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

I read and enjoyed another novel in this series.

Ethel is 73 years old. She can play the senior citizen card when needed but there is so much more to this vibrant woman. Ethel has retired from the FBI but her quick brain, skills, and schemes are as fresh and effective as ever. Get to know her in this enjoyable mystery/caper about murders and shenanigans affecting the Supreme Court.

The author juggles a lot in terms of a complicated scheme in which it takes a little while for readers to figure out what is going on. There are senators, supreme court justices and their clerks, the FBI, Ethel’s relative and friends along with all living in a DC that comes to life here. There is a serious issue underpinning the story that has to do with a Supreme Court’s pending decision on precious metals and mining. The issue feels quite timely.

Those who enjoy cozy thrillers (is there such a thing?) are certain to want to read this one. There is an earlier title in the series as well and I hope that there will be a third to come.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

“I don’t want other people to miss out on the wisdom and joy this genre has to offer, the way I did for so long,” says the best-selling novelist. “Funny Story,” about a heartsore librarian and the new man in her life, is out next week.
— Read on www.nytimes.com/2024/04/18/books/review/emily-henry-funny-story.html

#EricDowdleColoringBookAroundtheWorld #NetGalley

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.

Pub date: 11 June 2024

joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews.blog/2021/10/05/it-was-quite-the-year-1979-by-val-mcdermid/

#SimoneBiles #NetGalley

This entry in the popular series tells the story of the world renowned gymnast. Her successes in competition are certainly given attention but so are some struggles and her willingness to stand up for what is right. All of these facts of Biles make her an inspiration.

Simone Biles is a role model. Here kids will get to know more about her.

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

Pub date: June 25, 2024

#UntoldParis #NetGalley

When I visited Paris for the first time I cried when I left. That is how hard it was to leave a place that I had so long wanted to visit. The streets, the museums, the cafes, the Seince-I truly could not believe that I was there.

We may be hearing a lot about Paris this year because of the Olympics. Much will be highlighted. However, to learn intimately about the City of Light, readers would do well to pick up a copy of Untold Paris. It is written by someone with a deep insider’s knowledge of the city.

The title is divided into sections on Art and Culture, Food and Drink, History, In the Shadows and Ways of Life. Just some of the subheadings include Cafes and Literature, Eiffel and His Monument, The Art of French Pastry, The German Occupation, The Girl in the Champagne Bath, French vs English and so much more.

This eclectic guide is illustrated with some lovely drawings. They enhance the pleasure of the book.

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

Pub date: 25 June 2024

An e book bargain for 19 April 2024

 #TheMysteryGuest #NetGalley

Nita Prose’s first novel, The Maid, introduced the interesting hotel maid Molly. She will make readers appreciate the folks who do this work for their comfort. Molly was around murder in that book and history repeats itself here.

The murder takes place in the hotel’s newly refurbished and elegant tea room. The victim is a wildly popular mystery writer with a fan club. He was at the hotel to share an important announcement. Of course, he died before the speech and all of his cue cards are missing.

It turns out that Molly had a connection to this victim. She brings her unique intelligence and set of skills to figuring out what happened. Along the way, readers are treated to many of her aphorisms and get to enjoy her relationship with her grandmother among others.

I was lucky enough to hear the author speak at a mystery conference last year. She acknowledged the difficulties of writing a second book when the first was well received. In my opinion, Ms. Prose did a find job here.

Those who like a traditional mystery with an untraditional protagonist will enjoy The Mystery Guest. This book can be read on its own but readers who like Molly will probably want to read that first book as well.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for this title. All opinions are my own.

This book was published in November 2023

From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Heartwarming . . . Like Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple, who’s rendered invisible because she’s an old woman, Molly and her grandmother are not seen because of the kind of work they do. In this affecting and socially-pointed mystery series, however, invisibility becomes the superpower of the pink-collar proletariat.”—NPR

“[Molly] returns in The Mystery Guest, which builds upon The Maid’s many charms. Prose peppers the mystery with sly jokes about the vagaries of crime writing, but Molly’s voice remains central and moving.”—The New York Times

“Molly is a singular character—she’s intelligent, unfailingly honest and the epitome of a professional maid—and readers will enjoy checking into the Regency Grand to follow her and her exploits.”—BookPage

#TheMetColors #NetGalley

What a fun way to learn colors! For each color, a work of art in the museum’s collection is featured. For anyone who has access to the Met Museum. a treasure hunt of these objects would be fun. At the end of the book, kids are asked to recall the color of each art work. There is also a list of each work that is in the book.

This is an appealing way to learn both colors and a bit about art. I liked it very much.

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

Pub date: 16 April 2024

Four stars ****

This cookbook is one that will take readers away to a vacation feeling. The photos are beautiful and will have readers/chefs dreaming of summer.

The author has organized the recipes by the following: Mornings by the Water, Light Meals on Deck, Sundown Hour, Hearty Meals to Share and, Sweet Finishes. Before going to the recipes, it will be helpful to read the beginning sections which include an introduction, information on stocking a pantry and a piece on farmer’s markets.

The recipes…breakfast…how about cornmeal pancakes or crispy pasta with fried eggs? For later in the day the maple glazed carrots look delicious. I also would like to eat eh fresh Vietnamese-Style spring rolls or the salty banana Nutella toasts, among many other good chices..

Do as the author suggests if you are lucky enough to be going on vacation. Take this cookbook with you. The recipes are clear and doable.

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

#HowtoSolveYourOwnMurder #NetGalley

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

“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