Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

#ComeFlyWithMe #NetGalley

Anyone looking for a very readable story that has good characters, new beginnings and a happy ending will want to pick up the newest novel by Helen Rolfe. It is perfect for a read in the garden…or even indoors

This is a story about an air ambulance pilot named Maya and a paramedic named Noah. Each has a history and has experienced challenges. Their worlds will come together as will they in these pages. Readers will hope for good things for these two as they learn more about them.

Romance readers, pick this one up!

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

Pub date: 22 May 2024

I have loved this series by Carolyn Haines ever since coming across the first book, Them Bones, way back in 1999. It amazes me to think that Lights, Camera, Bones is the twenty-seventh book and that Sarah Booth & Co. are still going strong.

I have enjoyed these books for their setting, the mysteries and, most of all, for the recurring characters including not just Sarah Booth but also Tinkie, Coleman Peters and, of course, ghost Jitty, among others. They have charmed their way through many stories.

As can be deduced from the cover, a movie is being made in Mississippi. It is ostensibly about a flood during the 1920s. Why does a character named Marion want this film to be made and…will it be? What happened to a gaffer? Will all be revealed? Of course it will, but there will be mayhem as readers wait for the story’s resolution.

Those who enjoy a quick, light mystery read, can’t go wrong with this latest book by Ms. Haines. Those new to the series may even want to go back to the beginning.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 21 May 2024

#WhatFeelingsLikeBest #NetGalley

In this title, feelings become anthropomorphic and tell their stories. Some of the feeling critters who are included are nostalgia, patience, anxiety, courage and curiosity.

The story in these pages could be seen as one for adults and/or children. It starts in the festive season as nostalgia thinks about Christmas.

The illustrations are detailed and delightful. They are sure to be enjoyed.

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

Pub date: September 03, 2024

#ThePerilsofLadyCatherinedeBourgh #NetGalley

Some Jane Austen fans are absolute purists and read only her original works. Others enjoy various iterations of Austen’s stories. For those in the latter category, this series by Claudia Gray is a lot of fun. The newest title featuring Lady Catherine de Bourgh is the third book and it is delightful.

The premise of the series is that a son of Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett, and a young woman, Juliet Tilney, with connections to Northanger Abbey, solve cases together. They make for a charming (if not yet romantic) couple as they go about their work.

Credit to this author for her wittiness and her clever use of existing Austen characters along with the ones that she, herself, has added to the mix. In addition, she has created a good plot.

Will Lady Catherine be alive at the end of this title? Pick it up to find out.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: June 18, 2024

Fans of The Crown rejoice!

This novel, set in post WWII England, is a story about the women who made Princess Elizabeth’s wedding gown.  Part of the story takes place in 1940s Britain while there is also a modern thread (no pun intended).  I think that this was an absorbing and fun read.

“Robson deftly weaves issues of class, trauma, romance, and female friendship with satisfying details of Ann and Miriam’s craft. This unique take on the royal wedding will be an easy sell to fans of Netflix’s The Crown and a sure bet for readers of women-centered historical fiction.” (Booklist (starred review))

“Robson vividly brings to life these three women’s struggles. Historical details about fabric, embroidery, and the royal family are well incorporated into their stories, with light romance rounding out this charming work of historical fiction.”   (Library Journal)

“Robson’s novel shifts deftly between… Toronto to London in 2016… giving meticulous attention to the historical detail of post–World War II London. A fascinating glimpse into the world of design, the healing power of art, and the importance of women’s friendships.”
(Kirkus Reviews)

Welcome back Richard Jury and Co! 
After reading The Man with a Load of Mischief, I always looked for books in this series. Then, I moved away from them…not sure why, the books or me. But, I will tell you that I very much enjoyed The Knowledge. All of the trademarks are here; characters including Wiggins, Melrose Plant, Diane, etc. and of course the preternaturally smart, cunning and ingenious child(ren). On top of this there is Africa, Art, Astrophysics, the Stars and murder, all of which line up as perfectly as an eclipse. If you enjoy traditional British style (author is American) mysteries with a twist, read this novel!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In Monica Wood’s rich new novel, “How to Read a Book,” death, prison and poetry become the catalyst for new beginnings.
— Read on www.nytimes.com/2024/05/05/books/review/how-to-read-a-book-monica-wood.html

Another in my tbr stack

Now a suburban married mother, Eilis Lacey finds herself in a quandary in “Long Island,” Colm Tóibín’s sequel to his much-admired novel.
— Read on www.nytimes.com/2024/05/07/books/review/long-island-colm-toibin.html

Just started this one.

Naoise Dolan: I don’t admire Hemingway as much as others do

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/eac1a56b-c131-4599-84c3-4ccde10c24a2?shareToken=53f65cb9652803953e1930d6ae24ac7f

#Solitude #NetGalley

We live in a world in which we are hyper connected and seemingly available absolutely all the time. It can be exhausting. An antidote to this state of being is to actively seek out solitude. In this book that is written by academics, the average reader can also learn a great deal. The authors include a psychologist, a science writer, and an expert in studying solitude in lab conditions.

The authors help readers to understand the benefits of alone time (as distinguished from loneliness) and the ways in which it can boost well-being. There are many advantages as becomes clear, even if it is sometimes tricky to be alone with one’s self.

The authors note the limitations of their work in an emerging field of study. They acknowledge that most studies have been with college students or older adults and that more needs to be understood about other age groups. They also acknowledge their largely Western perspective. Despite this, there is much of value in this title.

I found this book to be quite readable and informative. The reader is immediately drawn in with the description of Beryl Markham and her solo flight. There are many instances of people’s stories along with the information in this title. It is definitely worth a look and some thought.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Cambridge University Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 18 April 2024