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

#MayContainMurder #NetGalley

This title is Murrin’s sophomore effort, following on Knife Skills for Beginners. Both feature an amateur sleuth who is also a chef. This means that there is a lot of delightful information about food and meals in the books.

This time Paul is on a sea cruise. He was invited by a wealthy female friend. She has just married Sir Billy. Will their happiness last? What will become of the very, very expensive necklace that Xera was given by him?

This book is peopled with so many characters. They include the crew of the private yacht and the guests. Not all of them are likeable. And, of course, one of them will be murdered, leaving Paul to figure things out.

I liked many things about this book but did find the plot to require significant suspension of disbelief. Still, I believe that Murrin had great fun while writing his tale. His sense of humor is quite evident. For example, the yacht is named the Maldemer (anyone who has studied French knows that this refers to seasickness!).

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

Pub date: 16 December 2025

Post first published on 11 January2026

Description:

from the publisher

For fans of Nita Prose, Benjamin Stevenson, and Jessa Maxwell, this delightfully witty and tightly-written new locked room culinary mystery from the MasterChef semi-finalist, cookbook writer, and bestselling author of Knife Skills for Beginners features a charming chef, delicious original recipes, and a killer cruise aboard a luxurious superyacht.

“If it weren’t for all the terrible things that have been happening, I’d consider myself the luckiest man alive . . .”

While his flooded house undergoes repairs, chef-turned-writer Paul Delamare has been offered an accommodation upgrade—an all-expenses-paid trip aboard a private superyacht in the company of Xéra, one of his dearest friends. Paul will help Xéra work on her memoirs as Maldemer glides its sumptuous way to the Caribbean. The scenery is stunning, the luxury is unparalleled, and the food…well, at least the dishes that Paul is roped into preparing are delicious. The hired chef, meanwhile, seems completely out of her depth.

She’s not the only one. Much as Paul adores Xéra, a Parisian socialite who he was introduced to by his late lover, Marcus, he has little in common with the other guests, a motley crew consisting of Xéra’s new husband and his grasping family. 

When Xéra’s priceless new necklace goes missing, Paul falls under suspicion. But there’s far worse in store, as one of the passengers is found dead in mysterious and grisly circumstances. The stormy weather matches the threatening mood onboard, and as Maldemer veers off course, every semblance of order goes with it.

Above and below deck there are secrets and dangerous alliances. And as he untangles the truth, it becomes clear that Paul’s sharing close quarters with a killer eager to make this his final voyage . . .

From the Publisher

An e book bargain

#OtherPeoplesHouses #NetGalley

I was lucky enough to hear Clare Mackintosh speak not long after I had read the first book in her Ffion Morgan series. That was an enjoyable experience.

I have since read books 2 and 3 in the series with the third one being Other People’s Houses. I was delighted to spend time in Ffion’s world again, both professionally and in her off duty life.

Mackintosh has created a number of series characters whom I was happy to again see. These include Ffion’s former husband, her new love and his son, her daughter, her mother and, of course her dog. He is a handful.

Ffion is an officer in Wales while Leo, her boyfriend, works with the English police. Their cases often overlap as they do here.

Leo has been investigating a number of break ins in a wealthy enclave. As it turns out, his former wife does not live there but is close by and is trying to ingratiate herself with her upscale neighbors. Meanwhile, there has been a murder in Wales of a female realtor. Readers will observe as the cases intersect.

Readers will also follow a crime podcast of a cold case. Will this become relevant to Leo and Ffion’s case?

I highly recommend this series. The settings are well done, the characters are interesting, readers will hope that Ffion and Leo can keep their relationship going and the snarky bits are fun.

Recommended to fans of Welsh and English crime, those who like series and those who enjoy a good crime story. Publishers Weekly states that “…mystery readers of all stripes will find something to like.”

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

Pub date: 16 September 2025

Another in the series:

Observe: A Game of Lies (Clare Mackintosh)

Another book by the author:

Fasten your seatbelts: Hostage by Clare Mackintosh

#HereOneMoment #NetGalley

What a concept! Imagine you are on a plane. You have your reasons for being there, things that you are thinking about and have settled in. Imagine that in the midst of whatever you are doing, a woman stands in front of you and tells you when you will die and of what. How would you react? How intense would that be? This is the monumental basis for Moriarty’s latest novel. No spoiler-she spectacularly pulls it off.

Get to know many characters. They are of different ages, sexes, experiences. How will they move forward when they have this information? Will it be true? Who is the woman making the predictions? Read this long (500 plus pages) novel that is divided into many short sections to find out. See if it will change you.

Highly recommended.

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

Pub date: 10 September 2024

From the Publisher

www.nytimes.com/2026/01/09/books/vacation-travel-romance-books.html

www.nytimes.com/article/emily-henry-books.html

#SomedayThisWillBeaFunnyStory #NetGalley

Nora Ephron was a writer who was beloved by many for her insight, wit and warmth. The world lost a person with a unique point of view when she died.

