Rachel Joyce has mastered the art of writing fiction that is slightly quirky and is populated by characters about whom readers care. This was certainly true in the two books of this author that I previously read, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, and Miss Benson’s Beetle.

The Music Shop, which takes place in the late 80s, is another story that embraces characters with whom readers will enjoy spending time. Protagonist Frank’s music store has been a haven to those who are searching for just the right record. All seems to flow smoothly until one day Ilse comes in and asks Frank to teach her about music. But, Ilse is not like Frank’s other patrons. Where will their encounters lead? How will their encounters impact them? Readers will root for both as they find out.

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

Editorial Reviews

Review

“The Music Shop is an unabashedly sentimental tribute to the healing power of great songs, and Joyce is hip to greatness in any key. . . . [The novel] captures the sheer, transformative joy of romance—‘a ballooning of happiness.’ Joyce’s understated humor . . . offers something like the pleasure of A. A. Milne for adults. She has a kind of sweetness that’s never saccharine, a kind of simplicity that’s never simplistic. . . . I wouldn’t change a single note. Rachel Joyce, if music be the food of love, write on!”—Ron Charles, The Washington Post

“Rachel Joyce’s charming and deceptively simple fourth novel chronicles an offbeat love story between a mystery woman and an ardent, if lonely, collector and gently explores the power of memory and music and the certainty of change. . . . Love, friendship, and especially the healing powers of music all rise together into a triumphant crescendo. . . . This lovely novel is as satisfying and enlightening as the music that suffuses its every page.”—The Boston Globe

“Magnificent . . . If you love words, if you love music, if you love love, this [novel] will be without question one of the year’s best.”—BookPage (Top Pick in Fiction)

Are you a person who finds getting on an airplane to be an adventure or are you a nervous flyer? Either personality type may well be riveted by this thriller in which much of the action centers on a long haul flight from London to Sydney (20 hours in the air!). In some ways, the story is a take on a locked room mystery in that much of the action is confined to the plane and the stories of its passengers and crew. However, there is also backstory so some time is spent on the ground and with other characters.

The book’s protagonist, Mina, is on the flight when…a note is given to her. What does it say? How will it influence what she does? In order for there not to be spoilers, it is not possible to say more except that this is a story that may well put readers on the edges of their seats.

My only quibble with this story is that I did not absolutely love some of the characters and I don’t just mean the “bad” ones.. I do, though, admire Ms. Mackinstosh’s imagination and storytelling ability. Readers, remember that this is fiction!

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

A Distant Grave by Sarah Stewart Taylor

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsJune 2, 2021

Pub Date 22 Jun 2021

A Distant Grave follows on the success of last year’s first in this series, The Mountains Wild. I wish that both books had slightly more engaging titles and covers as they deserve to be picked up and read. I gave a very favorable review to The Mountains Wild. Ideally, it should be read before A Distant Grave as otherwise there are some spoilers at thes beginning of the book. Readers who are fine with that can certainly start with this one though.

Maggie D’Arcy is again straddling two continents; part of this title takes place in North America (on Long Island) and part in Europe (Ireland). There are also sections that take place in Afghanistan. Each locale is fully brought to life.

Familiar characters from the first book abound; these include Maggie’s daughter, Lilly; her uncle, Frank; Irish boyfriend Conor and the many police and legal officers in both places. I enjoyed spending time with all of them.

Maggie’s case centers on the perplexing death of humanitarian aid worker, Gabriel who is murdered in Maggie’s neighborhood. There are many strands to his life and death. Does his demise have to do with his mother’s rebellious and independent nature that led her to be a single mother in conservative Ireland? Does it have to do with who Gabriel’s father was? Why was Gabriel’s Irish lawyer also murdered? What does the case have to do with Gabriel’s time in Afghanistan (if anything)? Are there connections between the murders and some of those with whom Maggie works in New York? What brought Gabriel to New York any way?

Readers can intuit that with all of these questions, finding the answers will make for an involving read. There is the added plus of the fully realized and engaging characters.

