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

Fast Friends was first published in Britain in 2006. It is now being published in America by Sourcebooks, a company that is releasing many novels by this excellent writer of women’s fiction.

The Fast Friends are Camilla, Loulou and Roz who first met when they were in school. Now older, but not necessarily wiser, their lives intersect in this almost 500 page novel. This is a story of three women who want to find lasting relationships but experience missteps, tragedy and heartache along the way.

At the beginning of the novel, Camilla lacks confidence and is too eager to please her husband. When she discovers that he has been involved in an affair with one of her friends, her world falls apart. Camilla’s struggles and joys are one narrative thread.

Another story line is that of Loulou and Mac. Loulou is the owner of a wildly successful bar/restaurant. She makes a critical decision about her business and her beliefs as the story unfolds. Loulou’s relationship with Mac has been complicated for many years. She wants to be with him but becomes involved with others and not so happily. Will their relationship work out?

Third is Roz who is a successful TV host. She, too, has many romantic calamities and has let the one she most cared for get away. That would be Nico, a rock star. Their story together may not end happily.

Overall, while I enjoyed this novel, it was not my favorite by this author. At times, I felt that the book was a bit too long. Also, it seemed to me that there were too many unplanned pregnancies. However, if you like Jill Mansell, you will certainly want to give this one a look.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher!

*** Three stars

This is a chapter book for beginning readers. It tells the story of Katie who is asked to be a flower girl in her relative’s wedding. Katie’s friends offer her help and support as she gets ready…one even becomes a co-flower girl so that Katie won’t be too nervous. This is a simple book that may be of interest to children who want to know more about weddings. The illustrations are engaging and multi-cultural and they add to the appeal of the story.

*** Three stars

#FlowerGirlKatie #NetGalley

Do you have a child who will be starting school soon? Would they like to know what to expect? If the answer is yes, this book is for you. Tour school with young student, Kushi. She goes through all of the important parts of the building, including important stops like lunchrooms and bathrooms. Classrooms, the office, library, gym and more are included in this reassuring visit. With its colorful, multicultural illustrations and additional resources, this story will be a welcome addition to the genre.

**** Four stars

I think that the author says it best:

” I want to look every kid in the eye and say, ‘No matter what is happening in your life, you are never alone.” This author would like for children to have some sense of hopefulness about their daily world and the planet that we all share. She expresses optimism about the ways in which nature replenishes the environment.

This book has truly lovely illustrations. They are charming and imaginative and suit the text perfectly. This book will be a welcome addition to young nature lovers bookshelves.

Please note: Some of the facts presented may be slightly off putting to children, as for example, noting the micro-organisms on our skin.

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

*** (three stars)  I am going to start including the star ratings on the books that I review for NetGalley.  I hope that this will be helpful.

#YouAreNeverAlone #NetGalley

.

About the first book which I earlier reviewed:

The trend for Scandinavian mysteries continues. My daughter pointed out an additional trend in these northern novels, when she observed that they include so many enticing food details and scenes of ordinary, daily life. I wanted to eat with Nora and to visit the island of Sandham where she lives for the summer.

Viveca Sten is an author I did not know. I just finished Still Waters and have immediately plunged into Closed Circles, the next in the series. In her own country, Ms. Sten has sold millions of books. I think that U.S. readers could also enjoy hunkering down with her novels. The main characters come fully to life in a way that makes me want to follow them through the next books. The final solution to the mystery is not the strongest part of the book but I did not mind as I so enjoyed everything else in this fun read. Highly recommended.

My earlier review of this title:

As soon as I finish reading a Ruth Galloway mystery, I long for the next one to come out.  I very highly recommend the series.  The characters are quirky, the relationships complicated, the settings well described and…the mysteries are good too.

In this latest novel, Ruth, a forensic archaeologist, travels to Italy.  She is accompanied by her friend Shona, Shona’s son and Ruth’s daughter, Kate.  Nelson, a police inspector and Cathbad, a Druid (yes!) eventually travel to Italy as well. The Italian town setting is eerily described.

Ruth has come to Italy to offer an opinion on ancient bones but bones from WW II also come to light.  There is intrigue and murder.  All is eventually solved.

Best of all, there are the relationships; Ruth and Nelson, Nelson and Michelle, Michelle and Tim, for the adults and other relationships between parents and their children including Ruth and Kate, Nelson and Kate and Michelle and Laura.

