Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too!

an e book bargain

Pub Date 27 Jul 2021  

I must confess that I did not know nearly as much as I thought I did about the movement that led to the (eventual) right for women to vote in the United States. I was aware of those who started the movement both the U.S. and England but I was familiar with only one of the three women featured in this novel.

The three are Alice Paul, Ida Wells and Maud Malone. Each has her life story told against the vivid backdrop of the politics of the day and their individual histories.

Alice Paul was raised as a Quaker; Ida Wells knew much about slavery, and Maud Malone was an Irish American librarian. What led each of these women to fight so hard for something that many now take for granted? Jennifer Chiaverini helps readers to understand why they worked persistently for what they believed in.

These three are not the only ones who appear in the book. To name just two others, there are Jane Addams and Ava Vanderbilt.

The history that Alice, Ida and Maud lived through comes to life in this novel. I was especially struck by all that Ida Wells endured including the impact of yellow fever on her life, the lynchings of people that she knew and much more.

Around these women are the men, many of whom wanted to thwart votes for women. They included President Wilson. Will the women succeed in organizing a massive march for the day before his inaugural? Read this one to find out.

I found The Women’s March to be among my very favorite books by this author. I learned a lot but did not feel that I was being lectured to.

This historical fiction should be on reading lists for high school students and up. It would make a superb book club selection.

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

I have recently read a number of novels about the British Monarchy and WWII. Some of the books that I enjoyed are Lady Clementine, Before the Crown, The Other Windsor Girl, Another Woman’s Husband and The Woman Before Wallis. All have been immersive reads. To that group I will now add The Queen’s Secret.
The Queen of this novel is the current Queen’s mother, Queen Elizabeth who was married to Bertie aka George the VI. This book is told from her perspective. Elizabeth had more than one secret from what I could see. She also had her own voice and point of view in this novel on everything from David and Wallis, to how her daughters were raised to the way that she wanted to conduct her relationship with her husband. She comes across as very human with a love of sweets and drinks. I found her story to be well-told here as the Queen shares everything from her childhood to her figure to working with Churchill and more.
Lovers of this period, the TV show The Crown and/or historical fiction may want to read this title. I know that I am glad that I did.
By the way, I went back and forth between the audio and the book as I enjoyed this title. The many voices that the narrator took on in the audio were so well done and added to the audio experience.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#BookTribLitPicks2025 #NetGalley

Here is a rather long (341 page) title that is just packed with information on forthcoming books. In my opinion, this free collection, is a wonderful gift to readers.

There are sections on Mystery, Thriller & Suspense; Mystery & Detective; Memoirs & Nonfiction; Family Drama & Contemporary Fiction; Historical Fiction;Horror; Fantasy & Speculative Fiction; and Middle Grade & Young Adult; so there is much to explore.

For each entry, see the book’s cover, read what it is about and partake of a bit of the story. Many of the authors, though not all, are new to me which is fun.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Meryl Moss Media Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 31 July 2025

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U.S. Cover                                                             British cover

I have read every title in Peter Robinson’s Inspector Banks series so I can say with full confidence that I found this to be one of his best.  The mystery itself is suspenseful.  The team and my favorite characters are all present.  Relationships are reviewed, explored and in some cases deepened.  Banks is just so interesting to spend time with; he (as the author’s surrogate) knows so much about music, poetry and the arts.

In this one, Banks reflects on many of his past relationships.  There is a hint of intrigue between him and Zelda, a woman who lives with, long term character Annie’s, father.  At times, I found the book elegaic and wondered if it would be Robinson’s last.  However, the very end of the book leaves me hopeful that there will be more.

The story has to do with two seemingly unrelated crimes that come together.  The story line is pertinent in both the front story and in the story of Zelda as it explores how women are treated and may be sexually exploited.

Don’t just take my word for how good this book is!

