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!

Kids will enjoy: Storytime with Franklin

I am so delighted to see that this collection of Franklin stories will be coming out in the spring. I have fond memories of reading Franklin stories to my children.

Franklin in the Dark, the first story, was always a favorite in our house. Here, there is that story plus others about every day life. Franklin goes to school, he makes friends, rides a bike, goes to the hospital and say I Love You in these pages.

The stories themselves are engaging and address the kinds of fears that kids may have. The illustrations add to the pleasure for the child who is hearing the stories.

Highly recommended!

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

Pub date: 07 May 2024

Can I sign up: The Bordeaux Book Club (Gillian Harvey)

#TheBordeauxBookClub #NetGalley

Put the word book club in a novel’s title and I always want to take a look. That, plus the cover of this one, made me want to read The Bordeaux Book Club.

This is an easy and enjoyable read about a group of ex-pats. One of them, Grace, likes to keep busy and perhaps to feel important. She posts a notice for a book club for ex-pat English speakers and waits for people to sign up.

Among those who attend the first meeting is Leah. She is already a friend to Grace. Leah and her husband moved to France looking to have a better quality of life. It is not clear that they are finding this. Their daughter is cranky and it seems that Leah’s husband may have some secrets.

Several others come to the first meeting including Monica, George and Alfie. Alfie stands out for being the youngest in the group.

The first book selection is Great Expectations as this was Grace’s choice and she can be forceful. What will this book and others mean to the book club members as they read and get to know one another…oh, and drink some wine too. (Bordeaux is in the title for location but possibly also for the wine.)

Those looking for a quick, escapist read will, I think enjoy this title.

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

Pub date: 15 March 2024

Maybe it is time to try: Timeboxing (Marc Zao-Sanders)

#Timeboxing #NetGalley

The subtitle is a key to everything this title is about. So many of us find it almost impossible to do one thing at a time. We race, we multitask, we hope to get things done but somehow are not always successful. Here is another way to look at how we go about spending our time and accomplishing things. The system may resonate and is definitely worth a look.

Learn what timeboxing is and why it can be beneficial. Take a look at the four sections. These include Believe, Plan, Do, Own. There are a number of topics within each of these. For example, in Believe are reasons why to do this, while in Plan there are things like Box Making, and in Do there is a section on Pacing and Racing. The final section has subheadings including Better Sleep and It’s Working. Hopefully it will work for the book’s audience.

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

Pub date; 19 March 2024

It is time to follow: The Bone Track (Sara E Johnson)

I very much enjoyed this author’s first book, The Molten Mud Murder. I liked the New Zealand setting, the attention to culture and, of course, the story itself. Now, Ms. Johnson has had four books published with a fifth coming out in June.

In The Bone Track, the author brings everything that I loved about her earlier book to the novel. This time, Alexa, a forensic investigator is hoping to spend time hiking the Milford Trail with her brother. Of course, their plans are disrupted. There are historic bones to be examined but, unfortunately, also bones that are more modern. This leads to an investigation. There is also an additional murder so Alexa is kept quite busy.

I recommend this entry in the series and all of the books by this author. They offer something a bit different. Anyone who has enjoyed novels by the Australian Jane Harper will want to give this New Zealand set series a try.

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

Pub date: 15 February 2022

The Lantern’s Dance (Laurie R. King)

#TheLanternsDance #NetGalley

It has been close to thirty (!) years since Laurie R. King’s first Holmes and Russell novel, The Beekeeper’s Apprentice, was published. When I read this first in the series, I enjoyed viewing the Holmes canon through a new lens. Having recently read some Doyle works for a class, I was excited about spending time with King’s version of him, along with the inimitable Mary and other of his family connections.

This time the story is a fun one. I loved that there was a storyline about Damian Adler (yes, think of Irene) and his family. Where have they gone? Why did they flee? Holmes wants to find out.

Mary stays behind and in looking around the empty house, she finds some coded journals, along with memorabilia of a Holmes relation. Always up for a challenge, she will try to decipher these documents.

There is all of this plus India in the novel. King handles everything skillfully making this another terrific entry in a series that continues to intrigue.

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

Pub date: 13 February 2024

From the Publisher

Leslie S. Klinger says, “Masterful….”A new Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes mysteryPublishers Weekly says, “The elaborate family lore King has constructed for Holmes impresses…”
The Washington Post says, “…an intriguing mystery.”

It is indeed: A Murder Most French (Colleen Cambridge)

#AMurderMostFrench #NetGalley

This series began with last year’s Mastering the Art of French Murder. This second title is every bit as delightful.

Here is an historical mystery set in post WWII Paris. It features a fictional protagonist, Tabitha, and a friend of hers. That friend is the larger than life Julia Child. Together the two become involved in murderous situations.

This time, chefs should beware what they drink. Not too far into the novel, two have died after imbibing what should have been very special vintages. Tabitha and Julia are on the case even if the police inspector (and possible romantic interest for Tabitha) does not want their help.

What I like best in this book (and in the first one) is the evocation of Paris. When Tabitha and Julia visit a market it is easy to visualize the food and want to start cooking. And speaking of which, every time Julia is around food, and that is often, the book is so much fun.

Highly recommended to those who are foodies, those who love Paris and those who like historical mysteries. I hope there will be a third book soon

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

Pub date: 23 April 2024