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

S.A. Cosby on Inspiration, Serial Killers, and How He Writes

Death Comes to Marlow is the next in a series, following on The Marlow Murder Club. I enjoyed this title even more than that first book. The author knows how to tell a story; he is also known for TV’s Death in Paradise.

Anyone who enjoys Richard Osman’s series is sure to enjoy spending time with Judith, Becks and Susie. They help the police and specifically Tanika to solve another case in these pages.

Judith is in her 70s and deliberately eccentric. Susie finds it hard not to blurt and has a dog walking business, while Becks is married to the local vicar but…who is she seeing now?

One day, a man named Sir Peter invites Judith to his posh engagement party. He has had an intimation that he will be murdered and indeed he is. There are many suspects in the pages that follow, including his son and daughter, and his new fiancee, or is it someone else?

The plot just rattles along and I liked spending time with Judith and Co. I highly recommend this title to those who enjoy cozy mysteries and women of a certain age. I am eager for the next book by this author.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Five Stars

And, this just in from PBS

New Series: The Marlow Murder Club

A four-part adaptation of Robert Thorogood’s The Marlow Murder Club is coming to MASTERPIECE! Find out all about the new mystery starring Downton Abbey and Home Fires favorite Samantha Bond as  retired archaeologist Judith Potts, Jo Martin (Doctor Who) as local dog-walker and empty-nester Suzie, and Cara Horgan (The Sandman, Traitors) as unfulfilled vicar’s wife Becks.

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#TheMinotaurSamplerVolume9 #NetGalley

I am a great fan of samplers; there is no better way to add to one’s reading list. In this title, there are excerpts from a number of upcoming mysteries that will intrigue readers. I look forward to reading just about every one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, I have already begun reading A Traitor in Whitehall. It offers an involving read. Try out this title and the others that are included here, including one by Amy Chua (of Tiger Mother fame). Each sample is long enough to give a reader a good sense of the title. For each, there is a cover photo, description and a few chapters, while the end of the title includes the authors’ biographies.

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

Pub date: 27 June 2023

#TheBoysfromBiloxi #NetGalley

In The Boys from Biloxi, Grisham tells a story that will keep readers turning the pages. Two childhood friends, families with different values and backgrounds, a courtroom trial and its aftermath that will grip readers are all in this title, as is Biloxi, itself, a place that is vividly described. A desire to know how things will turn out keeps readers intrigued. Sound appealing? If yes, this is vintage Grisham and definitely a novel that his fans will enjoy.

The book does drag just slightly at times but otherwise this is an engaging tile by a master of his genre. Many thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

This title was published in October 2022

From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for John Grisham:
 
“A legal literary legend.” —USA Today
 
“John Grisham is about as good a storyteller as we’ve got in the United States these days.” —The New York Times Book Review
 
“Grisham’s work — always superior entertainment — is evolving into something more serious, more powerful, more worthy of his exceptional talent.” —Th

One of the best things about being a parent (or spending time with a child you know) is taking a moment to read a story together. This time is wonderful for closeness and sharing.

Here is a terrific collection of stories to read with a child who is around five years old. Enjoy the words and also the illustrations. With forty stories here, there are sure to be many that will be enjoyed, read and reread.

A few suggestions include Please Do Not Eat the Books, Rap-unzel, Pam and the Peas, Get Up, Little Bear, The Impatient Cookie and so many more. Each entry is short and many rhyme, making them perfect for reading aloud.

I definitely recommend this one. Adults and kids will enjoy it.

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

Five stars

Thinking of traveling to England’s capital? Are you just an armchair traveler? Want to get a unique take on London? Whichever applies, this book is a good guide.

Readers are offered four walks through London. The first goes from Tower Hill Station to Liverpool Street Station. Next is Tottenham Court Road Station to Trafalgar Square. Third is London Bridge Station to Borough Station. Finally, there is a walk from Westminster Station to Berkeley Square.

Each walk has a theme. For example, the first one focuses on London’s buildings. They go from Roman ruins to skyscrapers.

In the introduction, the author states that he wants to show explorers lots of hidden corners. He also want to provide an “ability to read London.” Sounds good.

This book has lovely illustrations, a plethora of sites to see, informative and brief descriptions, and maps to help on the way. Each site’s address is also provided.

Recommended for someone who has the time and inclination to explore an amazing city.

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

Four stars

#RebelGirlsLevelUp #NetGalley

This book follows a formula that continues to work well for Rebel Girls. Each book in the series is about an area where women have excelled and an area where girls can imagine their own success. This time each two page entry is on a person in the gaming world with 25 stories in all. Some of the women featured include Anne Shoemaker (game designer), Maddie Messer (Gamer) and Poikimane (streamer), along with many more.

Thought gaming was dominated by boys/men? Well, these folks prove that theory is wrong.

As is often true in the Rebel Girls books, there are additional sections in the back of the book. These include writing and drawing activities and a section called Keep Playing.

Once again, this title is a good one for home and school libraries. I love how Rebel Girls believes in its audience.

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

Pub date: 20 June 2023

#TheBestBadDayEver #NetGalley

Any child who has woken up grumpy will enjoy this book and, especially, its illustrations. How does a bad day get better? Turn the pages to find out in this cute title.

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

Pub date: 18 July 2023