“As usual, Robinson provides a solid police procedural enhanced by the rugged Yorkshire setting. Banks himself—jazz and solitude-loving, difficult, somewhat melancholic, unlucky in love—is always fascinating… [F]or series fans, this one is a sure bet.” (Booklist on Careless Love)

“Engrossing… Those who enjoy methodical police procedurals that build to a logical, satisfying conclusion will be amply rewarded.” (Publishers Weekly on Careless Love)

“Robinson fans will enjoy the latest entry in this long-running series…Well-written and believable, with recognizable but multifaceted characters and enough twists to keep the story riveting until the mystery is solved.” (Library Journal on Careless Love)

“Careless Love is another entertaining novel in the Inspector Banks series.” (The Hamilton Spectator on Careless Love)

“A mighty force to be reckoned with in crime fiction.” (Publishers Weekly on Peter Robinson)

A Novel

by Ruth Hogan

#TheMoontheStarsandMadameBurova #NetGalley

Pub Date 21 Sep 2021  

I absolutely adored Ruth Hogan’s novel, The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes, so I was quite eager to read The Moon, The Stars and Madame Burova.

Around the plot, Ms. Hogan looks at some emotionally resonant issues. These include identity, race, the nature of love, how to treat others and also how to treat one’s self. All is skillfully done and is not too heavy handed.

Madame Burova’s mother, Shunty Mae, was a reader of tarot cards, palms and crystal balls. Her daughter, Imelda (aka Madam B) has taken on her mother’s vardo and profession. She is very good at it and her booth becomes a confessional for many. In the present, Imelda Burova is considering retirement; in the past she led an active life.

Imelda spent time at Larkin’s, a family holiday camp, when she was a young woman. There were many people and acts there. Imelda was close to Jeannie, a talented young singer and to Cillian Burke, a man who was of great importance to her. Readers will find out how Cillian influenced the title of the novel. Also at the camp is Vivienne; she wants Cillian and is used to taking whatever she feels that she needs.

In the present, Billie’s parents have recently died. She finds something out in a note that her father left her. This leads her to connect with Imelda and connect they do! In the present, Imelda offers Billie some answers and all the wonderful aspects of the kind of person she is. Readers will root for both of them.

This book is not a cliffhanger. It is a slow-ish read that I enjoyed and recommend. Not quite as good as Sally but very good nonetheless.

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

The author’s new book is coming soon!

U.S. Cover

British Cover

From the publisher:

About the book:

Mrs B, landlady of the Marigold Cottages, only rents to favoured tenants, and they’re an eccentric (read: odd, slightly broken) bunch. There’s anxious playwright Sophie, agoraphobe over-sharer Hamilton, single mum and sculptor Ocean, perfectionist Lily-Ann, and the ever-mysterious Nicholas. Life in the cottages is peaceful though, until hulking, fresh-out-of-prison Anthony moves in and a dead body turns up.

Anthony is arrested and Mrs B, convinced of his innocence, promptly confesses to the crime herself. Horrified, her tenants band together to clear her name, forming the somewhat haphazard ‘Marigold Cottages Murder Collective’. But as they dig deeper and a second body is discovered, further secrets are unearthed.

Can this motley collection of amateur sleuths solve the case before one of them becomes the next victim?

About the Author

JOEL ROSS is the author of an award-winning fogpunk adventure series that includes THE FOG DIVER and THE LOST COMPASS, the BEAST & CROWN series, and ALLEY & REX series. As Joel Naftali, he wrote a skunkpunk children’s series and co-wrote THE ARMY OF FROGS trilogy which became a Netflix animated series―for which he and Lee wrote the screenplays. He is also the author of two adult WWII thrillers. And as Joel Dane, he wrote the CRY PILOT science fiction series, along with the science fiction podcast, MARIGOLD BREACH that starred Jameela Jamil and Manny Jacinto.

