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

#TheWhisperedWord #NetGalley

The Whispered Word is the second entry in the Secret, Book and Scone Society series.  The main characters’ secrets were fully described in the first book but a reader can still enjoy this one as a standalone novel.

What I enjoyed most about this book were the characters and the setting.  Yes, belief has to be suspended, but I would love to visit and spend time with Nora and her three closest friends.  Nora’s town, Miracle Springs. attracts people in need of saving and second chances.  Nora owns the local bookstore and is a very astute and well-versed bookseller.  There are many references to both fiction and non-fiction titles throughout the novel.  Nora herself is named for the character in Ibsen’s play.  Just a few of the titles mentioned in the novel include The Witch of Blackbird Pond, A Doll’s House, Harry Potter, One Snowy Day and a number of books on adoption and tidying up.

But of course, there is more than just books in this book.  Abilene comes to town and is a young girl who has had a difficult life and clearly has secrets of her own.  Has she committed crimes including murder?  There is also a shop, Virtual Genie that is offering to consign goods for people in the town.  It looks like a fantastic service but is there more to it?  You can probably answer these questions but finding out the answers is still fun.

The Whispered Word is about friendship, relationships, taking risks…and solving mysteries.  It is an excellent cozy.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.  I enjoyed my second visit with these characters and am eager for book three.

Praise for The Whispered Word:

“A love letter to reading, with sharp characterizations and a smart central mystery.”
–-Entertainment Weekly

Below is my review of the first title in the series.

This is the first book that I have read by Ellery Adams and I truly enjoyed it. The protagonist, Nora, is a bookseller who believes that there is a book that is just right for each customer’s particular emotional state; the notion that one could get meaningful suggestions from a bookseller was lovely in this day of internet sales. I enjoyed the many literary references and the back stories of the protagonists. There are also hints of romance. If you like cozies, I would recommend this book highly.

I have truly enjoyed every book in the Seven Sisters series by Lucinda Riley.  The Moon Sister is book five.  I am sad that there can only be two more to come.  In fact, I read this book slowly as I wanted to savor it and make it last as long as possible.

This entry tells the story of Tiggy.  It takes place in Scotland, Spain, South America, New York and Switzerland.  As is true for each novel in the series, there are dual story lines.  Tiggy’s story takes place in the present while the past story line is about Tiggy’s birth family.  Both stories are compelling.

In the present the reader follows Tiggy as she tries to make sense of her life and gifts, especially a talent for caring for and healing animals.  There is romance for her as well.

The past story is about Tiggy’s birth mother, Lucia, and her family.  They are gypsies who lived in the caves at Sacromonte, in the shadow of the Alhambra.  The culture of the people who live there is fascinating and well described.  Readers also experience the Spanish Civil War as Tiggy’s family struggles with life under a fascist regime.

From a young age, Lucia has a talent for flamenco dancing.  This will take her around the world but at some cost.  Lucia and Tiggy’s stories intersect when Tiggy meets Chilly, a man who knew Lucia’s family in Spain.

I recommend the entire series for those of you who enjoy historical novels and novels that are long enough that you can move into them for a while.  I am already looking forward to the next in the series.

You can find reviews of the earlier books by typing in seven sisters to the search box on my site.

Praise for The Moon Sister:

“[A] beautifully written series… A magical adventure.” (Woman’s World Magazine)

“A breathtaking adventure brimming with cruelty, tragedy, passion, obsession and, most of all, the music, rhythm and spirit of Spain’s gitano community… There is a real fire to this exciting new chapter in the captivating Seven Sisters odyssey, an extraordinary sense of drawing inexorably nearer to solving the intriguing conundrum of Pa Salt’s death and the tantalising mystery of the missing sister.” (Lancashire Evening Post)

“Riley’s meticulous research and attention to detail immerse readers in historical background, bringing Tiggy and her Spanish birth family to life. Fans of Kristin Hannah, Kate Morton, and Riley’s previous novels will adore this anticipated series continuation.”  (Booklist)

Next in series…to be published in Britain in October

#DaysOutUnderground #NetGalley

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In my opinion, this is a very cool book! It is perfect for travelers to Britain who would like to have unique experiences. The author of this book has visited 50 underground sites across the British Isles. He has organized the book by regions including The North, The Midlands, The Southeast, The Southwest, Wales and Scotland. You can vicariously visit sites related to WWII, a mining museum, caverns, Churchill’s War Rooms, The Roman Baths, King Arthur’s Labyrinth and so much more.

