Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

I have eagerly been awaiting this book’s arrival in my mail and today it came!  I enjoy doing crosswords and love the fact that this is large print; it just makes it so easy to comfortably sit down with a puzzle and relax.

This title contains 100 themed crossword puzzles.  The level of challenge is no where near impossible but enough to need to think.  For me, this book offers a perfect diversion, especially for right now.

So, take a break from some of your other activities, do a puzzle, think a little (on something that is not disaster) and enjoy what you accomplish.

Many, many thanks to Callisto for this book in exchange for an honest review.  I give it five *****,

Pub date: April 28, 2020

Just one comment:  The Howard books are all part of a series although, for some reason, the first one is not an e book bargain.  The first of the books is The Light Years.  Interestingly, there was recently a picture of Camilla (as in Charles and) sitting outside with a book and she was re-reading a favorite title from this series.

This picture book is filled with intricate and interesting illustrations.  The story itself is one of a young girl who, through the power of imagination, envisions a sandcastle that is large, complete with windows and fully furnished.  In this fantasy kings and queens come to visit and ice cream is served all day.  But wait!…there are some inconveniences with sandcastles just because…they are made of sand!  Young readers will watch to see what happens next.

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

Pub date: May 5, 2020

Viveca Sten is a very popular author in her native Sweden.  A number of her mysteries set on Sandhamn are now being released in the U.S.  There is also a tv series available on MHz that features the author’s stories.

Sandhamn is an idyllic summer colony located not far from Stockholm.  However, as in the much fluffier Murder She Wrote, the setting belies the nature of the murders and crimes that occur in the community.

In this entry, a student who was researching former members of the Coastal Guard seems to have committed suicide.  No surprise or spoiler really to say that so much more was involved.  I found this investigation into this crime and its historical antecedents to be both suspenseful and tragic.

Spending time with Thomas, Nora and those around them adds to the enjoyment of the book and provides some relief from the very sad experience of the Rangers.  I plan to continue reading this series and look forward to watching the relationships among the protagonists evolve.

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

Would you like to introduce a child to the magic of Charles Dickens’s stories?  The novels themselves, of course, are lengthy while this collection is a beautifully illustrated introduction to a number of the books.

Included in the retellings are Oliver Twist, The Old curiosity Shop, David Copperfield, Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities, A Christmas Carol, Nicholas Nickleby and Hard Times. Each story begins with a helpful illustrated list of characters.

The stories are expertly retold, having sufficient detail to not just be summaries, and may well inspire a child to read one of the full length books.  That would be a good project for the current moment. All in all, a wonderful resource.

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

Pub date: May 19, 2020

#AWorldFullofDickensStories #NetGalley

This is a book for the very youngest among us.  It is a board book with felt to feel as an integral part of the printed book.  The illustrations are charming incuding a hedgehog, a lion, a giraffe and more.  I think that this book will most definitely appeal to babies and toddlers.

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

Pub date:  July 2020

A few more choices for today.  Meet Me at the Museum is one that I owuld like to read.  There will be a tv series of the Korelitz novel.

Women’s fiction including historical fiction and a thriller in Reconstructing Amelia, a mystery, a free DH Lawrence title, the story of a vet (and basis for a tv series) and a book on the history of religion by a very well known scholar.  Pretty good choices in my opinion.  See my archive for a review of The Grace Kelly Dress.  I enjoyed it.

A family story, a women’s fiction title, a couple of mysteries, and American classics with one for children and one for adults.  The Baum book is free.

This book has such sweet and fun illustrations.  The text tells the story of a young girl going to her karate class.  Many aspects of karate are clearly explained in the text by the author, a karate champion herself.

This book provides an excellent introduction to what a student can expect if they start lessons. There are rules and discipline along with co-operation, fun and learning.

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

Pub date:  May 5, 2020