Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

Are you a person who likes to visit historic homes? Do you go inside and imagine what it might have been like to live there? Do you ever see a house and daydream about it being yours? If, like me, you answer yes to these questions, you may well enjoy Americana. This book showcases the farmhouses and manors of Long Island, New York. Homes have been on Long Island since the 1600s when early emigrants settled there. This book shows the evolution of a number of these homes both their outsides and interiors; in addition, one sees the landscapes that these homes enjoyed. There are essays to accompany the photos.

Some reviewers have noted faults and inconsistencies in this book. That is true but, nonetheless, it is a wonderful volume to look at and imagine where a person might live.

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

This is Dervla McTiernan’s second novel; it follows The Ruin and features many of the same characters.  The Scholar takes place in Ireland at a university and science lab.  A young former chemistry student is murdered.  As you read the novel, you may, like me, think that you know exactly how it will end.  I was  partially wrong as it was more complex than I had anticipated.

In addition to Della, the (first) victim, the novel tells the story of Carline.  She is heir to a great pharmaceutical company but does not feel fully accepted by the grandfather who owns it.  What will she do to try to ensure her place?  What will happen to her?

The first book’s primary detective was Cormac.  He is in a relationship with Emma who works for Darcy Pharmaceuticals, the lab at the heart of this story.  What will happen when Emma is both a witness and a potential suspect?

This sophomore effort by Ms. McTiernan is definitely worth reading.  I raced through it.  Fans of authors including Tana French should love this one!

Macie seems to be the most popular girl in her class until…you guessed it, someone else seems to be claiming that spot. Macie is very upset and does not go to school the next day. With a magic mirror and a loving dad, Macie learns to accept and love herself while knowing that she does not have to be perfect.

I liked the idea of this story and its central message of self-acceptance. However, I do feel that this book could have been a bit more. The spots that the mirror gives Macie are symbolic and represent what she sees as flaws but this concept may not be clear to children. However, it may be a title that will be helpful to young perfectionists. It could open up discussion between adults and children.

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

This book has cheerful and, at times,  humorous illustrations.  Accompanying these are the names of 100 Christmas related words.  There are a number of sections in the book including “Christmas Decorating, Nativity, Christmas Eve, A Festive Walk” and more.  Each section then has a number of objects that young children may point to and name.  For Santa, for example, there are milk, cookies, sack, etc.  Each section also includes an action word and a feeling word that adults can talk to children about.  This is a cute book for the holiday season.

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

#ChristmasIn100Words #NetGalley

The Books of the Dead is the second in a series, following Death in Paris, which I have not yet read. I found The Books of the Dead to be a novel that will appeal to lovers of cozy mysteries who are able to suspend some disbelief.

Our two sleuths, Magda and Rachel, are American ex-pats who live in Paris. They have a relationship with a French Inspector, Boussicault, who involves them in solving some of his cases. Why this would happen is the what requires a reader’s suspension of disbelief.

The case involves several murders and the theft of valuable pages from historic books. Suspects include those who work for or do research at the Biblioteque Nationale. Each suspect has a backstory that gives credence to why they may have committed the crimes. While solving the case along with our detectives, the reader gets to dash around Paris, spending a sufficient amount of time in cafes and bars.

The end of the book includes some extras. For example, there is a glossary of French terms.

I found this book to be an easy and relaxing read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.

Review

I was thrilled to receive this novel from NetGalley and HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review. I have read every book in this series of very British mysteries that, surprisingly, are written by an American author who lives in Texas. A Bitter Feast is book 18 in this fine series that has deepened over time. If you can, read the books in order for the people, the history and the relationships but, if you can’t, this could be read as a standalone.

Detectives Duncan Kincaid and Gemma Jones, who married many books ago, are invited to the country with their three children (Backstories on the children appear in earlier books as only one is the shared child of both Gemma and Duncan). They are invited by another police officer, Melody Talbot (again backstory in earlier novels), to her parents beautiful Cotswold home for the weekend. The descriptions of the countryside and the house will make you wish that you could hop a plane, unless you already live in Britain.

Of course, there are murders. There is also lots of food as chefs are important characters in the story. Why was a famous chef murdered? Why was his demise followed by others? And of course, whodunnit? I thought that I knew but I was wrong.

My only regret upon finishing A Bitter Feast was knowing that I now have to again begin the wait for the next book by this author. If you like traditional British mysteries/police procedurals, I highly recommend this one.

Reviews

Some mystery and some women’s fiction.

One of the givens of childhood seems to be the wish to be older, bigger or cleverer. If you know a child who has ever felt that way, read this story with them. It humorously acknowledges how frustrating being small can be…and the possible ways to get around that.

Tallulah wants to play the tuba but as can be seen from the book’s cover and amusing illustrations throughout, she is too small. She tries to grow but can’t make that happen fast enough. Watch as she inventively solves her dilemma. This is a fun read that I recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in return for an honest review.

This is a beautiful book. It tells the story of a Hmong family. They have emigrated to the U.S. and are living in a new community. This book follows the daughter of the family over many months. During this time, she gets to meet her elderly neighbors, welcomes twin brothers, spends time outdoors, watches the seasons change and offers comfort to an older man in a time of loss. I think that readers will be touched as they learn about and see the map into the world. This book is lyrically, charmingly and beautifully illustrated. The author and illustrator seem to have worked together seamlessly. All in all, a wonderful book.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this touching book. All opinions are my own.

Of note is that the book is about a Hmong family. This group emigrated to the U.S. after the Vietnamese War. I highly recommend the book for adults The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down. My earlier review is below:

I am reading this nonfiction title for an undergraduate class, Religion and Healing. This book offers a profound look at the culture, practices and beliefs of the Hmong people and how these clash with Western medicine when the Lee’s daughter, Lia, is found to have epilepsy (in Hmong culture, the title of the book is the Hmong word for this condition.) This book is enlightening and heartbreaking. In our current political climate, it offers a poignant reminder of the importance of learning about other’s belief systems without judging. Recommended for all readers but especially for those in the “helping” professions.