Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

This board book can easily become part of a bedtime/middle of the night ritual. The illustrations are sweet; I especially liked how the moon moved across the sky. This title helps its little listeners to feel safe, comfortable, sleepy and loved. What could be better?

by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

Pub Date 25 May 2021

This entry in the delightful Little People, Big Dreams series tells the story of shy, young Andy Warhola who grew up to be the renowned pop artist, Andy Warhol. How did this transformation take place? Can every day objects have their place in the world of “ART?” Young readers will find out as they learn more about this book’s subject. Hopefully, it will inspire them.

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

by David P. Wagner

Readers who enjoy art, architecture, gardens, twisting streets, Italian food and red wine will want to read this mystery. It is part of a series although the novels can be read out of order. This was the first book that I have read by Mr. Wagner and I look forward to reading all of the others.

Rick Montoya works as a multi-lingual translator while his significant other, Betta, is employed by an art crime squad in the Italian cultural ministry. The two are in the Urbino area where a wealthy Spanish collector has donated a Piero Della Francesca drawing to a small, local museum. Unfortunately he is murdered and the drawing is missing. Solving the case is the focus of this story with intervals for food and drink.

There are many suspects. These include directors of other museums, a collector who was unable to secure the drawing himself, the victim’s second wife and his daughter, his assistant and more. Readers will get to know each of them as they try to solve the case.

Those who enjoy mysteries by Donna Leon and Andrea Camilleri will want to read this. There is even a character who continuously pays homage to the latter’s series detective, Inspector Montalbano.

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

Exploring the Best of the City’s Art and Culture

by Eleanor Ross

Pub Date 04 May 2021   

This book is a wonderful guide to the richness that is to be found in London’s museums and galleries. It is organized by geographical area, so handy for planning a day’s outings. The well-known is definitely here-The British Museum. The Courtauld, The National Gallery, and the Barbican, to name a few. There are other less well known locations as for example, dental, toy and transport museums, the Churchill War Rooms and so many more. Each succinct entry is full of ideas for things to see. Throughout the text is accompanied by many photos.

I highly recommend this guide for anyone traveling to Britain.

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

A novel

by Katherine Heiny

Early Morning Riser is a novel of place and character. The setting is small town Michigan which is brought to life with its homes, school, stores and more. The main people that readers follow are Jane and Duncan. Jane is a second grade teacher. She meets Duncan when she gets locked out of her house. They very quickly become involved only for Jane to learn that Duncan has many exes. Their evolving relationship and those around them form the basis for the novel.

This book got excellent reviews. There is much humor here and also some heart. I definitely liked this one but I hoped for a little more. It may just be that some of the humor fell a bit flat for me.

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