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

www.nytimes.com/2023/03/10/books/new-fiction-books-spring-2023.html

It is hard to believe that Independence Square is the 10th Arkady Renko novel. Faithful (and new) readers of the series will enjoy this title that Publishers Weekly has given a well deserved star review. It is described by the publication as “stellar;” what more could a reader hope for?

Given the current state of the world, it is interesting to read a book that is set in Ukraine and to be there with Arkady. He is a good companion.

When the story opens, Arkady is, I think, a bit bored. Finally, something interesting comes along when he is asked to locate musician Karina. She is the daughter of a body builder who is a man doing some unsavory work. Karina, herself, is anti-Putin; what could be more dangerous?

The case takes Arkady to the Crimea and Ukraine. What will he find there? Will Karina be alive? And, how will Arkady cope as he faces a medical diagnosis? Oh, and some complications in his relationship too.

Note that Smith has been writing about Russia for quite a while. He knows whereof he speaks. He also has intimate knowledge of Arkady’s medical condition and writes movingly about this.

Those who enjoy spy fiction, good writing and good stories will want to pick up this title. Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 09 May 2023

The CrimeReads editors select the month’s best debut novels in crime, mystery, and thrillers.  * Nick Medina, Sisters of a Lost Nation (Berkley) Nick Medina’s debut is told from the perspective of Anna Horn, a young Native girl who works at her town’s local casino and starts to notice a pattern when it comes to the…

The Best Debut Crime Novels of the Month — CrimeReads

I enjoyed this.

Is everything false? Is nothing true? Is the title of the book just a trick? Readers will eagerly, maybe compulsively, turn the pages of this title to find out. If they know Lisa Jewell at all, they will expect a gripping story that takes them for quite a ride. If readers are new to the author, they will finish this and look to her backlist.

Two women. Two lives. Two stories. Intersections. Podcasts. True crime shows. Is that enough? I assure you that it will be.

Josie and Alix are both celebrating a forty-fifth birthday. Their lives look very different when each goes to dinner that night at the same place. Josie is there with her husband and it is a big splurge while Alex is there with a large group of friends and seems more financially comfortable.

Josie starts something when she points out to Alix that they are “birthday twins.” Uh-oh, a lot happens from this point on as readers get t know these women, their families, the way their minds operate and more. When Alix and Josie start work on a project together a complex set of circumstances results.

Those who like domestic thrillers and.or domestic thrillers will turn the pages at lightning speed in an effort to figure all of this out. Ms. Jewell has done it again; she has written exactly the kind of novel at which she excels.

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

Pub date: 08 August 2023

Bored with British and American writers? Try these ten excellent novels in translation

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/66632802-deb1-11ed-a0a8-657f9e54fc6a?shareToken=bb9cd175ae55dc1328d1fb859ad390a9

Just today, a friend was telling me that they wanted to explore poetry more. Here is a lovely way to begin or, if you already enjoy poetry, to continue. The editor of this book has curated a collection of just thirty-one poems, a number that will encourage reading poems, while not overwhelming in any way. In fact, readers may well want to go on to explore additional works by the poets featured here. Just a few of them include John Donne, Robert Frost and Rudyard Kipling, along with others less well known by me as, for example, Kate Seymour Maclean.

I enjoyed my time with this title. Others will too, I think.

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

#WhatYouTaughtMe #NetGalley

This title would make a good gift for someone whom you value. Each section represents a quality. These include Kindness, Patience, Confidence, Courage, Gratitude, Preparation, Commitment, Teamwork, Perspective, and Respect.

The quotes come from a wide range of sources. Each is short and meaningful and all offer a nice bit of inspiration.

For example, Marie Curie said

Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing mus be attained.

And one more…

Nelson Mandela-I’ve learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.

Dip in and out of this book when a boost is needed. It might just help!

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

Pub date: April 2023

This is an upbeat and positive book that helps kids to identify and manage a wide variety of emotions. It is brightly illustrated (as can be seen from the cover) and somewhat interactive.

Four big emotions are featured here. They include happy, sad, fearful and angry. No judgment is attached to what some might consider “negative” feelings.

This book will be welcomed by parents, teachers, mental health providers and, of course, kids. It is a nice resource.

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

This title was published in 2018.

From the Publisher

Being Yourself

I Don’t Fit In Feeling ‘different’ or that you don’t fit in can make you feel sad and alone. But everyone is unique, and you are too! There’s nothing different about that. Be yourself! You’re the best at that.	Calm is a Superpower My Mixed Emotions is one tool that will help your children begin to identify their emotions, and ultimately, manage them. After all, feeling grateful and becoming happier is something we can all benefit from.	The Wonder of You Today you are you. That is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you! – Dr. Seuss.

Managing Turbulent Emotions

All about Happiness Tremendous things are in store for you, wonderful surprises await you! – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl.	All about Anger I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship – Little Women, Louisa May Alcott.	All about Sadness After a storm comes fair weather, after sorrow comes joy – Russian proverb.

I am currently reading this author’s newest book. I love the series.