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

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

Three good mystery/suspense titles, a classic and historical fiction.  All excellent.

#ThatsForBabies #NetGalley

Prunella wakes up on her third birthday determined to be a “big girl.”  Her common refrain becomes “That’s for babies.”  While stating this, Prunella denies herself old pleasures like special breakfasts, playing with a favorite doll, going to the playground and having playdates.  Nonetheless, she remains determined until a storm awakens her at night.  Prunella then tucks herself into bed with her parents.  The next day she again participates in some of her favorite activities.

Children of toddler through preschool age often state that they want to be “big kids.”  Of course, they feel ambivalence at times.  If you know a child for whom this is true, they may enjoy this picture book.

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

I have read every novel that Elizabeth George has written, starting with A Great Deliverance.  I felt that, in recent years, the books were not nearly as good as their predecessors.  I thought about giving this one a pass and am very glad that I did not.  Ms George was in good form all the way through this almost 700 page novel.

Ostensibly the story is about what happened to a young man, Ian Druitt, a church worker, who dies while in police custody.  But…this is much more a story about parenting with too much intensity, especially on the parts of the story’s mothers.  There is the high up police officer who believes that her son may have committed a horrific crime, the mother who thinks she knows what her daughter should do and whom she should not marry and series character, Isabelle Ardery, whose toxic relationship with alcohol is poisoning her relationship with her children.  Who of them is the one who gets “The Punishment She Deserves?” What of the fathers?    How much can we or should we control others?  How is justice best served? Can police be corrupt?  You will consider these issues as you spend time with series regulars Thomas Lynley and Barbara Havers in a tale that, at times, is quite tragic.

This book can be read as a stand alone or embraced by series regulars.  I very highly recommend it.

#TripleJeopardy #NetGalley

Anne Perry is a prolific writer of British historical mysteries. She has written series including the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt novels, the William Monk books, a series set during WWI and the Christmas novellas. Perry’s most recent series features Daniel, the son of the Pitts.

The first in this was last year’s Twenty-One days.
 Daniel, a new lawyer, is now the protagonist of Triple Jeopardy. What I loved most about this book was spending time with favorite characters including Daniel’s parents and his sister, Jemima.

Jemima is now grown up, married to a police officer and living in the States. She has two young daughters. I also was delighted to again see Miriam fford Croft, a woman ahead of her time.


The plot takes time to build and engage the reader as it moves to a courtroom climax. My favorite scenes, however, are the ones that take place on the small island of Alderney.

Did a young employee of the British embassy in Washington D.C. commit crimes including breaking into a young woman’s bedroom, embezzlement and murder? If he did not, who did and why? You will have to read the book to find out.

As always, I love reading anything by this author. I give Triple Jeopardy a solid four stars. 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a very good read. All opinions are my own.

#Wish #NetGalley

In this picture book, a rabbit is given three wishes when he had not been expecting them.  He decides to consult with three of his friends (see below) to find out what they would wish for.  He then tries to figure out if he wants what they want.

Read this book to your child while enjoyinSg the delightful illustrations.  See if your child would make the same decisions that little rabbit does.

All in all, this is a sweet rhyming story.  Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-galley.  All opinions are my own.

So a little bit about me:  I am an urban dweller and perhaps not the most adventurous.  However, I would love to have been the (unknown) author of this absolutely gorgeous book.  She appears to have been fearless, resourceful, interested in all the world has to offer and yes, a good writer and a marvelous illustrator.

I loved (!) the artwork in this book.  Sometimes it was intricate and detailed, for example, showing in drawings the items that should be in a first aid kit.  Other times, it was an illustration of a beautiful place.  Much of the artwork was in muted tones of blues, purples, greens, yellows, etc.  that drew me in.

A brief  summary of the table of contents gives a sense of what is in store. There are headings (and a sample of subheadings) below including

Camp Wild (Becoming a Navigator, Planning Your Own Adventure and Tents)

Rafts (Raft Ingredients, Secret Island Expeditions and Wild Swimming)

Shelters, Dens, and Tree Houses (Night Among the Nomads, Shelters in the Sahara and Planning a Nighttime Forest Shelter)

Exploration (How to Climb a Mountain, Canoe Knowledge and Get Your Bike Adventure Ready) and

Useful Knowledge  (Lashing, First Aid Kits and Lifesaving Scenarios)

The editor of this book states that its contents were found in an old hut, in a tin case in the Amazon.  The editor states: “Hopefully, it will inspire us all to step into the wild and live a life of adventure, too.”  I agree.

I give this book five stars and think that it will appeal to those of many ages, backgrounds and braveness levels.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a wonderful book.

All children feel scared at some time and learning how to cope is an important life skill. This book may help.

A child and their mother are going camping. At the same time a bear cub and its mother are out and about. In a way that parallels the book Blueberries for Sal, the cub and the child have similar experiences. Each learns to cope and is less frightened at this picture book’s end.

The illustration in this book are engaging. The story line is simple and consists mostly of a few repeated sentences. This book provides a sweet way to look at fear and being brave. It also shows how helping others can be a good coping mechanism.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this e-proof in exchange for my opinion.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-galley of Bee Calm, The Buzz on Yoga. I feel better already!

The text of this picture book is rhyming and the illustrations are appealing. The reader observes Bee as he buzzes about and spends a little time with many of his friends. They are all doing yoga poses. At first, Bee is not sure that he is interested but then he decides to give it a try. He learns more about yoga and starts to make it a part of his life.

This is another in the series published by the American Psychological Association. There is a reminder about the hectic pace of life and the need for kids to learn ways to let go of that. A helpful section at the back of the book suggests ways in which adults can practice yoga with children.

I highly recommend this title. It makes yoga feel appealing, fun and helpful.

It is always fun to spend time with the Peanuts gang. In this volume, Lucy certainly does speak out but she is not the only one. Visit all of your favorite Peanuts characters including Schroeder, Linus, Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Woodstock, Sally, etc. I was reading this while sitting at jury duty yesterday. The perfect antidote and one that left me laughing out loud.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a fun read.

Porthmellow is the kind of place that I daydream about living in.  It is beautiful, in Cornwall, by the sea and the people who live there care about one another.  The setting for this book is an upcoming food festival.  The residents we follow include Sam, the organizer; Gabe, who once dated Sam and is now a celebrity chef; Sam’s sister and her partner, Ben; a mom, Chloe who has been estranged from her daughter and granddaughter and many other locals.  Their stories are all told in a way that allows the reader to care about them.  Over the course of the story, lives are lived, misunderstandings are cleared up and characters grow and love.  If this is your kind of book, try this.  It is an enjoyable read.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this escapist read.  All opinions are my own.