An e book bargain

#ACyclistsGuidetoCrimeCroissants #NetGalley

I was initially drawn to this one by the book’s title and the cover which I found very appealing. Happily, the story inside these pages also offered an enjoyable read with gorgeous locations, some good characters and an interesting plot.

Sadie was the kind of person who lived a predictable life as exemplified by her position as an actuary. Her life changes following the unexpected death of her best friend, Gemma (not too much of a spoiler as this happens very early in the book).

Sadie needs a change and purchases a bike tour company in France (now that sound pretty nice). However, of course, there are problems. These include vandalism and murder. No spoilers so hard to say much more except that this was a fun, cozy read. I hope that it is the start of a series.

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

Pub date: 21 May 2024

#TheWomanontheLedge #NetGalley

By now readers know that a book whose title includes the words ”The Girl” or “The Woman” is going to find a complex, twisty story where it is hard to know who to believe and exactly what happened. That is certainly the case in Mancini’s page turner. Mancini is a British criminal defense attorney so keep an eye on the lawyer in the story.

It starts with a holiday party. A woman who works as a temp goes to this party where, by the way, her married lover also works. When she goes out on the roof for some air, she finds said woman on the ledge. She is threatening to jump. Tate talks the woman, who says her name is Helen, down. Things get increasingly complicated when Helen seeks Tate’s help the very next day. She says that she lost an earring at the party and convinces Tate to return to the London high rise building.

Horrifically a woman dies. Tate is arrested. Helen can’t be found. Was she really named Helen? Stories come and go. As is the case in these novels, that the reader does not know what to make of events and who to believe. Pages turn as readers seek answers.

I first heard about this novel in a British magazine and knew that I wanted to read it. You might want to as well.

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

Pub date: 16 January 2024

⭐⭐⭐⭐

As a reader, I have been on quite a journey with this author and her character Maggie Hope, sometimes known as Paige Kelly. This title is the last and eleventh in the series that began with Mr. Churchill’s Secretary. Over the course of the novels, Maggie has taken on new jobs, new relationships, new challenges and also has experienced risks and loss. She feels like a friend to me and I will miss her. (or maybe I will just begin again with book one and keep going).

In many of these titles, real people intersect with the fictional ones in the story. This time, Coco Chanel is just one of those real people along with her German lover. Anyone who watched the Apple series on Chanel and Dior will recognize the way that she is portrayed here. How will her life intersect with Maggie’s this time? The two have history from an earlier book.

Maggie is tasked with going to Spain by none other than Kim Philby. People who know their history may have some idea about what this might mean. Maggie is told to assassinate a prominent German scientist to prevent his work on atomic bombs going forward. Will she do what is expected of her?

Just one person Maggie meets along the way is a famous bullfighter. There are people from the embassy and a rich and full cast of characters here.

In addition, there are developments in Maggie’s personal life in this story. No spoilers so no more to be said.

All in all, the author has ended the series in a most satisfying way. Nonetheless, I am sorry to say good-bye.

I recommend this title highly but note that readers may want to enjoy some of the earlier title first.

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

Christmas Crimes at The Mysterious Bookshop

by Otto Penzler (Edited by)

The Mysterious Bookshop is a wonderful place to visit in person. Luckily for those who can’t get there, Penzler publishes many titles. This time, he has collected seasonal stories that were first given to the store’s favored customers as a holiday gift. Now they can be read by bibliophiles everywhere.

Here are stories that follow three rules-they had to be seasonal, there needed to be a crime and, at least in part, must take place in a bookstore. From there, writers created their own engaging tales.

Some of the authors included in this volume are Lyndsay Faye, Ace Atkins, Laura Lippman, Ragnar Jonasson and Tom Mead. There are sure to be finds here for readers with varied tastes.

This book would make a perfect stocking stuffer. Penzler had indeed offered a gift to readers.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers-Mysterious Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Four stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Each tale’s brevity makes it easy to dip into and out of the collection, and the mix of big names . . . with lesser-knowns offers a spirited survey of contemporary crime fiction.”
― Publishers Weekly

“The stories are all refreshingly good-natured and, in the spirit of the season, lean toward peace on earth and good will to most. A must for every mystery lover’s wish list.”
― Kirkus

A Shell House Detectives Mystery

by Emylia Hall

#TheRockpoolMurder3 #NetGalley

I very much like the Shell House Detectives series. This is the third title that I have read and I am already looking forward to the fourth which comes out in November.

