Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

I have been following Chloe since the first book in this series,, Old World Murder, was published back in 2010. Chloe is an historical interpreter who works on various museum sites such as Old World Wisconsin. In each book, in addition to a good mystery, the reader learns about Wisconsin’s settlers and immigrants. Often the history has to do with Norway, as is the case in Fiddling with Fate.

In this entry in the excellent series, the history is personal. No spoilers from early books so I will just say that Chloe learns more about her own family in this one. Long time readers undoubtedly will enjoy this aspect of the book. Of course, there is also murder.

Chloe and her fiancee, Roelke, leave Wisconsin for Norway where Chloe will travel on a trip that her mother had hoped to take. While in Norway, Chloe and the reader will learn a great deal about the role of music and fiddling. Music and dancing (in the novel’s historical sections) were viewed by some as an essential aspect of life, while for others the Hardanger’s fiddle was the devil’s instrument. These attitudes very much relate to the fate of the book’s central characters in both the present and the past.

Readers will spend time in the fjords, climbing paths, museums and charming hotel where Chloe and Roelke stay. Readers will also meet the many characters from museum employees, to fiddlers, to dancers.

There are links and suggestions provided for those who want to see and learn more about the places and things that are central to the story. I always find that these suggestions have helped me to enjoy the novels even more.

I think that this book will be enjoyed most by long time readers of this series. New readers might want to start right from the beginning and move through each of the ten books. Two of my favorites are The Lace Maker’s Secret and Mining for Justice.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Midnight Ink for this e galley in exchange for my honest review.

You can see my review of the Carr novel in my archive.

You can’t go wrong with this Dorothy Sayers set at an Oxford women’s college.

The Silent Wife is in my TBR pile.

This summer one of my daughters invited/challenged me to read all of the Harry Potter books.  I am not sure what number read through this was for her but, for me, it was the first time that I have read all of the books.  Was I familiar with them?  Of course. Had I bought them all for my children, sometimes two copies so that neither would have to wait?  Had I heard Jim Dale narrate them in the background of my car rides?  Had I seen some of the movies?  Had I read some?  The answer to all of these is yes.  I thought that the first book was a perfectly formed novel that would have earned praise even if the author had stopped there. I continued to read for a while but stopped when I got the Professor Umbrage.  I disliked her so very much that I put the books down.

Well, this summer I made it past that banally evil teacher and finished all seven of the books.  I am sad to be done.  It was quite a journey.

It is difficult to say something about the novels that has not already been said.  The books are meant to be epic, about a world in which evil can possibly triumph, a world in which one group, Voldemort’s followers, wants to exterminate another, Muggles, for not being pure enough.  The books show the importance of community, friendship, doing what is right.  They demonstrate that a person can go on even if, like Harry, they lose many who are most dear to them.

This is also the ultimate boarding school story.  It is populated by professors, houses, magic, sports, teenage love, studies and angst.  All of these are familiar tropes yet J.K. Rowling makes them new again.

I recommend the series most highly for everyone from children to adults, although I think that, because of the dark nature of some of the later books, they are not meant for your first or second grader.

Have you read the series?  Your comments?

Three excellent mysteries here.  All are parts of series.  If you don’t already know them, you are in for some good reading.

https://nyti.ms/2ZSv4oo

This novel is certain to be one of the “big” novels of the fall.  Its author Ann Patchett is well known for her thoughtful, literary style and moving story lines  The Dutch House will be welcomed by Patchett’s loyal readers and may well attract some new fans.

The book tells the story of siblings, Maeve and Danny, those around them and the home that resonates with them.  The story moves back and forth in time as characters and their stories take center stage or temporarily recede.

This is a complex and sophisticated novel that makes readers think about relationships (parent/child, stepparent/child, husband/wife, siblings, step-siblings,  those who work for families), finding a way in life, sacrifices and choices.  Readers will not forget The Dutch House and those who lived there.

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

Four stars ****

What makes for a perfect birthday? Is it perfection that makes it perfect? Young listeners will enjoy finding out the answer to that question as they find out about beaver’s big day.

Beaver wants the perfect birthday cake and he has the perfect recipe for it. His friends want to help and things do not go as Beaver planned. How does he react? What happens? What is most important? Children will know when they finish the story.

This book is for toddlers and preschoolers. It will gently help them to think about what matters. Adults will know the predictable answer but young children may not.

The illustrations that accompany the book are detailed and playful. They definitely enhance the story while adding humor.

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

This book offers an excellent introduction to the achievements of Ada Lovelace, daughter of a mathematician and a poet. Her early years, the education that she had (when many girls did not), her interest in Math and work with Babbage are all covered in one easy to read package. By the way, the illustrations also add to the book as they reflect Ada’s personality. Get this one for a young reader you know who wants to be a big thinker with big ideas!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read about Ada who worked on what later came to be known as the computer. All opinions are my own.

A couple of thrillers, a women’s fiction, a classic, an entry from a favorite series of mine and one for those who find cats amewsing.

The Guest Book-check my archive for my review.

The Nest

Medium Raw by the late Anthony Bourdain

Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson

Little Beach Street Bakery. Jenny Colgan’s books are nice, easy reads.

300 Days of Sun is romantic suspense.