Stories from the World of Sherlock Holmes

by Lyndsay Faye

Lyndsay Faye is well-known in the mystery fiction world. She dedicates this collection to another mystery great, Otto Penzer of The Mysterious Bookshop. So, her credentials are superb.

This title is a collection of six stories. Each features the viewpoint of someone known to Holmes and his world. For example, the first story has Irene Adler in “The Adventure of the Stopped Clocks.” Other stories are told by Mrs. Hudson and Inspector Lestrade while a couple are by characters less known to me including Stanley Hopkins and A. Davenport Lomax.

The conceit for the book is that these materials were discovered in a deposit box. The reader is to believe that they have now been made available.

Those who enjoy extending their Sherlock Holmes experiences will enjoy this collection. I recommend it.

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

A Novel of Victorian Cookery and Friendship

by Annabel Abbs

Miss Eliza’s English Kitchen is an historical novel based on the life of Eliza Acton. Eliza was a poet whose family fell on very hard times. When a publisher, who did not want to publish her poems, offered to pay her to write a cookbook, she at first refused. Luckily for cooks and readers, Eliza changed her mind. She goes on to find poetry in her cooking and cookery writing.

The second important character in the story is Ann. Ann’s incredibly difficult life is portrayed vividly and readers will feel for her bleak home life. It is transformative for Ann to begin to work for “Miss Eliza.”

Life for Eliza and her mother involves taking in short term boarders. Readers will meet one particularly lascivious and loathsome one. He is an early guest at the house. His presence also impacts Ann.

Throughout the story, Eliza and Ann work together to create recipes that are different from those that came before. For example, they used accurate measurements.

Eliza and Ann become very close. What will the nature of their relationship be as it evolves?

I found this book to be somewhat slow moving and yet it was interesting. It described a time, place, way of life and the people who lived it.

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

Note that there is an article in the December U.S. issue of Good Housekeeping that references this title. The book was also chosen for a morning tv show’s book club.

“A fascinating, long overdue tribute to the unconventional Eliza Acton, the woman who revolutionized the English cookbook. Ann’s and Eliza’s drives for independence is inspiring, and their passion for cooking will awaken readers’ inner chef.” — Library Journal (starred review)

The Milne is free.

by Anthony C. Delauney

I wonder if this title is based on the real life marshmallow experiment that rewarded kids for delayed gratification. I was very much reminded of that while reading this title.

Dash and Nikki’s story is told in rhyme. The text is brightly illustrated. Each child is given ten jellybeans with the potential for more. How do Nikki and Dash approach their beans and what will happen to each?

This is a story with a moral although the author is not too heavy handed. If, as an adult, you want to teach your children the value of waiting for something and/or the lesson of generosity, give this title a look.

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

We are still living in difficult Covid times even though things are better than they had been. This means that I am still such a fan of escapist fiction. Give me a good setting, interesting characters, a plot, and some relationships, and I am good to go.

This story begins in Cambridge before moving to Florence. It is a beautiful city and I was delighted with my (virtual) trip there.

Protagonist Debbie meets Perluigi when she literally crashes into him. Where will their relationship go from this (in)auspicious beginning? Their collision leads Debbie to make the decision to travel to Florence. Enjoy visiting the city with her and Perluigi and watching as she hopes for her happily ever after.

This is a light read. It will be welcomed by romantics who like to escape.

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

Find my review of this one in the blog’s archive.

Are you now, or were you ever, a mother with young children? If yes, did you feel that you received the support that you needed from your partner? Did you want not just help but proactive assistance? If you can answer yes to any of these questions, you may well identify with Nora Spangler.

Nora has a four-year-old, is pregnant and it is her year to become (or not) partner in her law firm. She is trying her best but is overwhelmed. Nora loves her husband (she says) but some days is incredibly irritated by him.

So…Nora and Hayden look at a house that is for sale in an upscale community. Interestingly, the husbands there are way more helpful than usual. The women all have these incredibly high powered jobs. What is going on here? Do Nora and Hayden want to live here? Will they?

Also, what about that arson that killed Penny’s husband. Nora is investigating it thinking about a wrongful death suit. Is it that or is it murder?

There are many threads running through this novel. I have seen mixed reviews but I found it to be a book that I enjoyed. Make up your own mind. Give this one a look.

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

From the publisher:

Welcome to Ferry Lane Market

Book 1 in a brand new series by the author of bestselling phenomenon THE CORNER SHOP IN COCKLEBERRY BAY

by Nicola May

#FerryLaneMarket #NetGalley

Sometimes I just want to read a book that will provide a nice escape. It’s fine if the characters face some challenges but there are days where knowing all will end well feels really welcome. This story about Ferry Lane Market just fits the bill.

Main character, Kara, is one of those people who puts the needs of others first. What will happen when she has a chance to change that pattern? Read this story to find out. You will probably then want to move right on to the second entry in the series.

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