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

#TheSummerBookClub #NetGalley

Those who have read other novels by Susan Mallery will welcome this story about a group of women and their complex lives. Those who have not read the author’s books before may want to pick this one up when they are looking for an escapist read.

The main characters are Paris, Laurel and Cassie. Each has faced challenges in life and all are trying to figure out their next steps. Paris runs a farm stand that readers will wish that they could visit as it is both adorable and stocks quality products. In the past, Paris had been abused and her own temper led to the end of her marriage. Now her ex is back in town…

Laurel’s husband left her and the school says that her older daughter constantly puts men down. They ask Laurel to fix this, a big ask as where is a good man? Laurel runs her own business as well selling on goods from estate sales and other sources.

Cassie is living in Maine when the reader first meets her. However, her family wants her to start thinking of herself and they push her to go to California to see an inheritance. 

As readers no doubt expect, these three women will get to know one another well. Readers will hope that they each find their way. As they try, the summer book club will be there for them and for the reader who may find some other suggested titles to be ones that they want to explore.

This book will appeal to readers of women’s fiction.

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

Pub date: 13 February 2024

The Wharton Plot is an historical mystery in which (no surprise) Edith Wharton figures prominently as do the privileged of the world in which she lived. For example, early in the book Wharton attends a musicale that is given by Alice Vanderbilt in her very large home. She is acquainted with Henry James.

Readers may choose this book for the historical, the mystery or indeed both. I especially enjoyed the historical as I was familiar with a number of the locations mentioned in the book. Among these were the Arts Club on Gramercy Park, Calvary Church (where those like Roosevelts and Morgans attended) and others in New York City.. 

I also found it fascinating to learn more about Wharton. There are insights into her writing, her troubled marriage, her possible lover, the places where she lived (and wanted to live) and her writing. Readers also witness her strength of character.

A fellow writer, David Graham Phillips, is murdered. Wharton did not especially like him or his writing. She also did not like his scorn for the novels she wrote. Nevertheless, she wants to figure out what happened. Readers will enjoy spending time with her as she does in this novel based on historical fact.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Four stars ****

#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

part of a good series

FREE

Worth a look

I enjoyed this.

A good read

So happy to part of the blog tour for Jessica Redland’s book. Many thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for this opportunity.

A Breath of Fresh Air

Rosie feels like there’s something missing in her life.She loves her job as the manager of Willowdale Hall Riding Stables, caring for the horses and teaching children to ride, and she loves the home she shares with her mother in the beautiful Lake District. But she can’t help wondering how her life might look if things had been different. What if her father had been around to help care for her mother? And what if she’d found someone special herself?

When Hubert Cranleigh – the owner of Willowdale Hall – is taken ill, his son Oliver steps into the breach. Brooding and distant, Rosie is furious when he claims not to know who she is. Especially when they have a history.

Rosie’s life is about to be turned upside down, but with the New Year comes new opportunities. What Rosie feels is missing from her life might be closer than she thinks, and with more significant consequences than she could ever have imagined…

Take a breath of fresh air and escape to the Lake District with million-copy bestseller Jessica Redland, for an uplifting story of family, friendship and love

Purchase Links – https://mybook.to/freshairsocial

Author Bio –

Jessica Redland writes emotional but uplifting stories of love, friendship, family and community. Her Whitsborough Bay books transport readers to the stunning North Yorkshire Coast where she lives with her husband, daughter and sprocker spaniel. Her Hedgehog Hollow series, set in a hedgehog rescue centre, takes readers into the beautiful rolling countryside of the Yorkshire Wolds.

Social Media Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004465368404

Twitter https://twitter.com/JessicaRedland

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jessicaredlandauthor/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/JessicaRedlandNews

Bookbub profile: Jessica Redland Books – BookBub

MY THOUGHTS:

A Breath of Fresh Air was exactly that, a breezy story with characters readers will love and a plot that turns the pages. The setting is well portrayed and readers will enjoy their time in the Lake District as they root for love and happiness for the book’s characters. 

Note: This book is part of a series so readers may want to catch up with any of the titles that they missed. This will let them know more about the characters in this title.

Picasso’s art was revolutionary and transformative. It’s not that he didn’t know how to paint as the “masters” did; it was that Picasso was searching for something else, something new. In the process he created and fragmented art works in a way that was unique. Searching, getting together and pulling apart also figured prominently in his relationships.

In this engrossing historical novel, Mackin brings Picasso and some of the women in his life into focus. The story is told through the lens of a journalist who spends time with Sara Murphy (also a well-known woman). What she uncovers impacts her own life as well.

I think that readers will enjoy this title set in the 1950s (think McCarthy in part) and looking back at the 20s. In addition to spending time in a glamourous world, they will also get to know the narrator as she tries to paint her own life in the way that she wants.

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

Four stars ****

The December 3, 2023 New York Times has an in depth article on Maria Callas. The 100th anniversary of her birth has just passed so she will be receiving much attention I expect. Author, Daisy Goodwin, had good timing in writing this historical novel about the world renowned star. Note that Goodwin has written other enjoyable historical fiction including The American Heiress and, Victoria. She has another good book here.

Readers are invited into Maria’s world from the very first page. She has an interesting and tumultuous life. She was a less favored child to her more beautiful (blonde) sister whose mother only seemed to see her when she realized Maria’s gift. Maria struggled with what today is called body image. Almost everyone knows how her love affair with Aristotle Onassis ended and the trajectory of her career. These topics and more are in the book.

Readers will, I think, feel empathy for Maria as they read this title. Despite her success, she struggled with her appearance, her self-esteem and her perfectionism.

Readers are given an inside look at the glitzy world that Maria inhabited with many names dropped including Elsa Maxwell, Franco Zeffirelli, Marlene Dietrich, Rudolf Bing, Liz Taylor…and these all just at the beginning of the book. Readers will discover many more.

Settings are well described. There are stages, parties, yachts but also places like Maria’s childhood home. There is music. There are relationships. There are success and heartache. What more could a reader of (historical) fiction possibly want?

I highly recommend Diva. For me, it was an immersive read.

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

Four stars ****

From the Publisher

#FoodiePlaces #NetGalley

I am so impressed with the wide-ranging locations of the foodie places that are included in this book. Visit 25 spots; go everywhere from Europe to the Middle East to North America to Asia. I want to pack my suitcase and go to some of these locations. 

Everyone will find favorites here. I was drawn to places like Osaka, Oostduinkerke (West Flanders, Belgium), Montreal and Melbourne. 

This title has inviting text; readers will get a genuine sense of each location. In addition, the book has beautiful illustrations.

Know a world traveler? Need to get them a gift? You will not need to look any further for a good one.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title.

Pub date: 05 March 2024

I enjoyed this one.

A recent title by the author. I reviewed this one.