Broken Ground by Val McDermid

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsNovember 18, 2018

#BrokenGround #NetGalley

Val McDermid writes a number of series; of them all, the Karen Pirie novels are my favorites. Broken Ground is the newest of these.
I enjoy Karen. She is a quirky woman who has faced a significant loss and is still recovering. In this novel, she gingerly considers a new relationship. She is an old fashioned copper who cares about justice and what is right. She is loyal to those on her team who are still learners.
Karen is the head of the Historical Cases Unit in Scotland. Spending time with her, the members of her team (including her adversaries) and her cases is always time well-spent. In this novel, there are several stories; one relates to events of WWII, another to a serial rapist, and there is also a present day murder. Each of these plots is explored satisfactorily.
I finished this book today and am already looking forward to what happens next in the series. I highly recommend both this book and the series.

Many (!) thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this satisfying read.

by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

Pub date: August 24, 2021

#IrisApfel #NetGalley

I first learned about Iris Apfel from a documentary. It was delightful to spend time watching this feisty and original senior citizen. Now, a favorite series, is telling Iris’s story to young readers. She will help them to see that the most important thing that a person can be is themself!

Readers will learn that Iris was interested in fabric and fashion from a young age. Both were used by her in order to express herself vividly and uniquely. Her design instincts for homes took her as far as the White House. When Iris was 84 a collection of her fashion was put on view at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Quite a life!

Iris achieved a lot. Most appealing are her spirit and sense of fun. Hopefully, young readers will find her story inspiring. It is well told in this entry of the series and accompanied by delightful illustrations.

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

Short Stories

by Rosamunde Pilcher

Pub Date 27 Jul 2021

#APlaceLikeHome #NetGalley

Readers, have you read this author’s most beloved book, The Shell Seekers? If not, I recommend it for its’ characters, settings and stories. It tells the story of an artist’s daughter both in the present and during WWII. I confess to having read this book more than once. I also liked Winter Solstice and September. September has some characters from The Shell Seekers in it.

As a reader of Pilcher’s novels, I was delighted to receive an ARC of this collection of short stories. There are fifteen stories in all and they are introduced by another favorite author of mine, Lucinda Riley. A few of the stories included are Anniversary; Jonathan; A Touch of Magic, and of, course, A Place Like Home.

Rosamunde Pilcher (sadly, no longer alive) was an author who knew what kinds of stories her readers wanted and she delivered them. These are quiet, good reads just perfect for when a reader has a bit of time and is looking for a “nice” read. I recommend the collection.

Those who already are familiar with RP will be glad to have this gift of stories. New readers may be encouraged to read her longer novels.

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

poisonedpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/MBookNotes_07-2021.pdf

by Anna Lee Huber

#MurderMostFair #NetGalley

Pub Date 31 Aug 2021   

Those who have read the earlier entries will be eager to get their hands on this title which is number five in the series. The books are best read in order but, if a reader is willing to accept spoilers from the earlier novels, they can read in any order.

First, the cover. I love the period feel to each of the covers in the Verity Kent series. They beautifully evoke the time period and character of what is inside the book.

Readers know (or find out) that Verity has had several earlier adventures which evolved from her work during WWI. Because of the Official Secrets Act, Verity’s family has no idea of all that she has experienced. Her mother, especially, judges her daughter. Readers may be surprised (as her mother would be if she knew) to learn that so much has happened to this young woman who is in only her early twenties.

In this novel, readers become better acquainted with Verity’s family. Her great aunt Ilse, who is German, arrives on Verity’s doorstep unannounced. What has brought her to England? How will she manage being in England where she is often viewed as an enemy despite her advanced age? Who has she seen? What does it mean? How do events in the present relate to Verity’s connection with her aunt when the war was on-going? Are the repercussions from that time about to cause trouble?

Verity decides to leave London early for the Christmas holidays, feeling that this will be better for her aunt. This allows readers to spend time with Verity’s parents and siblings in Yorkshire. Some of these relationships are less than ideal. Readers will also get to know some in her community including old friends, and new vicars and their wives.

When a murder occurs Verity and her dashing husband, Sidney, are on the scene and ready to solve the crime. Readers will try to figure things out right along side them.

I very much enjoy this series and highly recommend this latest entry. Alas, now it will be at least a year before I can catch up with Verity and Sidney again.

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

nyti.ms/3AAsbvQ

I reviewed the last book here.

Father Brown is free

Miss Benson’s Beetle A Novel by Rachel Joyce

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsAugust 14, 2020

Miss Benson’s Beetle is by the author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, a book that I very much enjoyed.  So, I was excited to receive this e galley from the publisher.  The book does not disappoint.

As has been true in her other novels, Rachel Joyce is a mistress of creating quirky characters for whom readers will care.  The beginning of the novel introduces Miss Benson.  What teacher will not identify with her ‘losing it,’ even if they might not take the actions that she does?

From this unlikely beginning Miss Benson goes on the quest of her lifetime, to the New Caledonia, in search of a rare golden beetle.  Readers learn what led to this obsession and of the tragedies in Miss Benson’s past.  Accompanying Miss Benson is the irrepressible Enid Pretty who has her own back story.  There is also another less savory and wounded character whom Miss Benson did not hire when she met him.

This is a story about doing what one dreams of in life.  It is about embarking on a journey without knowing how it will end.  Isn’t this a universal of going on journeys and taking risks?  Readers will become attached to the story and character and will immerse themselves in Miss Benson’s world.

This is a novel that has both humor and heart.  I highly recommend it.

Pub date:  November 24, 2020

#MissBensonsBeetle #NetGalley