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

The Satapur Moonstone by Sujata Massey

Triple Jeopardy by Anne Perry

Today the titles are all about the women.  My review of Light Over London is below.

Dual narratives currently appear to be popular in historical fiction. The recent novel, The Gown, uses this structure. These books offer the perspective of the present while exploring an earlier time and demonstrating that, whatever the period, characters look for meaning, relationships and safety. In this enjoyable novel by Julia Kelly, the reader gets to know Cara in the present and Louise during WWII. The device that links them is the diary that Cara, an antiques expert, finds when she is evaluating the objects in the home of a character with a link to Louise.

When the novel opens, Louise is living with her parents and is a dutiful daughter who dreams of one day moving to California with its sunshine and greater educational opportunities. However, her present is WWII Cornwall where she meets and falls for Paul. The evolution of their relationship is a key part of the novel.

The war provides Louise with the opportunity to enlist and leave her small community. She becomes an “ack-ack girl.” According to the website The Female Soldier, ack-ack girls “were members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) that helped operate Anti-Aircraft Guns in the defense of Britain from German bombing raids during World War 2.” Louise becomes an integral member of an integrated male/female unit. She writes extensively to Paul while in the service. Will they have a happily ever after? You will need to read the novel to find out.

Cara, following a recent divorce, is giving most of her attention to her job until she meets a neighbor. Their relationship evolves. Will they have their happy ever after?

Throughout the book, Cara discovers Louise through her diaries, just as the reader does. These entries form an integral part of the narrative.

There are other stories as well, especially that of Cara’s grandmother who does not want to talk about her wartime life and who appears to be harboring a secret. Cara wants to know all that she can while her grandmother is alive to tell her. Will she find out?

Each of these narrative threads is handled well by the author and I very much enjoyed reading this novel. I experienced more of what it was like to live in London during wartime and connected with the characters and their stories. My only caveat would be that some of the physical romance feels a bit formulaic while it is the relationships that are more interesting.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-galley in exchange for an honest review. I recommend Light Over London to those who enjoy historical novels set during the second world war.

The range of hidden places that is featured in this book is wide. There are European spots in Great Britain, Scandinavia, France and more. There are also destinations in African, Asia, Australia, Canada and the U.S. Truly a world tour for armchair travelers.

In the introduction the author talks about what hidden means in the context of this book; her answer is wide ranging. What I take from it is partly the amazing sense of discovery and opportunity for some insight that one can find in unexpected locales.

The text in this title is accompanied by lovely illustrations. The paintings are appealing and definitely made me wish that I could visit some of these places.

The author writes evocatively as this example from her first hidden place shows: Tyneham:

There are no parcels piled up in the post office these days; no jars of liquorice on the counter nor sounds of telegrams being relayed form the back room. ..The terraced cottages once quaintly thatched, lie ruined and roofless…this solemn little village has lost its villagers. Or rather, they’ve lost it.

Readers who continue on will learn why this is the case and how they can visit.

I found this unusual travel book to be intriguing. I think that I will purchase a copy when it is published.

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

The author of this book, Bob Hillary, directly addresses the reader in what feels like a conversation as he makes the case for simplifying and slowing down our lives. He points out that many of the things that were meant to save us time, are taking up so much of our time instead. Think social media, for one. The author observes that all of this has done little to make us happier so, over the course of this book, he suggests ways to change.

The book is divided into parts with the first entitled Simplify; the second, Practices to Help You Simplify Your Life, followed by Being Who We Really Are, then Walk Your Talk. In the part on simplifying, there are, for example, sections of simple food and unteching, among others. Ways to help simplify has sections on topics like meditation, learning to breathe and learning to say no. In the part on who we are, the author’s subsections suggest ways to be happy, be gentle, to know yourself and more. The last section is about making our future.
The author knows whereof he speaks. He has lived “off the grid” and pondered what he has learned. He is eager to share this knowledge with readers.
Note that this book can be read straight through or dipped into anywhere you like.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

This book tells the stories of five prominent women who lived on Mecklenburgh Square in London in the 1900s.  The subjects did not necessarily know one another but they shared an address during years when women were beginning to assert their independence in relationships and work.

