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

#100MorningTreats #NetGalley

Here is a book that will make even night owls want to get up and start their days. It has recipes from my favorite (bread) food group. There are recipes for muffins, rolls, biscuits, breads, scones, danish, French toast and more. Every single one of these 100 appeals to me.

As is generally true for cookbooks, this one begins with a section packed with helpful information. Then come the recipes with directions that make sense and the mouthwatering photos.

This book will be adored by those who like the bread game, even if it is not breakfast time. For those who don’t like to bake, gift it to someone as a gift and offer to be the taster.

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

Pub date: 09 May 2023

The best popular fiction for April 2023 — a Bridgerton-style romp and more

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/db83ef54-d475-11ed-b1cd-5223fe349502?shareToken=ecc4c24a38fce13d5d1dc1d93fc98573

Wow! What an idea for a cookbook. Who knew that so much could be done with sandwich cookies?

This book contains what are called 65 “mix and match” recipes. They are divided into delightful sections including Oldies but Goodies; For the Love of Chocolate; The Cool Cookies; Tart and Tangy, and more. There are recipes for Chocolate Chip Cookies, Hot Fudge Sundae Macarons, Spiced Chocolate Cookies with Dulce de Leche and so many more.

There are helpful beginning sections to get bakers set up. The recipes that follow are clear and the pictures will make you hungry.

This is a scrumptious title. It will surely find its audience!

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

From the Publisher

Homemade Milanos	Chocolate-Dipped Peanut Butter Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich	Brown Butter Toffee Walnut Cookies with Bourbon Ice Cream

Lavender Lemon Shortbread with Meyer Lemon Curd	Parmesan Pizzelle with Whipped Herb Cream Cheese	Black Cocoa Brownie Mint Chip Sandwiches

A Monthly Guide to Swirling, Sipping, and Pairing with Friends

by Maureen Petrosky

#WineClub #NetGalley

I drink wine but am by no means a connoisseur. This book is an accessible, unsnobby and good guide to wines and it left me knowing a great deal more. Oh, and let’s not forget that this title is pretty; the bright colors and layouts really appealed to me. Organized by month, each chapter is packed with information. For example, January is about Cabernet Sauvignon, April is Merlot, August is Sauvignon Blanc and November is Pinot Noir. The author imagines that readers will use this guide as they form their own wine clubs; sounds like a great idea.

There is information on how to organize and host an event. There are tips for “tasteful tastings,” food pairings, ways to talk about wine and more.

Those who want to learn about wine and/or those who want to learn along with friends, will very much enjoy this title. It would make a great gift to a friend or one’s self.

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

Pub date: 30 May 2023

#ReturntoHummingbirdWay #NetGalley

This is the second of two books in a series; first was Second Chance on Cypress Lane. I have not read the first title but had no trouble following along in this one.

This is a novel that uses a well known trope of romantic/women’s fiction. An old rivalry/connection with someone who seemed to be in the past comes to the forefront. This is what happens with Sinclair and Rett (that is surely a name that brings romance to mind as in Mr. Butler, even if that had a different spelling).

The two are reunited when they become involved in a mutual friend’s wedding. Readers may feel that they know where this story is going. That is okay. This is just a relax and enjoy it kind of story. It will be savored by those who like small town romances.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Forever Grand Central for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 25 April 2023

The one that started it all.

Agatha Christie. Roald Dahl. Ian Fleming. Classics are being reworked to remove offensive language. But some readers wonder, when does posthumous editing go too far?
— Read on www.nytimes.com/2023/04/03/books/classic-novels-revisions-agatha-christie-roald-dahl.html

What do you think?

Mismatched cops are a trope in crime fiction. Here that contrast is used to good effect. Believe it or not, there are two DS Wilkins; one is Ryan and one is Ray. Ryan grew up in the projects, wears track suits, has a young son and is white. Ray is Black, married and dresses like someone who shops at Brooks Brothers, whatever the British equivalent might be. They are paired on a case and, over the course of the novel, begin to understand one another.

The setting is Oxford which has led a number of reviewers to compare this series (a second is already out) to Inspector Morse. They are not the same although in each instance the author has a unique voice. Mason’s book shows college life but also much of the poorer side of the city. Race and religion are also important themes.

There are murders and detection, along with lots of back story and characters. I very much enjoyed this read and was so thrilled when the book became available in the U.S. It is currently only $4.99 for the e book and very much worth it.

Recommended to those who like character driven stories, crime stories set in Britain and a protagonist who will be remembered.

My only quibble is the surprise of the solution. The elements were there but it felt just a tad forced. This would not keep me from reading other books by this author however.

Highly recommended.

Have you read this? What did you think?

by Laura Wood

Little Women was the first classic that I ever read. It changed me as, up until then, I thought the term classic was synonymous with boring. To my surprise, I found the story of the four March girls to be completely absorbing. In fact, this is a novel that I have gone on to reread several times.

Here is a version of Little Women that has been gently simplified so as to be more accessible for those who may not be ready or able to deal with the original. The essence of Little Women is in these pages. Ms. Wood has given readers the key descriptions and episodes of the novel. She may even inspire some readers to go to the original.

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