I read and enjoyed this author’s earlier book about Carrie Soto but loved this one even more! I underlined a number of passages as I read, something that I don’t always do, because there were some very moving paragraphs (for example when Joan talks about god and the universe).

This is a story about a group of astronauts in the 1980s. Some women are in the group but they are still a rarity. The training of all is well depicted with attention paid to what was at stake for the early classes of females in the field.

Readers also get to know those around these astronauts. Many have families who come into the story.

Three characters in this book kind of melted my heart. They are Joan, Vanessa and Frances. Joan and Vanessa are astronauts while Frances is Joan’s niece.

SPOILER:

Joan and Vanessa are in a relationship. This occurs at a time when it was not considered acceptable. Joan’s awakening to her orientation and sexuality are beautifully evoked.

BACK FROM SPOILER:

Early in the book, readers learn about something that is going on with one of the missions. The suspense of this was so convincingly described that I could hardly bear it. Readers will understand this if they read the book, I think.

All in all, kudos to TJR for a masterful work. Five stars from me.

An e book bargain-What will happen when:Carrie Soto Is Back

Natalie Jenner clearly loves Jane Austen’s works. This title, along with The Jane Austen Society, make that abundantly clear.

This year marks the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth so it is an auspicious time for the publication of Austen at Sea with one of its characters being Austen’s brother Francis and another his daughter, Fanny.

The story opens in the 1860s in America. Two sisters, nicknamed Harry and Charlie, live with their father, a state justice; their mother is deceased. Harry and Charlie want more independence than is easily on offer. They definitely challenge the powers that be.

Harry and Charlie’s father loves Austen fiction as did their mother and as do they. He even has a book club with other justices in which they discuss Austen’s works (see the opening scene of the novel).

The conceit of the book is that Harry and Charlie reach out to Admiral Austen who invites them and two brothers from Philadelphia to visit him in Portsmouth. At 91, the Admiral is thinking about his sister’s legacy and ephemera. While the two young women are fans, the young men, in addition, own a bookshop, and have an American first edition of Emma.

The Admiral thinks that it will be fun to put these four together. He has dreams of romance (is this like in Emma when she plays matchmaker?) hoping that he is forming two couples. Read the book to see what happens in this regard as well as with the Austen memorabilia .

These four and others, including Louisa May Alcott, share a passage to England. It was enjoyable to see Alcott (and her love of Dickens) in these pages.

I very much enjoyed this novel. It offered me a lovely escape. The pace, characterizations and story all kept my attention.

Highly recommended to those who love Austen and/or historical fiction.

Note that reading the author’s afterword will clearly show a reader how much Austen means to her. I hope that Jenner’s Austen themed novels will continue.

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

Pub date: 06 May 2025

A note on the audio book:

The narrator (male) gave life to the story and its characters. I enjoyed going back and forth between the text and audio versions and was sorry to come to the end. Those who are looking for a good listen of a good book, cannot go wrong with this audio book.

The author’s other titles

The Jane Austen Society

Bloomsbury Girls

Everytime We Say Good-bye

Reviews for all of these are on my blog.

From the Publisher

A Mystery

by Rosanne Limoncelli

#TheFourQueensofCrime #NetGalley

If the names Agatha, Ngaio, Dorothy and Josephine are instantly known to you, then this is a book to add to your reading list. To anyone who doesn’t know, these women with last names Christie, Marsh, Sayers and Tey are among the most beloved writers of crime fiction ever. They are indeed the Four Queens of Crime of this book’s title.

One of the very fun things about this book is having the sense of eavesdropping on these four and learning more about each of them. For example, Agatha Christie notes that Max Mallowan was the better husband for her as compared to her first spouse. Readers learn that Dorothy Sayers’s husband was an invalid and so on.

At the same time, readers are treated to a classic country house mystery. The four writers are there for a fundraiser and thus are present when a murder occurs. There is a full range of suspects including the victim’s children and their significant others or friends, political figures, servants and more in this historical mystery set in the late 1930s.

An extra bonus is that a woman DCI, Lilian Wyles, based on the first woman to fill that role is also on the scene. She questions suspects and is a full participant in the investigation.

