Now out: Houseplants for Beginners

This book will be quite useful to novices who want to have happy houseplants. Those with some experience may also find that they learn something in these pages.

Following a useful introduction this book is broken down into sections on planting, watering & fertilizer, lighting, problem solving, and plant profiles.

I liked the author’s encouraging and low key style. She is a good guide. Her text is accompanied by both photos and helpful graphics.

I especially liked the information on plants that are easy to grow. In that way, a gardener can be set up for success.

Highly recommended to those who want to be surrounded by healthy plants.

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

Five stars *****

Molly is back: The Mystery Guest (by Nina Prose)

 #TheMysteryGuest #NetGalley

Nita Prose’s first novel, The Maid, introduced the interesting hotel maid Molly. She will make readers appreciate the folks who do this work for their comfort. Molly was around murder in that book and history repeats itself here.

The murder takes place in the hotel’s newly refurbished and elegant tea room. The victim is a wildly popular mystery writer with a fan club. He was at the hotel to share an important announcement. Of course, he died before the speech and all of his cue cards are missing.

It turns out that Molly had a connection to this victim. She brings her unique intelligence and set of skills to figuring out what happened. Along the way, readers are treated to many of her aphorisms and get to enjoy her relationship with her grandmother among others.

I was lucky enough to hear the author speak at a mystery conference last year. She acknowledged the difficulties of writing a second book when the first was well received. In my opinion, Ms. Prose did a find job here.

Those who like a traditional mystery with an untraditional protagonist will enjoy The Mystery Guest. This book can be read on its own but readers who like Molly will probably want to read that first book as well.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for this title. All opinions are my own.

This book was published in November 2023

From the Publisher

A new mess. A new mystery. Molly the Maid is back!
“A page turning delight,” says Jenny Jackson“Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie,” writes A.J. Finn“Polished to perfection,” says Shari Lapena

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Heartwarming . . . Like Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple, who’s rendered invisible because she’s an old woman, Molly and her grandmother are not seen because of the kind of work they do. In this affecting and socially-pointed mystery series, however, invisibility becomes the superpower of the pink-collar proletariat.”—NPR

“[Molly] returns in The Mystery Guest, which builds upon The Maid’s many charms. Prose peppers the mystery with sly jokes about the vagaries of crime writing, but Molly’s voice remains central and moving.”—The New York Times

“Molly is a singular character—she’s intelligent, unfailingly honest and the epitome of a professional maid—and readers will enjoy checking into the Regency Grand to follow her and her exploits.”—BookPage

There was bravery: Code Name Butterfly (by Embassie Susberry)

Those who enjoy historical fiction set in the WWII period will want to read Code Name Butterfly. As is true of much historical fiction, this is a dual timeline story in which historical personages have a role. 

In the present, Lizzie is dealing with her inability to carry a child to term. She is heartbroken. In her grief, she returns to her childhood home and becomes intrigued with some family history.

In the earlier time period, readers will spend time with both fictional and real characters. In this part of the narrative, they will learn much about Josephine Baker (yes, that flamboyant one) and her role in a much quieter, secret life during the war. They will also enjoy meeting Elodie and seeing how the plot lines fall into place.

The pages turn in this story. Even if a reader has read lots of WWII historical fiction, this is worth a look. There is even some romance.

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

Pub date: 04 January 2024

Now out: Manifestation Coloring Book

According to this title, manifestation believes that positive thinking creates energy and helps people to find what they seek. This makes sense but I don’t always feel that life is that simple. However, I did like this coloring book. It features interesting patterns to color and many positive affirmations.

I very much liked the intricacy of the patterns in the book. Get out your pencils or crayons. Let yourself drift as you live in the moment. Coloring for adults can be so enjoyable.

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

Four stars ****