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

I have reviewed The Other Windsor Girl, The Country Guesthouse and The Heir Affair. Below is my review for the title about Princess Margaret.

The “other” Windsor Girl is Princess Margaret, known to many because of the successful tv series, The Crown.  This book is another way to gain perspective on Margaret, those around her and the times in which she lived. Readers will move through the sedate 40s right up to the 60s.

The narrative includes a mix of historical and fictional people and a wide variety of both royal homes and places where Margaret spent time. The most prominent of the fictional characters is Vera who becomes a lady in waiting to Margaret, thus giving her a fly on the wall perspective to royal life.  Her story is one of making choices after coming under the royal gaze.  Are the choices that she makes ones that she will regret?

The underpinning of the novel is the impact that being A princess but not THE princess had on Margaret who garnered less attention and found it difficult to establish a meaningful life.  She often wanted what she could not have and did not want what was there for her.

In my opinion, this novel started a bit slowly but  is worth staying with until the end.  The skill of the author is such that I kept hoping for Margaret to have the life she yearned for, especially in her relationship with Group Captain Peter Townsend, all while knowing what happened historically.

This book can provide a bit of escapism as we all are in our homes dreaming of having a more exciting life.  I rate it at four stars.

The Warm and Joyful Memoirs of the World’s Most Beloved Animal Doctor

by James Herriot

James Herriot was the pseudonym for a vet who wrote with warmth, humor and insight about his experiences learning how to do his job and to get along with his animal patients and their owners. There was a TV series made based on these titles a number of years ago and a new series is set to air in the U.S. early in the new year. (It has already been seen in Britain).

This title is the second of Herriot’s memoirs and it is every bit as engaging as the first. If you are looking for a gentle escape from daily life, look no further. This very well narrated title will offer you hours of escape to another time.

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

by Rebel Girls

#GoodNightStoriesforRebelGirls #NetGalley

I have reviewed a number of titles in the Rebel Girls series. I think that these books are a wonderful way for kids to be reminded that they can do amazing things. The life stories that are featured are always well told and have engaging illustrations.

Now, the publisher has made a box set of five of their chapter books for early readers. The books that are to be found are:

• Ada Lovelace Cracks the Code
• Madam C. J. Walker Builds a Business
• Dr. Wangari Maathai Plants a Forest
• Junko Tabei Masters the Mountains
• Alicia Alonso Takes the Stage

Each of these stories is engaging. Below is a review that I wrote for the Ada Lovelace title. It gives a sense of what makes the series so good.

This well-researched and written book tells the story of Ada Lovelace. Ada was the daughter of the famous poet, Lord Byron, although she did not know her father well. Ada’s mother was a woman of strong opinions who had definite ideas of what she wanted for Ada.

Ada was educated by governesses in her early years. She often found her lessons boring until Miss Stamp was hired. Miss Stamp allowed Ada’s imagination to soar, despite Ada’s mother’s not wanting this. Miss Stamp and Ada read stories and did experiments, including trying to fly.

Soon after Miss Stamp was let go, Ada became quite ill and took years to recover. She then moved along the path of expectations, attending balls and eventually marrying. However, she also observed and exercised her mathematical skills. Influential thinkers with whom she spent time included Mary Somerville and George Babbage, the designer of an important precursor to the computer.

I have read several books about Ada Lovelace. This is one of the best, especially for its target audience of elementary school aged children. They will relate to Ada’s spirit and curiosity. Hopefully, readers will be encouraged to pursue their own studies and interests, even if not everyone agrees with their pursuits.

The end of the book includes a number of suggested activities and and afterword.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this excellent, well-illustrated story of Ada Lovelace in return for an honest review.

AND HERE IS MY REVIEW FOR THE BOOK ON C J WALKER

This book is targeted to a young elementary school aged audience. It is divided into short chapters and has beautiful, vibrant illustrations. Madam C J Walker Builds a Business tells the story of Sarah Breedlove from when she was the first in her family born in freedom, not slavery, through her remarkable business success and accomplishments. Sarah faced many obstacles including the closing of her segregated school, the deaths of her parents, her difficult time living with a sister and her sister’s demanding husband, her early marriage, becoming a parent and her husband’s violent death. The book shows how Sarah went from this background that included the most menial jobs to becoming Mrs. Walker and a woman who was incredibly successful in building her business centered on caring for African American women’s hair.

