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

#TheHazelbourneLadiesMotorcycleandFlyingClub #NetGalley

I knew that I wanted to read this novel as soon as I saw the beautiful cover and the name of the author. Many may recognize Helen Simonson from her book Mr. Pettigrew’s Last Stand. In that work and this, Simonson writes with her own distinctive sensibility.

The Hazelbourne story begins not long after WWI has ended. Readers may think that the armistice resolved everything; however, for many figuring out a life post-war was not always easy. In this novel, the author spends time with some of those folks.

Constance grew up somewhat beholden to the family of her mother’s best friend. There were class differences between them but a relationship endured. During the war, Constance managed the family’s estate. Once the war was over, her sense of purpose was taken away since the job was given back to a man.

Poppy is a happily unconventional young woman. She seems to live as she likes. A big part of this is her motorcycle business. Riding along in one of these vehicles when driven by a woman was not expected at the time.

Poppy’s brother served and lost a limb. All he wants to do is fly again but no one will look at him as capable as the story opens.

The lives of these characters come together at a seaside hotel when Poppy asks Constance for a favor. Poppy’s mother, brother and she have seemingly taken up long term residence there While Constance is visiting as a companion to an older woman.

In addition to these main characters, many others are in these pages. In this way, the author creates a broad canvas for her story.

Lots happens as readers get to know the characters in this novel of manners that unfolds at its own leisurely pace. Issues are covered that are reflective of the time period.

Readers will become attached to many in this story and will wait to see how things l turn out. They will enjoy every bit of this over 400 page book.

Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 07 May 2024

A Novel

by Dervla McTiernan

I very much enjoyed this author’s Ireland set mysteries of which there were three, The Ruin, The Scholar, and The Good Turn. In The Murder Rule, the author changes everything up. This new book is not set in Ireland, but rather in the U.S., around the UVA Law School. The book is meant to be a thriller with an unreliable narrator who is single minded but not straightforward among most things.

Laura and her daughter, Hannah, share a very close relationship, albeit one with role reversals. Hannah worries about and cares for her mother who suffered enormous trauma in the past. The story behind her mother’s circumstances is what motivates Hannah throughout these pages.

Hannah is a third year law student at the University of Maine as the novel opens. She manipulates her way into a semester at UVA (the University of Virginia) Law School and to a spot on their Innocence Project. Hannah is there for her own purposes but her desire to see justice done does not mesh with the goals of the others with whom she works on Michael Dandridge’s wrongful (is it?) murder conviction.

Readers get to know Hannah, Laura and their situation well. They also spend time with the other law students, the head of the program and those involved in, and impacted by, the actions of Michael Dandridge.

I wanted to like this book as much as the others that I have read by this author, but, sadly for me, I didn’t. I found that there was a lack of warmth in these pages. I know that Laura was wronged and traumatized but somehow I didn’t care quite enough for her. The plot of this story also depended on actions that did not always feel realistic to me.

Those who like thrillers, law and courtroom stories and idealistic young lawyers to be may well enjoy this book. I just wished for more even as I respect that the author was trying to write something completely different from her earlier novels.

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

Pub date: 10 May 2022

#HasAnyoneSeenCharlotteSalter #NetGalley

French, actually a husband and wife team who write together, has penned a long (544 pages), suspenseful and immersive read in this latest novel. It definitely kept me coming back on a regular basis to find out what happened.

Here is a domestic drama that is filled with suspense in its portrait of two families and the impact that Charlotte’s disappearance had in the past and also in the present day. What happened to Charlotte? Each of her four children has a take on her. Husband Alec, whose decade birthday she missed, initially seemed dismissive of her absence while Elizabeth/Etty (a daughter) was very worried.

Around the same time that Charlotte is missing in the past storyline, a body is found in a river. Is this death related to the disappearance of Charlotte? Readers will want to know.

The story moves forward thirty years when A LOT happens. There are secrets, murder, podcasts and a case that will challenge Detective Inspector Maud O’Connor. She is a terrific character and readers will hope that she gets a sequel.

Recommended for fans of domestic drama and crime stories.

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

Pub date: 19 March 2024

The Åre Murders

by Viveca Sten

#HiddeninShadows #NetGalley

I have long been a fan of Sten’s Sandham series that features Nora Linde. There are reviews of a number of these on my blog. (See them by typing in Viveca Sten at http://www.joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews.wordpress.com.)

Hidden in Shadows is part of a newer series that, so far, has two titles published in the U.S. Instead of a more idyllic looking Sandham, these take place in the far north of Sweden where the nights can be long and the weather can be brutal.

In Hidden in Shadows, a champion skier has been murdered. There are many suspects and some subplots as well one of which (trigger warning) has to do with spousal abuse.

Two investigators, Daniel and Hanna, are the ones to figure things out. They do but it is not easy. Of course, while working on the case, each also has a backstory and personal life.

This book is for those who can take their mysteries a bit less sunny. It is not a traditional cozy but is a good example of a more noir like genre. I liked the characters that Sten created in her investigators.

