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

Maeve Binchy was a wonderful writer of Irish women’s fiction/family sagas.  I read Circle of Friends when it first came out and felt nostalgic when I saw that it was a book bargain.  I immediately bought the book and will soon enjoy a re-read.  I will crib from on-line to tell you more since it has been many years since I spent time with Benny and Co.

From Publishers Weekly

Katie Fforde writes women’s fiction/romance novels that are always easy and fun to read. She had been published in England for many years and Sourcebooks is now releasing the books in the U.S.  I enjoy these novels when I am looking for a light read and I have read all of them. A Secret Garden is as easy to like as its predecessors. Country houses, gardens, cooking and baking; how can a reader go wrong? Also, Ms. Fforde creates some “older” characters who also get to experience love and new relationships. So, truly a read for young to “older.”

Ellis Peters is well known for her Brother Cadfael historical mystery series.  Many of us have read these books and also have watched the TV series with Derek Jacobi (I think that this is still available through Netflex or some other streaming service).  Less well known are the Felse mysteries that are traditional and feature Insp. Felse and his family.  Any of you who like mysteries by Dorothy Simpson (recently blogged), will like these as well.  $3.99 today

Before the Fall got loads of publicity and sounds like an excellent thriller.  It has been sitting on my TBR pile for a while.  $3.99 today!

Val McDermid is known for her Karen Pirie novels, the Tony HIll series and a number of standalones, including A Place of Execution, which is one of the best books that I have ever read in the genre.  But, before all that, came the Lindsay Gordon series.  Lindsay was apparently the first lesbian detective in British fiction.  These books are interesting mysteries set in a variety of locales including private schools, Greenham Common or somewhere very like it, a newspaper convention, etc.  The novels are definitely mysteries.  Attention is also paid to Lindsay’s relationships in a very matter of fact way.  I think it is fantastic that these books have been re-issued.  Look for them and enjoy.

I read A Darker Domain several years ago and don’t fully remember the plot.  I do remember that I loved this novel, which introduced me to Karen Pirie.   Inspector Pirie solves historical mysteries that often intersect with the present.  After finishing this book, I went on to read every other Karen Pirie novel that I could puts my hands on. These included The Skeleton Room and Out of bounds, both of which I recommend highly.  I do remember that part of A Darker Domain took place during the Miner’s Strike and I learned a lot about how awful that was.  Val McDermid is truly a talented author of crime fiction!

Did you see Tennison on PBS’s Mystery Series?  Have you seen Prime Suspect with Helen Mirren?  If so, you know about Jane Tennison, both as a rookie and a more experienced investigator.  These series began with the novels by Lynda La Plante.  Today, you can purchase this novel for $1.99.  It may start you on a roll of either reading or watching the series, or maybe even both.

The Face of a Stranger is available for $2.99 today.  No, I do not work for Anne Perry despite my many blog posts but you know that I like her historical mysteries.   This is the first of Ms. Perry’s William Monk, as compared to Thomas and Charlotte Pitt, novels.  The premise is that Inspector Monk has amnesia that impacts his knowledge of his past history.  He does not know whom he may have wronged or offended and yet he must continue at his job in order to survive.  It is a great premise and this book opens a wonderful series.  You will enjoy getting to know Monk, Hester who was a nurse in the Crimean War and Oliver Rathbone, an attorney in this and the later novels.  If you are looking to begin a new series, seriously consider this one!  I never regretted it.

This short non-fiction title is geared toward a child who is beginning to express interest in learning about art history. The basic concepts and techniques of impressionism are briefly described and introduced in this volume. Examples of impressionist paintings are reproduced and very much add to the book’s appeal. The young reader is then invited to paint her own work of art. I found this to be a good introduction but hoped for a bit more depth. A good volume for a school’s library.

From WordPress: “Congratulations on getting 200 total likes on Joyce’s mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too!.”  I appreciate your taking the time to “like” posts.  As always, I welcome any feedback that you may have.  I look forward to the next 200!

I previously blogged about The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, a novel that has truly deserved its popularity.  Here is a copy of that entry.

“Did you know that the Germans occupied the British island of Guernsey for five years during WW II?  In this epistolary novel, through the eyes of Juliet, the authors tell the stories of islanders of all ages and backgrounds.  The characters are portrayed with a deft touch as their foibles and humanity are explored.  There is even some romance.  It is trite to say but the characters felt like friends with whom I wanted to spend lots of time.  Highly recommended!  Enjoy finding out what the pie is and why it was created.”

The Truth…is the next novel written by one of the authors of the Guernsey book.  I have not as yet read it but am looking forward to doing so.  Right now it is $1.99 for the e-book.

Have any of you watched Queen Sugar on the OWN network?  There have been several engaging series of this story about an extended African American family who live in Louisiana.  I looked forward to it each week.  Important issues were explored while always keeping the watcher engaged.  Now you can read the book (for $1.99) that the series was based on.  The book is not exactly the same as the series in all aspects but the two complement one another.  It will be worth your time.

For those who enjoy Word Search puzzles, this looks like a fun collection. Learn about geography while you search for the hidden words. A fun way to de-stress. Thanks NetGalley!