Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

The book, not the audio, is an e book bargain   I love this book!  I did not want it to end as I did not want to bid farewell to Gamache and the other characters for at least another year.

I’ll start by commenting on the audio.  The book was extremely well and engagingly narrated.  I was constantly stealing time to listen to just a bit more.  The narrator’s tone is just right and he captures each character’s voice in a unique way.

The story itself will be very welcomed by series readers although new readers could also enjoy it.  Readers learn so much backstory about Armand Gamache including SPOILER? the loss of his parents and the roles of his grandmother and godfather in his life.

The setting for this title is a fully realized Paris where the Gamaches are visiting their son, daughter and their spouses and children, all of whom now live there.  Armand also spends time with his godfather.  I loved the opening scene at the Rodin Museum.  Having visited there, I enjoyed my virtual return.

Just who is Stephen Horowitz?  What has he done?  Who wanted to harm him?  What does it mean to be in a family? What are the responsibilities of corporations? What does loyalty mean?  Can we protect those we love?  These questions and more are raised in this thoughtful, deeply moving mystery.

I recommend this title most highly.  I now plan to go back and read or listen to all of the books again.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Exceptional new cookbooks, with fresh takes on easy baking, Thai cooking in America and seasonal pasta, as tested by New York Times Cooking and the Food desk.
— Read on www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/dining/best-cookbooks.html

The staff of The New York Times Book Review choose the year’s top fiction and nonfiction.
— Read on www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/books/review/best-books-2025.html

Edelweiss, by Above the Treeline, is the book industry’s platform to sell, discover, and order new titles.
— Read on www.edelweiss.plus/

list and links

Library Journal Editors’ Picks of the Year – Google Drive
— Read on docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_Mv5ZwBOrBgKxVCcuoiXJeYZ3SOPtC_MddgqSH91br4/htmlview

poisonedpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/BN-Dec-25.pdf

Aby joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsJanuary 8, 2019

Robyn Carr has written many novels over several series; fans of hers will know that she has written the Virgin River, Thunder Point and Grace Valley books. Her latest series takes place in Sullivan’s Crossing. The Best of Us is novel number four. Old characters reappear but, if you have not read the other titles, this can be read as a stand alone.

Love grows across three generations in this story. The teen pair are challenged by a threatening medical diagnosis; the couple in their thirties face an unplanned pregnancy and the couple in their sixties show that love can happen at any age.

Place is also important in this novel. Sullivan’s Crossing is that small town that people think of when they imagine small town life as idyllic. There is a beautiful setting near the mountains, kind people and a strong sense of community.

Long term fans of Roby Carr will most definitely welcome her latest book.

This is an e book bargain

Natasha Lester writes historical fiction that I very much enjoy. In each of her novels, this author successfully develops characters about whom readers will care. She also has interesting plots that offer perspective on WWII and its aftermath. What makes her special for me is the way that she also incorporates fashion seamlessly (pun was not intended) in her stories.

Alix St. Clair has had a challenging life. She was orphaned young, taken in by a close friend’s family, educated in Switzerland and expected to marry well (to Bobby). Life surely did not go to plan however as readers will quickly discover.

This is a story that takes place in more than one time period. In the most recent, postwar era, Alix is working for Christian Dior just as his fashion house is coming into being. The scenes in this atelier are wonderful to read; I was inspired to look up many of the dresses described in these pages.

Other sections of the book are about Alix’s work and life during WWII. She experienced the most awful of betrayals and wants to avenge some deaths. In doing so, she becomes involved with an American journalist. They have common experiences and a common foe…and maybe an attraction to each other. There are many other characters woven into the narrative; these include people both bad and good.

