![Believing the Lie: An Inspector Lynley Novel: A Lynley Novel by [George, Elizabeth]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51KpIWTSy1L._SY346_.jpg)
Elizabeth George is the prolific author of the Inspector Lynley/Barbara Havers series. Many of the books are excellent in my opinion, while a few are less strong. Here is a chance to try one for $1.99.
The critics say:
“A multiplicity of subplots and a richness of physical detail . . . The terrain and the weather are objective correlatives to the characters’ stormy patches. Meanwhile, the story strands are untied and retied in satisfying and often moving ways.” —The Wall Street Journal
“Elizabeth George is a superstar of the crime-fiction world, British Inspector Division. Deservedly so: Her tales always provide nuanced character studies and insights into social issues along with their intricate mysteries.” —The Seattle Times
“Devilishly complicated.” —Entertainment Weekly
“A dense, twisty plot with characters who reveal the sad spectrum of human dereliction.” —People
![Garden of Lamentations: A Novel (Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James Novels) by [Crombie, Deborah]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61yidlN1B7L._SY346_.jpg)
Both Deborah Crombie and the above noted, Elizabeth Geroge, are Americans who write Britain based mysteries. You would think they were British if you did not know better. I have loved every book in the Duncan Kincaid and Gemma Jones series. This one is on sale today for $1.99.
From the Back Cover
On a beautiful morning in mid-May, the body of a young woman is found in one of Notting Hill’s private gardens. To the surrounding residents, the pretty girl in the white dress looks as if she’s sleeping. But Reagan Keating has been murdered, and the lead detective, DI Kerry Boatman, turns to Gemma James for help. She and Gemma worked together on a previous investigation, and Gemma has a personal connection to the case: Reagan was the nanny of a child who attends the same dance studio as Toby, Gemma and Kincaid’s son.
Gemma soon discovers that Reagan’s death is the second tragedy in this exclusive London park; a few months before, another victim died in an accident. And when still another of the garden residents meets a violent end, it becomes clear that there are sinister forces at play within the intimate walls of this private square. Boatman and Gemma must stop the killer as Gemma realizes she holds a child’s fate in her hands.
![The Return (Pulitzer Prize Winner): Fathers, Sons and the Land in Between by [Matar, Hisham]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/511ye-iRHzL._SY346_.jpg)
This one is non-fiction and also $1.99 today. It deservedly won the Pulitzer prize. I heard the author speak and he was most impressive. This is an amazing (really!), heartbreaking and inspiring read about fathers and sons, freedom and confinement, letting go and choosing life. Highly recommended.
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY
Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times • The Washington Post • The Guardian • Financial Times
“A tale of mighty love, loyalty and courage. It simply must be read.”—The Spectator (U.K.)
“Wise and agonizing and thrilling to read.”—Zadie Smith
“[An] eloquent memoir . . . at once a suspenseful detective story about a writer investigating his father’s fate . . . and a son’s efforts to come to terms with his father’s ghost, who has haunted more than half his life by his absence.”—Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times
“This outstanding book . . . roves back and forth in time with a freedom that conceals the intricate precision of its art.”—The Wall Street Journal
“Truly remarkable . . . a book with a profound faith in the consolations of storytelling . . . a testament to [Matar’s] father, his family and his country.”—The Daily Telegraph (U.K.)
Do you know a child who has been afraid? Do they have a fear that just seems to grow and grow? In this short children’s book, the author personifies fear as an ever present companion to a school-aged girl. Over the course of this story, the protagonist’s fear shrinks to manageable size. She learns that many of her peers face fears as well and so she is not alone. This is a reassuring book that maybe some of us adults could benefit from as well!
Have you ever tried to visit an art museum with a child? Were you ever a child who found art museums to be boring? Would you like to find your own adventures in a museum, even if they create some chaos? If any of these could be true, read this picture book to a child in your life. As an extra bonus, there are reproductions of famous artworks in the story with a chance to learn more about them and the artists. A clever book and one that is well executed with enticing illustrations.
This book, written by a seventh grade English teacher, is replete with the biographies of those who faced significant challenges in reaching their goals. Just a few of those featured are Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks, J. K. Rowling, Oprah Winfrey, (the horse) Seabiscuit, Vincent Van Gogh, Christopher Reeve, Albert Einstein and Hillary Rodham Clinton. Each entry starts with a fantasy description of how things went before, more accurately, detailing the setbacks that were faced along the way. The author believes that it is important that young people focus, not on being perfect, but on risk taking and learning. He tells his own story of having been a poor student and then turning things around. The author offers comments to students suggesting coping mechanisms when they face challenges. This book is broad and expansive. It would be an excellent resource for students and school libraries.
In this picture book, worry is anthropomorphised into a large gray monster that looks a bit like a critter from a book by Maurice Sendak. Worry tells the unnamed little girl that she cannot do things, will not be liked and is not safe at night. Sometimes Worry whispers while at other times Worry shouts. Worry follows her everywhere. The young girl in the story learns how to successfully talk back to Worry and notices that Worry then shrinks in size and moves on to someone else. Interestingly, in this story, the girl figures things out for herself; she does not turn to an adult. This may be an empowering message for children although perhaps the book would have been strengthened by showing a connection to a trusted adult as well. At the end of the book there are strategies for adults to help children. Recommended as a good addition to a young person’s mental health bookshelf, for school libraries and for those who work with children.![How to Find Love in a Bookshop: A Novel by [Henry, Veronica]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51-X9m6ylVL.jpg)
This is a charming woman’s fiction read about Emilia, her father, the people in her community, romance and BOOKS! I read it a little while ago and enjoyed it as a very good light read. It $1.99 today.
This is an important, painful, fascinating and uncompromising look at the life of Anne Frank, her family and the destruction of the Jews during the Nazi years. The narrative is readable and makes Anne and her family come alive. There are many photos of Anne’s daily life which serve as a painful reminder of all that was lost and the absurdity of one group of people despising and mistreating another. There are many asides in the book that answer historical questions. While not an easy read, this is a superb introduction to Anne, the horrors of WWII and antisemitism. The courage of those who hid the Franks is also noteworthy. While written for middle school to teen readers, adults can surely benefit from spending time with this book as well. I recommend it most highly.
Have you ever been asked to name your favorite fiction title? Have you ever tried to answer this question just for yourself? When I am in this situation, I always think about Bel Canto. I delayed reading this novel for ages. Who needs to read a novel about a hostage situation I would ask myself. Life is tough enough. Wow! Was I wrong. This is an amazing book. Never have I cared about characters so much and been so sad to know that there could not be a happy ending for them all. The set up is a hostage takeover at an opera performance for a private party and the aftermath of this event. All of the characters are nuanced and I cared for each and every one of them. If you have not read this, do so, do so, do so!
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 