Broken Ground by Val McDermid

#BrokenGround #NetGalley

Val McDermid writes a number of series; of them all, the Karen Pirie novels are my favorites. Broken Ground is the newest of these.
I enjoy Karen. She is a quirky woman who has faced a significant loss and is still recovering. In this novel, she gingerly considers a new relationship. She is an old fashioned copper who cares about justice and what is right. She is loyal to those on her team who are still learners.
Karen is the head of the Historical Cases Unit in Scotland. Spending time with her, the members of her team (including her adversaries) and her cases is always time well-spent. In this novel, there are several stories; one relates to events of WWII, another to a serial rapist, and there is also a present day murder. Each of these plots is explored satisfactorily.
I finished this book today and am already looking forward to what happens next in the series. I highly recommend both this book and the series.

Many (!) thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this satisfying read.

This entry in the author’s long standing Gamache mystery series is truly outstanding.  It is one of the very, very best mysteries that I have read this year.

The plot involves the death of a woman who had been abused by her husband.  Does that mean that he was the murderer?  If yes, how to convict and, if not, who was it and why are central to the plot.

But…it is the way that Penny writes that makes this book so truly excellent.  She is philosophical and thoughtful, all the while enhancing, not taking away from the plot based action.  The book is full of references to Moby Dick whose relevance becomes apparent.  Many of the characters are chasing their own versions of that great whale and, as in the novel, they are distressed.

Penny has a true talent for making  her characters com to life.  This is true for the series regulars as well as those who fully inhabit this novel. The people are complex and within contain both much goodness and potential for wrongdoing, even if sometimes for what they feel are the right reasons.  In addition, the early chapters of the book about potential flooding made me feel the cold, the rain, the fear and the worry.

Penny herself states:

“These books are about community.  About love and belonging.  About the great gift of friendship.

How lucky I am to live in Three Pines.”

You, too, will be most lucky to visit Three Pines.  I give this one 6 stars out of five.  Really.

by Georgette Heyer

Georgette Heyer was a very popular author of Regency romances. She wrote The Grand Sophy among others. These stories have long been read by Austen fans and others. What readers may not know, however, is that Heyer also wrote a series of mysteries. This title is one of the books that has been reissued in more recent years.

This is a country house mystery, although said house is rather rundown. It is visited by a trio of siblings who discover a body. Who is the killer and how will the case be solved?

This is a very traditional mystery with a bit of a supernatural touch. Modern readers sometimes criticize Heyer’s mysteries for being long and a bit slow. Not everyone will feel that way however and many may enjoy the leisurely pace and the knowledge of a long (over 400 pages) read ahead. I am glad to have revisited Ms. Heyer in this story.

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

#THEUNIFORM #NetGalley

I have long enjoyed reading mysteries set in Scotland so was very interested when this title came to my attention. Fans of police procedurals may also want to read this one.

The story is set in 1970s Edinburgh where Helen Carter is a women on the police force. Of course, given the time and culture, she is not always treated with respect. Nonetheless, Helen is assigned to a murder that took place in an old theater. There is an interesting calling card next to the victim. What will happen in solving the case? For one thing, more than one murder takes place as readers follow the investigation.

This is the first in a series. Keep an eye out for the following ones. Right now this book is just ninety-nine cents on Amazon so definitely worth a try.

This title can be contrasted with Val McDermid’s 1979. Both feature women in what was then called a “man’s world,” both are set in Scotland and both involve crimes.

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

A Nigel Strangeways Mystery

by Nicholas Blake

Hooray to the publisher for deciding to reissue the Nigel Strangeways mysteries, of which this is the sixth. I adored them when I read them a number of years ago. I enjoyed spending time with Nigel and also with the women in his life over the course of the books.

The novels were written under a pen name. Nicholas Blake was Cecil Day-Lewis, a well regarded poet. This background comes through in the language and writing of the stories.

In this one, mayhem is occurring at a holiday camp. Are these practical jokes or is worse to come? Solve the case with Nigel in this story written in 1940.

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

A Novel

by Maureen Joyce Connolly

This is the story of what happens in the aftermath of a decision that mother, Claire, desperately wishes that she could take back. Not a spoiler because this is learned early in the novel…Claire, a busy mom and medical student, pulls into a gas station when she feels unwell. Her mistake is to leave her two sleeping children in the car. When she gets back to her vehicle her children are missing. What happened? Will they be found? How/can Claire live with herself? Read this one to find out. You will care about the characters.

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

From the Publisher

Transitions, Letting Go, and Unexpected Happiness

by Katharine Esty, PhD

I am not yet in my eighties but hope to be one day as I cannot bear to think of the alternative. Many fear this stage of life but Doctor Esty will help readers to anticipate, move through this stage and have a life that can include joy and meaning.

The book’s chapters cover a wide range of topics. A few of these include Dementia, Spirituality and Unexpected Happiness. Readers experience these topics with the benefit of the interviews conducted by the author.

In addition to its audience of eighty somethings this book could also be usefully read by adult children or others who have relationships with those in this age bracket. It will help them to understand its unique place in the life cycle.

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

A Novel

by Fiona Davis

City residents and/or tourists have surely passed the Frick museum on Fifth Avenue many times. (Currently, however the site is closed for renovations with the collection moved to the old Whitney Museum on Madison). The art that Frick collected is magnificent and include works by Rembrandt and many others. Seeing them is well worth a trip.

But, how much do you know about Frick himself? He was one of those Americans who, like Morgan, Carnegie and others, made huge fortunes and lived luxurious lives. This historical novel by Fiona Davis imagines aspects of his life primarily through the stories of the very real Helen Frick, his daughter, and another character Miss Lillian who is based on a real person.

Mill Lillian, also known as Angelique, was an artist’s model and the one whose sittings were most desired. The real Angelique adorns many New York City landmarks. The book will provide a good sense of where to look for them. Like the true personage, Lillian faces some difficulties. In the novel, these lead her to a fortuitous opportunity as Miss Helen’s private secretary.

The relationship between Helen and Lillian forms the basis for one story line in the book. Through this narrative, readers get a bird’s eye view of what life in the Frick household was like for both the upstairs and downstairs residents. Readers learn about a tragedy in the family and its on-going repercussions. They also learn why the novel is called The Magnolia Palace.

In a more modern timeline, set in the sixties, readers spend time with a young model who becomes snowbound in the mansion following a photo shoot. She spends time with a young Black intern. Together they make some surprising discoveries. Will the two narratives come together? Pick up the book to find out.

Lovers of historical fiction and those who have enjoyed other titles by Ms. Davis will want to take a look at The Magnolia Palace. The author’s notes what was true and where literary license occurred.

While not my favorite Fiona Davis book, I did enjoy this one. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

London’s Great Railway Stations

by Oliver Green

Of course, England had a big hand in the Industrial Revolution and the arrival of railroads. The British sure knew how to build stations that, all these years later, still impress. They can add pleasure and excitement to a journey.

A number of sites are featured in this title. I immediately tested the book by looking for St. Pancras and Kings Cross because I have spent time in them. Sure enough, they are here along with many others including Paddington, London Bridge, Charing Cross and a number of others.

This title is packed with photos, maps and texts. If its subject matter is of interest, this is highly recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are m

The True Story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth

by Alice Faye Duncan

Do you know the story of Juneteenth? Do you work with or have children? This book tells an important and inspiring story and I highly recommend that you share it with kids that you know.

First off, what was Juneteenth? It was the date upon which some in Texas learned about Emancipation. Was this found out in a timely manner? Read this story of the holiday to find out.

Opal Lee can and should be an inspiration to all of us. From childhood, she had awareness and a desire to work for what was right.

This beautifully illustrated story tells Opal Lee’s biography and the history of the holiday in a way that kids can understand. Share this one with someone…or many someones…and then talk about it and our country’s history and hopes. It might be a very important conversation.

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