Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese

An e book bargain

Those who have read The Scarlet Letter, no doubt remember Hester Prynne. I can’t help but feel that the book would make an interesting reread in this time of MeToo.

In this novel, author Albanese, offers a twist of the kaleidoscope variation on that book. Here readers meet a young woman with synesthesia who emigrates to the U.S. with her husband. Isobel meets Nathaniel Hawthorne, the author of The Scarlet Letter. They are brought together with intensity.

Readers will long remember Isobel. She is a risk taker, a woman of action who acts upon her strong beliefs.

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

Pub date: 04 October 2022

From the Publisher

Hester Laurie Lico Albanese
Hester Laurie Lico Albanese Sarah Penner quote
Hester Laurie Lico Albanese Fiona Davis quote
Hester Laurie Lico Albanese Christina Baker Kline quote

Named a Most Anticipated Book for Fall by Goodreads • Washington Post • New York Post • BuzzFeed • PopSugar • Business Insider • An October Indie Next List Pick • An October LibraryReads Pick

An e book bargain:

Starting out, know that this is one of the very best of Marian Keyes’s novels. It is engaging and absorbing. The characters are so alive and the pages turn quickly. Note, too, that in this novel, Ms. Keyes takes on some big themes including addiction, relationships and SPOILER BELOW

stillbirth, along with much else.

Ms. Keyes writes like a true insider here. Her descriptions of what it means to lose a much longed for baby ring so true. Anyone who has had to deal with infertility, miscarriage or pregnancy loss will know just how authentically the experience is described. Those who have not had these woes will certainly develop empathy for those who have.

SPOILER ENDED

Rachel works at a treatment center. Anyone who wonders what goes on when addicts are facing their actions and lives will learn a great deal. This could be very helpful to anyone who has a loved one who has needed such care. These sections give a real “fly on the wall” feeling.

Now, be clear that this is a wonderfully involving novel with good story lines. It is by no means a didactic title.

Rachel and those around her first became known to readers through Rachel’s Holiday, a novel that was published twenty years or so ago. Fans of that title will be delighted to see Rachel again. Those who have not read that book, no worries. It is very easy to step into the lives of this clan.

As the story opens, Rachel’s life seems to be going well. But, of course, there will be challenges. Readers will be hoping for all the best for Rachel. She is a character that it is easy to love.

Order this. It is such a good book. I highly recommend it!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Some other opinions:

“A witty and warm-hearted sequel. . . .  Effortlessly segueing from tragedy to comedy. . . . A novel replete with beautifully well-rounded secondary characters. . . . Again, Rachel has all of Keyes’s trademark wit, humour and whip-smart dialogue, but it’s also a novel teeming with compassion and redemption.” —The Observer

“Simply superb. . . . [Keyes] is hands down the funniest writer in the business.” —The Irish Times

“Keyes delivers punchy home truths with wit and charm. . . . Keyes’s beady-eyed observations and sparky, sweary dialogue . . . lighten another agonisingly painful story. There is a real genius to the way Keyes brings deep, awful truths to the surface. The plotting is more skillfully turned than in Rachel’s Holiday, and Keyes’s ability to keep the balance between realism and fantasy works like a kind of fairy charm. . . . Keyes has mastered the art of writing books that read like treats, but turn out to be good for you.” —The Telegraph

“Assured, wise and witty with superb observational detail, the characters and dialogue are so on point that reading Marian Keyes is like being cradled in safe arms. . . . Keyes fans won’t be disappointed and this is destined to be as successful as its forerunner.” —Woman & Home

“Rachel’s recovery storyline . . . is expertly crafted, as Keyes delves into what happens when a loss is so overwhelming that your usual support systems stop providing comfort. That portrait of grief, in particular the challenge it poses to those in recovery, is rendered with great compassion and acute emotional honesty.” —Independent (Irelan

Come visit: The Red House Mystery (A.A. Milne)

#TheRedHouseMystery #NetGalley

Yes, it is that Milne! What many may not know is that the author of the Winnie-the-Pooh stories also tried his hand at detective fiction. It is a shame that he only wrote one story since, as it turns out, he was pretty good at it!

