Ink and Shadows is the fourth entry in Ellery Adams’s Secret, Book, and Scone Society series. I have enjoyed all of the books and recommend them. They are, perhaps, best read in order although the author gives enough back story for a new reader to quickly catch up.

Two things that I love about the series:

The main characters. Each of them has struggled in life and moved forward. Each has a particular love or talent that is given its due in the books. My favorite is Nora. She owns the bookstore of my fantasies; there are amazing themed displays, a full array of titles, good coffee and knowledgeable staff. There are nooks to sit in and children’s story hours. Plus, Nora is a bibliotherapist. This means that the novel is filled with good reading suggestions. Nora has her past struggles and guilts; she has a new relationship which is in trouble in this title.

Nora’s friends are all women with their own stories and talents. They include a baker, a woman skilled in massage and comfort and two other close friends. Each has a gift for friendship.

The setting. The small town is lovingly portrayed. It is cozy with farmer’s markets, festivals, artisan shops, good foods and the outdoors close by.

There are murders sullying the town. Both a daughter and her mother are dead. Is the cause their interest in a grimoire or is there another reason? Are their deaths tied to the commune that they lived on prior to coming to Miracle Springs?

The author takes on some social issues as well. There is a group of women who believe in censorship and want Nora’s Halloween store windows taken down. There are also comments on CBD.

Readers who want a slightly less than cozy, cozy take a look at this series. I am already looking forward to the next book!

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

How to Go Anywhere (and Not Get Lost)

A Guide to Navigation for Young Adventurers

by Hans Aschim

This title offers elementary school aged readers an historical perspective on navigation along with fun navigation activities. The book starts with a timeline; this begins 70,000 years ago and moves to modern technology and the electric car. We go on from there with chapters on topics including early navigators, the sun and stars, and more ending with a chapter on space.

This book has appealing, colorful illustrations that add to its content. The activities should engage the audience. For example, the first asks children to draw a detailed map of a place that they know. The author then asks kids to visit somewhere such as a friend’s house and to then make another map. The point is that it is easier to be detailed about places that are well known to us.

After learning the cardinal directions, children learn how to read the trees and how to practicing this skill. This is just a brief introduction to the riches of this title.

If you would like to get your child out of the house and interested in navigation, history, science and some fun that does not involve screens, consider this title.

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

My Dad

by Susan Quinn

This is a lovely and very sweet book about the relationship between a child and his dad. It celebrates the ways in which dads care for kids every day. They might cook together, go to the park, attend soccer practice or read bedtime stories. Each of these activities, along with the many others found in this title, show how brilliant it is to be the child of a caring parent. The gentle illustrations enhance the text beautifully making for a book to enjoy.

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

by Val McDermid

This book is something new and different for one of my favorite authors. She has broken barriers before, as for instance, with her Lindsay Gordon mysteries which may have been the first to have a lesbian sleuth. Many love her Tony HIll and Carol Jordan mysteries, while I am a huge fan of the Karen Pirie novels and stand alones including A Place of Execution and The Vanishing Point. Now, Ms. McDermid is publishing her first graphic novel.

The story is about a reporter and her friends (and their food truck) who go to a music festival (kind of like Glastonbury). But, something goes horribly wrong, as many people become ill and others try to figure out how this has happened and what it means. To me, the subtext is definitely Covid.

I really wanted to like this darkly illustrated story, but I did not find that it sufficiently drew me in. That said, maybe it was just me, as Val McDermid is an extraordinary writer.

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

A Novel

by Rhys Bowen

Rhys Bowen has written several beloved mystery series, including the stories about Molly Murphy and the “Royal Spyness” novels. Readers may be less aware of her novels that relate to WWII, of which The Venice Sketchbook is one along with others including The Victory Garden and The Tuscan Child.

This dual timeline story is an immersive read. Readers share in romance, things to be discovered, keys, sketchbooks and more. Also kudos to the author for bringing the city of Venice so vividly into being in these pages.

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

I love the chapter titles in this book. Here are just a few: You Can’t Leave Your Hat On; Troubled Dreams; To the Barricades and Natural Wonders. There is wit here too, as, for example, the section with leaving one’s hat on is actually about nudes. There are ten chapters in all and 100 artworks discussed.

The author’s goal was to include both well and lesser known artists. She also wanted to cover a wide time period. Both the selections and commentary held my interest.

A feature of this book that I very much liked was about links. These include the topics “see this, visit this, read this, watch this, listen to this and like this? try these.” These greatly add to what readers can get from the book itself.

I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to know a bit more about history. It is very well done.

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

A Detective William Warwick Novel

by Jeffrey Archer

Jeffrey Archer is a prolific writer. Here readers can spend time with his Detective William Warwick in the third entry in this series. The book can be read without having read the first two titles but readers may well want to take a look at those as well.

There are several intriguing plot strands in this novel. One has to do with an undercover investigation that becomes complicated by the personal relationships that are involved. This hits close to home for those involved.

Also in this story is the trial of a drug baron. This case also comes very close to Warwick because his father and sister are involved in the prosecution. And then there is the friendship in which Warwick’s wife gets involved.

Sound like a lot? Luckily Archer is an experienced author who is well able to hold all of the plot lines together.

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

A Barker & Llewelyn Novel

by Will Thomas

Pub date: April 13, 2021

Dance with Death is the 13th novel in the series featuring Barker and Llewelyn. It is 1893 in this historical mystery. The two enquiry agents are tasked with helping to keep Tsar Nicholas safe while he is in London for a wedding, accompanied by his mistress. In a case of mistaken identity, a British prince is attacked. Will the Tsar remain safe from those who wish him harm? What will happen along the way? Read this engaging story to find out. While readers are at it, they will enjoy spending time with the real life personages who make appearances in the novel.

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