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!

Kylie Minogue (Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara)

#KylieMinogue #NetGalley

Here is another book in the popular series. I love the cover and all of the bright, engaging illustrations in this entry on Kylie Minogue. 

What kids will see is that a child who was initially shy can go on to achieve her dreams. For Kylie this had to do with acting, singing and being her own person. Kylie’s adversity, having breast cancer, is also touched on.

This is good addition to the many books that have been published about little people with big dreams.

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

Pub date: 05 March 2024

Travel to an: Island in the Sun (Katie FForde)

#IslandintheSun #NetGalley.

I get excited every, single time that Katie Fforde writes a new novel. In my opinion, she has consistently told involving stories that have heart. She is a go to author for me when I want to read a book that is “nice” and will leave me feeling satisified.

In this newest novel, Ms. Fforde goes a bit afield, to the island of Dominica. Cass is asked to go there by her photographer father when she visits him in Scotland. When Cass and Rannulph leave him with a petroglyph related mission, a hurricane has hit their destination island. The two make it to host Bastian’s where Cass delivers a map to him. Will Bastian find the petroglyph and will he win a contest in which the truly loathsome Austin is also a competitor? Will all be well…of course it will, this is Fforde country.

What I liked: the descriptions of the storms and the island of Dominica. many of the subsidiary characters. the chance to believe in a love story.

What I liked less: the plot seemed to lack in complexity. Cass could be naïve at times.

Verdict: Fans of Fforde will want to read this book. New readers of the author, if you don’t like this one, try some other books by the author.

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

Pub date: 15 February 2024

Who was: The Woman on the Ledge (Ruth Mancini)

#TheWomanontheLedge #NetGalley

By now readers know that a book whose title includes the words ”The Girl” or “The Woman” is going to find a complex, twisty story where it is hard to know who to believe and exactly what happened. That is certainly the case in Mancini’s page turner. Mancini is a British criminal defense attorney so keep an eye on the lawyer in the story.

It starts with a holiday party. A woman who works as a temp goes to this party where, by the way, her married lover also works. When she goes out on the roof for some air, she finds said woman on the ledge. She is threatening to jump. Tate talks the woman, who says her name is Helen, down. Things get increasingly complicated when Helen seeks Tate’s help the very next day. She says that she lost an earring at the party and convinces Tate to return to the London high rise building.

Horrifically a woman dies. Tate is arrested. Helen can’t be found. Was she really named Helen? Stories come and go. As is the case in these novels, that the reader does not know what to make of events and who to believe. Pages turn as readers seek answers.

I first heard about this novel in a British magazine and knew that I wanted to read it. You might want to as well.

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

Pub date: 16 January 2024

Now out: Code Name Butterfly

Those who enjoy historical fiction set in the WWII period will want to read Code Name Butterfly. As is true of much historical fiction, this is a dual timeline story in which historical personages have a role. 

In the present, Lizzie is dealing with her inability to carry a child to term. She is heartbroken. In her grief, she returns to her childhood home and becomes intrigued with some family history.

In the earlier time period, readers will spend time with both fictional and real characters. In this part of the narrative, they will learn much about Josephine Baker (yes, that flamboyant one) and her role in a much quieter, secret life during the war. They will also enjoy meeting Elodie and seeing how the plot lines fall into place.

The pages turn in this story. Even if a reader has read lots of WWII historical fiction, this is worth a look. There is even some romance.

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

Four stars ****

From the Publisher

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There is room for us all: A Penguin Like Me (Marcus Pfister)

#APenguinLikeMe #NetGalley.

At its heart, this book is a paean to a world of diversity and acceptance. It is told through penguins (though, of course, the message is for people). It is gorgeously and engagingly illustrated.

The book explains that, while all penguins may look the same from a distance, they are actually not all alike. Through the characters, kids will gently see that there are unique penguins who wish they could fly, those with synesthesia, a girl penguin who likes girls and many others. They are able to live in harmony; clearly the author wishes the same for humans.

This book will undoubtedly get some folks thinking that it should be banned. I am not among them. It is in now way aggressive in making its point.

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

Pub date: 05 March 2024