Now out: Pretty Little London

I am an Anglophile for sure. So, I was very happy to receive an e arc for this title. It is just packed with good ideas for trips that are not too far away from the well-known city.

This book is divided into three sections, City & Town, Coast, and Countryside. I liked the maps with landmarks that begin each of these. In addition, there are many enticing photographs throughout. Cities and Towns that are featured include York, Bristol, Bath, and Edinburgh, along with many more. Coasts include Margate, Whitstable and a number of others, while find the Countryside in Cliveden House, Beaverbrook Country Estate, Box Hill and again, lots more.

I tested the book by looking up some of the places where I have spent time. I think that the authors did a nice job in describing these places. This gives me trust about the places that I have not visited (but would like to) that are featured here. That having been said, each entry is short so readers may want to explore their key locales with additional resources.

There are also helpful sections called UK Travel Tips, and Photo Tips included here. They are worth a look.

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

Note: I enjoyed this couple’s earlier book, Pretty Little London.

From the Publisher

Pretty Little London: Trips

Divided into Coast, Countryside, City and Town to make it easy to plan the perfect London getaway.

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It dazzles: The Spectacular (by Fiona Davis)

#TheSpectacular #NetGalley

In her novels, Fiona Davis brings the world of New York City to her readers. I have spent time at the Frick Mansion, the New York Public Library, the Chelsea Hotel and other locations with her as a guide. Each time Ms. David brings the landmark to life, sharing some of its history and mystique. This is exactly what she does in The Spectacular, where readers go to Radio City Music Hall and spend time with the famous Rockettes. As usual, Ms. Davis tells an involving story with not just the intriguing setting, but also good characters and an involving plot.

Readers get to know the members of the Brooks family. The father is a widower with a prosperous business and strong opinions. Judy is the less beautiful daughter, the one who works at her father’s company and seems to mostly do exactly what is expected. For her part, Marion is expected to be and do the same; she is supposed to marry the right sort of young man and he has just proposed to her early in the novel. However, Marion is more like her deceased mother who was artistic. Marion loves to dance and decides to take a chance, auditioning for the Rockettes. This decision to become a Rockette affects Marion’s family relationships. She wants their support but is not sure that she can count on them.

Marion also meets many new people, including Bunny (another dancer) and Peter, a psychiatrist, among others in her new life. Readers not only learn about these people, they also get to witness the grueling rehearsal schedule and indeed spectacular formations of the Rockettes.

At the same time there is a bomber in the city. How will that play at Radio City? What will be the impact on Marion and what role will take on in events?

The novel opens with Marion when she is older. It then goes back and takes readers on her journey. They will watch Marion as she faces real threats and emotional ones, all the while deciding what kind of life she wants for herself.

Here is yet another very good read by the author. Recommended for historical fiction and women’s fiction readers. It is a delight.

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

Pub date: June 13 2023

This just won the British Book Award!

(for best mystery)

I devoured this author’s first book, The Appeal. It was told in a series of documents, had a wide cast of characters and a terrific plot. I am happy to say that The Twyford Code is a most worthy successor to that title.

Once again, the author takes an idiosyncratic approach. This time much of the story is told through a series of audio tape transcripts. Some transcribed well, others less so, giving room for questions and ambiguity.

The book’s narrator has had a hard life, including time in prison. Understanding events from the past motivate the (unreliable?) narrator.

When he was younger, he was in a remedial reading class with some other students (who will be met in these pages). One day, Steve took a book that he found on the bus \, rather than turning it in. His teacher recognizes it and feels a connection, a strong one, to it. And so, things go from here.

Who was the author of this book? What was its significance? What happened to the teacher? Settle in for a satisfying read with this title as the story unfolds.

On another level, this book points to the glories of literacy. Reading opens worlds and nothing can replace that in my opinion.

In a starred review, Publishers Weekly observes: Filled with numerous clues, acrostics, and red herrings, this thrilling scavenger hunt for the truth is delightfully deceptive and thoroughly immersive.

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

What does it mean to be: The Nigerwife (by Vanessa Walters)

I very much enjoyed this suspenseful novel that catapults the reader into the world of the ex-pat Niger wives and those around them. It is a lifestyle of opulence, a huge clothing budget, parties, clubs…and some missing wives.

What has happened to Nicole? Married to Tonye and the mother of two children, she disappears one day (as did a friend of hers previously). Her husband does not seem overly concerned but a relative from London is. She flies to Lagos to try to get to the bottom of things. It will be tricky and along the way some dirty laundry will come to light. Readers will avidly follow along with Claudine as she investigates and observes. Readers also learn more about Nicole and her life before she was gone.

For those who enjoy suspense stories and who would like to travel to moneyed Nigeria (from your chair), I highly recommend this one. It was a good read..

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

Pub date: 02 May 2023

NOTE: THIS TITLE IS A GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK

From the Publisher

The Nigerwife
The Nigerwife
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R.F. Kuang’s Novel “Yellowface” Is a Brutal Satire of Publishing, and the Industry Loves It – The New York Times

In “Yellowface,” R.F. Kuang draws on her own experiences to tackle issues like cultural appropriation and representation. “I hate the feeling of being read just because somebody’s trying to tick off a diversity check box,” she says.
— Read on www.nytimes.com/2023/05/12/books/yellowface-rf-kuang.html