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

#TheBusyBody #NetGalley

The unnamed protagonist/narrator of this book is a ghostwriter. (It was when sitting down to write this that I realized she was never named. Kind of clever since a ghostwriter is a person who is meant to be anonymous when her work is published.) The job requires an ability to seamlessly fit into the subject’s life in an unobtrusive way. This time, the ghost has been asked to write the biography of Dorothy Gibson. Dorothy recently lost a presidential election. A bit like Hillary Clinton, it was felt that she had a low likeability rating. The biography is meant to give a new look at who she is.

The narrator quickly heads up to Maine where Dorothy lives in a gorgeous, somewhat isolated home. There she settles in and meets the staff including Dorothy’s personal assistant and various security personnel, at least one of whom is quite good looking.

Early in the book, Dorothy and our narrator go out to buy some wine. While at the store, they are accosted by a woman with a somewhat unique way of earning money. When she asks Dorothy for a selfie, Dorothy agrees. Most unfortunately soon after, Vivian dies. It emerges that her death was not suicide but…murder! (of course)

Dorothy and the narrator will be on the case. There will be a few twists before all becomes known.

The narrator of this book has her own unique, sometimes snarky spin on the world. She is most likely neurodiverse. She can be funny and seems to know a lot, perhaps from spending time learning so much about her subjects when ghostwriting. Readers will hope that she is a good detective too.

This book will be enjoyed by its readers. They will likely hope for a second book by the author.

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

Pub date: 23 January 2024

Praise for The Busy Body:
A Publishers Marketplace Buzz Books Selection
A January 2024 Library Reads Pick
A February 2024 IndieNext Pick

“Given Kemper’s knowledge and admiration of Agatha Christie—he cohosts the podcast All About Agatha—it isn’t surprising that he displays a similar flair for clever cluing and crafty characterization, not to mention the ability to throw in a killer plot twist at the end that would make Dame Agatha proud. Fans of David Handler’s equally entertaining Stewart Hoag series or those in search of a modern take on classic crime fiction will snap up this stellar mystery debut, which delivers an addictive mix of Dorothy Parker’s waspish wit and Agatha Christie’s deft hand at ingenious plotting.” —Library Journal STARRED REVIEW

first in the series

a good title for kids

a good thriller

#TheLondonBookshopAffair #NetGalley

This dual timeline historical fiction title is a winner! The story was quite absorbing and kept me turning the pages with its two main focuses-one is about Jeanne/Anya a WWII SOE volunteer, and another is about a young woman named Celia who works in a bookshop as the novel opens.

What is going on in the bookstore under its new ownership? How will events from WWII and 1960s crises like the division of Berlin and Cuba come into the story? How will the characters and events in the two time lines be connected? Readers will want to know.

In these pages, there are traitors, people who care deeply for their country, professionals and amateurs, all of whom are impacted by world events. Along with these big world worthy plots, there are also storylines that impact the characters smaller, personal worlds. There are about family ties, secrets, trust, being in love, friendship, creating a life one wants and more. 

The author does a marvelous job of bringing the two time periods to life. The social mores of each era are well portrayed and these societal rules definitely impact the characters.

The complex plot that kept me engaged and always eager to read another chapter. I was always wishing for the very best for Celia.

Historical fiction lovers, this is surely worth a read. The 1960s is a time period that I have seen less in historical fiction but one that is full of the conflict that makes for a good read.

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

Pub date: 16 January 2024

From the Publisher

In these novels, detectives — some real, others self-appointed — investigate deaths in a small town, on board a train, in a haunted French chateau.
— Read on www.nytimes.com/2024/01/12/books/review/new-crime-mystery-books.html

Those looking for a light read in the vein of (an updated) Georgette Heyer may well enjoy this Regency romance

The protagonists are named Vesper and Aspen (fairly unusual names for protagonists). She is a Lady while he is a Duke. Each is ‘in’ society and the two have known one another for years. She is a matchmaker who has sworn off love. He is impoverished and needs a good match. Will this matchmaker match with this Duke? Those who’ve read Pride and Prejudice will know that bad weather can impact relationships as it does here when these two are sheltering in the same place.  There are also ways in which this book is a modernization of Emma. 

Readers will hope for a happy ending as they turn the pages of this sparkling story with a bit of heft to it (There are some mental health/asylum issues in these pages). Credit to the author for researching some of the social issues of the time period.

Many thanks to Forever-Grand Central Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

Note that this is the second in a series though it can be read on its own.

This book was published in November 2023.

a new tv adaptation is coming

I reviewed this

I want to read this

Ellen Feldman has written a number of historical fiction novels, imagining events in the lives of the Scottsboro Boys, Anne Frank, Margaret Sanger and others. She has also written novels that bring places and times vividly to life, as for example, in Paris Never Leaves You and, The Living and the Lost.

In The Trouble with You, Feldman again excels in creating a world and characters that are detailed, vivid and real. Just a couple of examples of the accurately described time include trips to the Automat, the fear of polio, and the age of radio serials (soaps). Even more importantly HUAC figures prominently in the story. As many will know that stands for the House Unamerican Activities Committee.

Readers follow Fanny, her friends, family, colleagues and others, including Aunt Rose (an appealing character). When the story opens, Fanny’s future looks bright. Unfortunately it does not remain so when she is widowed at a young age with a child to raise. As a result Fanny needs to work. This is where the radio serial setting enters the story.

Over the course of the novel, Fanny needs to think about what she wants and what she stands for. Does that sound familiar? How will things work out for her?

Fans of more literary historical fiction and those who have read other novels by Ms. Feldman will, I think, want to read The Trouble with You.

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

Pub date: 20 February 2024

From the Publisher