Here is a chance for those who read her works (and those new to her) to get bite sized pieces of her wisdom. Find what you are looking for within these topics: Reading and Writing; Parents and Children; Marriage and Divorce; New York City; Food; Style, Beauty and Getting Older; and, How to Live, Love, and, When Necessary Get Over It.

This is a book to dip in and out of. It is nicely laid out and has appealing illustrations. It would make a great gift for someone (or one’s self).

Many thanks to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage & Anchor along with NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 10 March 2025

Post first published on 10 January 2026

Description:

From “the queen of quips” (The New York Times) comes an inspiring and hilarious quote collection about everything that matters—love and heartbreak, good food and good company, aging well and writing well

We all want a best friend like Nora Ephron: frank but forgiving, wry but caring, someone who knows not only what to say but how to say it.

Don’t know what to wear? “Everything matches black, especially black.”

Trouble in love? “You can never know the truth of anyone’s marriage, including your own.”

Searching for a new belief system? “My religion is Get Over It.”

Here is the best of Nora for every season of life, across her storied career, from her early days in the news media to becoming the author of a cult classic novel, to her unexpected turn as a legendary Hollywood writer. Nora saw it all, and with a wicked sense of humor and shrewd intellect, she made it all deliciously funny. Filled with unforgettable lines, this is a celebration of Nora’s singular wit and generosity—start at the beginning, or flip to any page for instant delight.

In my opinion, Marie Benedict is among the best of the current writers of historical fiction. Here, once again, the author has succeeded in writing an absorbing story that is based upon historical fact. Unlike in her earlier novels, this time she tells the story of six important characters (rather than one) who were sisters. They were so different from each other that it is hard to believe that they had the same parents.

The family included one son, Tom and many daughters. There was Nancy, the novelist. Diana was beautiful, married to one of (those) Guinnesses but she left

Bryan to be with the Fascist Oswald Mosley. Unity was somewhat of a fanatic who was deeply enamored of Hitler while Jessica was a Communist. There were also younger sisters Debo and Pamela.

Benedict tells her chapters from different characters points of view. She often has characters detailing their experiences in the same time frame.

There is a very rich history in this family. Readers will enjoy learning more about the Mitfords in this well written story.

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

From the Publisher

This book offers a chance to get to know many Greek women rather than the men. Just some of those kids will meet are Aphrodite, Hera, Pandora, Artemis, Echo, Medea, Medusa and Sappho.

Each woman gets her due with beautiful illustrations, the story of who they are and sections called “Did You Know?” and Symbols. This book is quite easy to dip in and out of with the interesting entries.

Highly recommended for home and school bookshelves. Note that there is a resource section at the end.

Many thanks to Callisto Publishing-Callisto Kids and NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 03 February 2026

Post first published on 9 January 2026

Description:

from the publisher

Discover extraordinary women from Greek mythology—51 stories for kids ages 8 to 12

Dive into this dazzling, mythological story collection that celebrates 51 of the bold, brave, talented, and fearless female heroes of Greek mythology! Inside, you’ll meet goddesses, warriors, princesses, and beyond who used their power and skills to win battles, protect their homes, and rule the realm.

Written especially for kids, these stories are exciting, inspiring, and fun, getting them interested in folklore, excited to read, and giving them amazing women to root for!

Incredible myths and stories—Enter the world of Greek myth icons like Persephone, the goddess of the spring, Aphrodite, the goddess of love, Medusa, the gorgon with snakes for hair, and so many more!

Fun facts with each figure—Each story includes the symbols associated with each figure, like foods or animals, and an extra fun fact about Greek mythology!

Gorgeous illustrations and portraits—Bring these heroes to life with beautiful, full-color, illustrated artwork of each woman.

Female Heroes of Greek Mythology goes beyond the popular Greek myths to highlight a wide variety of amazing and powerful women!

Who will your new hero be?

From the Publisher:

Here are some titles that were released this week along with descriptions from the publishers. They are all in my TBR pile. Have you read any of these? If yes, what did you think?

Description

The New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Wife weaves a mesmerizing tale of Paris above and below—where a woman’s quest for artistic freedom in 1664 intertwines with a doctor’s dangerous mission during the German occupation in the 1940s, revealing a story of courage and resistance that transcends time.

1664: Alouette Voland is the daughter of a master dyer at the famed Gobelin Tapestry Works, who secretly dreams of escaping her circumstances and creating her own masterpiece. When her father is unjustly imprisoned, Alouette’s efforts to save him lead to her own confinement in the notorious Salpêtrière asylum, where thousands of women are held captive and cruelly treated. But within its grim walls, she discovers a small group of brave allies, and the possibility of a life bigger than she ever imagined.

1939: Kristof Larson is a medical student beginning his psychiatric residency in Paris, whose neighbors on the Rue de Gobelins are a Jewish family who have fled Poland. When Nazi forces descend on the city, Kristof becomes their only hope for survival, even as his work as a doctor is jeopardized.

A spellbinding and transportive look at a side of Paris known to very few—the underground city that is a mirror reflection of the glories above—Paula McLain’s unforgettable new novel chronicles two parallel journeys of defiance and rescue that connect in ways both surprising and deeply moving.

