Under Discussion

The Encyclopedic Museum

by Donatien Grau (editor)

A few years ago, I took an art history class and learned what an encyclopedic museum was. It is generally a large institution that has the goal of covering much art, everything from the ancient Egyptians through the most modern of modern art. There are those who love these large institutions and others who have offered critiques. This book looks at a variety of opinions on this topic. It is divided into sections on the Origins and Practice of Encyclopedic Museums; Encyclopedic Museums Around The Globe; and Methodologies and Potentials of the Encyclopedic Museum.

Those interviewed in the book include Grayson Perry, Thomas Campbell, Max Hollein and Kwame Anthony Appiah among others. Thus a wide range of views are included.

This book should be of interest to art historians, educators and museum goers.

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

A Novel

by Camilla Sten

This novel follows documentary film maker Alice as she investigates a mystery with ties to her own past. How did nine hundred (!) people disappear leaving only two vulnerable survivors? What will be uncovered in a search for the truth? What will happen if there is no going back?

This is author Camilla Sten’s first novel to be translated into English. She is the daughter of Viveca Sten, according to something that I saw. I have enjoyed Viveca Sten’s Sandham mysteries a great deal. This novel by Camila Sten was not in my usual genre as it is horror related. That makes it a bit difficult for me to evaluate. I would say that I do not really enjoy horror. However, if you are a fan of mysterious disappearances and can take in some horror, give this one a look.

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

Trouble and a Storm: Death on Tuckernuck by Francine Mathews

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsMay 31, 2020

Francine Matthews is the talented author of two mystery series.  As Ms. Matthews, she writes the Merry Folger series and, as Stephanie Barron, she pens a series with Jane Austen as the protagonist.  I have always preferred the Nantucket based series.

I had not read a book by this author for a number of years but the return was satisfying and easy.  I remembered the characters, loved the settings and expected a good mystery.  The author did not disappoint.

Throughout this novel, weather was a main character.  There was a huge hurricane  striking the island.  As someone who has been at home for weeks, the awesomeness of Mother Nature really struck me.

Tuckernuck, the island named in the title of this book, is off the coast of Nantucket.  It is a real place that sounds very beautiful.  Much of the action of the novel takes place here.

I don’t want to give any spoilers but suffice it to say that there are murders that need to be solved.  Readers may think, early on, that they have figured everything out and may even think of putting the book down…Don’t. There are sufficient complications to keep you turning the pages.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.  I enjoyed spending time with this series, an old favorite, again.

#DeathonTuckernuck #NetGalley

Will she find it? Miss Benson’s Beetle A Novel by Rachel Joyce

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsAugust 14, 2020

Miss Benson’s Beetle is by the author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, a book that I very much enjoyed.  So, I was excited to receive this e galley from the publisher.  The book does not disappoint.

As has been true in her other novels, Rachel Joyce is a mistress of creating quirky characters for whom readers will care.  The beginning of the novel introduces Miss Benson.  What teacher will not identify with her ‘losing it,’ even if they might not take the actions that she does?

From this unlikely beginning Miss Benson goes on the quest of her lifetime, to the New Caledonia, in search of a rare golden beetle.  Readers learn what led to this obsession and of the tragedies in Miss Benson’s past.  Accompanying Miss Benson is the irrepressible Enid Pretty who has her own back story.  There is also another less savory and wounded character whom Miss Benson did not hire when she met him.

This is a story about doing what one dreams of in life.  It is about embarking on a journey without knowing how it will end.  Isn’t this a universal of going on journeys and taking risks?  Readers will become attached to the story and character and will immerse themselves in Miss Benson’s world.

This is a novel that has both humor and heart.  I highly recommend it.

Shakespeare’s Gardens

by Jackie Bennett

Pub Date 11 May 2021  

Shakespeare’s Gardens is such a visually appealing book! I loved the many photos and their evocation of places and other times. I also like that this title examines different places in Shakespeare’s life, not just the well known Anne Hathaway’s cottage. There are chapters on Tudor Gardens, Shakespeare’s birth place, Mary Arden’s farm, Hall Croft and more in addition to the home of Anne. There is a lot to learn in a book that seems like a nice accompaniment for fans of Hamnet, among others.

The author points out that Shakespeare not only lived during exciting historical times but also in a time of richness for gardens with imports from Peru, Mexico and Asia, for example. The appearance in Shakespeare’s plays of common garden elements and the flowers of his time is also noted in the helpful introduction. The book goes on to be very informative and interesting. I recommend it.

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

Who is “The Child?”

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsJuly 31, 2017

I have not read Fiona Barton’s first book, “The Widow,” although I probably will now. Her sophomore effort, “The Child,” is intriguing and suspenseful Who is the baby found on the building site? How are the characters and their stories connected? What does it mean to be a parent? To grieve? To confront and accept one’s past? “The Child” is about all of this while being a page turner. I did guess the answer to the central mystery but this did not in any way lessen my enjoyment of this novel. I feel confident that Fiona Barton’s next book will be, “third time the charm.” Recommended for suspense fans.  Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to review this novel.

Know her name: The Engineer’s Wife A Novel by Tracey Enerson Wood

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsApril 7, 2020

When my children were in first grade and studying women’s history, they and I learned about Emily Roebling.  Until then, I had not known abut this woman who followed through on the work that led to the completion of the Brooklyn Bridge.  Both of my children made field trips with their classes and walked over the bridge; one of them continues to walk over the bridge frequently.  It is an iconic site in New York.

So, given this background, I was absolutely thrilled when NetGalley and the publisher offered me this title in exchange for an honest review.  I found this novel to be very engaging  as  Emily was vividly brought to life, from her days in the South to her time in New York.  Emily achieved so much in following through on the bridge but there was more to her life than that as this author ably showed.  Emily’s marriage and other relationships in her life are portrayed as her story is told.

During a time when we are re-examining women’s contributions in so many areas, this book illuminates someone otherwise slightly lost to history.  I highly recommend this title for those who enjoy historical fiction.