Novels by Sara Donati…historical and long!

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsApril 29, 2020

The Gilded Hour is an e book bargain today.

Here is my earlier review:

The Gilded Hour is a very long novel coming in at 742 pages.  If your dream during this crisis is to read an absorbing story that will keep you going for days, this one is worth reading.

The  Gilded Hour is the first of two books with Where the Light Enters also having been published.  By the way, the second book currently only costs $2.99 in e book format.  I bought it at a higher price when it came out.

The two main characters of the series are Anna and Sophie Savard.  Anna and Sophie are both physicians in turn of the century New York.  The city itself is portrayed in all its classes, from the poorest immigrants to the ballrooms.  Anna and Sophie are surrounded by a rich cast of characters, most fictional and a few historical.  Their relationships and work form the focus for the story.

Around this structure, there is something happening in New York.  If what I write next offends you, this will not be the book for you.  Women did not have access to much in the way of contraceptives at this time.  This led some to seek help in terminating pregnancies.  Anna and Sophie see that women are dying from procedures done by someone, but who?.  Who has done this will be a part of both of these novels, though I have only read the first.

I enjoyed The Gilded Hour and plan to read Where the Light Gets In.  Let me know what you think…have you read books by this author?

A Novel

by Lauren Willig

Pub Date 02 Mar 2021   

Lauren Willig has written many novels including those in her Pink Carnation series. This title is based on true events; during WWI a unit of Smith College graduates traveled to France to offer aid and assistance. These real life volunteers are acknowledged at the beginning of the novel.

The book’s protagonist, Kate, was a scholarship student at Smith. This experience left her with an excellent education and some feelings of insecurity despite her friendship with the wealthy, Emmie. A few years after graduation, Emmie recruits Kate to be one of the fictional band of sisters of the title. These “sisters” include the married woman in charge of the volunteers, two female physicians and the other Smithies. Their experiences in France and the interrelationships of the characters form the basis for the story.

This book has an interesting premise and the story is well told. I especially enjoyed the letters that begin each chapter. My only quibble was that, at times, it was a bit difficult to differentiate the characters. Many, but not all, had a trait or relationship that helps the reader to keep track.

Willig includes information at the novel on her historical sources and the ways in which her own education led to the writing of this title.

Of note: I alternated between listening to the audio of this title and reading it. The audio was well produced and engaging. It is so nice to be able to follow a story by doing both. Also, I note the beautiful cover of the novel; it drew me in.

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

Nature Wakes Up

by Sean Taylor, Alex Morss

Pub Date 16 Mar 2021  

Where I live it is snowing today. So, what a perfect time to think about spring. This picture book shows the many changes that occur over the course of the season. With charming illustrations, this title shows two children and their dad exploring nature. There are additional sections at the end of the story about plants, animals, things kids can do and ways to find out more. All in all, a nice book for young children about the beauty of the world.

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

Book Club Brochure Vol. 21

by Various

Penguin Random House Library Resources

This title will definitely be welcomed by book club members and also by those who read on their own and want to deepen their enjoyment of what they are reading. For each title, there is a synopsis and some questions to consider. Books included are The Opium Prince, The Hierarchies, Agatha Arch is Afraid of Everything, A Knock at Midnight, The Butterfly Lampshade, The Smash-Up, The Children’s Blizzard (see my review on my site), In the Garden of Spite, Transcendent Kingdom, The Midnight Library, The Center of Everything, Ties That Tether, The Prophets, Miss Benson’s Beetle (see my review on my site), Agent Sonya, A Burning, Mexican Gothic, The Thursday Murder Club, The Book of Two Ways (see my review on my site), Cher Ami and Major Whittlesey, A Room Called Earth, What’s Left of Me is Yours, The Smallest Lights in the Universe, Friends and Strangers, The Great Offshore Grounds, Memorial, Caste, When Apricots Bloom, Glamour Girls, The Brother Years, Ready Player Two, Sophomores, A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor, Deadly, Wider Than the Sky, and Perestroika in Paris. There are also several titles in Spanish.

There are so many kinds of books here, both fiction and non, some by authors more well known to me than others. All look absorbing with their various plots, settings, characters, real life dilemmas and complexities. Readers are sure to go away with long lists and stacks for their TBR piles.

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

The Minotaur Sampler, Volume 2

New Books to Make Your Heart Race

Minotaur, a division of St. Martin’s Press, consistently publishes excellent mysteries. Gathered here are generous samples of new books by Mary Dixie Carter, Ragnar Jonasson, Joanna Schaffhausen, Ashley Weaver and Brian Klingborg.

The domestic suspense novel by Mary Dixie Carter is her first. Brian Klingborg takes readers to China. Jonasson, Schaffhausen and Weaver have each written a number of books. Here, Weaver starts a new WWII set series. Schaffhausen’s protagonist is involved with a cold case while Jonasson sets his stories in cold places.

Take a look. Readers are sure to find a good read here.

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

A Greer Hogan Mystery

by M. E. Hilliard

This book grabbed my interest immediately because, on the first page, a favorite childhood fictional character of mine was mentioned. You may not know her, but she was Trixie Belden. She, her brothers, Honey and Jim had adventures and solved mysteries with their club. They had exactly the life that I wanted .I loved Trixie more than Nancy Drew. As this was exactly how the fictional detective in this book felt, I knew that I wanted to read more.

The amateur sleuth in this title is Greer. Her husband had been murdered (not a spoiler as this is mentioned early in the novel) and she has sought a new life away from New York City. Greer goes to library school and moves to a small town in upstate New York. A library patron and friend to Greer is murdered. What is behind the murder? Who did it? How will intrepid, amateur sleuth Greer fare? Will the solution tell her more about her husband? Find out in this cozy mystery.

In addition to Trixie, I loved the library setting and the mention of various books and authors. Readers will wish for a library like this, despite the crimes.

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

A Charles Lenox Mystery

by Charles Finch

Charles Lenox has been engaging readers since his first appearance in A Beautiful Blue Death. An Extravagant Death, fourteenth in the series will be enjoyed by those who already know the series and those who want to begin here.

It is now 1878. Lenox is an established detective who also has a full and busy personal life. However, he cannot turn down an opportunity that is brought to him by Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli. The situation leads him to the U.S., upper crust Society and a murder. Will Charles’s reputation remain intact? Will he solve the case of the debutante’s death? Readers will delight in turning the pages as they wait to find out.

This book has interesting characters and settings. I especially enjoyed spending time in Newport.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. Keep those Lenox titles coming, please. All opinions are my own.

First, there were the murders a couple of years ago but now, there is another one. The case needs to be solved. Involved in all three in terms of trying to find a killer is Detective Eddie Mahler. He is invested but is suffering from migraines that impede his ability to solve the case. So, a new member comes on the case. She and he work to obtain justice for the women who can no longer speak for themselves.Are the cases related? How and will they be solved? Read this one to find out. This is a police procedural that will be enjoyed by those who like that genre.

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