Who is she: Charlotte Illes is not a Teacher (Katie Siegel)+an ebook bargain

#CharlotteIllesIsNotaTeacher #NetGalley

Charlotte Illes was once a child sleuth who had much success. Sometimes, as a person in her twenties, she wants to leave that identity behind. However, as readers of the first book in the series know, that does not seem to work out for her.

Charlotte and her friends (Lucy and Gabe) are back in this sparky and fun story. This time, Charlotte becomes a substitute teacher at her old middle school. Once again, she will be drawn into events that require her skill.

This title offers a fun and quick read. It is a “New Adult” title but older readers may enjoy it as well. It is easy to recommend this one.

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

Pub date: 23 July 2024

An e book bargain-Death and Croissants

I definitely found the title and cover of this lighthearted mystery to be rather appealing. What could be better than a good story accompanied by the classic French breakfast?

I was not familiar with the author who is a British comedian. That explains the tone of the story. Here is a rather hapless hotel owner who gets sucked into an adventure by an exotic guest of his establishment. It becomes a bit crazy with even hints of the Mafia. How will it all get resolved? Read this one to find out. It is a book that shows what can happen when one ventures (way) out of a comfort zone.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Beware: The Queen of Poisons (Robert Thorogood)-an e book bargain

Robert Thorogood is the creator of the popular TV series Death in Paradise. Here is the third of his Marlow Murder Club mysteries. (They are also going to be coming to TV.) It will appeal to those who enjoy Richard Osman’s series.

Here too are a group of friends who play amateur detective (and busybody). Judith, Becks and Susie have distinct personalities and are only to eager to use them to advantage as they poke their noses in.

When the Mayor of Marlow is murdered by the Queen of Poisons (do you know what poison this is?) the stage is set. Follow along with the team as they solve this cozy village mystery. It is perfect for when you need to be pleasantly distracted.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 04 June 2024

From PBS-Masterpiece

About the Show

An all-new adaptation of Robert Thorogood’s novel The Marlow Murder Club is coming to MASTERPIECE on PBS on October 27,. 2024. The thrilling, four part series stars Samantha Bond who is joined by Jo Martin, Cara Horgan and Natalie Dew.

Samantha Bond (Downton Abbey, Home Fires) takes the lead as Judith Potts, alongside Jo Martin (Doctor Who, Back to Life) as Suzie Harris, Cara Horgan (The Sandman, Traitors) as Becks Starling and Natalie Dew (Sandylands, The Capture) as DS Tanika Malik. Steve Barron (The Durrells in Corfu, Mrs Sidhu Investigates) is set to direct.

Author and writer Robert Thorogood said: “After over a decade of working on Death in Paradise, I’m thrilled to be creating a brand-new murder mystery series for TV. I can’t wait for audiences to join Judith, Becks and Suzie on their adventures as they solve a series of fiendishly puzzling murders.”

Would you dare to play: The Christmas Murder Game by Alexandra Benedict-an e book bargain

The Christmas Murder Game gives readers the chance to enjoy a variant on a locked room mystery with the added bonus of both the Christmas season and some side puzzles for solving. These extra puzzles are things like anagrams.

Lily is in her thirties and is a designer of corsets, many of which she reproduces from historical sources. She spent a great deal of time at Endgame House when she was young but has not wanted to return there since her mother’s death…was that a murder?

When Lily’s aunt dies, she wants Lily and her cousins to come to the manor over the festive season. While there, they are set a series of tasks which will require their solving skills with a lot at stake; the winner will become the new owner of the house. Oh, by the say, there will be a number of deaths over the twelve days of Christmas.

Whodunnit? Why? This was a fun read as I waited for answers. I also enjoyed Ms. Benedict’s images. For example, Lily talks about wanting to make a briefcase shaped corset for lawyer, Isabelle. She describes a housekeeper as something like a candy cane without the sweetness.

I enjoyed this book and recommend it to those who would simply like to be entertained.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

This title was published in 2022.

Would you want to be a member: The Briar Club

A Novel

by Kate Quinn-an e book bargain

#TheBriarClub #NetGalley

To my mind, Ms.Quinn is a bit of a chameleon. Her latest novel, The Briar Club, felt quite different from say The Rose Code (a favorite of mine). That is not to say that I didn’t enjoy The Briar Club because I very much did.

A few things about the structure of the book:

The house gets some chapters as events unfold.

The story is told almost as a series of short stories with a section given to each of the main characters.

There are recipes from each of the main characters included.

As regards the story itself, which unfolds during the McCarthy era, right from the beginning readers know that there has been a murder. There may be more to come (no spoilers). Who was killed and why? Of course, readers want to know. They will keep turning the pages to find out.

The character who moves in to the house right at the beginning of the story seems to be the glue between characters. It is Grace March who draws everyone together and it is she who organizes the regular weekly tenant dinners. The residents who attend are quite different from one another. One character works at the National Archives, another is a mother with a young child, someone is more involved with the McCarthy hearings, an older woman was once an artist and is now down on her heels. These are just some of the women and all of them have backstories.

I would read anything by Kate Quinn and this book does nothing to change that opinion. I recommend it highly recommend it as do Library Journal and Publishers Weekly which both gave this a starred review. Readers will remember the women and events at Briarwood House.

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

Pub date: 09 July 2024

Katherine Johnson by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

#KatherineJohnson #NetGalley

Anyone who saw the movie Hidden Figures knows who Katherine Johnson is. Here, in this latest in the good series, young readers can meet this remarkable woman.

Katherine’s skills in Math led her to outstanding (and outer space) achievements. To me, an extra bonus of this story, is that it reminds girls that Math is not only the realm of boys. Maybe there is another amazing future mathematician reading this one.

Note that this story touches on the prejudices that made it more challenging for a bright student to get her high school education. She became the first Black woman to attend a top university in West Virginia. Yes, achieve she did, right up to when Neil Armstrong benefited from her calculations on his moon walk.

This is an excellent addition. Johnson was truly a little person with BIG DREAMS.

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

Pub date: 07 January 2025