Short Stories by Members of the Detection Club

by Martin Edwards

#PlayingDead #NetGalley

This book of mystery short stories was collected by Martin Edwards in order to honor the popular author Simon Brett. So lucky for the reader that this project was undertaken as there is much to enjoy in these pages.

Following Edwards’ introduction, there are more than twenty stories as well as contributions by Brett himself. Biographical information on the contributors in also included.

This veritable who’s who has entries by so many of my favorite authors. To name some of them: Ann Cleeves, Peter Lovesey, Kate Ellis, Elly Griffiths and Frances Brody. Readers will no doubt find their own favorites here. That said, a short story is an ideal way to find a new favorite author and I now have even more books that I will want to read after discovering the author here.

Sometimes a short story is “just the ticket.” Dip in and out of this title for a bit of mystery refreshment. No story is too long so each is perfect for a brief break in the day.

Highly recommended to lovers of the genre and these authors.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 04 March 2025

A Novel

by Eva Jurczyk

Visit the Department of Rare Books and Special Collections. You will learn a lot about ancient manuscripts, the appearance of a beautiful library and the (not always savory) ways of academia, especially when donations are needed.

Spend time with Liesl who has (finally) moved up from second in command to temporary head of the collection. Her boss, Christopher, has had a stroke and is unable to help Liesl with the many problems that she faces. Those she works with may or may not be trustworthy and one of these employees, Miriam, has disappeared just as mysteriously as the library’s newest acquisition. Will Miriam be found and found alive? Will everything be solved? Read this book by an accomplished first time novelist to find out. The author creates a good story and, at times, skewers university life.

One thing that I liked about the recently published novel, The Maid, was that the main character was so very much herself. I felt the same way about Liesl. She is of a certain age and temperament, deals with life and relationships in her own way. I hope to see her again.

Note that there both a reading group guide and a conversation with the author at the end of the book. These added to my enjoyment and understanding.

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

Close to Death is a take on an AgathaChristie style mystery with the additional spin of this author”s cleverness. It is the latest in the series that features Detective Hawthorne and, yes, the character Anthony Horowitz.

This time the structure of the book is a bit different. Hawthorne, who gives Horowitz case material for his novels, is revealing a past puzzler. Some of the novel is a take on those events and other parts involve the perspectives of the two protagonists.

A close is a kind of dead end street. In this upscale one, a number of neighbors detest the newest family. The annoying, inconsiderate and very wealthy Kenworthy is murdered. The suspects include a GP, a retired barrister, two elderly former nuns, a chess grandmaster, a dentist and those around them. Whodunnit? Why? The pages turn as readers wait to fond out.

Last year I heard the author speak. He was very entertaining, just as he is in his writing. i think that he was enjoying himself here. The book offers a good read.

Note that, although this is part of a series, it can be read on its own.

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

Pub date: 16 April 2024

Joyful, Visionary, Maximalist Design

by Teresa Woodard

#GardentotheMax #NetGalley

True confession…I do not have a garden but I truly enjoy titles about gardens. During Covid, magazines like The English Garden helped me to imagine a gorgeous life in the outdoors. My favorite destination is definitely my local botanical garden. Because of this love, I was delighted to be approved for this title.

The photos in this book are so vivid and beautiful. There are sections including Urban Exuberance, Dramatic Style, Abundant Naturalism, Curated Collections, and Bold Naturals in these pages so lots of variety. The featured gardens are from places from all over the U.S. Learn about them, their creators and get some good gardening tips.

Highly recommended for physical and virtual gardeners both.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Timber Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 25 February 2025

by Robell Awake

#AShortHistoryofBlackCraftinTenObjects #NetGalley

I am delighted to recommend this title as we celebrate Black History Month. It is engaging, interesting and enlightening. Plus, I love the illustrations/photos beginning with a quilt and going through all of the twelve chosen objects.

There is everything from the above mentioned quilt and those of Gee’s Bend (I was so lucky to see some of these in an exhibition), to jugs, blacksmiths’ work, couturier Ann Lowe (who was instrumental in making Jacqueline Bourvier’s wedding gown) and more.

This is a terrific title for a personal or library collection. Awake tells the stories of his artisans in a most readable way. There is a lot to learn and appreciate in these pages. I plan to purchase a hard copy of this one.

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

Pub date: 04 February 2025

From the Publisher

I had been meaning to read this one for a long time but was a bit put off by its length. At 1448 pages, that is a lot of reading time. I finally picked up The Ink Black Heart when the latest season of C.B. Strike was about to be aired on TV. I wanted to have finished the book before watching.

