Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

Many would acknowledge that we are currently living in a time of deep unease, uncertainty and strife. It can feel quite discouraging as people clash with one another, there are wars, elections, court cases, environmental issues and more to unsettle us. Some may call the overall resultant feeling doom.

The author of this entry in the Essentials series defines doom as the “un-peaceful, uneasy, unwanted feeling” that “we humans have made a mess of our civilization and our planet, and not enough of us seem to care enough to change deeply enough or quickly enough to save ourselves.” In this book, the author looks at this complex topic from a vareiety of perspectives. He offers a guide and reflection in these pages to what he calls “wisdom and courage for a world falling apart.”

Chapter title include Letting Go, Letting Be, Letting Come and Setting Free. There is much to think about and readers may see the world and their actions in it differently upon finishing. Look at the questions that the author provides for the reader to think about in each section.

This book does not offer an easy read. It does, however, provide an important one.

Note that the author is a pastor so writes from this perspective.

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

Pub date: 14 May 2024

An e book bargain for 10 April 2924

This book has generated a fair amount of buzz. It won a first mystery contest sponsored by the publisher along with the Mystery Writers of America. It is also an Amazon Editor’s Pick and a title that I have seen on some best books of the year lists. Kirkus Reviews states that this book is “An intriguing and altogether enchanting mystery.”

So…is it for you? It will be if you like gothic novels and old, rundown family homes/fortresses. You will like this one if you like a Cornwall setting and the 1920s time period. This book will intrigu thosewho want to spend time with an unconventional heroine who was a rebel and inherited a fortune upon the death of her parents. If you like a troubled marriage and mysterious (possibly even supernatural) deaths, turn the pages. And there is more.

The Curse of Penryth Hall is a fun and intriguing read. I enjoyed the getting to know Ruby and those around her. A lot goes on. Not all may be fully tied up but this is still a pretty good first novel.

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

Pub date: 05 December 2023

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.

Pub date: 21 May 2024

 #TheMissingMaid #NetGalley

Four stars ****

Readers who enjoy traditional/cozy British mysteries, tales set in the past, and/or those who love a story with a Sherlock Holmes reference point are sure to enjoy The Case of the Missing Maid. What happened to her? Harry (for Harriet) becomes intrigued and wants to find out more…but, how did Harry learn about the missing maid?

Well, she was demoted from her job in a building with that famous street in it and assigned to respond to letters sent to (the fictional) Sherlock Holmes. It can be tedious but then one letter caught Harry’s eye. Read the story to find out where she is led and what happens.

This is a very enjoyable book and, as is true for Boldwood Books in general, it is very attractively priced.

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

Paige Shelton has been writing the Scottish Bookshop Mysteries for a while now. This new book is the ninth in the series and a delightful entry.

This time the events take place not long after Queen Elizabeth’s death. Delaney is asked to take a look at an artifact. It is possible that this has a deep historical significance. However, a lot is going on when Delaney arrives, including an intruder.

The story goes deeper. Is Jolie, the person Delaney was meeting, an heir to the throne? Readers can imagine how this will unfold but the fun is in the story.

This is a good traditional mystery. I liked the location, characters and story line. Recommended to fans of cozies.

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

Pub date: 09 April 2024

Four stars ****

This title is part of a “junior scientist” series. It offers a nice resource for children who want to learn more about birds.

The first section of this book is titled Remarkable Birds. Here kids will learn about a bird’s life. For instance, they can discover how birds travel, build their nests, eat, and more. The second section of the book lets kids look at “Birds Up Close.” Here they will find photos and info on many species. Just a few of these include the bald eagle, the great horned owl, common ostrich, house sparrow, great blue heron, and painted bunting among others.

All in all, this book will be enjoyed by kids who are interested in nature.

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

#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

Marian Keyes at 60: Why my painful youth still haunts me

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/3606b421-93fb-44ba-a3f0-1fd40bdf670e?shareToken=f545b0a8f3399cf772e19ae5fcd073ab

#TheLifeline #NetGalley

This book can definitely be enjoyed on its own merits. It is a reissue of a title by this author who is credited with teaching quite a lot to Ian Fleming. Here she tells her own thrilling tale of espionage and derring do.

The story takes place in 1938 at a difficult time in the world. A schoolmaster is recruited by the Foreign Office and accepts an assignment. How will he fare? find out in this good read.

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

Pub date: 14 March 2024

Note that a couple of her books are free for the Kindle.

This is Hallett’s fourth novel, following The Appeal, The Twyford Code, and The Christmas Appeal. In all of these, as in this newest book, Hallett tells a story in her own way. This time, there are text/What’s App messages, transcriptions of meetings, emails, looks at websites and more. In this way, Hallett builds her story and allows it to unfold for readers in a true “show, don’t tell” manner. The result is an absorbing read and one that kept me riveted.

The Alperton Angels were a cult. There was a murder in which they were implicated as well as ritual suicides. There were only three survivors. One of these was a baby at the time and is turning 18 as the story opens.

Journalist Amanda is researching the Angels for a true crime book. The reader follows her as she tries to learn as much as she can. Along the way, this means that readers hear from police officers, social workers, other writers (especially Oliver), her transcriptionist and many more. Don’t forget to go back to the prologue. It sets everything up.

This is a book that keeps the reader engaged. It is easy to recommend it and Hallett’s earlier stories. I look forward to whatever she writes next.

In giving this book a starred review, Publishers Weekly states “Hallett’s fans and newcomers alike will relish this brilliantly constructed and eminently satisfying mystery. ” I concur.

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

Pub date: 23 January 2024

Can you crack: The Twyford Code (by Janice Hallett)

Will The Appeal appeal to you? The Appeal by Janice Hallett

There is trouble ahead: The Christmas Appeal (Hallett)