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

I have read every book in Peter Lovesey’s wonderful Peter Diamond series so I was absolutely overjoyed to receive this e galley to review.  As always, the story takes place in Bath, England; the setting is vividly brought to life with its unique architecture and planned design.  Imagine my surprise and delight when I found that a significant location in this title was the very street that I had lived on in Bath.  It just added extra joy for me as I read this.

Peter Lovesey has a sardonic, playful sense of humor which was very present in this book.  The title has several meanings as becomes clear as one reads.  There are police officers, most already known to the devoted readers of the series, along with other characters who are vividly brought to life including a criminal from an old case of Diamond’s, a murder victim, the Russian Olga, teacher Maeve, illegal immigrants and many more.  Some of these characters are in a half marathon that is central to the action of the story.

Lovesey spins plates in the air as the plot evolves and he manages to get to the end of the novel without dropping any of them.  I loved this book and hope that Lovesey, who is in his 80s, will just keep on writing.

Many, many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest view.  I adored my virtual trip to Bath and the time spent with this book and its characters.

This is a short, beautifully illustrated book in which the illustrations playfully evoke nighttime. This title is designed to help the littlest ones to fall asleep. As I had a proof copy, unfortunately I could not hear the sounds but this is a sweet book even without them.

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

Many people grow up learning about Greek and Roman mythology but, of course, many cultures have their stories of heroes/heroines and gods/goddesses.  This book compiles many of these stories that are Celtic in origin.

Children who read or have the stories read to them will spend time with giants, fairies, witches, selkies and more.  The stories are well told and each ends with a short section of things to think about.  The stories are divided into four topics including mischief makers and monstrous fakers, for love alone, landscapes in Celtic folklore and into the wide and wild world. Enjoy these exciting tales from Wales, Scotland, Ireland and  Brittany.

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

#CelticMythologyforKids #NetGalley

From the publisher:

I just blogged about The Gilded Hour and here it is as a bargain!  I have also reviewed The Other Windsor Girl.  Of course, Rebecca is a classic; how lucky a person would be to read this for the first time.

My children have been out of college for a while now but I still find the whole college admissions process to be fascinating.  As a sociology major, I feel that there are great research projects to be done on the subject.

About twenty years ago, an author named Steinberg published a book called The Gatekeepers.  Who Gets In and Why strikes me very much as an updated look at the issues addressed in that earlier title.

What readers will learn is that college admissions is a complex entity.  Those who are naive may think admissions is all about rewarding the best or most hardworking students but that is not really the case.  There are so many facets of the school’s own agendas that influence who does or does not get the coveted “yes” letter.  Readers need only think of Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman to know just how true that is.

In this book, Mr. Selingo looks at the process from the perspectives of three different types of institutions, a private and a public university and also a liberal arts college.  The result makes for a fascinating read.

College admissions will no doubt be affected by the Corona virus with questions about what will happen to campus life and more.  Nonetheless this book provides a keen insight into what has been happening in higher education.

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

Pub date:  September 15, 2020

I was drawn to this book’s appealing cover and its promise of interesting tales inside. Indeed, readers will enjoy eight stories about modern, bold young princesses along with beautiful illustrations. Plus, there is a magic mirror; all in all a fun read and a Guardian book of 2019.

The author draws readers in in the first short chapter of the book that is written in a familiar fairy tale style. In it, an enchantress is asked to be a godmother and realizes that she needs to figure out the best attributes for a princess. The answers she receives do not seem adequate so, with the help of a magic mirror, she goes on a quest to learn more and the stories begin…
In the first, a princess’s sister is ill. Though the palace is filled with knights, none are willing or brave enough to seek the witch who might provide a cure. So instead, a princess who needs to tie her glasses on with string, is the one to go on a quest. What will happen? Feminist adults will enjoy what does and the encouragement that is given to a girl to be strong and to believe.

So it goes from there for the rest of the tales until the final one in which a building project is successfully scuppered in order to save a garden. Throughout all of the stories the mirror is a constant as the reader learns about the qualities that a princess requires.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this fun and empowering take on the fairly tale in exchange for an honest review.

I reviewed the Lauren Willig title (see archive).  Pachinko is an historical novel that received excellent reviews.  Two Donna Leons with readers of this blog knowing that I highly recommend her mysteries and several other titles here that look interesting.  Happy reading.

The American Agent is the fifteenth title in the Maisie Dobbs series.  The first book was published in 2003 with protagonist, Maisie, having been a nurse during WWI.  The American Agent takes place in the Blitz during WWII. The perils that London faced remind me that, while facing Covid is our crisis, there have been many others that people have survived as well.

The Maisie Dobbs series is best approached in order as then readers are current with the events in Maisie’s life and those of the many recurrent characters.  For me, The American Agent felt a bit like it might be the last book in the series although I do hope that will not be the case.

In this entry, Maisie is tasked with figuring out who has killed an American female journalist and why.  In her personal life, Maisie’s best friend has been injured and Maisie’s much wished for adoption plan is not necessarily going to go according to plan.  In this latest novel there is also the possibility of a new relationship with Mark, an American with whom she has been working.  Around all this, Maisie solves her case.

I highly recommend this series and this title.  Have you read the Maise Dobbs series?  What do you think?

Editorial reviews:

“Excellent…. In Winspear’s capable hands, Maisie has evolved into a deeply sympathetic character. Readers will eagerly await her next outing.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

“The London blitz is the backdrop to Winspear’s latest as the inimitable Maisie Dobbs investigates the death of Catherin Saxon, an intrepid American journalist determined to document wartime Britain’s hardships for the folks back home. An immersive tale of wartime grit and grief.” (Booklist)

“Everything in this series turns on the psychological traumas of war. That’s what gives Maisie’s sometimes prosaic cases their sturdy backbone and air of urgency—that and Maisie’s own dynamic character. Hang on to your helmet and carry on, girl.” (New York Times Book Review)

“Advances Maisie’s inspiring activities, highlights the bravery of an embattled people during the Second World War, and intimates that lessons from that period have yet to be learned.” (Kirkus)

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