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

 #TheBusybodyBookClub #NetGalley

About THE BUSYBODY BOOK CLUB

They can’t even agree on what to read, so how are they going to solve a murder?

Having recently moved from London to a small Cornish seaside village, Nova Davies started a book club at the local community center, but so far it’s a disaster. The five members disagree on everything, and to make matters worse, a significant sum of money is stolen during one of the meetings, putting the much-loved community center at risk.

Suspicion for the theft falls on book club member Michael, especially when he disappears and a dead body turns up at his house. But the book club has their own theories. Agatha Christie superfan Phyllis is determined to prove Michael’s been framed, while romance reader Arthur believes there’s a mystery woman involved, and teenage sci-fi fan Ash thinks dark forces are at play. 

While trying to locate Michael, solve the murder and recover the stolen money, each of them has their own secrets to protect. But despite the danger closing in, they won’t rest until they’ve cracked the case and gotten everyone safe at home with a book, where they belong.

About the Author

Freya Sampson works in television as a creator and executive producer. Her credits include two documentary series for the BBC about the British royal family as well as a number of factual and entertainment series. She studied history at Cambridge University and in 2018 was short-listed for the Exeter Novel Prize. She lives in London with her husband, two young children, and an antisocial cat.

My thoughts:

I very much enjoyed Freya Sampson’s Nosy Neighbors. Anyone who liked that one will want to read this author’s new release. For those who have not read books by Sampson, here is a lovely place to start.

Sampson writes stories that feature quirky individuals who find themselves in interesting situations. The novels are about connections between people, and the plots that surround them. That is certainly the case here.

Nova has moved to a small Cornish village with her partner. They are living with his family which is not easy. Pamela, a bossy future in law, is over organizing Nova’s life. Will Craig and Nova survive as a couple?

At the same time, Nova’s work life is equally challenging. To mention just a few of the obstacles, there is a book club member who may be a thief, Nova’s employer is attacked, and dealing with the idiosyncratic people who come to the center. These include a woman with a smelly dog who sees herself as Miss Marple, an elderly man whose blind wife loves romances in fiction, and a young boy with a crush, among others.

Readers will enjoy finding out how the many people and plots are resolved in a perfect escapist read. Give it a try!

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

Pub date: 27 May 2025

From the Publisher

by Laura Carter

#FamiliusBooks #NetGalley

I love the adorable illustrations throughout this title. Very cute children of many backgrounds can be found in the pages of this alphabet book.

Many occupations are represented with one, of course for each letter of the alphabet. Start with A for Astronaut and make your way to Z for Zoologist. Kids can learn a bit about each of the careers. The book ends with a few questions to consider.

Want to inspire a child to dream and plan? If yes, think about getting this book. It is quite appealing.

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

Pub date: 01 July 2025

Children’s non-fiction

32 pages

An e book bargain

#ACyclistsGuidetoCrimeCroissants #NetGalley

I was initially drawn to this one by the book’s title and the cover which I found very appealing. Happily, the story inside these pages also offered an enjoyable read with gorgeous locations, some good characters and an interesting plot.

Sadie was the kind of person who lived a predictable life as exemplified by her position as an actuary. Her life changes following the unexpected death of her best friend, Gemma (not too much of a spoiler as this happens very early in the book).

Sadie needs a change and purchases a bike tour company in France (now that sound pretty nice). However, of course, there are problems. These include vandalism and murder. No spoilers so hard to say much more except that this was a fun, cozy read. I hope that it is the start of a series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 21 May 2024

Test yourself with 21 questions all related to TV detectives old and new from shows including Line of Duty and Ludwig.
— Read on www.myweekly.co.uk/2024/10/08/tv-detective-quiz/

#WaterWater #NetGalley

Several years ago, I listened to a Master Class featuring Collins. I enjoyed learning about his writing process in a series of insightful episodes.

Following this, I read the poet’s collection Whale Day. Now, I have spent time with Water Water, reading a poem a day so as to savor this collection of sixty poems.

Some people veer away from poetry fearing that it is too highbrow or that they won’t understand a verse. Collins is not like that. His poems are written in, what I find, to be a direct and clear style. Readers can choose those that they prefer but they will not feel bewildered overall. The poems often reference every day life and end with something to ponder. So many are worth the reader’s time.

It is easy to recommend this collection.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 19 November 2024

A Novel

by Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez

#TheGodsTimeForgot #NetGalley

This book has gotten many good reviews. I was curious to read it, even though it sounded a bit different from many of my book choices.

Here is a story about Rua and Finn. Rua is a woman without memories. Will she remember who she is before the book’s end? What will happen to her when she pretends to be someone else, a young woman in New York society.

Then there is Finn. He is a Lord (from England) trying to figure out how to fit in when he comes to New York.

These two will come together in a world filled with secrets and magic. Will they find their way successfully?

