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

#FourPartiesandaFuneral #NetGalley

This book is the fourth in a fun, light mystery series featuring Mia Carina. This time she is back in Queens and involved in her family’s (legitimate) business, the running of a catering hall. Mia becomes embroiled in lots of mayhem both with her family and in her work.

Work wise, Mia is involved with a film shoot. She is not impressed with the reality show wannabes that this brings in. Alongside this, Mia’s cousin is marrying into a family that doesn’t even care about food! Also, she is hoping that someone special might “pop the question.” And, of course, as if that were not enough, there is a murder with a certain family member as suspect.

Readers will quickly turn the pages in this one. Traditional mystery fans should give it a look.

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

Pub date: 28 March 2023

#TheMinotaurSamplerVolume8 #NetGalley

This collection of excerpts from upcoming mystery and suspense titles is here again! As always, there are generous excerpts and descriptions of each of the featured titles. There is also information on each of the authors.

Readers will find their own favorites. I know that I want to read What the Neighbors Saw and The Trade Off. Think about the macabre head in Speak of the Dead; the story sounds intriguing.

This is a great way to learn about new books and it is free.

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

Pub date: 28 March 2023

FREE

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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.

Pub date: 11 April 2023

by Stephen Browning

#WalkingLiteraryLondon #NetGalley

This book is exactly as described. Included are 11 London walks that offer pedestrians glimpses of this most literary of cities. Each walk highlights both fictional and actual figures. For example, walk 5 includes Pall Mall, Picadilly and Mayfair. A few of the streets in this walk include St. James Street, Berkeley Street and Bruton Street, among others. Mention is made of those who belonged to the Reform Club including Anthony Trollope, Arnold Bennet, Conan Doyle, Thackeray and others; that is just one of many neighborhood stops.

There are photographs and maps for each walk. I also really liked that walking conditions are noted.

Both real and virtual travelers will be impressed by the rich history that is revealed in these pages.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Pen & Sword for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 30 March 2023

Pride and PrejudiceBy Jane AustenSelected as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read, Jane Austen’s most popular novel follows Elizabeth, the second eldest of a country gentleman’s five daughters, as she discovers how wrong first impressions can be. This special edition includes replicas of every letter featured in the timeless story.

And an invite….

With stars that glow in the dark!

by Corinne Delporte, illustrated by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, translated by Carine Laforest

#TheJourneyofTheLittlePrince #NetGalley

This title introduces young children to the Little Prince and some of his adventures. It also encourages discussion. As an example, first the Prince visits the king. On the next page, children are asked about making decisions, being a boss and how to be a good leader. This continues as the prince meets a businessman and geographer, among others.

The illustrations are from the original work and are lovely. Some may find this book a bit heavy handed in its message but I liked it. It reflects how kids see the world.

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

Pub date: 04 April 2023

I loved the setting of this novel. It was delightful to spend time on the Isle of Wight, even if murders can happen there.

Susan has lived a fairly quiet life here. One of her favorite companions is her dog, Rocco. Together the two are part of a dog walking community on the island.

Susan is relatively self-contained but nonetheless she welcomes a boarder to her home. This is Colette. What has led her to Wight? How is her murder related to some thefts and/or a deceased relative?

Susan wonders if one of her fellow dog lovers is the perpetrator. Is she right? Read this traditional mystery in order to find out.

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

Pub date: 07 March 2023

From the Publisher