Detecting the History of Mysteries and their Creators

by Martin Edwards

#TheLifeofCrime #NetGalley

Martin Edwards has written both his own novels and non-fiction titles about crime and mystery. This book, that is almost 600 pages long, has to be one of his most ambitious yet. In these pages, Edwards writes about the history of crime novels. He begins with the origins of the genre. Moving forward readers find chapters with intriguing titles like Guilty Secrets, Treacherous Impulses, The Mistress of Deception ( I bet you know who that is), Locked Rooms, Sensation in Court, Daggers of the Mind, A Suitable Job for a Woman and many more. I am in awe of all that he has taken on in this book, furthermore he has performed his task most ably.

Fans of mystery fiction who wold like to know more about their favorite genre will find much to explore here. Read in historical order or just go where your impulse takes you. Either way, this is a wonderful resource. Readers will leave having enjoyed reading about their favorites; they will also have many new authors to add to their TBR piles.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper 360 for this title. All opinions are my own

Pub date: 16 August 2022

List price (Hardback) $32.99

Everything Changes

And That’s OK

by Carol Dodd

This is one of the most gorgeously illustrated children’s books that I have seen. Go slowly and let the pictures speak to you (and the child that you may be reading this to.) The subject is impermanence, a topic that I was recently learning more about in a book by Pema Chodron. Here the concept is presented in an easy to understand both neutral and positive way. Learning to accept that things change truly can help in living one’s life. The earlier this is learned, maybe the better!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Shambala Publications, Inc. for this title. All opinions are my own.

by Samantha Newman

The publisher of this title is now turning attention to Shakespeare in a series of titles for young readers. There will be sixteen in all. Hopefully these retellings will inspire kids to enjoy Shakespeare and to later move on to the originals.

Here, the play is the comedy, Love’s Labour’s Lost. The story is told in prose and is illustrated. The essence of the story is definitely here. It begins with Ferdinand wanting to form an academy with friends. Their goal is to study for three years and NOT to fall in love or have contact with the opposite sex. How will that go? Adults may remember but kids may enjoy finding out.

This title provides a good introduction to the bard. It is geared towards children seven and older according to the publisher.

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

Pub date: 01 July 2022

64 pages

Highly recommended!! She has written a beautiful and accessible poetry.

I am so eager for her next book. This is the most recent one.

“It made you want to resign as a member of the human race.”—Edna Ferber on the trial of Bruno Richard Hauptmann. The trial of Bruno Richard Hauptmann for the kidnapping and death of Charles Lindbergh Jr. was a national spectacle. Media flooded the New Jersey town of Flemington. Hordes of sightseers arrived, trying to get…

Mariah Fredericks on The Heartbreaking Details of Historical Fiction — CrimeReads

The Queen

Her Life

by Andrew Morton

Royal followers know Andrew Morton. He wrote a book on Princess Diana that rocked the monarchy. He has also written books on Elizabeth and Margaret, as well as one on Wallis Simpson. In addition to writing popular biographies, Morton is an academic historian.

The timing of this book will surely lend it attention as it comes out not long after Elizabeth’s death. It is what I would call a popular biography. It is easy to read and engagingly written. A full biography of the queen is here, from her earliest days on.

It was poignant to read about some well-known aspects of the monarch’s life including her romance with Philip and her happy days as a young bride in Malta with their funerals still in mind. The abdication and her father’s death are also more sad in light of another heir taking to the throne now.

This book covers many years and episodes in Elizabeth’s life and the lives of those around her. While I don’t think that this book breaks new ground, it is a very good biography and one that I think readers will enjoy.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing. All opinions are my own.

From the Publisher

A Novel

by Deborah Crombie

#AKillingofInnocents #NetGalley

My only wish is that Deborah Crombie wrote faster and more frequently. Her Gemma Jones and Duncan Kincaid mysteries are among my very favorites. This American author writes a terrific British set series. I have been reading them ever since the first title, A Share in Death, was published in 1993. Over time, the characters and their relationships change and develop, keeping readers riveted. For full enjoyment, the books could be read in order but that is not strictly necessary; enough backstory is provided to keep a new reader from being lost.

In this, the 19th, entry, a young doctor has been murdered and hers is but the first, not the only, death. Sasha had friends and family. She also had a complicated work relationship with one of the nurses at her hospital. The case is brought to both Duncan and Gemma along with their teams. It goes to Duncan because of the murder and Gemma because of there being knife crimes.

Readers get to know Sasha’s family which includes a brother with some tricky history. They also get to know her artist roommate; she too has a brother who may well be suspicious. Sasha was supposed to have been meeting him on the night that she was murdered.

Regular readers of the series will be delighted to catch up with Duncan and Gemma’s children. They will also be interested in finding out how Doug (Kincaid’s team) and Melody (Gemma’s) are doing after the events of the previous books.

The book and series are just a delight. Mark your calendar for this title’s release date!

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

Pub date: 07 February 2023

368 pages

List Price: $28.99 (hardcover)

Who Stole Mr. T?

by Dustin Brady; Deserae Brady

Narrated by Emily Eiden

Are you planning a trip for the holidays? Will you be with a first to third grader (or so) ? If yes, this book could make an enjoyable listen and would pass some time for them.

Here is a story of a girl detective and her dog. Will they discover who is responsible for a turtle napping? Of course they will but the fun is in the listening.

The narrator does a good job and has a child like voice so it feels as if she is speaking directly to kids. She will help them to solve the case.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this audio title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 18 October 2022

I enjoyed and reviewed this.

I have a friend who highly recommends these Barchester novels. FREE

I enjoyed and reviewed this light read.

Very popular among my read reviews