This long (432) and immersive read is highly recommended to historical and women’s fiction lovers who enjoy stories about the war. I give it four plus stars.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 10 January 2023

From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

Review

“The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre braids espionage, fashion, and a broken-but-unbowed heroine together into one fascinating tale. Natasha Lester weaves a triple-stranded delight!”—Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Diamond Eye

“Natasha Lester has done it again with this sumptuously written page-turner! Alix St. Pierre is everything that makes an admirable heroine – independent, plucky, and clever as the story spans from the fashionable world of Dior in Paris to the fascinating intrigue of international espionage in neutral Switzerland. The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre is a captivating novel that readers will absolutely adore.”—Madeline Martin, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Bookshop in London”Natasha Lester has expertly woven a brilliant heroine who is as brave in the fashion world as she is spying on the enemy. From page one, I was completely captivated by her daring and enamored with the glamour of Paris fashion. Unputdownable!”—Eliza Knight, USA Today bestselling author of The Mayfair Bookshop

An e book bargain

 #AGirlsGuidetoWinningtheWar #NetGalley

Last year I read and enjoyed this author’s The Air Raid Book Club. With her latest novel, Lyons again sets a story during WWII.

Lyons has a gift for writing about characters with warmth and caring. Readers will be hoping for the best for many of those that they meet in these pages.

I loved how the book’s protagonist Peggy believed in libraries and stories. The author also makes literary references that I enjoyed.

Peggy is trying her best in all ways to help the war effort while working for the Ministry of Information. At the same time, her twin brother sees active service and Peggy hopes that her work will somehow end the war sooner and bring him home.

In contrast, when readers meet Lady Marigold Cecily, Peggy’s nominal boss, she is more of a socialite than a worker. Will she change and make a contribution? What about the others in Peggy’s unit? Some are irascible; all have personalities.

Readers also get to know generations of Peggy’s family. They are an endearing group.

This is a book that is very easy to like. I recommend it.

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

The author’s last book

My thoughts:

I truly enjoyed Annie Lyons’s novel about Eudora Honeysett and gave it five stars. I, was then, of course, quite eager to read The Air Raid Book Club. It did not disappoint.

This is an historical novel that will appeal to those who have read Dear Mrs. Bird, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, The Last Bookshop in London, and other similar titles. It is warm in the same way with characters about whom writers will care. Plus, there are books, lots of books. At the end of the novel titles are listed should readers wish to explore further.

Gertie was married to Harry. Together the two opened and loved a bookshop. Sadly, Harry died from the very thing that kept him from serving in the military. Gertie has subsequently lost her zest for life. When she is asked by one of Harry’s friends to take in a Jewish child as WWII looms, she hesitates before making her decision. What happens as a result of this choice, the importance of books, and more make this title a most satisfying read, even with some sadness in the events of the story. As an extra bonus, get to know Mr. Hemingway…no, not that one! He is Gertie’s lovely dog.

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for this title. All opinions are my own.

An e book bargain

Pub Date 27 Jul 2021  

I must confess that I did not know nearly as much as I thought I did about the movement that led to the (eventual) right for women to vote in the United States. I was aware of those who started the movement both the U.S. and England but I was familiar with only one of the three women featured in this novel.

The three are Alice Paul, Ida Wells and Maud Malone. Each has her life story told against the vivid backdrop of the politics of the day and their individual histories.

Alice Paul was raised as a Quaker; Ida Wells knew much about slavery, and Maud Malone was an Irish American librarian. What led each of these women to fight so hard for something that many now take for granted? Jennifer Chiaverini helps readers to understand why they worked persistently for what they believed in.

These three are not the only ones who appear in the book. To name just two others, there are Jane Addams and Ava Vanderbilt.

The history that Alice, Ida and Maud lived through comes to life in this novel. I was especially struck by all that Ida Wells endured including the impact of yellow fever on her life, the lynchings of people that she knew and much more.

Around these women are the men, many of whom wanted to thwart votes for women. They included President Wilson. Will the women succeed in organizing a massive march for the day before his inaugural? Read this one to find out.

I found The Women’s March to be among my very favorite books by this author. I learned a lot but did not feel that I was being lectured to.

This historical fiction should be on reading lists for high school students and up. It would make a superb book club selection.

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