www.nytimes.com/2025/04/09/books/review/new-crime-fiction.html
Fantasy books
Think about: Good Movies as Old Books by Matt Stevens
#GoodMoviesasOldBooks #NetGalley
Generally speaking, books have covers and movies have posters. But…what if movies came with imagined book covers? That is the premise of this book.
There are way too many movies featured in these pages to come anywhere close to naming them all. A look at this title’s cover will offer a good introduction though.
I love vintage feel of this book, the translation of movies into very realistic covers, and the love that Stevens has for his work. I am also in awe of his creativity in designing so many covers.
This is a fun book to explore. Cinema people will want to take a look.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 29 April 2025
Arts & Photography
256 pages
Living with Jane Austen by Janet Todd
#LivingwithJaneAusten #NetGalley
I was intrigued by the title of this book which truly resonated with me as I have been living with Jane Austen since January. That is when I embarked on a semester long course on the author. It has been marvelous. So far, I’ve read or reread Austen’s earliest writings, Sense & Sensibility, Pride & Prejudice, Mansfield Park and Emma. I’ve just embarked on Persuasion with Northanger Abbey to follow. The course has provided both enjoyment and a deeper look at characters, women’s roles, the marriage plot, the importance of money and more.
In Todd’s book, she explores the role that Austen has had in her life. She also offers much insight and opinion on Austen’s life and novels. This title makes an excellent companion for anyone who has enjoyed Austen’s work. It will provoke thought as readers decide if they agree or disagree with Todd.
This title comes out just in time to celebrate the 250th birth of Jane. Austen folk should give it a look.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Cambridge University Press for this title All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 20 March 2025
An e book bargain-The Memory Dress in the U.S.
An absolutely gripping and heartbreaking love story set against the backdrop of the Crown
by Jade Beer
#ThePalaceDressmaker #NetGalley
I knew that I wanted to read this book as soon as I saw the author, the title, the cover and the description. I was so delighted to read an early copy of this novel.
The Palace Dress Maker offers a long (400 pages) and immersive read that takes place in the present day, the late 1980s and the 1990s. The storylines intersect through protagonist Jayne.
The dressmaker of the title is Meredith. In the current day, she lives in a Bath flat where both she and the readers get to know the other tenants. Meredith is struggling in her day to day life which leads to her meeting Jayne (more on Jayne below).
Meredith appears to be suffering from a form of dementia. She has a memory room that was created by her beloved William. But…where is he?? This is a central question in the novel. Also in the flat is an amazing dress and some notes from a certain Diana. Why does Meredith have these? No spoiler really given the novel’s title.
Jayne has been struggling in life. She is happy in her flat. Jayne works as a dog walker and in a flower shop. Through her jobs, she meets all of the other residents of the flat. Each of them has their own backstory. Note that one of these people is Jake. What will happen between him and Jayne?
I enjoyed this novel which, for me, required some suspension of disbelief. I don’t know enough about dementia to know if events could truly unfold in this way in real life. However, the novel still offers a good read.
Recommended to royal fans and lovers of women’s fiction.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton or this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 05 November 2024
Would you like to enjoy a: Spring Fling by Annie England Noblin
#SpringFling #NetGalley
The cover of this book drew my attention. It looked like it was for an escapist read and that is something that I find myself wanting more and more these days.
Meet Mylie who lives with her sister and grandmother. She runs a tackle shop in a place that attracts tourists.
Meet Ben who has returned to his old hometown from Chicago to take care of some family business. He knew Mylie in the past.
What will happen when the two find themselves in the same place again? The book’s cover offers a good hint.
Fans of small towns, fishing, second chance romances and feel good endings will want to give this one a look.
Many thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 18 March 2025
Category: General fiction/Romance
Number of pages: 304
From the Publisher
An e book bargain: A Voice in the Night by Simon Mason
#AVoiceintheNight #NetGalley
Simon Mason has written books that I very much enjoy. Now the fourth in this Oxford set mystery/police procedural is available.
Note that it is possible to read this one on its own, although I definitely recommend reading all of the novels, even if not in order. Those who have read the previous stories will be eager to just jump in.
Ryan and Ray share a last name, live in Oxford, are dads and are in the police force. Despite these seeming similarities, the two are very different and often struggle to work with one another.
Ryan grew up in a trailer park. He is a single dad to a little boy who is one of the best characters in the series. Ryan dresses most casually, has a minimal education, is often being reprimanded at work, but…gets the job done.
Ray grew up with many expectations placed upon him. He is Oxford educated, has a “blue,” is the married father of twins, and has a father who is quite invested in his career and success. His marriage seems a bit shaky at times.
In this novel, Ray and Ryan have a new boss. She insists on being called “Sir” and has a lot of plans for reforming the station. She has been warned about these two Wilkins.
A professor and professed atheist has been found murdered soon after an appearance at an Oxford Union debate. What was he doing out in his pajamas? What was behind his murder? Does it connect to another case that the squad has been assigned?
No spoilers so readers will have to find out for themselves.
I highly recommend this title and the entire series. These books will be enjoyed by those who like a complex mystery with characters that are engaging.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Book Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 16 January
White Lotus related book ideas
It sounds like a game of clue but it could be deadly: Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife – EXTRACT
#MissWinterintheLibrarywithaKnifeEXTRACT #NetGalley
Martin Edwards is one busy man. He writes mysteries and edits many of the classic British crime library reissues. He has also published books on the mystery genre.
Here Edwards has written a holiday mystery. The story is based on getting a group to an isolated location thereby setting the stage for a locked room style mystery. The six invited folks (see the invite in the book) all are in some way crime writing adjacent. They and member of a mysterious trust are placed together. Of course, a murder occurs.
I definitely was intrigued by this sampler and will look for the full novel when it is released.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Aria and Aries for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: September 2025
Historical fiction
The best historical fiction of 2025 — so far
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 