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

Classic Japanese Short Poems

by Basho, Buson, Issa & Shiki

#Haiku #NetGalley

For those who may not know, haiku poetry consists of seventeen syllables. While this may seem short, so very much can be expressed in this form.

This title includes works by four masters of haiku. Read about each of them before going to the poems. The overall introduction is also informative.

The included poems are often gorgeous and thought provoking. I love that each page includes calligraphy and a transliteration of the Japanese as well as the English translation.

In my opinion each work is a jewel and meant to be savored. Read slowly and take in the experience in this lovely book.

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

Pub date: 14 August 2024

Readers will be able to decide if this book is for them just as soon as the title is read. Anyone who feels that they may indeed people please too much (and perhaps to their own detriment) will find much of value here.

Readers get to learn about Bowen family theory and will understand why people pleasing is so prevalent and, equally, why it may be important to not completely succumb. One thing that I liked in this book was that points are made through the use of vignettes of clients engaged in the therapeutic process. The book is written in a very easy to understand way and will, I think, be welcomed by its target audience.

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

Pub date: 09 July 2024

#EyewitnessHorse #NetGalley

Getting this book as a gift for a horse loving child will ensure immediate popularity and thanks. This title is packed full of information that young horse enthusiasts will find fascinating.

The visual aspect of this book is very impressive with many photos. There is also a lot to learn with some of the topics including Mares and foals; Horses in history; Exploring the horse; Horses of the world; Useful ponies and much more. For each subject there is a two page spread.

This is a book that can be perused in any order. It is a nice entry in the Eye Witness series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and DK-DK Children for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 06 August 2024

#TheGarnettGirls #NetGalley

The Garnett Girls are women who are trying to find their way over the course of this well written first novel. Mother, Margo, was once wildly in love with Richard but all did not go well. She has gone on to a somewhat chaotic life and has been a less than perfect mother.

Margo’s three daughters have their own relationships and issues. Imogen is about to be engaged but is William really the right person for her? Is she doing what is safe or what is best for her? Sasha has a rather prickly relationship with controlling husband Phil, while Rachel seems to have the perfect husband d(he does lots of cooking and childcare). Is he?

Readers follow each of the daughters careers-writer, doctor and lawyer respectively. Has professional success made then happy? What will happen to them and Margo?

This book has wonderful settings. The characters are sufficiently complex and there is lots of plot. All of these make for an involving read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and, Avon and Harper Voyage for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 16 May 2023

From the Publisher

These blurbs are from authors whose books I have enjoyed.

Five stars *****

I highly recommend this title that teaches and empowers girls (though it could be useful to boys, adults…). It is nicely illustrated and packed with information.

This title is divided into sections on matters related to home, schoo,l and being out in the world. Just to give a flavor of the title with a subsection from each area…learn how to do laundry, to have difficult conversations with friends, to understand money matters.

This title would make a great gift and I think the recipient may refer to it often.

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

#TheSwansNest #NetGalley

So many know the poem of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s that begins “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways…” Many also may know that Robert and Elizabeth were deeply attracted to one another. But…how many know the background of their story with the restrictions of Victorian life, strong fathers and connections to Jamaican sugar plantations? How many know where they went to live and how they fared?

Ms. Mc Neal pens excellent historical fiction here. The people are brought to life and some new insights are offered. Historical fiction fans are in for a treat as are admirers of these poets.

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

Pub date: 12 March 2024

From the Publisher

#AMurderMostFrench #NetGalley

Four stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This series began with last year’s Mastering the Art of French Murder. This second title is every bit as delightful.

Here is an historical mystery set in post WWII Paris. It features a fictional protagonist, Tabitha, and a friend of hers. That friend is the larger than life Julia Child. Together the two become involved in murderous situations.

This time, chefs should beware what they drink. Not too far into the novel, two have died after imbibing what should have been very special vintages. Tabitha and Julia are on the case even if the police inspector (and possible romantic interest for Tabitha) does not want their help.