LEE NICHOLS is the author of five chick lit novels including the bestselling TALES OF A DRAMA QUEEN and HAND-ME-DOWN. She’s written the HAUNTING EMMA series for young adults, which is currently optioned for TV and co-wrote the animated Netflix series, THE ARMY OF FROGS.

Lee and Joel met in college and have lived together more years than they have not. They currently reside in Santa Barbara with two cats named Earl and Betty and have one son who pretends to be learning something while away at college. After collaborating on roughly thirty books together for both children and adults, they finally sat down to write The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective, their first mystery.

My thoughts:

This book offers a fun read with delightfully eccentric characters, a well described setting and an interesting plot. It is a perfect book for a bit of escape.

I love the idea of renting out homes only to people that one likes and then REALLY standing by them, even including a (false) confession.

Watching this group of folks solve a case was very enjoyable.

I do hope that this novel is just the first in a series.

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

Pub date: 19 August 2025

Mystery & Thrillers

What it’s about (according to the publisher):

No one in Lily Lennox’s life can understand why, for each of the past five summers, she has left her successful business behind to work a lifeguarding job at the exclusive Riovan Wellness Resort on a sun-soaked Caribbean Island.

Fortunately for her, they also aren’t aware of the mysterious deaths that occur on the island every time she’s there. You see, Lily has a secret. She’s determined to make toxic people pay for the damage they do – and she’s very good at getting away with it.

But this summer, there’s a problem in the form of a very attractive guest, Daniel Black, who is asking a few too many inconvenient questions. Hoping to lead him off her trail, Lily decides to keep her enemy close, but as their attraction grows into something much deeper, Lily’s plans start to unravel. Because Daniel is set on finding the murderer – and Lily plans to get away with it – no matter what.

My thoughts:

I know that recently there has been a spate of books featuring women who kill. It is an interesting sub-genre and one in which I am not widely read.

This time, readers meet an unusual life guard (how is that term meant to be understood in this title?) who is on “A Killer Getaway” in a gorgeous locale. What will happen when Lily and island visitor/journalist Daniel collide? Will there be disaster or will our clever author give them a happy ending?

The pages will turn as readers wait to find out.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this title. All thoughts are my own.

Pub date: 12 August 2025

320 pages

Mystery & Thrillers/Romance

From the Publisher:

by Kemper Donovan

#LooseLips #NetGalley

Here is a fun and entertaining mystery that is just perfect for a winter night’s read. The ghostwriter narrator of the first book in the series is back. This time she is going on a cruise (despite not really liking the sea) for a group of would be writers. This is a clue to the double entendre of the Get Lit moniker that is the name of the event.

The cruise is organized by a writer, phenomenon and self-promoter known to our ghostwriter from their MFA days. On this mostly all women cruise, Payton has brought along her wife but also her ex husband and her male assistant. The staffers on the cruise, the guests and the writers are all brought to fun (and somewhat snarky) life.

Not so many of the attendees have signed up for our ghostwriter’s mystery writing class. But no matter, there will be plenty of real life mystery and murder on board.

Come along for a fun trip and feel like an insider in this quite entertaining read.

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

Pub date: 21 January 2025

From the Publisher

Knives Out meets high seas intrigue on a literary cruise to nowhere in this intelligent, wildly funny locked room mystery for fans of Richard Osman, Anthony Horowitz, Nita Prose, and Agatha Christie!

The USA Today bestselling host of the “All About Agatha” podcast injects the spark and fizz of a Golden Age murder mystery into the present-day, as the ghostwriter’s skills are put to the test aboard a bestselling author’s decidedly insalubrious cruise.

The first book in the series:

https://joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post-new.php?post_type=post&jetpack-copy=52105

Richard Osman kicks off a new series, and Nick Harkaway takes on the mantle of his father, the dearly departed John le Carré.
— Read on www.bookpage.com/most-anticipated-books/most-anticipated-fall-mystery-suspense/

www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/08/18/books/review/vacation-setting-novels.html