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

Four stars ****

Not so long ago, I was transported to Paris and the world of Shakespeare & Co. in Ms. Maher’s last novel. This time, readers are placed firmly in the Chicago area in the early 1970s.

It is a time of upheaval and change, even as some cling to a more 1950s lifestyle. Readers are introduced to several main characters who live in the time period.

Veronica is a bit of a free spirit and a person who is involved in the social movements of the time. Most significantly, she becomes a part of the Jane network, providing safe, but illegal, abortion services.

Patty, a friend of Veronica’s growing up years, is more conservative. She is a traditional wife and mother who is concerned about her doctor husband’s recent lack of interest in her.

Siobhan is a newer friend of Veronica’s. The story opens as Veronica accompanies Siobhan to her illegal abortion. Siobhan is an artist who is separated/divorced from her professor husband Gabe. She is active in the Janes.

Margaret is a new Assistant Professor at the University of Chicago. She is finding her way and becomes friends with Phyllis. She also becomes involved with Gabe.

This is a rich historical novel that will remind readers of what life was like in the days before Roe v Wade, a time that we have now reentered. The author tells her story well and readers will become immersed in the lives of these fictional characters and the decisions that they make.

I highly recommend this one. It is being published at just the right time.

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

From the Publisher

#TheThaiCookbook #NetGalley

I have often enjoyed going to Thai restaurants and getting Thai takeout from the small place near where I live. Now, with this book of recipes, I can try my hand at making Thai food at home.

This title covers everything from snacks and street food, to soups, salads, fish & shellfish, curries, stir fries, noodles, desserts and more. The photos alone will make cooks hungry!

Each of the 80 plus recipes has a short introduction that is followed by photos and the directions. The recipes may not be for absolute beginners but that is for each cook to decide. I do know that they all look delicious.

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

Pub date: 07 November 2023

FREE

The Running Grave by Robert Galbraith review — another gargantuan thriller from JK Rowling

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a365d300-5bb9-11ee-88d6-eacc4268cc5d?shareToken=5c811c174a156a8d2a009b28d29c35d9

Autumn is always a big season for new mystery novel releases, possibly because it’s when many of us head indoors and start thinking of ways to pass the long
— Read on greatbritishbookclub.com/new-british-mystery-crime-novels-for-autumn-2023/

Julia Kelly’s first historical mystery, A Traitor in Whitehall, takes readers into Winston Churchill’s secret underground headquarters during World War II.
— Read on www.bookpage.com/interviews/winston-churchills-headquarters-should-be-the-safest-place-in-london-but-someone-was-just-murdered-inside-them/

Michael Zajaczkowski

#TheOwnersManualtoLife #NetGalley

The author of this book would like readers to be able to live life with more peace, joy and contentment. He notes that, while some people have a natural grace and equanimity, this is not true for all of us. However, he believes that we can all work toward that and this book is meant to help. The author wants to teach us how to problems solve with grace and patience. He does this with one hundred tips and many quotes. Just a few of these include Focus on the twenty-four hours ahead of you; Look out the other person’s window; How to guarantee you’ll be unhappy and many more.

This book can be read in order or just dipped in and out of. Readers will see which entries speak to them.

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

Pub date: 05 September 2023

Five stars *****

Bibliophiles and gardeners, here is a perfect book for you (and me). Visit the gardens of a number of writers, enjoy what you see, and learn about the importance of each writer’s garden.

The photos throughout are just gorgeous. In addition, the text is quite informative. For example, learn in the very first entry about why Louisa May Alcott’s father bought a particular property and what was grown there. I like that each entry has a section on the writer themself.

There is so much to see here, so this book will provide enjoyment for many hours. J have so many favorites that it is so difficult to pick a few. That said, I especially enjoyed Louis May Alcott’s Orchard House; Jane Austen in Kent and Hampshire, Frances Hodgson Burnett at Great Maythem Hall, Agatha Christie at Greenway, Thomas Hardy on Dorset and, Beatrix Potter at Hill Top.

I would love to own the hard copy of this title and to visit some of these gardens in person. As the author points out, we are so lucky that they have been preserved, even as they evolve.

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

Four stars****

This book will absolutely delight cozy mystery fans and royal watchers. What a premise it is to have Queen Elizabeth discreetly investigating murder and mayhem. She may well become many readers favorite amateur sleuth.

In this third in the series, the Queen is in Norfolk for the festive December holidays. However, all is not well. A hand has turned up on the beach. The hand sports a specific signet ring which leads the Queen to name the owner of this body part. No, She is not squeamish. What happened? Who was responsible? Will justice be achieved?

The mystery itself is well done although I confess that, at times, I had a bit of trouble keeping all of the characters distinct in my memory. But, that did not pose any major difficulties and I very much enjoyed this book.

The delight of this novel lies in the insider feel that Bennett gives readers into royal life. The house and grounds of Sandringham feel accurately described as do events such as Boxing Day shoots and the exchange of gag gifts.

At Sandringham with the Queen are Anne, Charles, Beatrice, Phillip, Harry and others. No William however as he and Kate are at the Middletons. Every one is made to feel very real with personalities that reflect the sense that readers may already have of them.

As was true in the earlier titles in the series, 6 foot tall, Black, Rozie, the Queen’s APS, make her appearance. She is such a fun character.

I highly recommend this one. Readers who have not read the other books in the series will be fine here but many will want to go back to the first two just for the fun of it.

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

From the Publisher

Uncover a world of celebrated detective book series by popular international authors and find out more about these noteworthy books.
— Read on www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/specialfeatures/discover-acclaimed-detective-book-series-from-around-the-world/