Boston, 1776: A Rogue Tour of Revolution City, by J.D. Dickey

Publication Feb. 24, 2026

Forget the sanitized version of the era of the American Revolution we were taught in school. This is Boston, 1776, in all it's raw grit, determination, grime, shady characters in back alleys, and often seedy chaos. Small, only slightly more than a square mile at the time, by 1776 it had lost much of its status in commerce and trade while dealing with contagious diseases like smallpox, unemployment, street brawls, rabble rousers, and increasingly loud grumbling about what it saw as  an unfair burden and treatment from it's British overseers. Toss in England's own increasing financial woes and it was a powder keg ready to explode. 

And, explode it did. The history shared here of the goings on leading to the outburst of outright rebellion is a fascinating one. Forget any idea you have of genteel, learned gentlemen in fancy wigs having learned discussion and debate. While that certainly happened, real change came from the people. Common people just like us. It was interesting to sort of flip back and forth as I read, something the author actually recommends upfront, once you get into the guidebook of sorts to Boston's historic sites and see the mutiple, frequently interconnected events and feelings that lead them there. The Old North Church may be a familiar landmark to most of us thanks to our schooldays but this one takes us far, far deeper into the city. Into those same seedy taverns and the growing desperation that lead to the Old North Church's utilization in the first place.  

Needless to say, familiar names from those same history classes pop in and out of the narrative but the focus remains the city itself. It was interesting to see some of those now familiar names in a different light, I must admit. For instance, rich John Hancock of the flashy Declaration of Independence signature a smuggler? Maybe.  You'll also see various legislative acts whose names once occupied out minds at least long enough for an exam such as the Stamp and Townshend Acts, the symbolically nicknamed Intolerable Acts, and such, but you'll have a much greater grasp of what lead to them and the colonists' reactions in the first place.

Bottom line, the ol' history major thoroughly enjoyed my virtual trip not just to the Boston of 1776 but to the events that created the setting for the rebellion that has so shaped the world. It's all there with illustrations, maps, and such for you to read and digest. Change isn't pretty. Nor is it easy. I recommend this one to history teachers, of course, but it would make an excellent addition to not just your local library's shelves but your own. Thanks #DiverionBooks and #NetGalley for this intriguing look at where we came from. 

 

Murder on the Cricket Green (The Martha Miller Mysteries #4), by Catherine Coles

Publication Feb. 2026

It's May, 1948, and everyone seems to have a secret...or many. Westlehan Village is excited to be hosting its first cricket match since the end of the war. As one of the organizers, Martha Miller is focused on making the event a success. That is, until her missing husband Stan shows up at her door after simply vanishing about two years before. Small villages being what they are, Martha had been a target for gossip ever since, some local wags theorizing that Stan's body would eventually be found buried in her garden. But, nope. There he is. Very alive. Alive and well and wanting to talk to her. Seems he's in for a few surprises, too, such as discovering that the money he'd been sending Martha regularly via the local solicitor hadn't been delivered. In fact, Martha had no clue whether he was dead or alive. Unfortunately for Stan, he's really dead not long afterward. His death does little to clear the way for Martha's growing friendship with Luke, the local vicar. You'll learn more about the complications Stan's disappearance created for them and, oh, boy, how times have changed.  

But, romance aside, who'd kill the  recently returned Stan? True, he had a couple run-ins with locals, including that shady solicitor, but might the secrets of his last two years hold a clue or two as to the guilty party? Could the two gentleman he arrives with, Ted and his pharmacist brother be involved? DI Ben Robinson, about to marry Martha's sister, warns Martha away from the case, of course. Martha, also of course, begins to look into things herself, which, predictably, leads her to trouble. Secrets kept can be dangerous. 

No more teasers. Seriously, if you enjoy small town mysteries where the gossip flows quickly but things move a bit more slowly, you'll love this one. Seriously, the characters are likable, even Stan, go figure, and, hey, I can't forget sweet Lizzy the dog. The overall feel is warm and inviting, so don't hesitate to pay a visit to Martha and Westleham Village. Thanks #BoldwoodBooks for introducing me to Martha, Luke, and the rest and giving me this early peek at a major twist in the story.

Murder at the Duomo, by T A Williams

 

Publication Feb. 2, 2026

I thoroughly enjoyed my virtual visit with Dan and Oscar. In fact, there are spots in the book that had me wishing I could just book a flight to Florence. While that's not likely to happen, I found Williams' descriptive passages a great virtual trip as the plot and side stories moved along. Williams had me easily visualizing the setting as he takes us along the ways and byways of Dan's adopted home. While the murder investigation was obviously the focus, I liked the home scenes, too, where we got to to know not just Dan better but his family and associates. Dan is someone who enjoys his occasional involvement in police work outside his usual private detective agency but seems to have a firm grasp on what is really important in his life, his friends and loved ones. Loved his sorta "whatever" attitude toward wedding plans. As for Oscar, he  definitely has figured out who the weak links are to snag a doggie treat from, that's for sure, even among the suspects as it turns out. 

