joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

Some e book bargains for May 1, 2020

The Horse Dancer: A Novel Women Rowing North: Navigating Life’s Currents and Flourishing As We Age Rules for Visiting: A Novel The Stars Are Fire: A novel If Beale Street Could Talk (Vintage International) Anatomy of a Murder Searching for Sylvie Lee The Ways of the World A little bit of many things for May 1.

Recently published: Little People, Big Dreams/Bob Dylan by Maria Sanchez Vegara

Young readers and listeners will learn how Robert Zimmerman became the famous, somewhat reclusive, musician Bob Dylan in this entry in the Little People, Big Dreams series. Finding his voice and using it are what made this singer, songwriter and multiple instrument playing musician the person that he became. Attention is paid to the kind of music Dylan makes and the ways in which he is his idiosyncratic self. Nicely illustrated and with additional biographical information at the end of the book, this is another excellent entry in an excellent series.

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

#BobDylan #NetGalley

From the publisher:

Bob Dylan (Little People, BIG DREAMS)


Inspired by his rock idols, Robert taught himself the guitar, the harmonica, and a strange instrument called the autoharp, which he played to an audience that was easily pleased.	Robert soon started composing his own songs. He had a real talent for writing rhymes and making words fit to a beat. The songs were poetic yet powerful, and he wrote them under his new name: Bob Dylan.	Bob’s music spoke about things that mattered: civil rights, war, and religion. Without trying, he became the voice of a generation eager to change the world, putting down in words what millions of people felt.	He received all the awards an artist could dream of. And he was the first musician ever to be recognized with a Nobel Prize for Literature. But—in true Bob style he didn’t show up to the ceremony.

Now out: Counting animals with Lily and Milo by Pauline Oud

This is a sweet counting book that young children should enjoy. Lily, a rabbit, and Milo, a mouse, count all of the different farm animals that they see, going from one-to-ten. There are vows, lambs, kittens and more and even a little surprise at the end. The book is brightly and charmingly illustrated. Definitely a title to read with a toddler who is learning to count.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#CountinganimalswithLilyandMilo #NetGalley

Who does not tell the truth? This Is How I Lied A Novel by Heather Gudenkauf

This is the first book that I have read by this author who has written a number of successful thrillers. The premise was intriguing. A high school student was murdered in a cave. Who did it? Why?
The case is not solved at the time. Now, a number of years later a new clue has been found and the case is being re-opened. During the initial investigation, the investigator was the father of one of the victim’s friends. Now, in the current time line, the detective is that daughter and friend, Maggie. She is heavily pregnant and volunteers to review the old files and work on the case.
I liked the setting of this story. However, I found that there were characters who were most unlikable including the victim’s sister, Nola, and the victim’s boyfriend from the time, a bully and abuser. I found that I did not enjoy the book as much as I had hoped because of these characters to whom I did not want to relate. I did want to see the case resolved however.
If you like your stories on the darker side, this may be for you. It was a tad too much for me.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Pub Date

#ThisIsHowILied #NetGalley

Bad things happen in an idyllic spot: Murder in a Scottish Shire by Traci Hall

This is the first entry in what, I think, will be a series. The things that I loved most in this cozy mystery were the setting, the characters and the knitting. The story takes place in a small Scottish town that, aside from murder, sounds like an idyllic place to live. The protagonist, Paislee, is surrounded by family and friends. She runs Cashmere Crush, a friendly shop, for wool and knitting.

As often happens in mysteries, there are two murders. As an amateur, Paislee annoys the detective but…of course, finds the killer. I was pretty sure that I knew who this was and I was right. There is a clue that really points to the perpetrator.

This is a good book if you just want something easy and distracting. There is Scottish dialect which tries to add authenticity but can also be distracting.

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

Pub Date

#MurderinaScottishShire #NetGalley

This title just won the Edgar: The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths

My earlier review:

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!

A well know tale: The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen

The story of the Little Mermaid is well known but, depending on your source, the story can end in one of two ways. The story as conceived by Andersen does not have the Disney happy ending.
This title provides a full and detailed long version of the tale. What I like best about this version though are the illustrations. They are truly gorgeous! The artist is well known in Europe although this is the first time that I have seen her magical work.
If you want a beautiful version of a classic tale, this book is so worth buying. I loved it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Pub Date

#TheLittleMermaid #NetGalley

I’m hungry and want to eat NOW! Quick and Easy 5-Ingredient Cookbook 30-Minute Recipes to Get Started in the Kitchen by Eileen Kelly

What a great concept for a cookbook! Quick and easy with few ingredients is just what many of us want at times. I never would have guessed that there could be so many recipes that fit this framework.

