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

This latest in the good series for kids features a very well-known celebrity. But…how did she become Queen Bey? Young people will be interested to find out in this title about the entertainer.

The story is nicely told. What I loved the most about this one, however, was the absolutely delightful illustrations. They will make everyone smile!

This book will make a welcome addition to the series.

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

Pub date: 02 April 2024

Deanna Raybourne has written two historical mystery series as well as some standalone novels. A Grave Robbery is the ninth in her series featuring Speedwell and Stoker.

Veronica Speedwell is a lepidopterist and a free spirited woman who is ahead of her time. Stoker has been an adventurer. Both now live and work on an eccentric’s estate.

The relationship between these two is what I most enjoy; they are clever, witty, and more than willing to challenge one another. That is just what happens here.

Stoker’s employer wants him to install a mechanism in a waxwork. The idea is to make it seem as if the waxwork is breathing. There is a bit of difficulty because…this is no waxwork but a corpse! And so, the adventure begins and the protagonists are on the case.

Those who already know the series will be eager to read this. New fans will enjoy this one as well. They may find that a trip to the backlist is in order for the full experience.

Recommended to fans of slightly quirky historical mysteries.

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

Pub date:12 March 2024

I am a huge fan of this series which follows Ben (short for Benedicta), a lawyer in a small Irish town. Over the course of the novels, readers follow her involvement in interesting cases and keep am eye on her relationships. These include one with a local Garda officer and others, for example, with bookstore owners, publicans, estate and newsagents and many in her area. There is a real sense of community in these pages.

In this latest entry, Ben has concerns about her parents as they have taken in a man whom they met in their grief group. (Readers of the earlier books will know why they are mourning.) Stuart may not be who he seems. Ben is worried so wants to whisk her parents away and they go to visit her.

At the same time, there is a book festival coming to the peninsula. The star speaker is a reclusive author with some ties to the community. When he dies, the stage is set for crime solving. Will Stuart be a part of this or is he up to something else entirely? The pages will turn until readers find out.

Anyone who likes stories by Carlene O’Connor, Sarah IStewart Taylor or Tana French will want to read this.

Many thanks toNetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 05 December 2023

When I was contacted by the publisher with an invitation to read this book, I was over the moon. I had heard about it and was eagerly awaiting its release. It was an immeasurable treat to have early access.

This title offers a series of reflections and conversations between Judi Dench and Brendan O’Hea. Originally written for an archive, the two got the idea to publish a book together, and the reader is so lucky that they made that decision.

Within these pages, readers get to share in Judi’s life and her professional career. Her love for her husband, her daughter and her craft all come across. She is witty, wise, and it was an absolute pleasure to read her words.

Judi Dench and her husband, referred to Shakespeare as the man who pays the rent because they were in so many productions over the years. However, Shakespeare never really became routine for them and Judi brought her best self to every performance.

The first play that is reflected upon is Macbeth. Judi Dench very much views it as a play about the relationship between Lord and Lady Macbeth. She sees the deterioration of their marriage as a true tragedy.

Included here are Dench’s thoughts on nineteen plays interspersed with other reflections. A couple of examples of these are Company and Fireside Ramblings.

For anyone who admires Judi Dench or who wants to more deeply understand the bard, this book is a must read. I adored it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 23 April 2024

The author of this cozy mystery knows her antiques, which adds to the pleasure of reading this title. Here is a British mystery in which readers follow clues along with Freya and her aunt Carole.

They both knew an antiques dealer named Arthur. When he dies in a fall, it seems pretty clear that there is foul play. They will try their best to find out what happened.

Their detection leads them to a manor house with many antiques. Readers will want to find out more about them.

At the same time, Freya has past history with Arthur. Readers will be curious to find out what went wrong between them and if that played into the current events of the story.

Anyone who enjoys a cozy mystery will hope that this is just the author’s first book. Will another come soon?

