#HerculePoirotsSilentNight #NetGalley

This title is the fifth and latest Hercule Poirot novel to be penned by Sophie Hannah who has the approval of the Christie estate. This one is my favorite so far.

Hercule Poirot and companion Catchpool are thinking about what they will do for Christmas when their plans are upended by Catchpool’s mother. Cynthia, the mother, is a real presence in the novel and, at times, had me laughing out loud over her interactions with her son.

Cynthia convinces Poirot and Catchpool to visit a family whose house is falling into the sea and whose patriarch is dying. These family members, by and large, do not get along. There are two brothers married to two sisters, the brothers’ parents and the sisters’ parents, along with Vivienne and our duo. Note that the sisters’ parents are (ineffectually) acting as the home’s servants and this is not good for Poirot’s dinner plans or digestion.

The family patriarch wants to go to a hospital to die. His wife is against this plan as a prior patient (a man described as lovely and a postman) was murdered there. Said patriarch wants to work on the case and is realizing a life’s dream when he plans to collaborate with Poirot. He is aware that this could lead to his own murder. The story takes off from here. Note some of the interesting scenes; for example, find out how Catchpool learns a lot while decorating Christmas trees.

This title offers an excellent traditional mystery along with some eccentric characters in a Christmas run up. All of this makes Hercule Poirot’s Christmas a perfect holiday gift for a mystery reader.

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

Pub date: 24 October 2023

NOTE: This book received a starred review from Publishers Weekly while Library Journal notes that “fans will devour this novel…”

by Katherine Kovacic

First off, I was drawn to this book by its appealing cover. I then discovered that this is a novel based on the TV series Miss Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries. That was an enjoyable spin off of the Phryne Fisher mysteries, written by Kerry Greenwood and also a TV series. So, I was primed to enjoy this title and I did. However, you could know nothing about Phryne of Peregrine and still come away from this read having been entertained.

As the book opens, an Australian Department Store has had a bridal fashion show and one with a fatal result, at that. What happened? Who did it? Trust that the case will be resolved in part thanks to Peregrine.

Who is she? Peregrine is the niece of Phryne Fisher of the Adventuresses fame. She has disappeared leaving her closest, and down on her luck relative, to move into her home, her car and to share some sleuthing talents.

All in all, this is a delightful light read. Hopefully more books will be published in due course.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 31 January 2023

#ThePresidentsWife #NetGalley

I am a great fan of historical fiction. I find it intriguing to look into the lives of people who lived before us. Ms. Wood previously wrote a novel where she told readers about the woman who was responsible for the completion of the Brooklyn Bridge. Now, she has turned her attention to Edith Bolling Galt Wilson. The story is a fascinating and involving one that gives readers insight into the United States and President Wilson. Nowadays, Wilson has been called to task for some of his views. Here readers get to meet him, being introduced to him when he was a fifty-something year old widower and the head of the nation. All this, as WWI was looming.

As the novel opens, time has moved forward. Edith is revisiting the hotel where she spent her honeymoon. It is now the 1940s. She wonders if she could have done more, been more influential and altered history in a better way. Readers will watch as she made her decisions.

SPOILER (though many know this): Edith is well known for having been very influential in Wilson’s presidency, especially when he became ill. She took over decision making in many ways at that point.

I became very involved with the time and people in this novel. I started looking up photos, Wilson and Edith’s wedding coverage and more. Clearly, the author was able to intrigue me.

Recommended for fans of historical fiction. Anyone who read The First Ladies will most likely enjoy this one as well.

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

Pub date: 15 August 2023

A Novel

by Elizabeth Strout

#TellMeEverything #NetGalley

Anyone who has read one book by Elizabeth Strout will surely read all of her others. I found this one to be a special treat because it brings together characters from earlier titles including (my favorite) Bob Burgess, Olive Kitteridge, Lucy Barton and others.

The prose is beautiful, the story is engaging and the visit to Crosby, Maine is most welcome. I was delighted to follow the challenges and relationships in this small community.

I find Strout to be such a wise author. This is definitely a book to add to a fiction lover’s TBR list.

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

Pub date: 10 September 2024

This is part of the author’s Karen Pirie series.  I have enjoyed all of the novels that feature her.

The Sunday Times Bestsellers List — the UK’s definitive book chart

https://www.thetimes.com/article/c5ffe854-28da-40b8-92d8-dc2e07dc679f?shareToken=2738e712783ff3c1d819d79ad0607582

Close to Death is a take on an AgathaChristie style mystery with the additional spin of this author”s cleverness. It is the latest in the series that features Detective Hawthorne and, yes, the character Anthony Horowitz.

This time the structure of the book is a bit different. Hawthorne, who gives Horowitz case material for his novels, is revealing a past puzzler. Some of the novel is a take on those events and other parts involve the perspectives of the two protagonists.

A close is a kind of dead end street. In this upscale one, a number of neighbors detest the newest family. The annoying, inconsiderate and very wealthy Kenworthy is murdered. The suspects include a GP, a retired barrister, two elderly former nuns, a chess grandmaster, a dentist and those around them. Whodunnit? Why? The pages turn as readers wait to fond out.

Last year I heard the author speak. He was very entertaining, just as he is in his writing. i think that he was enjoying himself here. The book offers a good read.

Note that, although this is part of a series, it can be read on its own.

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

Pub date: 16 April 2024

The best books of 2024 — our critics’ top 12

https://www.thetimes.com/article/91616c4d-ae74-431c-842e-50d357da91e7?shareToken=5631e95d3ec79260295f538589b3f44e

New thrillers for November — David Baldacci, Japanese assassins and more

https://www.thetimes.com/article/81754699-c616-416c-b90d-e837895358e9?shareToken=413c6bd3765e033415d173378fd897df

Flamingo Estate: The Guide to Becoming Alive

Luxurious Rituals to Ignite Your Senses and Rejuvenate Your Soul

by Richard Christiansen

Before picking up this title, I had never heard of Flamingo Estate. Now I wish that I could visit in person as well as through the pages of this book.

There is an ethos to this estate that has offered wisdom to the many who have spent time there. Just a few of the conversations that are included here are with Alice Waters, Martha Stewart, Jane Fonda, and Chrissy Teigen & John Legend.

Flamingo Estate is a generous read at over 500 pages. Dip in and out and enjoy. Given our world, this book’s belief in pleasure, the earth, observation and caring for ourselves resonates.

Just a few things that are offered her include learning to grow a tomato, how to quite your job, how to benefit from Mother Nature. Spend time in these pages, both reading and looking at the gorgeous photos. Feel better!

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

Four stars ****

From the Publisher

This is the Flamingo Estate Guide to Becoming Alive

It’s Pleasure-Seeking 101. In these pages you’ll learn how to grow a Tomato. How to quit your job. How to get your hands dirty. But mostly, you’ll learn that Mother Nature can be your doctor, your therapist, your friend, your savior.	There is a joy in living, and that means opening up your senses and prioritizing their arousal. Smelling the flowers, listening to great music, eating a pint of ice cream, and maybe doing it all in a hot bath.	Don’t wait to be ready. Experience sensory pleasure, while you still can.And reader, please note: None of your senses are common.