Five Golden Wings: A Meg Langslow Mystery, by Donna Andrews, Bernadette Dunne (Narrator)

 

Publication Oct. 14, 2025      Audio version  9h 26m 25s

This is one of my favorite series. If you like your cozy mysteries with humor and well-developed characters, this one should be on your list. Meg Langslow is smart, super organized, maybe because of her little book that tells her what she's supposed to be doing at any given time, and never seems to lose her cool even when surrounded by a quirky group of family and friends that keep her busy. It's been fun to watch her develop and see her interact with not just husband Michael and their two sons, but the likes of her nephew Kevin, the computer hacker, er, geek, er, wiz, who seems to spend more time hidden away in his computer heavy area in the family home than out and about but is now working with the police. The same police who, when things get a bit crazy in the town of Caerphilly, seem to always depend on Meg to take care of things they can't find the time to deal with. In the process, she's turned into a superb solver of crimes, particularly murder. 

It's when she's faced with more mundane tasks, such as keeping her warring cousins who are getting married on the same day in the same place from open warfare. Actually, she's only partially successful at keeping the open warfare in check before the cousins strangle each other. What no one expected was to find the wedding photographer dead. I'm not going to share more of the plot other than to say Meg is front and center and that one wonders why the Caerphilly police haven't set up a working office space at the house, too. By now surely Kevin has a camera on everything although we do learn how sheer luck comes into play against the best of modern technology. Lots of suspects, even the almost-grooms, and you'll get a bit of an education on eagles, ie the "golden wings" of the title. Just keep Rob from singing, okay. 

Bottom line, this is a fun lead up to Christmas with a reminder of how hectic it can be, even without dueling weddings. You'll also perhaps learn a few things about what not to do if you're having a blog worthy wedding. Thanks #MacmillanAudio for allowing me this early listen. As always, narrator Bernadette Dunne does an excellent job bringing not just Meg but the entire community of Caerphilly to life in this offering. I'm already antsy for the next installment. 

Making Mary Poppins: The Sherman Brothers, Walt Disney, and the Creation of a Classic Film, by Todd James Pierce

 

Publication Nov. 11, 1015

What are the odds that just after finishing the section talking about Julie Andrews being tapped for the role in Sound of Music after doing Mary Poppins that I'd encounter a grocery worker stocking shelves  merrily whistling an Andrews tune? True story. Made me smile. This book also brought me some smiles. It was interesting to learn not only about the Sherman Brothers' work on Poppins but get to know their back story, such as Bob being in the first wave of army troops to hit Omaha Beach during WWII, and why it helped prepare them for the task. Walt Disney's courtesy toward their family was nice to hear about, too. 

In other words, while the focus is on the drive to produce the music for Disney's Mary Poppins, we learn not only quite a bit about Disney and the Sherman's as humans, but also many of the various others who contributed. Knowing that, say, Dick Van Dyke is approaching 100 years old as I type, it was fascinating to  be reminded that despite his successful television series, this was his first truly important movie role as Bert the chimney sweep. While Andrews was fresh off the disappointment of not being given the chance to take a successful Broadway role to the big screen, she was also pregnant when she signed to do the picture. You'll also meet the other main cast members, including the Bird Lady, and get a feel for their backgrounds and why Disney selected them. Heck, for all this talent, Van Dyke wasn't a dancer, so you know there was more to that story.

Bottom line, while I was expecting to read a bit more detail of how certain scenes were accomplished, many were explained, including the fear of heights one of the child actors had. The standard answer to those on set asking how something would be done was "Disney magic" which, given our knowledge nowadays of the output from the studio, made all the sense in the world. You'll even learn where the Sherman's life long love of word play lead to "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" as a song. The author of the Poppins book, btw, PL Travers, gets some time and explanation, too, which was interesting having seen Disney's "Saving Mr. Banks" movie dealing with those tricky negotiations. In other words, lots of behind the scenes info shared including Walt's (he disliked being called Mr. Disney) concept of connecting with all ages, not just the children the picture may seemed aimed at. It worked and, yes, still works today. There's also an extensive list of resources used at the end. Thanks #WWNorton&Company for this early peek into the making of a movie so many of us have loved. It brought smiles and warm memories of it, not to mention the Sherman's role in the "It's a Small World" theme song at that Disney experience.

