Solve Over 140 Puzzles from His Most Famous Cases

by Pierre Berloquin

Pub date: March 30, 2021

This title consists of six sections or stories based on works by Doyle and the puzzles that go along with them. Each chapter contains twenty-four puzzles and a map challenge. The author notes that the book is not strictly chronological and that becomes clear as a reader interacts with it. The puzzles are varied, intriguing and not always easy. Readers who enjoy puzzles and challenges may want to add this volume to their collection.

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

Robyn Carr has been writing about Virgin River and its residents over the course of the 21 novels in the series. This is the book that began it all back in 2007. It is the one that is the basis for the television series on Netflix.

Each book features a couple along with a number of other characters. Characters from one of the novels often appear in the later volumes.

This story is about Mel and Jack. Mel has faced tragedy and is coming to Virgin River to start over. She has taken a job (sight unseen) as a nurse practitioner for the community. Unfortunately, at first, the local doctor really does not want her assistance. The other main character, Jack, is a retired Marine who runs the local bar and restaurant. No spoiler to say that Jack and Mel will become a couple.

Give this title a try. If you enjoy it, you can run through the series and maybe that will keep you busy and free of thinking about Covid for awhile. After you read the novel, take a look at the tv series. Do the characters and place seem true to what you read? Let me know your thoughts.

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

For chilly nights: Midwinter Murder by Agatha Christie

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsSeptember 24, 2020

MY EARLIER REVIEW

#MidwinterMurder #NetGalley

pub date: October 20, 2020

This collection of winter themed stories from the esteemed Agatha Christie will be welcomed by her fans, readers new to her works, and those who enjoy mystery tales.

With twelve intriguing stories, readers will be able to wile away a few evenings as the days get shorter. I enjoyed and recommend this title. It was a delight to discover some new Christies.

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

Welcome back, Verity and Sidney! Penny for Your Secrets by Anna Lee Huber

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsOctober 7, 2019

MY EARLIER REVIEW

Penny for Your Secrets is the third entry in the Verity Kent series. The first two books are This Side of Murder and Treacherous is the Night. The back story of this series is World War I. Readers learn more about Sidney’s experiences during that time and empathize with his difficulty in coping. Readers will also enjoy spending more time with this couple as they get to know one another better.

In this entry, Verity has two cases to solve. In one, a friend has been accused of murdering her husband. In the other, a friend from Verity’s WWI spy work, asks for her help in investigating the murder of her sister. The novel includes many settings including mansions and locations in France and England.

Readers know that the cases will be solved but how? Are they related? Do they relate to the war? Find out as you read this latest adventure .

Also, I want to comment on the cover. I think that it is really gorgeous.

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

Don’t let this one be a stranger to you: The Stranger Diaries by Griffiths

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsOctober 19, 2018

MY EARLIER REVIEW IS BELOW

I have absolutely adored Elly Griffiths’ Ruth Galloway mystery series and hope that she will continue to write many more book about Ruth, her family, colleagues and friends. Ms. Griffiths has also penned the post-war Max Mephisto series. Now, she has written her first standalone novel. I will start by saying that this atmospheric, character driven story does not disappoint.

Plot: Clare is a teacher at the school where her daughter, Georgia, is a student. Harbinder is a Detective Sergeant whose alma mater is this school. When Clare’s colleagues begin to die, Harbinder is assigned the investigation. The school also has close ties to the author of a very scary story. These threads intertwine to produce a suspenseful, somewhat Gothic tale.

Most interesting to me in the book were the many characters and their interrelationships. There are Clare and her ex-husband, Clare and her daughter, Clare and her colleagues, Clare and Harbinder. Then there are Georgie and her parents, Georgie and her teachers, Georgie and her boyfriend, Georgie and her writing group, etc.

Another feature of the novel is the offering of different points of view. The reader sees events through the eyes of Clare, Georgie and Harbinder.

As in all good mysteries there are some twists. This is a novel that I definitely recommend. My favorite novels by this author are still the Ruth novels but this is worth a read for suspense lovers.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read by one of my favorite authors!

Broken Ground by Val McDermid

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsNovember 18, 2018

#BrokenGround #NetGalley

MY EARLIER REVIEW:

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.

It is currently an e book for $2.99

A Novel

by Beth O’Leary

This is a sweet and enjoyable read about Tiffy and Leon. They are going to be flatmates. She needs a place to live and he is looking for a rent share. The twist is that, for a while, the two do not meet. Leon works nights while Tiffy works days; they plan never to be in their home at the same time. How do they get from this agreement to a relationship? Read this one to find out. It is a nice story.

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

This charming debut features lovely characters being nice to one another. It’s easy to root for them to get together and solve the problems in each of their lives. Be prepared to hand-sell this one. It’s a sweet romance that will win over readers once they discover it on the shelves.”

—Library Journal, starred review

This is a wonderful historical novel based upon the Book Women who delivered library materials to those in the out of the way sections of Kentucky.  The book women were part of a program started by President Roosevelt under the WPA.

There are many book women in Troublesome Creek, Kentucky but the protagonist of the novel is the unforgettable Cussy.  Cussy speaks in dialect which helps the reader to fully enter into her world.  Cussy faces special challenges because she is the last of the ‘blues.’  There really were blue-skinned people in America as a supplement at the back of the novel attests.  They were objects of curiosity and also of prejudice, just as was the case for the African American population.

Cussy wants to be independent both before and after her disastrous short term marriage.  And yet, what will happen with patron Jackson who is one of the few to call Cussy by name, rather than the derogatory Bluet?

Cussy’s love of books flows through the novel.  There are references to books that were popular at the time, including those by Steinbeck and Rex Stout.  Cussy’s inventiveness in making books and delivering what her patrons need is impressive.

The landscape of rural Kentucky, the small towns, the mines, the mountains are all well described.  Each patron that Cussy visits has a back story and readers will even come to learn more about the mule who transports her.

If you are a reader who enjoys historical fiction set in the U.S., consider this one.  Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Sourcebooks, for this book in exchange for an honest review.