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

This is Dervla McTiernan’s third novel, following The Ruin and The Scholar, both of which I highly recommend.  While the author lives in Australia, these three novels are set in Ireland.  The books are sure to be enjoyed by those who read everything that Tana French writes.  That having been said, McTiernan stands well on her own with no comparisons to other authors writing crime stories set in Ireland.

This book brings readers back into the lives of characters that they have met in earlier books.  While it could be read as a stand alone, there is every reason for readers to enjoy all three stories.

The plotting in this book is well done and the story comes together with a last thirty pages that had me stop doing anything else to read.  This is a story about corruption, drugs, murders in a small Irish town, parent-child relationships, abduction, decisions made in a second, loyalty and more.

Spend time with Cormac and Peter, two Garda officers and all of those around them.  Watch what is going on in a small Irish village as well as in Dublin.  Put the pieces together along with the detectives and…most of all, escape into the world of this book.

I wanted to read this book so much that I had to track it down from Australia.  It was worth it.  Highly recommended!

 

Mostly literary fiction today with one light read.  Enjoy.

Lineage Most Lethal is the second entry in this author’s mystery series.  In an interesting twist,  our protagonist is a genealogist.  This adds a bit of history to the mystery.

The story begins at a hotel in Austin.  Lucy has been researching heiress, Pippa’s, family tree and is ready to report her findings when she encounters a death.  Who was the victim? Why did he hand Lucy an Montblanc pen before he died?  What does Lucy’s grandfather know?

Readers know that all will be resolved and that they can relax and enjoy the story along the way.  The author excels in both her characters and plot.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.  I also recommend the author’s prior book, Murder Once Removed.

#LineageMostLethal #NetGalley

This book encourages families to unplug and try other kinds of activities, everything from playing board games to nature walks to crafts to cooking and more. The case is very well made. Early in the book, it is suggested that kids and their families try to unplug from devices for even as little as 30 minutes. They know that this can be a challenge.
The book is divided into sections based on the seasons. For instance in spring, there is a suggested scavenger hunt. Summer suggestions include a bark and leaf boat regatta, while for fall, you could make bonfire bread or baked apples. One of the winter suggestions is building a snow fort.
This book has many photos throughout. They add to the text and are quite appealing. In all, this is a good book to get folks away from devices and into the real world.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#TheUnpluggedFamilyActivityBook #NetGalley

How often have you questioned the amount of time that you spend glued to your phone?  Is it something that you would like to alter?  If you are even thinking about the role of your phone in your life, this title is well worth a look.

Beautifully illustrated and readable, this book offers alternative ways to use one’s time.  The author knows whereof he speaks as he ruefully contemplates the time that he spent on his phone, rather than with his son, with both having entered the world around the same time.  In order to slow down his son’s acquisition of a phone,the author takes himself away from all of the “smart” aspects of the phone and returns to flip style where all you can do is talk.  What did he learn?  What did he do instead? What could you do? Read this book to find out.  It may intrigue you.

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

Pub date:  November 10, 2020

This book provides some nice escapism.  The protagonist is an American, widowed Countess who lives in England in the early 1900s.  In this third entry in the series,  Frances (our countess), is trying to plan her sister’s wedding.  Mayhem ensues among the country house party, both upstairs and down. Readers of course know that all will be resolved but they will enjoy observing the detection along the way.

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

Pub date:  July 28, 2020

#ALadysGuidetoMischiefandMurder #NetGalley

Enjoy some fiction here.

Just a few today.  I always enjoy Elly Griffiths; read best in order.

The illustrations in this book are absolutely sure to charm!  See the details of the animal families living in the apartment building.  There are mice in triple bunk beds, the fox family eating breakfast and a hedgehog reading a book among others beginning their days.  The illustrations change as the day goes on but remain completely adorable. As the day progresses, there will be a birthday party for rabbit, a fox will become a sibling and a cat family will move in. So much excitement.

This book is a winner.  Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

pub date:  October 6, 2020

I love stories that are set in Ireland.  This has led me to read all of the Tana French books, books by Benjamin Black and Sarah Stewart Taylor’s new first in a series.  I also give a shout out to the novels by Dervla McTiernan.

Here we have a cozy mystery by Sheila Connolly who also makes Ireland the location for her series featuring Maura Donovan.   This is the eighth featuring Bosten ex=pat Maura Donovan.  This one includes fairy forts and murder.  Will Maura resolve everything including her relationship with her mother?

This book can feel a bit slow and repetitive at times but I think that it will be enjoyed by readers of the author’s other stories in the series.

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

#FatalRoots #NetGalley