Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too!

I reviewed this one when it first came out.  See my thoughts below.

Twenty-one Days is an offshoot of Anne Perry’s Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series. I read the first Charlotte and Thomas book, The Cater Street Hangman, in 1979. I can still remember not wanting to arrive at my destination on the subway because I wanted to keep reading.
So, it was with much anticipation that I began this novel in which Charlotte and Thomas’s son, Daniel, is the protagonist. He is all grown up, has attended Cambridge and is a newly qualified lawyer. Daniel is assigned several cases in this story, the 21 days has to do with the number of days it will be until a man convicted of murder will be hanged…or will he? Is he guilty? Read the story for a complex and engrossing solution.
It was lovely to see Thomas and Charlotte as peripheral characters and to read about Jemima, Thomas’s sister, who is now in New York. Victor Narraway and Aunt Vespasia also are mentioned.  There are also new and very likeable characters as well.
If you like Anne Perry, read this! If you don’t know Anne Perry, read this and then work your way through the series starting with the book mentioned above. Highly recommended by me. Many thanks NetGalley!!

Praise for Twenty-one Days, the first Daniel Pitt novel

“Set ten years after Murder on the Serpentine, [Anne] Perry’s excellent new series launch expertly takes the Pitts into a new century and makes use of the scientific advancements of the time, fingerprints and X-rays, to add fresh drama to the courtroom scenes. . . . Fans of Perry’s long-running [Charlotte and] Thomas Pitt series will delight in following the adventures of a new generation.”—Library Journal (starred review)

“Readers will quickly fall in love with [Daniel] Pitt, following along as he investigates a gruesome murder and chuckling as he throws those involved off kilter. Perry is a master at bringing setting to life, and readers will be taken in by the time and place as they get to know Daniel Pitt and those close to him in this engaging novel.”—RT Book Reviews

“The maven of well-crafted Victorian mysteries and author of both the William Monk series and the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt mysteries introduces the Pitts’ son, Daniel, junior barrister, in this first of what proves to be an intriguing, entertaining, and character-centric new series. . . . In a story that’s nicely tied to the characters in the Pitt series, Perry introduces Daniel and his cohort, the brilliant Miriam fford Croft, and raises the knotty question of whether some clients are truly undefendable.”—Booklist

“[Perry] seems just as comfortable in 1910 as she ever did back in Victoria’s day.”—Kirkus Reviews

and coming soon…the next in the series.

There is a new series of books from Quarto called Bright Start.  This is the first that I have read; if this is any indication, the books will be welcomed by those with young children.

A mom and her child go for a walk together.  They observe the animals with whom they interact.  The sounds that the animals make are their thank yous and the mom and child together enjoy them, as for example, when a horse neighs after being given a carrot.  The walk itself is something that the child thanks her mom for.

The illustrations are simple with black, white and a bit of color yet they are very engaging.  The dog Duke in particular has a lot of personality.

This is a sweet and simple story. It feels just right for the youngest children as it reminds them to be aware of the things that we may be thankful for and shows a warm relationship between a mother and child.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read in exchange for an honest opinion.

#BrightStartAthankYouWalk #NetGalley

This book provides an excellent and entertaining introduction to nouns.  Three colorful cartoon characters represent Person, Place and Thing.  On a trip to the museum, they teach children about themselves and what they stand for.  This book covers what nouns describe, plural nouns, proper nouns, irregular plural nouns and more…all while making the learning fun and providing sufficient repetition to solidify a young student’s understanding.  A good addition for your grammar shelf.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for making learning colorful and fun.  The opinions expressed are my own.

#NounsSayWhatsThat #NetGalley

 

This is  a lovely book that is full of ideas for how children can do kind things for others.  It will appeal to elementary school age children and may help to counteract some of the meanness that occurs regularly in their world.  The illustrations are bright, colorful, cheerful and appealing.  The suggestions are simply stated.  A child could dip into this volume without reading it in order.  There are many good ideas to be found.  A few examples:

Paint kindness  rocks and leave them where they will be found.

Set up a bird feeder.  There are directions for how to make one from a pine cone.

Foster a pet.

Set the dinner table without being asked.

Bring two jars of homemade bubbles to the playground.  Instructions are included.

Make a welcome card that you and your friends sign (for a new kid in town.)

If these ideas appeal to you and/or you think that they may appeal to a child you know, consider purchasing this book.  It would also be a good resource for a school library.