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

Pub date: 06 February 2024

There is no doubt that Kristin Hannah knows how to write about war. Her novel, The NIghtingale, has been wildly popular. I enjoyed Winter Garden, another story set in a difficult war time, even more. So, no surprisse that this latest book is an excellent one.

Here Hannah turns her eye to the Vietnam War era. Interestingly, this time period echoes loudly to today when the U.S. is once again experiencing much division, posturing and an inability for people to listen to one another.

Hannah tells her story thorough Frances Grace (Frankie) McGrath. She is the daughter in a family that venerates men and the bravery of the military. While Frankie is expected to be a “good girl” and to marry, the expectations are higher for her brother. 

Readers learn early on that Frankie’s brother died in Vietnam. Following his death, Frankie, who is a trained nurse, wants to make a difference. She somewhat naively works her way through the military branches until the army accepts her and sends her to Vietnam.

Hannah does an outstanding job of bringing the country to life. Readers will feel the scorching heat and drenching rains. They will find that their heart rate rises at the sound of VC attacks. The scent of blood, the anxiety of being an inexperienced medical provider, the hooch, the officer’s club-all of these and more feel so real.

Frankie does not live in a vacuum. She becomes very close to two other nurses. She also is attracted to Jamie, a surgeon. These characters and many others become known to the reader. 

Readers are aware that there were many who protested the war. What happens to Frankie when she returns from the war zone after her service? Slight spoiler…it will not be easy.

Here is a compelling read. I found Hannah’s last few books to be good but I think that this one is so much better. The Women is not an easy read but it will sear itself into its audience’s heart and mind.

I wish that this book had been given a more distinctive title, not because it isn’t apt but because I think that, it could easily come out lower in any kind of search engine request than it should. It is a book that cries out to be read.

It is probably clear by now that I give this novel five stars.

Note: I alternated between listening to the book and reading it, one of my favorite ways to stay connected with a story as I go for a walk. The narration is superb. Whelan gets the tone and emotion of the story just right.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for this title. All opinions are my own.

Ever since Daphne DuMaurier wrote Rebecca, readers have enjoyed stories set in atmospheric mansions and their environs. That is the case here in a story that takes place in North Carolina. The mansion was the home of an extremely rich woman whose first name was Ruby.

Ruby had quite a history. When she was young, Ruby got lost in the woods and was taken by a family who had lost their own child. Her wealthy parents searched for her and eventually Ruby made it home. Were the events really as described? Readers may wonder as they turn the pages.

Ruby went on to marry four times. All of Ruby’s husbands seem to have come to bad ends. Was Ruby responsible?

Ruby adopted a child. Why did she adopt Cam? Are there any secrets here? Again, readers will wonder as they turn the pages.

Around Ruby and Cam there are many other characters. These include Ruby’s jealous sister, with whom she never got along, and her sister‘s children, among others. All have their parts to play.

For his part, Cam wanted a normal life, even though he could live the life of a very rich person. Instead, Cam isan English teacher who lives in Colorado with his wife, Jools. When Cam and Jools decide to go to North Carolina, events are set in motion.

I enjoyed this book. It was suspenseful and engaging. I liked how the narrative took different forms, including letters, newspaper reports, etc.

Those looking for a page turning read, look no further. The Heiress will entertain you.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 09 January 2024

Looking at this title left me with a deep appreciation for the National Parks system. Here is a delightful resource for anyone with plans to visit any of the parks.

An incredible amount of information is packed into this small book. In addition, there are prompts so that travelers can record their impressions and experiences in the parks that they visit.

Be sure to look at the travel tips. They are quite helpful as are the bucket list suggestions.

This title is organized by region. For each each park, there is a good amount to discover.

This journal is beautifully illustrated throughout. it would make a perfect gift for anybody with travel plans. Give this book to a child or teen and they will make use of it for many years.

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

Pub date: 09 April 2024

hamptonswhodunit.us8.list-manage.com/track/click