Queen Bee (Frank) #QueenBee #NetGalley

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsJuly 31, 2019

Dorothea Benton Frank loves the Carolina Lowcountry. The setting is as much a part of her novels as any of the characters. She encourages readers, wherever they live, to fetch a glass of sweet tea, put their feet up and enjoy a summer read.

This novel is about Holly, her sister Leslie, their mother QB (Queen Bee) and all those with whom they interact. The people in their lives include two adorable boys who live next door and their widowed father, Archie; Leslie’s husband Charles who likes to dress in women’s clothes, the new love of QB’s life and… as you read, you will also find out who is Holly’s true love.

Holly is a beekeeper. As a result there are loads of fascinating facts about honeybees in the novel. They add to the quality of the story. Readers will enjoy watching Holly find her strengths and her voice even as she chats to her bees.

This novel is a most pleasant read and I recommend it.

A couple of my favorite quotes:

If I haven’t learned anything else this whole year, I learned that love comes in every color, shape and size.

That’s what it is to live in the Lowcountry. The colors are a little brighter. The air is a little sweeter.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.

THE WIZARD OF OZ IS FREE. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND (NONFICTION) H IS FOR HAWK.

by Camilla Trinchieri

#TheBitterTasteofMurder #NetGalley

Pub Date 10 Aug 2021

One thing that all of my favorite Italian/Sicilian mystery series have in common is their love of food and drink. Brunetti and Paola on their terrace is a place that I always love to visit (Donna Leon) as is Montalbano’s favorite Sicilian restaurant (Andrea Camilleri). Now, in her two novels (the first was Murder in Chianti), Ms. Trincheri has successfully found her place in that gastronomic firmament. To readers’ delight, there are frequent visits to the restaurant where retired NYC detective, Nico, works with his wife’s family; to the local breakfast spot (I want cornetti!) and to several wineries. Perfection! Oh…and there is style the murder mystery to be enjoyed as well.

This time, Nico is involved in trying to discover who has murdered a (crooked) wine critic. Some of the suspects are people that Nico knows well, including his landlord and his landlord’s wife. There are also the victim’s wife and girlfriend among others. The mystery is fair to readers who want to try to solve it. That said, as already noted, there is much to be enjoyed around the case.

Readers can read this title without having read the first book, although both are quite enjoyable. Those who read the first book will enjoy again meeting up with all of Nico’s family members, those in the police department and the people who live in his town.

This is a perfect summer read mystery. Buon Appetito e buono lettura!

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

A Visual Directory of 100 of the Most Popular Songbirds

by Noble S. Proctor

NOW OUT!

During Covid I often went for walks at my local botanical garden. While there, I saw and heard a number of birds. I recognized a few-robins, cardinals, sparrows, red tailed hawks and several more but I always wished that I knew more. In terms of sounds, I recognized a woodpecker and that was about it.

This book was created for folks like me although even those with more knowledge can also enjoy this title. There is a helpful introduction about why, how, when and where songbirds may be found. The book goes on to include lots of songbirds in categories, as for example, larks swallows, jays, nuthatches, wood warblers, tangers and many more. Readers enjoyment of the text is enhanced by the many detailed illustrations.

This book also has information on topics including making feeders and homes for birds. Some of these projects will undoubtedly lead to even more enjoyment as birds could land right in a reader’s backyard.

This title is an excellent resource for learning about birds. There is plenty of information on each bird that is featured within these pages. For example, take the Olive-sided Flycatcher. I now know where they can be found, what their song is like, how they behave, what they eat and more. There is similar information for each of the included birds.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own. I can’t wait to get back in nature to learn more.

The last three books listed here are discounted but are in the $5 and above range.

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsFebruary 6, 2021

A Novel of World War II

by Madeline Martin

Pub Date 06 Apr 2021

As soon as I saw the title of this book, I wanted to read it. The magic word, of course, was bookshop. I also found the cover to be very appealing. So, I initially judged this one by its cover. That said, I wasn’t’ disappointed.

This novel’s protagonist, Grace, is a young woman who recently lost her mother. Along with her best friend, Viv, she moves to London to stay with a family friend. The two arrive only to have war declared not long after. Viv enters one of the women’s units while Grace remains with her mother’s friend. She takes a position in a bookshop and the shop is also a character in the book.

This story points out the importance of literature. In a lovely scene, Grace goes underground during a bombing raid where she begins reading Middlemarch to those who are stuck in the shelter over night. Those stuck there look forward to additional chapters when the next call to go underground comes.

Grace organized the bookshop and develops a relationship with its curmudgeonly owner. She studies way to make the shop successful and, for example, advertises buying books to read while unable to sleep in one’s beds due to the bombings.

The author does a good job of portraying wartime Britain. There are losses of people, property, usual foods, a way of life. There are also the joys of friendship, love, books and connection.

There are so many WWII set novels being written now. My theory is that, awful as the war was, it is more reassuring to look back at that time than our current one. For all of the suffering, the reader knows that eventually Britain will declare victory.

I think that this title is worth reading. Let me know what you think!

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

A Novel

by Zakiya Dalila Harris

#TheOtherBlackGirl #NetGalley

The Other Black Girl has received a great deal of attention and praise. This is a first novel about publishing, being Black, ties, connections and more. It is written by an author who worked in publishing and she most successfully creates her fictional house. There is jockeying for position from the lowly assistants through the editors…and, of course, the authors. All of this is very successfully portrayed.

Nella has been working as the only person of color in her position as an editorial assistant at Wagner. Mostly, early in the book, it feels as if everyone gets along with Nella, although there are microaggressions and the firm is certainly not forward looking. One day, another Black young woman is hired. Hazel exudes a confidence that Nella does not always feel. The two develop their relationship but it is complicated.

Layered into the plot are an author who mysteriously disappeared and thet troubling notes that Nella begins to receive. These notes clearly state that Nella should leave Wagner. Why? Who is behind this? Pages turn in this novel as readers await the denouement.

All credit to new author, Ms. Harris for writing a novel that is entertaining, even if some plot elements strain credulity, It is also one that may make the reader think.

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

A Good Morning America, Esquire, and Read with Marie Claire Book Club Pick and a People Best Book of Summer

Named a Most Anticipated Book of 2021 by Time, The Washington Post, Harper’s Bazaar, Entertainment Weekly, Marie Claire, Bustle, BuzzFeed, Parade, Goodreads, Fortune, and BBC

I admit that I have only watched part of one episode of Bridgerton, the series that everyone seems to be raving about. I may go back and watch more. In the meantime though, I will enjoy some of the scrumptious recipes that are in this book. I am enough of an Anglophile to know that there is no time like teatime, so I am eager to sample some of these treats.

This title is broken into chapters on canapes; scones and spreads; teatime sweets; dinner party fare; and Regency Cocktails. So many things look delicious but I admit that I especially love scones so that was my favorite section.

The recipes are varied and look easy to follow. So if you are an Anglophile and.or Bridgerton fan, this book is for you!

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