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

I happily read all of the books by Mary Stewart when I was younger.  My mom had some of them at hand.  They were always enjoyable reads.  As is the case with This Rough Magic, the books always had intelligent heroines, interesting settings, mystery and romance.  This one features Lucy, an out of work actress, who spends time with her sister on Corfu.  There are death, accident and adventure in this story.  Who is Godfrey and what is he doing on Corfu?  Why is an older actor holed up there and what is his son doing on the island?  With a cast of both local and visiting characters, this is a good read for those who would like a bit of escape.

The critics:

“A magical concoction brewed from the most disparate plot elements. . . . A warm and sunny book, for all its violence.”  —New York Times

“Romantic, suspenseful, delightful.”  —Columbus Dispatch

“The best sort of romantic suspense, the kind that only Mary Stewart could write.”  —Nancy Pearl, author, Book Lust to Go

“Mary Stewart’s writing is magical, with every word and phrase carefully chosen for beauty and sound and shape. . . . One marvels at the exquisite evocation of scene.”  —Los Angeles Times

“Wonderfully evoked atmosphere . . . fine plotting and suspense.”  —San Francisco Chronicle

“Suspense and romance, expertly mingled.”  —Observer

These are all either books that I have read or would like to read.

The Alice Network got excellent reviews and is on my TBR pile.

My review of Transcription:

I have read and enjoyed Kate Atkinson’s Jackson Brodie mysteries. Life After Life and A God in Ruins have been in my TBR pile for quite awhile. When, pre-publication, I read about Transcription, I knew that I wanted to read this novel. Some of my favorite fictional subjects were in fact subjects in the novel including WWII, Britain and spies. Despite all of this, I did not enjoy Transcription as much as I had hoped that I would. Yes, the pages turned and there were some good plot twists but, somehow, I expected more given that Atkinson is so accomplished a writer. My favorite parts of the book were the parenthetical asides.

Have you read Transcription? If yes, I would love to hear your thoughts.

Another view:

This is from the Poisoned Pen Bookstore’s Newsletter: as you will see, I think that they liked the novel more than I did.

“Kate Atkinson brings the past of mid-20th century Britain so thoroughly to life that she almost seems to be reporting rather than inventing.  Her details are so rich and her hand so certain that, as readers, we are there-we are walking those streets, sitting in those smoky rooms.  And, most of all, we are completely caught up in the emotional power of the tensions and fears of that past.  With Juliet Armstrong, Atkinson has given us a remarkable addition to the canon of British spies.”

The Art Forger is another in my TBR pile.

Where’d You Go Bernadette is a quirky and highly enjoyable read about the eccentric Bernadette and her family.  You will travel to cold climes in this one.

Any Day Now: Readers who enjoy novels by this author will be happy to see this women’s fiction bargain.

The Goldfinch is a long read and perhaps a modern classic.

Hamilton:  For fans of the musical.

 

And here they are…

The Woman in the Window

This one was one of this year’s most popular thrillers.

Varina

An historical biographical novel set around the Civil War.

Hidden Figures

Science during times of discrimination. The movie was based on this book.

Between You and Me

The newest release by-the popular Susan Wiggs.

Atomic City Girls

An historical novel that takes place around WW Ii.

The Mystery of the Three Quarters

The latest Hercule Poirot as written by Sophie Hannah with the approval of Christie’s estate.

The Secretary

A new thriller by the author of Disclaimer.

 

Merry Christmas to all of my reading buddies who celebrate the holiday. Hope it will be a peaceful day for one and all.

Children will meet a number of animals in this book including, among others, a dragon, a hippo and a cat. Each animal is shown in an illustration with a picture of their house. The challenge for the child is to turn the page and find exactly that house among those pictured.

This book provides children with a fun way to build their visual discriminatory skills. I recommend it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.

 

This book for younger children (Pre-K through grade 3 or so) looks to the values that ideally Americans share.  With its appealing, multi-cultural illustrations and simple text, this book talks about what Americans aspire to be in terms of character and ways of behaving.  It is a story that encourages children to think about what is important and the ways in which this includes valuing both oneself and others.  A nice addition for school libraries.

