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

by Sarah Baxter

Attention arm chair travelers and adventurers: I am pretty sure that you might like to give this beautiful book a look. Both the illustrations and the text are enticing. I adored the paintings that encouraged me to dream.

Some of the many destinations include Ennerdale, England; st. Kilda, Scotland; Carmargue, France; Wadden Sea, The Netherlands; Coa Valley, Portugal; Er Chigaga, Morocco; Wilpena Pound, Australia and many others. Each has interest for the reader.

The book begins with an introduction that acknowledges people’s need for the breadth, scale and drama of the wild. For one thing, the wilds offer perspective and a source of wonder. The author also notes that each of the places selected has a human story to tell. Dive in and learn more about them.

Many thanks to Quarto publishing and NetGalley for this title that I highly recommend. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 03 May 2022

by Gregory, Lena

This book is a quick read at just over 200 pages. It may be enjoyed by those who like cozy mysteries with a likeable heroine and a lack of gore.

Gia Morelli has moved to Florida from New York. It is quite a change. Gia becomes involved in helping her friend, a realtor, to find the perfect wedding dress. However all does not go well. Savannah has disappeared and her client is dead. What happened? Why? Whodunit? Read this one to find out.

Note: This title is part of a series but may be read on its own.

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

Pub date: 27 April 2021

by Anita Bijsterbosch

This is a simple and very delightfully effective book for a toddler and their adult. It is about the summer fun of some animal friends. The illustrations are bright and appealing. Cleverly, the author engages children in the book’s actions. For example, she suggests that the child blow to help put a kite in the sky. Then, on the next page, the kite is in the air. I think that young ones will enjoy the bit of magic in this and the following pages.

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

Pub date: 31 May 2022

This week’s The Short List:

by Katie Fforde

Katie Fforde is in a small class of writers for me that include authors like Erica James and Marian Keyes. These are writers that I absolutely know that I can count on for that relaxing and entertaining read. the kind that I crave when life is difficult.

This time, readers meet Fran. She has worked as a chef in London but has always dreamed of living on a farm. Well, since this is fiction, her wish is granted. A distant relative has moved to assisted living and wants the farm and, most especially her cows, to remain in the family. All that Fran has to do is prove her worth…easy? Maybe not.

Aunt (by courtesy) Amy is tough and has expectations. She warns Fran away from Antony whom Amy thinks wants to buy her land. The problem is that Antony has been so very nice and helpful to Fran. Is he the good guy that he seems? Will there be the happy ending that Fforde generally gives to her readers.

Enjoy spending time with Fran, her herdsman and her close friend. Watch as she holds dinner parties and makes cheese, all in the hope of keeping the farm. Will she?

When you crave predictable but in the best possible way, read a Katie Fforde novel. You cannot go wrong.

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

Pub date: 25 May 2022

by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Alex Woolf

I very much enjoy this series of Sherlock Holmes titles for young readers. Each is a short chapter book with cartoonish illustrations. The stories are well and simply told while keeping that sense of wonder about the ways in Holmes is able to find clues and draw conclusions.

This book begins with a perfect example. Holmes explains how he knew that Watson was not going to make a particular investment. Young, future, detectives will surely be inspired.

The actual case begins with a drawing that looks like one made by a child. The figures in this drawing are the dancing men of the story’s title. The note is brought to Holmes by a gentleman who married a woman with a mysterious past. More and more drawings are found. What is going on? What is the reason for an escalation that ends with a death? Young readers will, I think, be eager to find out.

I confess that I have not read all of the Holmes stories so this was new to me. I enjoyed trying (unsuccessfully) to solve the case.

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

Pub Date 01 Jul 2022