Now out: Life in Five Senses

Gretchen Rubin has written what, I am sure, will be a best seller and a book welcomed by her many fans. This time, she focuses on learning to appreciate life through the senses, recognizing all that they do for us, NOTICING them, and using this awareness to have a more meaningful and fulfilled existence.

One aspect of the book that I enjoyed was Ms. Rubin’s sharing of personal anecdotes. Her personality, organized yet open, inquiring yet functioning best with routine come across most clearly through these.

Each sense is carefully explored through a variety of lenses. The author begins with sight. There is scientific information and much about the ways in which Ms. Rubin literally began to see and notice more. Two examples; Ms. Rubin began a collection of objects in one color family and, for another, she began going to the Metropolitan Museum daily in an effort to really LOOK at what what was there. I found that I paid more attention in my life as a result, just noticing the hues of my world a bit more and slowing down to enjoy them. The same is true as each sense is examined and readers are invited in.

This book will be a welcome guide to its intended audience. Ms. Rubin has done it again.

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

From the Publisher

Glennon Doyle says “woven with research, practice, and a compelling story”
Susan Cain says “An inspiring and practical guide”Lori Gottlieb says “A delightful treat”A.J. Jacobs says “I’ve been noticing more, savoring more”
The more we know. The more we notice.

Is a song enough: To Kill a Troubadour by Martin Walker

It is always a pleasure to spend time with Bruno whose story began with Bruno, Chief of Police. To Kill a Troubadour is the fifteenth in the series with the sixteenth title coming out in August 2023.

This plot has some political underpinnings. A new piece, Song for Catalonia, raises many feelings. The writer has sympathy for the Catalans who want independence from Spain and the Nationalists do not like this. Musician, Joel, is threatened. Will he perform in St. Denis? How far will protesters go? France and Spain plan to work together on this situation so Bruno is involved.

At the same time as Bruno is drawn in, he also wants to help a friend whose husband is being released from prison. Furthermore, he wants to enjoy the pleasures of where he lives including the food. Will he have time for everything? Readers can trust that he will. They will enjoy spending time with Bruno as everything is sorted out.

Publishers Weekly says: “Good food, fascinating history, and a crackerjack mystery: who could ask for more?” Indeed.

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

This book was published in August 2022.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Smoothly integrated into Bruno’s investigation is information on a multitude of subjects, from medieval musical instruments to Ukrainian history, plus easy-to-follow recipes. . . . Good food, fascinating history, and a crackerjack mystery: who could ask for more?”—Publishers Weekly

“While a brilliantly conceived plot builds up to a climax that James Bond might envy, there is pleasure to be had in Martin Walker’s sensitive portrayal of a tight-knit community where friendship and mutual support count for more than expediency. Bruno is a hero for our troubled times.”—Barry Turner, Daily Mail (London)

“[Bruno] raises his own chickens, grows his own produce, and is as caring a cook as Robert B. Parker’s Spenser. . . . As usual, Walker concocts a satisfying dish featuring an intriguing lead character who moves through enviable settings and enjoys wonderful meals while tracking down criminals. . . . Suspense carries to the last in this extremely well-crafted mystery that can be enjoyed by both fans and readers who are new to the series.”—Connie Fletcher, Booklist (starred review)

“Everyone’s favorite French police chief Benoît Courrèges—aka Bruno, Chief of Police—faces a new threat. . . . All of Walker’s fan-favorite characters are present and accounted for, as well as all of Bruno’s treasured pastimes.”—Bruce Tierney, BookPage

Next in an excellent series: Heart of the Nile by Will Thomas

This is the 14th entry in the historical mystery series that features Barker and Llwelyn, a quintessential detective duo. It was a pleasure to spend time with them in this well written novel that was given a starred review by Publishers Weekly.

It is not necessary to have read the earlier books in the series to enjoy this one but readers who have the time may well want to do so in order to understand more about this duo. They are not alike but do respect one another.

Phillip Addison is a teacher by day but his true love is the volunteer work that the does in the Egyptology section of the British Museum. He might have had a promising future and a full-time job there had he not been murdered. Who did it? Why? Does it have anything to do with a discovery that he made on his last night at the museum? Barker and Llewelyn are hired by Mrs. Addison to figure things out.

This title has many strengths. I enjoyed the narrative voice and the well described settings, everywhere from the museum to the dank river where the body is found to homes and work spaces. The mystery is interesting and solid and will especially be enjoyed by Egyptologists.

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

Pub date: 11 April 2023

Now out: The Time of Your Life by Sandra Kitt

Romance fans who choose stories with a bit of substance will want to take a look at this title. The characters’ back stories, interactions and interconnections make for a good read.

A lawyer dies. The contents of his will alter the lives of two people. They are Eden Marsh and Beck Dennison. Everett Nichols influences their futures.

Prior to his death, Everett Nichols was an inspirational figure to Eden while Beck was estranged from him. Nichols leaves a significant legacy to each. What happens when these two and their inheritances come together?

The story of the two main characters is well told. There are also others in this book whom readers get to know. There is, for example, Eden’s troubled sister.

This book offered a romance between two characters who felt real. They had doubts and feelings on their way to the future.

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

From the Publisher

Praise from Publishers Weekly
Praise from Library Journal
Praise from Kirkus

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

You never know who you’ll meet: Hello Stranger by Katherine Center

Katherine Center has become one of my favorite authors. She writes good stories with character about whom I care. Hello Stranger is one of my top two read by her, the other being How to Walk Away. That was the book that made me know that I would always want to read Center’s titles.

This novel has a heroine whose voice I loved. Sadie Montgomery can be funny and sassy. She is a portrait artist who has some complicated family relationships. Her mom, also a portrait artist, died young while Sadie’s father was very disappointed that she walked away from being a doctor (his profession). There are also a stepmother and stepsister who challenge Sadie.

Sadie has many other relationships too. There was a boyfriend and there are her dog, a vet, a good Samaritan whom she does not seem to like, a therapist, a best friend, coffee shop baristas, a neighbor whom she finds creepy, and others. It is fun to watch all of these relationships over the course of the story.

Center also looks at a serious and real issue in this story. Looks is just the right word as Sadie suddenly has a medical crisis that leaves her unable, literally, to see faces. She knows that they are there but nonetheless can’t make sense of them. This is a real condition and one that the author researched for the novel. It is especially challenging for Sadie as she is an artist and her work has always been face centered.

Readers will want the best for Sadie. Read this very enjoyable novel and wait to see how her life evolves. I highly recommend it.

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

Pub date: 11 July 2023

Watch out, it’s: Green for Danger by Christianna Brand

I first read Green for Danger many years ago, though well after it was first published. I very much enjoyed it then, was delighted to see that the book has been reissued and, enjoyed it all over again.

Brand sets her story in a military hospital during WWII. Since the novel was first published in the 1940s, there is a genuine sense of history as it was unfolding in the background. This adds to the experience of reading it.

Green for Danger is the kind of story beloved by many readers of the genre. There is a locked room kind of feeling and a number of suspects, along, of course, with the victim. One thing that I enjoyed was getting to know the characters/suspects as individuals and watching their interrelationships.

Who would want to murder a postman? Why? And, why a second murder? There is a capable detective who will help readers to sort it all out.

Anyone who enjoys historical fiction/mysteries should absolutely take a look at this title. Be sure to read the material at the front of the book including an introduction by Martin Edwards, and notes from both the current publisher and author.

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

Pub date: 04 April 2023