by Christopher Fowler

#BryantMayPeculiarLondon #NetGalley

The Bryant and May mysteries are uniquely entertaining. The Peculiar Crimes Unit has kept readers turning the pages ever since Full Dark House was published in 2003.

Here is a long book that is filled with 49 chapters about London. The book is set up as a series of entries that can be read in any order. There are sarcasm, humor and facts in these pages. A few of the chapter headings include A Big Lump of Rock, A Town Named After a Drain; A Sweet and Comfortable Recreation, and The Longest Running Play. Dip in and out in a leisurely fashion.

Readers may themselves need to be mildly eccentric to fully appreciate this title. For example, The Longest Running Play, is about Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap. The detectives hardly give it an adoring review.

There is always something to consider in these pages which feature Bryant and May and many who know them. This book is recommended to open minded readers who are not looking for a typical guidebook.

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

Pub date: 06 December 2022

496 pages

All of Us

by Gökçe İrten

This book celebrates how we, kids in this instance, are all alike in so many ways. The author acknowledges universal actions and feelings that connect people as humans. Interesting illustrations accompany the text. Along with the painted artwork, there are moments when photos come into play. Sometimes these are rather playful as, for example, when Einstein’s head is put on a drawn figure.

This book offers a nice way to encourage tolerance and acceptance without actually naming those terms. It is a “show” and not “tell” text which makes it feel more authentic.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Princeton Architectural Press. All opinions are my own.

A lovely old fashioned book for those age five or so and up.

For British cozy fans…it has been made into a series on Acorn TV.

Part of a good dual time line British series of mysteries

I am a big fan of this series.

FREE

One of the greatest honours a mystery writer can receive is to win the Gold Dagger award from the Crime Writer’s Association. Though they award a variety of
— Read on greatbritishbookclub.com/2022-crime-writers-association-gold-dagger-nominee-longlist/

by Samantha Vérant

#TheSpiceMasteratBistroExotique #NetGalley

I loved this book (and its cover) and always looked forward to having a few minutes to read the next chapter. This is the first title that I have read by Ms. Verant; I know that I will pick up the others.

This book has so much in it to enjoy. A list: Paris, foods and a special restaurant, good characters, friendship, romance, a plot that led to both my laughing and caring at different points, obstacles to overcome, pages that turn.

Kate has lived in Paris for a number of years. She moved there with her eccentric mother after her parents separated. Now, as the story opens, Kate is about to realize her dream of having her own restaurant with a menu that she has carefully curated. Just when everything should by rights be perfect, the challenges begin starting with a piano that lands on the bistro’s awning. This is just one of the potential pre-opening disasters and they keep coming. What about the mysterious neighbor whose access to certain spices seems pretty magical? Will she and Kate find common ground? Will Kate find romance with the maddening neighbor whom she has dubbed anti-Keanau? What will be the fate of the restaurant? Grab this title on its pub date to find out.

This book will be welcomed by those who gravitate to fiction that is simply enjoyable. Foodies also will find this one to be fun.

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

Pub date: 06 December 2022

Oh, she was definitely one of the best. No one has written the classic mystery better. Poirot, the detective here, and Jane Marple of St. Mary Mead are enshrined in detective fiction. The ongoing popularity of this “golden age” writer is well deserved. They say that she outsells everything except for the Bible and Shakespeare.

Here, in time for the holidays, is a beautiful gift edition of on of Christie’s popular titles. It remains intriguing with its many suspects, and the detective with his “little grey cells.” Why would someone want to kill Roger? How did they do it? And, who was it? Find out here and discover or rediscover a master at work.

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

A Fun and Simple Guide to Early Communication

by Mary Smith

#BabySignLanguage #NetGalley

I recently met someone who had taught a baby sign language. It seemed like an effective communication method for this very happy one.

Want to give it a try or give this book to a new parent? Inside its pages is an excellent guide to this early communication system that helps kids to communicate before they can speak. Included are sections on signs for mealtime daytime, playtime, family, feelings, the outdoors and more.

The book begins with a most helpful first chapter. It offers guidance on when to start signing and things to consider before beginning. There is also the rationale for using signs with young ones.

This book is amply illustrated with children signing the words. There are additional illustrations to help when learning.

Take a look at this one. I wish that there had been more known about signing when my kids where young. It doesn’t replace speaking to babies but offers such a helpful adjunct.

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

Pub date: 15 November 2022

From this week’s The Short List

I reviewed and enjoyed this one.

I read and reviewed this one.

I enjoyed and reviewed this one.

I also enjoyed and reviewed this one.

I enjoy this series and author

The book, “Trespasses,” captures the texture of life in Northern Ireland — details, objects and images that carry “incredible emotional weight.”
— Read on www.nytimes.com/2022/10/31/books/louise-kennedy-trespasses.html

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