Hendrix and Rocket: Halloween Hijinks, by Kristin Haynes, Anna Thompson (illustrator)

I'm obviously a sucker for anything dog but team it up with Halloween and it's a win-win for me. Such a fun time of the year and, well, why shouldn't out furry friends be allowed to enjoy it, too. I did do a double take on the idea of a chocolate bone for a dog treat but reassured myself that there really is such a thing, only it used carob as a substitute ingredient rather than the "bad for dogs" chocolate. Phew, doubt checked that just to be sure. Was actually surprised how many varieties there are available, in fact.

In any case, a fun read with equally fun artwork. I especially liked the use of the rocket graphic for Rocket the dog and a guitar for Hendrix, rocket's canine buddy that pops up in spots in the book. I'm thinking the author, who turns out to live in Tasmania, is a big fan of, well, I bet you can guess. Points I especially liked were the list of things to remember before heading out to trick or treat, the focus being on safety. You'll note that even Rocket and Hendrix abide by the rules even to the point of wearing a head light, so to speak. Benny the Bat obviously doesn't need that. He's a cutie and, yes, there really is such a thing as a Tasmanian long-eared bat. They rely on pests such as insects and the like for their diet, however, not candy carob beetles. Grin. 

Bottom line, a fun, quick read that will entertain both Halloween and dog fans, not to mention, I guess, bat fans. A bit of suspense but not intense and definitely conveys the lesson of not eating everything at once, no matter how good a reason you think you may have. Hendrix certainly learned that lesson and loved the subtle hint of Rocket for him to stay close to the doggie door when they got home. The real pix of dogs at the end was a bonus treat.Thanks #BooksGoSocial for the fun reminder that one of my favorite fun seasons is approaching.  Time to start stockpiling some candy and, hmm, maybe some carob doggie bones as treats? 

History Smashers: Ancient Egypt, by Kate Messner

 

Publication October ,2025

Egypt is a favorite topic and I love this series, so a win-win for me. Kate Messner manages to squeeze in lots of information and frequently with humor. Given the huge stretch of time Ancient Egypt falls into, there's lots of information, too, as well as fact-checking, so to speak. Her light touch makes it an easy, enjoyable read and there are lots and lots of pictures. It's divided into sections, giving you a sense of where you are in history as you read and, quite frankly, helping not overwhelm us with too much at one time. Obviously there is some overlap, such as in the evolution of pyramid building, starting with Imhotep's first pyramid way back in, well, you'll get all that info as you read, which is a good thing since I didn't write down the date. I did note that the Great Pyramid used over 23 million blocks weighing about a ton each, so my attention to detail was obviously scattered. 

In any case, my scarcity of notes aside, you'll learn a great deal about Egyptian history, not to mention the ancient mythology which I've always found fascinating. Mummies? Of courses there is info on them. I found the discussion of the taking, okay, theft, of some of Egypt's wonder artifacts by various other countries quite pertinent in light of current chatter about a valuable painting stolen by the Nazis being discovered recently. Another timely subject might be that in the time of Ancient Egypt rulers tended to try to erase the accomplishments or even existence of prior kings by destroying as much evidence of their rule as possible, whether it be by re-engraving their own name in stone (literally) as a claim to accomplishments or simple having them destroyed. And, of, much, much more. All done with a deft hand and frequently light touch.

Bottom line, this book would be an excellent addition to any social studies teacher or library, not to mention your own. There's a handy timeline, too, to help you sort out the multitude of info you can pick up from this fun offering. The whimsical cover is an excellent preview of the tone light, even whimsical tone of much this full-of-facts work, making it an easy read. The Ancient Egypt Yearbook spoof near the end is a hoot and includes things like misuse of ancient musical instruments and, well, mummies themselves. I won't tell you some of the things they were used for. Read the book. As noted, lots to learn here, even if it may make you cringe more than once. The humorous illustrations of ways our culture has been influenced by all things Egypt is fun, too, from architecture and Vegas to actor-author-comedian-musician Steve "King Tut" Martin, albeit I didn't see his name mentioned. Just knew immediately what was being referenced, again showing the power of the connection. Thanks #RandomHouseChildrensBooks and #NetGalley for allowing me an early peek at this fun book. 

