Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

I love to read, recommend books and open the world of reading to others. I tutor to ensure that the next generation of readers will know the joys of a good book because their reading skills have improved. I am an avid reader, especially of mysteries and fiction. I believe that two of the world's greatest inventions were the public library and eyeglasses!

Now out: The Finisher by Peter Lovesey

I have read every book in Peter Lovesey’s wonderful Peter Diamond series so I was absolutely overjoyed to receive this e galley to review. As always, the story takes place in Bath, England; the setting is vividly brought to life with its unique architecture and planned design. Imagine my surprise and delight when I found that a significant location in this title was the very street that I had lived on in Bath. It just added extra joy for me as I read this.
Peter Lovesey has a sardonic, playful sense of humor which was very present in this book. The title has several meanings as becomes clear as one reads. There are police officers, most already known to the devoted readers of the series, along with other characters who are vividly brought to life including a criminal from an old case of Diamond’s, a murder victim, the Russian Olga, teacher Maeve, illegal immigrants and many more. Some of these characters are in a half marathon that is central to the action of the story.
Lovesey spins plates in the air as the plot evolves and he manages to get to the end of the novel without dropping any of them. I loved this book and hope that Lovesey, who is in his 80s, will just keep on writing.
Many, many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest view. I adored my virtual trip to Bath and the time spent with this book and its characters.

#TheFinisher #NetGalley

The world is yours: ABC for Me: ABC What Can I Be? by Jessie Ford

This delightfully and inclusively illustrated alphabet book encourages children to think big.  There are so many things that they can dream of, everything from A’s Astronaut to C’s Costume Designer to G’s Game Developer to L’s Landscape Architect and many more until Z’s Zookeeper.  This is a great addition for an alphabet book collection.  It would make an excellent baby gift.

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

pub date:  September 1, 2020

#ABCforMeABCWhatCanIBe #NetGalley

It certainly does not: Paris Never Leaves You A Novel by Ellen Feldman

I have read so much historical fiction that takes place during WWII and its aftermath. This makes it easy to think that I could skip reading a new book set in that time period and you may think that as well but DON’T.  Paris Never Leaves You is an extraordinary novel.

From its visceral opening scene in which collaborators are shamed and attacked on a Paris street, and right on through the novel, this is an immersive, engaging and intriguing book. Within its pages readers will spend time with Charlotte and Vivi, a mother-daughter who survived the war and came to New York. The book is told in seamlessly interwoven timelines; there is one in which Charlotte works in a New York publishing house and Vivi is a fourteen year old school girl and a second that takes place during the war in Europe.

The characters in the novel are each brought to life from Horace, in a wheelchair, to Julian to so many more. The settings are also evocative. Readers will feel what it was like to scrounge for food and to reconsider moral stands in the Paris of the war. Book lovers will also enjoy the inside view of the world of publishing in the U.S.  that Ms. Feldman provides.

Early in the book, Charlotte is at a makeup counter where she is told that a certain product “will erase your past.” But, of course, the past cannot be erased. Should it be? Another provocative quote is when Charlotte says that she was not Jewish until Hitler made her so. What does this mean to her? How do we form identities? These are just some of the issues to ponder.

I give this book a solid five stars and highly recommend it. Readers will be drawn in and the novel will resonate with them even after they have read the last lines.

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

 

 

Now out: The Secret Explorers and the Lost Whales by SJ King

This title finds the sweet spot between a fiction adventure and a science book for kids. It is an illustrated chapter book for elementary school aged children that features a diverse group of explorers.
Meet Connor and his friends who are excited to have a new mission. Watch as Connor magically arrives at the exploration station to find out what his next task will be. Readers will discover that they are to help some whales.
This book appeals to its readers who are at the age when clubs and secrets are intriguing. I think that kids will learn a lot while following the protagonists’ adventures. Hopefully, a love of science will be introduced or reinforced.
At the end of the book are a quiz and a glossary. These both help to reinforce the learning that the text provided.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#TheSecretExplorersandtheLostWhales #NetGalley

Explore from home: 50 Maps of the World Explore the globe with 50 fact-filled maps! by Ben Handicott, Kalya Ryan

The author starts by explaining what a country is and how the countries that we know change over the course of history as new ones are formed and old ones dissolve.  Having established this baseline, next comes the sense of what will be found in each colorful map spread.  There will be history, people of note, key facts, bodies of water, historical sites, capital cities and more.  Truly an adventure is being offered to young and inquisitive explorers in these fifty maps which include countries throughout the world, starting with France and other European countries and then traveling the continents.

I would have adored this book as a child.  I also enjoy it now that I am an adult.

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

Pub date:  September 1, 2020

#50MapsoftheWorld #NetGalley

We can still have fun: Let’s Stay Home! by Sugar Snap Studio

,This short book for young children is very brightly and engagingly illustrated.  It begins by acknowledging that “things seem a bit strange at the moment,” before acknowledging that this time will not last forever.  The author then goes on to suggest the many fun things that can be done at home in the meantime.  There is everything from blowing bubbles, to virtual grandparent chats, to making smoothies and more.  This title will help to normalize daily life for young children and, in the process may help their adults as well!

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

#LetsStayHome #NetGalley

Who do you believe? His & Hers A Novel by Alice Feeney Narrated by Richard Armitage; Stephanie Racine

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They say that there are always two sides to the story. In this well-narrated audio book, we hear both; one for him and one for her. This is a suspense filled novel about a woman who was murdered in an English village. Follow Anna and Jack, reporter and police officer, along with the many twists in the tale. Sadly, my time with this title was over with NetGalley before I finished it. I will find another way as I want to know what happened. I will connect with my library or bookstore immediately.

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

#HisHers #NetGalley