Who is responsible for: A Killing of Innocents

A Novel

by Deborah Crombie

An e book bargain today

#AKillingofInnocents #NetGalley

My only wish is that Deborah Crombie wrote faster and more frequently. Her Gemma Jones and Duncan Kincaid mysteries are among my very favorites. This American author writes a terrific British set series. I have been reading them ever since the first title, A Share in Death, was published in 1993. Over time, the characters and their relationships change and develop, keeping readers riveted. For full enjoyment, the books could be read in order but that is not strictly necessary; enough backstory is provided to keep a new reader from being lost.

In this, the 19th, entry, a young doctor has been murdered and hers is but the first, not the only, death. Sasha had friends and family. She also had a complicated work relationship with one of the nurses at her hospital. The case is brought to both Duncan and Gemma along with their teams. It goes to Duncan because of the murder and Gemma because of there being knife crimes.

Readers get to know Sasha’s family which includes a brother with some tricky history. They also get to know her artist roommate; she too has a brother who may well be suspicious. Sasha was supposed to have been meeting him on the night that she was murdered.

Regular readers of the series will be delighted to catch up with Duncan and Gemma’s children. They will also be interested in finding out how Doug (Kincaid’s team) and Melody (Gemma’s) are doing after the events of the previous books.

The book and series are just a delight. Mark your calendar for this title’s release date!

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

Pub date: 07 February 2023

368 pages

List Price: $28.99 (hardcover)

Meet: The Love Haters by Katherine Center

Readers are introduced to Katie. She works making promotional videos with her own sideline highlighting 24 hours in a subject’s life. When the story opens, many at her company are about to be laid off. So, when Katie is offered an opportunity, she takes it! There are a few problems though-the gig involves following a Coast Guard member (Hutch) at their job so includes flying in helicopters, and needing to swim. Katie does not know how to swim and is not crazy about flying in what feels like it could be an unsafe aircraft.

Cole, who offered the job and the subject has some agenda of his own. The very famous (for rescuing Jennifer Aniston’s dog), Coast Guard member is his brother and the two do not get along well.

So, readers can see that the stage is set and going into romance territory.

This book has more though in that there is a lot about weight issues. The problems began with Katie’s critical stepmother. They got worse for Katie after some bad comments on social media when she was at a music awards dinner with her then boyfriend. Readers are told that Katie is very stressed about having to reveal her weight before getting on the copter due to her past.

I am not sure how this topic will sit with readers in what is billed as a light read, so know this going in.

This was a solid novel but not my favorite by this author.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 20 May 2025

320 pages

Romance/Women’s fiction

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The Love Haters Katherine Center
The Love Haters Katherine Center Jodi Picoult quote

Dangerous Women is an e book bargain today

Ethel is 73 years old. She can play the senior citizen card when needed but there is so much more to this vibrant woman. Ethel has retired from the FBI but her quick brain, skills, and schemes are as fresh and effective as ever. Get to know her in this enjoyable mystery/caper about murders and shenanigans affecting the Supreme Court.

The author juggles a lot in terms of a complicated scheme in which it takes a little while for readers to figure out what is going on. There are senators, supreme court justices and their clerks, the FBI, Ethel’s relative and friends along with all living in a DC that comes to life here. There is a serious issue underpinning the story that has to do with a Supreme Court’s pending decision on precious metals and mining. The issue feels quite timely.

Those who enjoy cozy thrillers (is there such a thing?) are certain to want to read this one. There is an earlier title in the series as well and I hope that there will be a third to come.

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

An e book bargain-Why is it: The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick

#TheBookClubforTroublesomeWomen #NetGalley

The early sixties were a time of nascent change for many, including women. There was restlessness as some felt that being a housewife and mother was not fully satisfying in and of itself. (This may have been true before, of course, but it was at this time that Betty Friedan published a book that spoke to and legitimized these feelings).

In this novel, Marie Bostwick looks at a group of women who are living in a planned, suburban community outside of Washington DC. The group includes Margaret who was a bright, successful college student when she met her husband. Now she is a mother of three. When she gets an opportunity to do a bit more will she take it?

Bitsy married an older man. She loves horses but passed on vet school to marry a vet. Readers will find out why. Bitsy is having trouble with the suburban dream because she hasn’t been able to have a child.

Viv is a mother to many with a husband who seems supportive. But, when she wants more and looks for a job, will she tell Tony?

Then there is artistic, chaotic Charlotte. She challenges Margaret and the others. Will she cross a line too far?

These women meet regularly in a book club with the first book being The Feminine Mystique. Readers follow their lives over the course of this long and satisfying novel that is special to the author (read what she says).

Recommended to those who enjoy (women’s) fiction and would like a look at the 1960s.

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

Pub date: 22 April 2025

Historical Fiction-Women’s Fiction

384 pages

From the publisher:

From the Publisher

The Book Club for Troublesome Women
The Book Club for Troublesome Women
The Book Club for Troublesome Women
The Book Club for Troublesome Women
The Book Club for Troublesome Women
The Book Club for Troublesome Women