While many of her contemporaries are playing canasta, she’s releasing her 25th book. There’s no mystery to it, Tyler says: Start on Page 1, then keep writing.
— Read on www.nytimes.com/2025/02/10/books/three-days-in-june-anne-tyler.html
Give a listen: The Radio Hour
by Victoria Purman
#TheRadioHour #NetGalley
The Radio Hour is the most recent book of Australian women’s fiction that I have read. I have recently noted enjoying books by Sophie Green and Sandie Docker. Now, I can add Victoria Purman to the list of Aussie authors whose titles will carry an automatic “I want to read that one.”
There are many things that I loved about this book. The historical post WWII, 1950s look at life for women in Australia was intriguing and involving. Women, who just as in other countries, held significant positions during that war were expected to go back home. While there, they could enjoy listening to radio soaps to break up the monotony. How these soaps were made and the world of radio production were well portrayed in these pages. Readers come to understand how these serials brought a common experience to friends and family who then discussed them.
Women who worked were often “old maids” and not given the best of the jobs. In this story, the 50 year old MISS Barry (why does her new boss keep calling her Mrs? Just one way of not paying attention or showing respect it would seem) is given the job of working with a new (and incompetent) writer of a soap that is meant to rival another highly popular one. Will is succeed and, if so, how or why? Will any radio soap prevail as TV comes to Australia?
Most importantly, the reader of this book will route for Miss Barry. If she can succeed, other women will feel that they might too.
It is easy to recommend this title to those who enjoy stories about this time with good characters and just enough plot to keep the pages turning.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Focus for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 04 February 2025
From the Publisher
Now out: The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict
As far as I know, this favorite author of mine has not written a mystery like this one before. Well, here is yet another tour de force by Ms. Benedict. It feels like she is skilled at writing both a detective story and historical fiction. I recommend it highly.
Many know who the Queens of Crime were. This group included Dorothy Sayers, Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Baroness Orczy, and Margery Allingham. They all have prominent roles in this enjoyable story that is narrated by Dorothy Sayers.
At the time that the story was set, a number of male writers of detective fiction decided to band together in a society. Well, the women wanted a part of this too and pushed their way into the Detection Club.
In this story, these women want to prove their worth by solving a real case. They become involved in figuring out what happened to a British nurse who was murdered in France. They are intrepid in following clues, making hypotheses, and working to bring matters to a resolution.
Along with the crime story, readers are given insight into who these women of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction were. I enjoyed these parts of the story and also what was shared about the creation of their novels.
All in all, this is a most engaging read that fans of historical crime fiction and Benedict will enjoy. I think that Benedict will find some new enthused readers as well.
Note: I am a fan of toggling between the audio and reading editions of titles. They complement one another and add to my enjoyment. In this instance, the audio book narrator did a wonderful job of speaking in the voices of each of the main characters. This added to my pleasure in this title.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. Also, thank you to Macmillan Audio for the audio book. All opinions are my own.
Five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
From the Publisher
Praise for The Queens of Crime:
“In this excellent novel, Benedict vividly brings to life real Golden Age mystery novelists … Fans of Benedict’s previous novels and those who enjoy historical whodunits will find this hard to put down.” ―Library Journal, starred review
“A shrewd speculative whodunit … Benedict easily brings each of her five distinct writer/sleuths to life, and honors their literary legacies by providing plenty of ingenious, fair-play clues to help careful readers follow along and solve the central mystery. This is a treat for fans of golden age whodunits.” ―Publishers Weekly
“Benedict brings both the twisty mystery and the legendary ladies to life with impeccable style, taking us full circle from the Golden Age and back again.” ―CrimeReads
“I was riveted by this quintet of mystery writers… Smart, biting, and a tribute to female friendship and loyalty. An absolute delight!” ―Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Spectacular
What is life like for: The Manhattan Girls (by Gill Paul)-an e book bargain
An e book bargain today
When readers who have heard of Dorothy Parker think of her, they often imagine her at the Algonquin Hotel issuing bon mots. Sarcastic and seemingly in possession of herself, many envied her. However, this historical novel about Dorothy and some of her friends and acquaintances reveals that she had many reasons to feel unsettled and unhappy. The support of three friends helped her to get through.
Early in this novel readers learn that Dorothy is having trouble finding work. She is also having many difficulties in her marriage; her husband came back from WWI a changed (and unpleasant) man. Dorothy’s friends include Jane, a newspaper reporter; Winifred who is an actress and, Peggy who works at a magazine. They form a bridge group where they not only learn to play cards but reflect on life.
These characters are surrounded by many men. They include those who spent time at the Algonquin. All are men of their time and their treatment of women is often condescending.
Will these friends find their happy/happier endings? Find out in this well written work of historical fiction.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this title. All opinions are my own.
This title was published in August 2022.
