This week’s The Short List (recently published and at discount)

Other e book bargains for today

The Final Problem

by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Alex Woolf

Here is another in a terrific series of Sherlock Holmes stories for kids who are starting to read (slightly longer) chapter books. These retellings of the Conan Doyle tales are just the right length and are illustrated to keep a young reader’s interest. Each remains true in spirit to the original story.

This time readers face The Final Problem. It is one of the most exciting stories in the canon as Moriarty and Holmes face off.

Spark a child’s interest with this classic series. They will thank you.

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

Pub Date 01 Jun 2022

All the November 2022 Prepub Alerts in one place, plus a downloadable spreadsheet of all titles from every post.
— Read on www.libraryjournal.com/story/prepub/november-2022-prepub-alert-the-complete-list

A Greer Hogan Mystery

by M. E. Hilliard

#ShadowintheGlass #NetGalley

I enjoyed the first book in this series by M.E. Hilliard and was happy to have the opportunity to find out what was happening for the protagonist and her community in this second book in the series.

Librarian Greer is one of those people who finds herself embroiled in situations. There are also issues from her past that were not resolved in the last book here around Greer’s husband’s death. This is a major concern for her and the reader.

In this book, Greer is going to a wedding. She has an ulterior motive. What does she hope to learn at Sarah Whitaker’s wedding? How will a murder impact Greer’s quest and the lives of the other characters in this novel?

This is a reliably good, if at times a bit slow, read. I enjoyed the setting, characters and plots. Now it is time to wait for the next in the series.

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

The first book:

The Unkindness of Ravens

A Greer Hogan Mystery

by M. E. Hilliard

This book grabbed my interest immediately because, on the first page, a favorite childhood fictional character of mine was mentioned. You may not know her, but she was Trixie Belden. She, her brothers, Honey and Jim had adventures and solved mysteries with their club. They had exactly the life that I wanted .I loved Trixie more than Nancy Drew. As this was exactly how the fictional detective in this book felt, I knew that I wanted to read more.

The amateur sleuth in this title is Greer. Her husband had been murdered (not a spoiler as this is mentioned early in the novel) and she has sought a new life away from New York City. Greer goes to library school and moves to a small town in upstate New York. A library patron and friend to Greer is murdered. What is behind the murder? Who did it? How will intrepid, amateur sleuth Greer fare? Will the solution tell her more about her husband? Find out in this cozy mystery.

In addition to Trixie, I loved the library setting and the mention of various books and authors. Readers will wish for a library like this, despite the crimes.

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

A Novel

by Jenny Colgan

An Island Wedding is the fifth title in the series that began with The Cafe by the Sea. Each of the books is set on the small island community of Mure, a spot that feels pretty idyllic.

Readers who have followed the folks who live on Mure will surely be happy to find that there is a new book. While the stories are best read in order, Ms. Colgan thoughtfully provides an introduction to the characters and places, so this book could be read and enjoyed by new readers too.

I was happy to again spend time with Flora, her baby, her fiance, her family and her friends. It was nice to revisit the hotel and see what was happening there. I also enjoyed the plot about Saif, a refugee doctor who has found a new beginning for himself and his children on Mure.

There are wedding plans here, daily life and a few surprises. How will Flora and Joel’s wedding, one that they planned to be “micro” compare with that of Olivia who has returned to Mure for an extravaganza? Will love triumph? Relax and enjoy as you find out. Enjoy a (virtual) vacation in Mure, that magical island between Scotland and Norway as the pages are turned in this light read.

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

A Day in the Life of a Little Bee

by Anna Brett

The cover of this children’s book drew me right in. The bee looks so friendly and happy. Open the pages of this delightfully illustrated book with a young nature lover or a child who fears bees; they may well feel braver after spending time with this title and understanding a bee’s life.

This book is packed with information. Children will discover what a day in the life of a bee looks like, how bees are born, the differing roles for girl and boy bees and more. At the end of this title, there are additional facts, some puzzles and crafts, and a quiz.

One comment-I was struck by how different the lives of the boy and girl bees were, to say nothing of the number of “babies” a queen bee has. There might be a bit of room here to discuss how bees and people are different in their choices. Just a thought.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto-QEB publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub Date 05 Jul 2022

The Women in Black

A Novel

by Madeleine St John

This novel was originally published in 1983 and was reissued a couple of years ago. It tells the story of some of the women who worked in a Sydney department store; they are our “Women in Black.” Readers follow Patty, Fay, Magda and Lisa. Each has her own backstory and work experience as they work in the cocktail dress department in the 1950s set story.

The Women in Black is a short novel and a story that was made into a movie. I have not seen the film but will most likely give it a look now.

I enjoyed this novel which gave me the chance to step back in time for a bit. I will never get to shop and be helped by saleswomen like these!

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

Pub Date 11 Feb 2020

Draw, doodle, and color a plethora of purrfectly pawsome felines and quirky cat mash-ups

by Lulu Mayo

Cat lovers who enjoy drawing, coloring and doodling will definitely want to give this title a look. I enjoyed it.

Before coming to the illustrations themselves, there is information in the book on tools and materials, as well as tips on colors. There are then drawing suggestions for everything from Sushi Cats, to Cafe Au Cat, to Cactus Cats, to Holiday Cats and more. All are very cute.

Included are many step-by-step instructions with pages for practice. There are just so many things to create here.

Those who enjoy drawing will have fun with this book. What is nice is that it is not necessary to have much art background or talent to enjoy making these creations.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto-Walter Foster for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub Date 14 Jun 2022

And some bargains for this week:

Also titles by Mary Kubica, Sharon Sala, Christina Dodd and J. T. Ellison