This title will speak to so many. After all, we all are in relationships and many of us want to spend a bit of time contemplating them, perhaps with the hope of doing better. O Tuama is a great guide and makes this collection accessible, even to those who may think that they don’t want to or can’t read poetry.
Begin with the introduction or, if tempted to begin with a poem, return to the introduction later. It gives a sense of who O Tuama is and his attitudes toward life. He is an engaging guide.
O Tuama offers poems by those who are perhaps more or less well known. A few of those whose names I recognized were Rita Dove, Mary Oliver, Lucille Clifton and Wendy Cope. That said, the poets whose names were unfamiliar gave me much to think about beginning with the first poem in the collection called A Word on Statistics. I highly recommend it.
For each work, O Tuama provides commentary. These are insightful and deepened my appreciation of the poetry.
This is a book that I will return to many times. I highly recommend it.
Many thanks to NetGalley & W.W. Norton and Company for this title. All opinions are my own.
Murder in Old Bombay won the Minotaur book award for a first mystery recently. The winners’ books are always worth taking a look at in my opinion.
This story is a leisurely one (though that does not mean that there is a lack of action), coming in at close to 400 pages. It is an historical mystery set in the late 19th century when India was ruled by the British. The protagonist, Jim Agnihotri, is of mixed Indian and British parentage which makes him a bit of an outsider in both worlds and cultures. He was wounded and is out of the Army when he becomes known to the Framji family.
Two young women in that family fell to their deaths from a university tower. It appears to be murder and Jim becomes the Holmes aficionado who wants to solve the case using his idol’s methods. During the course of the story, Jim and readers get to know the Framjis very well. Jim is especially close to the beautiful Diana and to Adi who is the young widower of one of the victims.
As Jim works on the case he has a series of adventures, many disguises and clues to work through. He also takes on an unofficial parenting role to a number of children who are victims. He is a protagonist who tries to do what is right and is not afraid to fight for it.
Readers learn about Jim’s growing up, his military years and the church figure to whom he felt close. Readers are also immersed in some of the history and culture of the period. A most helpful glossary is even included.
This is a novel that those who enjoy the recent India based mysteries of Sujata Massey are sure to want to read. I recommend it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.
The Mysterious Bookshop is a wonderful place to visit in person. Luckily for those who can’t get there, Penzler publishes many titles. This time, he has collected seasonal stories that were first given to the store’s favored customers as a holiday gift. Now they can be read by bibliophiles everywhere.
Here are stories that follow three rules-they had to be seasonal, there needed to be a crime and, at least in part, must take place in a bookstore. From there, writers created their own engaging tales.
Some of the authors included in this volume are Lyndsay Faye, Ace Atkins, Laura Lippman, Ragnar Jonasson and Tom Mead. There are sure to be finds here for readers with varied tastes.
This book would make a perfect stocking stuffer. Penzler had indeed offered a gift to readers.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers-Mysterious Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
Kusama once had an exhibit at the New York Botanical Garden that I was fortunate enough to experience. It offered visitors a colorful and enjoyable walk through the grounds. So, I knew a bit about Kusama before picking up this title. I am delighted that kids will have the chance to learn about the artist through this latest in the excellent Little People, Big Dreams series.
Kids will find out why Kusama loved dots so very much. They will also see how she truly persisted in order to have the life that SHE, and not her parents, wanted for her. Reading this, kids will find out what famous artist inspired Yayoi who grew up to be an artist who has delighted so many.
Note that this book delicately comments on Yayoi’s experience of depression.
The illustrations in this book are delightful. They nicely add to the experience of reading the text.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
I am always delighted to settle in for another visit with Rowly, Edna, Clyde and Milton. Each of these characters is eccentric and interesting. We have an aristocrat, an artist, a poet and an artisan. Together they form a formidable quartet.
The Rowland Sinclair mysteries take place in the run up to WWII and in a world that feels rather ominous. Ms. Gentill always does her research and brings authenticity to both the setting and the background history of her stories. This time, I learned about Chiang Kai Shek, those who were pro or anti-Communist and the troubled relations between Japan and China. This history adds verisimilitude to the story.
The story begins as Rowly’s brother ( a more conventional sort) wants to send him and his friends to Shanghai to meet with those who may want to purchase Sinclair wool. Rowly is firmly instructed to equivocate in all of his business dealings. Can he?
The Shanghai that the protagonists visit is depicted as a city of immigrants and locals with many classes and nationalities in its society. For example, Rowly has a Chinese butler and an Indian driver.
As readers of the series know, where Rowly goes, trouble follows. In this novel, he meets a “taxi girl” named Sasha. She is reputedly from the Russian aristocracy. Alexandra now sells dances with her to those at the Cathay Hotel. This is quite a step down from her former life in her own country. Rowly dances with her…when the worst happens to Sasha and she is found dead in Rowly’s hotel room, there is a case to be solved.
This is an intricate and involving story. It is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. I do think, though, that many readers will want to explore all of the titles after they finish this book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Fresh Water for Flowers is the first book by Valerie Perrin to be published in English. The writer’s native language is French. Fresh Water is a beautiful book that is told in a unique voice. Protagonist, Violette, was abandoned by her mother and grew up in care. She was a loner until she becomes involved with Phillipe Toussaint. Together they have a child but Phillipe eventually disappears.
Phillipe and Violette worked at a railroad crossing although Violette did most of the work; they later go on to become cemetery keepers. Violette remains there after Phillipe leaves.