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

This is an interesting assortment of e-books.  I read The Deep End of the Ocean when it came out and found it to be a thought provoking read.  Death in Devon is part of a light mystery series.  Julia Child…is Julia Child.  Always a pleasure to spend time with her.  One of my fellow bloggers extols the Rhys Bowen series, one of which is an e-book bargain today.  Thanks for that, Madame Writer.

 

The story…Diana does not like school! She especially hates the multiplication tables. Diana’s mother tries to help. she gets a tutor. The tutor is not successful. The medical doctor finds nothing wrong and suggests a psychologist. While there, Diana accidentally discovers that she loves to dance and move. From there, school gets better.

This book may well appeal to young students who feel “out of sync” at school. The illustrations are amazing; whimsical, appealing, funny and fun. My quibbles: It is stereotypical to have a girl who struggles with Math. Also, everything improves very quickly. This is not generally the case in real life. Those points aside, this is a cute title.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. The opinion are my ow.

 

From Goodreads:

In the cobblestoned streets of Luxembourg, Kate Moore’s days are filled with playdates and coffee mornings, her weekends spent in Paris and skiing in the Alps. But Kate is also guarding a tremendous, life-defining secret—one that’s become so unbearable that it begins to unravel her newly established expat life. She suspects that another American couple are not who they claim to be; her husband is acting suspiciously; and as she travels around Europe, she finds herself looking over her shoulder, increasingly terrified that her own past is catching up with her. As Kate begins to dig, to uncover the secrets of the people around her, she finds herself buried in layers of deceit so thick they threaten her family, her marriage, and her life.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
EDGAR AWARD WINNER  *  ANTHONY AWARD WINNER

I read this one when it came out and found it to be a page turner.  If you like it, also consider reading Need to Know.

My review of that one:

What does a person “Need to Know?” What truths do we need to live by and how can/should a person compromise? Karen Cleveland’s first novel reads like the book of an experienced author. It not only reflects her background in working for the government but also a keen awareness of what it means to be married, have children, think there is security and find out that is an illusion. I agree with all those big name authors who said that once you start this book, you will look forward to finishing it!

A Murder Unmentioned is the newest novel in the Rowland Sinclair series that is published by the Poisoned Pen Press, a great source for mystery novels.

The cover reflects the period of the novel. It shows some characters in the book including Rowly’s dog, Lenin and his aircraft Rule Britannia. Rowly and one of his friends are inside. As you read the book, this beautiful illustration, is worth going back to for references from the story.

For those who don’t know, this series takes place prior to WWII when Hitler is in the ascendant and Rowly would like to do all he can to show the world the disaster that is coming. This is always a part of the novels. As has been true in other books in the series, some real life characters make an appearance; in this one thet include politician Bob Menzies and garden designer Edna Walling.

The delight of these novels lies in spending time with Rowly and his friends. There is the unconventional artist Edna, the poet Milton and another artist friend. They have communist leanings and are definitely anti-Fascist.

Other prominent characters are Rowly’s conservative brother, Wil, his wife Kate and their two young sons. Master Ernest is featured in this one as a pivotal character. At only age six, he seems destined to follow in his uncle’s footsteps.

In this novel, the reader learns a lot about Rowly’s early life and his relationship with his sadistic father. You will feel for the young Rowly. This part of the book was not easy reading.

When the novel opens, Rowly’s father has been dead for thirteen years. The murderer was not found and the central mystery of this one is finding who killed him.

This is a good entry in a good series. Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for this chance to read the e-galley. The opinions are my own.

This is the first, but will not be the last, book that I read by this author. Her novels are now being published by the wonderful Poisoned Pen Press, a great place to find new authors and series.

#AmurderUnmentioned #NetGalley

My review of an earlier entry in the series:

The Rowland Sinclair mysteries take place in the 30s and Rowly reminds me of that great thirties sleuth, Lord Peter Wimsey. He is an artist who is surrounded by his communist leading friends including the lovely Edna, a sculptress. This novel picks up where the prior one ended with the group escaping from Germany at a time when the Nazis were rising and brutal. They come to England where they try to alert the government to upcoming perils and to solve the mystery of an upper class man who is found dead. Subsidiary figures abound including H.G. Wells and Evelyn Waugh.
I truly enjoyed this novel and recommend it to fans of historical mysteries. I look forward to reading more. Thanks for this one, Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley.