The Unfinished Work: A Novel of Abraham Lincoln, by Jeff Shaara

 

Publication Nov. 10, 2026

I was whisked back to the eve of Lincoln's election from the very first moment I started reading. Shaara has that power, to make you feel like you're there, that you know this character, and that is the magic of his words. With Lincoln, who I've read tons of books about, I immediately liked this seemingly humble, awkward man who's pants legs were always a bit too short for his long legs. We learn about the beard and top hat early on, just one of the little bits of info we pick up as we read. The younger boys seem to be energetic and more enjoying the adventure of  moving into the White House than awed while wife Mary Todd Lincoln sees it as a step up the social ladder. I recently read the lengthy bio of Mary and still haven't quite wrapped my brain around how her brain worked, but money and prestige seemed to play a vital role there and in this work. Whereas Lincoln seemed to suffer from moments of depression that made him sort of sink into himself, she, well, went shopping. Not a good look during a time of financial struggle to support a war. In any case, it was intriguing to get a sort of behind the walls look at the main players, from the entire Lincoln family to the politicians and other power players that surrounded the American government of the time. It was also interesting to get a view of Washington DC as it was then, such as the still unfinished Washington Monument and the state of the White House.

It isn't my goal here to summarize the story but as an Alaskan, think Seward's Folly, getting to know Seward as a person was intriguing. I think until now the only things I really knew about him concerned his purchase of Alaska and that he was attacked and nearly killed the night Lincoln was assassinated. We even meet his son/family. Of course, the focus is on Lincoln, whose awkwardness and seeming dislike of being front and center mislead many into underestimating him. While this is a novel not a biography, Shaara notes upfront that his goal was to use his own words and those of others to capture his personality and the way he viewed the world, not to mention how the world looked at Abraham Lincoln. He gives us a look at not just Lincoln but his fabled administration through his own eyes. I liked that Shaara includes his humor, too, which tied nicely with the very human man we get to know. The image of Lincoln on the floor wrestling with his two youngest sons still makes me smile. The many different relationships and connections covered, including family, friends, opponents, generals, and even the average people who trudged through the White House to air grievances or ask favors, all relationships that helped make Lincoln the President he was, are intriguing. I have to admit, though maybe it was just me, but meeting Pinkerton early on with his concerns for safety and seeing how Lincoln sort of brushes them off are a bit chilling, of course, knowing history. Can you imagine any president being able to walk through the dark streets alone nowadays? BTW, the book can basically ends as Lincoln gives the opening of his Gettysburg Address although the not so upbeat lead up to the assassination follows and how it impacted many, particularly Mary and oldest son Robert, are encapsulated in the section that follows. Use your own discretion on whether to read on from Gettysburg Address or not, in other words. I rather appreciated Shaara's careful structure there...even if I did read on.

Bottom line, even knowing this is a historical novel, given Shaara's reputation and my own experiences reading his other works, I lean toward this being a reasonably accurate presentation of Lincoln the man, President, and now myth. On thing that struck me, no, two things, show how times differed. Early on, we see how painfully slow election returns were counted and shared. Then, it struck me how used we have become to instant communication in our modern world. Any communication between Lincoln and, say, his generals was slow, surely painfully slow for those needing to know. Heck, if I read correctly, Lincoln hadn't even met his first Vice-President until he was elected. Anyway, my sincere thanks to #StMartin'sPress for this early look at this insightful look at a span of history that not only fascinates me but shaped the USA in ways no one could have imagined. 

Wood You Be Mine, by Daphne Elliot

 

Publication Nov. 10, 2026

As an Alaskan, first let me caution you not to follow Alice's lead on dealing with a moose encounter. Moose are not only big but have no problems taking on grizzly bears, so throwing tampons (!) at them is unlikely to detour a moose. While I've grown accustomed to having moose frequent my yard here in Alaska, I enjoy them through the window. People who've tried to pet the moose, yes, pet, or simply were in the wrong place at the wrong time have been maimed and even killed. Okay, end of my wildlife cautionary moment. On to the story....

