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

I recently listened to this audio book and recommend it highly. It is historical fiction set in the aftermath of WWII and tells the story of those affected by the war and the return to civilian life. It is a different war but those who enjoyed Kristin Hannah’s novel, The Women, may well enjoy this one too.

Tilly Galloway grew up poor in Sydney. Her father was a dedicated longshoreman and union man who did backbreaking work and also suffered the effects of a dock strike. Tilly married her Archie who went off to war not more than six months after they wed. Tilly also has a sister who is married as the story begins and has three rambunctious sons.

During the war, Tilly worked at a newspaper. She lived with another woman, Mary, whose husband had also gone to war. One other significant character (and there are many deserving of the reader/listener’s time) is Cooper, a war correspondent.

What happened to all of these folks? Readers will want to know.

The inhumane acts of war are a background to the story. How people coped with varying degrees of resilience is also continuously portrayed.

This book was one in which I found myself highly engaged. The narrator created different voices and told the story well.

Highly recommended to those who love historical fiction.

 #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

A Novel

by C.L. Miller

I enjoyed this author’s first traditional mystery. She knows her antiques and how to tell a good story. Now, the Lockwood Antique Hunters (Freya and Auntie Carole) are back and on the high seas. How did they get there?

Well, a painting has been taken from a maritime museum and (worse), there has been a murder. From here the intrepid duo take a cruise where they discover many stolen artworks/antiquities, and a mastermind. Will they set the (art) world to rights? Readers know the answer; the enjoyment is in getting there.

Recommended to those who enjoy traditional mysteries, antiques and armchair travel.

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

Pub date: 18 February 2025

The first book in this series:

https://joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post-new.php?post_type=post&jetpack-copy=52775

From the Publisher

This is the first, but will not be the last, book that I read by this author. Her novels are now being published by the wonderful Poisoned Pen Press, a great place to find new authors and series.
The Rowland Sinclair mysteries take place in the 30s and Rowly reminds me of that great thirties sleuth, Lord Peter Wimsey. He is an artist who is surrounded by his communist leading friends including the lovely Edna, a sculptress. This novel picks up where the prior one ended with the group escaping from Germany at a time when the Nazis were rising and brutal. They come to England where they try to alert the government to upcoming perils and to solve the mystery of an upper class man who is found dead. Subsidiary figures abound including H.G. Wells and Evelyn Waugh.
I truly enjoyed this novel and recommend it to fans of historical mysteries. I look forward to reading more. Thanks for this one, Poisoned Press and NetGalley.

Note:  I will now try to add author’s names to the titles of the posts in order to make the site easier to search.

poisonedpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/BN-Mar-25.pdf

#KillsWellwithOthers #NetGalley

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.

Pub date: 04 March 2025

From the Publisher

by Malcolm Day

#TwoInchesofIvory #NetGalley.

I am currently taking a class on Jane Austen’s novels. I also note that much is happening in 2025 because of the significant number of years it has been since Jane was born in 1775. So, I am paying attention to all things Austen.

When I saw the title of this book, I knew that it was about Austen since she used the same phrase in talking about her writing. I knew that I wanted to take a look at this fictional account of the Austen clan that is based on fact.

The novel begins in 1775 and continues to follow the family until 1817. The author notes that he has used original documents in his story and these add a sense of verisimilitude to the narrative. I did find, though, that this book moves a bit slowly.

Those interested in peeking into Austen’s life, may want to pick this one up.

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

Pub date: 28 January 2025

As the new year steams into action, the book season gets in full gear as well, greeting spring, summer, and fall with a long list of titles worth noting. From fiction that focuses on a range of contemporary concerns, to nonfiction reminding us that the past is always prologue, to poetry that summons attention, these are works to know, share, and read. For even more titles, see the Prepub Preview Extra list online.
— Read on www.libraryjournal.com/story/Prepub-Preview-A-Year-of-Titles-to-Watch

The Secret War of the Women in the OSS

by Lisa Rogak

I’ve read many fiction titles that have included characters in the OSS so was excited to read a more factual account in this title. Readers of historical fiction might want to branch out to read this non-fiction book.

Below (thanks to NG and the publisher) are descriptions of the women featured:

Betty MacDonald was a 28-year-old reporter from Hawaii. Zuzka Lauwers grew up in a tiny Czechoslovakian village and knew five languages by the time she was 21. Jane Smith-Hutton was the wife of a naval attaché living in Tokyo. Marlene Dietrich, the German-American actress and singer, was of course one of the biggest stars of the 20th century. These four women, each fascinating in her own right, together contributed to one of the most covert and successful military campaigns in WWII.

Readers are drawn into this book right from the first paragraph of the book as it mentions Betty with a date of December 7, 1947, letting readers know what (awful) events are about to transpire. The pages continued to turn. I enjoyed that the women were from different backgrounds and even included an actress.

The author writes in an engaging style that invites the readers in. Through her words these women come to life. This title seems like a good choice for Women’s History Month.

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

Pub date: 04 March 2025

This book is an excellent compendium of stories for “rebel girls” but also for anyone interested in learning more about a variety of accomplished women immigrants.  The book can be read in order or at random.  For each woman her area of interest is listed.  To name just some of the women included, there are Lupita Nyong’o, an actress; Madeleine Albright, politician; Frieda Belinfante, cellist and conductor;Burke Harris, pediatrician and so many more, all the way to the end of the alphabet.  Each short, engaging entry includes an illustration, a quote and a short biography.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this inspiring collection that will remind girls that they can be anyone they choose.  All opinions are my own.

pub date:  October 13, 2020

#100ImmigrantWomen #NetGalley