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

by Angela Youngman

#TheArtLoversGuidetoAmsterdam #NetGalley

Traveling to Amsterdam? Visiting virtually? Enjoying memories of past travel? If any of these appeal, this title is a terrific, photo filled resource. Chapters include The Netherlands, Amsterdam, Dutch Art Movements, Key Artist Profiles, Artist’s Amsterdam, Exploring Amsterdam’s Art and, Within Easy Reach of Amsterdam.

Go to, and also beyond the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museums in these pages to other treasured spots. Consider works by Bosch, Mondrian, Hals and many others.

I think that this is an excellent resource. I will purchase the hard copy.

Many thanks to Pen & Sword-White Owl and NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 30 January 2024

Luxurious Rituals to Ignite Your Senses and Rejuvenate Your Soul

by Richard Christiansen

#FlamingoEstateTheGuidetoBecomingAlive #NetGalley

Before picking up this title, I had never heard of Flamingo Estate. Now I wish that I could visit in person as well as through the pages of this book.

There is an ethos to this estate that has offered wisdom to the many who have spent time there. Just a few of the conversations that are included here are with Alice Waters, Martha Stewart, Jane Fonda, and Chrissy Teigen & John Legend.

Flamingo Estate is a generous read at over 500 pages. Dip in and out and enjoy. Given our world, this book’s belief in pleasure, the earth, observation and caring for ourselves resonates.

Just a few things that are offered her include learning to grow a tomato, how to quite your job, how to benefit from Mother Nature. Spend time in these pages, both reading and looking at the gorgeous photos. Feel better!

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

Pub date: 19 November 2024

From the Publisher

This is the Flamingo Estate Guide to Becoming Alive

It’s Pleasure-Seeking 101. In these pages you’ll learn how to grow a Tomato. How to quit your job. How to get your hands dirty. But mostly, you’ll learn that Mother Nature can be your doctor, your therapist, your friend, your savior.	There is a joy in living, and that means opening up your senses and prioritizing their arousal. Smelling the flowers, listening to great music, eating a pint of ice cream, and maybe doing it all in a hot bath.	Don’t wait to be ready. Experience sensory pleasure, while you still can.And reader, please note: None of your senses are common.

Luxurious Rituals to Ignite Your Senses and Rejuvenate Your Soul

by Richard Christiansen

#FlamingoEstateTheGuidetoBecomingAlive #NetGalley

Before picking up this title, I had never heard of Flamingo Estate. Now I wish that I could visit in person as well as through the pages of this book.

There is an ethos to this estate that has offered wisdom to the many who have spent time there. Just a few of the conversations that are included here are with Alice Waters, Martha Stewart, Jane Fonda, and Chrissy Teigen & John Legend.

Flamingo Estate is a generous read at over 500 pages. Dip in and out and enjoy. Given our world, this book’s belief in pleasure, the earth, observation and caring for ourselves resonates.

Just a few things that are offered her include learning to grow a tomato, how to quite your job, how to benefit from Mother Nature. Spend time in these pages, both reading and looking at the gorgeous photos. Feel better!

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

Pub date: 19 November 2024

From the Publisher

This is the Flamingo Estate Guide to Becoming Alive

It’s Pleasure-Seeking 101. In these pages you’ll learn how to grow a Tomato. How to quit your job. How to get your hands dirty. But mostly, you’ll learn that Mother Nature can be your doctor, your therapist, your friend, your savior.	There is a joy in living, and that means opening up your senses and prioritizing their arousal. Smelling the flowers, listening to great music, eating a pint of ice cream, and maybe doing it all in a hot bath.	Don’t wait to be ready. Experience sensory pleasure, while you still can.And reader, please note: None of your senses are common.

Jenny Colgan has found fertile ground for her novels in Scotland where she has set a number of  women’s fiction/romance titles.  500 Miles From You is the latest of these.  I found it to be a relaxing read and recommend it for some pleasant distraction.  If that sounds like faint praise, it isn’t.  I find that as this unusual life we have continues, being transported to a fictional world can be most welcome.

In this story, Lissa is a community nurse in London, while Cormac holds down a similar job in a small Scottish village.  The two swap places for a number of months.  Traumatized Lissa falls in love with her new life which is idyllically presented.  Cormac is initially overwhelmed in London but slowly feels a bit better there.

Cormac and Lissa have one very important case that they share, that of a young girl who has received a heart transplant.  The donor ties the two story lines together.

Lissa and Cormac get to know one another through texting.  Readers know that they will eventually meet but this takes awhile and some plotting on the author’s part.  By the time the meeting takes place, many readers will be rooting for this couple.

There are many secondary characters in the novel.  Some of them are new, while others have made appearances in other novels by Ms. Colgan.  However, readers do not have to have read any of the prior books in order to enjoy this one.