Disney's Animated Classics: A Comprehensive Guide, by Stephen Rötzsch Thomas

 

Publication Sept. 30, 2025

I enjoyed this relatively informal look at the animation history of the Disney studio. Part behind the scenes glimpses, part informational, and part an introduction to the people who made the magic we've all come to expect from Disney. As I read, I was actually astonished to realize not only have I never seen many of these films but, well, hadn't even heard of some of them. I put that squarely on my own shoulders, however, and that little thing called real life. It was definitely interesting to read about Walt Disney's obsessive nature with his films, especially as it was made obvious how long many were talked about before they even began production. Production, of course, could take years. There was even what I'd call a gossipy vibe to the text at times, not to mention that the author made observations that, quite frankly, even for the films I've seen countless times, I'd never thought of or, more likely, I'd have rolled my eyes at such as the discussion of Gaston from "Beauty and the Beast". Nope, not telling. You'll just have to read the book for that one. 

The book is divided into sections detailing the animations emerging during that time period. There's a bit about the history behind the creation of each film, from Disney's foray into creating Mickey Mouse to what may have sparked the various films' ideas in the first place. There are photos but since the version I read was an early unedited digital one, they were at the end of the book. They'll surely be inserted in proper time, to speak, in the final versions. Living in Central Florida at the time Disney World opened, it was interesting to realize that "Sword in the Stone" was probably the film distracting Walt Disney from his dreams for the complex at about the same time. "Lady and the Tramp" came about the time the original Disneyland opened, by the way. Disney was never one not to push boundaries and technology, so it was interesting to see how they used and developed technology to attain their goals. They certainly set the standard for years to come. 

Bottom line, while hardly the ultimate look at Disney animation, this was a fun, interesting look at the evolution of the Disney studio's early days until, well, "Moana II" is given a mention, so until almost today. As a fan of Lin-Manual Miranda, I was delighted to see his efforts spotlighted, not to mention to hear about Robin Williams' problems with "Aladdin".  Let's just say, Williams wasn't happy at how his contract was interpreted. In any case, while you won't know all there is to know about Disney when you finish this one, you'll have picked up lots of history, some behind-the-scenes tidbits, been reminded of the studio's role in WWII, and know the humans who created some of the most memorable animated characters ever. You'll even get the author's opinions on the films and songs (Oh, "Let It Go" indeed). Thanks #Pen&Sword for this early peek behind the curtains and some thoughts to ponder. I mean, I hadn't picked up on the Yen Sid villain's name until now. Also, thanks for that extensive bibliography and index. They were quite appreciated. 

 

Softly, As I Leave You: Life After Elvis, by Priscilla Beaulieu Presley

 

Available Sept. 23, 2025

Audio Book 10h 30m, narration by author

I didn't come along in time to be an ardent Presley fan but, of course, knew him and liked much of his music. I never gave Priscilla much thought, to be honest, other than thinking I wished she had a better hair-do and less eye makeup. This is the story behind those photos. A story of a very young girl caught up in the mania that was all things Presley, including his drug intake and odd living arrangements. That she was only 13 when she first met him gradually seeped into my mind but, well, never quite drowned out the furor over Jerry Lee Lewis' shocking marriage. There was a ten year age difference between Elvis and Priscilla and it shows in her naive acceptance of the life style, even when she knew he was "seeing" over women. Raised in a generation that was taught to please her man in all things and have no real thoughts of her own, her life was a lifetime away of my growing years in the much looser decades to follow. She tried never to question his behavior no matter what because, well, he was Elvis Presley. In other words, she was pretty, submissive, and charming where he was concerned. I mean, according to her, they didn't even have sex until marriage, hence she grew up in a bit of a golden, gilded cage surrounded my his largely male entourage. 

