream, Hot Honey, and a simple, fresh Uncooked Tomato Sauce. For after your pizza, Jensen offers dessert: homemade ice cream, cobblers, brownies, simple chocolate chip cookies, and a classic yellow birthday cake with chocolate frosting.

The first pizza bible written by a woman and one of the preeminent bread bakers in the US, Pizza Practice offers a new approach and everything you need to bake your best pizzas.

ACCESSIBLE RECIPES FOR ALL SKILL LEVELS: These are baking recipes that meet you where you are, with the equipment in your kitchen. Step-by-step instructions, timelines, and photography for all the phases of the dough-making process, as well as folding, shaping, stretching, and baking, make this pizza cookbook indispensable for all home cooks.

TO YEAST OR NOT TO YEAST: Many baking books are emphatic in their approach to sourdough, resisting the addition of commercial yeast. Jensen’s dough uses both commercial and instant yeast—each alone or in combination—so bakers can experiment and know what makes the dough of their dreams.

EXPERT AUTHOR: Tara Jensen is one of the country’s most acclaimed bread bakers, instructors, and trusted bread baking cookbook authors. Flour Power was named one of the Washington Post’s top 10 cookbooks of 2022. Her breads, pizzas, pies, and pastry have been featured in Bon Appétit and Food & Wine, and she was named one of Southern Living’s chefs of the year in 2021. She runs her first pizzeria, Dough Baby, in Loudon County, Virginia, and posts daily musings on life and baking to her eager followers on Instagram @bakerhands.

From the Publisher: