The Woman Before Wallis A Novel of Windsors, Vanderbilts, and Royal Scandal

Historical fiction at its best allows readers to immerse themselves in another place and time. When it is done very well, I often find myself wishing for a different ending…even as I know what happened historically. That was exactly my reaction to this novel; I kept wanting to guide the characters when the events are, in reality, long past.
The woman who was the woman before Wallis Simpson is Thelma. For anyone who may not know, Wallis married David, the heir to the British throne who abdicated, paving the way for Elizabeth to be the current monarch. Thelma, nee Morgan, was a twin and her twin was Gloria Vanderbilt. Again, for any who may not follow such things, Gloria was involved in a dispute over the custody of “little Gloria,” her daughter, with Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney. (Little Gloria grew up to be the mother of Anderson Cooper). Thelma, herself, had an early divorce and then married Duke Furness. He introduced her to the future king with whom she had a long term affair.
The author lays out all of these events in glorious detail with characters who come to life and settings that I would love to visit. There are country estates, chapters set in Paris, London, the English country side and New York. Readers visit David’s bolt hole, Belvedere Castle, and watch it come to life.
Each of these personages tried to live their life while others tried to heavily influence their actions. This creates the conflict of the novel and real life.
I wanted each of these historical personages to find happiness and that was the gift of the author, as I knew how each of the plot lines ended. If you enjoy historical fiction, I highly recommend adding this to your TBR list.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.
#TheWomanBeforeWallis #NetGalley

Stories from the World of Sherlock Holmes

by Lyndsay Faye

Lyndsay Faye is well-known in the mystery fiction world. She dedicates this collection to another mystery great, Otto Penzer of The Mysterious Bookshop. So, her credentials are superb.

This title is a collection of six stories. Each features the viewpoint of someone known to Holmes and his world. For example, the first story has Irene Adler in “The Adventure of the Stopped Clocks.” Other stories are told by Mrs. Hudson and Inspector Lestrade while a couple are by characters less known to me including Stanley Hopkins and A. Davenport Lomax.

The conceit for the book is that these materials were discovered in a deposit box. The reader is to believe that they have now been made available.

Those who enjoy extending their Sherlock Holmes experiences will enjoy this collection. I recommend it.

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

A Novel of Victorian Cookery and Friendship

by Annabel Abbs

Miss Eliza’s English Kitchen is an historical novel based on the life of Eliza Acton. Eliza was a poet whose family fell on very hard times. When a publisher, who did not want to publish her poems, offered to pay her to write a cookbook, she at first refused. Luckily for cooks and readers, Eliza changed her mind. She goes on to find poetry in her cooking and cookery writing.

The second important character in the story is Ann. Ann’s incredibly difficult life is portrayed vividly and readers will feel for her bleak home life. It is transformative for Ann to begin to work for “Miss Eliza.”

Life for Eliza and her mother involves taking in short term boarders. Readers will meet one particularly lascivious and loathsome one. He is an early guest at the house. His presence also impacts Ann.

Throughout the story, Eliza and Ann work together to create recipes that are different from those that came before. For example, they used accurate measurements.

Eliza and Ann become very close. What will the nature of their relationship be as it evolves?

I found this book to be somewhat slow moving and yet it was interesting. It described a time, place, way of life and the people who lived it.

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

Note that there is an article in the December U.S. issue of Good Housekeeping that references this title. The book was also chosen for a morning tv show’s book club.

“A fascinating, long overdue tribute to the unconventional Eliza Acton, the woman who revolutionized the English cookbook. Ann’s and Eliza’s drives for independence is inspiring, and their passion for cooking will awaken readers’ inner chef.” — Library Journal (starred review)

The Milne is free.

by Anthony C. Delauney

I wonder if this title is based on the real life marshmallow experiment that rewarded kids for delayed gratification. I was very much reminded of that while reading this title.

Dash and Nikki’s story is told in rhyme. The text is brightly illustrated. Each child is given ten jellybeans with the potential for more. How do Nikki and Dash approach their beans and what will happen to each?

This is a story with a moral although the author is not too heavy handed. If, as an adult, you want to teach your children the value of waiting for something and/or the lesson of generosity, give this title a look.

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

We are still living in difficult Covid times even though things are better than they had been. This means that I am still such a fan of escapist fiction. Give me a good setting, interesting characters, a plot, and some relationships, and I am good to go.

This story begins in Cambridge before moving to Florence. It is a beautiful city and I was delighted with my (virtual) trip there.

Protagonist Debbie meets Perluigi when she literally crashes into him. Where will their relationship go from this (in)auspicious beginning? Their collision leads Debbie to make the decision to travel to Florence. Enjoy visiting the city with her and Perluigi and watching as she hopes for her happily ever after.

This is a light read. It will be welcomed by romantics who like to escape.

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

Find my review of this one in the blog’s archive.