#AMurderMostFrench #NetGalley

Four stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This series began with last year’s Mastering the Art of French Murder. This second title is every bit as delightful.

Here is an historical mystery set in post WWII Paris. It features a fictional protagonist, Tabitha, and a friend of hers. That friend is the larger than life Julia Child. Together the two become involved in murderous situations.

This time, chefs should beware what they drink. Not too far into the novel, two have died after imbibing what should have been very special vintages. Tabitha and Julia are on the case even if the police inspector (and possible romantic interest for Tabitha) does not want their help.

What I like best in this book (and in the first one) is the evocation of Paris. When Tabitha and Julia visit a market it is easy to visualize the food and want to start cooking. And speaking of which, every time Julia is around food, and that is often, the book is so much fun.

Highly recommended to those who are foodies, those who love Paris and those who like historical mysteries. I hope there will be a third book soon

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 23 April 2024

FIVE STARS *****

This absolutely gorgeous, WWI-set, historical fiction title is one to savor and read at a leisurely pace. At 448 pages in length, it is one that requires the reader’s time.

Oxford, England-right before war (WWI) breaks out. Two sisters (twins), Peggy and Maude, live on a narrowboat on a canal. They work at the Oxford University Press putting together the books that will one day be read. The job is tedious but, in compensation, Peggy takes home any books with faults, adding to an already large home library.

Maude has an undiagnosed condition that seems somewhat like what today would be called autism. She requires much supervision from Peggy as the story opens. Maude seems content to live in the moment while Peggy is aware of the academic life in Oxford and deeply wishes that she could be part of it.

Oxford-war has begun. A group of Belgian refugees come to work at the press; each has her own backstory. Much attention is given to Lotte, someone who bonds with Maude. Wounded soldiers also come to town and Peggy begins to read to them.

This is how the novel begins; it slowly entrances the reader who wants to spend time in this community and its wide range of characters. There are those who live on the water, those who work in publishing, Gwen (who has the life that Peggy seems to want), the Belgians and many others. Spending time with all of them is a wonderful experience.

Highly recommended to historical fiction readers. They will want to know how the lives of the characters unfold in friendship, family, work and love.

As an aside, those who are interested in how books were actually made in the days long before a digital world, will learn a great deal here. These details enhanced the reader’s ability to enter the characters’ worlds.

Note that the author has written one previous novel; readers may well want to look for that one as well.

Here is what Library Journal concluded in a starred review:

VERDICT Highly recommended for readers who enjoy historical fiction about strong women, like the works of Kate Quinn, Beatriz Williams, and Laura Willig.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

From the Publisher

Quizzes and Puzzles

by Gemini

#ThePocketWilliamShakespeare #NetGalley

This book will be enjoyed by those who like word games. It is a bonus that there are Shakespeare themes for these puzzles.

Solvers jump right in. The first puzzle invites the reader to match quotes with the correct flowers. To mention a common one…there’s (BLANK) for remembrance. Go on to enjoy grid puzzles, crosswords, wordsearches, and more. Some of these puzzles do require some Shakespearean knowledge, as in a puzzle that looks at characters’ occupations or another in which the solver provides the name of the father of characters.

Like solving puzzles? Want to test your knowledge of Shakespeare? If yes, have some fun with this title.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Gemini Books Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 13 February 2025

An e book bargain for 15 April 2024

#WelcometoBeachTown #NetGalley

Welcome to Beach Town will be a real treat for both new and old readers of Susan Wiggs’s books. WTBT is a well written, emotional novel with characters about whom readers will care. The plot is carefully developed and the locales are well described. As a bonus, readers will learn a lot about surfing, to say nothing of human relationships; there are those of parent figure/child, romantic partners, friends and others whom the characters meet along the way.

The story opens as Nikki is about to give her valedictory address at high school graduation. This poor student at a prestigious private school changes her planned remarks at the last minute. Why does she say what she does? How will this decision impact the rest of her life? Pick up this novel to find out.

Nikki grew up in Alara Cove where she was raised by a widowed father and later by an artistic foster mother/family friend. Both of these people had influence on her as did her love of surfing. Readers will get to know others who are important to Nikki as well including her foster sister and close friend Cal as well as Nikki’s first love.

Nikki faces both tragedies and good moments in these pages. As a reader, I longed for her to find happiness and hoped that Ms. Wiggs would not disappoint in that respect. Well, read the story to find out for yourself.

I highly recommend this book. It is one of the author’s best. Library Journal agrees and gave it a starred review. They state: Fans of the prolific Wiggs and of strong women protagonists will stay up all night to finish this speeding bullet to the best-seller list.

