I am finding so many good books by Australian writers these days. Some of these are women’s fiction while others are the crime stories of authors like Jane Harper. I’ve read other title by Sarah Bailey (for example, The Dark Lake) and she is an author whose books I always want to read. At over 450 pages, this one kept me immersed for a while.
Readers follow protagonist and journalist Olive Groves as she revisits events from nine years earlier when she was a junior reporter. What happened with the three roommates back then? What will come to light now?
Here is a twisty tale that will keep readers on edge. Those who like their stories a bit dark may well want to reach for this one.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Datura for this title.
Much has been written about Ernest Hemingway and his wives but no-one writes about them better than Paula McLain, whose new novel is about Ernest Hemingway and Martha Gellhorn. I thought that this author’s debut novel, The Paris Wife, was a wonderful book; it told the story of the young Hemingway and his first wife, Hadley. The author beautifully captured Hadley’s voice. When I started Love and Ruin, I wondered if Ms. McLain would be able to again capture the essence of an historical character…she does! Martha Gellhorn and Hemingway initially meet in Florida. They become closer when traveling to Spain during the Civil War, a war which is hearbreakingly portrayed in the novel. Hemingway and Gellhorn travel together to Cuba, Florida, Europe during WWII, Utah, etc. with each locale coming alive. World events unfurl in their presence. This is also the story of a relationship; what is it like to be in the orbit of a truly charismatic person? Is that enough? How does one maintain a sense of identity? Gellhorn, a writer and reporter of merit, struggles as a relationship of equals becomes less so. There is love and yes, ruin, in the coming together and apart of these two historical personages. The reader is a witness to the joys and struggles of this couple. I highly recommend Love and Ruin. It is one of the finest historical novels that I have read.
So many of us love pizza whether it comes as a slice from the corner or a sit down restaurant with a wood burning stove. However, what about trying to make pizza at home? Those who are interested will find an excellent resource in this title.
The photos of finished pizzas will make readers hungry. Maybe this is the inspiration to start buying ingredients and getting to work.
The author of this title notes that pizza has been important for their family. Continuing that interest and love for the many kinds of pizza (American, Italian and others featured in these pages), the author has gathered an excellent collection of recipes.
This book does not look like it is for the novice. I think that it is beyond me honestly. However, I imagined that I could produce these and trust that many will.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Cider Mill Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
Natalie Jenner clearly loves Jane Austen’s works. This title, along with The Jane Austen Society, make that abundantly clear.
This year marks the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth so it is an auspicious time for the publication of Austen at Sea with one of its characters being Austen’s brother Francis and another his daughter, Fanny.
The story opens in the 1860s in America. Two sisters, nicknamed Harry and Charlie, live with their father, a state justice; their mother is deceased. Harry and Charlie want more independence than is easily on offer. They definitely challenge the powers that be.
Harry and Charlie’s father loves Austen fiction as did their mother and as do they. He even has a book club with other justices in which they discuss Austen’s works (see the opening scene of the novel).
The conceit of the book is that Harry and Charlie reach out to Admiral Austen who invites them and two brothers from Philadelphia to visit him in Portsmouth. At 91, the Admiral is thinking about his sister’s legacy and ephemera. While the two young women are fans, the young men, in addition, own a bookshop, and have an American first edition of Emma.
The Admiral thinks that it will be fun to put these four together. He has dreams of romance (is this like in Emma when she play matchmaker?) hoping that he is forming two couples. Read the book to see what happens in this regard as well as with the Austen memorabilia .
These four and others, including Louisa May Alcott, share a passage to England. It was enjoyable to see Alcott (and her love of Dickens) in these pages.
I very much enjoyed this novel. It offered me a lovely escape. The pace, characterizations and story all kept my attention.
Highly recommended to those who love Austen and/or historical fiction.
Note that reading the author’s afterword will clearly show a reader how much Austen means to her. I hope that Jenner’s Austen themed novels will continue.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 06 May 2025
A note on the audio book:
The narrator (male) gave life to the story and its characters. I enjoyed going back and forth between the text and audio versions and was sorry to come to the end. Those who are looking for a good listen of a good book, cannot go wrong with this audio book.
The Gothic novel appears to be experiencing a resurgence. I am curious if there is a connection between the world as it now is and the choice of going on scary fictional journeys. In any event, those who like their fiction a bit dark may want to give this one a look.
