Many thanks to Algonquin for this opportunity. Title is published today.

The author:

About this title:

“A GUT PUNCH OF A NOVEL—lyrical, mordantly funny, and wrenching.” —Kelly Link, author of Get in Trouble

The searing and unforgettable story of one decision that irrevocably changes the course of a young man’s life.

In the early 1970s, in Stovall, Texas, seventeen-year-old Earl—a loner, dreamer, lover of music and words—meets and is quickly infatuated with Tina, the new girl in town. Tina convinces Earl to drive her to see her mother in Austin, where Earl and Tina are quickly separated. Two days later, Earl is being questioned by the police about Tina’s disappearance and the blood in the trunk of his car. But Earl can’t remember what happened in Austin, and with little support from his working-class family, he is sentenced for a crime he did not commit.

Forty years later, Earl is released into an America so changed that he can barely navigate it. Determined to have the life that was taken from him, he settles in a small town on the Oregon coast and struggles to overcome the emotional toll of incarceration. But just as Earl finds a chance to begin again, his past returns to endanger the new life he’s built.

Steeped in the music and atmosphere of the 1970s, I Am the Light of This World is a gritty, gripping, and gorgeously written story of the impulsive choices of youth, redemption, mercy, and the power of the imagination.

poisonedpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/BN-Holiday-11-22.pdf

This cloth book for the youngest children is one of several that is being published now. As is true for the others, this title is bright and engaging. Young ones will enjoy seeing the brightly colored jungle animals in this book that is made for little hands.

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

Unpublished Letters to the Daily Telegraph 14

by Kate Moore

#HereWeGoAgain #NetGalley

Here is the latest in a series that is published yearly by The Daily Telegraph. It consists of unpublished letters that were sent to the paper. Just a couple of the chapter headings include Family Trials and Tribulations, and Traveling Hopefully. Dip in and out. Many of the letters will make readers smile.

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

Pub date: 03 January 2023

208 pages

#DeathbytheSea #NetGalley

This title is the sixth in a series. I have not read the others but think that I will so that I get more of the characters’ backstories. That said, this can be read as a standalone.

It is clear from reading this title that the Anglian Detective Team has worked together over time. Their group consists of an ex police officer (Frank) and an ex teacher (Laurel), along with two others.

One thread of the plot centers on a case of a judge who many have been wronged or who may have unsavory connections. When he fails to show up for a meeting with the team, the course of the novel is set. A visit is made to the judge’s home where an unsavory discovery is made.

The team is also working on a case that involves missing plants. Are the two investigations separate or will they come together?

This police procedural is set in the 1970s. It offers a good read with interesting characters and a terrific setting.

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

Pub date: 27 October 2022

256 pages

by Erica Ruth Neubauer

#DangerontheAtlantic #NetGalley

I first met series protagonist Jane in the author’s first book, Murder at Mena House. This was such an enjoyable historical mystery. Following this, there have been two other published books, with the newest one coming out soon. It is such fun to travel the world with Jane and her associate with the funny name of Redvers Dibble. Also, these books have wonderful covers. They draw me in.

This time the two are on the Olympic, a vessel that has a connection to the Titanic. There is so much going on in this book; a ship with its passengers is able to carry many plots. There is a wealthy bride, Vanessa, whose marriage is not going well. There is a codebook to (hopefully) be found, a German spy and more. It is entertaining to read how the events play out.

Lovers of historical cozies, should give this title and series a look. Recommended.

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

They say that you can’t judge a book by its cover but I have to say that, as soon as I saw this one, the visual appeal made me want to read Murder at the Mena House.  This is an historical mystery set in Egypt in 1926.  The author does a wonderful job with the setting, both in terms of the indolent, luxury hotel and the sites, including the pyramids, museums, camel races and more.  There are a variety of colorful characters and some interesting backstory for the majority of them.

I think that this is the author’s first published book.  I enjoyed this read although the mystery itself was the least engaging part for me.  I will read further adventures of Jane as they are published.  She was a good guide to Egypt and those around her.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Others in the series:

The Ultimate Riddle Game for Kids

A Mind-Bending Book to Test Your Logic

Following an introduction are chapters entitled Tricky Quick Hitters, Math Monsters and Sneaky Stories and, of course, one called Answers. Although this is called a game, solvers can work on the challenges in a solitaire fashion should they prefer.

Try not to get frustrated. Lateral thinking, an ability to think “outside the box” will be helpful in solving these puzzles.

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