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

10 recent paperbacks — Arnie’s self-help advice and a Roman thriller

https://www.thetimes.com/article/e04289c5-19aa-4a44-b785-f7bbe7edb898?shareToken=950e42d4a0270d3d207e7d71ccf4704c

#SwimmingforBeginners #NetGalley

Loretta lives a carefully controlled and planned life. She has a fiance with whom she shares a measured relationship. Surprises are not her thing. Loretta works hard, wants a promotion and is trying her best to fit in at work, even if this has her doing things that she does not enjoy. Loretta is traveling abroad to meet with a client when…she meets Phoebe at the airport and her life changes.

Readers get to know Loretta and Phoebe well. Their relationship will change both of them in ways that they were not expecting or prepared for.

Those who enjoy warmhearted stories with quirky protagonists, this novel is for you. The last heroine I enjoyed who reminded me of Loretta was in Lessons in Chemistry. Both of these women have their unique style and ways of living their lives.

I very much enjoyed this book and am delighted to recommend it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bedford Square Publishers for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 14 September 2023

Stephanie Barron has written in several genres. She is the author of the Nantucket based, Merry Folger mysteries which I read and enjoyed. She also wrote the Jane Austen mystery series and novels with JFK and Virginia Woolf as characters. In this book, That Churchill Woman is Jennie Jerome Churchill, the mother most famously of Winston, the wife of Randall and a lover of Charles Kinsky.

The novel moves back and forth in time allowing the reader to understand Jennie’s upbringing in the Gilded Age and her father’s influence on her life. The reader also learns about the traumas of Jennie’s early life, including the profound loss she faced, her father’s affairs, her move to Europe, etc.

Jennie glitters in British society. There are numerous appearances in the book of Bertie, the Prince of Wales and his wife Princess Alix. Other American women who married into the British aristocracy are also characters in the novel.

The reader empathizes with Jennie, especially during a time when a young Winston is quite ill. Further, as Jennie learns the truth about her husband, (I don’t want to include spoilers), one truly feels for her.

I highly recommend this novel for those who like historical fiction, those who are Anglophiles and those interested in the family in which Winston grew up.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this absorbing read.

#ThatChurchillWoman #NetGalley

New Books to Make Your Heart Race

#TheMinotaurSamplerVolume13 #NetGalley

These samplers are such a gift for mystery/suspense fans. As per usual, this one is filled with previews of a number of forthcoming titles. Learn about the author, what the book is about and then try it. There is no better way to add to a reading list and even better (!) this resource is free.

I am adding most of these to my wish list. Many readers will do the same.

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

Pub date: 19 November 2024

A magical bedtime treasury

by Vicky Cowie

#TalesfromMuggleswickWood #NetGalley

I’ll begin by saying that I adore the cover of this book. It seems reminiscent of the Winnie the Pooh story illustrations.

Inside the art work is just as delightful. It adds so much to the text. The stories themselves may intrigue young ones. There are five in all with titles like The Magic of Muggleswick Wood and The Secret of Snittington Hall (along with three others).

At 192 pages, there is a lot of rhyming bedtime stories here. Could be perfect for a young one.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 05 November 2024

by Lindsey Kelk-just ninety nine cents!

#LoveStory #NetGalley

Here is such a fun and feel good story and one that confirms what author Lindsey Kelk believes-that we love happy stories during difficult times. Her protagonist and, I think the author as well, see a role for romances as fiction that is just as worthy as any other reads.

Este Cox has written a book that takes off and becomes a huge bestseller. But…there is no Este, she is really teacher Sophie. Sophie is from a literary family and does not want to acknowledge her authorship of a sexy, romantic read to them. Lots of shenanigans ensue from this decision.

Playing against Este is Joe. As this is an enemies to lovers tale, readers watch as these two spar and come together. Watching them and the other characters in this story made for a delightful read.

I could pretty much say that, moving forward, I will read anything that Ms. Kelk writes. She knows how to help readers escape and enjoy her world for a few hours. Kelk gives readers a nice mix of plot, character, humor and heart.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper 360 for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 17 September 2024

The Last Party is also an e book bargain

Are you a person who finds getting on an airplane to be an adventure or are you a nervous flyer? Either personality type may well be riveted by this thriller in which much of the action centers on a long haul flight from London to Sydney (20 hours in the air!). In some ways, the story is a take on a locked room mystery in that much of the action is confined to the plane and the stories of its passengers and crew. However, there is also backstory so some time is spent on the ground and with other characters.

The book’s protagonist, Mina, is on the flight when…a note is given to her. What does it say? How will it influence what she does? In order for there not to be spoilers, it is not possible to say more except that this is a story that may well put readers on the edges of their seats.

My only quibble with this story is that I did not absolutely love some of the characters and I don’t just mean the “bad” ones.. I do, though, admire Ms. Mackinstosh’s imagination and storytelling ability. Readers, remember that this is fiction!

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

I have loved Natasha Lester’s historical fiction starting when I read The Paris Secret. Since then, I have read every new book as it has been published and also look forward to a few earlier ones that I still need to catch up on.

Lester always tells a great story with a mix of fashion and history. This book is no exception although I think that it is the author’s most ambitious book yet.

Here readers meet three generations of strong women who are related and share a commitment to fashion. The oldest of these is Mizza Bricard. She was a real person and one who was described as a muse to Christian Dior. Living through several world wars was just one of her challenges.

Next is Mizza’s daughter Astrid. Why did Mizza not raise her? Astrid grows up in the seventies. She attends fashion/design school and meets the mesmerizing Hawk Jones. How will their relationship ebb and flow and how will their fashion stories and accomplishments continue to cross? And, importantly, how and why did Astrid disappear? What does/did Hawk know?

The daughter of Astrid and Hawk is Blythe. Blythe is also trying to establish her fashion line. She is divorced with two children. Does she want to try again with the (sometimes) charming Jake? Will her fashion business be successful?

This book has an excellent plot, good settings, interesting characters and a real eye on the fashion scene. In addition, I think that Lester wants to bring women out of the shadows and for them to be recognized for their accomplishments. Bravo for that.

I recommend this book very highly. Anyone who enjoys historical fiction, fashion and/or stories about women, family and career should give this title a look. I already can’t wait for Lester’s next novel.

Many thanks to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this title. All opinions are my own.

Five stars *****

Readers cannot go wrong when they pick up a title by Susan Mallery. She writes the sorts of stories that her readers (and those who enjoy women’s fiction) consistently look forward to reading.

In this holiday themed novel, readers get to spend time with the family and extended family of Julie Parker. There will be the unexpected, lots of folks gathered together, relationships and celebration. What could be better than spending time with this One Big Happy Family!

Many thanks to NetGalley and HTP for this title. All opinions are my own. Additionally, thanks to HTP for the opportunity to be part of this blog tour.

Four stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

From the Publisher

A Novel

by Debbie Macomber

#AChristmasDuet #NetGalley

Debbie Macomber’s holiday novels are eagerly awaited by her readership. Year after year this author writes a heartwarming story that gives readers a chance to slow down, breathe, and remember why the season is so special.

This time there is a plot that features music, an escape for me time (does it become we time?), romance, family involvement and recognizing and working towards one’s dreams. All in a relatively short book.

Macomber fans will be quite content with this latest seasonal entry. Thank you, Ms. Macomber.

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

Pub date: 15 October 2024

From the Publisher