How a Teacher Led an Unlikely Team to Victory

by Julie Abery

The title is such a spoiler! Make believe that the ending is not known and encourage a child you know to read about this team’s success. It was unlikely and led by the estimable Sakamoto who barely knew how to swim himself. The illustrations in this title are just beautiful as is the rhyming text. I recommend this one highly.

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

Broken Ground by Val McDermid

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsNovember 18, 2018

#BrokenGround #NetGalley

Val McDermid writes a number of series; of them all, the Karen Pirie novels are my favorites. Broken Ground is the newest of these.
I enjoy Karen. She is a quirky woman who has faced a significant loss and is still recovering. In this novel, she gingerly considers a new relationship. She is an old fashioned copper who cares about justice and what is right. She is loyal to those on her team who are still learners.
Karen is the head of the Historical Cases Unit in Scotland. Spending time with her, the members of her team (including her adversaries) and her cases is always time well-spent. In this novel, there are several stories; one relates to events of WWII, another to a serial rapist, and there is also a present day murder. Each of these plots is explored satisfactorily.
I finished this book today and am already looking forward to what happens next in the series. I highly recommend both this book and the series.

Many (!) thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this satisfying read.

Others in the series:

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Breakfast at the Honey Creek Cafe

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsMay 27, 2020

This is the first book that I have read by Ms. Thomas. It is the start of a new series for the author. I think that this title will be enjoyed by those who read books by writers including Debbie Macomber, Brenda Novak and Robyn Carr. It is an enjoyable women’s fiction title.
The three main male characters are Colby, Sam and Pecos. The three women are Piper, Anna and Kerrie. Their respective relationships form the basis for the romances of the novel. There is an additional relationship that includes the sheriff and the woman with whom he is involved. The setting is a small Texas town where Piper is the mayor.
Colby comes to town to be a bodyguard/detective whose charge is Piper who, in turn, is receiving threats and who had a date with someone who subsequently disappeared. The sheriff has himself been out of reach and is not there to help for much of the story.
Colby has a back story of injury. He wants to be a Texas Ranger. Sam is a minister who is looking to find himself; he has escaped through many other occupations. Pecos is young, graduating from high school and becoming a man over night. The women with whom they are involved are strong and are survivors and people who cope.
This is a book that will be welcomed by readers who are looking forward to an easy but enjoyable read. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

The Maurice Leblanc title is free. This is one of the books upon which the Netflix series was based.

Gulliver’s Travels is free.

by Manuela Santoni

pub date: 01 May 21

This graphic novel imagines the lives of the Brontes. There are the father, the somewhat dissolute brother, Branwell and of course, those three sisters, Anne, Charlotte and Emily. The sister’s relationships and their writing lives are depicted here. Much attention is also given to Branwell and his impact on his siblings. The illustrations are all in black and white and evoke the lives and times of the family. Those looking to learn more about this family and those who could enjoy a new take on those they already know may enjoy this title.

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

I reviewed Square Haunting and recommend it.

A Daniel Pitt Novel

by Anne Perry

Anne Perry is a prolific writer of historical mysteries; she has written a number of series including the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt novels, the books featuring Monk and Hester, her Christmas novellas, and the new Elena Standish series, among others. This novel is part of a spinoff; it features Daniel Pitt who is Charlotte and Thomas’s son. For those who may not know, Thomas Pitt rose through both the police service and Special Branch. He is wise and was always ably assisted by his emotionally keyed in wife in his cases. Daniel is a barrister who combines some of the best traits of each of his parents.

Death with a Double Edge is book number four about Daniel. This time, someone in Daniel’s chambers has been viciously murdered. At first Daniel thinks that the victim is his good friend and associate Toby. However, it was not Toby but another lawyer who had borrowed Toby’s coat. Who was the intended victim? Why was he in such a dangerous part of London in the early hours of the morning? Was his death related to his work or his personal life? Daniel is tasked with finding out. At the same time, Daniel is concerned for how this situation will impact the head of his chambers, Marcus fford Croft, and the head’s daughter Miriam. Miriam is someone ahead of her time and a person who is important to Daniel.

All will be resolved of course but there will be issues along the way. Some of the seamier aspects of life in early 20th century London will come to light.

I enjoyed this latest novel by one of my favorite authors. Anne Perry can tell a good tale. She is also insightful and understands something about human nature.

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

From the publisher: