An absolutely gripping and heartbreaking love story set against the backdrop of the Crown

by Jade Beer

#ThePalaceDressmaker #NetGalley

I knew that I wanted to read this book as soon as I saw the author, the title, the cover and the description. I was so delighted to read an early copy of this novel.

The Palace Dress Maker offers a long (400 pages) and immersive read that takes place in the present day, the late 1980s and the 1990s. The storylines intersect through protagonist Jayne.

The dressmaker of the title is Meredith. In the current day, she lives in a Bath flat where both she and the readers get to know the other tenants. Meredith is struggling in her day to day life which leads to her meeting Jayne (more on Jayne below).

Meredith appears to be suffering from a form of dementia. She has a memory room that was created by her beloved William. But…where is he?? This is a central question in the novel. Also in the flat is an amazing dress and some notes from a certain Diana. Why does Meredith have these? No spoiler really given the novel’s title.

Jayne has been struggling in life. She is happy in her flat. Jayne works as a dog walker and in a flower shop. Through her jobs, she meets all of the other residents of the flat. Each of them has their own backstory. Note that one of these people is Jake. What will happen between him and Jayne?

I enjoyed this novel which, for me, required some suspension of disbelief. I don’t know enough about dementia to know if events could truly unfold in this way in real life. However, the novel still offers a good read.

Recommended to royal fans and lovers of women’s fiction.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton or this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 05 November 2024

A Mystery

by Olivia Blacke

Olivia Blacke has been writing mysteries for a while. In A New Lease on Death, she begins a new series. I think that readers will enjoy this one and will be happy to know that more titles should be forthcoming.

The one who knows about a murder is Cordelia Graves (Graves!). The victim is Jake Macintyre. The problem is that Cordelia is herself deceased. She needs to find a way to be involved.

The solution? Involve Ruby Young (Yes, she is young). How well will these two work together? Will the killer be brought to justice? Readers will enjoy finding out.

This book is for those who like their traditional mysteries spiced with the supernatural. Perfect for an October release date.

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

Pub date: 29 October 2024

Salvador Dalí

by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

In this entry in the long running series, kids meet Surrealist artist Salvador Dali. He had his own way of creating art and was a unique character. What influenced and inspired him from when he was young Salvador until he was well known? Find out in this story that includes illustrations that are a bit eccentric as seems fitting. Note that there is additional information at the end of the book.

This is a solid entry in the long running series. It is always good to spend time with a child who had dreams.

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

Four stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Lady Emily Mystery

by Tasha Alexander

Tasha Alexander has written more than fifteen novels featuring Lady Emily and her husband Colin. Over time, Lady Emily has become one of my favorite characters as have the others who regularly appear in this historical mystery series.

We have now reached 1906. Lady Emily and Colin are traveling to winter time in Bavaria, home of Mad King Ludwig. They are at a house party that includes a variety of guests/suspects. Among them are several characters who are involved with the arts. There is also the Baroness’s not very well liked son in law.

In addition, readers will spend time with Ludwig and Niels. How will the two time periods and characters tie together?

What will happen when the mayhem begins? Find out in the capable narration of Tasha Alexander. Then, like me, wait for the next adventure to be published.

Fans who enjoy historical mysteries will, I think, want to take a look at this one. Come to the Bavarian Alps and enjoy the virtual trip and time periods.

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

Pub date: 24 September 2024

An e book bargain

This book is related to the author’s earlier novel, The Bookshop on the Corner.  Some characters from that book are present as is the book van book shop, which I love.

While I enjoyed The Bookshop on the Corner, I did not find this novel to be nearly as good.  The premise is there; young mom with a mute child wants to find a new life.  So, Zoe moves to Scotland to work with Nina, the protagonist of the earlier title.  Zoe’s trials caring for three children plus her own and her experiences on the book van are central to the plot.  Of course, there is also a romance. In addition, readers who enjoyed Nina from the last book, will get to see how her pregnancy goes.  There just might be a surprise!

This book may be best for true lovers of this author.  I found it to be a bit slow and surprisingly, for the first time, I did not find myself fully enjoying a book by this author.

I will still read Jenny Colgan’s novels in the future.  I hope that the next one will be as good as I know that she can be.  Let me know what you think if you read this one.  I am interested to know.

Kudos to Anne Perry! She is not an author who rests on her laurels. Ms. Perry recently started a series with Daniel Pitt, son of long-term series regulars Thomas and Charlotte and now, she has started a series featuring Elena Standish. This novel takes place as Hitler is rising to power in Germany.

The characters in the family…Elena is an aspiring photographer. Her sister Margot was widowed shortly after marrying during WWI. Grandfather Lucas was in MI6 during WWI and maintains his connections. His wife, also was active in the war. Then there are Elena’s parents Charles and his wife Katherine. He is a diplomat; she is American. There are many characters not in the family, from the Jewish population in Berlin to the Brownshirts to those who are busy plotting and to Cordell at the British Embassy.

The settings in the novel are vividly described. The book opens in the shadow of Vesuvius where tourists are creating their reality, away from their daily concerns. It is here that Elena meets Ian, a man who sets her on a perilous mission. Thanks to Ms. Perry, i felt like I was on the train with them, right there in the compartment as the talked about themselves. There are so many equally vivid scenes. To mention a few, a British diplomat goes to lunch with Hitler and t he reader feels him sweating; a book burning takes place and the crowd watching is alive in the reader’s mind, a train hurtles toward Paris from Berlin and the reader feels the anxiety of the characters who need to escape quickly.

There are murders and conspiracies and Elena is clearly in peril. The plot does center on some coincidences but I was willing to accept that. The ending of the novel is a crescendo of events with a clear sense of unresolved issues for future novels or at least that is my hope.

I loved Death in Focus, a novel with rich and vivid characters who are trying to make their way in a world that was for ever changed by WW I and is now hurtling toward another war. There are some parallels to our world today in terms of the author’s description of how people who feel they have nothing, feel better when they have a group to hate.

I highly recommend this novel. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e galley in exchange for my honest review.

Other reviews

“[Anne Perry] has found the perfect time period to showcase a family’s impassioned defense of democracy and social justice in the face of rising totalitarianism. . . . Obvious comparisons to Charles Todd’s Bess Crawford and Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs are warranted, but this novel also hearkens back to Helen MacInnes’s classic spy thrillers and Mary Stewart’s romantic suspense novels. At turns heartbreaking and action-packed, this gripping and superbly written story proves Perry still has what it takes.”—Library Journal (starred review)

“Elena’s many narrow escapes and Perry’s immersive re-creation of Nazi-era Europe will keep readers enthralled by this series debut. The numerous characters working behind the scenes both for and against Elena—her beloved grandfather, for example, who is the former head of MI6—are well drawn, but it is the smart, gritty heroine herself who will ensure that readers eagerly anticipate the next in the series.”—Booklist

My First Story Orchestra: Swan Lake

Press the buttons to hear 6 sounds

by Jessica Courtney-Tickle

This title , which is beautifully illustrated, tells the story of Swan Lake in the simplest terms. What makes the hard copy of this book special is that a child can hear excerpts from the music.

A nice title for a young child. There are others in the series.

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

Four stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

From the Publisher

Introduce little ones to the magic of classical music with the reimagining of two of Tchaikovsky’s most famous ballets!

Swan Lake is a story about a young prince in love with a beautiful young girl who turns into a swan at sunrise.

These beautiful musical board books encourage interactive learning via an immersive experience.	As you and your young child journey through the magical scenes, read the story text in each circle aloud and press the buttons on each page to activate the sounds!	Follow the gently gliding Swan Queen as she transforms and captures the heart of the Prince.

The soothing natural scenes are illustrated impeccably, with warm, festive spreads across each page.	Follow Clara on her journey as she joins the Nutcracker in the Land of Sweets.	Bring classical music to life for children aged 0–3 through illustrated retellings of classic ballets!

Calypso, Corpses, and Cooking

by Raquel V. Reyes

#CalypsoCorpsesandCooking #NetGalley

The cover of this traditional mystery seems so appropriate to today when October is nearing its end and Halloween is coming. The cover and title also give a good sense of whether this book will appeal to a reader. If you like cozy stories, pets, food and the fall, here they all are.

This is the second book in a series that features a Cuban American protagonist with a talent for cooking. But, she is also enmeshed in solving some killings. Miriam will do this with panache surrounded by the people in her life and food too.

Recommended to those who are looking for a light read.

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

Pub date: 11 October 22

From the Publisher

The Sunday Times Bestsellers List — the UK’s definitive book chart

https://www.thetimes.com/article/c5ffe854-28da-40b8-92d8-dc2e07dc679f?shareToken=cfb4047922d812c114add57827bd703b

I was/am a great fan of this author’s Max & Ruby series. I did not know about the stories contained in this volume and was delighted to give them a read.

This book has some of the same qualities that have made Wells a beloved author. The illustrations are whimsical and the stories are imaginative. I think that kids and their adults will enjoy this collection of averted cooking disasters. I know that I wish that the Little Chefs would come to visit me!

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

Four stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

From the Publisher

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