Many thanks to NetGally and William Morrow for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date; 20 June 2023

From the Publisher

 #ADeadlyWalkinDevon #NetGalley

Here is the first entry in a promising new cozy series. The protagonist, is Rick who goes by the nickname Chase; he is a retired detective whose partner died not long ago. Chase continues to miss him.

Chase has made plans to go on a walking tour in England. Also on the tour is his very good friend Billie, a retired librarian. They are two in a group of travelers. The most obnoxious of these has been threatened and indeed is murdered.

This is not a locked room but there is the concept of a contained group of people who come together. Who had the strongest motive? Will Chase be drawn in the solve the murder? Of course! The fun is in watching how things go.

I enjoyed getting to know Chase and Billie. I did indeed find the victim to be obnoxious and I enjoyed my virtual trip to England. Recommended for cozy fans who like their mysteries with some armchair travel.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 26 March 2024

#TheReadingList #NetGalley

A BEST OF SUMMER READ ACCORDING TO NEWSWEEK, PARADE MAGAZINE, NBC NEWS, LITHUB, AND POPSUGAR!

This author’s love of books, libraries and people shine through in this title. The novel tells the story of Mukesh and Aleisha as well as some others. Mukesh was widowed and feels lost without his wife. When he comes across her copy of The Time Traveler’s Wife, he wants to return this overdue book to the library. This is a surprisingly difficult expedition for him. Mukesh even literally has difficulty getting in the library door which he does not know how to open.

Inside the library is Aleisha who is halfheartedly performing her duties as a summer employee. While her brother always adored the library as a child, Aleisha did not enjoy being there. Will this change?

Over the course of the novel, these two characters interact and their lives change as the result, in part, of a book list.

Bibliophiles will very much enjoy the book’s premise and will root for the characters. They will also enjoy seeing the book titles and lists that the author includes in this novel.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

I very much enjoyed this delightful encyclopedia of British foods. My only complaint is that it left me very hungry.

Enjoy the stories, the recipes, the illustrations, the experience. This is a lovely book. Dip in wherever seems appealing. The organization is by region.

I learned so many fun facts, as for example, when coffee was introduced to the country. There are many tidbits like this. Reading this book is kind of like going on a treasure hunt.

Highly recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Collins Reference for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 10 April 2025

#NatureGuidetoAcadiaNationalPark #NetGalley

Acadia National Park is one of my favorite places in the world. There is so much variety and beauty there. I love that this book shares some of what makes this place so special.

The authors look at all of the creatures that live in the park. These include mammals, amphibians, birds, reptiles, fish, butterflies, and insects. There is info on the many included in each of these groups along with photos. There are also sections on the flowers, trees, shrubs and more that can be found in this special place.

As an extra bonus, there are suggestions for other places to visit in Maine, suggested hikes, some helpful websites and more.

Take a look at the section titled “How to Use this Book” to get started. Enjoy the photos. Dream of travel.

Many thanks to NetGalley and The Globe Pequot Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own. Highly recommended to those who are looking for a serious and detailed guide.

Pub date: 01 April 2025

Missed the play? The Lehman Trilogy A Novel by Stefano Massini

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsMay 21, 2020

The story of the Lehman Brothers is a fascinating one.  When I first heard of the play, I thought that it was about the collapse of the firm during the financial crisis.  I learned though that this is the story of the family as they left Bavaria, came to the U.S. and achieved much success, at least for a time.

Interestingly, at a time when most immigrants came to New York, the first of the brothers went South.  He was involved in textiles and living through the Civil War.  The story follows him, his brothers and their families.

This novel uses a free verse style.  Some may not like this although I did.  It made me go slowly and savor the text.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

By the way, the play was excellent if you ever have the opportunity to see it.  It was VERY long but the time flew by.

A Novel of Alice Marble

by Jenni L Walsh

#AceMarvelSpy #NetGalley

I did not know who Alice Marble was before I started reading this absorbing historical fiction by Jenni Walsh. Now I know that I won’t forget who this talented athlete and woman was.

Alice was growing up poor. Her father had died and older brothers had left school to help support the family. One of these brothers sparked Alice’s interest in tennis, even though it was because he wanted to channel her away from what he perceived to be the less ladylike sport of playing ball.

Alice had raw talent, drive, ambition, spirit but not the resources of some of the well heeled players against whom she was matched. She got a lucky break when “Teach” noticed her. She went on to work so hard at her game. Readers will find themselves rooting for Alice and hoping for her success in both tennis and life.

However, as can be gleaned from the title of this book, Marble did more than play tennis. What was her work during WWII? How much of a difference did she make? What was the rest of her life like? Read this one to find out.

Anyone who enjoys historical fiction will, I think, enjoy getting to know Alice Marble. Tennis fans, too, are in for a real treat. I very much liked this book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Focus for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 14 January 2025

Five stars *****

From the Publisher