I highly recommend this title to those who enjoy mystery and suspense novels. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher! All opinions are my own.

A Novel of Suspense

by Linda Castillo

Pub Date 06 Jul 202

Fallen is the thirteenth entry in Ms. Castillo’s long running series of mysteries that take place among the Amish in Painters Mill, Ohio. This case feels personal to Inspector Kate Burkholder as she once babysat for the victim. As is true for Kate, Rachel left the Amish community to live her life differently. What brought her back to her childhood community? Who murdered her? Why? Was it because of some of her unsavory activities or something else? Readers will eagerly turn the page to find out.

Those who already know this series will excitedly fall on this latest entry in which the detective straddles two worlds. New readers may also read this one as their first novel by this author. They may then want to work their ways through the other twelve entries!

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

by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

Pub Date 20 Jul 2021

Here is a new entry in a series that will inspire young kids and encourage them to realize their dreams. That is surely what happened for Mindy Kaling. As the author shows, from a young age, Mindy was interested in making people laugh. But…that was not enough. She also wanted to see people who looked like her reflected in the tv shows that they watched.

Readers will enjoy following Ms. Kaling as she achieves her goals. As is always the case with this series, there are some photos and a timeline at the back of the book. There are also suggestions for further research.

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

Elly Griffith’s Ruth Galloway series is up to its ninth book.  I have been reading about Ruth from the very first novel and have fallen in love with this bright, flawed, human and quirky scholar of bones and archaeology.  Each book gives the reader a chance to catch up with Cathbad, a Druid; Nelson, a DCI and his wife Michelle, along with Judy, Clough, Kate and many others in the academic, police and local world of Norfolk.  The books are best read in order for full enjoyment.  Start with The Crossing Places and come up for air after you spend time underground in the latest, The Chalk Pit.  A favorite series of mine!

Carnegie’s Maid by Benedict

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsOctober 11, 2018

Imagine that your family sends you (alone) to the U.S. because of financial hardship in Ireland and you will need to support your relatives back home. Imagine that you are able to take on someone else’s identity to become the servant of Andrew Carnegie’s mother. Will you be found out? Will your position be secure? These are among the premises of this richly detailed historical novel. Relationships between upstairs and downstairs, specifically between Clara and Andrew Carnegie are a major part of this novel. Read it too to learn more about the business world and women’s roles in the post Civil War U.S. Overall, an enjoyable read.

A Seasonal Guide to the City’s Most Instagrammable Places

by Sara Santini, Andrea Di Filippo

#PrettyLittleLondon #NetGalley

Pub date: July 13, 2021

The book, Pretty Little London, had its origin in an Instagram account. The account belonged to a couple who did not grow up in England. The two wanted to enhance their sense of London as a beautiful city with all it has to offer. The result is a beautiful compilation of photos showing London in every season.

Each seasonal chapter opens with a detailed map. I found these to be very appealing with their cute drawings. Thanks to these, readers who visit or live in London can find the locations that are described in the book. For each entry readers will find both beautiful photos and text. The text includes descriptions of things to see and also what look like great suggestions for eating, drinking, shopping and more.

This title also includes some advice on Instagramming and taking photos. These sections will be of interest to those who want to work on their own projects.

I really love this book. It makes me want to hop on a plane and visit one of my favorite cities while having the chance to make new discoveries.

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

From the publisher:

Leslie Meier has been writing the Lucy Stone mysteries for some time. I think that there are 27 title in all. These are cozy domestic mysteries that are just right for a stress free read. They take place in Maine where readers get to spend time with both Lucy and her family.

In this entry, there is a Thanksgiving 5K race. Unfortunately, one of the female runners is found dead. Some think that the cause of death was an overdose but the intrepid Lucy feels differently. So, of course, she investigates. Will she solve the mystery with time to spare for a Thanksgiving feast? Readers can easily answer that question but this book will provide some entertainment along the way.

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