Lovers of traditional mysteries will, I think, very much enjoy this title. It is fun to observe the interviews and see who the murderer is.

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

Pub date: 11 March 2025

There was a time in England when Cambridge grads became traitors; among the most famous of these men were Kim Philby, Guy Burgess, Anthony Blunt and Donald Maclean. They hid in plain sight, not suspected for a long time because of their social class and educations. They were idealistic to start with but some devolved into alcoholism and of course, many defected.

This novel takes place within the time frame of these spies in the late 40s and early 50s. One of the spies, Guy Burgess, is even a character in the novel.

Two sisters Iris and Ruth are the book’s protagonists. When the story opens, Ruth is successfully running a modeling agency in New York. She and Iris have not spoken for many years. Readers will find out why when they read the novel.

When the two were still close, they lived in Rome during part of WWII. While there Iris falls madly in love with Sasha Digby. She makes the decision to follow him wherever he goes and, not to spoil anything, they eventually make a big move. Readers will find out why.

One day, Ruth gets a call for help from Iris. She heeds it and this leads to the most exciting events of the novel.

Also in the story is Lyudmilla, a very conforming Russian. Where does she fit in the story and how do her life and the Digbys’ lives intersect? Again, read to find out.

Beatriz Williams has written an absorbing story here with an excellent plot twist. Events unfold; this is not a James Bond like read but it is a good one. The settings and characters shine.

Think about the title as you read. See how close you come to guessing some of the story’s resolutions. Enjoy the novel as you do. It makes for a good read.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Williams has a sure hand in this deceptively quiet novel, told from the perspective of three different women. She expertly shifts between family drama and a suspenseful espionage plot, and makes every word and note count.” — Library Journal (starred review)

About the book:

From the publisher:

In Pyae Moe Thet War’s electrifying and heartfelt new rom-com, a writer’s attempt to find inspiration for her new novel is sabotaged by a vacation gone horribly wrong…and feelings for her off limits best friend.

A trip they’ll never forget…

Poe Myat Sabei has the publishing career that any writer would kill for: her first novel sold at auction, became an international number one bestseller, and is being turned into a Netflix film. But now on deadline for her second book, Poe is facing a catastrophic case of writer’s block. The solution? Book a two-week getaway to an exclusive island resort for her and her best friend Zwe where she’ll undoubtedly be inspired to write her next bestseller.

But the vacation of their dreams disintegrates in a flash when the resort is taken over by a group of masked women who are very armed and very angry. As they try to leave the island before the group can track them down, Poe and Zwe suddenly find themselves facing the kinds of conflicts that only come up when, well, you’re trapped in a life or death situation on a remote island with your (hot) best friend.

About the Author

Courtesy of the publisher

PYAE MOE THET WAR is the author of the essay collection You’ve Changed and the novel I Did Something Bad. Born and raised in Yangon, Myanmar, she holds a BA from Bard College at Simon’s Rock, and MA’s from University College London and the University of East Anglia. She currently shares a home (and her food) with her dogs, Gus and Missy. Here For a Good Time is her second novel.

My thoughts:

A story with publishing and writing as part of the plot, including writer’s block: Check

A trip to an exotic locale: Check

Going to said island with a good friend: Check

Some danger, stress and anxiety along with a good plot: Check

Romance: Check

Humor: Check

There is a lot to like in this story. It is worth a look.

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

Pub date: 26 August 2025

From the Publisher

www.nytimes.com/2025/08/23/books/review/best-spy-novels.html

An Elm Creek Quilts Novel

by Jennifer Chiaverini

 #TheMuseumofLostQuilts #NetGalley

I enjoyed spending time with the Elm Creek Quilters beginning with the very first in the series, The Quilter’s Apprentice. I went on to read each entry as it came out.

After a bit, Chiaverini turned her hand to historical fiction. I thought that was the last that I would see of these characters, their quilts, their stories and some history. Happily, Chiaverini is now back at Elm Creek. There is this book and another one coming out in the spring. I think that her fans will rejoice.

