A Collection of Comics about Being Yourself Together
by Catana Chetwynd
This collection of gentle comics is about a couple and their daily life. It is a book about loving one’s partner and accepting them with all of their quirks. It allows for the ways in which partners may be the same or different from each other and, regardless, can still love each other. If you are looking for a bit of emotional uplift and some smiles, this title may be for you.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
In my opinion, Val McDermid is one of the very best authors of mystery/police procedurals/suspense who is writing today. Her stand alone novel, A Place of Execution is extraordinary. She has another great one in The Vanishing Point. Then, of course, there are Ms. McDermid’s many series. The oldest are the Lindsay Gordon and Kate Brannigans and then there are the Tony Hill and Carol Jordans. However, my favorite series is the one featuring Karen Pirie. So, I was THRILLED to receive the ARC of Still Life from NetGalley. It absolutely dis not disappoint.
Karen Pirie is a DCI who is in charge of historical cases that generally have a connection in the present. She is based in Scotland although in this book she travels afield, including a trip to Paris. Each novel in the series has several story lines that come together. There is a lot going on in this one.
The books are perhaps read in order although that is not strictly necessary. That said, long term readers will feel for Karen as the killer of her significant other Phil is released from prison. How will this change both her life and that of the killer? Followers of the series will also enjoy being updated on Karen’s relationship with Hamish and the work of her sidekick Jason.
There are several plots. There is the presumed murder of a Scottish political figure in the past and the fate of his brother in the present. There is a body found in a camper vab that may belong to the artist girlfriend of a road accident victim. There are clues like OUDS, 12N, art works, the fate of a conceptual artist and more.
In less talented hands, plates could get dropped but Ms. McDermid is in fine command of her craft. My only criticism is that now I will have to wait at least a year to spend time with Karen again.
I highly recommend this one! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
A new novel from this author is always most welcome! What I love about this series is not so much the mysteries, although those are well constructed, but the relationships among the characters and the ways in which the city of Venice is brought to life. Guido and Paola seem so real and affectionate with one another; they have a marriage that many would envy. Watching Guido and Paola with their children is a treat as is reading about their latest family dinner. Guido’s relationships with his extended family and work colleagues are also brought vividly to life.
In this book, a friend of the family who is elderly wants to adopt an adult male to be his heir. Will you as the reader feel empathy for this lonely man? All around wonder if this adoption is a good plan but he is determined and undeterred. Is this what leads to his and one other’s death? What are the reasons for what is happening? How are families constructed? They are not all like Guido’s.
For fans of Donna Leon, the chance to spend time with her will be a delight. New readers will also enjoy the book and will probably then look to read others in the series.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this good read. The opinions are mine alone.
Kristin Hannah’s new novels are eagerly awaited by her readers. With today’s publication of The Four Winds, I am sure that many will be purchasing her latest title.
Ms. Hannah has written books about WWII (Winter Garden and The Nightingale) and has established a solid reputation as an author of historical fiction. This time she turns her keen eye to the U.S. in the early to mid 20th century, a time of much pain in the country. The characters in this novel are horribly and deeply affected by what came to be known as the Dust Bowl, and by the Great Depression.
The book opens with a beautifully rendered scene of a small and prosperous Texas town. This depiction immediately draws readers into the world of the story. There are social classes within the town but life is good for its citizens. Of course, this changes as the 1920s turn to the 1930s.
The primary character in the novel is named Elsinore (I’m sure not by accident). She is also known as Els or Elsa. Elsa grew up as the ugly duckling in a family of swans. Sickly, lacking in self-esteem and dominated by her family, she finds escape in the world of books…and one night in the arms of Rafe, part of an Italian family that has a farm outside of town. Their meetings lead to their eventual marriage, one which seems to disappoint them both.
Elsa becomes quite close to Rafe’s parents, has two children and lives an orderly life. All of this changes when the droughts come. The depictions of what this calamity did to both the land and its people makes readers aware of the incredible tragedy and hardship that families faced. What happens to these characters and the impact of their decisions forms the basis of the novel.
Hannah’s readers will most likely think of their own difficulties during Covid as they read this title. This makes the timing of the book feel quite prescient.
Overall, I recommend this novel highly. I did at times feel frustrated, early in the book, by Elsa’s passivity and lack of confidence but the reader must remember that these traits go with how she was raised. Bear with her. Hannah’s fans and new readers will be glad that they do.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.
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.
Robyn Carr has been writing about Virgin River and its residents over the course of the 21 novels in the series. This is the book that began it all back in 2007. It is the one that is the basis for the television series on Netflix.
Each book features a couple along with a number of other characters. Characters from one of the novels often appear in the later volumes.
This story is about Mel and Jack. Mel has faced tragedy and is coming to Virgin River to start over. She has taken a job (sight unseen) as a nurse practitioner for the community. Unfortunately, at first, the local doctor really does not want her assistance. The other main character, Jack, is a retired Marine who runs the local bar and restaurant. No spoiler to say that Jack and Mel will become a couple.
Give this title a try. If you enjoy it, you can run through the series and maybe that will keep you busy and free of thinking about Covid for awhile. After you read the novel, take a look at the tv series. Do the characters and place seem true to what you read? Let me know your thoughts.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.
This collection of winter themed stories from the esteemed Agatha Christie will be welcomed by her fans, readers new to her works, and those who enjoy mystery tales.
With twelve intriguing stories, readers will be able to wile away a few evenings as the days get shorter. I enjoyed and recommend this title. It was a delight to discover some new Christies.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 