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

This novel comes out in the U.S. today. I read the British version which has already been published.

Mary Kirk, Bessiewallis Warfield, Diana Spencer…their stories entwine in this historical novel that is largely based on truth. It is a page turning and fascinating look at life in America and Europe from 1912 until 1997.

Mary and Wallis became friends in their teens; Wallis married an American pilot; Mary married a French pilot. Wallis divorced and subsequently married Ernest Simpson. You probably all know who her third husband was… but do you know who Mary married next? I won’t spoil the book by telling you.

Mary and Wallis’s stories come alive in a glittering London. The story of Alex and Rachel, who are impacted by Diana’s death, takes place in 1997. Choices are made by all with implications and consequences. I truly enjoyed this book and suggest it highly to fans of historical fiction.

Counseling Insights will be an excellent resource for therapists and students of mental health. It is a clear, concise guide to possible ways to treat grief, depression, addiction, those who have suicidal feelings, those who struggle with gender identity and more. The book is written by multiple experts, each of whom is featured in a chapter. Especially helpful in the book are the case descriptions. Both novice and experienced mental health practitioners can think about their own interventions and how they compare with the ones suggested. This would also be a helpful guide to those who are starting private practices and want an overview of the issues that their clients may present. This is a succinct and useful book that deserves a place on the clinical bookshelf.

Sammy in the Fall is a cute read-aloud with brightly colored, appealing illustrations. Young listeners will watch as Sammy. a cat, and his stuffed animal. a pony named Hob, enjoy a variety of fall activities. For example, they rake and play in the rain. There are many things to see in each illustration. from the pony to hedgehogs to ducks. The book takes place over the course of the day and ends with Sammy reading to his pony and going to bed. This is a sweet book for preschoolers.

When children are little, simple excursions are often quite enjoyable. In this read-aloud, children will get to experience the fun of a visit to some farmers’ markets. At the ones that Sophia goes to, there is lots of activity. There are friends to see, foods to eat, pets to enjoy and market goods to bring home. All of this is shown with both words and text.

The illustrations in this book are bright and cheerful. The text is simple. This is a pleasant short book that young children will enjoy.

Anna Lee Huber began a new series last year when This Side of Murder was published. In Treacherous is the Night, the second novel featuring Verity Kent, the author hits her stride.

The reader learns early on that Verity was an agent in La Dame Blanche, a resistance and intelligence group, during WWI. This story has to do with events that had their origin in that time.

At the beginning of the novel, Verity, although not a believer, attends a seance with a friend who hopes to contact her brother. For those who don’t know, attending seances was common after the war. The medium appears to channel an agent with whom Verity worked during the war. From this point on, the novel is a hunt for clues to find Emilie and to prevent a tragedy. While the reader assumes that, since this is a series, Verity will survive, the author should be credited for creating suspense in her narrative.

There is a reason to read the books in order. SPOILER: This has to do with what happened to Verity’s husband, something the reader learns in the first novel. However, if the reader is willing to move forward, there is no reason that this novel cannot be read first.

I gave This Side of Murder three *** and am happy to give the new novel four. I enjoyed spending time with the main characters in this book and look forward to meeting up with Verity, Sidney and the rest of the crew in the future.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher.

This picture book is for young children who are learning to recognize their numbers.  With a simple rhyming text, toddlers are invited to move the squabbling 1 through 9.  The background for the illustrations is outer space.  This book is an easy way to reinforce number learning with young children.

#Poof123touchLearnNumbers #NetGalley

Happy Veggies is a read-aloud that teaches children about the vegetables that grow in gardens.  A delightful book for little ones who may think that foods appear by magic in the grocery store.  Children will learn to recognize many common veggies, including carrots, corn, radishes, eggplants, etc.  The illustrations are colorful and appealing.  There is a reverence for nature expressed throughout by the author.  A wonderful introduction to nature’s cycles and growing seasons.

I wish that this series had existed when I was growing up.  Each short volume is introduced by a contemporary child and explains the period, the qualities of the paintings done at that time, the most well-known artists of the period and, in addition, shows a number of reproductions.  There is a handy glossary in the back.

As an adult, I have taken a number of art history classes.  Nonetheless, I learned some things when I read this short book.  For example, I now know that the Renaissance was the first period in which more people could afford to buy artworks.

I recommend collecting this series for a child in your life.  Who knows what future art historian may be inspired?

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher.

Do you think that you know London? Would you like to visit all of the different neighborhoods, either in reality or your imagination? Do you like the idea of a quirky, absolutely beautifully illustrated book? I hope that you answer yes because this is a fantastic book. Each neighborhood has an illustration with the first letter of its name, followed by an illustration of places to see. After this, the reader can look at a page full of information; each neighborhood listing includes a place for breakfast, lunch and dinner and a place for coffee and drinks. Local landmarks and shopping venues are listed along with quirky spots to visit, shopping spots, gardens, lesser known museums, etc. I want to hop on a plane today! Very highly recommended.  Thank you to Quarto and NetGalley!

Little People, Big Dreams is a wonderful series that has encouraged young girls to dream of bright futures.  The series has bravely taken Anne Frank as one of its subjects.  This is a tough one because, of course, Anne does not live to be an adult who can achieve her dreams.  Emphasis is placed on her diary and her wish to be a published author, something that did happen.

This entry is more somber; the illustrations are in black and white with the exception of the diary, which appears in color.  The basics of Anne’s story are told in an honest way.  The story of Anne is a tough one for children to learn but such an important one.  This book is a good way to begin the difficult conversation.

#AnneFrank #NetGalley

This book caught my eye when I was browsing in my local Barnes and Noble yesterday.  The story of a couple, who fall in love and are lighthouse keepers with limited contact on the mainland, is an emotional read.  How each copes with their inability to have a child, their relationship and the consequences of their choices makes for a good women’s fiction read.  Some blurbs below:

“[Stedman sets] the stage beautifully to allow for a heart-wrenching moral dilemma to play out… Most impressive is the subtle yet profound maturation of Isabel and Tom as characters.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

“The miraculous arrival of a child in the life of a barren couple delivers profound love but also the seeds of destruction. Moral dilemmas don’t come more exquisite than the one around which Australian novelist Stedman constructs her debut.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“This heartbreaking debut from M L Stedman is a gem of a book that you’ll have trouble putting down”—Good Housekeeping

The book was made into a film starring Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbinder.  I would recommend reading the book first although I enjoyed the movie.

The second book that caught my eye was this.  I enjoyed this novel when I read it.  Set during wartime, it traces the lives of a group of female characters who are left on the homefront.  Their lives and relationships intersect with all of the pettiness and depth that make living in a village the experience that it is. The author was influenced by her own family stories in writing this novel.   Blurbs below:

“The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir sinks you deep inside the rich, intricate atmosphere of an English village in the middle of war, when quiet lives are upended and secrets unravel. With her unforgettable characters and vivid narrative, Jennifer Ryan creates the kind of wartime novel that plays out over the intimate territory of the human heart—full of soul, full of hope. You’ll be thinking about this book long after the last page turns.”
— Beatriz Williams, New York Times bestselling author of A Hundred Summers and The Secret Life of Violet Grant

“World War II in an English village seen through the eyes of the most delicious cast of characters you’ll ever meet—The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir is a masterpiece of secrets, misdirection, village gossip, and gleeful disregard for anything but the main chance, as the Home Front learns to carry on. Seldom do you find a writer with such a deft touch—Jennifer Ryan sweeps the reader along to the very last page in a remarkable debut. “
— Charles Todd, New York Times bestselling author of the Inspector Ian Rutledge series

Happy reading!