Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too!

Miss Honeysett is a prim woman who is 85 years old. She believes that the time has come to take control of the end of her life. This leads her to contact a Dignitas like clinic and submit an application. Will her request be granted? Will Eudora want it to be?

Readers learn that Eudora faced a number of tragedies and disappointments over the course of her her life. Most chapters in the novel include a flashback to a key moment for Eudora. No spoilers so I do not want to write more.

So many of the reviews that I saw for this novel were quite praiseworthy so I looked to it with very high hopes and expectations. It did not disappoint. This is a novel that engages the reader through its characters and its story lines. I think that readers who enjoyed novels like The Little Paris Bookshop or The Lido will want to read this one…as will many others.

In the present, Eudora meets the irrepressible Rose. The two have a relationship that evolves over the course of the book as Rose awaits becoming a big sister.

Another important character is Stanley. His friendship with Eudora and Rose is impacted by some memory issues. What will happen to each of them?

At times acerbic, at times touching this is a novel that I most definitely recommend. The audio version is also well done and the narrator reads with a clear, easy to follow style.

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

So many people think of museums, Broadway, shopping, crowded streets and more as what makes up New York City. It is true that all these things are there but, in addition, much nature can also be found. Before reading this book, I would have named Central Park, the Bronx Zoo, and the Botanical Gardens. Now I have learned of much more in this very appealing title.

After meeting your guide, read about New York history and how to be a naturalist. Then start to become one. Look at flora and fauna including fungi, plants, fish and mammals to name just a few. Next go to a borough and check out what can be found.

With engaging text and visuals, this book will be welcomed by both those who live in the city and those who are visiting.

I most highly recommend this book!

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

Pub date: 22 April 2025

#HereOneMoment #NetGalley

What a concept! Imagine you are on a plane. You have your reasons for being there, things that you are thinking about and have settled in. Imagine that in the midst of whatever you are doing, a woman stands in front of you and tells you when you will die and of what. How would you react? How intense would that be? This is the monumental basis for Moriarty’s latest novel. No spoiler-she spectacularly pulls it off.

Get to know many characters. They are of different ages, sexes, experiences. How will they move forward when they have this information? Will it be true? Who is the woman making the predictions? Read this long (500 plus pages) novel that is divided into many short sections to find out. See if it will change you.

Highly recommended.

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

Pub date: 10 September 2024

From the Publisher

20+ Mind-Twisting Mysteries

by Ana Gallo

#SleuthSolveArt #NetGalley

Put on your sleuth hat (adult, child or work together) to solve the twenty puzzles in this book. These brain teasers relate to art, either in periods or works and look like fun to solve.

There are entertaining cartoon like illustrations throughout. Use logic, think and try to come up with the solution. The puzzles are graded by difficulty and cover many time periods and art movements. Start with paleolithic times and make your way to more modern art, including the cubists and surrealists.

This book offers a fun combination of learning and solving. It would make a great gift for a child and could offer some non screen time fun. This title is part of a series so solvers might want to look for the other ones as well.

Note that the back of the book has a section called “Experience the Art.” There are a number of projects here.

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

Pub date: 15 April 2025

www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/03/21/books/private-eye-detective-books-mystery.html

www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/03/24/books/review/animal-book-adaptations.html

www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/books/thriller-books.html

www.nytimes.com/2025/03/26/insider/answer-their-questions-come-away-with-your-next-book.html

A Novel

by Lauren Willig

Pub Date 02 Mar 2021   

Lauren Willig has written many novels including those in her Pink Carnation series. This title is based on true events; during WWI a unit of Smith College graduates traveled to France to offer aid and assistance. These real life volunteers are acknowledged at the beginning of the novel.

The book’s protagonist, Kate, was a scholarship student at Smith. This experience left her with an excellent education and some feelings of insecurity despite her friendship with the wealthy, Emmie. A few years after graduation, Emmie recruits Kate to be one of the fictional band of sisters of the title. These “sisters” include the married woman in charge of the volunteers, two female physicians and the other Smithies. Their experiences in France and the interrelationships of the characters form the basis for the story.

This book has an interesting premise and the story is well told. I especially enjoyed the letters that begin each chapter. My only quibble was that, at times, it was a bit difficult to differentiate the characters. Many, but not all, had a trait or relationship that helps the reader to keep track.

Willig includes information at the novel on her historical sources and the ways in which her own education led to the writing of this title.

Of note: I alternated between listening to the audio of this title and reading it. The audio was well produced and engaging. It is so nice to be able to follow a story by doing both. Also, I note the beautiful cover of the novel; it drew me in.

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

I have read lots of Louise Penny books and all of the more recent ones. I decided, though, that I wanted to go back and read all of the titles in order. This will take a while but I am excited about doing this.

Still Life is the book that introduces all of the important series characters whom readers will get to know over many novels. There are those in the police including, most importantly, Armand Gamache. He reminds me of Donna Leon’s Brunetti. Both are filled with humanity in a world that can be cruel. Other police officers include second in command Jean Guy who also develops a familial connection with the Gamache family. Also get to know Lacoste and Nicholl.

The location of this story is such a big part of the series. Three Pines is a small place with a variety of characters living there (meant both as people and those who are idiosyncratic). Meet poet Ruth, bookstore owner (with a past) Myrna, the owners of the bistro, artists and others. It as if all of life can be found in this small place.

This story is about the murder of artist Jane. Get to know her and the others in Three Pines. Follow the series. It is one of the very best out there.

Have you read any of the books? If so, do you love them also? I’d love to know.