This is a detailed, readable biography. There are additional sections at the end of the book to encourage further learning. This book should be in classrooms and is highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.

##########################################################

The other stories are equally engaging. This book deserves a place in both home and school libraries.

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

A Novel

by Rebecca Serle

#InFiveYears #NetGalley

Dannie is the kind of young woman, who for reasons that become clear, sets her goals and works hard to achieve them. She has the life that she seems to want as the story opens. Dannie has just interviewed for the job of her dreams and (not a spoiler because it happens early in the novel), her compatible boyfriend David is about to propose to her in an iconic Manhattan setting. All seems perfect but…if that were the case, this would just be a short story.

Instead, Dannie has a strange experience. She is transported to the future and the man she is with is not David, but Aaron. This dream seems so real and it has a great impact on Dannie; so great an impact that she talks to a therapist about it.

Meanwhile, Dannie continues in her life. Readers spend time with her and her friend Bella who is a more spontaneous, artistic type. What will happen to Dannie? To Bella? To Aaron? Does Dannie belong with David? Should she be with Aaron even though that would be complicated (no spoiler so not saying why)?

This novel has gotten mixed reviews. Still, I liked it well enough. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

Advance Praise for In Five Years:

“What would you do if you glimpsed your life five years from now—and found that it was different, in every way, from what you hoped for and expected? Rebecca Serle pairs this inspired premise with deft, propulsive prose and characters who feel as real as friends. In Five Years is as clever as it is moving, the rare read-in-one-sitting novel you won’t forget.” —CHLOE BENJAMIN, New York Times bestselling author of The Immortalists

“Serle takes a fairly generic rom-com setup and turns it into something much deeper in this captivating exploration of friendship, loss, and love.” —Booklist

“Heartbreaking, redemptive, and authentic in all the ways that make a book impossible to put down, I fell in love with this story. In five years, I will still be thinking about this beautiful novel.” —JAMIE FORD, New York Times bestselling author of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

“I adored In Five Years, it’s so poignant and tender. It broke my heart, such an unusual idea executed brilliantly, I didn’t see that twist coming! I’m a sucker for great love stories, and this one is just lovely. A keeper on my shelf!” —JOSIE SILVER, author of #1 New York Times bestseller and Reese’s Book Club pick One Day in December

I highly recommend the Louise Penny book and also liked the books by Katherine Center, Elly Griffiths and Karen Harper.

by Karen Powell

Narrated by Helen MacFarlane

I’m not sure if a story set in 1955 qualifies as historical but, if so, this is an English set historical mystery. There are three main characters, all of whom are impacted by the death of their friend, Danny. Alexander is the heir to an estate while Lennie (of a different class) is in love with him. There is also Tom, the third friend, who is there when Danny’s body is found.

What happened? Why? What lives will be altered in the process of learning the answers? Find out by listening to this audio book. It could be worth your time.

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

A Mystery

by Nev March

Murder in Old Bombay won the Minotaur book award for a first mystery recently. The winners’ books are always worth taking a look at in my opinion.

This story is a leisurely one (though that does not mean that there is a lack of action), coming in at close to 400 pages. It is an historical mystery set in the late 19th century when India was ruled by the British. The protagonist, Jim Agnihotri, is of mixed Indian and British parentage which makes him a bit of an outsider in both worlds and cultures. He was wounded and is out of the Army when he becomes known to the Framji family.

Two young women in that family fell to their deaths from a university tower. It appears to be murder and Jim becomes the Holmes aficionado who wants to solve the case using his idol’s methods. During the course of the story, Jim and readers get to know the Framjis very well. Jim is especially close to the beautiful Diana and to Adi who is the young widower of one of the victims.

As Jim works on the case he has a series of adventures, many disguises and clues to work through. He also takes on an unofficial parenting role to a number of children who are victims. He is a protagonist who tries to do what is right and is not afraid to fight for it.

Readers learn about Jim’s growing up, his military years and the church figure to whom he felt close. Readers are also immersed in some of the history and culture of the period. A most helpful glossary is even included.

This is a novel that those who enjoy the recent India based mysteries of Sujata Massey are sure to want to read. I recommend it.

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

Every time I read this book, I get more from it. You can see my review.