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

An e book bargain

I think that this long (over 500 pages) book is going to be one of the big novels of the fall. It tells an involving story of a young girl called Red as the story opens and later called Rachel. She travels about with her father who is a man of unique talents. Red does not know anything about her mother as the book opens and she is curious.

Red has learned to tell fortunes using the square of sevens. Apparently this takes some talent. This cartomancy is important to the story.

SPOILER BUT EARLY IN THE BOOK: Red’s father dies.

Red later lives wit a guardian who introduces her to a much more luxurious lifestyle than she and her father had; they were close to destitute. Red becomes Rachel and moves to Bath from Cornwall.

I don’t want to give anything away as the plot is important in this novel. There are adventures, secrets, lives lost, charlatans and better people, will and inheritance issues, mysterious documents, the cards and so much more.I will say that this story, which takes places in Georgian England is Dickensian in scope. This is true both of characters and the story itself as can be seen from the summary above.

Will Red learn who her mother was? If yes, will she be welcomed by her family? Will Red find happiness? How much will the Square of Sevens be part of her life?

For readers who want to settle down with a long and involving (if a bit slow at times) read, you may just have found your next book.

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

Pub date: 05 September 2023

From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

Review

“The Square of Sevens captured me from the opening lines to the breathtaking ending. With a mysterious heroine who is a sheer delight to follow through Georgian England, this is a story that will sweep you away. Secrets reveal themselves in a Gothic and suspenseful tale that will keep you guessing until the very end. Intricate, haunting and magical by turns, Laura Shepherd-Robinson’s tale is an absolute immersive read you won’t soon forget.”
—Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author of The Secret Book of Flora Lea

“A reminder that Laura Shepherd-Robinson is riding high in the historical crime stakes….a sprawling epic novel.”
—Financial Times

We Three Queens is the latest in Bowen’s delightful Royal Spyness series. There is no need to read the books in order but anyone who enjoys one of these will no doubt want to suss out the others.

Lady Georgiana (better known as Georgie) was born to a member of the royal family. As this story begins, she is being asked to open her home to cousin David’s true love, Wallis. A new mom, Georgie is not eager to host a difficult houseguest but acknowledges that she has no choice. Indeed, Wallis is not happy with the accommodations or company.

Wallis’s present is meant to be a secret while David tries to secure their future as royals. However, Wallis may be compromised since Georgie’s godfather has invited a movie crew to the estate. Bit by bit, they encroach on life inside the house, not just the grounds.

There will be much chaos in this traditional mystery story. No spoiler so will be a bit vague. Readers will find some people missing and even a murder. Georgie will have her work cut out for her. Readers will be glad that she does and will enjoy following her investigations.

Here is another solid entry in a good series. I can’t wait to see what Georgie will be up to next.

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

Four stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

My thoughts:

I very much enjoyed reacquainting myself with David and Evelyne in this second in the series. The two are once again involved in espionage, murder and the war that is ongoing.

Evelyne has been away for training and is ready for her first mission. It seems simple enough and, in fact, Evelyne wishes that more was being asked of her. It is supposed to be a task with a mere one night away. She is to check out Blackthorn Park prior to Chuchill’s visit to the facility.

Of course, the job did not turn out to be simple. A murder occurs. Is it political? Personal? Does it have to do with the work that is being done at Blackthorn Park? David and Evelyne will have to sort this out.

At the same time, readers will witness Evelyne and David’s relationship. Those who read the first book will be curious to see how this goes. New readers may well be curious too.

In addition to the overall good plot, I enjoyed the settings with their sense of wartime England. I also liked the many additional characters including Evelyne’s actress friend at her boarding house.

I recommend this one to those who enjoy mysteries set during WWII. This is a traditional story that many mystery readers should love.

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

Pub date: 01 October 2024

From the publisher:

With mystery, intrigue, and the hints of romance international bestselling author Julia Kelly is known for, Evelyne Redfern returns in Betrayal at Blackthorn Park.

Freshly graduated from a rigorous training program in all things spy craft, former typist Evelyne Redfern is eager for her first assignment as a field agent helping Britain win the war. However, when she learns her first task is performing a simple security test at Blackthorn Park, a requisitioned manor house in the sleepy Sussex countryside, she can’t help her initial disappointment. Making matters worse, her handler is to be David Poole, a fellow agent who manages to be both strait-laced and dashing in annoyingly equal measure. However, Evelyne soon realizes that Blackthorn Park is more than meets the eye, and an upcoming visit from Winston Churchill means that security at the secret weapons research and development facility is of the utmost importance.

When Evelyne discovers Blackthorn Park’s chief engineer dead in his office, her simple assignment becomes more complicated. Evelyne must use all of her—and David’s—detection skills to root out who is responsible and uncover layers of deception that could change the course of the war.

