A Lady Hardcastle Mystery, Book 3

by T E Kinsey

This title is part of a cozy, historical mystery series. In this entry, Lady Hardcastle and her maid are invited to the country for some car races and parties. It sounds like fun to Lady H so off they go…but, of course, where she goes murder often follows. It does here when a driver dies. What happened? Who did it? Read this lighthearted story to find out Along the way, enjoy the unusual for its purported time bantering relationship between Lady and maid.

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

I recommend the Maisie Dobbs series. There are also a number of books for kids by Rick Riordan as bargains today.

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The Chelsea Girls by Fiona Davis

Fiona Davis sets her novels in iconic New York City locations. She has told stories set at the Barbizon Hotel for Women, The Dakota, Grand Central Station and now at the Chelsea Hotel. In each of her three prior novels, the narrative took place during two eras; in this book, the author follows two characters in the same time period. They are actress Maxine and would be actress and playwright, Hazel.

The novel opens with Hazel joining a USO troop in Italy during WWII. These scenes were so evocative, both in terms of the war and the emotions raised for the performers. This beginning left me feeling very excited about the rest of the book except…for a while, I then found the narrative less engaging. However, round about chapter 18 there was a twist and I again became very involved in the story and the characters’ lives. It is worth sticking with the book in my opinion.

Much of this book centers on the activities of HUAC, the House Un-Amercian Activities Committee. Who is a Communist? Who is being targeted unfairly? Should we be rooting people out and encouraging them to turn on others? What are the consequences to everyone when a government sponsored witch hunt is going on? You will think about these issues as you read and may also find the subject relevant in our current political climate.

In addition to HUAC, the reader spends time at the Chelsea Hotel, the Tonys, on Broadway and more. There are actors, government workers, names dropped of famous and real Chelsea Hotel denizens and more. Most of all, readers will connect with Hazel and Maxine, their friendship and its challenges.

All in all, this was a good read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my e-galley. All opinions are my own.

by Happy Yak

This is a short vibrantly illustrated book about some wild animals. I found it to be simple and appealing, just what is needed for the very youngest book owners.

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

The Secret Halloween Costume

With 2-Way Sequins!

by Sophie Vaillancourt

Charlotte is a young witch. As Halloween approaches, she does not want to follow her family tradition of dressing as a scary witch. Can she do something different? What costumes will she reject? What plan will she carry out? What is the message of this holiday story for young children?

Add this to your list if you are looking for stories about independent girls this October.

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

The Madness of Crowds follows on last year’s novel, All the Devils are Here. That was a book that I absolutely adored. The Madness of Crowds is a book that I respect and one that has made me think.

Layered on the mystery of why the victim was killed and, if she was even meant to be the victim, are topics about community, the responsibility that we owe to one another as individuals and members of society, the high cost of tragedy and trying to save others, other ethical issues about practices in psychology and much more.

Among the characters is Abby who has a theory that some agree with and others find abhorrent. I don’t want to have spoilers so will not say more. Abby is close to Debbie who is a long time friend and her assistant. Their relationship turns out to be complex as is her relationship with a university chancellor. Then there is Haniya, a stranger to Three Pines and a controversial figure, even if she may be proposed for the Nobel prize.

The residents of Three Pines in all their eccentricity are here. So are Jean-Guy, Isabelle and the ever good man with a strong conscience Armand Gamache and his thoughtful wife Reine Marie. All are tested over the course of the novel.

This story is long, complex and thought provoking. Those of you who have read it, what did you think?

by Kristy Woodson Harvey

This is the first novel that I have read by this author. It will be embraced by those who enjoy the stories that have been penned by authors like Dorothea Benton Frank or Nancy Thayer. Under the Southern Sky is women’s fiction. It has a good story line, engaging characters and some things to think about. I recommend this one.

This is the story of Amelia and Parker who were friends in childhood. For very different reasons (no spoilers) neither is in a relationship. When Amelia finds out something that she feels compelled to tell Parker, she knows that this truth may complicate both of their lives.

How Parker and Amelia each deal with their respective former relationships and how they may move forward forms the basis of much of this novel. Readers will be interested in seeing what happens to them, both separately and together.

Under the Southern Sky is an involving novel and one that is also enjoyable.

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