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

Looking to read the best of the best? Then check out this comprehensive list of every Pulitzer Prize winning novel for Fiction from 1948 to the present!
— Read on earlybirdbooks.com/pulitzer-prize-winners-fiction

#BoundForMurder #NetGalley

This is the fourth title in the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series. Both those who are already fans and new readers may well enjoy this title. It has some cozy elements that I find appealing; there are good characters, a nice setting and the word library in the series’ title.

Protagonist Amy treats her friend Sunny like family, even if this means that Amy will put off some of her own wedding planning. However, Sunny needs her as there is a skeleton, a real one, in her family’s history.

Readers can trust that all will turn out okay. The fun is in getting there.

Crooked Lane Books is one of my favorite publishers. They have taken on a mantle of publishing consistently enjoyable and reasonably cozy mysteries. These are the sorts of stories that I return to when I want to escape the jangles of the world.

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

Pub date: 07 January 2020

25 Tales of Women in Music

by Rebel Girls

#RebelGirlsRock #NetGalley

Rebel Girls who love music, this one is for you. Here is an entertaining collection of stories about women in music. Some of those featured are Ell Fitzgerald, Joni Mitchell, Queen Latifa and Lizzo. There were other musicians with whom I was not familiar; a few of them are Evelyn Glennis, Laura Jane Grace and Nandi Bushell. All in all, twenty-five women to get to know. Music is defined in this title to include singers, those who play instruments and even those who work in the music industry.

The book’s introduction is written by Joan Jett. Following this are two page spreads for each woman; these include interesting biographical information and an illustration. The published book will also have q codes for those who want to learn more.

All in all, this is a wide ranging and well produced title. It joins many other Rebel Girls books that offer kids the chance to dream big.

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

Pub date: 07 March 2023

#CodeNameSapphire #NetGalley

Pam Jenoff has been writing historical fiction about WWII for some time now. Those who have read her earlier novels will undoubtedly want to give this one a look.

The novel’s protagonist, Hannah Martell, has not had an easy time of it. She had been living in 1942 Berlin at a moment when the Nazis were a real and threatening presence; they, in fact, murdered someone close to Hannah.

Hannah recognizes that she must leave Berlin but getting away from the evils in the world is not easy. Her ship is turned away by the Cubans and the Americans are no help either. Hannah ends up back in Europe where she takes up her life in Brussels.

From this point, the book is about Hannah, her cousin and a woman who runs a resistance effort. To the strife of the period and its espionage, the author also adds a strand of romance when Hannah is attracted to the brother of one of the characters. How will each of these people fare, what daring act will they try to pull of, and how will their lives intersect and change? Keep turning the pages to find out.

This is a decent novel about its difficult time period. That said,there is not anything that makes this title stand out from the many other books set in the same time period. Still, those who cannot get enough of WWII fiction may want to add this title to their reading lists.

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

Pub date: 07 February 2023

A real favorite of mine!

Another week, another batch of books for your TBR pile. Happy reading, folks. * Janice Hallett, The Twyford Code (Atria) “[I]ngenious… Filled with numerous clues, acrostics, and red herrings, this thrilling scavenger hunt for the truth is delightfully deceptive and thoroughly immersive.” –Publishers Weekly Sterling Watson, Night Letter (Akashic) “Amid the classic noir elements, author…

10 New Books Coming Out This Week — CrimeReads

In 1968, Arthur Ashe made history and tennis entered a new era. This title for children opens with this wonderful event. The story then goes on to tell about Arthur and his brother Johnnie’s childhoods in a segregated South. How did they get from one place to the next? Kids should read this title to find out.

The tennis is, of course, the thing but I found the relationship between the two brothers to be quite touching. Find out what Johnnie did for Arthur-what love.

This illustrated title is recommended for home and school libraries, and for fans of tennis and biographies, along with those with an interest in segregation and its impact..

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

The Ashe Brothers: How Arthur and Johnnie Changed Tennis Forever

• Arthur Ashe won three Grand Slam singles titles, was the first Black player selected to the United States Davis Cup team, and was the only Black man ever to win the singles title at Wimbledon, the U.S. Open, and the Australian Open, yet there are few picture books about him on the market.
• Explores Arthur’s accomplishments from a new, untapped angle — a layered sibling story, full of love, sibling rivalry, and unconditional support. (Arthur quite literally could not have achieved all he did without his little brother, and yet very few people know this story.)
• Tennis is growing in popularity; USTA announced in Dec. 2020 that racquet sales and participation have shown that the tennis industry has shown strength amid the pandemic. Racquet sales among first-time players jumped 38% from 2019, and participation was up 50%.
• Tennis tends to be a wealthy, privileged sport; Arthur’s story proves it can be accessible for all kids and players.

#AuntiePoldiandtheHandsomeAntonio #NetGalley

Here is the third (of four) novels about Auntie Poldi. She is quite a character as revealed by her nephew who is the story’s narrator. There is a lot going on in this story.

Poldi’s ex husband has arrived in town looking for a missing relative. How will his search mission relate to a plethora of Antonios? Poldi and her current beau will have adventures as they find out.

Regular readers of this series will be delighted to again spend time with ex-pat Poldi. Life is never staid when she is on the scene.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 04 August 2020

by Rebel Girls

#DrWangariMaathaiPlantsaForest #NetGalley

This is another entry in a series of illustrated biographies for beginning chapter book readers. Each book tells the story of an inspiring woman. This time readers meet young Wangari and watch her grow up to do amazing things.

Wangari grew up in a beautiful Kenyan countryside where her mother’s stories and acts taught Wangari to love and respect nature. Wangari eventually left home to obtain further education. When she returned to her community, she found that the environment was under severe stress due to deforestation and more. Be inspired by what Wangari goes on to do in light of this. She even wins a Nobel prize.

This book would be an asset to home and school libraries. Hopefully, young readers will learn even as they are entertained.

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

Pub date: 07 February 2023