The Complete Novel, Featuring the Characters’ Letters and Mementos, Written and Folded by Hand
by L. M. Montgomery with contributions by Barbara Heller
This edition of the beloved classic will be a gift to true lovers of the red headed young orphan. As the cover promises, in addition to the novel, this volume includes character’s letters and mementos, written and folded by hand. What a treat! I will need to purchase the book as these special additions are not in the e galley.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Talking to Strangers is an absorbing addition to Barton’s earlier books. Once again readers get to spend time with Elise King. She has been through a lot (no spoilers) but is back on the job. She and her partner are on the complex case of Karen Simmons. Was her murder related to her desire to find “the one?” Who murdered her? She had been so full of life and part of a group of singles. Does this connect to her murder?
Kiki (so named by an editor) is a reporter who is following the case. She has been preparing to write articles about on-line dating. Not the easiest way to meet someone as Kiki discovers when she is on a date after a swipe early in the book. She and Elise have a history.
Readers also meet Annie. How, if at all, is a tragedy in her past related to the current case? Readers will definitely want to know.
Readers of thrillers will, I think enjoy this book. I recommend it for the way the story comes to life and for the time I got to spend with the characters. I also liked that the chapters were from the points of view of several of these people. Many chapters are short so it is very easy to keep turning the pages. Remember to pay attention to characters who may not feel like the most significant ones.
Here is what Kirkus says: A compelling demonstration of the sad truth that there’s no neutral way to conduct a murder investigation. Everybody pays.
I say, Watch out!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 27 August 2024
From the Publisher
Editorial Reviews
Review
“Tense and topical” — People
“Barton effortlessly toggles between each woman’s viewpoint, maintaining suspense as she builds to the plot’s devastating resolution.” — Publishers Weekly
When I think about what makes me engage with a book, the answer is generally the characters. Setting, plot and other elements of novels are also important but what I most seek is to spend time with the people and to care about them. Sarah Morgan gave me exactly what i wanted in The Summer Swap, a book that I recommend for an engaging spring/summer read.
Who is in the novel? Here are some of the people.
Cameron is an artist who is no longer alive but whose reputation and reach continue following his death.
Cecilia generally became known as Cameron’s wife but she was/is her own person. It was not always easy to be subsumed by her husband and their marriage was complicated. She is now trying to figure out what she wants (as are all the characters).
Kristen and Winston are Cameron and Cecilia’s middle aged children. Kristen is rather controlling, married to a surgeon and flirting with a possible dalliance as the book opens. Winston has a more laidback personality than the tense Kristen. Both Winston and Kristen have young adult children who also feature in the story.
Lily has had the hopes of her family placed on her shoulders. It is difficult when she realizes that she needs to find her own path in life, not do only what is expected. She has connections with Kristen’s daughter and has been in love with Winston’s son.
Watch out too for the journalist who flirts with Kristen. He may have ulterion motives.
As the story opens, readers learn that Lily is finding her way on the Cape. The Cape is also a place to which Cecilia travels when she escapes from the family party she did not want to attend. It is a place with some painful memories. Readers can expect that Lily and Cecilia will meet.
What happens to each of these characters makes up the essence of this very readable story. I enjoyed it so much and now will keep an eye out for a new book by this author. (I also liked her last novel The Book Club a great deal.)
Those who enjoy women’s fiction will, I am certain want to read The Summer Swap. Mark the calendar for its release date.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.
Doris Kearns Goodwin is a respected presidential historian who has won many awards. This is easy to understand as she writes about her subjects in a detailed and engaging way.
This time, in this illustrated title, Goodwin is writing for the middle school reader. In this book, she tells the stories of four men who became president. They are Lincoln, both Roosevelts, and Johnson. Readers will learn much about their early years, influences and what they brought to the presidency.
I find this title to offer an inspiring view of these men who became leaders. This is so encouraging and optimistic to think about in our divided times. It would be great if some kids who read this book are inspired to look at political careers and/or to study history.
Starting with the introduction, Goodwin speaks directly to her audience. I hope and trust that she will engage them.
It is easy to recommend this book. It belongs in school libraries.
Note the many boxes filled with additional information. For example, one of those in the section on Lincoln explores how slavery became part of American history.
By the way, adults may also find this book to be quite interesting.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing. All opinions are my own.
Remember when the first Harry Potter title was published? It went on to become one of those books that just took off and has been loved by so many. Similarly, I think that Impossible Creatures has every chance of being that next, very special book.
This novel tells an involving story of two children and a created world. First readers meet Christopher. One day he rescues a baby griffin and his life changes for ever. On this very same day, Christopher meets Mal (and her magic coat). She is in need of his help. Of course the two join forces.
Over the course of this book much happens to these characters in a story that is heroic, magical and engaging. Note that the illustrations add much pleasure to the reading. These are whimsical and quite appealing.
In my opinion, young readers will be very eager to get their hands on this one! I am sure that it will get kids reading. Yay!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children’s-Knopf Books for Young Readers for this title. All opinions are my own.
Delicious Dairy-Free and Gluten-Free Cakes, Cookies, Breads, and More
by Danielle Cochran
#CraveworthyBaking #NetGalley
This is a book that will excite its intended audience of bakers who need dairy and gluten free recipes. However, those without restrictions may well want to try them too.
Following an introduction and a section on “Kitchen Essentials” there are many recipes. These are organized by categories including Cookies & Bars; Cakes & Cupcakes; Cheesecakes, Puddings & Custards; Pies, Tarts & Pastries; Sweet Breads, Muffins & Rolls; and finally, Savory Breads.
It is hard to pick a few examples of recipes as so many of them sound delicious. How about Turtle Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookies or Rainbow Confetti Cheesecake? Maybe try Pumpkin Streusel Muffins or Cathead Biscuits? There are lots of others too. For each, the directions are clear and the photos are mouthwatering.
This book looks like a terrific resource to me.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
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..
The month-by-month guide to your best ever gardening year
I found this to be a lovely title. There are attractive illustrations as well as many photos throughout. Gardeners will find much helpful information in these pages, while non-gardeners will enjoy the virtual visits.
This title is organized by month. Each month begins with an illustration and a thoughtful and evocative paragraph. Information follows on many topics. To name some, there are what to do in (that month), plants of the month, projects, info on things like average rainfall, challenges and more. I liked the many entries on “Horticultural Heroes.”
This title belongs on British gardeners bookshelves. I can imagine that its audience would want to purchase this one every year.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
I very much liked the illustrations in this storybook. They are very sweet and appealing. To me, they are the best part of this title.
The story itself is a simple one about an animal community celebrating Christmas. My favorite part was how presents were found-they were located after finding a series of notes. This seems like an idea that many families could try.
This might be an addition to a family’s collection of holiday stories for children. It is not unique but it does get into the spirit of the season.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atmosphere Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
Those who enjoy reading traditional mysteries will, I think, enjoy this first title in what I hope will be a series. It has a good setting, good characters, an interesting mystery and jigsaw puzzles.
When the husband of Alice’s best friend Ruby is murdered, the stage is set. George was cheating on Ruby but would this be enough for her to murder him? Who was the mysterious wigged woman with George right before he died? Still, all of the motives may not be personal; is it possible that his role in the government with budget power led someone to go too far? Could there be other reasons based on George’s behavior? Find out and enjoy spending time with Alice, her granddaughters and the many others in these pages.
Puzzle Me a Murder offers a good puzzle and a fun read. Recommended for its audience.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 