And, whoa, there are lots of suspects. The victim, Tristan Angel was definitely no angel. Instead, he was deeply involved in illegal arms dealing and surely had countless enemies who'd want him dead. That aspect pulls in intelligence agencies from here and there, much to the displeasure of Commissario Virgillo Pisano of the Florence police murder squad. He's probably Dan's best friend in Tuscany and finds Dan particularly valuable when the English language is needed. Probably doesn't hurt that Dan is ex-Scotland Yard, either. In any case, Angel's closest team members are all suspects. Most likely, you'll find yourself even liking some of them, hoping they aren't the killer. 

Bottom line, a fun, interesting, multi-layer mystery with equally interesting characters, both family and suspects. And, of course, Oscar was my favorite. That dog knows how to make friends everywhere. The setting makes me wish I could see it for myself and it was fun to drop out of the mystery vibe at times and see what Dan was seeing. Not being a hot weather fan, either, I bet Dan wanted to jump into a couple of those fountains with Oscar, too. I came into this series late and this is only my second read of the series but I'm hooked and looking forward to the next installment after checking the library for early adventures. Thanks to #BoldwoodBooks for introducing me to Dan and Oscar and giving me this early peek into their lives in beautiful Florence.  

Murder Will Out, by Jennifer K. Breedlove

 

Publication Feb. 17, 2026

While this one didn't quite click with me, I can see where many will love it. It has a Gothic and paranormal vibe, ghostly lights and voices, family drama, greed, and more. When Willow Stone arrives back in a small town off the coast of Maine, she doesn't quite know what to expect. It's been years since she visited due to her family suddenly leaving and never returning. You meet the ghostly souls of Cameron House early on before Willow's arrival, however. A nice, spooky but intriguing vibe. Are there really ghosts there or is it the murderer's guilty conscience? It made me want to know more about the house and its inhabitants, living or dead. Willow meets some odd residents almost as soon as she arrives including Geralt, the likely inheritor of Cameron House. The less than welcoming tone when Willow shows up to play the organ for her grandmother's friend Sue's funeral should have been a big hint to her that all was not well, however. In other words, lots going on that newcomers couldn't quite grasp. 

Part of my ho-hum reaction to the book was probably my initial, well, not dislike, but I wasn't really liking Willow, either. I found myself wanting to know more about the ghosts that her. She did grow on me a bit as the book went along but I never felt quite connected. That said, that may be on me as much as the book. Sometimes it's the right book but the wrong time, you know. In any case, people start dying and Willow is pulled into trying to sort things out herself as the police aren't convinced any foul play was involved. And, oh, did I mention that Cameron House is hiding a host of secrets itself?

Bottom line, while not a hit with me, a 3.5 rounded to 4 stars, it was still a pleasant read with mostly interesting characters and, oh, yes, a dog. I can't forget Finn, the corgi, probably why I requested this to review in the first place. Grin. I never really settled on whodunit until the reveal, I have to admit, but the clue were all there, so you can have fun seeing if you can figure it out faster than both Willow and me. Just remember, things aren't always as they seem. Thanks StMartin'sPress - #MinotaurBooks for the early look at Willow's return home and all that it involved. Ghosts and murder. What a combo, huh? 

The Last Kings of Hollywood: Coppola, Lucas, Spielberg―and the Battle for the Soul of American Cinema, by Paul Fischer

 Publication Feb. 10, 2026

 While I'm far from a serious film buff, I found this both entertaining and quite informative. I have to admit that I've never given much thought to what shaped them. That they would know each other was certainly a natural assumption given the nature of the industry, though I never realized they met before fame really found any of them. Even more fascinating was reading about their initial, not necessarily well-formed concepts that led to their most memorable work. And, while I had some vague memory of Lucas being involved in a car wreck, I had no idea how much influence that would have. Same with Spielberg being bullied in school or Coppola's personal struggles with his health and being unable to walk for nearly a year while surrounded by a family of, let's call them, over achievers. Nor did I know who his roommate at UCLA was. Nope, not telling. You'll have to read the book. Grin. Needless to say, Spielberg's Jewish roots should have been a hint to us of where it would take him for one of his most remarkable movies and, no, not the one with the shark. Grin. 

