It’s complicated: Past Lying (by Val McDermid)

#PastLying #NetGalley

Val McDermid is one of my favorite authors and her Karen Pirie novels make up my favorite of her series. So, I was delighted to start reading this book. 

Past Lying takes place in Scotland during Covid. McDermid brought back painful memories for me of what it was like to live with lockdown (though I was not in Scotland). The pandemic complicates policing due to the many restrictions that are in place. 

There are several plots in these pages. One has to do with a writer who may (or may not) have planned a perfect murder in order to incriminate a fellow novelist. This story line leads to there being a novel within the novel. A second thread has to do with an illegal migrant who risked his life to expose the corruption in his country. A third story has to do with the police officers known as the Mint. His mother is very ill with Covid and in the hospital. What has Jason’s (the Mint) brother been up to?

In addition to the story, McDermid takes the opportunity to talk quite a bit about writers and what they do (at least in this book) to be successful. This may include book signings, courses and responsiveness to what the public wants. In a minor criticism, I did not enjoy this aspect of the book as much as others. 

Readers will welcome spend time catching up on the character’s personal lives. Karen still mourns Phil and has to decide how she feels about Hamish. Daisy may be starting a new relationship. There is also the relationship between the two writers and the wife of one who becomes involved with the other.

I found Past Lying to be a bit slow to get into but then it most definitely took off. Readers of the other novels in the series will surely want to read this. Ms. McDermid will undoubtedly garner some new fans as well.

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

This title was published in November 2023.

NOTE: THIS BOOK HAD A STARRED REVIEW IN PUBLISHERS WEEKLY.

“Truly chilling . . . Ingenious, humane, and all too telling as a reminder of the costs of the pandemic even on its survivors.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Atmospheric . . . The novel-within-a-novel is not a new device, but McDermid uses it to memorable effect in a piece of fiction that vividly recreates the anxious early months of the Covid pandemic.”—Sunday Times (UK)

Now out: Public Anchovy

Here is the third in a series for those who enjoy traditional/cozy mysteries. It is a fun read.

All of the elements that readers of this genre look for are here. There are an appealing protagonist, something to learn about (restaurants/pizza), a bit of romance, pet (cat) and (of course), a body. Follow Delilah and those in her town as she figures everything out. It offers a perfect way to relax on a December night.

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

There is a lot to celebrate: Three Holidays and a Wedding (by by Uzma Jalaluddin and Marissa Stapley)

#ThreeHolidaysandaWedding #NetGalley

There is a lot to celebrate in this book that takes place in a year (2000) when the three December holidays (Ramadan, Hanukah and Christmas) all happened at the same time. This is a rarity as readers can imagine.

The story follows two main characters and those around them during this festive season. Anna looks to have a pretty perfect life from the outside. She works for a home decor magazine and is about to celebrate the holiday with her boyfriend and his family. However, she experiences some setbacks even as she tries to catch her flight including seeing her suitcase left behind by the baggage truck. Is her (almost) fiancee really the person for her? 

Maryam is the one who takes care of everyone in her family and sometimes does not attend to her own needs. Her sister is about to get married while Maryam is not in a relationship. An old (and future?) crush is on her plane and may have overheard things not meant for him.

When the overly talkative Anna and the more reserved Maryam are in seats next to each other on the plane, they experience a rough flight; it is one of those that make a person wonder if they will land safely. This leads to their sharing a great deal.

Not really a spoiler but the plane lands, just not where it is supposed to. Watch what happens to these young women and those around them as a result in a delightful holiday read.

There are both humor and heart in these pages. Anyone looking for a celebratory read to end 23 with or start 24 with will want to take a look at this title.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group/Putnam for this title. All opinions are my own.

This title was published in September 2023.

An Oprah Daily Dreamy Holiday Romance to Read by the Fire
A Library Journal “‘Tis the Season for Romance” Pick
A Publishers Weekly Top Ten Fall Romance Book

“This charming multicultural and multi-faith romance sparkles with an adorable cast of characters and a storyline that reads like a movie one would want to watch again and again.” –Library Journal (starred)
 
“[A] holiday romance with charm to spare…Proving that ‘holiday miracles can happen anywhere, to anyone…. It’s a keeper.” – Publshers Weekly

There is a lot to celebrate: Three Holidays and a Wedding (by by Uzma Jalaluddin and Marissa Stapley)

#ThreeHolidaysandaWedding #NetGalley

There is a lot to celebrate in this book that takes place in a year (2000) when the three December holidays (Ramadan, Hanukah and Christmas) all happened at the same time. This is a rarity as readers can imagine.

The story follows two main characters and those around them during this festive season. Anna looks to have a pretty perfect life from the outside. She works for a home decor magazine and is about to celebrate the holiday with her boyfriend and his family. However, she experiences some setbacks even as she tries to catch her flight including seeing her suitcase left behind by the baggage truck. Is her (almost) fiancee really the person for her? 

Maryam is the one who takes care of everyone in her family and sometimes does not attend to her own needs. Her sister is about to get married while Maryam is not in a relationship. An old (and future?) crush is on her plane and may have overheard things not meant for him.

When the overly talkative Anna and the more reserved Maryam are in seats next to each other on the plane, they experience a rough flight; it is one of those that make a person wonder if they will land safely. This leads to their sharing a great deal.

Not really a spoiler but the plane lands, just not where it is supposed to. Watch what happens to these young women and those around them as a result in a delightful holiday read.

There are both humor and heart in these pages. Anyone looking for a celebratory read to end 23 with or start 24 with will want to take a look at this title.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group/Putnam for this title. All opinions are my own.

This title was published in September 2023.

An Oprah Daily Dreamy Holiday Romance to Read by the Fire
A Library Journal “‘Tis the Season for Romance” Pick
A Publishers Weekly Top Ten Fall Romance Book

“This charming multicultural and multi-faith romance sparkles with an adorable cast of characters and a storyline that reads like a movie one would want to watch again and again.” –Library Journal (starred)
 
“[A] holiday romance with charm to spare…Proving that ‘holiday miracles can happen anywhere, to anyone…. It’s a keeper.” – Publshers Weekly

History unspools in the : North Woods (by Daniel Mason)

#NorthWoods #NetGalley

ONE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW AND THE WASHINGTON POST’S TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR
A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: Time, The Boston Globe, NPR, Chicago Public Library, The Star Tribune, The Economist, The Christian Science Monitor, Real Simple, Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Bookreporter

It is clear from the above that North Woods is a special book. Anyone who enjoys an immersive read will want to give this title a look. It tells the story of a place over the course of many years and many lives and through many narrative threads. As an added perspective, there is much on nature in these pages. 

The story begins with the Puritans; readers get to know these first (and all of the other characters) well. All have stories to tell and their lives cover many years of American history.

I highly recommend this complex and rewarding book. Get to know the yellow house. Take the time to enjoy time spent there.

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

This title was published in September 2023

From the Publisher

The San Francisco Chronicle compares the book to David Mitchell, Edgar Allan Poe, and Thoreau
Abraham Verghese calls it an original and spellbinding novelNamed a Best Book of the Year by multiple publicationsMaggie O’Farrell calls it a monumental achievement
The Guardian says To read it is to travel to the limits of what the novel can doThe Washington Post calls it a time-spanning, genre-blurring workNPR says it channels Hawthorne, Thoreau, Richard Powers, and George Saunders
All homes have histories. This one has more than most.