What I like best in this book (and in the first one) is the evocation of Paris. When Tabitha and Julia visit a market it is easy to visualize the food and want to start cooking. And speaking of which, every time Julia is around food, and that is often, the book is so much fun.

Highly recommended to those who are foodies, those who love Paris and those who like historical mysteries. I hope there will be a third book soon

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

Pub date: 23 April 2024

#AGameOfLies #NetGalley

Last April I was lucky enough to hear Clare Mackintosh speak about her foray into a mystery series. It was a change from writing her suspenseful standalones.

After writing the first book, The Last Party, Mackintosh felt that she was not ready to say good-bye to Ffion and those in her world. I am so glad that she did not. I enjoyed The Last Party and highly recommend it. I also very much enjoyed A Game of Lies.

Would you want to be on reality TV? Game of LIes is predicated on a group with secrets who sign up for what they think is one show only to find out (when it is too late) that the show’s premise is based on something else entirely. This leads to disappearance, murder, and a need to find those responsible.

Mackintosh does a good job of evoking the book’s setting on the border of Wales and England. I welcomed back all of the ongoing characters and their (sometimes tricky) relationships. Prickly Ffion is a great character. That she has heart is clear from her relationship with Dave. (Read the book to learn who this is.) I also was happy to again meet up with Leo.

It is not necessary to have read The Last Party to enjoy Game of Lies. That said, this is where the characters are introduced and their complex relationships explored. I recommend reading both. They offer what mystery/suspense readers are looking for.

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

Pub date: 23 April 2024

Four stars ****

The cover of this book, its title and the book’s description all drew me in and made me very eager to read this one. It did not disappoint. I think that The Women of Ardemore House will be adored by those who enjoy a twisty plot and an interesting protagonist.

As in The Maid (Nita Prose),, the main character, inheritor of Ardemore House, sleuth, and keen observer is neurodiverse. This leads to Jo being hyperlexic as just one of her talents. But, readers will enjoy spending time with Jo for many reasons, not just her autism. (It has been noted that the author also is neurodiverse, leading her to be well able to describe Jo’s world.)

Jo is coming out of a difficult period when the story opens. She is recently divorced and has been badly used by her publisher ex. Jo has also experienced the death of her mother. So, when she learns that she has an inheritance in England, Jo is ready to try out the ex-pat life. She arrives to find the requisite decaying country pile and its small cottage, a rather strange caretaker and a portrait…but it disappears.

When caretaker Sid is murdered, the story moves toward solving the case. This gives readers the opportunity to know all those working the case as well as the people in the village.

Who killed Sid? Why? Will Jo find happiness in Britain? Readers will turn the pages as they wait to find out.

I recommend this title. Mystery fans could not do better as they start reading in 2024.

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

An e book bargain today

Shannon Reed offers readers her idiosyncratic answers (and they are many) as to why we read and why she does. Early on Reed shares that, as someone with a hearing impairment, reading books was a comfortable place to be as there was no need to struggle or answer based on imperfect understanding of what was being said. Reed read everywhere and everything, even a car manual when she forgot (never again!) to have a book with her. Bibliophiles will relate to not ever leaving home without something to read; I know that I did.

This is not an academic treatise but more a series of wide ranging personal thoughts and reflections. Throughout it is clear that Reed loves reading and wants her students and everyone, really, to find joy in a book.

Reed begins by talking about getting her first library card and the many libraries that have played a role in her life. I know two of these personally which made the pages come to life for me. 

Whether it is about reading (or not reading) series, signs you may be a character in a popular children’s book, reading to see ourselves across time, for comfort, fun or shock, or more, it is intriguing to see what the author has to say on a variety of topics.

This book would make a fun gift for a reader…even if that reader means giving a gift to one’s self. Take a look at the back of the book for an exhaustive reading list based on the books mentioned in the text. This will give a bibliophile many ideas for what to try next or to fondly remember books that they have read.

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