This is a classic, country house mystery. There are a murder, many suspects, a prodigal brother’s return, an amateur detective (and his friend) and more than enough to keep the pages turning. There is even some humor.

It is very easy to recommend this reissue to fans of the Golden Age of Detective fiction.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Pushkin Press-Pushkin Vertigo for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 03 September 2024

Village Politics Can Be Murder (Jeanne Dams)

#VillagePoliticsCanBeMurder #NetGalley

Dorothy Martin, Anglophile to her core, is back in the 26th entry in Martin’s series that features the ex-pat of a certain age and her husband, retired Chief Constable Alan Nesbitt. This time the two are in the scenic Lake District where some very un-scenic events, including murder, have transpired. Readers can rest assured that the case will be solved in a fair play story that features multiple suspects (and some good meals) and a lot of sleuthing, both amateur and professional.

Those who enjoy traditional mysteries will enjoy this one. It can be read without having made one’s way through all of the other titles. That said, the backlist is one that can also be enjoyed.

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

Pub date: 04 June 2024

Enjoy your visits: The Botanic Garden (Ambra Edwards)

#TheBotanicGarden #NetGalley

Right now it is very hot and steamy where I live. What better way to escape the misery than to visit some gardens virtually. There are twenty-seven destinations in these pages and my local garden is even included.

Begin with the detailed and informative introduction and then travel to Oxford, Berlin, Singapore, Missouri, New York, Mauritius, Belize and more locales in these pages. Each entry is packed with information and illustrations.

I now feel even more strongly that whenever I travel, I will look for local gardens. This book will be enjoyed by all who love what nature provides.

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

Pub date: 27 August 2024

A Lido worth celebrating. An e book bargain under the alternate title Mornings with Rosemary

The Lido is simply a lovely book. It is a story of friendship between the generations and the joys of community. Kate is a twenty-six year old reporter who suffers from a panic disorder. She is assigned the story of the lido, an outdoor pool, that is threatened with foreclosure. In covering this story, Kate moves ahead in her own life. Kate works with eighty-something year old Rosemary on the lido campaign. The story of the lido links with Rosemary’s childhood and marriage. Widow Rosemary recalls the love of her George throughout the novel in touching and moving ways. Surprise of this book…author Libby Page is only in her 20s and this is her first novel. Bravo Ms. Page! You have written a sweet, touching and life-affirming story.  Thank you NetGalley!

An e book bargain today: The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

This novel is certain to be one of the “big” novels of the fall. Its author Ann Patchett is well known for her thoughtful, literary style and moving story lines. The Dutch House will be welcomed by Patchett’s loyal readers and may well attract some new fans.

The book tells the story of siblings, Maeve and Danny, those around them and the home that resonates with them. The story moves back and forth in time as characters and their stories take center stage or temporarily recede.

This is a complex and sophisticated novel that makes readers think about relationships (parent/child, stepparent/child, husband/wife, siblings, step-siblings, those who work for families), finding a way in life, sacrifices and choices. Readers will not forget The Dutch House and those who lived there.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read in exchange for an honest review.

Other Reviews

“Patchett’s splendid novel is a thoughtful, compassionate exploration of obsession and forgiveness, what people acquire, keep, lose or give away, and what they leave behind.”— (Publishers Weekly (starred review))

“Like the many-windowed mansion at its center, this richly furnished novel gives brilliantly clear views into the lives it contains.” (Kirkus Reviews (starred review))

“Expect miracles when you read Ann Patchett’s fiction.” (New York Times Book Review)

“Patchett is a master storyteller.” (O, the Oprah Magazine)

“A lavishly gifted writer.” (Los Angeles Times)

Now out: The Minotaur Sampler

Here is the twelfth edition of one of my favorite reads. These samplers offer such a good way to learn about forthcoming mystery titles. I now know that I want to read just about every one of the books featured on the cover.

Read the book descriptions. Take a look at the generous excerpts and learn about the authors. Then make your choices! What fun.

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

Five stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