My overall take from the book was a sense of sadness, to be honest. You don't just marry a person, she learned, you marry his family, too, and that included the Memphis Mafia men that catered to his every need. Much of the book centers around her efforts to shield daughter Lisa Marie from the worst of life in Graceland. Spoiled rotten by Elvis, she felt entitled and had little use for either school or restrictions, rebelling often, something Priscilla would struggle with. She does cover Lisa's marriage to the then superstar of superstars, Michael Jackson, who Priscilla never quite trusted. His focus on Lisa being Elvis' daughter was surely unnerving, especially when he told Lisa he wanted them to have Elvis' grandchild. The ups and downs of that relationship are discussed as are some of Priscilla's own efforts to establish a life and relationships apart from her identity as Elvis Presley's wife. 

And....well, seriously, this is all from early in the book. I won't detail much more of the details other than to say the references to OJ Simpson and his anger and controlling personality were chilling. She may have overdone the "I was too naive" excuse throughout the book but she was spot on with her portrayal of him, I think. That aside, her tales of her forays into being a business woman and moving into first being a spokesman and model and eventually acting were interesting. If you were a Dallas fan, you'll love the backstage stories she shares. She also shares her entrance into Scientology, citing the good things she found in it while admitting the questions that came later. Through it all, though, I think the theme that came through strongest was her role of mother, not just to Lisa Marie but later son Navarone with Marco Garibaldi. That made the stories I'd heard of the struggle over control of Graceland all the more heartbreaking as I realized how much family drama had to have impacted not just Priscilla but the entire family. And, so much more. I mean, I believe she's around 80 years-old now, so you know there is a lot I've skipped sharing. 

Production wise, this audio version was nicely done and I liked that she chose to narrate it herself. That gave it a personal feel, as did the use of titles of Elvis songs as chapter titles. Her memory of Elvis' funeral will surely give you the feels as she describes not just her own shock, especially knowing Lisa had seen him dead, but that of his family members that Priscilla had come to love. Elvis' fans will love this, I'm sure. I found listening to her story in her matter of fact tone enlightening and it made me appreciate not only Priscilla and, yes, Elvis, as real people. It was also a reminder of a time period when life was much different than what we consider normal today. Let's face it, of course, I'm not sure the word "normal" truly applies to most celebrity couples, especially those who attain the almost mythical stardom of Elvis. Thanks #NetGalley and #HatchetteAudio - #GrandCentralPublishing for allowing me this sneak peek, er, listen of a story that was both heartbreaking and uplifting. 

At Death's Dough: A Deep Dish Mystery (Deep Dish Mysteries, 5), by Mindy Quigley

 

Publication October 28, 2025

I've always been a bit fascinated by the gangster/mobster sagas. I even paid once to see Bonnie and Clyde's "death car" at the fair. I don't remember what I was expecting other than maybe some bullet holes but recall being a bit disappointed. Maybe sad, too. In any case, my long lasting fascination with all things gangster maybe helps explain part of the allure of this tale featuring family members of the Capone family, not to mention our main character is named Delilah O'Leary. You know, O'Leary, like  Mrs. O'Leary and that cranky cow that started a raging inferno in Chicago, or so the story goes. Our Delilah is a pizza chef, however, who has shown herself to be an excellent investigator, too, much to the annoyance of the Geneva Falls, Wisconsin, police chief. Boyfriend Calvin Capone is, no lie, a police investigator.

I won't detail the plot but will note that it involves both an old mystery that is seemingly tangled up in a new one. Delilah stumbles across it when taking her octogenarian aunt ice fishing. Again, no lie. Biz is full of life and isn't one to let the cold and ice stop her. Delilah, however, being fonder of much warmer surroundings, has made sure they have a roomy tent and heat to use atop the ice. That entails drilling holes. Let's just say, she finds something she wishes she hadn't while using the powerful auger. What? Oh, I didn't mention that you'd learn a bit about what happens to a body trapped under the ice? My bad. Grin. You'll also learn quite a bit about diving under the ice, too, not to mention Delilah's frightening experience diving in warm water. In fact, you're going to learn a bit about many of the characters, from Biz to the military trained skills that bartender Daniel brings to the group. Jarka even gets an unexpected surprise that she's not sure yet if she will appreciate. 

