The True Story of a Woman, Her Horse, and Their Last-Chance Journey Across America

by Elizabeth Letts

#TheRideofHerLife#NetGalley

I loved Elizabeth Letts’s earlier book, The Eighty Dollar Champion which I highly recommend. It tells the story of Snowman, the amazing horse bought for virtually nothing by Harry de Leyer. Read the book to find out what kind of horse Snowman turned out to be. The story is a heartwarming one. Personally knowing some members of the family gave this title extra meaning to me. It is a feel good story.

I think that the same can be said for The Ride of Her Life, another story about a person and a horse. This time, our person is sixty-three year old, Annie Wilkins. She lived in Maine, had recently lost her farm and decided to ride ahorse to the West coast. Annie wanted to see the Pacific Ocean before she died. Tarzan, Annie and Annie’s dog thus began an incredible journey in 1950s America.

How did the trip go? Who did they meet? How were people changed by this?

Read the story of this life affirming and changing journey to find out. I highly recommend it.

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

From the Publisher

THE FITZGERALD IS FREE.

The Ultimate Sherlock Holmes Puzzle Book

Solve Over 140 Puzzles from His Most Famous Cases

by Pierre Berloquin

This title consists of six sections or stories based on works by Doyle and the puzzles that go along with them. Each chapter contains twenty-four puzzles and a map challenge. The author notes that the book is not strictly chronological and that becomes clear as a reader interacts with it. The puzzles are varied, intriguing and not always easy. Readers who enjoy puzzles and challenges may want to add this volume to their collection.

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

From the publisher:

From the Publisher

The Puzzle Challenge:

Each chapter contains twenty-four puzzles for you to solve, in which Holmes and Watson react to famous characters, surroundings, and unusual events that were inspired by six classic Sherlock Holmes stories. For extra enjoyment, the plots have been slightly reimagined to add further mystery and purposely create more hurdles than Holmes and Watson had to overcome in the original stories. The puzzles will test your Sherlockian reasoning, with some being easier than others. And if you get stuck, you can always turn to the puzzle solutions in the back of the book.

The Map Challenge:

Each chapter contains a map. After you solve a puzzle, consult the box at the bottom of the page, which will give you a clue for your next stop on the map. This destination will then tell you the number and name of the next puzzle you must solve. If you get into any trouble, you can always check that you are on the right path by turning to the map solutions in the back of the book.

The Sherlock Challenge:

This challenge encompasses the entire book. Next to certain map-clue boxes, you will come upon Sherlock’s magnifying glass with a number in it. When you see this, turn to pages 176–177, where there is an empty grid for each chapter. There, follow the instructions, and when all the grids have been completed, you can discover a Sherlock Holmes quotation.

The Silhouette in the Window

To deceive his enemies, Holmes has a wax model of himself made to scale, which he places in front of the window. The decoy gives the impression that Holmes is quietly reading at home in his armchair, but in fact, he is in town investigating. Every little detail counts, as with the silhouettes above. Only one is a perfect likeness of the original. Which one?

Taunting Note

When Inspector Baynes shows Holmes a cryptic note he has just found in the fireplace at Wisteria Lodge, Watson is confident that his friend will discover its secret meaning. He remembers many an occasion when Holmes made sense of the most obscure texts. For example, there was the time when a famous bank robber sent him a taunting note just before fleeing the country—or more precisely, just before Holmes had him arrested as he was about to step onto his private yacht. Are you as quick-witted as our detective, who immediately spots his name in the note below? What does the message say?

by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

Pub date: July 6, 2021

As and adult, I have read Michelle Obama’s book, Becoming, and recommend it highly. Here we have a Michelle for the youngest readers in a new entry in the popular Little People, Big Dreams series. The same qualities come across in both books: Michelle values family, education, health, fitness and helping those who come along behind you.

This title is recommended for both home and school libraries. It simply tells the story of an inspiring American woman.

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

London in Fragments

by Ted Sandling

Pub Date 22 Jun 2021

#AMudlarksTreasures #NetGalley

Have you ever heard about the original mudlarks? They searched for treasures left behind in the Thames. The most traditional mudlarks were young boys in the 1800s who were looking to find anything that might bring them a bit of money. Now in the 21st century we still have mudlarks. Their finds tell the story of London’s history.

Readers will enjoy learning more about the finds of the mudlarks as they read this fascinating book. Things found include everything from clay pipes to tableware to wine bottlenecks to tea pots and so much more. These objects are fully described by the book’s author.

This title is packed with information and history. There is also an extensive bibliography. I wish that there had been photos but perhaps there will be in the published copy of this title.

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

I adore The Once and Future King; this is T H White’s retelling of the story of Arthur, Lancelot and Guinevere.

The title of this novel cleverly has several meanings. The most obvious refers to combinations on safes as the novel’s protagonist, Ellie, is a talented (sometimes on the wrong side of the law) safe cracker. It could also refer to some of her relationships which might seem a bit unconventional, as for example, Ellie’s with the government agent who first entraps but later takes Ellie on as more of a partner.

The setting is wartime England. There are concerns about spies, traitors and secret documents…and, of course, there is murder. Will documents get into the wrong hands? Will the traitors and/or spies be caught? How will Ellie fare in her relationships? Read the novel to find out.

What is done well in this book: The characters-I cared about Ellie, her uncle, her cousins (one of whom is MIA), her friend Felix and others. Less well done in my opinion was getting an authentic sense of the time perios in the novel; I knew it was the 1940s but would have welcomed more details; I feel that this would have made a good book, even better.

Kudos to the author for introducing readers to a new character. I hope that readers will see more of Ellie.

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

by Kerry Greenwood

Welcome back Phryne and Dot! A new novel with these beloved characters is always cause for rejoicing. This time, Phryne and Dot make their way to a spa for recovering WWI soldiers. It may sound like a peaceful retreat but series regulars know that mayhem is sure to follow, along with a resolution by the end of the novel.

Readers who enjoy fashion, wit and spas are sure to love this latest entry in the series. After reading this, many will look for other titles by Ms. Greenwood or they may want to watch the Miss Fisher mysteries on Acorn TV. Whichever way readers choose to encounter Phryne, they can’t go wrong.

Also note the gorgeous cover of this novel. The artwork is magnificent and Miss Fisher shines.

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