Like many readers, I first met Maisie Dobbs twenty years ago. That, in itself, seems remarkable to me. Winspear has kept the series fresh over many books. Readers have watched Maisie develop and grow into herself. Watching Maisie evolve has always been one of the best parts of the books. The mysteries and depictions of war’s impact on people have also been well done.
I will miss Maisie, her husband, her daughter, Billy, Lady Compton and so many others. I hate to see the series end. However, all credit to Winspear for ending in such a satisfying way.
I am not giving much detail on the book. I want to leave that for the reader as they savor their final visit with Maisie. It has been quite a run!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Allison & Busby for this title. All opinions are my own.
Is everything false? Is nothing true? Is the title of the book just a trick? Readers will eagerly, maybe compulsively, turn the pages of this title to find out. If they know Lisa Jewell at all, they will expect a gripping story that takes them for quite a ride. If readers are new to the author, they will finish this and look to her backlist.
Two women. Two lives. Two stories. Intersections. Podcasts. True crime shows. Is that enough? I assure you that it will be.
Josie and Alix are both celebrating a forty-fifth birthday. Their lives look very different when each goes to dinner that night at the same place. Josie is there with her husband and it is a big splurge while Alex is there with a large group of friends and seems more financially comfortable.
Josie starts something when she points out to Alix that they are “birthday twins.” Uh-oh, a lot happens from this point on as readers get t know these women, their families, the way their minds operate and more. When Alix and Josie start work on a project together a complex set of circumstances results.
Those who like domestic thrillers and.or domestic thrillers will turn the pages at lightning speed in an effort to figure all of this out. Ms. Jewell has done it again; she has written exactly the kind of novel at which she excels.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
A Novel of Nancy Mitford and the Pursuit of Happiness
by Eliza Knight
#TheMayfairBookshop #NetGalley
The Mitford family seem to be enjoying a renaissance on TV and in books. There was a recent miniseries with Lily James and, not long ago, I read both The Bookseller’s Secret and the latest entry in Jessica Fellows’ historical mystery series that features Nancy and her siblings.
For anyone who may not know, the Mitford daughters were fascinating and so different from each other. Diana left her husband, a Guinness heir, to be with the Fascist, Oswald Moseley. Unity was enamored of Hitler. Nancy was an author and there were also, Jessica and Deborah.
Happily I did not suffer from Mitford fatigue and I thoroughly enjoyed Eliza Knight’s novel. As is popular now, there are two timelines. In the present, Lucy is a book curator from Washington DC who is spending time in England. She is fascinated with the Heywood Hill bookshop where Nancy Mitford once worked. Lucy also has a connection to someone Nancy almost married.
Lucy is a huge Mitford fan. She possesses some Mitford letters and her mother, who is no longer alive, had a valuable edition of one of Nancy’s novels.
While in England, Lucy visits the Mitford home. This is beautifully described and made me long to see the real location. Lucy’s quest is to discern who the Iris in a dedication in one of Nancy’s novels is.
In the historical timeline, Hitler is on the horizon. As noted above, some of the sisters are not pro democracy. Nancy does attend a rally at Diana’s urging although she is clearly not a “Black Shirt.”
Readers get to know Nancy well. They vicariously see her pre-marriage lifestyle in the smart set. Readers watch Nancy in love with the ensuing disappointment, marriage and compromise. They also witness Nancy writing her novels, working at the bookstore and trying to support herself (husband Peter does not do well in the work world).
I very much enjoyed my time at The Mayfair Bookshop. I recommend this novel to those who enjoy historical novels and/or women’s fiction.
Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow/Custom House for this title. All opinions are my own.
Years ago, I got to know Debbie Macomber’s fiction when I read her series that began with 16 Lighthouse Road. I enjoyed spending time with those who lived in Cedar Cove and, from that point on, kept a look out for this author’s novels. She writes easy to read books with characters who are nice.
This title is not part of that series. It is about Shy who has been released from prison after doing something that she felt that she had to do. Now she is starting again and has met a young pastor. The two seem to be hitting it off, even though Drew’s congregation has doubts. Will love triumph? (Hint: it usually does in Macomber’s books.)
In addition to getting to know Shay and Drew, other characters and a community come to life. Spend time here if you are looking for a not too stressful and enjoyable read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this title.
While I don’t have a garden, I so enjoy looking at books about them. I just sit down, relax and enjoy some virtual touring. It is a lovely way to spend some time.
In this well put together book, readers can visit twenty gardens including Castle Howard, Chiswick House, Blenheim Palace (all known to me) along with, to name a few (that I did not know), Stowe, Painshill, and Petworth Park among others.
The introduction lets readers know that the focus here is the eighteenth century landscape garden. In this section, learn what exactly and English landscape garden is-for one thing, it is naturalistic. Read a bit more and then get to the gardens. For each of these there photos and text. Dip in anywhere and enjoy!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
The protagonist of this novel, Sister Agnes, has a complex back story. She was not always involved in religious life. Agnes was married to an abusive man and came to the church some time after this relationship ended.
Agnes now is involved with a homeless shelter. A woman comes there looking for her husband, Jay. He seems like a bad boy. What happened to him?
In further complications, what was the cause and reason for a fire in a church? How will events come together? And, to add to the mayhem, what about that chalice? Find out and follow the somewhat rebellious sister (Agnes) who investigates. Readers are given a complex and thrilling story in these pages.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Are you a person who likes to write about what you read? Are you hoping that what you write will be seen? Are you unsure about how to go about this? If you answer yes to any of these questions, I recommend taking a look at this short (35 or so pages) and helpful resource.
If I had had this book before starting my blog, I might have done a few things differently. So, if you are just beginning start here. If you are experienced, find a few tips. All in all, this content was quite helpful.
Many thanks to NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.
Are you a person who likes to write about what you read? Are you hoping that what you write will be seen? Are you unsure about how to go about this? If you answer yes to any of these questions, I recommend taking a look at this short (35 or so pages) and helpful resource.
If I had had this book before starting my blog, I might have done a few things differently. So, if you are just beginning start here. If you are experienced, find a few tips. All in all, this content was quite helpful.
Many thanks to NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 