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

As a college senior, I took a highly coveted course on the Victorian novelists.  For so long, I have wanted to revisit Middlemarch, one of the great reads of that class, and this summer I am traveling there.  Middlemarch reminds me of why books become classics; it is not because they are stuffy or difficult.  It is because they are books to be savored.  The canvas of Middlemarch is filled with memorable characters, many of whom lack self-understanding.  Meet Dorothea, Casaubon, Lydgate, Mary, Rosamund and Fred, to name just a few.  Witness them trying to make meaning in their lives against the backdrop of a changing society.  This one is truly a title to deserve five stars.

  Review to follow soon…I am about halfway  through this book which has taken me on travels to Casablanca, Fez and Tangiers.  There is  a missing person mystery, maybe spies and/or smuggling.  What has happened to Julia’s cousin?  Will she find him?  So far this is a fun read that takes place in the 1950s and was written in the 1970s.  The book is part of a series about Julia Probyn.

UPDATE…Finished my Armchair travels with The Lighthearted Quest.  I enjoyed following Julia’s adventures and learning more about the politics of the time.  The author appears knowledgeable about the conflicts between the French and the citizens of the cities mentioned above.  Everything is tied up very neatly at the end.  I would most likely read other books in this series although the novels might seem a bit slow to the modern reader.  If you enjoyed books by Helen MacInnes, give this a try.

Book provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

There are so many reasons to look forward to summer…vacation, warm weather…and reading! So much choice in this buzz preview. Get started everyone and enjoy your summer reads.

Just finished reading The Gratitude Diaries by Janice Kaplan.  In this book, the author shares her attempts to live with an awareness of gratitude over the course of one year.  She looks at her career, marriage, family and friends and also interviews researchers, artists  authors and others. What Ms. Kaplan learns seems very relevant in these troubled times.  Try the book and think about having your own gratitude year.  Enjoy learning more about something that you can control!

The Paris Spy is part of a series set during WW II; the cover illustration for this latest entry is appealing but does not not reflect the gravity of Maggie and her fellow SOE operatives’ risky lives. This book is NOT a cozy mystery; the scenes with interrogation and torture were difficult to read.
I recommend this book.  The Paris of the occupation was well drawn and there was an interesting mix of fictional and historical personages, including Coco Chanel.  I  connected with the characters and worried about their safety.
Occasionally, the plot relied on coincidence and was not completely believable.  Nonetheless, I rooted for Maggie and hoped for her mission and England’s success as D-day comes closer.  I would definitely read other books in this series; the books do not have to be read in order to be enjoyed as some backstory is provided.

Book provided by Net Galley in return for an honest review.  Thanks Net Galley!

Just started reading The Paris Spy, the forthcoming Maggie Hope mystery.  Review to come later but Maggie, Churchill and Normandy remind me of the true meaning of this gateway to summer holiday.  So many sacrificed for our freedom.  Something to remember in our world today.

Having enjoyed my visit with Sigrid Harald so much, I have been thinking about other series and wondering if there will be additional books.  Great series where I want more include those by Kate Charles, Julia Spencer Fleming and  A D Scott.  Do you like strong women characters whom you can get to know well?  Look for Callie, Claire and Joanne.  You can’t go wrong!  More please.

How welcome to see the return of Sigrid Harald after so many years!  
Wonderful to connect with this book and the characters in an engaging 
mystery that can be read by fans old or new.  There is enough backstory to 
make this an enjoyable read for those new to the series who are perhaps 
missing Deborah Knott.  
Margaret Maron brings the New York City of the 90s vividly to life.  
It is a world in which the WTC still stands and one could eat at Lutece.  
But all is not well as murders occur at a park bench.  Further, there are 
mysteries regarding Sigrid's former love, the artist Oscar Nauman.
This book is well written and highly recommended for Margaret Maron fans 
and anyone who likes a (slightly) gritty New York mystery.
Book provided by Net Galley for an honest review.

I have loved reading ever since I started with Dick and Jane in kindergarten.  I quickly moved on to Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden and the Dana Girls.  I’ve been reading mysteries and fiction ever since.  I’m excited about sharing my thoughts on mysteries and other good reads with you.  There are so many good reads to choose from!