The Ink Black Heart tells a somewhat complicated story that features many, many characters. At times, I found it a bit tricky to keep track of all of them; ultimately that did not really matter so do not worry if picking this up.

The tile refers to a character in a comic that takes on a big life of its own with the original, a spinoff game, plans for a movie and more. All of these actions, impact a number of characters and leads to some murders.

Behind all of this is the mysterious Anomie. Who are they? How will all this get resolved? How much will all of the texts actually matter? Who is who when a character has a game name that is anonymous but is a real person.

At the same time, the true fans of the series will be wondering what will happen between Robin and Strike. There will they/won’t they has kept readers going through multiple volumes.

Do I recommend this book? Overall yes but be ready to set some time aside for it.

Have you read this one? I’d love your thoughts.

The best paperback books of 2025 — February’s picks

https://www.thetimes.com/article/0e4c79fc-3e60-4221-9818-3da6ea7b88a1?shareToken=da0e154f6315bb48deac53d1ee2f7e17

#MamaNeedsaMinute #NetGalley

This book felt so true to me that I almost feel that I could have written (at least parts of) it. The situations, feelings and complexities of being in a relationship and being a parent rang so true. I think that this is especially true of the woman/mother’s role as it comes across here.

I think that there is a lot of minimizing what it is like to become a parent; that barrier is broken here. Why do we do this? Would it not be better to acknowledge that, no matter how wanted a child is, the transition can be overwhelming. Not only is there responsibility for a small, helpless being but relationships transition as well…and sometimes there are resentments.

Those who have gone through the stages in life that the author describes will ruefully recognize much in these pages. For those who aren’t there yet, don’t panic but think about what the author says. It might help.

This book has both humor and heart. Highly recommended.

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

Pub date: 11 March 2025

A War and Justice Diary

by Victoria Amelina

It is painful, tragic, sad and upsetting to come to this book knowing that its young (37), brave, fierce, talented author is no longer alive. Amelina was killed in Ukraine when she was out having pizza with other writers. Just knowing this, brings all of the horrors of the Ukraine war to light. So many innocent people have been caught up in events that did not have to be.

Left behind is this work which will, I think, become a classic. It looks at war’s impact on women and the resistance that they wage. It is beautifully written and unfinished for reasons that the reader knows. This greatly adds to its impact.

This is not an easy book to read but it needs to be read. I recommend it most highly.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 18 February 2025

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Devastating…not to be missed.”
―Publishers Weekly (Starred)

“Amelina’s absence may be felt on every page… It slows you down. It transmits a powerful sense of chaos. It compels attentiveness, as the TV news does not.How to process such things? …As the months roll on, it’s sometimes hard to feel anything at all. Her colleague Oleksandra Matviichuk tells her that when this happens, she should find a pot of face cream and rub it into her cheeks: its coldness, softness and scent will bring her back to life, she’ll find. And it’s true. After a day of heavy bombardments in Kyiv…Amelina tries it for herself, and it works. Such details doubtless won’t be found in any of the bigger, more complete books that will one day be written about the war in Ukraine, but to me they are of inestimable worth: not fiction but written, nevertheless, with the fine sensibility of a novelist.”
―The Guardian

“Amelina has an impressive eye for detail and an incredible capacity to lyrically capture an image and imbue the smallest moments with humanity….Gorgeously rendered.”
―Kirkus (Starred)

“Makes you want to weep, because what the pages of Looking at Women Looking at War instantly make clear is just how much Amelina had to offer…[An] anguished attempt to answer the question: when your country is facing an existential threat, what role can the creative artist play?”
―Financial Times

Lady Clementine by Marie Benedict

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsSeptember 22, 2019

Lady Clementine is a wonderful historical novel and one that I highly recommend. As can be seen from the title, it is the story of Clementine Churchill, wife of Winston. The story is told in Clementine’s voice and Ms. Benedict inhabits that so well that, while reading, I truly felt that Clementine was telling her story. The book focuses quite a bit on WWII but there was much before that in Clementine’s biography and these earlier times merit also captured the author’s attention.

Readers learn that Clementine’s childhood was rather insecure and find out why this was so. The losses she experienced and her opportunities to marry before meeting Winston are detailed.

Clementine and Winston had many years together prior to WWII. Readers experience the ups and downs of their relationship, Winston’s political and military woes and their significant family tragedy. Winston’s neediness and strong need for Clementine to be available become quite clear. Readers also witness Clementine’s mental health struggles and the challenges that she faced as a mother. Throughout there is the lens of Clementine finding her own voice and her desire to be appreciated and recognized for the incredible woman that she was.

I give this novel 5 stars, something that I rarely do. I recommend it that highly.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for this read in exchange for an honest review.