If I had one small quibble with this novel, it would be that it tilted so favorably toward Scotland, somewhat slighting the glories of London.  That aside, I recommend this one for a fun read.

Have you read books by Jenny Colgan?  Did you enjoy them?  Let me know, please.

by Rhys Bowen

#WeThreeQueens #NetGalley

We Three Queens is the latest in Bowen’s delightful Royal Spyness series. There is no need to read the books in order but anyone who enjoys one of these will no doubt want to suss out the others.

Lady Georgiana (better known as Georgie) was born to a member of the royal family. As this story begins, she is being asked to open her home to cousin David’s true love, Wallis. A new mom, Georgie is not eager to host a difficult houseguest but acknowledges that she has no choice. Indeed, Wallis is not happy with the accommodations or company.

Wallis’s present is meant to be a secret while David tries to secure their future as royals. However, Wallis may be compromised since Georgie’s godfather has invited a movie crew to the estate. Bit by bit, they encroach on life inside the house, not just the grounds.

There will be much chaos in this traditional mystery story. No spoiler so will be a bit vague. Readers will find some people missing and even a murder. Georgie will have her work cut out for her. Readers will be glad that she does and will enjoy following her investigations.

Here is another solid entry in a good series. I can’t wait to see what Georgie will be up to next.

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

Pub date: 19 November 2024

#TheHousekeepers #NetGalley

I saw a lot about this book before I began reading it myself. I wondered if it could possibly live up to the hype-the good news is that it does. This title will be enjoyed by readers who like a somewhat quirky premise, interesting characters, a well-portrayed time and place, and, of course, a good (if outrageous) plot.

I don’t want to give much away but will say that the housekeepers have quite a scheme in mind. Readers will long remember them; they include Mrs. King who was dismissed from her job and Mrs. Bone who runs some dodgy enterprises. Rounding out the group are Jane and Jane (really), Hephzibah and Alice. Each of these woman has a backstory and a needed skill set; these may well intrigue the reader.

In addition to the housekeepers, there is the owner of an ostentatious home and his daughter. Wilhelm recently died and his daughter is not really mourning. Who was he? What does she want? Readers will discover some surprising connections.

There are many twists and turns in this story and suspension of disbelief is called for. What will happen on the night of a very big ball in Edwardian England? Who are the guests and how will they be affected? Will the housekeepers get their revenge? Read this one to find out!

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

Pub date: 04 July 2023

Currently an e book bargain

I read and enjoyed The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir so was thrilled to be offered this e-galley from NetGalley and the publisher.

This novel takes place during WWII. I duly note how many recent historical novels have taken place during this era. Nonetheless, I found this to be one that was a good read.

The novel’s protagonist, Mrs. Braithwaite, (a woman of a certain age), has tried to live her life very much in accord with convention and awareness of social status. She is dethroned from her position as head of the WI early in the book. Over the subsequent course of the novel Mrs. B changes from an unlikable character to a woman with more nuance.

Mrs. B’s emotional and real journeys put her in contact with the unassuming Mr. Norris. Together they move away from their comfort zones, begin thinking more of others and have adventures. Yes, belief must be suspended but one roots for them nonetheless.

There are several story lines that show Mrs. B’s emotional growth. One has to do with a young teacher injured in a bombing raid while another takes place during the blackout in a supposedly safe haven that becomes flooded. The reader also comes to understand Mrs. B’s biography and how it led her to be the person that she was.

There are spies and plots along with counter plots and a depiction of war-torn London. There are the beginnings of a gentle love between the protagonists and other hearts that have been broken.

Mrs. Braithwaite reminds me a bit of Mrs. Bird, the eponymous character in one of 2018’s debut novels. However, unlike Mrs. Bird, Mrs. Braithwaite has the capacity to change.

I enjoyed this novel. Again, thanks to NetGalley and publisher.

A few other WWII books that I have blogged on:

This Bird Soars Dear Mrs. Bird

A (de)light to read: Light Over London

the prisoner in the castle

Down and out in Milton Keynes — and other new thrillers for November

https://www.thetimes.com/article/81754699-c616-416c-b90d-e837895358e9?shareToken=babd69f7845d08469dec79902a5717fd

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/07/books/healing-fiction-japan-korea-before-the-coffee-gets-cold.html

#WaterWater #NetGalley

Several years ago, I listened to a Master Class featuring Collins. I enjoyed learning about his writing process in a series of insightful episodes.

Following this, I read the poet’s collection Whale Day. Now, I have spent time with Water Water, reading a poem a day so as to savor this collection of sixty poems.

Some people veer away from poetry fearing that it is too highbrow or that they won’t understand a verse. Collins is not like that. His poems are written in, what I find, to be a direct and clear style. Readers can choose those that they prefer but they will not feel bewildered overall. The poems often reference every day life and end with something to ponder. So many are worth the reader’s time.

It is easy to recommend this collection.

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

Pub date: 19 November 2024