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

www.nytimes.com/2023/03/15/books/miami-florida-books.html

www.nytimes.com/2023/03/16/books/review/new-crime-mystery-books.html

This title will be welcomed by academics and others who want to take a deep dive into the literature of Norther Ireland. The context within history and politics is explored in the introduction before moving into the other chapters. These explore works of both poetry and prose. Readers will discover new writers along with those of whom they have already heard. They will also leave the book understanding its title.

This is a book to be read by those who want to understand more about the complexities of Northern Ireland. Insights come from the writers.

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

From the Publisher

Paige Shelton has penned many traditional mysteries. Her fans will be delighted with this new novel. I was sold from the beginning…Scotland, Books!

This adventure with Delaney was pretty delightful, even with the shenanigans. I enjoyed traveling around Edinburgh with her. There are mysterious business, missing persons, literary tours, and murder.

This is the eighth in a series. I want to go back and read any that I missed. You might too.

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

Pub date: 04 April 2023

by Fiona Collins

Rachel has committed to Jonny, thinking that he is “the one.” She is ready to marry this author and be a stepmom. She also hopes to open her own gallery. Potential complications ensue however when Rachel meets Gabe.

In this book that covers a wide time span, Rachel is placed in situations where she must decide whether to stay with Jonny or go with Gabe, to whom she feels an attraction.

Spend time with Rachel and those around her as she tries to figure out what she wants from life (over and over). It is a situation that readers will relate to in this enjoyable read.

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

Pub date: 04 April 2023

I definitely found the title and cover of this lighthearted mystery to be rather appealing. What could be better than a good story accompanied by the classic French breakfast?

I was not familiar with the author who is a British comedian. That explains the tone of the story. Here is a rather hapless hotel owner who gets sucked into an adventure by an exotic guest of his establishment. It becomes a bit crazy with even hints of the Mafia. How will it all get resolved? Read this one to find out. It is a book that shows what can happen when one ventures (way) out of a comfort zone.

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

#SymphonyofSecrets #NetGalley

This is the author’s second novel, following on the well regarded Violin Conspiracy. I very much enjoy that these are music based stories. Think the world of composing is quiet? Well, not exactly when it may turn out that someone who claimed authorship of some works, may have had no right to do so.

What did Josephine Reed compose in the 1930s? What was her relationship with another composer named Delaney? Why is one of Delaney’s relative contacting protagonist Bern Hendricks? Who else will be involved as things become complicated? Will wrongs be righted? What is the role of race in the story and its events? Read this enjoyable, thoughtful sophomore work by the author to find out.

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

Pub date: 18 April 2023

FREE

#TheFourthEnemy #NetGalley

I am always delighted to spend time with the characters in Anne Perry’s series of historical novels,. This time, the book features Daniel Pitt who is newly married to Miriam fford Croft. Regular readers of the series will enjoy watching the two in this new phase in their relationship, while those who are just meeting Daniel and Miriam for the first time will quickly catch on.

A bit of background…Thomas and Charlotte Pitt are Daniel’s parents; they have a series of their own. Sir Thomas is involved at the highest levels of government as head of Special Branch. In this entry, his work and Daniel’s will intersect.

Malcolm Vayne has an apt surname. As is often the case in my opinion, Perry creates characters in her historical fiction that resonate in our presents. Here, I would say that Vayne has some of the qualities of a Madoff or Trump. Vayne is unscrupulous yet somewhat charismatic and he supports causes such as women’s suffrage. At the same time, he is involved in complex financial schemes.

There is not a dead body until 3/5ths into the novel. This is undoubtedly deliberate on Perry’s part as she unwinds her plot slowly. Will justice be done? What does the title, The Fourth Enemy, mean? Find out in this book.

I like that Perry believes in strong women who perhaps were unusual for their time. For instance, Miriam is a forensic pathologist in the story which takes place in the early 1900s. Earlier, Charlotte was less “ladylike” than her peers. I also enjoy how characters from other series make appearances. Here there are Thomas and also a character from the Elena Standish series. Others from the Daniel Pitt stories are also here including Miriam’s father who recently gave up his law practice and Ian Frobisher, a school friend of Daniel’s who is in the police force. There is also a new law practitioner in the chambers. He has a most difficult case to prosecute.

I have read Anne Perry’s books from the very beginning and always look forward to her newest titles. No surprise that i am recommending this one.

Publishers Weekly states: Four decades after her debut, Perry shows no sign of losing steam.

I concur.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this book. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 11 April 2023