Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

I just read a blog post in which the blogger liked this author’s books.

I want to read this one.

Just bought this.

Greenwich Park is the London neighborhood that readers get to know well over the course of this domestic thriller. This is the first novel by Katherine Faulkner but I feel that she has done her research on how to write this type of popular book.

Readers get to know a number of women in this story that is told in alternating voices. That, of course, does not tell readers who is truthful or what exactly will happen. There are:

Helen-She finally seems to be having a successful pregnancy after heartache. Her husband seems to work late an awful lot of nights. Keep an eye out for his computer.

Serena: She is also pregnant with a baby due not so long after Helen’s. She is married to one of Helen’s brothers. What is the meaning of the note that is secreted in a cupboard and that has the initial W?

Katie: She is a reporter covering a rape case in which the accused are public school boys. She is involved with Helen’s other brother, Charlie.

These characters all know and interact with one another. Into this mix comes Rachel.

Rachel attaches herself to Helen in an ante-natal group and soon insidiously makes her way into Helen’s life. Who is her baby’s father? Rachel is portrayed as manipulative, presumptuous and able to insinuate her way into other’s lives. Why does she want to be with this group?

Helen, Serena and their respective partners all went to Cambridge together. What happened when they were there? How will that resonate in the present day? Readers know from the first chapter’s first sentence that someone is in jail but who is it and why? Pick up the novel to find out.

I enjoyed this book. I was taken in by its sense of menace, often finding myself wanting to warn the characters. I thought I knew what would happen. Will you feel this way? Will you be right?

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

This one is free.

I was proud to have completed this one.

www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/books/review/new-thriller-novels.html

See review on my site. I really like this series.

See comment above.

25 Tales of Women Who Protect the Earth

by Rebel Girls

I love the Rebel Girls series. Through these books, young readers learn about so many interesting people’s dreams, aspirations and accomplishments. This entry takes on one of the most important topics of our time, the environment. Rather than despair, rebel girls show how they are doing something! Learn about 25 women who are doing their best to protect our earth. Just a few among those featured are author Margaret Atwood, climate activist Greta Thunberg and marine biologist Rachel Carson. There are also those whom I just met through these pages including journalist Bernice Notenboom, activist Julia Butterfly Hill and zoologist Lucy King. Each woman’s biography is shared and there is an illustration of her on the accompanying page.

Find inspiration and hope in this excellent collection. There are several special sections at the end of the book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

This title will be published on 29 Mar 2022

And Other Stories of the French Countryside

by Martin Walker

Martin Walker has been writing about Bruno (Chief of Police) through fourteen books with a fifteenth coming later this year. So many enjoy his novels and will be delighted by this collection of short stories.

There are so many things to love in Bruno and his world. There is, of course, Bruno’s personality. I also very much like how the settings and people come to life. I do think, though, that one of the greatest joys comes from all of the food and drink. All of these favored elements are present in these stories.

I truly recommend this collection. It makes me want to go back to read all of the titles in the series.

This title will be published on 15 Mar 2022.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

#BrunoHasOneHundredFriends #NetGalley

Who hasn’t observed a young child mesmerized by a screen? Parents take advantage of this to distract their children when they, as the adult, have something else to do. It seems harmless, but is it?

This Dutch book offers a gentle and fair warning about the dangers of devices for children whose lives are meant to take place in the real world in real time. Children observe Bruno going for a walk with his two good friends, when he discovers…a cell phone! Bruno loves all that it can do so much that he has little need for anyone or anything else. How will this work out for him? Read this book with a child that you know to find out. The lesson is important for both kids and the ones who are in charge of them.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Editorial Reviews

2021 Scree-Free Week Book List Selection!

“A bear named Bruno finds a new technological distraction in the woods. One day Bruno, Rico, and Renzo go fishing. While walking along a woodland path, Bruno finds something beautiful: a smartphone. He discovers fun sounds, exciting pictures, and new words. The best thing the phone offers is connections to new friends, and soon, Bruno has 100 friends. With so many new friends and diversions, Bruno has interest only in his phone, ignoring Rico and Renzo. During dinner, in bed, and even on the toilet, Bruno only has time for his new phone. Only after his two friends leave and the phone goes black does Bruno realizes what true friendship is. Translated from Dutch, Bruno’s story is clearly relevant to current technological society. His experiences will be familiar to many kids (and their grown-ups), demonstrating how the allure of instant friends, information, and media makes it so easy to get lost in the digital world. Pirrone emphasizes the quality of friendships over the quantity. The muted, angular illustrations add amusing details and acknowledge how mesmerizing phones can be. Drawn animals and plants placed on subtly textured backgrounds make up the charming full-color, full-page images. A bold display type is used to emphasize some of Bruno’s excited thoughts and words. A kid-friendly reminder of the dark side of connected life.” – Kirkus Reviews

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