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

Two that especially appeal to me here…Mary Oliver.  I adore her writing.  I also really like McDermid’s Karie Pirie series.  Highly recommended.

I anticipate new books coming out in just the same way that kids anticipate those December holidays; I can’t wait. This reader has features seven intriguing entries, including one by Julia Alavarez, author of Afterlife, in it she talks about her family’s escape from the Dominican Republic. This is followed by a chance to start reading her new novel. The Mountains Sing is about the Viet Nam war. The author brings the children and women to life in this book. Also featured are entries by Jill McCorke, Richard Farrell, Larry Watson, Shruti Swamy and Caroline Leavitt. Each book excerpt is preceded by something that the author has written to introduce it. There is probably at least one title here that each reader will enjoy. Can’t wait for the pub dates.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#TheAlgonquinReaderSpring2020 #NetGalley

Ms. Sancez Vegara does a beautiful job telling the story of Jesse Owens. While reading this book, young readers will learn about Owens’s many incredible athletic achievements, while also learning about the racism and hardships that he endured. This entry is most highly recommended. As always, the illustrations enhance the text.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

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.

pub date: June 23, 2020

#TheUnpluggedFamilyActivityBook #NetGalley

Laurie King began writing historical mysteries featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes a number of years ago.  She began with The Beekeeper’s Apprentice, a book that I loved, and has now made it to her 16th and  newest novel, Riviera Gold.

There are many authors who write stories based on Sherlock Holmes. I think that the books by Ms. King are among the best in the genre.  In time, the story has made it to the Jazz Age and the novel has a mix of historical and fictional personages.  Among the real people are Gerald and Sara Murphy, but our intrepid duo is more interested in Mrs. Hudson.

There is murder and more in this title that I recommend.  Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#RivieraGold #NetGalley

The Finney books are modern classics.  I reviewed the Anna Lee Huber (see archive).  February House is about a very interesting group of people including Auden, Carson McCullers, Benjamin Britten, the Bowles, and Gypsy Rose Lee.  They once lived together in a Brooklyn, New York commune.

The riddles in this book are often quite challenging.  I think that even adults will find that they cannot solve them all.  Geared toward children 9 to 12,  this book contains many excellent puzzles to work out  Luckily, there is an answer key at the end, in case either adult or child is stumped.

Many thanks to Callisto, the publisher, for this fun book in exchange for an honest review.

From the publisher:

start Out Strong Are you a new riddler? No worries! Boost your skills with helpful solving strategies and warm-up riddles.

Riddle for Hours at a Time Stay focused and busy with a variety of word puzzles that are clever, amusing, and, most importantly, challenging!

Discover Classic Puzzles Fill up on fun facts about some of the world’s most famous riddles and see how things have changed over time.

Kate DiCamillo has written many wonderful children’s books including Because of Winn Dixie. She is a children’s author whom I admire so I was very happy to receive this title as an e galley.
This title is part of a series of chapter books about Deckawoo Drive although it is the first one that I have read. The tone is fun and entertaining. Stella, the verbal and precocious protagonist, is a second grader which gives a sense of the age a child might be to enjoy this book.
Young readers learn that Stella is thrilled with her second grade teacher, the beautifully named Tamar Calliope Liliana. All would be perfect in Stella’s opinion were it not for Horace Brown. What will happen in their relationship? Can they be friends?
Young readers will turn the pages to see what happens as the students in Miss Liliana’s class write poems with metaphors and as Stella and Horace are sent to the principal. What will happen to them? How will the day end?
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review. This is a delightful book for either reading aloud or for children who are beginning to enjoy chapter books.

Sulari Gentill has authored a number of books in an historical mystery series set in 1930s Australia. It is a time when there is much unrest; on the one side is the New Guard, a Fascist group, while, on the other, there are the Communists, among others. Historically, WWII is coming and tensions are high.

Ms. Gentill uses this time period to good effect in her mysteries which feature a mix of fictional and historical characters. In this one, the historical figures include a number of politicians and readers spend time at the new Parliament building. One does not have to stretch very far to find some parallels with our own uncertain times. There is a quote that relates to the story’s title and those (and our) times. It is “The dangerous language you speak of is the truth.”

The series in general and this novel feature family dynamics, political intricacies, murder, chases, romance and suspense. Readers familiar with the series will be delighted to spend time with main characters Rowly (a kind of Lord Peter Wimsey if Wimsey were more on the left), poet Milton, painter Clyde and the female sculptor, Ed. There is a new character as well, a woman with whom Rowly had been in love as a teen; will she take Edna’s place in his affections? Readers will also find that Wilf, Rowly’s brother, makes an appearance and the two seem as fractious as ever.

A lot happens in this novel. A communist is killed on the steps of Parliament. Egon Kisch, an anti-Fascist (a true historical figure) who wants to speak in Australia may not be allowed in the country; how will he and Rowly intersect? There is an unidentifiable young woman who is found murdered early in the novel; who is she? There is a famous air race and more. The novel is busy but it works.

Each chapter opens with a fictitious newspaper account. These add a sense of veracity to the book and parallel some of what happens. series.

I enjoy Sulari Gentill’s novels more each time that I read them. I highly recommend this one.

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

Jude, is a very sad read, but free today.  Otherwise, fiction and historical fiction.  The House by the Sea looks interesting.  I just bought it.