book-review – Page 3 – Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too!

The Cold Light of Day

by Anna Lee Huber

#TheColdLightofDay #NetGalley

I have been following the exploits and relationship of Sidney and Verity since Huber began the series with This Side of Murder. She has mastered the art of storytelling with interesting characters, plots, relationships and an historical period. In my opinion, The Cold Light of the Day is the best entry yet (though readers may want to read the series from the beginning, especially the first book which sets the scene for the main characters).

In The Cold Light of Day, Sidney and Verity are in Dublin at an important historical juncture. It is the time of such notable figures as Eamon de Valera and Michael Collins, among others. Our protagonists are thrown right into the intrigue as they attempt to spy on both sides in the conflict. It is a real strength of the author’s that the history is clearly explained and easy to follow.

A spy/colleague/important person to Verity has been sent to Dublin to infiltrate those seeking Irish independence. He has not been heard from in some time. Will Verity and Sidney be able to locate him? Is he even still alive?

Finding out about Alec is just one of the many situations in which Verity is involved. Readers will turn the pages wanting to know how each storyline plays out. Then, like me, they may be sad to know that it will be at least a year before meeting up with Verity and Sidney again.

I thoroughly enjoyed this title and recommend it highly.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Kensington Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 24 September 2024

Others in the series that I have reviewed:

Murder Most Fair by Anna Lee Huber

What happens when it descends: A Certain Darkness (by Anna Lee Huber)

Welcome back, Verity and Sidney! Penny for Your Secrets by Anna Lee Huber

A Pretty Deceit

From the publisher:

FICTION, Mystery & Detective, Women Sleuths


	Treacherous Is the Night	Penny for Your Secrets	A Pretty Deceit	Murder Most Fair	A Certain Dark

Now out: Queen Macbeth by Val McDermid

Val McDermid is one of my very favorite authors. She is so versatile, writing the Tony Hill-Carol Jordan series, the novels that feature Karen Pirie, the historical series beginning with 1979, and her earlier Kate Brannigan and Lindsay Gordon stories. In addition, she has had several free standing novels like The Vanishing Point and A Place of Execution, to name just two.

So…is there still room for her to do something new? Indeed there is. Here, McDermid takes a new look at one of the best known characters in Shakespeare. It is a story of Lady Macbeth that is not the tale as he wrote in that drama. It is an excellent read.

Here, for example, the three witches are redefined as is the marriage to Macbeth and the nature of the conflicts. Readers become immersed in medieval Scotland.

Fans of historical fiction and McDermid will want to take a look at this short (122 page) title.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Grove Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Four stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Queen Macbeth:

“A page-turning tale of adversity and adventure, laughter and love, death and defiance.”—The Scotsman (UK)

“There’s much we don’t know about life in 10th-century Scotland, but McDermid supplements what we do know about medieval history with playful imagination and intertextual reference. It’ll be great fun for anyone who knows Shakespeare’s tragedy, offering the reader a fascinating glimpse of what lies behind the long shadow of Shakespeare’s politically motivated portrayal.”—Sydney Morning Herald

“McDermid allows Lady Macbeth to reclaim her real name—Gruoch—and casts her in an altogether more sympathetic light . . . a page-turner.”—The Irish News

It’s not a common activity: Mother-Daughter Murder Night (Nina Simon)-an e book bargain

#MotherDaughterMurderNight #NetGalley

This book has gotten a lot of hype, including being picked for Reese’s book club and receiving a starred review from Library Journal. Based on that, readers may expect a lot from this first novel. In my opinion, it delivers. It is the kind of read where I kept saying that I would return to other things that I had to do when I finished the chapter that I was reading…but then, I just kept on going. All in all, I really enjoyed this one. There are humor, family relationships, a murder…and all of this is well executed in these pages.

Readers meet the three women of the family. Lana has been a real go-getter. A cancer diagnosis has led her to needing some assistance not an easy thing for her. Lana asks her daughter for help and Beth brings her from LA to a quieter community by the water with a slough.

Beth was a teen mother. She is a nurse who lives on the grid but with a homespun lifestyle. She and Lana have a history of not seeing eye to eye. Beth is mom to Jack (Jacqueline), who, when the story opens has been a pretty independent and competent teen. She has led many expeditions on the waters near her house.