The author has a knack for bringing each of these locations to life. Each entry includes helpful information such as location, hours, website information, etc. Each place described has additional sections including Spotlight and Going Deeper. Furthermore, the photographs throughout truly enhance the text.

When I finished browsing this book, I so wanted to be starting a vacation. You will want to as well.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a unique travel guidebook. I enjoyed it.

#Jkrowling #NetGalley

From the publisher:  “A new series of empowering biographies featuring modern women in the world of work.”

I have recently been re-reading the Harry Potter books and have again been struck by how talented J K Rowling is. Below is a small part of my recent post on the novels:

Let me just say that J K Rowling rightly deserves her place in children’s literature. She cleverly tells a variation on a boarding school story, a classic quest tale, an orphan’s story, a story about friendship and a tale about the importance of good trying to overcome evil.

Having just re-immersed myself in this world, I was thrilled to receive an e-galley of a children’s title that tells J K Rowling’s own story. The book is interspersed with her quotes and these add resonance to the text. The illustrations are bold and suit the title.

Young readers will learn about young Jo Rowling’s struggles. Her mother was sick, she did not get along well with her father, she had difficulty “reaching her potential” at school and faced both joy (having a daughter) and struggle (a divorce, financial hardship). The reader learns as well that Jo Rowling liked to tell stories and that books were important to her. They will see how she kept on writing as Harry’s story was vividly clear to her and she needed to get it down.

Young readers will learn about J K Rowling’s persistence and eventual success. They will see too how she has used part of her wealth to help others. There is a section at the end of the book to encourage young people to write.

All in all, this is a promising entry in a promising new series. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read. All opinions are my own.

 

Circe. Based on mythology.

Best of Us. Women’s fiction by Robyn Carr

Winter in Paradise. Women’s fiction by Hilderbrand

Transcription. By Kate Atkinson and about a spy.

The Wife. Always worth looking at Alafair Burke tiles.

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold. A classic by John LeCarre

#TalesFromNatureBee #NetGalley

This is a short, simple, cheerfully illustrated book that will let little ones know what a bee is and what a bee does. A perfect start for young entomologists.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this lovely nature read. All opinions are my own.

This is a very readable look at what it means to be Jewish both today and in terms of the religion’s long history. The book is organized as a journal that a twelve-year-old Jewish girl, Ruth, shares with her close friend, Ayla, who is Muslim. There is some plot centered around Ruth’s family to frame the narrative.

This book is expansive and inclusive. It makes room for people with a strong belief in God and those who are more cultural Jews. There are descriptions of holidays, customs and values.

Those who are Jewish can learn from this book as can those who are not. I found this to be an excellent, liberal take on the Jewish faith.

#TheCave #NetGalley

Why won’t the critter in the cave come out?? Wolf would surely like him to and offers a variety of enticements.

Of course, clever young listeners may think that the critter does not come out because he is afraid of being eaten. Is that what happens?

Find out in this whimsical, funny story with illustrations that perfectly illustrate the text.

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

Many years ago, twenty to be exact, the Harry Potter  title, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was published.  My family and I were in a Canadian bookstore around that time and  I urged my younger daughter to purchase the book. Little did I know that HP would become a big part of our family life.  Each tale was devoured as it came out, the movies were seen both in theater and at home and we listened to Jim Dale narrate the novels repeatedly.

This year said daughter decided to reread the entire series. This time it was she who urged me to read every title, some for the first time and some again.  I have so enjoyed my return to Hogwarts.  I would not say that JK Rowling always has the most elegant prose but she is a supreme plotter.  Careful readers will know that seemingly casual scenes relate back to the plot just when you least expect it and/or most need it.  Also, I enjoy the wisdom of Dumbledore at the end of each volume that I have reread so far.

To say much about the books to someone who does not know them would involve way too many spoilers.  Let me just say that JK Rowling rightly deserves her place in children’s literature in my opinion.  She cleverly tells a variation on a boarding school story, a classic quest tale, an orphan’s story, a book about friendship and the importance of good over evil.  Read or reread, it is up to you!

Welcome back Richard Jury and Co!
After reading The Man with a Load of Mischief, I always looked for books in this series. Then, I moved away from them…not sure why, the books or me. But, I will tell you that I very much enjoyed The Knowledge. All of the trademarks are here; characters including Wiggins, Melrose Plant, Diane, etc. and of course the preternaturally smart, cunning and ingenious child(ren). On top of this there is Africa, Art, Astrophysics, the Stars and murder, all of which line up as perfectly as an eclipse. If you enjoy traditional British style (author is American) mysteries with a twist, read this novel!

#TheKnowledge #NetGalley