This holiday themed novella in The Maid series makes a perfect stocking stuffer or gift for someone this holiday season-it could even be you. Anyone who has read the first two books in the series (a third will come next year), knows that Molly is unique and well-suited to her work as a hotel maid.
This time it is the Christmas season. Will all go well for Molly and Juan, the man who has come into her life? There are some challenges. Still, this is a Christmas book so readers can hope/trust that all will be well.
Enjoy this holiday read. It is fun to spend time with Molly and those around her. I recommend this title and the series.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing-Ballantine for this title. All opinions are my own.
This title is part of a series on mindfulness. Previous titles have included Mindfulness in Gardening, Mindfulness in Knitting and, Mindfulness in Wild Swimming, among others. The wide range of subject matters shows that mindfulness can be approached/practiced in many ways.
The world feels so shaky at times that mindfulness may become more popular than ever. Those who already enjoy reading will, I think, find that if mindfulness is needed, here is one way to embrace it. This book has chapters on topics like losing yourself in a book, ways to read, reading like a child, sharing the joy of reading, finding one’s self in a book, and putting down books. There are also helpful resources at the end of the title.
Note that the reader’s guide through this book is a true bibliophile. I enjoyed what she had to say from the very beginning when she writes about how she taught herself to read at age five. She has not stopped since and is a bibliotherapist who takes her work seriously.
I liked that this book encouraged me to think about how I read. Mindfulness in the process will add to my approach and enjoyment.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
This is Stig Abell’s second title; it follows on Death Under a Little Sky. While it is not necessary to have read the first book to enjoy this one, anyone who likes Death in a Lonely Place will want to read the origin story.
Here are many of the characters from the first book starting with Jake. He is a former detective who has chosen to live largely off the grid in a remote home that he was left by a relative (although he has many go arounds). Readers should take a look at the map of the estate that is in the front of the book. Jake has charmingly named the various spots for well-known detective fiction people and characters. There are other mysteries and authors mentioned in the text as well.
Jake is in a relationship with a local vet, Livia, who has a young daughter named Diana. He wants this relationship to succeed. He and Livia are in different spots as an old case surfaces and Jake becomes involved while Livia’s main wish is to keep Diana safe.
No Taboo-it is a dark organization that offers people the unthinkable. In investigating it Jake has to think about a very dark place. Readers will wonder how the events unfold. Will Diana’s newest and very wealthy client put her and/or Diana in danger?
This book offers an interesting mix between Jake’s rather cozy domestic life and some very nasty business. Abell manages both of these story aspects well.
I recommend this title to those who enjoy crime stories. I look forward to whatever Abell writes next.
Many thanks to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 11 April 2024
Praise for Death in a Lonely Place
‘Loved this. Multiple layers of delight for crime fiction fans’ Lee Child, creator of Jack Reacher
‘Abell is a skilled storyteller and it’s easy to fall into the pages of Death in a Lonely Place. Highly recommend’ Karin Slaughter, creator of Will Trent
‘An immersive, intelligent delight with huge atmosphere and heart. My favourite new crime series’ Lucy Foley, author of The Paris Apartment
‘Utterly beautiful descriptive prose that brings Jake Jackson’s world to life’ Jane Casey, author of the Maeve Kerrigan series
‘A darkly elegant, thrilling, escapist slice of countryside crime’ Chris Whitaker, author of We Begin at the End
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.
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
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
I have read and enjoyed novels by Barbara Kingsolver and so was both excited and intrigued to see that she was publishing a book of poems. I read about this volume in an interview with the author that said her poetry was personal and could not have been put out into the world earlier in her life.
The poems themselves cover many topics. The first section, aptly in view of the title of this collection, is all about how to…how to Have a Child, Cure Sweet Potatoes, Survive This and more. There are a number of other sections as well.
The poems can, of course, be read in any order. I loved many of them. There is a life wisdom that Ms. Kingsolver has acquired and shares; take part in it. Read this title.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
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 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
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.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 