The five women are the writer/poet HD; Dorothy Sayers who is well-known for the Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane mysteries;  Jane Harrison a prominent classical scholar; Eileen Power a scholar in the field of economics and, finally, Virginia Woolf, an author beloved by many.  Each has a chapter in the book in their own right with connections being acknowledged when they are there.  As one example, both HD and Dorothy Sayers were involved with the writer John Cournos.

The book begins with a fabulous introduction that provides the historic context for what follows.  This, in itself, could be read as an excellent essay.  The author then tells the story of each of these women.  Every one of them had a complex life in which they tried to accomplish what they felt was important.  There are so many vignettes.  Below is one.

Dorothy Sayers gave to her characters what she wanted herself.  The author says that when money was hard to come by, Sayers lavished a lifestyle she did not have on Wimsey.  He had the cars, the homes, the food, the servants that Dorothy did not.  Sayers also gave Harriet Vane the relationship that she, Dorothy, may have wanted; it was one among equals.  To share a fact that I had not known, Dorothy became pregnant and had a child whom she could not raise due to the mores of the time.

This title is written in a very readable and fluid style.  The pages turn easily and I was always looking forward to the next time that I would have the chance to read more.

If you are interested in the lives of women, the compromises that one may or may not make in life and this little neighborhood in London, pick up the book.  I recommend it most highly.

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

#SquareHaunting #NetGalley

This book’s audience is teen girls who identify as autistic.  It begins with a foreword by Temple Grandin, a very successful and smart professor who is well known for her work on animal welfare.  She is also autistic.  Being endorsed by Ms. Grandin was an impressive beginning to this excellent resource by Siena Castellon.  Siena, herself, is on the spectrum and is a teenager;  as a result she is a good guide to the issues that her audience may face.  Siena is also a role model as she is quite accomplished, open and honest as she talks to (not down) her readers.

The book itself is so comprehensive.  It can be read as written or can be browsed through.  The table of contents is clear and a good guide to what can be found where in the text.  Another plus in this title is the addition of cartoon illustrations to further enhance the text.

I highly recommend this book not only as a resource for the teenage girls who are its audience but also for anyone who wants/needs to better understand those who have autism.  It can help family members, friends, teachers and others to interact better with those who have been diagnosed.  It could also be used as a tool for mental health professionals who want to better understand their clients who are on the spectrum.

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

Doctor Mouse does things his own way in this funny and sweet story.

Doctor Mouse is smaller than all his patients. He puts his doctor’s coat on backwards. Doctor Mouse wants all six of the chairs in his waiting room to be occupied before he begins to see patients. He eats a lot of cheese. Clearly he does things his own way!

In come the patients including a chicken, a rabbit, a bear, a fox and more. These patients charmingly help one another while the doctor observes. All leave the office happy.

That’s it, a simple story about cooperation and caring for others with adorable illustrations.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for-this title in exchange for an honest revie

The Marriage Bureau is non-fiction and social history.  Lady Helena is the start of a series and is just ninety-nine cents to try, while the Red House Mystery is by the author of Winnie the Pooh.

A mix of fiction and non-fiction.  There is women’s fiction, historical fiction, contemporary fiction, mystery and autobiography and biography.  I recommend the mysteries by Suzanne Chazin. They are good stories that will make you think about the immigration crisis as well.

I have been lucky enough to visit the Untermyer gardens. They are truly beautiful. So, I was very excited to see this book about this speical place and the vision behind it.

The Untermyer Gardens were created by Samuel Untermeyer. I discovered that he was a very interesting individual. Mr. U was a progressive thinker who supported women’s suffrage. Untermyer was Jewish and the founder of the first Jewish law firm in New York; his firm was very successful. Mr. U’s wife was Christian ; she was a lover of art and music who helped bring Gustav Mahler to New York.

The reader learns that Mr. U wanted to create a beautiful space for all to enjoy. The inspiration for the landscaping was the Garden of Eden. The completed garden was enjoyed by many but fell into disrepair in the period of Mr. U’s death. How it was brought back to life is one of the subjects explored in this comprehensive volume that is filled with gorgeous photos.

I really enjoyed this book and will look for it when it comes out in the true book version.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read in exchange for an honest review.