Life can challenge: A Shadow in Moscow (Katherine Reay)

#AShadowinMoscow #NetGalley

Katherine Reay is a versatile writer. Some of the first books that I read by her were homages to literature. Just a few of the titles that I enjoyed were Dear Mr. Knightley (a take on Daddy Longlegs), The Austen (yes, Jane) Escape, The Printed Letter Bookshop and, Of Literature and Latte. She then expanded into historical fiction with The London House.

In this novel, a dual time line historical one, Reay takes readers to WWII Vienna in telling one story, while in the other a Russian young woman is an exchange student in DC in the 80s.

Ingrid, of the earlier time period , has lost many in the war. Her parents were helping the Allies when fate caught them. Ingrid has decisions to make about where she will live her life. What does she decide? Who is her husband? What will she do as she learns more about him?

Anya, in the later time period, comes to love America more than she thought she would. Will she go back to Russia? If yes, what will she do there? And, importantly, how will the story lines converge?

Those who love history, spy stories, love stories, family stories and all around good reads, pick this one up. I really enjoyed it.

Many thanks to Harper Muse and NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 13 June 2023

From the Publisher

A Shadow in Moscow
A Shadow in Moscow
A Shadow in Moscow

Watch for Reay’s next novel:

Now out: Crossword Puzzles for Brain Fitness

It is often said that solving crosswords is good for the brain. That may indeed be so but I also find that solving them is fun. Here is a good collection of puzzles that range in difficulty for easy to tough. I really liked the section at the start of the book that gave some advice on solving.

This title looks like a fun and (sometimes) challenging one. I think that I will buy the hard copy so that I can solve them.

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

Four stars ****

A gift to readers: BookTrib Lit Picks

#BookribLitPicks #NetGalley

Here is a FREE guide to upcoming books that spans a wide variety of genres, authors and publishers. At over 400 pages, every reader will find something to add to their reading lists.

The sample titles are organized by type. These include mystery, thriller & suspense, horror, fantasy, sci fi & speculative fiction, women’s fiction & romance, contemporary fiction & family drama, action & international thrillers, coming of age & young adult, historical fiction, self help, and last of all, non fiction. Each subdivision has a description of a book and author along with additional information on the title; these are followed by an excerpt.

I recommend this book most highly. The only downside is that I don’t know if I will have enough time to read all of the books that appeal to me!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Meridian Editions for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 14 November 2023

DuMaurier and Tey fans rejoice: Shot with Crimson (Nicola Upson)

#ShotWithCrimson #NetGalley

Shot with Crimson is part of a series by Ms. Upson with this book being the eleventh title. Intriguingly. the detective/investigator/protagonist is the real life mystery writer, Josephine Tey. Along with the stories, readers are offered some true insights into her life. (For those who do not know, Tey was one of the writers of the Golden Age of Detection Fiction, along with Sayers and Christie).

Tey’s official police inspector/foil is DCI Archie Penrose. Together they solve cases, many of which are quite sad.

Much happens in this story. The title is a quote from Rebecca and, indeed, DuMaurier and her novel are important to the plot. At the time that the events take place, Hitchcock is directing the famous movie based on the novel. He is just one of the real life figures who appears in the book.

Part of the story takes place in Hollywood where Tey travels after a lavish trip on the Queen Mary. Archie is in England where the estate that the movie is based upon is located. Someone has been murdered there. Readers will turn the pages as they wait for the plot strands to come together and to discover “whodunnit.”

This eleventh book to feature Josephine offers a good excuse to sit down with a b00o and be transported to other worlds. Those who have not already read Rebecca may be inspired to read that as well. I recommend both.

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

Pub date: 07 November 2023