So, young and ambitious, struggling for recognition and success, while also chaffing under the then restrictions of film making, they met and became friends. Of course, they were also competitors with all that would mean, but the three of them certain changed movies as we knew them. I still remember leaving the theater after seeing Star Wars repeatedly mumbling "Wow!", totally blown away. While I never quite warmed up to Coppola, I certainly could appreciate the likes of The Godfather and know I've been surprised to see his association with movies like The Outsiders. Even more amazing, to read how long he'd pondered a war movie that ultimately became Apocalypse Now. Wonder how many avoided the beach after Spielberg's Jaws, or were shaken by Schiendler's List? Or fell hard for Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones? Obviously I could rattle on endlessly but I'm reluctant to reveal too much because it all rather builds on each part. The comings together and apart and the reasons for it are all intriguing and give us insight into not just these three talents but movie making in general, too, so I want you to get the full scope as it builds. 

Bottom line, I obviously thoroughly enjoyed this read. How they became friends and motivated and challenged each other was thought provoking. You'll get some intriguing behind the scenes looks at their movies, of course, a real perk. Thanks #CeladonBooks for this early look at an intriguing book that, shh, I honestly didn't expect to enjoy as much as I did. Amazing to see how serendipity played such a role, too, from childhood trauma and events to the red carpet as they changed how we though of movies. 

The Whisking Hour (Bakeshop Mystery #22), by Ellie Alexander

 

Publication Feb. 24, 2026

I always feel a bit like I've overeaten at a scrumptious meal and shared lots of hugs, laughs, and good times with wonderful friends by the time I finish a book in this series. Seriously, don't even think of sitting down to read while you're hungry. I'm not even remotely a foodie but you'll almost feel like the aromas and tastes of the meals and treats being prepared throughout almost seep out of the pages. Given that my usual move is to stick something in the microwave and be done with it, that's high praise from this not-even-pretending-to-be-a-cook reader. It's been a delight to follow the saga of Juliet Capshaw over this series and I've come to think of the characters as old friends. Even those physically missing, such as Carlos' son Ramiro, who was a fun ingredient over the last few books but has returned to Spain for his final school year before college, gets space. Of course, it's always extra fun with the way over the top Lance Rousseau gets to share the spotlight with Juliet/Jules. Oh, boy, wait till you hear some of Lance's ideas for his upcoming wedding.  Then there's Jules' mother, Helen, and Shakespeare quoting step-dad Doug, hardly what one expects when contacting the police, as well as officers Thomas and Kelly. And, of course, the entire crew at Torte, Jules' family's amazing bakery. Again, if you weren't hungry when you started the book, you'll be by the time you finish.

So, while I'd say it's the characters that keep me coming back book after book, but Ellie Alexander always offers up an interesting mystery to be solved, too. It was actually quite refreshing to see Jules not rushing off to confront potential murderers or putting herself deliberately in harms' way, something that we can't always say of many amateur sleuths. Maybe that has something to do with the fact Jules' is pregnant with twins and has become more aware of the need to take care of herself.  Thus, while wildly curious about the "perfect murder" at the end of a performance of a Lance produced play, we get to see several others take the lead in chasing down not just the clues but suspects. Well, sorta. Nope, not telling. Let's just say that murder party had an unexpected ending and the cast is, well, let's say, all rather weirdly suspicious. True crime podcasts and even AI get their moments, as does some weird method acting. I never quite settled on my choice for whodunit, I have to admit, though. One of those where my best guess kept changing until the end, nearly the very end, in fact. 

Bottom line, it's surely obvious I'm a fan of the series and loved the maturity Jules showed in not being the proverbial "too stupid to live". Thanks #StMartin'sPress - #MintaurBooks for the early peek at how Jules' pregnancy and life is going, not to mention whether Lance has driven them all crazy with his impulsive ideas for his wedding. You'll also learn that running a bakery isn't all about bakery. Planning and being able to go with the flow of events, even bad ones, not to mention all the paperwork. Ugh, paperwork doesn't sound at all appetizing. The ending is a delight, too, highlighting the sense of community and family. I'm already ready for the next in the series. 

Poems for Every Season, by Bette Westera, David Colmer (Translator) , Henriëtte Boerendans (Illustrator)

 

Publication Feb. 17, 2026

I wish I'd had this book when I was still teaching. The style examples are well done, nicely capturing the feel as we're taken through the changing seasons. The woodcut art illustrations fit them perfectly. I was charmed by the cover art of the squirrels, I must admit, then early on by the doe and fawn, so I found myself browsing through the illustrations first, enjoying each, before backtracking to read. Kudos to illustrator Boerendans for capturing each season/scene so well without overshadowing the actual poems. You'll find information on the individual styles and poetic structure at the end, a real plus. 

Thanks #WmBEerdman'sPublishing for allowing me this early look at this delightful collection. It should be on not only every English/writing teacher's bookshelf but in home libraries to encourage young, budding poets. While firmly in the midst of the cold winter season as I type, it was fun to be reminded that the seasons do pass and each has its wonders and beauty.  

