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

James Shepherd has collected many well and lesser known tales in this wide-ranging collection. He has chosen different writers’ versions for the stories and this adds to the depth and breadth of the book. I first looked at myths that I knew to see if I enjoyed the re-tellings and I did. I then explored further. In some instances, the language of the story seemed “old fashioned,” which made me feel like I was being told an old and well known story (in a good way). The book is illustrated with paintings that add to each tale. For lovers of mythology, this could well be a good addition to your shelf; it would also be a good introduction for those who have not been exposed to these very human heroes.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.

I love the Duncan Kincaid/Gemma Jones series.  It began with A Share in Death (1993) and there are now eighteen books in all.  I have enjoyed every one.  Where Memories Lie is from 2008.  The books are best read in order, because of the relationships between characters, but you can start anywhere.  As I read this in ’08, I will borrow a summary from Goodreads.

“Erika Rosenthal has always been secretive with her friend and neighbor, Detective Inspector Gemma James, about her past, except for one telling detail: She and her long-dead husband, David, came to London as refugees from Nazi Germany. But now the elderly woman needs Gemma’s help. A unique piece of jewelry stolen from her years ago has mysteriously turned up at a prestigious London auction house. Erika believes the theft may be tied to her husband’s death, which had always been assumed a suicide.

Gemma has a tough challenge. She must navigate the shadowy and secretive world of London’s monied society to discover the jewelry’s connection to David’s murderer. However, the cold case needs to be put back on the books and possibly into the hands of her partner, Duncan Kincaid. When a second, present-day murder kicks the investigation into high gear, Gemma becomes more determined to exact justice for Erika in a case that will have lasting repercussions.”

If you have not read this author’s novels, you are in for a real treat!  I am always eagerly awaiting the next book by Deborah Crombie.

 

This book was published as a children’s title but please don’t let that stop you adults out there from reading it too! This is an extremely well informed book about Bruce Springsteen. Readers will learn about his growing up (a practicing Catholic until he was thirteen, a so-so student and a boy with Little League skills), the complexities of his relationship with his father, his mother’s purchase of a guitar for him, his love of music, his success as a musician and songwriter and his many principled positions. All this, plus loads of photos! If you are a Springsteen fan, be sure to take a look at this book. You will be glad that you did!

Thanks to NetGalley and Quarto!

#BruceSpringsteen #NetGalley

This is a book for children who enjoy the silliness of knock-knock jokes. A few examples:

Knock, Knock!
Who’s There?
Phillip.
Phillip who?

Phillip my bag with Halloween candy, please!

and one more…

Knock! Knock!
Who’s There?
Witch.
Witch Who?

Witch one of you can fix my broomstick?

If you know a child who enjoys this type of humor, they will enjoy the many jokes in this Halloween themed book.

I read and enjoyed The White Shepherd when I read it several years ago.  It is part of a three book series.  The second novel is an e-book bargain today and I just purchased it.  I plan to read the third novel also.

From Goodreads on The White Shepherd:

First in the brand-new Anna Hopkins dog-walking mystery series: an intriguing new departure for award-winning writer Annie Dalton.

Anna Hopkins’ daily walk through Oxford’s picturesque Port Meadow is rudely interrupted one autumn morning when her white German Shepherd, Bonnie, unearths a bloodsoaked body in the undergrowth. For Anna it’s a double shock: she’d met the victim previously. Naomi Evans was a professional researcher who had told Anna she was working on a book about a famous Welsh poet, and who offered to help Anna trace Bonnie’s original owner.

From her conversations with Naomi, Anna is convinced that she was not the random victim of a psychopathic serial killer, as the police believe. She was targeted because of what she knew. With the official investigation heading in the wrong direction entirely, Anna teams up with fellow dogwalkers Isadora Salzman and Tansy Lavelle to discover the truth.

Goodreads on Written in Red

The murder of a college professor has its roots in the Cold War: the new Oxford Dogwalkers mystery from award-winning YA writer Annie Dalton.”
Shortly before Christmas, Professor James Lowell is found brutally attacked in his rooms at Walsingham College, where Anna Hopkins works as an administrator. Baffled as to why anyone would wish to harm such a gentle, scholarly man, Anna discovers that Lowell had a connection with her fellow dogwalker, Isadora Salzman, who knew him as an undergraduate in the 1960s, a co-member of the so-called Oxford Six. It turns out that Isadora has been keeping a surprising secret all these years. But someone else knows about Isadora s secret: someone who has sent her a threatening, frightening letter.
Could the attack on Professor Lowell have its roots in a 50-year-old murder? And who is targeting Isadora and the surviving members of the Oxford Six? Anna, Isadora and Tansy, the dogwalking detectives, make it their business to find out.