While the mysteries are good, it is quirky, eccentric Ruth and her relationship with Nelson that I most eagerly follow.  If you have read the series, rejoice in this latest entry and, if you haven’t, start from the beginning and rejoice in discovering a fine series.

#TheDarkAngel #NetGalley

This is a lovely, elegaic story about the love between a young girl and her grandfather. The illustrations complement the story beautifully.

Mayumi visits her grandfather in Japan every summer. The two share a love for the rock garden that the grandfather has created. Each year, Mayumi can do more in the garden. The two enjoy working together and then sitting on a bench to share their bento box.

One summer Mayumi’s grandfather has grown older and can no longer care for his garden. What does Mayumi do for him? How does she create a memory for herself? These two questions are answered in this lovely story about the connection between the grandparent/grandchild generation.

This sweet story will be a good resource for children whose relatives are aging.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance copy which I have received in exchange for an honest review.

This story book has amusing, whimsical illustrations and a simple text.  The young Panda is learning about what he can and cannot have.  There is an adventure with a kite and a chance to move away from mine and yours to ours.  At the back of the book, there are notes about the animal breeds that are featured in the story.  It will be a cute addition for a young child’s bookshelf.

This picture book has very sweet and tender illustrations.  In the story, a boy and his dog welcome a baby girl. They learn more about how to relate to a baby and a baby’s needs.  It is a nice story.

Caveat:  This one is published by a Christian publishing house and refers to Jesus and God in the text.  If you are not Christian, you may want to consider this.  At the end of the book, there is acknowledgment that children come to families in different ways (birth, foster care adoption).  There is again reference to God in this section.  This book will therefore most likely appeal to those who share the faith of the authors.

#ReagandoodleAndLittleBuddyWelcomeBaby #NetGalley

Fans of The Crown rejoice!  This book is published today and although I have only read a bit,  I am quite excited.  This novel, set in post WWII England, is a story about the women who made Princess Elizabeth’s wedding gown.  Part of the story takes place in 1940s Britain while there is also a modern thread (no pun intended).  I think that this will be an absorbing and fun read. Start the year right with this one.  (Full review to follow)

“Robson deftly weaves issues of class, trauma, romance, and female friendship with satisfying details of Ann and Miriam’s craft. This unique take on the royal wedding will be an easy sell to fans of Netflix’s The Crown and a sure bet for readers of women-centered historical fiction.” (Booklist (starred review))

“Robson vividly brings to life these three women’s struggles. Historical details about fabric, embroidery, and the royal family are well incorporated into their stories, with light romance rounding out this charming work of historical fiction.”   (Library Journal)

“Robson’s novel shifts deftly between… Toronto to London in 2016… giving meticulous attention to the historical detail of post–World War II London. A fascinating glimpse into the world of design, the healing power of art, and the importance of women’s friendships.”
(Kirkus Reviews)

This is the first novel in the author’s Inspector Lynley series.  It is an absorbing and dark read.  I have since read every novel by this author.  If you start the series, you might too!

From the deals page:

“Meet Scotland Yard Inspector Thomas Lynley, the eighth earl of Asherton. In this series debut, he and his new partner, the working-class Detective-Sergeant Barbara Havers, are called to Keldale, a small Yorkshire town. That’s where teenager Roberta Teys confessed to the Lizzie Borden-esque crime of beheading her father William with an axe and slitting the family dog’s throat. But the now-catatonic Roberta’s crime is only the tip of the iceberg; the mismatched investigative duo learn that Keldale is full of dark secrets involving physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. The Washington Post Book World calls the novel, “pure entertainment from its insidious beginning to its gripping end.” The BBC adapted the series for television, starring Nathaniel Parker as Lynley and Sharon Small as Havers; it was shown in the U.S. as part of Masterpiece Mystery! on PBS.”

Biography

“Elizabeth George is the New York Times bestselling author of fourteen novels of psychological suspense, one book of nonfiction, and two short-story collections. Her work has been honored with the Anthony and Agatha awards, the Grand Prix de LittÉrature PoliciÈre, and the MIMI, Germany’s prestigious prize for suspense fiction. She lives in Washington State.”

I read all of the books in this light series many years ago.  If you like cozy mysteries and cats, you will most likely enjoy this.