I've got to admit, the title is what first drew me in. Then, toss in a rugged outdoorsy, tough lumberjack  type and, well, moose, and I was all in. I liked the characters and enjoyed the sorta dueling points of view we get as we go along. It was fun seeing Henri be the one to fall first, gotta admit, especially given Alice's tendency to find herself in situations that aren't, uh, positive. Let's face it, Alice isn't a country kinda gal but is determined to make it in this small Maine town as its new principal despite her past and not initially fitting in. She has a great sense of humor, fortunately, and the back-and-forth banter between Henri and her comes across as natural and  full of life. Both characters, unbeknownst to each other, are also facing difficult situations. Henri is struggling to save his late father's home/heritage, while Alice is struggling against being trapped by the expectations of others. She suffers from insecurities of never quite living up to those expectations with even her own mother chiding her frequently about her weight. I won't go into detail but it's obvious she's got a long way to go before being confident about any relationship. Henri's life in a seemingly male dominated world certainly did him no favors, either, when it comes to winning a non-rural woman. 

Bottom line, while I'm tempted to ramble on about some favorite and both fun and revealing scenes, I'll simply say it's a good read with both laughs and thoughtful, timely issues that come into play.Small town life isn't all smiles and happy, perfect citizens and I give kudos to the author for fleshing out a real world community with all its good and bad. It seems likely this is to be a series, too, so all my questions weren't answered, so I'll definitely be looking for the (I hope) follow-up. Watching Henri and Alice find a common ground was fun to watch as was seeing them finding their way through their own barriers not just to romance but a full life. I'm trying not to give away too much more of the story but will say you're likely to enjoy the read if you're into small town romance (with bumps), out of their comfort level characters, and seeing them make a difference in each other and their community. And, oh, yeah, moose. Can't forget the moose. Grin. There's even a bit of a mystery woven into the story that makes me all the more anxious to get my hands on the next chapter in this story. Thanks #BerkleyPublishingGroup for this early introduction and peek into Alice and Henri's world. I think they'd feel right at home in my own Alaska world so I felt quite comfortable with them while enjoying some of Alice's humorously absurd experiences. 

The Nuremberg Women: The Untold Story of the Eight Women Who Brought the Nazis to Justice, by Natalie Livingstone

 

Publication Nov. 13, 2026

As I discovered when I resorted to reviews to double check the spelling of a name, there are already lots of extensive, well-written reviews out there. As a result, I'm going to stick to my own reaction and keep it relatively short. I found myself reading in bits and pieces, I must admit, as some sections were rather, hmm, not hard reading but unsettling reading given the context. Unsettling but well worth the read and I do recommend it highly. While the author's focus is certainly on the women she selected to highlight, the reality behind the story is laid bare through their stories. Man's inhumanity to man may seem like a rather sexist cliche to use but it is universal as we're all part of humanity and not just men but women were impacted by events many only know from history books, including me.

 Livingstone has obviously researched her subject in depth and it was interesting to read why she selected these women to showcase. I liked that she took the time and effort to introduce us to these amazing women, ranging from lawyers to actual victims, as human beings, not simply characters conjured up to make a point. You'll learn quite a bit about each of them as you read (even in the reviews, I should note). The one that I was most drawn to, however, was Marie-Claude Vaillant-Couturier (the name I had to double check the spelling of), who was both a member of the French Resistance but also survived Auschwitz. Then, astoundingly to me, she chose to stay behind to help care for other survivors while waiting to be sent home to France. I simply could not imagine how she could summon up both the physical and emotional strength to do that. 

Bottom line, all the stories are amazing, however, so do give these women their due and take in their words. Not only will you learn about the people involved but the author even manages to take us into Nuremberg itself, giving you the sense of being there, willingly or not, using the words of not just the women involved via letters and memoirs but even family memories when available. Acknowledgements and notes as well as picture credits, sources, a bibliography, and index are included. In other words, while certainly drawing on the collected research of others, the author makes it personal, allowing us to look at this historical moment in time from a different angle, a human one. Thank you #StMartin'sPress for this early look at a book approaching an event from an angle I doubt many have considered. It's quite powerful. 

The Crossword Murders (The Secret Detective Agency Book 5), by Helena Dixon

 

England, 1942

History buff that I am, I just had to look up what the status of the war was in England in 1942. Bottom line, precarious.  The year was scarred by several major military defeats abroad with a heavy loss of trans-Atlantic shipping. On the other hand, it also marked the beginning of the post Pearl Harbor change in status as U.S. troops were beginning to land on the home front. While I was thoroughly engrossed in the mystery, I also noted that one of the best virtual scenes in the book came toward the end when Jane and Arthur see groups of neatly and warmly dressed children at a train station. My take was they were part of the effort of many parents to remove their children from harm, most likely bombings, by sending them to be cared for by others, not always family, in less prominent areas. Many were also transported overseas, I'll note, many Jewish children smuggled out of occupied countries amongst them. And, thus ends my history lesson. On to the story....

While the storyline, as always, remains strong with an emphasis on the war effort involving Jane and Arthur this go-round, the protection of valuable art objects. I won't go into great detail but it's rather astounding to recognize that the extreme measures described here were probably real, albeit maybe not all in one location. As always, there's a spy/traitor in the midst that results in deaths that Jane and Arthur must sort out asap. Crosswords play a role with cryptic clues hidden within. I won't detail the plot but was delighted to get some insight into the people behind the mission, in this case largely Jane and Arthur's man-servent Benson. To be honest, I didn't much care for Jane when the series began despite finding the stories intriguing, though I've gradually warmed up to her. This go-round we find out more about her past, not to mention get another glimpse of her complicated relationship with her diva star of a mother. The Benson reveal is a quick glimpse at the end that I'm sure will be followed up in the next book. So far, Arthur remains largely a mystery other than that he inherited his home from an uncle if I remember correctly. Surely it'll be turn for a reveal on him soon. In any case, much to my surprise, I've come to like all the characters, well, Jane's office nemesis isn't a favorite but there's probably lots to him we don't know yet, either. As a history buff and reader drawn to characters, this has been a delight of a series.

Bottom line, if you love clever mysteries and history, you'll like this one. The three main characters have become a tight team and have each other's backs, and it's been fun to see them grow as a team and individuals. I mean, Jane is still smoking, yes, but is being more and more aware of avoiding sending smoke in asthmatic Arthur's face as well as slowing her pace to his when walking. Trust me, those are serious improvements in her awareness and behavior towards others. The settings are largely away from prime bombing target London but that only reminds us that the war was by this time truly a world wide war, not to mention how much was going on that the public wasn't aware of. Thanks #Bookouture for originally introducing me to Jane, Arthur, and Benson and the early reads that so satisfy both my love of history and well-written, character driven mysteries. Heck, there's a lot to be learned about the war and history here, too. 

 

Murder of a Merry Gentleman (Lady Petra Inquires, #4), by Celeste Connally

 Publication Nov. 20, 2026

While I wasn't quite as into this one as I'd imagined I'd be, it was still an enjoyable read. Lady Petra Forsyth is an independent thinking woman at a time when such things were not just discouraged but looked down upon. She was fortunate to come from money and position, however, and was generally accepted. Set in London, it's December 1815. Christmas with all the expected festivities is drawing near. Lady Petra finds herself drafted into helping organize a sort of bachelor auction dance focusing on not just five unmarried ladies but scientifically minded ones. The bachelors in question are also scientifically minded. The ladies' families are to bid for the right for their daughter to choose the bachelor of their choice and act as that evening's hostess. Needless to say, the winner of the bid gets their choice of bachelor and is the only lady to dance with them that evening. The funds raised will go toward assisting the Lady Patronesses of Almack's Assembly Rooms. You'll learn about the ladies and Almack as the story begins. Lady Petra, who has sworn never to marry, reluctantly agrees to help, perhaps because one of the bachelors is an old, platonic friend, for the group dubbed the Merry Gentlemen. Her supposed beau, Duncan, is unfortunately out of town on assignment for the royals most of the time. Was glad to see him reappear at the end.  

What could possibly go wrong under the strictly monitored eye of society during the nightly series of dances and festivities? As it turns out, murder. One of the bachelors is discovered dead before the first night is barely over. I won't detail the plot much further except to say social expectations, frustrations of the restrictions, and missed opportunities do play a role, plus more. The characters, especially the five ladies and Merry Gentlemen, were generally likable, well, most of them were. Tempers and cattiness flare and there are more "accidents" to deal with, some involving supposedly rare artifacts. Secrets? Oh, boy, lots and lots of secrets. The recurring assumption that women have no brains and are thus expected to marry and give up all ambitions runs throughout, obviously applied to Lady Petra herself, too. 

Bottom line, while some of the events seemed a bit far fetched to my modern mind, I liked seeing how Petra's true friends worked with her. I just wished that Petra herself was a tad less rash, let's say, not needlessly putting herself in danger. That rubs elbows with the side story involving Teddy, the street urchin that Petra has befriended over the series, and his mother's imprisonment. Nope, not sharing more. You'll just have to read the book. Thanks #StMartin'sPress - #Minotaur for introducing me to Petra and company and giving me this early peek at her Christmas of 1815. While I couldn't quite lose myself in the plot, I did enjoy the quite startling reveal and then satisfying surprise or two at the very end. And, no, I didn't guess whodunit. Grin. 

Murder in Bologna, by T A Williams

 

Publication Nov. 6, 2026

One of the things I try to do after reading a book to be reviewed is give myself time to mull over my true reactions/impressions of the book. There's no doubt that I thoroughly enjoy this series but I asked myself "Why?" Simplest explanation is that I like the characters. Private detective Dan Armstrong may be whip smart and dogged when it comes to discovering the truth, but he also comes across as a likable guy, someone you'd enjoy spending time with just chatting about everything under the sun. It'd be even better if he brought along the brought along his lovable, always hungry but instinctively smart dog Oscar, of course. I'd be one of the ones sneaking treats to Oscar under the table, I admit. It was also great fun to revisit the villa where Dan and Oscar first met. I won't ruin that for you but, hey, dog lovers already know Labs love water, so there's a hint for you.  

The idea that these stories have a lot of heart sticks out for me, too. Dan genuinely seems to care not just about his clients but frequently those he winds up meeting and questioning as the investigation moves along. The fact Oscar is usually along and senses the need of those being questioned to be soothed, of course, also adds an element of true care, often resulting in him getting far more information than he might have otherwise. In addition, Dan's wife Anne is not just supportive but her expertise as an art professor and wide ranging ties have also proven helpful, especially so since we're frequently surrounded by historic art and architecture. I thoroughly enjoy the virtual tours we get through this or that area/building, all with a bit of its history and/or significance provided via Dan's viewpoint as we travel about. Dan's also managed to become friends with Commissario Virgilio Pasano, head of the Florence murder squad, so he's got legal ties, too, to match his own experiences. Finally, adding to the likability quotient for Dan, he always seems to find time to devote to family, too, this time helping his daughter find her dream wedding venue. 

Since part of the fun is figuring out the actual cases on your own, I won't say much about the plot other than it's a clever one that manages to tie two seemingly unrelated cases together. In this case, Dan is following up on a bereaved father's request that he determine if his recently dead son was a suicide as the initial police reports seem to indicate, or was murdered. This leads Dan to Bologna from Florence, his home base, not only to student housing but to visiting a million dollar apartment complex as he investigates something for Virgilio. In the process, we learn a bit about how modern art products like the inks and even framing differ from those way back in the days of the old Masters, leading to information on why art forgery is actually quite difficult to be successful doing. That's about all I'm going to say to allow you to watch Dan's steady, at times seemingly reluctant questioning as he slowly chips away at the initial verdict. Trust me, lots of action and, of course, lots of Oscar, too, much to my delight. Grin. Thanks #BoldwoodBooks for introducing me to Dan and Oscar and their likable circle of friends and family and allowing me this early peek at how life is treating them. Oscar deserves every bit of steak he's given, I assure you. 

Sometimes Grandpa Calls Me Herman (Norman the Button), #4, by Michelle Olson

 

Publication Nov. 2, 2026

There's so much more to our family history than we realize. 

I adore this heartwarming, creative series. Thanks to author #MichelleOlson for sharing this early copy. As you can surely tell from the cover, the characters are not human but still manage to convey a depth of feeling that touches the reader and always seems to offer up a gentle reminder of family and family ties as well as friendships. In this case, Norman (the red button) is more or less drafted by his busy mother to visit Grandpa Henry who lives in a dusty old cookie tin in a closet. Norman is reluctant as he finds his visits frequently boring and is bothered that Grandpa frequently calls him Herman. Never mind, Norman. We know you're going anyway. Grin.

The colorful, clever illustrations are all, so to speak, make from "found items" by the author, many from her own family home. Hence the book not only tells us what's going on in the story but shows it, too. Nothing too elaborate but all quite creative and well done. You'll find out, for instance, how Norman gets to Grandpa's as well as catch a glimpse of his family he finds as he helps Grandpa clean. Oh, okay. Mostly Norman cleans as Grandpa does enjoy his naps. Among the items encountered I grinned at the bowling image, marveling at the "Of course!" items used to create it while also knowing I'd have been hard pressed to come up with something so simply yet perfect. The pictures Norman finds of family members are adorable, too, one family member perched on the uniform of a baseball player's uniform while, yes, that's Norma's mother as a little girl! (On a photo of the author's own mother). 