Goodreads on A Study in Gold

Having reluctantly agreed to make up the numbers at a World War II-themed murder mystery weekend at Mortmead Hall, Anna Hopkins and her fellow dogwalkers, Isadora and Tansy, enjoy themselves far more than they’d expected. Not for long. The weekend’s festivities come to an abrupt halt when a body is discovered floating in the ornamental pond.

Who was the mysterious woman in the red dress who attended the event without a ticket? As Anna and her friends delve further, they find themselves caught up in a web of intrigue that leads to a lost painting and a devastating wartime secret: a secret that involves Anna’s own family. Was her late father really guilty of a monstrous crime …?

This time, the toddlers don’t want their mom or dad to leave. In a sweet and repetitive way, this picture book reinforces that parents “always come back,” The adults in this simple read aloud acknowledge their child’s feelings and respond supportively. As is true for the other books in this series, the section for adults at the end of the book is excellent. Highly recommended for all who say byes to their young children.

This is the second book that I have read in this series, which has the backing of the American Psychological Association. It is a simple read aloud/picture book. A little girl falls and her father helps her by acknowledging her fear and, at her pace, patching her up with a band-aid. This story will be reassuring to toddlers as it reminds them that boo-boos can be fixed. There is a very helpful section for parents at the back. An excellent choice for a home or day care library.

This read-aloud/picture book is published under the auspices of the American Psychological Association. It is cheerfully illustrated with a diverse group of toddlers who do not want to share. A calm and lovely teacher repeatedly intervenes to help by respecting the child who does not feel ready to part with something and by offering the other child an alternative. The repetition will be helpful for young readers and will remind parents of the need for patience when coping with young children. At the end of the book, there is a VERY helpful guide for parents. Believe it or not, there is even a little spoiler there that you will discover for yourself. Highly recommended for toddlers and their caregivers.

Uneasy Lies the Crown follows last year’s excellent, A Death in St. Petersburg. This time, Lady Emily and Colin are trying to keep the (very) new king safe from possible threats. There have been several murders, with each corpse dressed as an historical king. Is this meant as a direct threat to Bertie or is there something else going on?

In tandem with this plot is a story set in the 1400s. This is the tale of a brave knight who fights for his king and of his relationship with his wife. This earlier historical tale is connected with Colin’s ancestors.

This book will be welcomed by those who read each book by Tasha Alexander as it comes out. That having been said, I thought that last year’s entry was stronger. I look forward to seeing what comes next. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read.

This is a book for either a read-aloud or for a young reader to read independently. It is a tale that shows the importance of sharing in a way that uses humor, real seagoing words and some great words coined by the author’s imagination.

Salty Jack runs his pirate ship from his bedroom. The book’s illustrations vary between Salty Jack’s house and the imaginary high seas and treasure islands. All goes well until a mermaid refuses to follow Salty Jack’s orders. Seeing this, the other crew members mutiny. Our captain learns from this experience and commands differently the next day.

This book encourages children to share. They all have more fun together as a result. It is a story that merits a spot in nursery school or kindergarten libraries.

Robyn Carr has written many novels over several series; fans of hers will know that she has written the Virgin River, Thunder Point and Grace Valley books.  Her latest series takes place in Sullivan’s Crossing.  The Best of Us is novel number four.  Old characters reappear but, if you have not read the other titles, this can be read as a stand alone.  Love grows across three generations in this story.  The teen pair are challenged by a threatening medical diagnosis; the couple in their thirties face an unplanned pregnancy and the couple in their sixties show that love can happen at any age.

Setting is also important in this novel.  Sullivan’s Crossing is that small town that people think of when they imagine small town life as idyllic.  There is a beautiful setting near the mountains, kind people and a strong sense of community.

Long term fans of Roby Carr will most definitely welcome her latest book.

From the publisher:

In Sullivan’s Crossing, #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr has created a place where good people, powerful emotions, great humor and a healthy dose of common sense are the key ingredients to a happy life. Sullivan’s Crossing brings out the best in people. It’s a place you’ll want to visit again and again.

#TheBestOfUs #NetGalley

 

I absolutely adore the Elly Griffiths series.  If you have not read the novels this is your chance to stock up!  Today the novels in the series are all either $1.99 or $2.99.  Elly Griffiths has created a world that I love revisiting.  Main character Ruth is quirky and human; Nelson her police foil is a man with loyalty to both Ruth and his wife Michelle. Ruth’s daughter Kate shows Ruth as a mother as well as a professor and detective.   Ruth’s best friend Cathbad is a Druid but DO NOT let that put you off.  There are a host of other characters and relationships in the book along with the mysteries.  You are in for a treat with this series.  READ!