first of series 
first of series
Ann Cleeves’s books are among my favorites. Raven Black starts the Jimmy Perez series. All of the novels in the series are set on Shetland, a place that truly comes to life and a spot that I would love to see. The cast of characters is wonderful and characters grow and change over the course of the novels. Both the Shetland and the Vera Stanhope books (to be described below) have been made into TV series. They are available at times on PBS or at acorntv.com or Netflix. Often I do not enjoy the televised versions of series I have read as the characters do not look or feel as I had imagined. These issues were pretty easily overcome and I watch every available episode.
Vera Stanhope is large and ungainly; she is single, middle-aged and a workaholic. She is intelligent and always gets to where she needs to be. Every novel in this series is a good and absorbing read as one gets to know Vera and her squad room. Highly recommended.
Also, there are two earlier series. I will post a couple of covers below.
Inspector Ramsay series
George and Mary Palmer Jones series
If you are looking for some series to run through, you cannot go wrong with the novels of Ann Cleeves. Enjoy!
A Place to Remember is women’s fiction at its finest and most absorbing. Set in Australia, the descriptions of place were vivid and brought this story to life. The characters were easy to engage with and I enjoyed reading about them. There are two stories, that of a mother/daughter and father/son who come to care deeply for each other as the reader does too. Romance is in the air but its course is not smooth. There are some less likeable characters as well although clearly the reader is not meant to like them. This book would make a perfect pairing with the series A Place to Call Home that is available on acorntv.com in the U.S.
As those of you who have read this blog know, I always look forward to a new Anne Perry novel. I have read the Thomas Pitt and Inspector Monk series from the first to the latest. Now there is a new variation to look forward to. Publishing in April is Tweny-One Days, which features Thomas and Charlotte Pitt’s son, a newly qualified lawyer. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this novel. I am enjoying it so much and will post my review as soon as I finish. SPOILER ALERT…I was deeply moved to learn about what has happened to some of my favorite characters in the series. I felt a true sense of sadness but will not tell you why. You may find out for yourself when you add this book to your TBR pile…and you should!
I loved this sweet, gentle and deeply moving novel. It is about an elderly French man and is narrated in both the past and present. It is a story of how we live and view our lives and how we care for each other. Characters include Baptiste who, as an infant, was mysteriously separated from his mother on a train never to see her again; Sophie, a young waitress who endeavors to keep Baptiste anchored in the world and they mysterious Amandine, a therapy client of Baptiste but so much more. This is an emotional read that I highly recommend. Please note that the illustration at the top of each chapter lets you know if you are in the present or past.
Another month means a new compilation from Book Buzz. Take a look to find out what needs to go on your TBR pile for April. Also, read the excerpts to maybe find something out of your usual taste.
Two long standing series have new entries out this month. The Punishment She Deserves will be released on March 20th and To Die But Once the following week. To speak of the second first…the Maisie Dobbs series is a wonderful read for those who like historical mysteries where the characters you come to love continue to grow and develop. Maisie was born to the servant class but, as you will learn, she attends university and becomes a nurse during WWI and later an enquiry agent. Her teacher Maurice Blanche was unique and imparted a world view to his mentee. The series is now up to WW II. I most definitely will read this latest entry. I can’t wait and maybe you can’t too.
We are getting closer to spring but, while you are waiting, enjoy this Mutts book. Cartoonist Patric McDonnell’s critters have a sweet take on life and can also be very amusing. Technically this is a children’s book but why should children have ALL the fun?
I adored this book. It has everything that an Anglophile could possibly want. There are churches, books and searches. There is romance between a Brit and an American. There are mysteries and family connections. There are even arguments about print versus digital. On your first cold night in this fall, imagine you are by the fire and enjoy this read!
This year, I am trying to read more broadly. I will always adore mysteries and fiction but also want to expand and keep learning and challenging myself. I have read part of this biography so the full review will follow later. I recommend it already though. Suzanne Valadon had such an interesting, often difficult life. So far, I have learned a great deal about the hardships that her mother faced, French history and customs; and Suzanne’s early years. She will be a well-known model, painter and mother of a painter by the time I finish this book. So many of us have admired Renoir paintings; there was just a marvelous exhibit at the Phillips in DC. This is a chance to learn more about what transpired behind the scenes. More to come but but this on your TBR pile. It comes out in February.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 