The story is told from Violette’s point of view. She tells it all, her hard times, her hopes, the things that she learned and taught herself, the people she sees and cares for and those with whom she works. All this within the background of the cemetery and many sayings from gravestones.
This novel is filled with humanity. I recommend it.
I am reviewing the audio version. It was a beautiful listen and I was sorry when the story ended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Here is the second entry in an Italian set mystery series. As was the case in the first book, Bria becomes involved in the events of her town. Readers will, I think, enjoy spending time with her and those around her as Bria again becomes a detective.
Bria, as readers of the first book know, is a widow with a young son and relatives and friends who take a lot of interest in her life. Bria runs her B and B in the town and again becomes involved in a murder investigation. This time, a chef has been killed when he was a guest chef at her friend’s cafe.
Chef Lugo has been murdered on camera. Who was behind this crime? How will it be solved? Readers will find out in this traditional mystery.
Recommended to those who like stories without a lot of violence and with good characters, settings and storylines. The only downside is that reading this may leave a reader hungry and wanting to travel to Positano.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
One thing that I love about Sulari Gentill is that she never seems to rest on her laurels. I very much enjoyed her novels about Rowly Sinclair and his group of friends. These are historical mysteries, set in the 1930s, in a series that began with A Few Right Thinking Men. There are good characters who are good friends and good stories in each of the entries.
Ms. Gentill then began to write some standalone novels and stories set outside of Australia. These include After She Wrote Him, The Woman in the Library, and now, The Mystery Writer. Each has an intriguing and, perhaps quirky, story.
In this new book, Theo (Theodosia) has decided to leave law behind. She wants to be a novelist. When her mentor is killed and her brother becomes a suspect, the scene is set.
A few things to ponder…who was the murderer, where is Theo’s manuscript, and what secret things are happening? Get ready for the unraveling.
It is easy to recommend this one.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
When I was contacted by the publisher with an invitation to read this book, I was over the moon. I had heard about it and was eagerly awaiting its release. It was an immeasurable treat to have early access.
This title offers a series of reflections and conversations between Judi Dench and Brendan O’Hea. Originally written for an archive, the two got the idea to publish a book together, and the reader is so lucky that they made that decision.
Within these pages, readers get to share in Judi’s life and her professional career. Her love for her husband, her daughter and her craft all come across. She is witty, wise, and it was an absolute pleasure to read her words.
Judi Dench and her husband, referred to Shakespeare as the man who pays the rent because they were in so many productions over the years. However, Shakespeare never really became routine for them and Judi brought her best self to every performance.
The first play that is reflected upon is Macbeth. Judi Dench very much views it as a play about the relationship between Lord and Lady Macbeth. She sees the deterioration of their marriage as a true tragedy.
Included here are Dench’s thoughts on nineteen plays interspersed with other reflections. A couple of examples of these are Company and Fireside Ramblings.
For anyone who admires Judi Dench or who wants to more deeply understand the bard, this book is a must read. I adored it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
I had seen this book on a British bookstore’s website and was quite intrigued. I was delighted when it became available in the U.S. and thrilled to get an early review copy of this series starter.
Jo Callaghan has already received awards and praise for her debut. She is the Winner of the Crime Writers’ Association’s John Creasy New Blood Dagger Award and the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. These are huge accomplishments and, in my opinion, well deserved.
Readers will not forget Kat and Aide. Kat is a detective who has been paired with an artificial intelligence device. It is an experiment to see if and how AI might be useful in investigations. Aide can assume bodily form as a hologram, at times causing much consternation. He also can be rather outspoken. There is much interplay between Kat’s intelligence and emotions as compared with Aide’s brilliance and lack of tact.
Kat, Aide, her team and the creator of Aide Lock are tasked with the investigation of two (cold) missing persons cases, both young men. One is a Black student missing from Uni. The other is a white theater graduate who is from a well to do family. Are these situations independent or linked?
In this novel, there is an excellent mystery plot and added to this are the AI elements of the story. Both kept me turning the pages and sad to reach the end of the story. Luckily the sequel, which is out in the UK, will be coming to the U.S. before too long.
The other aspect of the story that I enjoyed was the characters. Each had enough back story to keep them interesting. In the case of Kat, she is widowed and has a teenage son. One of her investigators has a sister who had a bad experience at university while another, Debbie, seemingly lacks confidence. The relatives of the missing young men and others also very much come to life.
This book is easily one of my favorites of the year. I hope Callaghan writes many more titles.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this one. All opinions are my own.
Jo Callaghan’s new book!
#LeaveNoTrace #NetGalley
Jo Callaghan’s first novel was easily one of my favorite crime stories of 2024. All of the elements that made me love that book are back in Leave No Trace, the second in this series. These include characters with depth (and backstory), a plot that keeps the pages turning, and the use of a unique sidekick to detective Kat Frank.
AIDE is an AI created detective. Through a hologram, he looks very real. His thoughts, although at times concrete because of a lack of understanding of nuance, are often key to the case. It has been enjoyable to watch the “relationship” between Kat and AIDE evolve. That is just one of the joys of the series.
This time, Kat has asked for a “live” as compared to historical case. The one that she is given is rather grim. A man has been found at the top of a local landmark and he has been gruesomely murdered. The case will lead to fear and warnings to young men.
Readers know that the case will be solved. The enjoyment is in watching how the team accomplishes this.
Kudos to the author. I am already eager for book three.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 