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!

Now out:

The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly

Life Wisdom from Someone Who Will (Probably) Die Before You

by Margareta Magnusson

The author of this title wrote a first book about “Swedish Death Cleaning.” In essence, this means that we should be responsible for our “stuff” and not leave it for others to take care of for us once we are no longer alive. Now, she has a book of reflections on growing older.

Ms. Magnusson is a delightful guide in this book which is filled with her own line drawings. She writes essays about many aspects of getting older. For example, in the very first chapter, she writes about the joys of keeping up with friends whether virtually or in real time. One of my favorite writings was the one called “The World is Always Ending;” readers are reminded that it often feels this way and yet we keep going. Examples from the author’s life include her experiences during WWII, a time when her son might have been lost at sea and more. She acknowledges our resilience during the worst of times even now with Covid.

Other chapters have to do with everything from being a volunteer to taking care of one’s hair. Another piece that I liked was titled”Don’t Fall Over and Other Practices.”

The author is certainly aware of her age as she continues to live her life, just as she feels that we all need to do. She offers much wisdom to readers as we consider how to best live our lives.

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

From the Publisher

Let’s start: Cooking à la Heart, Fourth Edition

500 Easy and Delicious Recipes to Help Make Every Meal Heart Healthy

by Linda Hachfeld; Amy Myrdal Miller

#CookingàlaHeartFourthEdition #NetGalley

Imagine 500 good recipes all in one book. What a great resource! The authors base this book on “plant forward eating” and care about healthy food; this does not in any way mean that the food will not be delicious. This was clear from the book’s first photo of Olive Oil Brownies.

Here are recipes for everything from quick breads to desserts, from appetizers to pizzas and so much more. In addition there is a lot of information about healthy eating.

I would enjoy a day where I begin with Apple Dutch Baby for breakfast. Perhaps I would follow this later in the day with Mock Risotto with Zucchini or Chicken Tandoori Skewers. For dessert, I might have those aforementioned brownies.

All in all, this book appears to be a great resource and just right for those who have resolved to eat more healthfully in 2023.

Many thanks to NetGalley and The Experiment for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 07 February 2023

What exactly was: The Mitford Affair by Marie Benedict

#TheMitfordAffair #NetGalley

In my opinion, Marie Benedict is among the best of the current writers of historical fiction. Here, once again, the author has succeeded in writing an absorbing story that is based upon historical fact. Unlike in her earlier novels, this time she tells the story of six important characters (rather than one) who were sisters. They were so different from each other that it is hard to believe that they had the same parents.

The family included one son, Tom and many daughters. There was Nancy, the novelist. Diana was beautiful, married to one of (those) Guinnesses but she left

Bryan to be with the Fascist Oswald Mosley. Unity was somewhat of a fanatic who was deeply enamored of Hitler while Jessica was a Communist. There were also younger sisters Debo and Pamela.

Benedict tells her chapters from different characters points of view. She often has characters detailing their experiences in the same time frame.

There is a very rich history in this family. Readers will enjoy learning more about the Mitfords in this well written story.

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

Pub date: 17 January 2023

Those who enjoy this one may also enjoy Jessica Fellows historical mysteries featuring the Mitfords along with Michelle Gable’s recent novel and The Mayfair Bookshop by Eliza Knight.

What is: The Bookseller’s Secret

I want to visit: The Mayfair Bookshop

On Anne Perry and her novels

Anne Perry has been writing historical mysteries for many years. She began with a series featuring Charlotte and Thomas Pitt. The first in this series was called The Cater Street Hangman. I still remember how completely engrossed I was in that one.

Thomas Pitt worked in the police when the series began while Charlotte was from a class higher than his. Nonetheless, they married, had a family and each contributed to the solving of the cases. Over the course of the books, readers met members of Charlotte’s family with, for example, her great aunt Vespasia, her sister, and mother each featuring in titles. Readers also watched as Charlotte and Thomas’s two children grew up. Readers also get to know the Pitts domestic servant Gracie and those with whom Pitt works.

All in all, thirty two books were written in the series. This one later spun off into the Daniel Pitt books. Daniel, Charlotte and Thomas’s son, grew up to work in the legal profession. His first book was called Twenty-One Days. In this series, readers get to know those who also work with Daniel in his chambers. He becomes especially close to the independent Miriam. The sixth title in this series will be published in April 2023.

Another series that Anne Perry has written features William Monk. An intriguing fact about him when the series opened is that he had lost his memory. The first book with William was called The Face of a Stranger. Associates of William’s included a nurse from the Crimean War named Hester and a lawyer named Oliver Rathbone. There are twenty-four titles in this series.

Both of these series contributed characters to Perry’s Christmas novellas. She has now published about twenty of these titles.

Perry also wrote a series of four books set before and during WWI. That series begins with No Graves as yet.

More recently, there has been the Elena Standish series set around WWII. First in this was Death in Focus and the most recent book is A Truth to Lie For.

I have liked some titles better than others but have spent many happy hours reading with Anne Perry. I would be hard pressed to choose my favorite of the series. Perry creates good settings, character and plots. Fans of historical mysteries are in for a treat with her. Where will you start.

Thanks to Deanne01 who motivated me to write this post.

Two books in a new series that are worth a look:

From Book 1: What lasts in this world? For Abigail Fischer, nothing lasts. Everyone and everything has left her. No family, no lover, no home. Until she found the magic key that lit the spark to make her whole. In the most unlikely place, just when she least expected. A dreary land record, that kept a secret for generations. An obscure phrase in a stolen document leads her to a destination she vows she will save, no matter the cost. It is something that can never be taken away, a paradise that will last forever. So far, everything she has relied on has fallen away or deserted her. Finally, she finds something that can endure. But she can’t do it alone. Can she find the missing heir to fulfill the dream of a dying man? What must she sacrifice to keep that dream alive? How can she make it last?

And Book 2:

Who defends the defenseless?
Abigail Fischer never thought she would be a lawyer. When her new job takes her to the depths of a crumbling psychiatric hospital, Abby faces perils she never imagined. Her response to a heart-wrenching challenge could place those she loves in danger or enhance their lives. Making that choice will alter everything forever. Before she leaps, Abby must convince herself that her actions are right–and just. Only then will the path be clear.

H.C. Helfand has been a lawyer for more than 30 years and a writer longer than she can remember. She has published essays and an acclaimed book for children, “And There Was Evening And There Was Morning.” “Fee Simple Conditional” is her first novel, and the beginning volume of The Arcadia Chronicles, which tell the story of an attachment to land that transcends time. Influenced by her work and studies in the U.S. and Canada, her books weave details of place and the twists and turns of law that intertwine with human frailties and aspirations. Like her characters, she loves land and longs for Arcadia, the place of dreams.

DISCLAIMER: I know the author and am happy to share information about what she has been writing here on my blog.