sleuthofbakerstreet.ca/i/1584200/September_2020_e_MOM_Read.pdf

by Meika Hashimoto

Pub date: October 20, 2020

#KittyandDragon #NetGalley

This beginning reader is playfully illustrated in a cartoon like style. The text is just right for early readers and has enough repetition and familiar words so that readers will feel competent as they make their way through the three stories in the book.

In the first, readers will find out why Kitty wanted a new home and how she met Dragon. Was she afraid? Can their friendship work? No spoiler really to say that they are perfect for one another and attentive to each other’s needs.

In the second story, children see how Dragon cares for Kitty when she gets a bad cold while in the third Kitty and Dragon try to find the right balance between messy and neat. All three stories look like fun, humorous reads for the book’s intended audience.

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

Good For You

Bold Flavors with Benefits

by Akhtar Nawab

#goodforyoucookbook #NetGalley

This cookbook will be welcomed by those who are gluten and/or dairy free, vegetarian, and/or vegan, or some combination of the above. Those with no particular dietary commitment may also enjoy the many delicious sounding recipes to be found within this title.

There are 100 recipes in all. Beside each one is information about the kind of recipe it is, for example GF for gluten free. The first chapter on foundations includes recipes for mayo, marinades, pastas and more. Following this are recipes for each meal of the day as well as sides, desserts, and various chutneys, aiolis and more.

So many recipes to choose from but I will take just one from each category. These recipes include pumpkin protein pancakes, Yuba noodle salad with ginger dressing and raw vegetables, smoked fish chowder, fish tacos with pistachio mole; roasted sweet potatoes with coconut oil and tandoori masala, rice pudding with fig puree and vanilla, and mango chutney.

The directions could be followed and the photos made me hungry. What more couldyou ask for ?

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honestr eview.

My Family, Your Family!

by Kathryn Cole, Cornelia Li

#MyFamilyYourFamily #NetGalley

This board book is endearingly illustrated. Through its use of s simple text and pictures, many kinds of families are shown. All are given equal weight. This is a matter of fact, inclusive title for little ones. I recommend it.

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

I read and reviewed the two most recent titles by Louise Penny on the blog. Those books were All the Devils are Here, and A Better Man. I gave each a five star review. After finishing ATDAH, I was struck by the essential decency and goodness of the series protagonist, Armand Gamache. I started to wonder how he became the man he is and so wanted to go back to read the first book to find out. Indeed, Gamache is a man who cares and his compassion comes through in the novel. I underlined some of his statements as they resonated with me.

I actually remembered “whodunnit” but that did not lessen my enjoyment of this title. Ms. Penny has created a universe in the small town Canadian setting of Three Pines. The individuals who live there are idiosyncratic and unique. Their relationships in terms of friendship, parental/child interactions and marriages have universal qualities. The murder has traditional elements including a number of suspects all with credible motives.

The victim is Jane, an elderly woman who has just, for the first time, entered a painting in a local art show. She is close to the women of Three Pines and has a backstory of a lost romance. Who would want to kill this woman whom seemingly everyone loved? Read the book to find out.

The title of the book is very clever by the way. Readers will learn that it has multiple meanings.

I am going to read through all of the series again. I suggest that you do too. It is exceptional.

A modern classic, a couple of mysteries and life on Corfu. Hope you enjoy.

Ann Cleeves is one of the best mystery authors writing today. She has three current series including the Vera Stanhope mysteries, those featuring Jimmy Perez on Shetland and last year’s novel, The Long Call which featured a new protagonist. I have read them all and recommend that mystery lovers do so as well. Truly dedicated readers should note that Ms. Cleeves also has two earlier series of books worth searching out with one featuring birders and the other with Inspector Ramsay.

The Darkest Evening is a Vera Stanhope mystery with all of the trademarks including the irascible Vera herself, her team (especially Joe and Holly), vivid settings, well developed characters and good plotting. Readers will be swept up.

The story takes place partly at a country house that belonged to a branch of Vera’s family, and its environs. Long term readers will enjoy the glimpse of Stanhope family history while new readers will not be unduly hampered even if this is the first Vera book that they read.

Characters include some of Vera’s relatives, including her cousin,Juliet, who longs for a child and her husband Mark; who is in theater; Harriet, Juliet’s mother; Dorothy who is a close friend of Juliet, and two murder victims. There are, in addition, a number of other characters who live in the community and have relationships with the victims. What are these connections? Who has killed and why? Readers will be turning the pages as they wait to see how all of the story’s threads come together. I highly recommend The Darkest Evening (readers will learn the context of the title as they make their way in the novel).

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

#AQuestionofBetrayal #NetGalley

Anne Perry is a prolific writer of historical mysteries. Long term fans have gotten to know the Pitts in two series. They have also spent time with Monk, Hester and Rathbone and have read seasonal mysteries featuring these characters and those around them. In addition, Ms. Perry wrote a four book series set in the period leading up to WWI. In her latest entry in her newest series, Ms. Perry writes yet another most excellent story of intrigue, love, betrayal and loyalty; all these in the build up to WWII. A Question of Betrayal follows last year’s Death in Focus, the start of a new and fresh series by this author.

A Question of Betrayal may be read as a standalone but will be most enjoyed by those who read last year’s first in the series. Again, readers watch as (a now wiser) Elena works for the intelligence service, sent with her camera and wits to Trieste to rescue an agent and secure vital information. The man she is to rescue is someone from her past. No spoiler here…read the book and you will soon find out. Although, readers feel secure that Elena should emerge safely as the last page is turned, Perry manages to make the book suspenseful.

Elena’s older sister Margot has a greater role to plan in this title as compared to the first. What she learns will tie in to the case that Elena is working on and also connects to a close friend of their grandfather. Her trip to a friend’s wedding in Germany as the power balance is shifting is vividly brought to life.

The story is set as the Nazis build up power. Many want to prevent this and yet is it possible? Ideals matter to these characters as readers will see. Turn the pages as they spend time in Trieste, Berlin and Britain in this wide ranging story.

Following a long and successful career, I admire Ms. Perry for setting out to do something new. The result is nothing less than splendid.

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

by The Editors of New York Magazine

pub date: October 20, 2020′

Whether you live in New York, have visited or, would just like to know more about this city, this eclectic title may pique your interest. In it, the editors of the iconic New York Magazine share all sorts of information on this metropolis.

The introduction points out the ways in which Manhattan has constantly adapted and changed. For example, as the editors point out, South Street once contained warehouses while Soho had factories. Now, these neighborhoods are filled with trendy shops and restaurants. Industries changed also; once there were no longer so many factories other industries thrived here including publishing and finance. And so it goes, in this constantly evolving city. Get to know it through this title which takes innovation as its theme.

The book is arranged with alphabetical entries. so, for example, A has everything from Abstract Expressionism (which began here), to the Algonquin Round Table to the Automat and more. There are so many entries in this book. Readers can go in order or dip in and out. They will find something interesting wherever they land. Just a couple of others from the beginning of the alphabet are Big Bird and the Crossword puzzle.

This book would make a good gift for anyone who loves the city or wants to know more about it. With its many illustrations and entries, it is an entertaining read.

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

Just two today. During a time in my life when I was trying to come to grips with something, I found Kushner’s book to be very helpful.