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

A Novel

by Jenny Colgan

#CloseKnit #NetGalley

Jenny Colgan writes stories that are always enjoyable. The locations are brought to life in a way that makes me want to book a plane ticket. The characters are people with whom I want to spend time. The plots are involving and just right for a break in the day.

This time the story takes begins in very northern Scotland. Readers meet Gertie. She is an island girl who thinks that she may want something more. What will she decide? How will Callum Frost fit into the story? Pick this one up to find out.

This book is perfect for readers who want a bit of escape, especially those who also like to knit. Those who’ve read other books by the author will be delighted to meet up with some friends from the earlier novels.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 06 August 2024

From the Publisher

A Mysterious Case to Solve

by Stephanie von Reiswitz

#MurderMostPuzzlingPerilatQuandaryPark #NetGalley

I so enjoyed this title that I went back and looked for the first in the series which I had not read. Anyone who enjoys puzzle solving will, I think, find this book engaging.

Meet the characters and see their portraits, then plunge into the story. There is much to discover.

Solutions to the individual puzzles often depend on deciphering the visual clues in the detailed illustrations that seem reminiscent of Edward Gorey. The text also engages the solver/sleuth. In fact, the reader is referred to as “you.”

I could not always figure out the answers to the individual puzzles but that is ok. The answers when I looked at them made sense. The fun is in trying.

Hopefully by the end, readers will know who killed the biscuit heiress. Fans will hope that another book is forthcoming.

Recommended to puzzle solvers and mystery lovers.

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

Pub date: 30 September 2025

#TheRedHouseMystery #NetGalley

Yes, it is that Milne! What many may not know is that the author of the Winnie-the-Pooh stories also tried his hand at detective fiction. It is a shame that he only wrote one story since, as it turns out, he was pretty good at it!

This is a classic, country house mystery. There are a murder, many suspects, a prodigal brother’s return, an amateur detective (and his friend) and more than enough to keep the pages turning. There is even some humor.

It is very easy to recommend this reissue to fans of the Golden Age of Detective fiction.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Pushkin Press-Pushkin Vertigo for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 03 September 2024

This is the first novel that I have read by Ms. Khan, although it is not her first novel. I plan to read this entire series of mysteries featuring Esa and Rachel, along with the significant people in their lives.

This novel is a mystery but more than that. It has an important story to tell that resonates in the current climate of being less than welcoming to immigrants. The story takes place in a small Quebec community where the Muslim population is mistrusted by many. An attack occurs at a mosque and deaths result. Who is at fault? What has led to such deep feelings of unease on everyone’s part? Is the situation hopeless?

In A Deadly Divide there are members of the Wolf Gang, a white supremacist group, the Lilies, a group of girls, whose role in all that goes on seems ambiguous, the local priest, a reporter, the police force and a government spokesperson, among others. All are well described and become real and distinctive.

Along with the mystery and the politics, this novel is very much about the relationships of the characters with one another. This felt true to life as human feelings and emotions do not go away, even in the light of crises and volatile political situations.

I recommend this novel. It will make you think about the positions that you hold while also enjoying a well told story. Fans of author Suzanne Chazin’s series will want to read this. Both series look at the role of immigration in our world view while also depicting complex mysteries.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-galley. The opinions are my own.

“Outstanding…Khan perceptively explores who fear can quickly erupt into violence.”―Publishers Weekly (Starred and Boxed)

“Khan peoples her police procedural with believably nuanced characters to highlight the consequences of hate. The tension never lets down.”―Kirkus

AUSMA ZEHANAT KHAN holds a Ph.D. in International Human Rights Law and is a former adjunct law professor.

A Novel

by Sarah Morgan

#TheHolidayCottage #NetGalley

Sarah Morgan has a knack for writing involving stories with good characters. In her latest book, I enjoyed getting to know Imogen (even if she exhausted me) and Dorothy. Their lives change over the course of the novel and readers will always be hoping that these changes are for the better. Readers will also hope that each is able to be honest about their backstories.

Imogen works hard, really hard, like all the time hard. She is very good at the event planning that she does until…

Dorothy has experienced sadness with the death of her husband. She feels fortunate to have a daughter and granddaughters even if her daughter feels that Dorothy is too close to Imogen.

What brings these women together? How do their stories intersect? Find out in a book that kept me wanting to read more. Now, I will wait impatiently for what this author writes next.

Recommended to readers who like holiday stories and women’s fiction.

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

Pub date: 24 September 2024

From the Publisher

From edge-of-your-seat thrillers to swoon-worthy love stories, be the first to know when your next favorite books are hitting the shelves.
— Read on www.penguinrandomhouse.com/the-read-down/coming-soon

Read the latest book recommendations from President Barack Obama. Here he shares his favorite novels and insightful nonfiction.
— Read on www.penguinrandomhouse.com/the-read-down/obama-book-recommendations

poisonedpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BN-Sept-25.pdf

#OtherPeoplesHouses #NetGalley

I was lucky enough to hear Clare Mackintosh speak not long after I had read the first book in her Ffion Morgan series. That was an enjoyable experience.

I have since read books 2 and 3 in the series with the third one being Other People’s Houses. I was delighted to spend time in Ffion’s world again, both professionally and in her off duty life.

Mackintosh has created a number of series characters whom I was happy to again see. These include Ffion’s former husband, her new love and his son, her daughter, her mother and, of course her dog. He is a handful.

Ffion is an officer in Wales while Leo, her boyfriend, works with the English police. Their cases often overlap as they do here.

Leo has been investigating a number of break ins in a wealthy enclave. As it turns out, his former wife does not live there but is close by and is trying to ingratiate herself with her upscale neighbors. Meanwhile, there has been a murder in Wales of a female realtor. Readers will observe as the cases intersect.

Readers will also follow a crime podcast of a cold case. Will this become relevant to Leo and Ffion’s case?

I highly recommend this series. The settings are well done, the characters are interesting, readers will hope that Ffion and Leo can keep their relationship going and the snarky bits are fun.

Recommended to fans of Welsh and English crime, those who like series and those who enjoy a good crime story. Publishers Weekly states that “…mystery readers of all stripes will find something to like.”

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

Pub date: 16 September 2025

Another in the series:

Observe: A Game of Lies (Clare Mackintosh)

Another book by the author:

Fasten your seatbelts: Hostage by Clare Mackintosh

by Kerry Greenwood

An e book bargain

Welcome back Phryne and Dot! A new novel with these beloved characters is always cause for rejoicing. This time, Phryne and Dot make their way to a spa for recovering WWI soldiers. It may sound like a peaceful retreat but series regulars know that mayhem is sure to follow, along with a resolution by the end of the novel.

Readers who enjoy fashion, wit and spas are sure to love this latest entry in the series. After reading this, many will look for other titles by Ms. Greenwood or they may want to watch the Miss Fisher mysteries on Acorn TV. Whichever way readers choose to encounter Phryne, they can’t go wrong.

Also note the gorgeous cover of this novel. The artwork is magnificent and Miss Fisher shines.

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