What will happen when a body is found? Which of these women will be under suspicion? (Readers find this answer early on.) Who will get involved in finding the truth? Will they succeed? Read this one to find out. Readers will be glad that they did!

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for this title. All opinions are my now.

Pub date: 05 September 2023

From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Simon’s dazzling debut delivers everything a mystery fan could crave, including a realistically nuanced cast of characters, a vividly evoked coastal California setting, writing imbued with a deliciously desiccated sense of wit, and a perfectly plotted murder with enough red herrings deftly dropped in to confound the most experienced mystery reader. Insightful and frequently funny analysis of family dynamics wrapped up in a cleverly crafted cozy crime novel.” — Library Journal (starred review)

“Three women bond while investigating a homicide in Simon’s spirited debut…. Simon stocks her layered plot with plausibly motivated suspects and convincing red herrings, but it’s her indomitable female characters and their nuanced relationships that give this mystery its spark. Readers will be delighted.” — Publishers Weekly

How does she do it: Maude Horton’s Glorious Revenge (Lizzie Pook)

This book may not be for everyone; for example, a reader of cozies will find this too dark. But, for its audience, this title will be welcomed as an original and immersive read.

Lizzie Pook’s sister disguised herself as a boy to go to sea (the Arctic). She never returned. What happened to her? Will her journals provide an answer? What will Lizzie do to find out? Well, for one thing, she will get to know Edison Stowe better.

There is a lot of Victorian life in these pages. This includes public hangings so be warned.

This book has been highly praised:

Brilliant . . . Pook’s masterful pacing and meticulous attention to historical detail make this sing. Fans of Stuart Tarton’s high seas whodunits will be rapt.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

“A spellbinding novel set in the frozen Arctic and in London during the height of murder mania…. Pook paints a macabre image of a time when death was often more valuable than life itself.”—Kirkus

“In a stellar follow-up to her debut, Moonlight and the Pearler’s Daughter (2022), Pook once again weaves a rousing tale around the escapades of a bold, spirited, and cunning woman.”—Booklist

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this title. All opinions are my own.

From the Publisher

There is a lot to celebrate: Three Holidays and a Wedding (by by Uzma Jalaluddin and Marissa Stapley)

#ThreeHolidaysandaWedding #NetGalley

There is a lot to celebrate in this book that takes place in a year (2000) when the three December holidays (Ramadan, Hanukah and Christmas) all happened at the same time. This is a rarity as readers can imagine.

The story follows two main characters and those around them during this festive season. Anna looks to have a pretty perfect life from the outside. She works for a home decor magazine and is about to celebrate the holiday with her boyfriend and his family. However, she experiences some setbacks even as she tries to catch her flight including seeing her suitcase left behind by the baggage truck. Is her (almost) fiancee really the person for her?

Maryam is the one who takes care of everyone in her family and sometimes does not attend to her own needs. Her sister is about to get married while Maryam is not in a relationship. An old (and future?) crush is on her plane and may have overheard things not meant for him.

When the overly talkative Anna and the more reserved Maryam are in seats next to each other on the plane, they experience a rough flight; it is one of those that make a person wonder if they will land safely. This leads to their sharing a great deal.

Not really a spoiler but the plane lands, just not where it is supposed to. Watch what happens to these young women and those around them as a result in a delightful holiday read.

There are both humor and heart in these pages. Anyone looking for a celebratory read to end 23 with or start 24 with will want to take a look at this title.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group/Putnam for this title. All opinions are my own.

This title was published in September 2023.

An Oprah Daily Dreamy Holiday Romance to Read by the Fire
A Library Journal “‘Tis the Season for Romance” Pick
A Publishers Weekly Top Ten Fall Romance Book

“This charming multicultural and multi-faith romance sparkles with an adorable cast of characters and a storyline that reads like a movie one would want to watch again and again.” –Library Journal (starred)

“[A] holiday romance with charm to spare…Proving that ‘holiday miracles can happen anywhere, to anyone…. It’s a keeper.” – Publshers Weekly

There is a lot to celebrate: Three Holidays and a Wedding (by by Uzma Jalaluddin and Marissa Stapley)

#ThreeHolidaysandaWedding #NetGalley

Not really a spoiler but the plane lands, just not where it is supposed to. Watch what happens to these young women and those around them as a result in a delightful holiday read.

