New crime fiction for June — Mark Billingham’s grumpy detective is back
Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews
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!
Thrillers
10 best thriller books of 2024
Tiananmen Square
Tiananmen Square by Lai Wen review — like Elena Ferrante, but in 1980s Beijing
Now out: My First Day of Kindergarten Activity Book
This lovely activity book was written by a former kindergarten teacher. In a series of activities, she takes children through a day at school. It incorporates teaching/reviewing things that kids will want to know. For example, on the first page, titled Good Morning, children are asked to circle everything that is blue. Another page called Let’s Go to School asks kids to circle the transportation that can get them there. For example, they may take the bus but they probably won’t swim. There are matching games, dot to dots, find what’s different, sequencing, patterns, shapes, letters and much more. All in all, a nice resource for a child and an adult to do together. I definitely know a child who would like this and you may too.
Many thanks to Callisto Publishing and NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.
Five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just a note to those whose blogs I follow
You may notice that I am not up to date on reading my favorite blogs. No, it’s not that I don’t want to read the posts because I really do! The reason is that I have just had eye surgery on one eye and another surgery is upcoming. So, please bear with me and I will soon be back to reading at speed.
I appreciate every word that you write and thank you for following my posts.
Pencils out: Logic Puzzles Book for Brain Fitness
#LogicPuzzlesBookforBrainFitness #NetGalley
Here is another in a series of puzzle books for “brain training.” These puzzles may in fact be good for you (note the 90 day challenge) but I mostly do them because I think that they offer a fun challenge.
There are six different types of puzzles included in this title. They are logic grids puzzles, sudoku, calcudoku, battleship, kakuro, and Masyu (a puzzle with which I was unfamiliar). There are three sections, each of which includes some of the puzzle types, with harder puzzles being added as one goes along. Puzzlers can choose to go in order, or if they feel more skilled, they can advance to a harder section. Try puzzles that you already know that you like or learn something new. There are full directions for each type. However, the puzzles are approached, have fun!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Zeitgeist for this title. I plan to get the hard copy of this title so that I can do all of the puzzles. All opinions are my own.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Zeitgeist for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 30 July 2024
They say that: All’s Fair in Love and War (Virginia Heath)
Are you a lover of Regency romances? Would your day be enhanced by a frothy and fun read? If yes, take a look at this first title in a new series by Virginia Heath.
The premise is that a rather uptight uncle and employee of the Admiralty has suddenly become responsible for his sister’s three children, said sister being off on an adventure of her own. Needless to say he does not relish the responsibility and is not perhaps fully capable either. So…he hires someone to do the job.
The children will like her very much. Will he? You may know but the fun will be in getting there. Watch Harry (he) and Georgie (she) as they come together.
Recommended to those who are fans of this genre and those who want to try it out. Many will be eager for the next installment.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press-St. Martin’s Griffin for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 28 May 2024
From the Publisher
Editorial Reviews
Review
“An enjoyable new Regency series.”
-Library Journal
Camino Ghosts (John Grisham) is published today
#CaminoGhosts #NetGalley
This latest novel by John Grisham is part of the Camino Island series. Earlier titles included Camino Island and Camino Winds. Bruce Cable , bookshop owner, and novelist Mercer Mann are again involved in the events that unfold in this new book.
This is the story of Lovely Jackson and her ancestors. They lived on an island that, at the time of the novel, is full of deep historical connection and meaning to her. When developers want to take over and claim this land, the stage is set.
Will the island be preserved? Will deep pocketed developers succeed? Is the island haunted? Readers will want to know. I think even more, however, readers will want to follow the story of Lovely and her ancestors.
This is one of the better books to have been written by Grisham in recent years. I recommend it.
Many thanks to Doubleday Books and NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 26 May 2024
It’s going to be okay: Group
How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life
by Christie Tate
An e book bargain today
The guide in this memoir is an author with a unique and honest voice. While very accomplished, she has clearly had her struggles. In this memoir the reader observes Ms. Tate as she brings her issues to a therapy group and her rather unconventional therapist. As a result her life was changed.
This book has received mixed reviews. There are those who have given it five stars and others who have barely given it one. Having facilitated support groups as part of my career, I was intrigued to read about the author’s experience with her therapist and the other members of her group. I recommend that you take a look and decide for yourself. I am glad to have read it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.
Mother Daughter Traitor Spy
A Novel
by Susan Elia MacNeal
An e book bargain today
#MotherDaughterTraitorSpy #NetGalley
Last year I read and reviewed The Hollywood Spy, one of the Maggie Hope stories by this author. It set the stage for this new novel as it opened my eyes to what was happening among the pro German U.S. groups in the lead up to WWII. What I learned was appalling.
In many ways, Mother, Daughter, Traitor, Spy picks up where The Hollywood Spy left me. The difference is that this title is based on the lives of a real mother and daughter. Many other characters are also based upon real people. Here is a story about good and evil.
Readers get to know Vi and her daughter, Veronica. Veronica was set to have a very bright future as a journalist after she graduated from Hunter College. One mistake derailed her. Vi and Veronica subsequently leave New York and move to California at a relative’s urging. This puts the reader right back into a story about anti-Semitism, pro German sentiment and the world of spies. There are many shocking events over the course of the novel.
I highly recommend this title. I even think that it would be a wonderful one for high school students who are studying American history to read. It is, after all, important to know what happened right here in the U.S. In addition, some of the parallels to today’s political landscape are also here-just think about that.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 20 September 2022
From the Publisher
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“A suspenseful page-turner, vivid historical account, and inspiring story of female empowerment all in one . . . Riveting!”—Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Woman with the Blue Star
“A timely, fascinating story about a little-known chapter in American history, one that resonates especially strongly today.”—Jennifer Chiaverini, New York Times bestselling author of Resistance Women
“A fascinating, thought-provoking thrill ride through the fascist underbelly of 1940s Los Angeles, Mother Daughter Traitor Spy will have you glancing over your shoulder and wondering just what you’d dare—and whether you’d make it out alive.”—Lauren Willig, New York Times bestselling author of The Other Daughter
“Gut-wrenching . . . This is historical fiction at its best.”—Lauren Belfer, New York Times bestselling author of And After the Fire
“Susan Elia MacNeal is at the height of her powers in this riveting suspense novel.”—Sujata Massey, Agatha Award–winning author of The Widows of Malabar Hill
“Susan Elia MacNeal is outstanding! Her ability to convey a spellbinding story that is realistically rooted in this time period puts her among the best!”—Charles Todd, New York Times bestselling author of the Ian Rutledge series and the Bess Crawford series