Characters are well fleshed out. Readers are let into the lives of the two main ones, Ally and Jayden; they became detectives unexpectedly in the first novel. Ally is a widow who deeply grieves the loss of her husband Bill, a well-liked police officer. She is also an artist, a mother, a friend, and a woman who is considering a new relationship as well. Jayden was a city based police officer who left the force after a tragic incident. He came to Cornwall with his partner as he needed a change.

In addition to the characters, I love the visits to Cornwall. The seascape especially is well described.

In this entry the murder victim is music legend Baz. He had just published a revelatory biography that undoubtedly upset those who knew him. He is found dead, floating in a pool, on his 70th birthday weekend. There are many suspects in the party guests; they are relatives and those who were also in the music business. Each of them has a story and these are told.

Who killed Baz? Readers will want to know but I find that part of the pleasure in the Ally-Jayden stories is just as much about getting to be with them and those around them.

Very highly recommended to fans of traditional mysteries.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 19 March 2024

The others in the series:

I enjoyed spending time with: The Shell House Detectives (Emylia Hall)

The Harbour Lights Mystery (Emylia Hall)

The next one…

A Novel of Queen Elizabeth II and Her Beloved Corgi, Susan

by Eliza Knight

I have read a number of historical fiction titles that are about Princess/Queen Elizabeth and enjoyed them so I was quite excited about this book. It is by an author I already like. In fact, I purchased The Queen’s Faithful Companion even before I heard back reagarding my NetGalley request. (Thanks for the egalley to NetGalley and William Morrow. I now have two copies of this one.)

This was a very enjoyable read. It tells a story that many may know but with the addition of Susan. Susan was the first in a long line of corgis beloved by Elizabeth. Her presence adds to the fun of the book.

Readers also have the pleasure of meeting Hanna. She takes care of the dogs and gets to know Elizabeth well.

This book humanizes Elizabeth. After all, any dog lover has something in common with her.

It is easy to recommend this delightful read.

Pub date: 11 June 2024

From the Publisher

A Parisian summer romance from the BESTSELLING author of Summer at the Santorini Bookshop

by Rebecca Raisin

 #ALoveLettertoParis #NetGalley

Rebecca Raisin is a go to author when I need a bit of escape. This time I was excited to see that she set her story in Paris. What could be better? Oh yes, some romance.

All of the elements come together in this fun read. There are old love letters, new matchmakers and finding one’s soul mate. Again, what could be better?

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

Pub date: 08 July 2024

A Rip Through Time Novel

by Kelley Armstrong

Disturbing the Dead is the third entry in Armstrong’s fun time slip mysteries. For those have not dipped into this series…Murder detective Mallory Atkinson has been transported from the current day to Glasgow in the Victorian Era. She has (suspend disbelief) transformed and is a housemaid named Catriona Mitchell. She continues to investigate crimes.

Many know that the Victorians often attended seances. What will happen when Catriona attends one? It is a safe guess that there will be murder and mayhem. The fun is in watching the events unfold.

Recommended to those who enjoy mysteries and historical fiction.

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

Pub date: 07 May 2024

by Marie O’Regan; Paul Kane; C.L. Taylor; J. T. Ellison; David Bell; Sarah Hilary; Claire McGowan; Fiona Cummins; Angela Clarke; Alexandra Benedict; Susi Holliday; Tina Baker; Sam Carrington; Liz Mistry; Tom Mead

Thinking about buying a Christmas themed mystery book for someone you know…or yourself? Look no further. This is a fun anthology with a holiday flair.

Inside are 18 stories by many authors whose books I have enjoyed. Just a few of these writers are Belinda Bauer, David Bell, J T Ellison, Clare McGowan, and Tom Mead.

Some times a short story is just the right thing. For anyone who enjoys a quick read, dip in anywhere in this title. There are some gems.

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

Four stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

From the Publisher

Julia Child has been having a fictional moment. She has been a detective in Paris in the new series by Colleen Cambridge and has been in a TV series as well. In The Secret War of Julia Child, Diana R. Chambers nimbly lets readers into Julia’s world.

In these pages, readers get a sense of how Julia felt about herself (too tall, for one), her parents, her hopes to do something with her life, her wishes for a relationship and more. Readers also find out about Julia’s experiences in WW II. She worked for “Wild” Bill Donovan and was stationed in India and Ceylon, among other places. Some of her work was clandestine. Some of it led to her meeting Paul Child-of course, Julia McWilliams became Julia Child in time.

This story is about much that happened before Child became known for her cooking. It offers an immersive look at her life and WWII. I recommend it highly to fans of Child and historical fiction.

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

Four stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

From the Publisher