In this book, readers catch up with so many of the people who have spent time at quilting classes and with those who teach them. There is a lot of focus on one of the younger women, Summer, who is trying to figure out what she wants to do. Does she want to continue in her Ph.D. program? In the meanwhile, she becomes involved with a very interesting project and meets a number of quilters. An old building is to be restored and an exhibit of historical quilts will be featured.

This is a quiet, easy to read story. It is perfect for when a reader wants a chance to slow down.

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

Pub date: 30 April 2024

Another title by this author:

It was for us: The Women’s March by Jennifer Chiaverini

by Ann Cleeves

Welcome back, Jimmy Perez and Willow Reeves!

Ann Cleeves is the author of many wonderful mystery series. She is, perhaps, best known for Vera but my favorites are the Jimmy Perez titles. Note that there are also series featuring the bird watchers named Palmer, and the Inspector Ramsays which were earlier and the more recent Matthew Venn books.

When Wild Fire was published, I thought that was the last time that I would read about Jimmy. I was sad about that so imagine how thrilled I was when I heard about this new title. When I received it from NetGalley, I was ecstatic.

Readers do not have to have read the other books to enjoy this one but whether the earlier entries are read before or after this one, they will offer readers a lot of pleasure. I recommend them all.

The story picks up with Jimmy and pregnant Willow who are now living and working in Orkney, whereas they had earlier been in Shetland. This gives them a fresh start but they will feel very much the same to fans of the books who will enjoy catching up with the couple and their young son.

This time, there is a lot of history about Orkney and an archaeological dig is an important setting in the story. When the first murder occurs, it is very personal to Jimmy as the victim is someone with whom he grew up. Jimmy is challenged to maintain his objectivity while also mourning. He needs to interview Archie’s wife Vaila and her parents among others. The killings do not stop at one murder. Readers can trust that Jimmy and Willow will work very hard to restore peace and order.

The settings in this book are beautifully brought to life. The important artifacts in the story are made vivid in the reader’s imagination. The characters are equally well described and are plentiful.

This book offers everything that a mystery lover of traditional stories could want. Those who already follow this series will be delighted and there may be new fans for Cleeves here.

Kirkus Reviews states: “A first-rate mystery full of historical detail and descriptions of a beautiful place.” I concur.

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

Pub date: 30 September 2025

Some others in this series:

Note that there are reviews on my site for the author’s other series featuring Vera Stanhope and the one with Matthew Venn.

Almost good-bye to Jimmy Perez: Cold Earth by Ann Cleeves

Farewell to Fair Isle and Shetland: Wild Fire by Ann Cleeves

Note:

Those who enjoy this book may also want to look at Stig Abell’s latest. It is somewhat similar and also very good.

The Burial Place by Stig Abell

From the Publisher

At first, I had avoided reading this book because of a huge spoiler that deterred me.  I am so glad that I eventually decided to change my mind.  The Frank is Frank Lloyd Wright, the renowned architect.  Think Falling Water among other places.

This historical novel takes place when FLW was a young man.  It tells the story of his first and second marriages in an involving and engaging way.  You might not always like Frank Lloyd Wright when you read this novel but I think that you will find him to be intriguing.  I very much enjoyed getting to know Mamah Borthwick Chaney, a Chicago society matron.  I will let you learn who she was for yourself.  Spoiler alert…The story has some very real tragedy but is well worth the read.

Highly recommended. 5 ***** out of 5.

A Blurb:
“It takes great courage to write a novel about historical people, and in particular to give voice to someone as mythic as Frank Lloyd Wright. This beautifully written novel about Mamah Cheney and Frank Lloyd Wright’s love affair is vivid and intelligent, unsentimental and compassionate.”
——Jane Hamilton

This is the first book that I have read by Ellery Adams and I truly enjoyed it. The protagonist, Nora, is a bookseller who believes that there is a book that is just right for each customer’s particular emotional state; the notion that one could get meaningful suggestions from a bookseller was lovely in this day of internet sales. I enjoyed the many literary references and the back stories of the protagonists. There are also hints of romance. If you like cozies, I would recommend this book highly.