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

Close to Death is a take on an AgathaChristie style mystery with the additional spin of this author”s cleverness. It is the latest in the series that features Detective Hawthorne and, yes, the character Anthony Horowitz.

This time the structure of the book is a bit different. Hawthorne, who gives Horowitz case material for his novels, is revealing a past puzzler. Some of the novel is a take on those events and other parts involve the perspectives of the two protagonists.

A close is a kind of dead end street. In this upscale one, a number of neighbors detest the newest family. The annoying, inconsiderate and very wealthy Kenworthy is murdered. The suspects include a GP, a retired barrister, two elderly former nuns, a chess grandmaster, a dentist and those around them. Whodunnit? Why? The pages turn as readers wait to fond out.

Last year I heard the author speak. He was very entertaining, just as he is in his writing. i think that he was enjoying himself here. The book offers a good read.

Note that, although this is part of a series, it can be read on its own.

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

Pub date: 16 April 2024

#MyFirstChristmasPianoMusic #NetGalley

This title is published well ahead of Christmas so that kids can start playing these pieces now. Hopefully, they will be able to play them well by the holiday season.

Here are many seasonal favorites including over 20 carols. To name just a few, there are Silent Night, Jingle Bells, Joy to the World and, Hark the Herald Angels Sing. All are designed for young kids’ level of skills.

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

Pub date: 15 July 2025

Simple Truths for Our Complex Lives

by Gretchen Rubin

#SecretsofAdulthood #NetGalley

Gretchen Rubin has been offering her wisdom to readers over the course of many books. She began with The Happiness Project and most recently Life in Five Senses, with several others in between.

This title is a bit different from some of Rubin’s others in that it consists of a series of aphorisms-dictionary definition is “a pithy observation that contains a general truth.” Rubin compiled these for herself and her family. She now shares them with her readers.

This is a title that can be dipped in and out of. It is divided into sections including Cultivating Ourselves, Facing the Perplexities of Relationships, Making Things Happen, Confronting Life’s Dilemmas, and more. Each of sections has a number of entries as for example, Comfort, Responsibility and, Getting It Wrong.

This book could make a nice graduation gift for someone. Those who are not of school age may also find wisdom here. For myself, I think that aphorisms were not quite enough. I wish that there had been more commentary. However, that was not the author’s intention. She was looking for short, meaningful things to guide others.

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

Self-Help

176 pages

Pub date: 01 April 2025

Note: Gretchen Rubin is interviewed in the May edition of Psychologies magazine.

An earlier title by the author:

An e book bargain-Life in Five Senses

Five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

So many adults have fond memories of reading the Anne of Green Gables series. In her books, Ms. George hopes to spark that same feeling in young readers. One hopes that they will then move on to the originals.

Ms. George has done a nice job in her series of six books in all. She captures the spirt of Montgomery’s language and phrasing. Favorite people are here including Marilla, Diana, Gilbert, Miss Stacey, and Anne, of course. While sadly, this is the last book, the set would make a nice gift for a summer reader.

In this entry, that is illustrated and has short chapters, Anne is unhappy with her trademark red hair. What will happen when she wants a change? What will she learn? What will she want to do with her life? Readers will enjoy finding out in this lovely end to the series.

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

Pub date: 05 August 2025

72 pages

Others by this author:

Now out: If I Couldn’t Be Anne by Kallie George

It’s tough for her: Anne’s Tragical Tea Party by Kallie George

That E matters: Anne’s School Days

Yes, that Anne: Anne Dares (Kallie George)

All of the Maisie Dobbs books by Jacqueline Winspear have been excellent.  The novels are best read in order but are worthwhile no matter how you do it.  The series begins around the time of WWI and is now taking place during WWII.  Maisie is a self-aware heroine who has a strong moral compass in a world that is often in chaos.  You will value spending time with her, her family and her friends.  If you have enjoyed the Maggie Hope series or books written by Charles Todd, you will not regret giving this series a try.

#TheParisSecret #NetGalley

Note that I am commenting on the extended preview. ALSO NOTE: I HAVE SINCE READ AND VERY MUCH ENJOYED THE WHOLE NOVEL!

This book appears to have many elements that will make it an engrossing read. I will certainly buy the book so that I can spend more time with this book’s characters and story lines.

After an opening set in the days after WWII, the novel moves to the year 1928 when Skye and Liberty Penrose are children being raised by their single mother. Their mother Vanessa, who predicts the future for clients, is a pilot who has passed on her love of the skies to her aptly named older daughter.

When the reader first meets Skye, she is ten and unconventional. Younger sister Liberty appears prone to temper tantrums and may be less than stable. Skye meets Nick during this summer and it is clear that they will have connections throughout the entire story.

The book jumps to 2012 in the following section. In this, a descendant of one of the main characters, Kat, travels to Cornwall to visit her grandmother’s house. Grandmother Margaux has ties to Nick and Skye as I think will become clearer.

This is another story with sections set before, during and after WWII. Illuminated through Skye is a story of the women who flew planes during the war. There is a sense that Liberty and the other main characters will face many threats as the novel continues. It also feels like the past and present will tie together by the end of the book.

This appears to be an involving and interesting novel. As noted above, I will be purchasing it so that I can see how it ends.

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

#2026ABookofGraceFilledDays #NetGalley

This book offers a bit of wisdom and contemplation for every day, starting in December 2025 and moving through all of 2026. Each short entry invites the reader in-to think, to perhaps find comfort or inspiration for daily behavior, and to pray if they are a person who does.

I think that this book will be liked by its intended audience. A time for reflection could be just the perfect way to start a day.

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

Note that this book is Christian in nature. Those who are not Christian, might however, also like the thoughts for the day.

Pub date: 29 July 2025

400 pages

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From captivating novels to insightful nonfiction, these are the books that are making the biggest splash in 2025!
— Read on www.penguinrandomhouse.com/the-read-down/the-best-books-of-2025

#BookPeople #NetGalley

Imagine a small village. It has a very traditional bookshop that has been in one family for generations. It prides itself on being serious and is run by a Darcy like owner.

Imagine that a new bookshop opens and that it is right across the street. It is run by an Elizabeth Bennett like young woman. She stocks all of the genre books that a reader might dream about. She also offers many types of meetings and activities.

Imagine also that there is going to be a book event that these two may need to both embrace. And…imagine sparks flying in what is justifiably described as a “spicy” romance title.

Add to all of this, a collection of love notes from the traditionalist’s great grandfather and a mystery woman. They refer to each other as H and C-Wuthering Heights anyone? They add some intrigue to the plot.

Mix all of thesetogether to find an enjoyable read that will appeal to its intended audience. There may not be suspense but there most definitely is fun in these pages.

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

Pub date: 28 January2925