Bottom line, I liked seeing the way the team of characters has grown and come together to help solve a crime. Honestly, I didn't particularly like Delilah in book one given her overbearing control freak tendency, so it was interesting to see how best friend Sonja helps defuse that reappearing situation when Delilah is stressed too far and feeling a lack of control again. That's probably partly because Capone is mostly away during the case, once for his own reason, once for ticking off the chief, sigh, and Delilah misses his steady hand. Anyway, let's see, what else? Oh, secretive home buyers, bank records and internet scams get some time, as do difficult customers, spoiled dogs, and, well, as noted, the dangers of diving into ice covered waters. Thanks #NetGalley and #StMartin'sPress - #MinotaurBooks for feeding my interest in all things gangster while serving up yet another top notch mystery with characters who come across as likable, well, for the most part, people we might all know. And, hey, Auntie Biz did get a new fishing rod out of it all, not to mention that Butterball deserves some virtual kitty treats. Grin. 

Sugar and Spite (Agatha Raisin Mysteries, #36), by M. C. Beaton; R.W. Green

 

Publication October 14, 2025

I always felt a bit conflicted when it came time to review an Agatha Raisin book. On the one hand, I usually find the mystery and the way her now team comes together to find clues and sort out what they really mean, if anything, impressive to watch. On the other, I've never quite liked Agatha. That changed a bit this go-round. While I can't say she's someone I'd want to spend much time hanging out with, her edges seem to have been smoothed out a bit. Not completely as, well, that just wouldn't be the Agatha Raisin so many have come to love, but she seemed more real to me, for lack of a better phrasing, this go-round. She's always ultimately had a heart of gold but, well, usually hides it well. True, she's still vain and, oh, boy, that temper, but it's obvious she cares deeply about her team and her friends. I mean, Mrs. Bioxby even talks her into attending a birdwatchers meeting. Er, twichers meeting. There seems to be a difference. That meeting leads her into a mystery investigation that involves multiple deaths, nearly being drowned, confronting a grouchy farmer angry that his land rights are being abused, and getting herself arrested and charged with murder. Just your typical Agatha Raisin case, you know. Grin.

 I'm not going to detail the plot as that would take some of the fun away from watching Agatha and her team unearth clues and investigate them to see if they're pertinent or, well, red herrings. Her instincts tend to guide her although she sometimes takes away to pin-point exactly what a bit or info or item may mean in the grand scheme of things. Take the time to get to know her team members as each is a unique character with different skills and viewpoints, making for some intriguing discussions. I very much liked them, as I do John and James, the seeming loves of her life. The police chief? Not so much. He's rude, arrogant, overbearing and unlike Agatha, doesn't seem to have any redeeming qualities. 

Bottom line,  I've surprised myself by admitting that I've slowly grown to appreciate Agatha for her good qualities, even if she's still not fond of dogs. I did laugh at her adventure in the mud, I must admit, and her choice of vehicle in the rather emotional roller coaster ending. I definitely didn't see that one coming. The plot moves along smoothly while still managing to give us a sense of why Agatha so loves living in Carsely. Thanks #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress - #MinotaurBooks for keeping me in the fold and allowing me this early peek at Agatha's life, including her clothes choices, as well as preferred foods and drinks. I wonder if sheep will ever grow on her after this episode.

Death on Dickens Island (The Books on the Beach Mysteries, #1), by Allison Brook

 

Publication October 21, 2025

Tradition vrs. progress? Old vrs. new? Change vrs., well, "we've always done it that way". Those might be the main themes of this one aside from the murder mystery. The fictional Dickens Island sounds like a volatile mix of emotions as the book opens, both for main character Delia Dickens at home and throughout the community overall. And that's before the murder happens. Delia finds herself caught in the middle of it all, between feuding family members and outspoken residents who want to have a say in what happens in the community. Although shocked by the murder, the first known murder in the area, the residents don't let go of their concerns about the use of certain properties or the idea of a ferry line to connect the island better to the mainland. Was the murder the product of all these emotions or, uh-oh, a secret affair or some other family angst? 

