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

Now out: The Mountains Wild A Mystery by Sarah Stewart Taylor

The Mountains Wild is the first book in a new series by this author. It is her first book in many years, although she did have an earlier series that I read. I think that The Mountains Wild is the start of something good! I already am eager to read the next title.
There are many things that I thought were very well done in this book. The settings came to life vividly and authentically. Much of the story takes place in Dublin and its surrounding area; I felt like I was on the streets, at the pubs and in the countryside. The secondary location is on Long Island which is also well portrayed with its beaches and the family’s Irish bar.
The characters were either people that I really wanted to spend time with…or really didn’t, meaning that in each case the author brought them to life. There are families, friends, a priest, suspects all taking their turns in these pages.
As for the plot…protagonist and detective D’Acrcy’s unstable cousin disappeared in Ireland twenty plus years ago. Her disappearance seems tied to a string of murders, including a current case. What happened? Who was responsible? Could it be one of the characters whom I liked? The case, no surprise, will be solved but I did not foresee some of the twists.
I highly recommend this title. If you like mysteries by Tana French, this could be just your cup of tea…or should I say pint?
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. I rate this book most highly

Love Your Body Your body can do amazing things… by Jessica Sanders

This book should be on every child’s bookshelf! It will help to counter the negative feelings that so many kids seem to grow up with in terms of how their body looks and/or functions. This title encourages and reminds children to appreciate all that their body can do and to love it exactly how it is. Highly recommended!

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

#LoveYourBody #NetGalley

Editorial Review

“This is an important book about positive body image and self-affirmation that every young person should read, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. The cartoon illustrations, all girls, depict an amazing assortment of body types, and the universal message about accepting every unique and special aspect of every body, in the literal sense, comes through loud and clear. Readers are reminded to celebrate and be thankful for everything their bodies can do, whether they’re playing sports or cuddling little brothers, and not to fret about things they wish their bodies could do. Ten realistic self-care tips are provided in the text and as a poster on the back of the book’s jacket—they include connecting with nature, dressing up and strutting around, and finding a meaningful quote and using it as a mantra. More important, readers are encouraged to seek help from a trusted adult when they feel down about themselves and nothing seems to help. The author is a social worker based in Australia, and she offers a website with support resources ranging from mindfulness activities to lesson plans. The text addresses readers personally, and hopefully audiences just getting used to their bodies will internalize this important message.”

– Kathleen McBroom, Booklist, Starred Review

From the publisher:


If you are ever finding it hard to love your body, try writing a list of all the great things that your body helps you to do.	Everyone needs to ask for help sometimes—you are not alone.	Show your body love and thanks by practicing self-care. Sometimes you will forget and some days it will feel nearly impossible, and that’s okay. When this happens, just remember to be kind to yourself—speak to yourself like you would your very best friend.

Would you vacation here? The House on Fripp Island by Rebecca Kauffman

Fripp Island: three miles of what should be the perfect vacation break locale. The characters: Scott and Lisa and their children, and Poppy and John and theirs. How do they come together? Scott won a trip to the island in a company raffle. After having some trouble finding another family with whom to share their good fortune, Lisa invites Poppy and her family along. Poppy was a friend of Lisa’s when she was growing up although their paths have diverged. But, something is wrong, very wrong. Readers learn this right away as the beginning of the story is told by someone who was murdered. What happened? Why? What are the characters hiding?
Honestly, I wanted to enjoy this book more than I did. My issue was that I did not like the characters as much as I had hope that I would. Still, other readers may feel differently and this book does feel like a good summer suspense read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Some other opinions:

“Kauffman’s keen, atmospheric follow-up to The Gunners explores class, friendship, and dark family secrets…inevitably, events spiral to a shocking conclusion. Kauffman’s characters leap off the page…Readers will devour this suspenseful summer drama.” —Publishers Weekly

“Our assumptions about whose tensions, desires, rages, and shy longings might erupt into murder are provoked and reversed right up until the final pages, when the mystery of Fripp Island is revealed…An entertaining and ultimately tender book.” —Kirkus

“The tensions between the haves and the have-nots offer an insight into contemporary America…In watchful prose by turns powerful and delicate, the action builds to an event as inevitable as it was unpredictable. Gripping.” —The Sunday Times

“Suspenseful…While the fault lines…allow for plenty of tart observations on marital disenchantment, Kaufmann spins a secondary, far more disconcerting story about the toxic power of suspicion and rumour. A smart summer read.” —The Daily Mail

#TheHouseonFrippIsland #NetGalley

Recently published: Jean-Michel Basquiat by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

