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

Tasha Alexander’s historical mysteries take place early in the 20th century. In this entry, Lady Emily and her husband Colin are visiting Pompeii and Herculaneum where they become entangled in murder and chaos. The book also includes a novel within a novel that tells the story of a (freed) slave, a young woman poet and her fate.

The strengths of this book include the settings and the characters with whom I wanted to spend time. The author has done significant research and her description of the excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum are filled with atmosphere, historical terms, and objects. Similarly, the world of the poet, Kassandra, comes vividly to life with its taverns, food stalls and homes both ostentatious and simple.

I enjoyed the relationship of Emily with her husband, Colin, and close friend, a lord. Kassandra, Lepida (her former owner), Lepida’s husband and Melas, a painter are all well drawn. Also, readers of the series will be interested to get to know Kat, but no spoilers here. I found the murder mystery itself to be less compelling and felt that the story could have been edited just a bit.

Nonetheless, if you are curious about archaeology and enjoy historical mysteries, you might want to pick up this latest in the series. I also recommend this author’s earlier title, A Death in St. Petersburg.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Lady Clementine is a wonderful historical novel and one that I highly recommend. As can be seen from the title, it is the story of Clementine Churchill, wife of Winston. The story is told in Clementine’s voice and Ms. Benedict inhabits that so well that, while reading, I truly felt that Clementine was telling her story. The book focuses quite a bit on WWII but there was much before that in Clementine’s biography and these earlier times  also captured the author’s attention.

Readers learn that Clementine’s childhood was rather insecure and find out why this was so. The losses she experienced and her opportunities to marry before meeting Winston are detailed.

Clementine and Winston had many years together prior to WWII. Readers experience the ups and downs of their relationship, Winston’s political and military woes and their significant family tragedy. Winston’s neediness and strong need for Clementine to be available become quite clear. Readers also witness Clementine’s mental health struggles and the challenges that she faced as a mother. Throughout there is the lens of Clementine finding her own voice and her desire to be appreciated and recognized for the incredible woman that she was.

I give this novel 5 stars, something that I rarely do. I recommend it that highly.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for this read in exchange for an honest review.

sleuthofbakerstreet.ca/i/1584200/Jan_2020_e_MOM_Read.pdf

Last year I read and reviewed this author’s first book, The Widows.  I thought it was a fantastic book, one that seemed very much the work of a seasoned author.  I was very, very excited to receive this second novel in the series from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press; thank you!! I adored this book although I do acknowledge that it covers some very difficult topics.

The plot has much to do with events that happened in this small, mountain, Ohio community during the Civil War.  Those occurrences have haunted lives and are re-awakened in the present.  The past and present intertwine as, during both time periods, there were many strains, struggles and injustices centered on race and discrimination.  Kudos to the author for making the time period vivid and memorable, if not easy.  Readers will learn something about the WKKK, an organization that I wish had never existed and about women who could be placed in asylums by the men in their lives.  Mysteries will be solved but not in a merry, we can all be happy sort of way.

The characters are so well portrayed.  They are complex, struggling, some honorable, some not.  The main protagonist, Lily, a female sheriff,  is beautifully brought to life as are her close friends Marvena and a struggling Hildy.  I was so happy to meet up with them again.

This new novel can be read as a standalone.  However, you may be so caught up in the lives of these people and their time, that you will read both novels in some order.

I give this book five stars, something that I do not do lightly or often.  If you enjoy this one, I would also highly recommend that you read the books by Julia Keller.

 

I’ve been thinking about how to best write about this book by first time author Jess Montgomery. First time author! Wow, Ms. Montgomery writes like an experienced novelist as she effectively creates a place, characters and narrative tension. She has written what I consider to be a truly excellent debut novel.

The Widows are Lily and Marvena, each of whom has children, has lost a husband and is trying not to lose her way. Life in Bronwyn County, Ohio for them and those they love, following WWI is full of hardship. Coal is king and a harsh master. Poverty and company scrip rule many lives.

In this world, Marvena and her common law husband John have worked to organize the miners. This is a freighted and difficult task given the strong arm tactics of the mine owners. Pinkertons are brought in to quell resistance. Other outsiders try to dominate illegal moonshine businesses.

On the surface, Lily’s life looks better. She is married to Sheriff Daniel Ross, a former boxer and half brother to the mine owner. However, early in the novel, Daniel is killed. The circumstances surrounding his death are a central mystery in the novel.

Both Marvena and Lily have relationship history with Daniel. Each realizes that she did not fully know him. As they come to know one another, Lily and Marvena come to also know themselves.

Peopled with many additional characters that come vividly to life, this novel is engaging, realistic and compelling. Put it on your TBR pile for January when it will be released. I recommend this one very highly.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author and St. Martin’s Minotaur for this fantastic read!

This book provides a fun way to consolidate the skills involved in learning to count.  It starts with one, of course, and by the end of this title gets to 100.  Along the way, children will find many things to count and look for.  This title makes counting fun and I think that children will enjoy it.  The illustrations are appropriately complex, fun and colorful.

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

Adults will surely know where this story is heading but young children may not.  This short picture book that is illustrated in a bright and cheerful way; it is full of anthropomorphised animals and appealing scenes.

In the story, it is Harriet’s birthday.  She is sad because no-one is acknowledging her special day,  even though it is made clear that she is a kind and helpful friend.  Harriet is grumpy and plans to have her own celebration when…

Young listeners will enjoy the ending to this book.  For adults, there are some discussion questions and activities at the end so that they can extend the story with children.

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

From the publisher:

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.

From the publisher:

#ParadiseOnTheHudson #NetGalley

This book encourages children to think about all of the different kinds of bread. Photographs show everything from French toast to pita and will make you and the child with whom you share this book long for carbs.

This book includes an experiment that shows yeast in action. The process of making bread is illustrated with photos that show the different steps, as for example, kneading or putting bread in the oven. Several simple bread recipes are also included.

The author hopes to make youngsters aware of the foods they eat. She succeeds in this title which is appealing and well organized.

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

Some classics and historical fiction.  I read Middlemarch in college and want to read it again. Anne of GG is a delight for both children and adults. The Corfu Trilogy was the basis for the PBS series The Durrells.  I thought that the Rosie Thomas looked like a good read.

The Marie Benedict is about Hedy Lamarr.  Still Life is the first in Louise Penny’s series. I still remember my first experience of reading Jane Eyre and how much more there is to the book than I realized then.  I hated the red room and Jane’s aunt.  What are your thoughts on this classic?