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

NOTE: RIGHT NOW, THIS TITLE IS ON SALE FOR NINETY-NINE CENTS

Many of us remember Inspectors Morse and Lewis, both in books and in TV series. More recently Simon Mason has published a series that is once again set in the university and its environs.

Mason has a conceit in the series. The two detectives are both named Wilkins. There the similarity ends. Ray is Black, well-educated and immaculate in appearance. Ryan grew up in a trailer park and mostly wears track suits. Both have the ability to solve complex investigations.

Zara Fanshawe was a kind of “It Girl” who at times seemed to have it all. How did things go so wrong for her, eventually ending in her death? The Wilkins men are on the case although Ray may be tempted away by a high up police person named Chester.

There are a number of murders to be solved. There are the wealthy and down on their heels. There are interesting connections among people.

I find it very easy to recommend this title and the series. A fourth book will be coming out soon. I will definitely be reading it!

#AChristmasVanishing #NetGalley

Anne Perry wrote many Christmas novellas, beginning with A Christmas Journey in 2003. Each features a character from one of her book series. This time, the focus is on Mariah Ellison. Readers of the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series know her as Charlotte’s grandmother. She is an elderly woman in this title and is reflecting on her life, attitudes and actions. This makes the book feel a bit elegiac and indeed, I think that this may have been Perry’s last book as she died not long ago.

Mariah goes to visit an old friend. She arrives travel worn only to find her friend is not there and the husband far less than welcoming. It takes a bit of time before Mariah finds a comfortable berth in the village where she once lived. She then tries to ferret out her friend’s whereabouts and fate.

What happened to Sadie? Did she go somewhere voluntarily? Why is her husband not more concerned? Has he harmed his spouse? Mariah will try her best to find out.

This book is set in the festive season. I very much enjoyed it. It reminds me of the many reasons that the author’s death was a true source of sadness for those who love historical mysteries.

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

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/12/09/books/review/winter-holiday-books.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

This historical mystery takes place within London’s legal world. It is very much a story in which the clues have been fairly planted. However, not all readers will remember them.

There are two things going on within the novel. One plot has to do with the death by murder of a chief justice. The other intriguing question has to do with the authorship of a book featuring a very famous mouse.

Will the two storylines intersect? How will this murder case with many aspects and suspects be solved? How important will Millie the mouse be?

I thoroughly enjoyed this very traditional mystery and look forward to the authors next book which comes out in 2025.

A Vera Stanhope Novel

by Ann Cleeves

I always am excited when a new novel featuring Vera Stanhope is published. The Dark Wives is classic Ann Cleeves and I think that the author’s fans will be delighted with this book. Any new reader could start here but I think that they will then want to go back to read all of the other titles. (Note too that there is a TV series featuring Vera).

IMPORTANT: Anyone who did not read the last book but is a fan of the series should know that there is a spoiler about Holly. I do not give that away below .

A care home for adolescents who are unable to live elsewhere features in the story. Four young people live there in a place that is profit making. Nonetheless, there are some who seems to care about their charges. A per diem worker named Josh was seemingly well liked and yet he is murdered early in the story. At the same time, Chloe, one of the teens and someone who had a crush on Josh, has gone missing. So…the plot begins.

What led Josh to take this job? Does it tie in to his feelings for an old girlfriend? To his interest in the arts? To something else? What leads to a second murder?There is a lot for Vera and her team, including newbie Rosie, to sort through.

Just a few of the things that I liked about this book were: the settings, the number of characters and their connections, the plot and the concern of the author for young persons in need. This is an atmospheric story that kept me wanting to read more. It is easy to recommend this one.

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

Pub date: 27 August 2024

I turn to this author and series when I am looking for a bit of calm and goodness. I am never disappointed.

This entry focuses on some issues that series regular Grace faces. Her husband is facing some business issues. Additionally, a friend needs some help. As always, she and the knowledgeable and good hearted Mme Ramotswe will find away through. Generous spirits will be needed.

This series may feel slow moving to some. However, for me, sometimes that is a very good thing.

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

This title was published in 2022.

Having spent time in Bath, I was attracted to these books from the very first one. Here in the last title the author does what he does best. He tells a good story with a bit of humor.

Peter and his partner Paloma are invited to visit Julie with whom Diamond worked in the past. At first, Peter does not want to go, but he does so persuaded by Paloma. their journey has its challenges.

Peter is surprised to discover that Julie has lost her vision. She has not, however, lost her spirit or acuity. Julie gets Peter involved in the case of woman who may be wrongly in prison for murder. The victim had a rather gruesome death.

Read the book to find out what happened and how the author wraps up this last title. No spoilers.

The narration of the audiobook was spot on. I couldn’t wait to listen. I was very sorry to come to the end.

This is the 22nd entry in the long running detective series set largely in Bath, England. I have read every book and am beyond sorry to know that there will be no more. Still, the author is deserving of retirement at his age.

Many thanks to NetGalley and RB media for this title. All opinions are my own.

Are you the type of reader who want to educate themself and broaden their horizons? If so, this title is an excellent one. It would also make a good holiday gift for the right reader.

In these pages, 52 important works are given attention. For each,there is an introduction, the opening words of the piece, a summary, information on the author, a section called Why You Should Read It, and What to Read Next.

Readers travel the world and its many time periods in these pages. The book begins before the Common Era with The Epic of Gilgamesh. It moves forward all the way to the last entry, Under a White Sky by Elizabeth Kolbert.

There are additional sections at the end including an afterword and two appendices.

Those wanting to explore non-fiction will want to give this one a look.

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

Pub date: 08 October 2024

#LitPicks #NetGalley

Here is a rather long title that is just packed with information on forthcoming books. In my opinion, this free collection, is a wonderful gift to readers.

In this collection, are sections on Mystery, Thriller & Suspense; Family Drama & Contemporary Fiction; Memoirs & Non-Fiction; Historical Fiction;Horror; Fantasy & Speculative Fiction; Romance & Holiday, Middle Grade & Young Adult; and Anthologies & Short Story Collections so much to investigate.

Just a two of the books that drew my attention were SJ Bennett’s A Death in Diamonds and Stanley Tucci’s What I Ate in One Year and, of course, there are many others to explore.

For each entry, see the book’s cover, read what it is about and partake of a bit of the story. What is not to like?

Many thanks to NetGalley and Meridian Editions for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 22 November 2024

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/11/26/books/notable-books.html