The Book Lover's Guide to Edinburgh, by Kate Stephenson

 

Publication Jan. 30, 2026

Although I've never been to Edinburgh, it frequently pops up as a setting in many of the books I've read. As a result, I was curious to get a guided glimpse of the real city. I'm not quite sure what I was expecting, the typical tourist guidebook, I guess, but this one is much more. Partly guidebook, yes, but also part history, part biography of the designated authors, a sharing of their connections to Edinburgh and sites within and about, and an abundant array of excerpts that remind us why we were drawn to these authors to begin with. Each was somehow tied to the site in question. It was a perk to get to know not just the city but learn more about the authors via their connections. 

Bottom line, I got lost in the stories of the authors and history as much as the actual places we were virtually visiting. The illustrations/photos were an excellent bonus, showing us much of the history of Edinburgh as well as how people lived and live there today. It definitely gave me a new appreciation of the term tenement. There are lots of lists and a great deal of information to take in, so sit back for a leisurely, informative virtual trip.  It was an intriguing visit to a place many of us have only visited within a book. Thanks #Pen&Sword for inviting me along on this virtual preview trip to a city that looms large in history and literature. In fact, Edinburgh was selected as the first UNESCO City of Literature. With the New Year creeping up on us as I type, it was an extra kick to be reminded who penned the words to the song "Auld Lang Syne".

 

The Six Queens of Henry VIII, by Honor Cargill-Martin , Jaimee Andrews(Illustrator)

 

Publication Feb. 3, 20266

Having read many adult level books on the Henry VIII era, I have to admit to more curiosity over how they'd handle, well, how he disposed of so many wives in a children's nonfiction book. As it turned out, pretty well. True, be forewarned that there is one illustration of a bloody sword, but overall it simply says they died and moves on. Don't get me wrong, there's quite a bit of info shared within, including the usual intrigue and efforts to gain status and position within the royal court, but it simply shows the times and, well, Henry VIII's ego and intent upon having whatever he wanted no matter what.

As for the wives, it actually does a nice job sharing their personalities with us. The charts used for each were quite informative, including education and interests, among other things, including date of demise. The illustrations are lively and colorful with the focus on the women, not Henry, I might note. The sections on each draw you in and provide the basics without drama. Heck, even Anne's end is handled rather matter-of-fact style. The sections also seem to follow the same pattern. giving a bit of the six queens background, how they encountered Henry, their doings within the royal court, and then their downfall. Again, all told without drama. We even get a peek at daughter Elizabeth.  The dress of the day is definitely fun to see and is well done by the illustrator. 

Bottom line, while I question somewhat the designation of the book for "children", I don't feel most children today would find much to be shocked at within. While I can envision some reaction to the executioner's bloody sword, for instance, let's face it, kids will be kids, they've surely seen far more explicit scenes on television by the time they'd be ready to tackle this book. The family tree info and timelines at the back are also useful in helping ground us in the Tudor Era. The cover actually helps set the tone and was a fun prelude to the saga. Thanks #SourcebooksKids for this early peek at a period in history that has always fascinated me. I wonder how history might have been changed had Catherine Parr not been able to persuade Henry to return his daughters to the line of succession.

 

 

Once There Was a Town: The Memory Books of a Lost Jewish World, by Jane Ziegelman

 

Publication Jan. 20, 2026

Although I had heard of the Yizkor  books, I had no real knowledge of their history. As the author explains early on, it's long. Even the Biblical book of Lamentation, I believe credited to Jeremiah,  might be considered the first example of what might be called "Jewish disaster literature". It tells of the destruction of the Temple and an era of Jewish exile. To be simplistic, these books attempt to capture the history and times as well as the individual names of those caught up in disaster. They tend to run from 400-800 pages when complete and provide the link that connects past to present and, yes, future. The objective, as directed by scripture, is remembrance. While names of those killed or passed are certainly given, they also capture a snapshot of the life these people and/or village lived. 

Ironically, I started this book just before the Bondi Beach attack, so one has to imagine that event will eventually make its way into a vizkor book. The author's focus, however, is largely on the now long-gone town of Lubomi, Poland, where many of her ancestors came from. She knew little of that story growing up but not just Lubomi but many other villages disappeared during WWII. Totally. They are remembered, however, by the presence of Vizkor memories captured in writing. While the author detours away to other places at times, her focus remains on her family's past hometown. Besides names, it includes memories of personal life, one of my favorites being the time-consuming baking of a huge amount of bread. Their ordinary lives remind us not to forget. As you read, a community seemingly erased by history comes to life. The people are no long mere statistics but living, breathing people. People who were part of the author's family.

I'm not going to detail the stories, that would be unfair to not just the reader but the subjects, but it's very human and obviously heartfelt. While I did feel the pace slowed here and there, perhaps that was actually a good thing as it gave my mind time to process all I was reading. The author's occasional detours to other sites is also a reminder that Lubomi wasn't an isolated, one time instance. It is part of history and deserves to be remembered. Thanks #StMartin'sPress for this early look at such a meaningful book.