A Novel

by Natalie Haynes

Those who love ancient Greece know that the thousand ships refers to the Trojan War and those who were impacted by it. Natalie Haynes gorgeously offers a version of these events as told from the women’s points of view. This is a beautifully imagined retelling of Homer’s epic from that different perspective.

I highly recommended A Thousand Ships to those who enjoy historical fiction about ancient times. It is well written in language that evokes its’ time.

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

A very clever mystery: Moonflower Murders

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsNovember 22, 2020

A Novel

by Anthony Horowitz

Anthony Horowitz is a creative and imaginative author of complex mysteries. This book follows on his earlier novel, The Magpie Murders that also featured Susan Ryeland and the story within a story detective, Atticus Pund. I liked this title more than that first title in the series.

When the story starts, Susan has left England to run a hotel on a Greek island. It seems that venture is beginning to pale so when the opportunity comes to return to England, Susan is on her way. Susan is asked to investigate the disappearance of a hotelier’s daughter. Cecily was not seen again after calling her parents to tell them that, based on an Atticus Pund novel, she believes that a guest murdered at the hotel a number of years previously, was not killed by the accused and then convicted hotel worker. Does this sound a bit confusing and convoluted? Well, it just may be.

Susan investigates the case and, as part of her research, rereads the Atticus Pund book. That novel is very cleverly inserted in the middle of the book. I found this to be so appealing. There was the book cover, the blurbs, the copyright, everything one would expect but, again, it is a novel within the novel.

Will Susan solve the case? What happened to the missing daughter? Who committed the murder at the hotel and that is then fictionalized in the Pund book? There are many characters and there is lots to solve here.

This book is original and intriguing. I very much enjoyed it. It is long at over 600 pages so settle in for a long read.

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

Lessons of Hope and Courage in Times of Crisis

by Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan

Many readers may be familiar with New York City’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Cardinal Dolan has conducted many masses there and is a well-known figure in church circles. This title provides a collection of thoughts from the Cardinal that address some of the issues related to Covid and its effects on us all. There are twenty-three chapters; a few of these include Be Not Afraid, The Doors Were Locked, and J-O-Y. This book offers an inspiring read to Roman Catholics (and maybe others).

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

Despite the fact that I’ve already got several series on the go, my radar is always attuned to crime/police procedural series that sound interesting. I’ve got quite a few series that I’m very anxious to read. In case you also love crime series, I thought I’d share some of the ones on my TBR that […]

Love Crime Fiction? Looking to start a new series? #CrimeFiction #TBR #policeprocedural — Fictionophile

The Anne of Green Gables Devotional

A Chapter-by-Chapter Companion for Kindred Spirits

by Rachel Dodge

Anne of Green Gables is such a well-known children’s story and with reason. There are humor, hope, pathos, love, acceptance for mistakes, friendhsip, growth and more in the pages of this story of the red headed orphan who finds a home with Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert. Using the novel as her jumping off point, Rachel Dodge has written a devotional that takes inspiration from the book, looking to the meaning that can be taken from the story’s events.

This title is a Christian one but, I think, can be enjoyed by non-Christians as well. Take a few minutes now and then to read and think about one o the entries in this nicely illustrated title.

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

A Graphic Novel

by Mariah Marsden

Narrated by Sharon Alexander; Rachel Jacobs; Alan Carlson

Pub Date 02 Mar 2021  

I absolutely adored this production of Anne of Green Gables. Listen to it with a child you know or, if you remember the books from childhood, enjoy it for yourself. This edition of Anne of Green Gables is done with a unique voice for each character and a narrator who links them together. It was such a delightful listen. This edition of the book is engaging. I hope that it will also encourage children to read or listen to the unabridged stories about Anne.

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