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

#BeKind #NetGalley

Every morning I look forward to reading Patrick McDonnell’s comic strip featuring Mooch and Earl. Generally the mood to be found is sweet, funny and clever.

The Mutts Summer Diaries is the latest compilation to feature these human-like pets. Give this latest volume a try if you enjoy a good natured take on the world around us.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read in return for an unbiased review.

#TheMuttsSummerDiaries #NetGalley

Goodbye, Paris is the story of Grace, those around her and the ways in which Grace grows and comes into her own as she comes to better understand her life and experiences. I found that this book grew on me and I finished it with regret at saying au revoir to Grace, teen Nadia and elderly Mr. Williams.

When the novel begins, Grace is a maker of stringed instruments; her special love is the cello. She has left music school crushed; you will find out why as you read. Grace has been in a long term affair with David who is married.

Nadia, a musical prodigy works in Grace’s shop. Mr. Williams, who is gay, is introduced as someone who wants to repair a violin that has sentimental value. What happens to each, both individually and together, forms the basis for a moving narrative.

Please think about looking at this novel. The settings in England, Paris and Cremona are well described. The music at the heart of the novel enhances the reader’s experience. The characters are human and flawed. Together all of this makes for an excellent read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-galley in return for an unbiased review.

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Portrait is of Henry James

Some people avoid reading Henry James; his books require concentration and a bit of effort. Of course, on the other side, the rewards are also great. My favorite novels by this author are Portrait of a Lady and The Golden Bowl. The Bostonians is also a good read. Give it a try and let me know what you discover,

This is another inspiring entry in the Little People, Big Dreams series. This time the story is about young Maria who was intelligent but found school to be boring when she was young; as a result, she made up games to make her education more fun.

Maria grew up and became the first Italian woman to go to medical school. She combined her medical and educational backgrounds to help some neglected children in the hospital to learn. We adults know that her child centered methods were subsequently embraced the world over.

Young readers who are just starting school will get a sense of how important good teaching is and how it leads to good learning. Hopefully this will encourage them to love their school experience.

As always, the illustrations enhance the story. There are additional facts, photos and resources at the end of the book.

I would give this an A plus. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. The opinions are my own.

#LittlePeopleBigDreams #NetGalley

This is a short picture book story in which a young gorilla (standing in for a human child) shows some of the ways that his mom cares for him. The two are on their way to the doctor where the young animal will need to have a shot. He is supported by his mom and a kind doctor. When he leaves his reward candy on the bus, little gorilla’s mom takes him back to the office so that he can collect another treat. Children listening to the story see that mom and the doctor are caring and have good intentions.

The young gorilla shows other ways that his mom cares for him. There is humor in this because young gorilla conveys that maybe his mom at times cares for him too much, making him do things that he might not want to do!

A note on the illustrations: They are engaging and amusing. Look for the rabbit with a pot on his head.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read. The opinions are my own.

I have been reading Ms. Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs’s novels ever since the first one was published back in 2003.  When the series began, the world was facing WWI.  Now. a number of books later, WWII is coming ever closer to England.

Against the backdrop of the rescue at Dunkirk, the author tells a story that includes a murder, heroism, a spy and war profiteering.  In writing this one, the author drew upon the experiences of her father during the war years.

The reader also spends time with Maisie’s in-laws, her father, Priscilla and her family, her employees and war time evacuee, Anna.  Long term readers of the series will rejoice in the opportunity to visit with them.

I have read books in the series that I liked a tad better but I NEVER regret time spent with Ms. Dobbs.  You won’t either.

From the Back Cover

Some reviews:

“The wartime details … transport us with ease to a milieu where danger is omnipresent but—thanks to the presence of steadfast figures like Dobbs and her like-spirited colleagues—so is hope.” (Wall Street Journal)

“Maisie Dobbs is always looking for truth and the underlying motives in her cases. Her stories are ones that this reviewer always wants to read because of her character, values and thoughts on life…. A story about WWII and England that is close to the heart.” (Bookreporter.com)

“Winspear’s protagonist is indomitable and vulnerable, brilliant and kind.” (Chelsea Clinton in Entertainment Weekly)

“A novel that appeals equally to the intellect and the emotions, To Die but Once advances Maisie’s engaging story and reaffirms Winspear’s eminence in her field…. [A] radiant series.” (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

“First-rate.” (Booklist)

“History comes alive when a character you think of as a friend is in the thick of the action. That’s how Jacqueline Winspear keeps her Maisie Dobbs series so fresh.” (New York Times Book Review)