First in the series:

Who is: A Traitor in Whitehall (by Julia Kelly)

Next in the series:

Other books by this author:

A (de)light to read: Light Over London

A special place: The Last Garden in England

It is coming… The Whispers of War by Julia Kelly

A special place: The Last Garden in England

Apologies for the above appearing twice. I could not successfully delete it.

www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/10/20/books/review/novels-culture-quiz.html

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/books/review/new-mystery-novels.html

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/books/mystery-thriller-books-locked-room.html

The cover makes this book look like it could be a juvenile title; it is not. Rather this is the latest entry in Kerry Greenwood’s Corinna Chapman series. Readers may already know the author’s Miss Phrynne Fisher series of novels and the later Australian TV series. Those who like Miss Fisher may enjoy finding out what Ms. Greenwood has also written.

This book is peopled with eccentric characters. On occasion, I had a bit of difficulty recalling who was who. Readers will definitely remember Corinna and her Israeli boyfriend though. They are a couple who enjoy food and each other. He is an Israeli agent of some kind while Corinna is a baker whose goods sound quite delicious.

The plot centers on a Scottish/Australian soldier whose dog has gone missing, most likely kidnapped. This is not just any dog though; Geordie worked hard in Afghanistan and is the most important connection that our traumatized former soldier has.

Readers will see what happens as Daniel, our Israeli protagonist, and Corinna solve the case. Along the way, readers will enjoy Corinna’s acceptance of others, wit and friends.

Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this book in exchange for an honest review.

A Novel

by Kate Quinn is an e book bargain

#TheRoseCode #NetGalley

Pub date: March 9, 2021

To say the most important thing first…I LOVED this book and highly recommend it. Yes, there are many, many novels currently being published that are set in WWII. I have read and enjoyed many of them. Still, even if you feel WWII fiction fatigue, give this one a chance.

The Rose Code’s main setting is Bletchley Park. As most know, this was an important location for those who broke codes and helped to win the war. Into this setting come three women:

Osla: She was a debutante before the war took her to BP but she has always wanted to do more and to be seen as more than this. Osla had a haphazard upbringing by a neglected mother but she moves in society’s highest circles; her godfather is Mountbatten and she knows a certain Phillip very well.

Mabel, renamed (by herself) as Mab: She grew up in Shoreditch where expectations for her were low. Coming to BP allows her to do and become more.

Bethan/Beth: She has lived in the shadow of a domineering mother but BP allows her particular genius and talents to flourish. She has a laser like focus and a great talent for the work she does.

What happens to these three and the events and people around them form the core of this immersive read. There are romance, joy, friendship, traitors, hardship, mystery and more contained in the pages of the story. It will engage readers who will wish that the book were even longer than its hefty length.

I listened to the audio of this title. The narrator was fantastic. She created each of the characters with their own voice.

Whether you like to read or listen, put this one on your TBR list.

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

#TheLionsofFifthAvenue #NetGalley

Fiona Davis has written a number of historical fiction titles. Each book is set in an iconic NYC landmark and has a dual narrative structure and timeline. In this, the strongest of her novels yet, the reader spends time at the main New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue.
The story in the past begins around 1913. The iconic library has just opened. The superintendent, Jack; his wife, Laura; and their two children, Pearl and Harry actually live in an apartment inside the enormous new library. Jack, in addition to his job, is writing what he hopes will be the great American novel. Laura, up until now, a woman who married for love and cares for her family wants more. She enrolls as one of very few women at the Columbia School of Journalism. Jack and Laura’s desire for fulfillment leads to conflict, misunderstandings and tragedy. The fallout from their actions influences the story that takes place in the 1990s which is about their descendants.
In the present, Sadie works as a curator at the very same library on 42nd Street. Her love of all things bookish is apparent. Under Sadie’s watch, volumes are being stolen from the library. How do the past and present collide? Read the book to find out.
I learned a lot about collectable and antiquarian books as well as the library through reading this novel. I now know more about valuable books and how they are both vulnerable and protected. Clearly Ms. Davis has been meticulous in her research and loves her subject.
There are themes to this novel in addition to the mystery, romance and depictions of life at the Columbia School of Journalism, the Village and the library. What sacrifices are women asked to make and when are they too much? How much is owed to a family? Can we be forgiven for mistakes? How important is it to have a relationship and to take risks for it? Who should define what a person wants in life?
Ms. Davis does an excellent job of connecting the two narratives. The book is a page turner that will be eagerly embraced by her loyal readers and will also be enjoyed by those new to the author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review. I recommend it very highly.

I very much enjoyed the three other novels that I read and reviewed by Julia Kelly. They were The Whispers of War; The Light Over London; and The Last Garden in England. Each of these had war as a backdrop for good historical fiction.

Now, Julia Kelly has turned her pen to the post WWII period with this book that has nostalgia, drama, some interesting characters and lots of details. As can be seen from the title, this book is about debs, specifically a group of young women who were among the very last to be presented to royalty in 1958. Such presentations and the seasons that followed were the aspiration of many upper class families.

Here the author follows three different young women; Lily, Leana and Katherine. Each copes with their season in a different way; all of their lives intersect in a kaleidoscope of lunches, suppers, dances, balls, shopping trips, country weekends and more. Those who would like to vicariously sample the dresses, menus and venues will have much to enjoy here.

Each of these young women is looking to find their life’s direction. Follow them on their journey. You will witness friendship, love, conflict and some secrets!

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