The book includes all meals and even has sections on vegetarian and vegan foods and a section on spice blends. I could name so many of these good looking recipes but will just select enough to show what a good resource this book is. So…smoky chickpeas and spinach, coconut tofu and vegetable curry over rice, balsamic and honey glazed salmon, pan seared pork chops and parmesan spinach,warm apple foldovers and chocolate chip cookies.

This is a perfect book for a beginning cook (there are many at this moment) or a more experienced cook looking for some new ideas. I will be using it for sure.

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

From the publisher:

One of many tasty recipes from the book: Spinach and Mushroom Frittata

Serves 4 / Prep time: 5 minutes / Cook time: 20 minutes

Gluten-Free / Nut-Free / One-Pan

Frittatas are such an easy dinner to prepare, and the leftovers are great for lunch the next day, especially paired with the Go-To Chopped Salad or the Easy Garlic Crostini. This is also a great recipe to use as a base to use up leftovers in the refrigerator. Have some leftover bacon or turkey? A few vegetables? Add it to your frittata. Use an oven-safe pan, such as a cast iron skillet, as this recipe begins on the stovetop and finishes in the oven.

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400°F.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, pepper, and salt. Set aside.
In a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the mushrooms and sauté until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the spinach and cook until wilted. Sprinkle the shredded cheese into the skillet.
Pour the egg mixture into the skillet and let cook undisturbed for 5 minutes.
Place the skillet into the oven and bake until the eggs are set, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool for 2 minutes before slicing and serving.

Substitution Tip: Use Gruyère, Cheddar, Swiss, or mozzarella instead of fontina.

Addition Tip: Add 1 teaspoon of Italian Herb Seasoning Mix (page 97) to the egg mixture. For meat lovers, add 4 ounces of diced ham along with the mushrooms.

Per Serving: Calories: 212; Total fat: 15g; Sodium: 577mg; Carbohydrates: 3g; Fiber: 1g; Sugar: 1g; Protein: 15g

Ingredients:

6 eggs
¼ cup milk
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 cup diced mushrooms
2 cups fresh spinach
1 cup shredded fontina cheese

#QuickandEasy5IngredientCookbook #NetGalley

Recently published: A Delightful Little Book On Aging by Stephanie Raffelock

This book includes many reflections and stories from the author on the subject of aging. I very much like how she embraces this time of life and sees it as a time for growth, exploration and consolidation of a lifetime of experience.

The book is divided into four sections; Grief, Reclamation, Vision and Laughter. In the first section the author supports acknowledging the losses both large and small that come with the aging process. In the next section, she encourages readers to reclaim things that one enjoyed at an earlier life stage; for example, maybe to take up playing the piano or singing in a chorus again. Vision is about using one’s acquired wisdom to fully participate and see life as it unfolds each day. Laughter provides a chance to laugh which is good for us!
If you know someone, including yourself, who would enjoy or benefit from gaining perspective on this life stage, take a look at this title.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#ADelightfulLittleBookOnAging #NetGalley

Now out: A Good Meal Is Hard to Find Storied Recipes from the Deep South (Southern Cookbook, Soul Food Cookbook) by Amy C. Evans; Martha Hall Foose

I adore the old fashioned illustrations that appear throughout this book; I felt nostalgic as I saw Camay soap, Tang and Crisco in the paintings. Amy, the artist, talks in the introduction about her inspiration while Martha, the cook, also adds her take. The book itself is organized with the day in mind, beginning with breakfast and moving through to late night snacks. There are then anytime treats. Yum.

Within this framework, there are intriguingly named recipes. For example, the Morning’s Glories section includes “Ethel’s Overnight Breakfast in Bed (a casserole), and Marge’s Usual Sunrise (a drink) among others. These titles definitely enticed me and kept me browsing through this book.

The recipes are all doable. The presentation is quirky and fun. This title could be a nice addition to a cook’s bookshelf.

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