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!
Murder on the Class Trip is the third title to feature Maya and Sandra. Earlier entries in the series are Murder at the PTA and Murder at the Bake Sale. From the books’ names, readers know that these are cozy mysteries.
Maya and Sandra are parents, friends and private detectives. This time, they are also chaperones on a class trip. Their respective children are not pleased about this.
The trip takes the duo out of Maine and to Washington DC. Sandra’s almost ex is a Senator there. When a young female intern is found dead in a compromising position, needless to say, he is quite upset. He asks for the help of Maya and Sandra to get to the bottom of things. The FBI is considerably less than thrilled that Maya and Sandra are investigating but the two persist until matters are resolved.
There are plenty of suspects and motives in this entertaining mystery. This book will be enjoyed by those who like sitting down with a reliable, cozy title.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
This book has truly lovely and sweet illustrations. Those who read this title will wish that they could bring some of these dogs home in real life.
From the title, I had thought that this was a book about getting a pup to bed. It was not though. It was more about Lil dreaming about getting bigger and being able to do all of the things that the others in his family and breed can do. Indeed this leads to sweet dreams. During the day Lil is a bit afraid but Lil Paw soars in dreams. The end emotion is that Lil will one day be an amazing dog.
This is a nice short story that is greatly enhanced by the illustrations.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Circle D Publishing, LLC for this title. All opinions are my own.
The Birds That Stay is the first title in the Russell and Leduc mystery series. The next book to feature this duo is The Dogs of Winter which has also been published.
Readers of this title are in Canada’s Laurentian Mountains where an elderly woman has been murdered. What happened and why? A mixed team will sort things out. There are a professional inspector (who should have been starting vacation) and the amateur working together. The case will raise issues from both of their pasts.
The narration of this title is crisp and clear, allowing listeners to get to know the characters. The reader, who is the author, did a good job.
This book was middling for me. I would rate it at three stars.
Many thanks to NetGalley and ECW Press Audio for this title. All opinions are my own.
In mid-October, Kensington Books, publisher of some of the finest cozy mysteries, hosted its first Cozy Min Con in two years along with the Mechanicsburg Mystery Bookshop in Pennsylvania. I was fortunate to attend with authors such as Julia Henry, Sherry Harris, and Darci Hannah. Over one hundred attendees drove hours to meet fellow readers…
This book is just adorable. The illustrations are very bright and full of detail while the text tells young children so much about construction workers. What do they wear? What do they do? What tools do they need? Who do they work with…and more.
I definitely recommend this title for young ones. It is informative and appealing.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Clavis Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.
Lev AC Rosen, Lavender House (Forge) “A tense character-driven story … Rosen sculpts fully realized characters … Each character’s personal struggles are expertly shown. Like in most families, there are squabbles, pettiness and annoyances punctuating every day, but there also is pure, unconditional love and acceptance that elevate Lavender House. Rosen leaves the door open…
When it’s possible, I enjoy toggling between a book and its audio version. That way I can read when I have time and listen while on walks, etc. This is a system that works well for me and one that I was able to employ with this historical mystery. It is part of a series, with three titles having been released thus far.
Readers will enjoy getting to know Olive. She may just have been given an appropriate surname as she will needs her intelligence in working through the events of the story.
It is WWII. Olive’s close friend George has joined the Air Force while Olive remains (stuck) in her small village. She is helping out her father, a vet, but would like to do so much more. Her hope is that she will find an assignment with her pigeons. Well, happily for Olive and the reader, there is work to be done, quite a bit actually.
Olive becomes involved in a secret project. She also investigates the death of a local busy body.
Here is such an enjoyable read/listen. It is just perfect for fans of historical mysteries. I will definitely read and/or listen others in the series. The narration of the audio book is sport on and easy to follow.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Books and Tantor Audio for this title. All opinions are my own.
Book and Audio were released on 29 December 2020.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Advance Praise for Olive Bright, Pigeoneer
“Olive Bright, Pigeoneer is the perfect escape read for troubled times. The classic village mystery with its quirky cast of characters, including pigeons, plus the heightened danger of WWII.” —Rhys Bowen, New York Times bestselling author of the Royal Spyness mysteries plus the #1 international bestselling The Tuscan Child
“From literary-themed pigeons to a cozy village seething with dark secrets and populated by a delightful cast of characters, Olive Bright, Pigeoneer is fresh, original, and sure to enchant. An absolute winner!” —Deanna Raybourn, New York Times bestselling author of A Murderous Relation
“Readers will flock to engaging young Olive Bright and her racing pigeons, who send secret messages for British Intelligence—as well as solve a village murder. Inspired by little-known (and true!) facts of World War II, Graves brings us a fresh, quirky, and charming new heroine.” —Susan Elia MacNeal, New York Times bestselling author of the Edgar-nominated Maggie Hope series
“A delightful classic village mystery studded with little-known World War II facts: a promising series debut.” —Kirkus Reviews
I continue to love samplers. They offer such a good way to add to book lists. This one is for teen thrillers. A good resource for a teen or for an adult who is curious about what teens are reading. It may provide an adult with a good gift idea for an adolescent too.
Inside are excerpts from six books. There is everything from horror to thriller to lesbian vampires. Not my usual reading but it is someone’s for sure.
Many thanks to Penguin Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
