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

Natalie Jenner has written two previous works of historical fiction, The Jane Austen Society, and Bloomsbury Girls. I enjoyed both of these very much. Her new novel, Every Time We Say Goodbye, is also worth the reader’s time.

I have read many works of WWII fiction that were set in Britain, France or Germany. I was less familiar with the impact of the war in Italy. Ms. Jenner brings the repercussions of the war and the internal conflicts in Italy to life in these pages. There were the Axis powers, but also Mussolini and the partisan resistance making for a complex existence for the Italians.

One part of the novel tells the story of a woman assassin and her fate. This brings the war and the risks of resistance to life. Other parts of the novel take place post war in the 1950s.

In the 50s, readers experience the world of the movies in post WWII Italy, specifically at the Cinecitta Studios. There are the many movie stars, the directors, and more but also the strong presence of the Catholic church. The characters in this time period include Vivien (a character from Bloomsbury Girls), who is a writer working on scripts. Readers learn much of her backstory, the absence of her fiance David, her attraction to John Lassiter, her connection to the adopted Margarita and many more. Her friends include DuMaurier and Peggy Guggenheim. They also follow Levi who is Jewish; what did the war cost him?

Jenner creates a broad canvas of intertwined lives. Readers will care about the people in this story and will be turning the pages to find out how they fare. Here is very good historical fiction. I recommend this one.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own. Thanks too to Macmillan Audio for the expertly crafted listen. I alternated between the two forms.

Pub date: 14 May 2024

You won’t regret spending time with the: Bloomsbury Girls by Natalie Jenner

I’d like to belong: The Jane Austen Society A Novel by Natalie Jenner. This title is now out in paperback.

Explore the new mystery titles in fiction and nonfiction honored with the prestigious Edgar Allan Poe Award for 2024.
— Read on www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/specialfeatures/discover-the-top-edgar-award-winning-mysteries-of-2024/

Long Island by Colm Tóibín review — a magnificent sequel to Brooklyn

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/324c5668-3414-4c82-b51e-d708fb658bc0?shareToken=e1fe29d15496527230c8766439319df5

Many of the historical novels that I have read recently have employed a dual timeline with two protagonists as a structure for the narrative. In this novel, both timelines are told through the eyes of Evelyn Herbert, daughter of the Earl of Carnarvon and wife of Borogard Beauchamp.

Eve’s father helped to underwrite the work of Howard Carter in Egypt. As many know, Carter “discovered” the tomb of Tutankhamun with its many riches and historical artifacts. Eve was there when this significant event took place.

The story moves back and forth in time. In the present, it is the 1970s and Eve has suffered a number of strokes. Full credit to Ms. Paul for her sensitivity and ability to make readers feel the difficult impact that these had on Eve.

In the past, Eve grows up, is a debutante, meets Borograve and follows her interest in archaeology and lives her life. She has friends, children and a world around her.

The two narratives converge when Ana wants to interview Eve. She is tasked with understanding the events at the time that the tomb was found. Eve knows something important and will have to decide whether to reveal this.

I very much enjoyed this novel. It is leisurely paced, has well developed characters and lets readers witness a significant discovery. Readers will feel the heat of the sun and visualize the landscape of Egypt.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this absorbing historical novel. All opinions are my own.

 #TheDeepestLake #NetGalley

I was very excited when I received this e-galley. I am happy to say that the book did not disappoint.

Things to enjoy in this one include the location (Guatemala), the concept (a writer’s retreat), the characters, especially the victim’s mother, and the writing itself. What really happened to Jules? Will her mother (who attends the retreat to investigate) find out what she needs to know? What has Eve (the writer and host) been up to? Who are the other attendees? These questions will be answered in a suspense filled narrative.

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

Pub date: 07 May 2024

From the Publisher

The Last Party is also an e book bargain

Are you a person who finds getting on an airplane to be an adventure or are you a nervous flyer? Either personality type may well be riveted by this thriller in which much of the action centers on a long haul flight from London to Sydney (20 hours in the air!). In some ways, the story is a take on a locked room mystery in that much of the action is confined to the plane and the stories of its passengers and crew. However, there is also backstory so some time is spent on the ground and with other characters.

The book’s protagonist, Mina, is on the flight when…a note is given to her. What does it say? How will it influence what she does? In order for there not to be spoilers, it is not possible to say more except that this is a story that may well put readers on the edges of their seats.

