A welcome return to Venice-Unto Us a Son Is Given by Leon

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsDecember 10, 2018

MY EARLIER REVIEW

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.

#UntoUsASonIsGiven #NetGalley

The Four Winds

A Novel

by Kristin Hannah

#TheFourWinds #NetGalley

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.

Solve Over 140 Puzzles from His Most Famous Cases

by Pierre Berloquin

Pub date: March 30, 2021

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.

For chilly nights: Midwinter Murder by Agatha Christie

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsSeptember 24, 2020

MY EARLIER REVIEW

#MidwinterMurder #NetGalley

pub date: October 20, 2020

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.

Welcome back, Verity and Sidney! Penny for Your Secrets by Anna Lee Huber

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsOctober 7, 2019

MY EARLIER REVIEW

Penny for Your Secrets is the third entry in the Verity Kent series. The first two books are This Side of Murder and Treacherous is the Night. The back story of this series is World War I. Readers learn more about Sidney’s experiences during that time and empathize with his difficulty in coping. Readers will also enjoy spending more time with this couple as they get to know one another better.

In this entry, Verity has two cases to solve. In one, a friend has been accused of murdering her husband. In the other, a friend from Verity’s WWI spy work, asks for her help in investigating the murder of her sister. The novel includes many settings including mansions and locations in France and England.

Readers know that the cases will be solved but how? Are they related? Do they relate to the war? Find out as you read this latest adventure .

Also, I want to comment on the cover. I think that it is really gorgeous.

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

Don’t let this one be a stranger to you: The Stranger Diaries by Griffiths

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsOctober 19, 2018

MY EARLIER REVIEW IS BELOW

I have absolutely adored Elly Griffiths’ Ruth Galloway mystery series and hope that she will continue to write many more book about Ruth, her family, colleagues and friends. Ms. Griffiths has also penned the post-war Max Mephisto series. Now, she has written her first standalone novel. I will start by saying that this atmospheric, character driven story does not disappoint.

Plot: Clare is a teacher at the school where her daughter, Georgia, is a student. Harbinder is a Detective Sergeant whose alma mater is this school. When Clare’s colleagues begin to die, Harbinder is assigned the investigation. The school also has close ties to the author of a very scary story. These threads intertwine to produce a suspenseful, somewhat Gothic tale.

Most interesting to me in the book were the many characters and their interrelationships. There are Clare and her ex-husband, Clare and her daughter, Clare and her colleagues, Clare and Harbinder. Then there are Georgie and her parents, Georgie and her teachers, Georgie and her boyfriend, Georgie and her writing group, etc.

Another feature of the novel is the offering of different points of view. The reader sees events through the eyes of Clare, Georgie and Harbinder.

As in all good mysteries there are some twists. This is a novel that I definitely recommend. My favorite novels by this author are still the Ruth novels but this is worth a read for suspense lovers.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read by one of my favorite authors!

Broken Ground by Val McDermid

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsNovember 18, 2018

#BrokenGround #NetGalley

MY EARLIER REVIEW:

Val McDermid writes a number of series; of them all, the Karen Pirie novels are my favorites. Broken Ground is the newest of these.
I enjoy Karen. She is a quirky woman who has faced a significant loss and is still recovering. In this novel, she gingerly considers a new relationship. She is an old fashioned copper who cares about justice and what is right. She is loyal to those on her team who are still learners.
Karen is the head of the Historical Cases Unit in Scotland. Spending time with her, the members of her team (including her adversaries) and her cases is always time well-spent. In this novel, there are several stories; one relates to events of WWII, another to a serial rapist, and there is also a present day murder. Each of these plots is explored satisfactorily.
I finished this book today and am already looking forward to what happens next in the series. I highly recommend both this book and the series.

Many (!) thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this satisfying read.