Carnegie’s Maid by Benedict

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsOctober 11, 2018

Imagine that your family sends you (alone) to the U.S. because of financial hardship in Ireland and you will need to support your relatives back home. Imagine that you are able to take on someone else’s identity to become the servant of Andrew Carnegie’s mother. Will you be found out? Will your position be secure? These are among the premises of this richly detailed historical novel. Relationships between upstairs and downstairs, specifically between Clara and Andrew Carnegie are a major part of this novel. Read it too to learn more about the business world and women’s roles in the post Civil War U.S. Overall, an enjoyable read.

A Seasonal Guide to the City’s Most Instagrammable Places

by Sara Santini, Andrea Di Filippo

#PrettyLittleLondon #NetGalley

Pub date: July 13, 2021

The book, Pretty Little London, had its origin in an Instagram account. The account belonged to a couple who did not grow up in England. The two wanted to enhance their sense of London as a beautiful city with all it has to offer. The result is a beautiful compilation of photos showing London in every season.

Each seasonal chapter opens with a detailed map. I found these to be very appealing with their cute drawings. Thanks to these, readers who visit or live in London can find the locations that are described in the book. For each entry readers will find both beautiful photos and text. The text includes descriptions of things to see and also what look like great suggestions for eating, drinking, shopping and more.

This title also includes some advice on Instagramming and taking photos. These sections will be of interest to those who want to work on their own projects.

I really love this book. It makes me want to hop on a plane and visit one of my favorite cities while having the chance to make new discoveries.

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

From the publisher:

Leslie Meier has been writing the Lucy Stone mysteries for some time. I think that there are 27 title in all. These are cozy domestic mysteries that are just right for a stress free read. They take place in Maine where readers get to spend time with both Lucy and her family.

In this entry, there is a Thanksgiving 5K race. Unfortunately, one of the female runners is found dead. Some think that the cause of death was an overdose but the intrepid Lucy feels differently. So, of course, she investigates. Will she solve the mystery with time to spare for a Thanksgiving feast? Readers can easily answer that question but this book will provide some entertainment along the way.

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

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Aby joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsJanuary 8, 2019

Robyn Carr has written many novels over several series; fans of hers will know that she has written the Virgin River, Thunder Point and Grace Valley books. Her latest series takes place in Sullivan’s Crossing. The Best of Us is novel number four. Old characters reappear but, if you have not read the other titles, this can be read as a stand alone.

Love grows across three generations in this story. The teen pair are challenged by a threatening medical diagnosis; the couple in their thirties face an unplanned pregnancy and the couple in their sixties show that love can happen at any age.

Place is also important in this novel. Sullivan’s Crossing is that small town that people think of when they imagine small town life as idyllic. There is a beautiful setting near the mountains, kind people and a strong sense of community.

Long term fans of Roby Carr will most definitely welcome her latest book.

Fast Girls A Novel of the 1936 Women’s Olympic Team by Elise Hooper

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsAugust 19, 2020

Fans of historical fiction may want to read this newest title by Elise Hooper. Ms. Hooper also authored The Other Alcott and Learning to See (about Dorothea Lange). Both are in my TBR pile.
Ms. Hooper’s newest novel tells the stories of the first women to compete. in what is now called track and field, in the Olympics. Three main characters are featured along with many others. The three are Betty, Louise and Helen. They are not like one another in personality, where they live, in their challenges or in their families but they are all talented athletes. Ms. Hooper brings them and the time period to life in this novel.
The beauty of historical fiction is how it brings the past to life in a way that involves the reader. This book does that well and I recommend it. This title may be a good one for high school aged girls as well. As they more freely compete in athletics, they may be interested to know what it was like for girls like them in the past.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#FastGirls #NetGalley

“Hooper celebrates three unheralded female athletes in a tale spanning three Olympiads…For fans of historical fiction about real people, and stories about little-known female heroes breaking through barriers.” (Booklist (starred review))

The Agatha Christie is free. The Debbie Macombers are good summer reads.

I have really enjoyed reading all of the titles in this author’s Seven Sisters series. The tiles include The Seven Sisters, The Storm Sister, The Shadow Sister, The Pearl Sister, The Moon Sister, The Sun Sister and The Missing Sister. Each book has a dual time line and I have found them all to be very engaging. Ms. Riley has also written a number of books that are not part of this series.

Yesterday, I saw it noted in Publishers Weekly that Ms. Riley had died at age 55 of cancer. I am one reader who will truly miss her.