Come to the 1870s and stay for a while in this title. Fans of the genre should enjoy this one.

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

Pub date: 08 April 25

336 pages

Historical fiction-Romantasy-Sci Fi and Fantasy

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for The Gods Time Forgot:
“Gonzalez crafts an intoxicating blend of mystery, romance, and folklore as the elegant slow-burn love story leads to the discovery of dark secrets . . . Fans of Outlander and A Fate Inked in Blood will be sucked in by this bewitching tale of forbidden love.”
—Publishers Weekly

“With compelling characters, feminist themes, and sultry romance, Sheridan Gonzalez’s debut is an imaginative blend of Irish mythology and historical fiction that readers will enjoy.”
—Booklist

#TotheOneILovetheBest #NetGalley

Like many, I think that I know Bemelmans best for the stories involving “Two Little Girls in Two Straight Lines…” So, it was fun to explore another dimension of the author.

Here he tells the story of his friendship with the famous interior designer Elsie de Wolfe. At the time, De Wolfe was elderly while Bemelmans was not. Still, their worlds crossed through Hollywood.

For some 1950s nostalgia and glamour in sections titled Elsie at Home and Elsie Abroad, pick this one up. I think that it will make you smile.

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

Pub date: 07 May 2023

223 pages

Biography/Memoir

Editorial Reviews

Review

“This book is a must.” 
— The New York Times

“An extravaganza in Bemelmans’ inimitable vein.”
–Kirkus Reviews

“Delightful… It was Bemelmans’ privilege to have known [Lady Mendl] and it’s ours to have his gorgeous recollections.”
–Sunday Times

“A beautiful, fun and emotion-filled piece of social history.”
–Irish Independent

“The charm of To the One I Love the Best lies in the peerless combination of author and subject.”
–Paris Review

“About a third of the way through the book I decided that Lady Mendl, was one of the great comic creations in the history of literature . . . as airy as a soufflé, full of the sun and smells of California . . . Madeline for grown ups.”
–The Spectator 

“Reissued treasure.”
–The Gloss

The Dearly Beloved is the first novel by Cara Wall; I am pretty certain that it will not be her last. The Dearly Beloved is the story of Charles, Lily, James and Nan. Each is an adult with a unique upbringing. Charles has faced many parental expectations; Lily has suffered much loss; James had a hardscrabble background, while life seemed sweet for Nan. While in college, Charles and Lily meet as do James and Nan.

Both Charles and James are “called” to the church; they have different approaches to God and activism, as demonstrated over the course of the book. Charles and James are appointed as co-ministers of a New York City church on lower Fifth Avenue. Their strengths and weaknesses come to light and are not the same. The reader watches as the two families’ lives unravel and knit over a period of many years.

This book includes discussion about what faith (or lack of it) means to each protagonist. I found these sections enhanced the novel for me.

This is not perhaps a perfect book, just as James, Charles, Nan and Lily are not prefect but it IS might good.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e galley in exchange for my honest review.

#Thedearlybeloved #NetGalley

A Kid’s Guide to Civics

by Syl Sobel J.D.

We are living in an unprecedented time. It feels so important that kids should know how the government is supposed to work so that, when their time comes to vote and more, they can make good choices.

This relatively short book packs in a lot of information. Kids (and maybe adults too) can learn a good deal in these pages. There are sections on congress, the executive branch, the president’s jobs, the courts, and more, including a resource guide.

This illustrated title is written in a clear and easy to understand style. I like that the author also engages kids with questions about which to think.

I highly recommend this book for both school and home libraries.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Kids for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 03 June 2025

Children’s Nonfiction

48 pages

by Sally Page

#TheSecretsofFlowers #NetGalley

The Page clan has two excellent authors in it. I first got to know them by reading Libby Page’s books. Her first, Mornings with Rosemary or The Lido (depending on where a person lives) became a real favorite. It was after Libby was a published author that her mother Sally began her career as a novelist.

Sally Page’s two earlier novels, The Keeper of Stories, and The Book of Beginnings, were warm hearted and good reads. Now, she offers us The Secret of Flowers.

Fun fact: this author has a lot of experience with floristry so what better than a new novel with lots about flowers.

The story’s protagonist is Emma. She has been widowed and has turned in on herself. She decides to go to a lecture about the Titanic with a friend. This sparks her curiosity about the flowers on the ship and the story takes off from there.

Anyone who enjoys women’s fiction will, I think, want to take a look at this one and the other novels by the author.

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

Pub date: 25 February 2024

Note: As I write this post on 19 March 2025, this title is under $3.00 on Amazon if a reader needs more incentive.

From the Publisher

Others by the Pages:

A Lido worth celebrating. An e book bargain under the alternate title Mornings with Rosemary

What is it like to be: The Keeper of Stories (by Sally Page)-an e book bargain

Can a person go back? The Island Home by Libby Page

The Vintage Shop by Libby Page