Description

HURRICANE SEASON CAN BE MURDER • A January 2026 Indie Next Pick • “Sexy and full of surprises, The Storm is an ideal curl-up-by-the-fire read.” —Real Simple

St. Medard’s Bay, Alabama is famous for three things: the deadly hurricanes that regularly sweep into town, the Rosalie Inn, a century-old hotel that’s survived every one of those storms, and Lo Bailey, the local girl infamously accused of the murder of her lover, political scion Landon Fitzroy, during Hurricane Marie in 1984.

When Geneva Corliss, the current owner of the Rosalie Inn, hears a writer is coming to town to research the crime that put St. Medard’s Bay on the map, she’s less interested in solving a whodunnit than in how a successful true crime book might help the struggling inn’s bottom line. But to her surprise, August Fletcher doesn’t come to St. Medard’s Bay alone. With him is none other than Lo Bailey herself. Lo says she’s returned to her hometown to clear her name once and for all, but the closer Geneva gets to both Lo and August, the more she wonders if Lo is actually back to settle old scores.

As the summer heats up and another monster storm begins twisting its way towards St. Medard’s Bay, Geneva learns that some people can be just as destructive—and as deadly—as any hurricane, and that the truth of what happened to Landon Fitzroy may not be the only secret Lo is keeping…

Description

From the award-winning author of the “riveting debut” (People) Northwoods, a mother-son law enforcement team confront buried secrets in their small town as they work to expose a conspiracy that goes far beyond the tight-knit community.

Deputy Sheriff Eli North has spent the last year getting his life back together. He hasn’t touched a drop of alcohol, he’s working through his PTSD from his military deployment, and he’s repairing his most important relationships. When an undercover informant disappears and all signs point to murder, Eli must expose the dark underbelly of his idyllic Wisconsin small town while safeguarding his newfound stability.

Then, with the unexpected arrival of FBI Agent Alyssa Mason, Eli and his mother, the sheriff, are pulled deeper into a violent criminal network built on the backs of the lost and forgotten.

As the case deepens, loyalties fracture and the line between justice and survival begins to blur. In a town where everyone has something to hide, exposing the truth may cost them everything.

Description

From award-winning author Lori Rader-Day, Wreck Your Heart is an engaging, “wisecracking and wonderful” crime novel with a big heart, about a country and midwestern singer out to catch her big break before family—or murder—wrecks everything.

Dahlia “Doll” Devine had the kind of hardscrabble beginning that could launch a thousand broken-hearted country songs, but now she’s the star of her own stage at McPhee’s Tavern. As part of Chicago’s—yes, Chicago’s—country music scene, Dahlia is an up-and-coming singer in spangles and boots of classic country tunes. Up and coming, that is, until her boyfriend Joey up and went, taking the rent money with him.

So Dahlia is back to square one, relying on Alex McPhee—again. Alex helped her out of a bad situation when she was a kid living rough with her mother. Now he’s part landlord, part band booster, all-around rescuer. It’s just that Dahlia wishes she didn’t keep giving him reasons to have to do it.

Just as Dahlia suspects she’s scraped rock bottom, the mother she hasn’t spoken to in twenty years shows up with something to say. The next morning, a distraught young woman arrives at the bar, asking after her missing mother—Dahlia’s mother, too, even if the missing suburban PTA mom the girl describes sounds pretty different from the one who let Dahlia down all those years ago.

Though no one is using the word sister any time soon, Dahlia lets herself be drawn into reuniting the family that might have been hers. But when a body is discovered outside McPhee’s Tavern, the crime threatens not just the place Dahlia has made into a home, but everything she’s believed about her past, her dreams for the future, and the people she was just, maybe, beginning to let into her heart.

#FamiliusBooks #NetGalley

I love this wordless picture book and think that kids and their adults will too. This is a title that encourages sitting down together, observing and having a conversation, all while having fun. A child will also enjoy paging through this one on their own.

The illustrations are just so very charming, making this a book that will be picked up more than once. Watch how the girl concentrates on her art while her dog tries to get her attention. Look out for what happens when the two collide!

I highly recommend this adorable title that is inspired by one of Monet’s paintings (the Claude of the title).

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

Pub date: 19 May 2026

Post first published on 8 January 2026

Description:

from the publisher

Take young artists on a journey of creative self-expression with this WORDLESS PICTURE BOOK about art, Claude Monet, and Claude the dog.

Inspired by a beautiful Claude Monet painting, a little artist decides to create her own masterpiece, but her puppy has other ideas. From grabbing his favorite ball to rolling on the floor, he tries everything to get her attention, and chaos ensues, creating a big, colorful mess. Or is it a mess after all? Perhaps Claude the dog and Claude Monet have a lot more in common than we think.

Told entirely in stunning illustration, Claude is a wordless picture book that introduces young artists to the works of Monet while inspiring creativity and promoting passion over perfection. And at the end, kids can read about the life of Monet and his role in art history. With bold splashes of color across white pages, this inspirational story shows the creative process in full transparency, proving that there are no bad creations, just happy mistakes that are worth more than a thousand words.