A Year in an Irish Garden

by Niall Williams; Christine Breen

In Kiltumper

A Year in an Irish Garden

by Niall Williams; Christine Breen

#InKiltumper #NetGalley Pub Date 31 Aug 2021

When I read this couple’s first book, O Come Ye Back to Ireland, I fell in love. With the couple, with their story and the way in which their story was told. I went on to read the other memoirs about their life in Ireland. These included The Pipes Are Calling and Summer’s in the Meadow. Every one of these was beautifully written and I felt that I knew Christine and Niall.

I was beyond excited to see that this couple had written another book together. (They have each written other titles separately.) It felt like I was being given a wonderful opportunity to connect with old friends after many years.

I adored this book. Its structure allows each author to have a voice. The hardest thing was to realize that, just like all of us, Niall, Christine and their children have gotten older with the passing years. They are no longer the young Irish-American and Irish duo who decided to leave the bustle of the city for their family’s homeland. I was eager to learn how the years have passed for both them, those around them, their farm, their garden and their world.

I highly recommend this title. For the full joyful experience, consider going back to the beginning with them.

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

Beginning-to-Read – Big Feelings

by Mary Lindeen

#FeelingExcited #NetGalley

The titles in this series are all designed to help children recognize their emotions and, when needed, to cope with those that are difficult. This social-emotional learning will help children in many areas of their lives. Think, for example, of how a child would do better in school if not distracted by upsetting feelings.

This entry is about a happy emotion though. Readers are invited to think about how they react when they are excited. There are photos of children from many backgrounds leading the way by showing what they do at such moments. Examples are also given of times when a child might feel excited and asking if these times are true for them. Suggestions are also gently given for times when a child is over excited and needs to calm down.

The end of this helpful short book offers additional resources for reading and for discussing the book’s content.

I recommend this series and this title. It is critical for kids to be able to acknowledge their feelings in different situations and figure out how to live with them.

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

nyti.ms/3CXjA7X

nyti.ms/3xgoQ2q

nyti.ms/36jRk06

nyti.ms/3fyfs3R

I read an interesting article about this author and her book.

nyti.ms/3iZ13jl

I want to read the Louise Penny. I absolutely adored last year’s All the Devils are Here.

The Fitzgerald is free.

The Postscript Murders

by Elly Griffiths

Pub Date 02 Mar 2021

PS for PS. What does it mean? Read this entertaining and intriguing second book in the series about Harbinder to find out! You will be glad if you do.

Harbinder, a gay, Indian woman who grew up in England is a detective. She first became known to readers in this author’s The Stranger Diaries. She is back in fine form here. Harbinder is open about who she is and what it is like to be living with her parents (still) while she is in her 30s. Several characters lead her into the (possible) murder of Peggy Smith, a murder consultant. What is that, you ask? Again, read the novel to find out.

Those who lure Harbinder to investigate are:

Natalkya-She is beautiful, Ukranian and a person with a lot of hidden assets Where did they come from? Who is following her? Despite her education and money, she works as a carer. Peggy was one of her clients.

Edwin-He was Peggy’s neighbor in their seaside retirement community. Edwin grew up gay, worked for the BBC and feels some youth restored as he becomes involved in the investigation.

Benedict-He runs and owns the local coffee kiosk where he has served the others. Benedict had once been a monk. Why did he become one? Why did he leave his order?

Oh, by the way, Peggy’s death is just the first. Why is another popular author and several others receiving mysterious notes? How many will die?

How this cast of characters come together, have adventures and try to figure out what happened to Peggy makes for a well-told tale. Along the way, there are thoughts about the world of publishing, appearances at writer’s talks and festivals, a trip to Scotland and more.

I would (and do) read anything (and everything) by Ms. Griffiths. This includes the wonderful Ruth Galloway Series, her historical detective series and the stories about Harbinder. Please, please keep writing Ms. G. Give her books a read. You, too, will become a fan.

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

#TheHeronsCry #NetGalley Pub Date 07 Sep 2021

The Heron’s Cry is the second novel in the series featuring Matthew Venn. It follows on The Long Call. In that first novel, readers learn Matthew’s history. He was raised in a strict religious group where his sexual orientation and desire to work in the police force were in conflict with the values of those around him. Doing what was right for him has taken something out of Matthew. Luckily, his husband Jonathan offers support and love along with a different way of looking at the world.

Matthew’s current case takes place in a small community. There are several deaths. How are they connected? How will those around the victims cope and live their lives from this point on? Those characters are farmers, artists, pub owners and others with intersecting lives.

The first victim is Nigel Yeo. Was his death a personal vendetta or was it related to work that he was doing for an organization called Patients Together? How is the death of an artist related to this? And what about the cause of death of a third victim?

What Ann Cleeves does well:

-She creates a strong sense of place with her descriptions of the book’s settings.

-She forms a world filled with characters whose lives collide. All of these characters come alive. There are those who are present in this novel and also the recurring police characters and Matthew’s mother and husband. I enjoyed spending time with them.

-She raises an important social issue but it may require a trigger warning for some readers as the subject relates to suicide.

More than halfway into the novel, Matthew and Jonathan (his husband) see a heron. Watch for this and how Jonathan connects that bird to Matthew and his way of looking at the world. It seemed quite apt.

I was delighted to receive this ARC from NetGalley. I have read all of the Vera Stanhope and Jimmy Perez novels by this author and recommend them highly. When Ms. Cleeves announced that there would be no more Perez novels, I knew that I would miss them. The Matthew Venn novels are just a scintilla less engaging to me but I do recommend them. I hope that before long there will be a third Matthew Venn story.

NOTE: There is a review of The Long Call in my blog’s archive.

What others say:

New York Times bestseller Ann Cleeves returns with The Heron’s Cry, the extraordinary follow-up to The Long Call, soon to be a major TV series, alongside her two hit TV shows Shetland and Vera.

“In Matthew Venn, Ann has created a complex, daring, subtle character.” —Louise Penny

“A complex mystery full of surprises . . . this character-driven exploration of people’s darkest flaws is a sterling example of Cleeves’ formidable talents.” —Kirkus Reviews