From the Publisher
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Death in a Lonely Place
by Stig Abell
This is Stig Abell’s second title; it follows on Death Under a Little Sky. While it is not necessary to have read the first book to enjoy this one, anyone who likes Death in a Lonely Place will want to read the origin story.
Here are many of the characters from the first book starting with Jake. He is a former detective who has chosen to live largely off the grid in a remote home that he was left by a relative (although he has many go arounds). Readers should take a look at the map of the estate that is in the front of the book. Jake has charmingly named the various spots for well-known detective fiction people and characters. There are other mysteries and authors mentioned in the text as well.
Jake is in a relationship with a local vet, Livia, who has a young daughter named Diana. He wants this relationship to succeed. He and Livia are in different spots as an old case surfaces and Jake becomes involved while Livia’s main wish is to keep Diana safe.
No Taboo-it is a dark organization that offers people the unthinkable. In investigating it Jake has to think about a very dark place. Readers will wonder how the events unfold. Will Diana’s newest and very wealthy client put her and/or Diana in danger?
This book offers an interesting mix between Jake’s rather cozy domestic life and some very nasty business. Abell manages both of these story aspects well.
I recommend this title to those who enjoy crime stories. I look forward to whatever Abell writes next.
Many thanks to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 11 April 2024
Praise for Death in a Lonely Place
‘Loved this. Multiple layers of delight for crime fiction fans’ Lee Child, creator of Jack Reacher
‘Abell is a skilled storyteller and it’s easy to fall into the pages of Death in a Lonely Place. Highly recommend’ Karin Slaughter, creator of Will Trent
‘An immersive, intelligent delight with huge atmosphere and heart. My favourite new crime series’ Lucy Foley, author of The Paris Apartment
‘Utterly beautiful descriptive prose that brings Jake Jackson’s world to life’ Jane Casey, author of the Maeve Kerrigan series
‘A darkly elegant, thrilling, escapist slice of countryside crime’ Chris Whitaker, author of We Begin at the End
Marian Keyes
Marian Keyes on turning 60: ‘It’s a privilege’
Nearing Ninety
And Other Comedies of Late Life
by Judith Viorst
Viorst has written poetry and essays about many decades of her life. In this title, she looks at both the serious and funny sides of “Nearing 90.” By the way, a reader does not have to be in this life decade to enjoy this collection.
Many of these poems and reflections will spark a laugh while others are a bit rueful or even sad. This is a marvelous collection. Read it in any order. Then remember that, whatever your decade, Viorst has you covered in one of her titles.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 02 April 2019
Perfectly pairs with:
An e book bargain
I had a real reaction to the end of this novel, though no spoilers here. If you read it, or have read it, I’d love your opinion.
“In Jenna, [Jodi] Picoult has created an unforgettable character who will easily endear herself to each and every reader. . . . Leaving Time may be her finest work yet.”—Bookreporter
“[A] captivating and emotional story.”—BookPage
“With plenty of twists and a surprising ending, [Leaving Time] explores the grieving process and what happens when we cannot move on.”—Woman’s Day
“A moving and emotional story.”—Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
“A truly engaging read . . . Full of the deep characters and multilayered story lines that have earned [Picoult] a spot in many readers’ hearts.”—Library Journal
“Delivers a powerhouse ending.”—Booklist
“Memorable and poignant.”—Publishers Weekly
An e book bargain: Close to Death (Anthony Horowitz)
#ClosetoDeath #NetGalley
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
They say that they sink ships: Loose Lips
by Kemper Donovan
#LooseLips #NetGalley
Here is a fun and entertaining mystery that is just perfect for a winter night’s read. The ghostwriter narrator of the first book in the series is back. This time she is going on a cruise (despite not really liking the sea) for a group of would be writers. This is a clue to the double entendre of the Get Lit moniker that is the name of the event.
The cruise is organized by a writer, phenomenon and self-promoter known to our ghostwriter from their MFA days. On this mostly all women cruise, Payton has brought along her wife but also her ex husband and her male assistant. The staffers on the cruise, the guests and the writers are all brought to fun (and somewhat snarky) life.
Not so many of the attendees have signed up for our ghostwriter’s mystery writing class. But no matter, there will be plenty of real life mystery and murder on board.
Come along for a fun trip and feel like an insider in this quite entertaining read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 21 January 2025
From the Publisher
Knives Out meets high seas intrigue on a literary cruise to nowhere in this intelligent, wildly funny locked room mystery for fans of Richard Osman, Anthony Horowitz, Nita Prose, and Agatha Christie!
The USA Today bestselling host of the “All About Agatha” podcast injects the spark and fizz of a Golden Age murder mystery into the present-day, as the ghostwriter’s skills are put to the test aboard a bestselling author’s decidedly insalubrious cruise.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 