Julia Spencer-Fleming pens one of the best mystery series around. I recommend her books most highly and I have read them all, starting with In the Bleak Midwinter. The setting is upstate New York and the region is brought to life in a way that makes a reader feel that they are there. The protagonists, Clare and Russell are adults with histories; both were in the military. Clare is now an Episcopal priest while Russ is the head of the Millers Kill Police Department. Over the course of the series, readers get to know these real, flawed and genuine adults well.

It is best to read this series in order. Long term readers will be ecstatic to spend time with Russ, Clare and those in their world after a long hiatus between the last book and this one. In this entry the main story is complex as it involves three murders; one took place in the 50s, one in the 70s. No spoilers so I can’t say more.

If you know Clare and Russ, I hope that you will be as delighted as I was by their return. If you are new to the series, you are lucky as you have nine books to look forward to. Mystery readers, please check this series out. Ms. Spencer-Fleming, you have not lost your touch!
Many, many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this read in exchange for an honest review.

I am not a person who generally wins giveaways but, for once, I really lucked out. I was given a copy of this title through Goodreads and what a good read it was.

I read the first collaboration of these authors when they told the story of Belle Greene and the Morgan Library. That was a good read but I think that this new book is even better.

In these pages, readers spend time with Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune. Each has a life story with unique experiences. Both had struggles for acceptance, although in different ways. Each wanted to make a difference in the world; readers will, I think, agree,that they succeeded in that regard.

Although this book is written by two authors, it flows seamlessly. I enjoyed the way that many chapters were set up so that first there was one about either woman, followed by the same day’s experience for the other.

Big issues are explored here along with telling a work of historical fiction. This is a book both of its time and ours. I recommend it highly.

My exposure to Heaney had been through classes. For one, we read Heaney’s gorgeous translation of Beowulf. Hearing the poet read part of this epic (I think from YouTube) was an experience. Heaney here helped me to appreciate Beowulf in ways that I hadn’t the first time that I read it when I was much younger.

Then, in a poetry class, we read Digging. This short poem yielded more and more each time that I read it. This led to my curiosity about the poet and his poems.

So…I was keen to read more by this talented man who wrote for many decades about matters both very small and very large. This collection is a tribute to this towering talent.

While I have not yet read all of the poems that are included in this volume, I am constantly inspired to dip in. Anyone who wants to experience the work of this wide ranging and brilliant poet will find so much to enjoy and admire here.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus & Giroux for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 18 November 2025

1312 pages

Poetry

Here are two books that appear to be “read now” on NetGalley. Each is by a most favorite author of mine.

I’ve loved the series by both of these authors and recommend everything that they have written.

Unto Us a Son Is Given by Leon

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

Before Covid I had never read a book by Ms. Novak. I started with One Perfect Summer and just kept going, also reading Summer on the Island, The Bookstore on the Beach, and When I Found You. All of these were enjoyable women’s fiction titles; each had a good setting storyline and characters. So, of course, I was eager to read this new book by the author.

The story takes place in a seaside community. Three friends grew up there. Ivy stayed and runs the library. Cam stayed; he became a talented architect. Ariana worked in New York in the publishing industry; she comes back to spend time with her grandmother.

The three all know of a tragic event that occurred when they were in high school. A girl went missing. What will be stirred up as events from the past spill into the present?

This book is a bit more of a mystery but retains many elements of the author’s talent for writing women’s fiction. I enjoyed this novel but did think that it had a bit of a slow start.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

From the Publisher

Anthony Bourdain’s death left a void in the world of food adventure.  He has been mourned by many.  This book, however, provides a chance to celebrate Mr. Bourdain, the foods he ate and the places he went.  Starting with Argentina and progressing through the alphabet to Viet-Nam, this charmingly illustrated (with many line drawings) book offers riches to the reader. Fans of Mr. Bourdain will be excited to see this one.  Credit to Laurie Woolever who clearly helped enormously to get this book out.

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

#WorldTravel #NetGalley

#BrainBoost365BrainGamesforAdults #NetGalley

I like doing puzzles, everything from crosswords to sudoku, to logic puzzles and acrostics. So, when I see a puzzle book, I always want to look inside.

Here is a collection of 365 puzzles, so one for every day. Included are code words, crosswords, cryptograms, flower puzzles, word searches, sudoku and more. Definitely, a lot for a puzzler to enjoy.

I will most likely purchase this one in its hard copy.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Cider Mill Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 14 October 2025

#BigHandwritingPracticeWorkbookforKids #NetGalley

I thought that the cover of this book was cute with its smiling cat inviting kids in. Throughout there are brightly colored illustrations that should help to keep kids engaged.

The book opens with an introduction for adults. This offers an explanation of what is in the title and tips for how to help young writers. Some activities to try are suggested.

Activities in the book itself include tracing letters, words and numbers, along with matching games, coloring, filling in the missing letter, and more. In addition to working on writing skills, there are some reading practice activities as well.

A completion certificate is included for kids who would like this.

To me, this looks like a very good workbook. I think that it would be important to work at the child’s pace or in shorter sessions so that they stay enthused.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Cider Mill Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 02 September 2025

www.nytimes.com/2025/07/16/books/review/new-summer-thrillers.html