My only quibble with this story is that I did not absolutely love some of the characters and I don’t just mean the “bad” ones.. I do, though, admire Ms. Mackinstosh’s imagination and storytelling ability. Readers, remember that this is fiction!

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

#GoodCompany #NetGalley

Good Company is an absorbing novel that follows four intertwined lives and the lives of those around them. The title refers to an acting company in which some of the protagonists are involved and, of course, also could refer to who enjoys spending time with whom.

Flora and Margot met when they were both starting their careers. They know a good deal about one another but there is also at least one big secret waiting to be revealed. Margot, for much of the novel, is a doctor on a long running tv series, while Flora has opted to spend more of her time doing voice overs so that she can spend more time with her precious daughter Ruby.

Flora is married to Julian an actor and one of the company managers. Margot is married to David. His medical career was upended and reinvented.

The novel covers a number of years and moves back and forth seamlessly. The story unfolds on both coasts and also in Europe for a bit.

As the blurbs for this book note, Julian’s wedding ring takes on a great deal of importance in the novel. Its history and whereabouts becomes a theme that involves the primary characters.

This novel offers a well told story and nuanced characters. The lives of the actors, their choices and stresses, feel authentic. I definitely recommend this title.

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

A Novel

by Brenda Novak

The Bookstore at the Beach is the second title that I have read by Ms. Novak, following her earlier novel, One Perfect Summer. As was true of that book, this is a long (448 pages) story that is filled with plot and character.

Readers follow and get to know the lives, struggles and joys of three generations of women from one family. The oldest is Mary. She runs a bookstore in a small town and leads a fairly insular life. Mary is not a risk taker. Why? What happened to her in the past that formed her attitudes and character? No spoilers so you have to read the book to find out.

Next up is Autumn, Mary’s daughter. She has come with her two children to spend time with Mary over the summer. Readers learn early on that Autumn’s husband has been missing for nineteen months, most likely related to his travel in Ukraine. Should Autumn hold on to hope that he will come back or…should she again become involved with her high school crush who lives in the town where Autumn is summering?

Finally there is Taylor, Autumn’s daughter. She was feeling numb and engaged in sexual activity without using birth control. Is she pregnant? If yes, how will this define her life? There is also a strong plot line about Taylor’s friendship with Sierra as Taylor wonders if she is in love with her.

The author holds onto all of the many plot strands without losing any of them. She tells a story that has some depth and that held my interest.

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

An e book bargain for 10 May 2024

by Camilla Trinchieri

This is the third novel in a series that features ex-cop Nico who has moved to a small Italian town following the death of his beloved wife. Over the course of the stories, he has established himself in his new community.

Nico works at a relative’s restaurant for the joy and focus that it offers. He also helps the police in some of their murder cases. Given his avocations, readers get to know police officers, Nico’s family and friends, and some eccentric locals as they experience the story. Readers are also treated to many descriptions of cooking and foods. There is even a bit of romance. All of this makes me pretty certain that readers who enjoy the novels of Donna Leon will also want to read these stories.

This time, an elderly bartender is murdered. Was it because of his family land, his being gay, his connection to hotel owner Laura, or something else entirely? To what extent, will a tragedy in Laura’s past play into the story? All will, of course, eventually be revealed.

This book can be read as a standalone or readers may want to begin at the beginning. Either way, this leisurely paced series is one to savor.

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

Pub Date 13 Sep 2022

An e book bargain for 10 May 2024

#TheSunsetYearsofAgnesSharp #NetGalley

Older characters and detectives are having a moment in the mystery genre. It may have begun with Richard Osman and Robert Thorogood has also followed this path. In this novel, we have the older characters created by Ms. Swann in this title that was originally published in German.

A number of older folks live together. Referred to as hippies, they have their limitations.  Somehow they manage the indignities of aging. However, when two murders occur will they be able to manage…and to solve the cases?

I wanted to like this book based on all I had heard but I just found it to be okay. An issue for me was that I did not especially care for the characters who were living at Sunset Hall. I did love the illustrations and the tortoise though.

Note the following though so don’t just go by me.

A Washington Post Best Mystery Novel of 2023
A New York Times Editors’ Choice
Book Riot Most Anticipated Beach Reads of 2023
A LibraryReads August Bonus Pick

Many thanks to NetGalley and Soho Press/Soho Crime for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 29 August 2024