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

This is a book filled with paper folding/origami projects that look adorable. Some of my favorites are the bento box. the cat & dog hearts, the tea bag and the dustpan & scoop. The beginning of the book provides detailed instructions on the basic origami folds. Each project is presented in step sequence with diagrams and illustrations. If you enjoy origami, definitely take a look at this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-galley of a book filled with fun projects. All opinions are my own.

My earlier review of this title:

I wanted to read this novel from the moment that I heard about it. It turns out that it was a very good, but not absolutely amazing, read.

The Gown in question is the one that Queen (then Princess) Elizabeth wore for her wedding. However, the Royals are not the ones that this story is about; rather, the novel is a fictional account of two women who embroidered this most important dress and the granddaughter of one of them. The book moves back and forth between the 1940s and the present day.

An important setting in the book is the studio of Norman Hartnell whose atelier designed and made Princess Elizabeth’s wedding dress. Mr. Hartnell comes across as a nice man who hired nice people. He and Miss Duley, who manages the embroiderers, were real people. The author did her research and was fortunate enough to meet one of the seamstresses from the time. This gives the studio scenes a welcome authenticity.

The three protagonists are Ann, Miriam and Heather. Ann has been impacted by the war and its post-war austerity. No spoilers so I won’t say what happens to her. She is a good friend to Miriam, a Jewish woman, who emigrated to London after suffering many losses during the war. Heather is Ann’s granddaughter. The book is told in alternating narratives of the three.

At the end of the book there is a section on sources, a reader’s guide and an interview with Betty, the seamstress whom the author interviewed.

If you enjoy historical novels, I recommend this. I cared about the characters and found the setting to be quite interesting. If you have watched The Crown, this novel gives background from the time of the first series.

I would give this one three plus stars, just shy of four. Let me know what you think if you read it.

You may have seen the movie.  Now you could read the book.

For fans of the TV show, This Is Us.

This one is a Hercule Poirot with a murdered dentist.

This is a tough and moving autobiography by Alan Cumming.  It feels very honest and raw.

I love the Duncan and Kincaid series.  Nice to read in order but every novel is a good one.  For fans of the author, there will be a new book this fall.

This is the new one.

Her novels are generally fun reads.

From the Back Cover

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This book is part of a wonderful series from Wide-Eyed Editions. In this entry about Gustav Klimt there are ample opportunities to learn about the artist and his way of creating; the reader then can create their own works using their knowledge. The beginning of the book lists the tools needed to complete the projects; I loved that the artist’s eyes and learning to look was included.

Klimt’s biography is given. The reader learns of how he wanted to break away from tradition to make his own art. The reader will find that shapes and gold were important to Klimt and will find out why. In terms of projects, there is the chance to create pictures and even to use stickers.

I think that this series provides such an appealing entree to learning about art. I can’t wait for the next volume.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

#ArtMasterclassWithGustavKlimt #NetGalley

 

#WatchMeReadAndDrawOnTheFarm #NetGalley

This is an appealing book for young artists and their adults. The book tells a simple story of a visit to the farm. This provides the opportunity to show all of the animals that are found there, along with barns, tractors, etc. Perfect for teaching young children the names of the animals and of course you can teach the sounds too. There is also a page showing how to draw the animals in simple steps. The back of the book has stickers and more space for creating artwork. All in all, an excellent activity book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

#KnittedAnimalFriends #NetGalley

This is a gorgeously formatted and photographed book of knitting projects. There are plenty of directions including a list of tools and materials and a noting of abbreviations used in the instructions. As you can see from the book’s cover, each animal friend is fashionably dressed and shows personality.

The animal friends would make a perfect (purrfect?) home made gift for a baby or adult with a soft spot for critters…or make some for yourself.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this lovely book of projects. All opinions are my own.

 

#TheArtistWhoLovedCatsTheInspiringTaleOfTheophileSteinlen #NetGalley

This is an extraordinarily charming book.  The illustrations are delightful and evocative.  The text is rhyming.  Young readers or listeners will learn about Steinlen, the artist who made the iconic Le Chat Noir posters.  He studied textiles but realized that fine art was his calling. Steinlen encountered many other famous artists during this exciting time in French art.

At the end of the book, there is additional biographical information on the artist.  There is also a section on objects that young readers can go back and search for in the text.

I enjoyed this lovely trip to France.  Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.  All opinions are my own.

This illustration shows the young girl who is learning about the artist from an antiques dealer.

Jojo Moyes’s novel One Plus One. Will be welcomed by her fans.

Sidney Chambers and the Perils of the night by Runcie. If you already like, or would like to get to know Grantchester, go for this. I have enjoyed both the books and the TV series. Note that The Road to Grantchester will be out soonish. I thought it was fabulous..

#TheStoneCircle #NetGalley

Last year, Ruth was in Italy (The Dark Angel).  This year she is back in Norfolk in a superb entry in a most favorite series of mine.

The first Ruth Galloway mystery, The Crossing Places, is referenced in this book.  The murder and its solution are thought by the characters to have links to the current crime.  I love this series so much that I urge you to start at the beginning.  However, you can read this as a standalone.

There are mysteries here including a cold case and a current baby abduction.  Both story lines are suspenseful and the pieces all come together with the clues there for the reader.

I think though that true lovers of this series read it for the characters and the updates in their personal stories.  If that is part of what you enjoy in the Ruth books, you will not be disappointed.  Every favorite character and relationship is here.

The only bad thing about having read this book is that now I have to begin the long wait for the next in the series.

Enormous thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.  All opinions are my own.