There are both humor and heart in these pages. Anyone looking for a celebratory read to end 23 with or start 24 with will want to take a look at this title.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group/Putnam for this title. All opinions are my own.

This title was published in September 2023.

An Oprah Daily Dreamy Holiday Romance to Read by the Fire
A Library Journal “‘Tis the Season for Romance” Pick
A Publishers Weekly Top Ten Fall Romance Book

The answer is complex and simple: Why We Read (by Shannon Reed)

#WhyWeRead #NetGalley

Shannon Reed offers readers her idiosyncratic answers (and they are many) as to why we read and why she does. Early on Reed shares that, as someone with a hearing impairment, reading books was a comfortable place to be as there was no need to struggle or answer based on imperfect understanding of what was being said. Reed read everywhere and everything, even a car manual when she forgot (never again!) to have a book with her. Bibliophiles will relate to not ever leaving home without something to read; I know that I did.

This is not an academic treatise but more a series of wide ranging personal thoughts and reflections. Throughout it is clear that Reed loves reading and wants her students and everyone, really, to find joy in a book.

Reed begins by talking about getting her first library card and the many libraries that have played a role in her life. I know two of these personally which made the pages come to life for me.

Whether it is about reading (or not reading) series, signs you may be a character in a popular children’s book, reading to see ourselves across time, for comfort, fun or shock, or more, it is intriguing to see what the author has to say on a variety of topics.

This book would make a fun gift for a reader…even if that reader means giving a gift to one’s self. Take a look at the back of the book for an exhaustive reading list based on the books mentioned in the text. This will give a bibliophile many ideas for what to try next or to fondly remember books that they have read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 08 February 2024

The Cat Who Couldn’t Be Bothered (Jack Kurland)

#TheCatWhoCouldntBeBothered #NetGalley

This is a children’s picture book about a cat who wants to do nothing. He turns down all invitations, even one to become a cat-stronaut. Finally, one animal tries to dig a little deeper. What is found out?

This is a book that is, I think, about empathy. One message is that it can be better not to be alone. I am curious to learn more about readers’ reaction to the final page.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 26 March 2024

There is trouble ahead: The Christmas Appeal (Hallett)

Any reader who enjoyed Hallett’s The Appeal will undoubtedly be thrilled by the return of the Fairway Players. This time they are working on a Christmas panto, Jack and the Beanstalk (and oh, that stalk!) Once again, there is trouble ahead in this uniquely told tale.

Two young attorneys, known to readers of the first book, are given a series of documents and asked to figure out what evil deed(s) may have transpired. Readers can try to solve the case as they read the documents along with Femi and Charlotte.

I loved the snarkiness of aspects of this novella. Anyone who has ever gotten an overly braggy Christmas letter from a friend or family member will grimace in recognition at the one that starts the story. The responses to it are pretty funny.

Those who enjoy Christmas mysteries and who are looking for a quick read will, I think, enjoy this book. I did.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria for this title. All opinions are my own.

This book was published in October 2023

From the Publisher

What was: The Spanish Diplomat’s Secret (Nev March)

This is the third entry in the historical mystery series that began with A Murder in Old Bombay. This new book can be read on its own but those who want to know more about how Captain Jim Agnihotri and his wife Lady Diana Framji met and came together as a couple (despite their rather different backgrounds), will I think want to read the first novel.

This story is really a very large, locked room mystery. Jim and Diana are on a ship bound for England when there is a murder. Given his background, the captain pleads for Jim’s help in solving the case before the cruise is over.

Who was the Spanish diplomat? Why was there a murder? Will Jim find the answers and the culprit (readers can be pretty certain that he will)? Furthermore, what has been troubling Diana?

This story will be enjoyed by those who gravitate toward historical mysteries. It is an interesting read albeit a bit slow at times.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

This title was published in September 2023