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

Pub date: 05 December 2023

NOTE: Both the Sandham Murders and The Are Murders are available to stream. Sandham on MHZ and Are on Netflix.

From the Publisher

I just read this book. I enjoyed all of the baking aspects in the plot. Jennifer’s secret is one that has been used many times which was slightly disappointing. All in all, this was a good read though.

In “Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame,” Olivia Ford whips up a sweet confection about a septuagenarian cook with reality TV dreams.
— Read on www.nytimes.com/2024/01/29/books/review/mrs-quinns-rise-to-fame-olivia-ford.html

A Maid Novella

by Nita Prose

#TheMistletoeMystery #NetGalley

This holiday themed novella in The Maid series makes a perfect stocking stuffer or gift for someone this holiday season-it could even be you. Anyone who has read the first two books in the series (a third will come next year), knows that Molly is unique and well-suited to her work as a hotel maid.

This time it is the Christmas season. Will all go well for Molly and Juan, the man who has come into her life? There are some challenges. Still, this is a Christmas book so readers can hope/trust that all will be well.

Enjoy this holiday read. It is fun to spend time with Molly and those around her. I recommend this title and the series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing-Ballantine for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 01 October 2024

From the Publisher

Earlier titles:

Molly is back: The Mystery Guest (by Nina Prose)

I enjoyed getting to know: The Maid by Nita Prose

I’ll just put it out there: I loved this book. It is a novel for anyone who has ever felt the power of books and the delight in reading a special series (there is a fictional one in this novel) and for those who know how important relationships can be. It is part whimsy, part fairy tale, part game and all a page turner with heart. There are characters that I loved and wanted good lives for, most especially Lucy and Christopher who both suffered difficult childhoods. Lucy is in her twenties as the story opens while Christopher is seven. Lucy deeply wants to be Christopher’s parent as he very much needs one.

Those who enjoy stories about reclusive authors, puzzles and the power of dreams and wishes will find this to be a most satisfying read. Travel to Clock Island, try to solve a riddle and watch what happens.

Four adults who were childhood fans of author Jack will come to Clock Island. Lucy will also get to know Hugo, an illustrator and wing man for Jack. What will happen when they meet?

Read this fairy tale for adults. I wonder how many people you will then urge to read it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

#TheWishingGame #NetGalley

Pub date: 30 May 2023

From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Meg Shaffer’s beautiful novel is part Willy Wonka, part magical realism, and wholly moving. It broke my heart and patched it over and reminded me that even as an adult, if you look hard enough, you can find the child still inside you.”—Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling co-author of Mad Honey

“Our list of must-read fiction books wouldn’t be complete withouta novel that reminds readers of the power books hold between their pages. Meg Shaffer’s The Wishing Game may not contain any magic—this is a whimsical tale, but it’s grounded in reality—yet there’s something magical about the book.”—Reader’s Digest, in “Best Fiction Books of 2023”

Four stars ****

Emerson, Thoreau, Alcott (Bronson and Louisa May)…Margaret Fuller? Most readers of American fiction and essays know the first few names on this list. They may be less familiar with Margaret Fuller. However, by the time that readers close this book, they will fully appreciate her life with its successes, challenges and tragedy.

Young Margaret was a highly intelligent child, whose father took her education most seriously. When he died, Margaret was left feeling that she needed to support her family. She did that while also being part of the transcendentalist movement and more.

One aspect of the book that I really liked was the way in which icons became human. For example, early in the novel, Margaret visits Emerson and his second wife. Waldo, as Margaret is invited to call him, engages in a flirtation with Margaret. It is in moments like this, that readers get to look at great American figures in a new and less iconic way. Similarly, as the story opens, Thoreau is a young man working for the Emersons, and just beginning his writing career. Bronson Alcott is running a school, while Louisa May is still a child.

Pataki has written a number of works of historical fiction. She has another success on her hands here.

Many thanks toNetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

From the publisher:

https://randomhouse.box.com/s/t3sgfg7hpaurx0fuaomq9xjwllafeswy

The above should link to a book club kit for this title.

by Rhys Bowen-an e book bargain

#WeThreeQueens #NetGalley

We Three Queens is the latest in Bowen’s delightful Royal Spyness series. There is no need to read the books in order but anyone who enjoys one of these will no doubt want to suss out the others.

Lady Georgiana (better known as Georgie) was born to a member of the royal family. As this story begins, she is being asked to open her home to cousin David’s true love, Wallis. A new mom, Georgie is not eager to host a difficult houseguest but acknowledges that she has no choice. Indeed, Wallis is not happy with the accommodations or company.

Wallis’s presence is meant to be a secret while David tries to secure their future as royals. However, Wallis may be compromised since Georgie’s godfather has invited a movie crew to the estate. Bit by bit, they encroach on life inside the house, not just the grounds.

There will be much chaos in this traditional mystery story. No spoiler so will be a bit vague. Readers will find some people missing and even a murder. Georgie will have her work cut out for her. Readers will be glad that she does and will enjoy following her investigations.

Here is another solid entry in a good series. I can’t wait to see what Georgie will be up to next.

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

Pub date: 19 November 2024