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

#WhattoDoWhentheNewsScaresYouRevisedEdition #NetGalley

The news can feel scary to adults at times and even more so to kids. Much as adults may want to shield them, this strategy often does not work. This book/workbook is filled with information and writing activities to help children to cope. I recommend it highly.

Just some of the chapter headings include Sometimes Scary Things Happen and What is News; others encourage more critical thinking as with What’s the Viewpoint; and What’s Your Source. There are also chapters called Taking Care of You and Making a Plan of Action among others. Each chapter is pretty short so easy to read.

The book begins with a note to adults. Take the time to read this if you are the parent, educator, therapist or other adult who is sharing this book with a child.

I am pretty certain that this title will help kids to feel less overwhelmed. It might just help some adults too.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the American Psychological Association-Magination Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 07 January 2025

For fans of The Crown. This novel, set in post WWII England, is a story about the women who made Princess Elizabeth’s wedding gown.  Part of the story takes place in 1940s Britain while there is also a modern thread (no pun intended).  I think that this will be an absorbing and fun read. Start the year right with this one.  (Full review to follow)

“Robson deftly weaves issues of class, trauma, romance, and female friendship with satisfying details of Ann and Miriam’s craft. This unique take on the royal wedding will be an easy sell to fans of Netflix’s The Crown and a sure bet for readers of women-centered historical fiction.” (Booklist (starred review))

“Robson vividly brings to life these three women’s struggles. Historical details about fabric, embroidery, and the royal family are well incorporated into their stories, with light romance rounding out this charming work of historical fiction.”   (Library Journal)

“Robson’s novel shifts deftly between… Toronto to London in 2016… giving meticulous attention to the historical detail of post–World War II London. A fascinating glimpse into the world of design, the healing power of art, and the importance of women’s friendships.”
(Kirkus Reviews)

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

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/12/18/opinion/books-ezra-klein-show-guests-recommended-2024.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

The romance novel about book lovers and for book lovers – uplifting, moving, and full of love

by Tessa Bickers

#TheBookSwap #NetGalley

The Book Swap was a delight to read. I very much enjoyed this story of two characters who got to know one another (even) better through sharing their thoughts about books and life. The device that the author uses is to have them each taking books from a little free community library and writing to one another in the margins. I found that I was always looking forward to see which book these two would be reading next; maybe this reflects the eagerness that they had as well.

Readers meet Erin. She has faced a great loss and has a unique way of coping (find out in the book). In a scene that many readers may envy, she quits her toxic work place despite not knowing what she will do next. Readers follow as she figures this out with a therapist sister often voicing her opinions.

James has his own difficulties. His mother suffers from mental illness and he periodically spends stretches of time with his parents to help out. James has a job that he does not love. What will he do about this?

Bonnie…well, read the book to find out who she is and what her role in the story is.

No spoilers so don’t want to go into how these characters intersect.

This book is not entirely light in nature but it is a consistently good read. I was always happy to settle down and spend time in the world of these characters.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 03 September 2024

From the Publisher

Native Hawaiian Ackerman sets her newest novel in a place she knows well and clearly loves. I am sure that, like Iwa, she is concerned about the ecology of the island.

Two people meet. They are Iwa and Dane. Each has feelings for Hawaii though their work and hopes for the island may differ. When they meet, what will happen? How will their pasts influence their futures? Throw is rain forests, surfing, Portugal and the novel moves forward.

Those who like books with settings that are vividly brought to life will enjoy this title. The same is true for those who like to read romances.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the team at HTP for this title. All opinions are my own.

From the Publisher

#ThePeculiarGardenofHarrietHunt #NetGalley

This is a haunting story set in the Victorian era. There are tropes for the sorts of sensational novels that some Victorians loved at that time along with this author’s unique voice and some magical realism in these pages.

Harriet does indeed have a peculiar (unusual and unique) garden that she loves. She will see how this important spot determines aspects of her life over the course of the novel.

Harriet, like many a Victorian heroine, has found herself alone in the world. When the story begins, readers know that her father is absent but don’t know why. Being a woman alone was a challenge in that era although Harriet does not seem to mind this. However, events conspire that lead her to marriage, plots and sinister events. What will happen to Harriet? Will she have a happy ending?

This book will be enjoyed by those who are interested in the period and who are willing to suspend some disbelief. Here is an original and intriguing read that I enjoyed.

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

Pub date: 03 December 2024

From the Publisher

#ABafflingMurderattheMidsummerBall #NetGalley

This one is from my backlist…

Jazz music, summer balls, country houses, isolating weather, guests and…murder. All of these make for an entertaining read in this second novel in the Dizzy Heights series. Lovers of traditional mysteries will, I think, enjoy this one. The characters, the setting, the music, the food, the solving of the case all result in a good and relaxing read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK-Thomas Mercer for this title. All opinions are my own.

This title was published in 2022

Molten Mud Murder is published by the excellent Poisoned Pen Press, a small press that is dedicated to mystery fiction. This is author Johnson’s first novel and the first in a projected series.

American protagonist, Alexa, is a forensics examiner whose specialty is teeth. She has come to New Zealand on a fellowship, falls in love with the country and wants to stay longer. She manages to insert herself into the murder case involving a city counselor.

What I struggled with a little: Alexa took many risks that felt plot driven. Some mysteries, such as what happened to her friend, Mary, were not fully solved. Perhaps that is for another book.

What I liked: The setting on the North Island of New Zealand and the ways in which the landscape is brought vividly to life. The information about tribal Maori customs and rituals. That there was a back story for Alexa. The hint of romance between her and Bruce, the Senior, a term for the chief detective. The details on forensic examination.

This mystery should appeal to armchair travelers, lovers of New Zealand and those who enjoy action packed mysteries. Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this proof in return for an honest review. I look forward to the author’s next book.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/16/opinion/reading-novellas-short-novels.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare