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.
Hidden in Shadows is part of a newer series that, so far, has two titles published in the U.S. Instead of a more idyllic looking Sandham, these take place in the far north of Sweden where the nights can be long and the weather can be brutal.
In Hidden in Shadows, a champion skier has been murdered. There are many suspects and some subplots as well one of which (trigger warning) has to do with spousal abuse.
Two investigators, Daniel and Hanna, are the ones to figure things out. They do but it is not easy. Of course, while working on the case, each also has a backstory and personal life.
This book is for those who can take their mysteries a bit less sunny. It is not a traditional cozy but is a good example of a more noir like genre. I liked the characters that Sten created in her investigators.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Crossing for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 05 December 2023
NOTE: Both the Sandham Murders and The Are Murders are available to stream. Sandham on MHZ and Are on Netflix.
Many readers may have heard about Amy Chua because of her earlier book on “tiger mothers.” While some may disagree with her thoughts on parenting, many may well agree that this debut novel is worth a read.
The Golden Gate, as can be told from the title, takes place in California. It is a historical mystery set in a time of change. Chua (a professor) gives a lot of detail to make the time period feel present and real.
Early in the novel readers meet wo sisters. One of them somehow is dead and leaves her little sister behind . This death will come back to the plot when a wealthy industrialist/political candidate is found murdered.
The case is assigned to a detective of mixed race background, something that he does not freely acknowledge as he has taken his mother’s more “acceptable” last name as his own. Al Sullivan will be challenged in these pages.
The opening of this book really drew me in. An interview is taking place and some wealthy Bainbridge family members/suspects are being clearly named. Who is/are they responsible? Read the novel to find out.
This first novel by Chua will undoubtedly not be her last. Recommended to those who enjoy mysteries set in America’ past.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my onw.
Getting starred reviews in Kirkus, Publishers Weekly and Booklist is quite a feat, even for an author as loved as Applegate. So, do I think that all of this praise is deserved? YES. This is simply a lovely book.
Find out why Pocket Bear was so named and why his eyes were so placed. Find out his history and where he has been. Also get to know one grumpy cat. Come to love them and others in this beautiful story that is about deep feelings like bravery and love.
This book is geared for kids 8 to 12 years of age. The chapters are short and there are some illustrations. That said, grownups may enjoy this one too. It might make for a good bedtime story..
Note: The word love is oft repeated in this review but I think that it belongs everywhere that it appears.
Many thanks to Macmillan’s Children’s Publishing Group and NetGalley for this title. All thoughts are my own.
Pub date: 09 September 2025
About the book:
From the publisher
Meet Pocket, created as a good luck charm for soldiers going into battle, whose bravery and loyalty lives on long after the war.
From Katherine Applegate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Odder and The One and Only Ivan.
Thimble-born from tip to toe, Pocket Bear remembers every moment of his becoming: the glimmering needle, the silken thread, the tender hands as each careful stitch brought him closer to himself. Born during the throes of WWI, he was designed to fit into the pocket of a soldier’s jacket, eyes sewn a bit higher than normal so that he always gazed upward. That way, glancing at his pocket, a soldier would see an endearing token of love from someone back home, and, hopefully, a good luck charm.
Now, over a century later, Pocket serves as unofficial mayor of Second Chances Home for the Tossed and Treasured, where stuffed toy animals are refurbished and given a fresh opportunity to be loved. He and his best feline friend Zephyrina, known far and wide as “The Cat Burglar,” have seen it all, and then some.
An unforgettable tale of bravery, loyalty, and kindness, Pocket reminds us all that love comes in many forms (sometimes filled with fluff), and that second chances are always possible.
From the Publisher
Editorial Reviews
Review
**INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER** An INDIE BESTSELLER A Publishers Weekly Bestseller A Junior Library Guild GOLD STANDARD Selection An Amazon Best Book of the Month
★ “Newbery Medalist Applegate weaves a gently sophisticated tale that considers the trauma brought about by war on those forced to endure it. Zephyrina’s grudging first-person POV injects humor into tender and eloquent narrative sequences, which Santoso expertly complements with detailed grayscale illustrations depicting moments such as Pocket’s loving creation and a midnight conference of toys. Across brief yet rousing chapters, this treasure of a book evokes laughter, tears, and introspection in equal measure. “–Publishers Weekly, starred & boxed review
★ “Applegate’s writing is exquisitely nuanced; she couches profound themes in accessible language that depicts relatable situations. Gentle, generous Elizaveta and Dasha poignantly underscore the human impact of wars. Santoso’s enchanting, delicate, black-and-white illustrations bring the timeless feeling of a classic to this hopeful, humanizing story of the distressed looking out for each other. Poignant and heartwarming.” –Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ “On its surface, this Toy Story–esque tale is a gentle fantasyadventure with a dash of mystery, but Applegate adds layers that give the story meaningful depth. The history of teddy bears is deftly stitched into the narrative, and the echoes of war quietly reverberate through the tale in unexpected ways. Soft graphite chapter illustrations reflect the story’s sweetness in charming detail, while Zephyrina’s narration adds a memorable and comic touch to this salute to friendship and second chances. ….Applegate’s books are reliably wonderful…”–Booklist, starred review
This is the first in, what appear to be, at least three Cornwall set mysteries featuring two characters with complex pasts. They are Ally and Jayden. Ally was widowed and misses her police officer husband deeply. Her daughter would like Ally to leave Cornwall to be with her in Australia; Ally is very ambivalent. Ally is an artist who creates works from the detritus that she finds on the beach. (She makes a relevant find there).
Jayden worked as a police officer who left the force after a tragedy. He is biracial and not sure if he fits into his wife’s community. Both of these characters are trying to keep their lives moving forward. Will solving a case help them to achieve their goals?
Ally’s husband Bill was haunted by one person’s death. When he arrested this man’s son, Bill offered to help him in the future. When this young man comes knocking on Ally’s door, she (regretfully) turns him away.
Events move forward and this young man is now in the hospital, gravely wounded. His grandmother and only support was not there for him when he got out of prison. Lewis Pascoe has an interaction with the couple that built a new home where his grandmother had been. These events set the scene for the novel.
I enjoyed the main characters in this book and was also interested to meet the people around them. There are many community members in the story so there is no lack of suspects. For example, there is the coffee shop worker and a recently divorced man who is trying to write a novel.
In addition to the mystery and the characters, Cornwall is also a strong presence in the book. Readers will be able to smell the sea, see the cliffs and walk along the shore.
All in all, this was a most enjoyable read. I recommend it to anyone who likes cozy mysteries.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK. All opinions are my own.
I think that Emylia Hall’s excellent series does not garner the attention that it deserves. I have found every title in the Shell House Detective books to be enjoyable.
The stories are set in Cornwall with the area brought to live in a way that lets me recall past time there and leaves me wishing that I could go back.
The Shell House Detectives are Ally and Jayden. Ally’s husband Bill was a local police officer who has died by the time that the series begins. She becomes close to a divorced writer, Guy, in the earlier books. Jayden stands out in the community where most people are white. He is married and at the time that this story begins, his second child has just been born. As a side note, credit to the author for acknowledging how difficult the days of parenting a newborn can be. Ally and Jayden began solving cases (of course) in the first of the series.
As this story begins, an arts festival is about to start. A famous artist has returned to be the guest of honor. Interestingly, he does not seem to bring his best work. He does bring an art dealer, semi significant other who (no spoiler because it happens early in the novel), is murdered. Was she the intended victim? Will there be other deaths? Is the graffiti that is popping up related to the murder? These are just some of the questions requiring answers in the story.
There are many characters to follow. The story line is involving.
Of interest to those who have followed Ally and Gus, a man from Ally’s past has arrived for the festival. Will he and Ally rekindle their relationship? What has brought him back?
This book is about 400 pages long which I loved as I was happy to remain in the company of these characters.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this book. All opinions are my onw.
Note: The e book costs under $5.00 which amazes me
Pub date: 08 April 2025
The audio book:
I toggled between reading and listening as I often do. Listening while I exercise makes the time so much more enjoyable.
The narrator here is spot on…easy to understand, able to speak in the voices of the different characters and able to bring the story to life.
Really well done!
Thanks to NetGalley and the audio publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.
Phryne Fisher is a woman who lives her life the way that she wants and does not apologize for it. Readers may be familiar with her from other books in the long running series. Others may know Phryne from her TV exploits in Miss Fisher’s Mysteries on Acorn TV. Either (or both) ways or even if a reader does not already know her, it is worth while spending time with this protagonist. (Those new to the series do not have to have read the other books but will just have to accept that they do not know all of the characters’ backstories.)
A lot (!) is going on in this book. It opens with a scene that may well jar current sensibilities as an Asian character is called something maybe appropriate to the time of the story but not to our times. Why was this raid done? Was it successful?
At the same time, there are other subplots. Phrnye’s adopted daughters are volunteering at an institute for the blind where someone may indeed be turning a blind eye to discrepancies in the books. Also, why has one of Phryne’s daughter been locked in the music room?
Phrnye find a body (as she tends to). Is this connected to opium pipes that were found in a garden? Who is sending Phryne poisoned pen notes about her personal life (she does have a habit of taking lovers of whom Jeoffrey appears to the the latest)? What is happening with her Asian lover? And to her relationship with police officer Jack?
There are also two women (lovers) who have escaped their institution. Who are they working (and dancing) for?
Will all of these plot lines come together? It will be a test of Ms. Greenwood’s abilities but she has done it before. Follow her lead in 1920s Melbourne where the story takes place. It is an enjoyable read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
Welcome back Phryne and Dot! A new novel with these beloved characters is always cause for rejoicing. This time, Phryne and Dot make their way to a spa for recovering WWI soldiers. It may sound like a peaceful retreat but series regulars know that mayhem is sure to follow, along with a resolution by the end of the novel.
Readers who enjoy fashion, wit and spas are sure to love this latest entry in the series. After reading this, many will look for other titles by Ms. Greenwood or they may want to watch the Miss Fisher mysteries on Acorn TV. Whichever way readers choose to encounter Phryne, they can’t go wrong.
Also note the gorgeous cover of this novel. The artwork is magnificent and Miss Fisher shines.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.
In my opinion, Val McDermid is one of the very best authors of mystery/police procedurals/suspense who is writing today. Her stand alone novel, A Place of Execution is extraordinary. She has another great one in The Vanishing Point. Then, of course, there are Ms. McDermid’s many series. The oldest are the Lindsay Gordon and Kate Brannigans and then there are the Tony Hill and Carol Jordans. However, my favorite series is the one featuring Karen Pirie.
Karen Pirie is a DCI who is in charge of historical cases that generally have a connection in the present. She is based in Scotland although in this book she travels afield, including a trip to Paris. Each novel in the series has several story lines that come together. There is a lot going on in this one.
The books are perhaps read in order although that is not strictly necessary. That said, long term readers will feel for Karen as the killer of her significant other Phil is released from prison. How will this change both her life and that of the killer? Followers of the series will also enjoy being updated on Karen’s relationship with Hamish and the work of her sidekick Jason.
There are several plots. There is the presumed murder of a Scottish political figure in the past and the fate of his brother in the present. There is a body found in a camper vab that may belong to the artist girlfriend of a road accident victim. There are clues like OUDS, 12N, art works, the fate of a conceptual artist and more.
In less talented hands, plates could get dropped but Ms. McDermid is in fine command of her craft. My only criticism is that now I will have to wait at least a year to spend time with Karen again.
Val McDermid writes a number of series; of them all, the Karen Pirie novels are my favorites. Broken Ground is the newest of these. I enjoy Karen. She is a quirky woman who has faced a significant loss and is still recovering. In this novel, she gingerly considers a new relationship. She is an old fashioned copper who cares about justice and what is right. She is loyal to those on her team who are still learners. Karen is the head of the Historical Cases Unit in Scotland. Spending time with her, the members of her team (including her adversaries) and her cases is always time well-spent. In this novel, there are several stories; one relates to events of WWII, another to a serial rapist, and there is also a present day murder. Each of these plots is explored satisfactorily. I finished this book today and am already looking forward to what happens next in the series. I highly recommend both this book and the series.
Many (!) thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this satisfying read.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 