Any women who have felt that they were a part of the “Sandwich” generation will welcome sitting down on a summer’s day to read this story. Those who are not sandwiched will also enjoy the setting, characters and look at a life that are offered in this title.
As I read this one, I thought of the many kinds of sandwiches that there are for Rocky. It is not just between her children and older relatives. She is in the middle of the sandwich between her regular life and this one week away. Rocky is also sandwiched between her past and future.
Readers will enjoy getting to know Rocky and those around her. They will also enjoy some (virtual) beach time as they turn the pages of a story that can be funny, nostalgic and reflective..
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper for this title. All opinions are my own.
Like many readers, I first met Maisie Dobbs twenty years ago. That, in itself, seems remarkable to me. Winspear has kept the series fresh over many books. Readers have watched Maisie develop and grow into herself. Watching Maisie evolve has always been one of the best parts of the books. The mysteries and depictions of war’s impact on people have also been well done.
I will miss Maisie, her husband, her daughter, Billy, Lady Compton and so many others. I hate to see the series end. However, all credit to Winspear for ending in such a satisfying way.
I am not giving much detail on the book. I want to leave that for the reader as they savor their final visit with Maisie. It has been quite a run!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Allison & Busby for this title. All opinions are my own.
The Madam Secretary of the title refers to Frances Perkins. She was the first female cabinet member and Secretary of Labor during FDR’s tenure in the White House. (Anyone who collects Social Security is in her debt.) While clearly this was the pinnacle of Frances’s career, she did much before attaining this post and she also witnessed much history.
Frances saw what happened at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company and was deeply impacted. She worked for Al Smith, a veteran New York politician. She was involved in many progressive issues after receiving her education at Mt. Holyoke College and Penn.
Frances interacted with many well know figures of the day, one of whom was Sinclair Lewis. Readers spend time with FDR and Eleanor as well as France’s close friend, nee Mary Harriman. The era in which she lives feels very real.
In addition to her professional life, Frances had a complicated personal life. No spoilers so learn about her husband when reading.
This is historical fiction at its best. I highly recommend this immersive read.
It is hard to believe that this is Kristen Perrin’s first novel. She writes with an assured hand and keeps readers turning the pages in her take on a traditional mystery.
The story-Frances Adams was a teen growing up in the sixties when she went to see a fortune teller. She was given a very detailed and particular warning of things to watch out for. Much of her subsequent life was spent trying to evade her own death by nefarious means. On this night, Frances was with her friends Emily and Rose. They have roles to play in the story.
Frances had a niece and grandniece who are living an eccentric London life as the story opens. When Annie is summoned to meet with Frances’s lawyer in the small town where Frances has an estate, off she goes. There she meets Walt, the attorney and his relative, Oliver. She also encounters the annoying Elva and her family.
Not a spoiler because this happens early in the story, Frances is found dead. Who will inherit her money? Who killed her? Find out in this very enjoyable novel.
It is easy to recommend this title. Hopefully, Ms. Perrin will keep writing twisty, fun mysteries.
Many thanks to Penguin Group-Dutton for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 26 March 2024
From the Publisher
A Jimmy Fallon’s Book Club Finalist for 2024
AN INSTANT NATIONAL BESTSELLER
A GMA Buzz Pick!
One of Amazon’s Top 10 Best Books of April, One of Jimmy Fallon’s favorite books for Spring 2024, The Top LibraryReads pick for March 2024, A Publishers Marketplace 2024 BuzzBook
Named most anticipated by: Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, BookRiot, BookBub, The Nerd Daily, Shelf Reflection, Novel Suspects, Borrow Read Repeat, The Everygirl, The Scout Guide, The Real Book SpyA
“The pace is quick, the red herrings are plentiful, and Annie’s growth from timid wannabe writer to confident sleuth is beautifully rendered. Combining elements of Agatha Christie, Anthony Horowitz, and Midsomer Murders, this is a richly entertaining whodunit from a promising new talent.”—Publishers Weekly
“Perrin juggles characters and clues with aplomb, sketching in the past via teen Frances’ journals and immersing readers in the present through Annie’s determined, good-hearted point of view. Readers will root for her as she gains hard-won confidence in this entertaining exploration of family secrets.”—BookPage
I have been following this series ever since the first book, A Pedigree to Die For, was published in 1995. Watching Melanie and her little boy Davy grow over the years has been a consistent pleasure. I’ve also enjoyed learning quite a bit about poodles (like why they are made to look as they do in shows) and other canines.
Each book offers a traditional mystery as is the case here. This time the murder victim is a wealthy philanthropist. Who did it? Why? Follow along with Melanie as she figures everything out.
Currently Berenson has been writing a series based on Rose and Peg. Peg has had a role in this older series as well. Both series are fun for lovers of traditional mysteries.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Any women who have felt that they were a part of the “Sandwich” generation will welcome sitting down on a summer’s day to read this story. Those who are not sandwiched will also enjoy the setting, characters and look at a life that are offered in this title.
As I read this one, I thought of the many kinds of sandwiches that there are for Rocky. It is not just between her children and older relatives. She is in the middle of the sandwich between her regular life and this one week away. Rocky is also sandwiched between her past and future.
Readers will enjoy getting to know Rocky and those around her. They will also enjoy some (virtual) beach time as they turn the pages of a story that can be funny, nostalgic and reflective..
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper for this title. All opinions are my own.
Some Jane Austen fans are absolute purists and read only her original works. Others enjoy various iterations of Austen’s stories. For those in the latter category, this series by Claudia Gray is a lot of fun. The newest title featuring Lady Catherine de Bourgh is the third book and it is delightful.
The premise of the series is that a son of Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett, and a young woman, Juliet Tilney, with connections to Northanger Abbey, solve cases together. They make for a charming (if not yet romantic) couple as they go about their work.
Credit to this author for her wittiness and her clever use of existing Austen characters along with the ones that she, herself, has added to the mix. In addition, she has created a good plot.
Will Lady Catherine be alive at the end of this title? Pick it up to find out.
I think that this is the sixteenth book to feature Georgie. It all began with Her Royal Spyness back in 2007. I cannot believe that I have come so late to this enjoyable series. I plan to make my way through the backlist and look forward to hours of pleasure.
Georgie is a Lady and a distant relative of royalty. As this book opens, she is about to go to Paris with her husband. He reminded me of Colin in the Tasha Alexander series as he is on a mission. While the appropriately named Darcy works, Georgie spends time with her friend Belinda, among others.
Belinda is working for Coco Chanel. This gives the reader access to an atelier and the famous designer. There are other real people, including Hemingway mentioned; there are also fictional members of the “lost generation.” In addition, there are Georgie’s mother and her German partner. This is a bit tricky during Hitler’s rise.
Georgie does not know exactly what Darcy’s mission is. She is very concerned however, especially when she hears something about Berlin. Is Darcy a traitor?
Rhys Bowen is a master of her craft. This story unfolds effortlessly. Read it! Come to Paris, enjoy the landmarks and the feel of the city, watch the characters in action and then say (like me), I can’t wait for the next book.
Many thanks to Berkley Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
This is the second coloring book by Eric Dowdle that I have seen. As is true for the first one as well, Dowdle is a master craftsman. His drawings are very intricate and detailed. I think that in many ways that makes these coloring books for older kids and for adults.
This time, Dowdle takes us around the world in his folk style. For each picture, there is one colored by him alongside the one who wants to color. There are then additional coloring pages for many of the locations along with some information.
Start the tour with Amsterdam and you will want to keep going. This is truly a nice books.
Many thanks to Quarto Publishing Group and NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 