To be honest, I didn't particularly care for Delia as the story opened. I was dubious about her thinking of why she abandoned Conner, her son, with her parents for nearly a dozen years. She seemed to have some real, sensible reasons behind it but, well, that's a long time. I did warm up to her eventually but it took quite a bit given the initial slow pace of the plot. That's normal for any new series, of course, but toss in the community angst and family drama going on and it was all bit hard to take in. I'm not sure we didn't spend as much time on those issues as we did the murder, not to mention the side story involving, no lie, Captain Kidd's supposed journal and an also supposed treasure map. Oh, boy, does that ever get Conner, Delia's son, into trouble. Oh, and there's a ghost, too. I actually rather liked Hannah the grandmother ghost but felt she was a bit extraneous. Perhaps she'll play a bigger role later but for this installment the role she played could have just as easily been conveyed via a surprise diary or some hidden letters. That said, she was a highlight for me and I found myself perking up whenever Delia and she connected. Given the other characters general turmoil, it was hard to connect with any of them aside from Jack the vet who treated the stray that Delia called Riley. 

Loved Riley, especially his relationship with Conner. Conner perhaps shows the most growth throughout, in fact, and shows great responsibility where Riley is concerned. Toss in a blooming relationship for Delia with Jack and there's progress. Bottom line, didn't love this installment but also didn't hate it. There's a lot of promise there. 3.5 rounded up. Thanks #CrookedLaneBooks for the early intro to this new set of characters and the intriguing setting of Dickens Island. 

 

Home Fries and Alibis , by Lena Gregory

 

Publication Sept. 23, 2025

First an admission, with another review already waiting to be written, I didn't set out to read this one in one day. Just a quick peek, I thought. I'm always drawn to character driven stories, however, and the next thing I knew it was almost time to think about a mid-evening snack as I pondered the ending. All-Day Breakfast Cafe owner Gia Morelli is beginning to feel at home in the Rolling Pines area on the outskirts of Florida's Ocala National Forest but wasn't prepared to find herself living across the street from a murder scene. Ironically, she'd just had a confrontation with the victim, Gladys, earlier when Gladys accused her dog of digging up her lawn and threatened to take care of it permanently if it happened again. Gia's dog, a Bernese Mountain Dog named Thor, had been inside at the time and was always closely monitored and on leash when out, but the woman had loudly persisted. Turns out that this sort of run-in with a neighbor wasn't a rarity for Gladys, so the suspect list was rather long when she was found dead. 

Although a relative late-comer to the series, as noted, I've come to like the characters and how well they mesh their skills and personalities to work through their amateur investigations. Given that Gia's best friend Savannah's husband Leo is with the police, as is Gia's boyfriend Hunt, they obviously aren't just flailing around in the dark. Alfie, their friend with some serious computer and hacking skills, is a stand-out this go-round and I had admired him for potentially putting himself in hot water with the police near the end for the benefit of his friends. A sense of community shines forth in this installment, making Gia realize she really, really needs to get to know her neighbors better. Let's just say, the neighbors are their for them when the time comes. Another stand-out character, one willing to fight his own inner demons that prevent him from being easily being able to enter a building of any sort, is Harley, who I recalled vividly from the previous book. He's there for Savannah in her time of need once again, offering support. 

In other words, it's the characters that drew me into the series and made this one a stand-out to me. Now, true, I did have a couple quibbles with Gia, such as her tendency to venture out without her cell phone on her instead of someplace else in her purse or on a table. As she acknowledges, she let her guard down, so it's obvious she's recognizing some basics she needs to work on. Let's face it, how many of us really think we're going to be attacked when we venture out our doors, though she's trying. Bottom line, a fast-paced mystery that held my attention from the beginning. Thanks #BeyondThePagePublishing for this early peek at what's going on with Gia and her circle of friends. What a great ending after that emotional roller-coaster at the end.