I always look forward to reading the latest entries in this wonderful series that features little people with big dreams. This time Ms. Vegara Sanchez is writing about the artist Basquiat. She is joined by the illustrator who contributes a great deal to the look and feel of this title.
Young readers will learn that Jean-Michel loved art from the young age of four. He found his calling early in life. Children will learn that he had his own unique contributions to make to the art world and that he became close friends with another well known artist, Andy Warhol.
Kids who read this book will know that art can be made in many ways. That is a good lesson to learn along with the reminder to follow one’s passion.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#JeanMichelBasquiat #NetGalley

Now out: Little White Fish Deep Beneath the Sea by Guido Van Genechten

This title is beautifully and colorfully illustrated against black pages. All of the sea creatures look so friendly and adorable.
The story line is simple. Little White Fish wants to know what is on the bottom of the ocean. Many of his friends warn him against swimming all the way down but White Fish persists. What does he find? How does he get back to his friends?
This is a sweet book that celebrates adventure and friendship. I enjoyed it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#LittleWhiteFishDeepintheSea #NetGalley

A bargain for readers of e book mysteries! (Leon)

Thirteen of Donna Leon’s mysteries are on sale today. Ms. Leon is the author of one of my favorite mystery series and a favorite family in the Brunettis. Take a look

Some e book bargains for June 22, 2020

Just a few. I always enjoy Reginald Hill’s books and the one on Henry the Eighth has stood the test of time.

An Advancement of Learning (The Dalziel and Pascoe Mysteries Book 2) The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls The Six Wives of Henry VIII

Some e book bargains for the week of June 22, 2020

Nine Perfect Strangers A Better Man: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel The House in the Cerulean Sea Sometimes I Lie: A Novel Bring Up the Bodies: A Novel (Wolf Hall Series Book 2) Raven Black: Book One of the Shetland Island Mysteries Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk: A Novel Magic for Liars: A Novel The Silent Sister: A Novel The Virgin Suicides (Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Edition): A Novel (Picador Modern Classics Book 2) Lila: A Novel There are some books here that I very much enjoyed including the Louise Penny (see archive for review), the Rosamund Pilcher and the Ann Cleeves. The Shell Seekers is a wonderful, warm read. The Ann Cleeves is the first of her Jimmy Perez novels. I loved them all. Plus, as you see, some other good reads as well. Enjoy.

The London Cabbie’s Quiz Book Pit your wits against the world’s smartest taxi drivers by Ian Beetlestone

“Everyone” always says that London cabbies are among the best. They are expected to know more, it seems to me, than taxi drivers in many other cities, including my own. Having this perspective, and having been in London cabs, I was intrigued by this title which turned out to be a fun one.
The book has been written and compiled by a London driver so it has authenticity. Learn about what needs to mastered in The Knowledge and know that it is not easy.
(Fans note that mystery writer Martha Grimes wrote a novel with the title, The Knowledge. It alludes to the drivers of London.)
On my last trip to London, I stayed in Kings Cross. Despite that insider experience, I could not answer most of the questions on the area. It is clear that I will not become a driver anytime soon. Nonetheless, I very much enjoyed this diverting read which, in addition to the questions, includes maps, commentary and more.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

pub date: July 28, 2020

#TheLondonCabbiesQuizBook #NetGalley

Drawing and Painting Expressive Little Faces Step-by-Step Techniques for Creating People and Portraits with Personality–Explore Watercolors, Inks, Markers, and More by Amarilys Henderson

For those who would like to work on their artistic skills, this book will be an excellent and fun resource. The author gives clear directions on how to draw and on the supplies that a budding artist will need. She encourages a reader to explore the personality that is found in a face and to enjoy the process of creating art.

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

#DrawingandPaintingExpressiveLittleFaces #NetGalley

From the publisher:

PUMPING UP THE PERSONALITY

Creating a robust collection of faces starts with exploration and play. Relishing in a diversity of ethnicities, ages, appearances, subcultures, styles, and apparel will enhance our newfound skills and challenge our limited palettes. It’s easy to get in a rut. You know what you know, and you start to create out of habit. A collection of tiny habits informs much of our creative intuition. This means that we’re often left making the same choice over and over when creating art. This is not a bad thing—this is the essence of our personal style. And yet, we can begin to see that the same faces are churning through our wheelhouse, a minute fraction of the wealth of faces out there.

I always find it easiest to begin with the front hairs, as they set the tone of the hairstyle. Potentially three hairstyle layers, each line of hair accrues tens of brushstrokes until the hair Use two tones or more of the same color to show more depth in your many hairs.

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I always find it easiest to begin with the front hairs, as they set the tone of the hairstyle. Ears can be covered or avoided to make the hair appear as tied or tucked behind. I chose to give this redhead a layered look since I had the liberty to do so with each wisp of the brush.