The story takes place in 1938 (also a time of political foreboding). Two friends, Gillian and the Violet of the title, are visiting Violet’s family estate. (Go back, Gillian!!). Much happens as Violet’s sisters involve Violet in sinister plotting. What follows is violent and complicated.
Reading this, I realized that the Gothic may not fully be for me. If it is for readers though, this delivers in spades.
Many thanks to Sourcebooks-Landmark for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 04 March 2025
From Library Journal:
VERDICT Readers will not be disappointed as they follow Gillian’s nail-biting experience with the Claybourne sisters, questioning choices that lead to a guttural, gobsmacking, and unforgettable ending.
In 2022, Deanna Raybourn skyrocketed onto the bestseller lists with witty contemporary spy thriller KILLERS OF A CERTAIN AGE. Featuring four middle-aged women who also happen to be elite assassins marked as targets on the eve of their retirement, readers quickly fell in love with Billie, Helen, Mary Alice, and Natalie and agreed with Deanna that women are never too old to kick ass.
As soon as the book published, the first question from everyone was “Will we be getting a return appearance from these ladies?” And we’re thrilled to say: yes, in KILLS WELL WITH OTHERS (Berkley Hardcover; March 11, 2025).
About the book:
From the publisher
After more than a year of laying low, our killers of a certain age are back in action! They have enjoyed their time off, but the lack of excitement is starting to get to them. When they receive a call from the head of their former employer, elite assassin organization the Museum, they are more than ready to tackle the greatest challenge of their careers.
The Museum has a mole, and the trail leads to a shadowy, ruthless gangster willing to murder their former colleagues who get in his way. And the aging quartet is next on his hit list. Embarking on a wild ride across the globe on the double mission of rooting out the mole and hunting down the gangster who seems to know their next move before they make it. Their enemy is unlike any they’ve faced before, and it will take all their killer experience to get out of this mission alive.
My thoughts:
This book invites readers to again spent time with the Killers of a Certain Age. Although I have not read the first in this series, I felt that I was able to jump right in.
Readers meet four women who have a spectacular skill set including proficiency in disguise, strategy and killing. They are Helen, Billie, Natalie and Mary Alice. These women are called back into service to avenge a colleague’s murder and the mayhem then briskly takes off.
This book is full of action, drama, excitement, good characters, a variety of global settings and more. It is a kind of James Bond for the older woman (but not too old) vibe. I found it to be very enjoyable.
I have read other series by this author. This one is a bit different. Kudos to Raybourn for doing something new …and succeeding.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
The Bombay Prince is the third of Ms. Massey’s titles featuring Perveen Mistry. This one is my favorite!
The story is set in the early 20th century when Perveen was the first female solicitor in India. Perveen was educated at Oxford when she could not attend law school in her own country. She is in a practice with her father.
At the time that this story begins, Prince Edward is traveling to India. It is a time of unrest and protest as many in India would like to leave British rule behind. Some of those who are protesting are students. In this context Freny, a young college student, consults with Perveen. Freny is later murdered (not really a spoiler as this happens early in the book). Who killed her? Why?
The story itself moves at a leisurely pace. Readers get to know Perveen better in this book. There is more time spent with her family. Perveen’s friend Alice and Colin (from the second book) also are quite present.
The settings are beautifully presented. There are the college, the hotels, clubs, storefronts and more. There is also a lot to learn about Indian culture, foods and funeral customs. The author’s care in including so much detail enhances the reader’s experience.
Ms. Massey has written this series and also an earlier one set in Japan. I recommend all of her books most highly.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Ethel is 73 years old. She can play the senior citizen card when needed but there is so much more to this vibrant woman. Ethel has retired from the FBI but her quick brain, skills, and schemes are as fresh and effective as ever. Get to know her in this enjoyable mystery/caper about murders and shenanigans affecting the Supreme Court.
The author juggles a lot in terms of a complicated scheme in which it takes a little while for readers to figure out what is going on. There are senators, supreme court justices and their clerks, the FBI, Ethel’s relative and friends along with all living in a DC that comes to life here. There is a serious issue underpinning the story that has to do with a Supreme Court’s pending decision on precious metals and mining. The issue feels quite timely.
Those who enjoy cozy thrillers (is there such a thing?) are certain to want to read this one. There is an earlier title in the series as well and I hope that there will be a third to come.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 