Christmas Day is the perfect day for reviewing this novel. So many of us think about The Nutcracker around this time of year. Now, author M.A. Kuzniar has put a new twist on the tale.

Things I enjoyed about this book included the settings, both in Nottingham and the sumptuousness in the life of Marietta’s family. There were wonderful descriptions of clothing, food, homes and more. True, this abundance does not mean that the characters are happy. Both Marietta and her brother Frederick are ahead of their time and want lives that their parents cannot understand. For Marietta, that is the freedom to put off marriage and to dream about being a star ballerina. For Frederick, it would be to become an artist and to be able to be with the man for whom he cares. (These are not major spoilers as these are things that become known to readers early in the novel.)

When Dr. Drosselmeier moves next door, he is a man that many want to invite to their homes. He comes, however to Marietta’s family. What will happen because of this? What strange adventures will befall Marietta? Will these characters find happiness? Read this very Christmas time title to find out. I am glad that I did!

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

Anne Perry has been writing Christmas novellas for many years; A Christmas Revelation is this year’s entry. This is a story about Worm, a precocious orphan, who lives at a shelter/ women’s clinic whose bookkeeper is a reformed criminal named Squeaky. Readers of the William Monk series will recognize the clinic as the one where Hester works and will also know that Squeaky is a regular series character.

Worm sees a beautiful woman on the street who appears angelic to him. When he realizes that she is in trouble, Worm wants to help. Because he cares for Worm, Squeaky becomes involved in a somewhat convoluted plot to help her. Their efforts form the plot of the novella.

In the fore and backgrounds of the story is the spirit of Christmas as is appropriate for this seasonal book. The reader observes as Worm learns the meaning of the holiday and has, what appears to be, his first true holiday celebration.

Long term fans of Anne Perry will want to read this book so as to be up to date with all of her series and characters. However, much as I love Anne Perry, I have enjoyed several of her holiday novellas more than this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. I very much wanted to read this book.

The Body in the Garden

A Lily Adler Mystery

by Katharine Schellman

#TheBodyInTheGarden #NetGalley

The Body in the Garden is the first title in the Lily Adler historical mystery series. A second book has already been published. This one will be an engaging treat for those who enjoy cozies set in the past. The characters are brought to life and readers will be interested in their connections to one another.

At a time when a woman’s role was to be a wife, in this story set in 1815, Lily is a young widow. This makes her place in society different from that of her peers. When the story opens, Lily has recently returned to London. Her best friend invites her to a ball, assuring Lily that, as she now wears lavender mourning garments, it is acceptable to attend. While at the soiree, Lily overhears a heated conversation in the garden. When a murder occurs, she is determined to find its cause, especially as the nascent police service has been paid not to investigate.

The victim is a friend of Miss Oswald. She is of mixed race, born outside of marriage but acknowledged by her father and is a young woman with a great fortune. She, Lily, a friend of Lily’s husband named Jack, and others are involved in the unfolding events.

Reading this book requires some suspension of disbelief. I am not convinced that Lily would have been able to do all that she does had she been a real person in this time period. However, readers who will not be bothered by that will find this to be an easy and enjoyable read.

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

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The Lost Lights of St Kilda

by Elisabeth Gifford

Narrated by Fiona McNeill; Geoffrey Newland; Diane Brooks

The setting both in memory and as it was once is unique. St. Kilda’s was a small, very small island archipelago off the Scottish coast. It was evacuated under dire circumstances.

As this novel opens, a prisoner of war copes by remembering his past and a women that he knew on St. Kilda’s. Will they find their way back to each other? Spend time with Fred and others to find out. You will be moved.

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

Mary Kirk, Bessiewallis Warfield, Diana Spencer…their stories entwine in this historical novel that is largely based on truth. It is a page turning and fascinating look at life in America and Europe from 1912 until 1997.

Mary and Wallis became friends in their teens; Wallis married an American pilot; Mary married a French pilot. Wallis divorced and subsequently married Ernest Simpson. You probably all know who her third husband was… but do you know who Mary married next? I won’t spoil the book by telling you.

Mary and Wallis’s stories come alive in a glittering London. The story of Alex and Rachel, who are impacted by Diana’s death, takes place in 1997. Choices are made by all with implications and consequences. I truly enjoyed this book and suggest it highly to fans of historical fiction.

www.nytimes.com/2021/12/06/books/review/best-thrillers-2021.html

by Jessie Burton

Medusa is listed as a YA book by its publisher, Bloomsbury. I believe that adult readers will also enjoy this retelling of the ancient Greek story.

Jessie Burton does a wonderful job of bringing Medusa to life in a way that will help readers to understand and have empathy for her complex character. Medusa’s voice shines through. She has a revelatory style and often speaks directly to the reader.

Many know to associate with Medusa with snakes. Here the snakes are very much alive and each has its own personality. The difficulties of Medusa’s unwanted transformation are beautifully presented.

Other mythological folks come into this story. There are Perseus, Zeus, Poseidon and others including Medusa’s sisters. Thus, a whole world is created.

In addition, this book is illustrated. Adults may enjoy this as how often do we get to read and also see depictions of a story? This is something that is not generally found in books directed to adults.

I highly recommend this title. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.