Pencils out: Sudoku for Brain Fitness

#SudokuforBrainFitness #NetGalley

I enjoy puzzle books and the challenges that the good ones provide. This title meets that bar.

Sudoku is an easy puzzle to learn but not always to solve. Logic and determination are required to solve the hard puzzles while easier ones can leave the solver with a quicker happy feeling of accomplishment.

This title starts with easy puzzles and goes on to medium and hard ones. They should offer hours of fun for fans.

The book opens with a clear explanation of how to solve a sudoku. There are also many strategies offered for approaching puzzles.

Those who are puzzlers will enjoy this book. It will keep its fans quite busy.

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

Pub date: 12 September 2023

Come to Iceland: Reyjavik

Ragnar Jónasson and Katrín Jakobsdóttir

Recently, I read a story about the PM of Iceland who had found time to co-author a novel with one of her country’s best known writers. Here is that book and it is one that is easy to recommend.

The story opens in the 1950s with the disappearance of teen, Lara, from her summer position as a maid on an island off the coast of Reyjavik. An inexperienced police officer goes out to investigate but is stonewalled. The couple who live on the island for the summer includes a barrister who calls a higher ranking officer. That one tells the rookie not to press this couple.

Flash forward to the year of the capital’s birthday celebrations, 1986. The case has never been solved. A journalist chooses to re-investigate. What happens to him as a result? What will happen from this point? What will be discovered and by whom? Will it be the truth? What really did happen to Lara? Who does not want the facts to come out? For certain, there are secrets! Read this one to suss out some answers.

The book opens with a very helpful list of the story’s many characters. It may take those unaccustomed to the country’s language a little time to get comfortable with these but it is worth the time. It was also fun to look up some of the places that are used as settings, especially the small island of Videy.

The authors have dedicated this title to Agatha Christie. It is, I think, a book that she would have liked. That said, Reykjavik is not a story told in a hurry. If you require fast paced, this title might not be for you. I enjoyed it though.

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

Pub date: 05 September 2023

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY GIVES THIS A STARRED REVIEW. IT IS WELL-DESERVED.

Will that happen: Catch Me if You Candy (Elle Alexander)

One thing that i find inviting and engaging in cozy/traditional mysteries is that they open a world up. In this case, readers enter the life of a baker/protagonist in this latest bakeshop mystery. Old and new readers will enjoy this one. It may help a bit to have read others in the series but I don’t think that is essential.

This is a(nother) fall season/Halloween story, this time set in Ashland, Oregon, a place that is rightfully renowned for its Shakespeare festival. All look forward to the costumes and a big celebration with a pug in an important role.

What is the significance of a dragon? How does mahjong play into the events? Who is the murder victim and why? Will Jules and her crew sort things out? (yes, but the fun is in watching them do it.)

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur for this book with its punny title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 22 August 2023

Praise for the Bakeshop Mysteries:

“This delectable series transports readers to Ashland, Oregon… I highly recommend this series to readers who enjoy clever plots, likable characters, and good food.” ―Mystery Scene on A Batter of Life and Death

“Alexander’s charming series offers descriptions of enticingly fattening foods, a tour of southern Oregon, and, incidentally, a mystery that provides enough riddles to keep you guessing without ever upstaging the main event.” ―Kirkus Reviews on Till Death Do Us Tart

“A Batter of Life and Death is a delightful cozy mystery that will keep you turning pages to see what Jules is going to get into next…. Grab a few napkins, because you’ll be drooling all over the pages as you read some of the delicious-sounding recipes these chefs are cooking up.” ―Fresh Fiction

That’s quite a number: Nine Lives and Alibis (Cate Conte)

Here is the latest and seventh title in the cozy/traditional series by Cate Conte. It will be enjoyed by those who already read her stories, cat lovers and those who are fans of murders that lack graphic violence, have good settings, good characters and an enjoyable story to tell.

It’s fall and lots is going on in the small town where the story is set. Who killed a medium (and one who had a black cat)? What connection does this have to a busybody, an old murder and others in the town who are close to protagonist/sleuth Maddie? Readers will enjoy finding out in this fun title.

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

Pub date: 22 August 2023