But, wait! There's actually a real Herman in Grandpa's past. Nope, not sharing that info, nor how it does tied to what little Norman discovers he really knew about Grandpa. Bottom line, the message of it being well worth learning about our family's background rings loud and clear here. Norman discovers his "boring" ol' grandpa isn't boring at all. I loved that the author included her own mother's childhood picture in this homage of sorts to family. I've worked on my own family tree off and on over the years and am still constantly surprised and impressed at what I've discovered. Again, thanks #MichelleOlson for the early peek at this family connections, so to speak, reminder. Even better, done with a smile and an easy read that should bring a smile to all ages. Finally, readers, if you're like to know more, check out belliebuttonbooks.com for free printable activities.  

Eltie Takes the Lead: A Guide Dog's Tail, by Molly Burke

 

Publication Oct. 13, 2026

AUDIO, about 15 min. 

Both teaches and entertains us as we read/listen. Since I had the audio version, read by the author, it allowed me to experience the story as a blind person might. As such, the narration varies a bit from the norm. Not only do we get the story but a voice then describes the illustrations as they might to a blind person right down to the yellow clip in Molly's hair to fun visions of Eltie dressed as a fireman rescuing a cat in a tree and more without being disruptive in any way. The actual book, I read, actually contains not only examples of Braille but features a slightly roughened page somehow demonstrating Eltie's furry coat. I kinda wished I'd had a hard copy in my hand to experience these little nuances/pluses, gotta admit.

While I was initially drawn by the cover, which is nicely described in the audio, by the way, I came away thoroughly impressed with the thought and effort that went into pulling the whole together. The fact the illustrator, Ziyue Chen is deaf added another level to the efforts at inclusion. While the story of Molly and Eltie's typical day at school isn't profound, it pulls you into the story as most of us can remember our school days and the normal, everyday activities that we simply took for granted. It was particularly nice to see how Molly's schoolmates were both involved and respectful of the boundaries set in relationship with sharing space with Eltie. 

Bottom line, this would be an excellent addition to just about any library, personal or public. My thanks to #RBmedia for making this audio available to me early. While I have taught deaf students and even learned some sign language in the process, I've never taught a blind student, so this was informative. The added info on how we should interact with service dogs of any kind is a plus, too, as they are quite common in certain locales. I recently even got to share a waiting room with one who behaved just like Eltie. Curled up at its owners feet but alert. In any case, hope to see more stories of Molly and Eltie in the future. Since the author herself is blind and has had multiple guide dogs, I'm hopeful she'll share a few more examples of life with a service dog. 

(RTC)The Crossword Murders (The Secret Detective Agency Book 5), by Helena Dixon

 

Publication Oct. 16, 2026

Place holder until next week. 

Joy to the Bones, by Carolyn Haines

 

Publication Oct. 27, 2026     End of series

I've been both anxious and reluctant to read this one since getting it to review way back in early August. Although I haven't been with this series since the beginning, I've come to look forward to seeing what sort of scraps Sarah Booth and Tinkie would get themselves in each book. Now it's the end. While it works amazingly well still as a standalone, you might want to read at least the previous book to have a better feel for what you are about to jump into. To summarize, Sarah Booth has discovered that her parents' deaths so many years ago (when she was 12) wasn't the accident everyone claimed. Even worse, she discovers that her best friends and even boyfriend, who happens to currently be the sheriff, have had their suspicions but kept them from Sarah Booth to protect her. She cut them all out of her life, including not only boyfriend Coleman but her resident ghost, Jitty.  Four months have passed. And that is more or less where this final episode picks up.  

Her long time nemesis Gertrude Stromm is still lurking and Sarah Booth is determined to finally find out the truth, a truth she assumes centers about Gertrude and the long history of her trying to destroy not just Sarah Booth but those nearest and dearest to her. She also needs and, yes, realizes she's missed her friends. While there is still humor in the story, this one to have less as Sarah Booth deals with many unknowns. Needless to say, there are more than a few close calls but as her once rejected friends rally around her, Sarah Booth remains determined. I don't think long time readers will be disappointed with this final act which, let's see, besides Sarah Booth's initial meltdown and rejection and then apologies to everyone she once cared about, we've got crazy Gertrude, of course, drug runners, an abandoned mansion that seems to be harboring shady activity, shell corporations, corruption in high places, and lots of twists and turns before we reach the end. Heck, there's even a new client, so Tinky and Sarah Booth are back in sync. 

Bottom line, while there is a great deal going on, the characters remain true to themselves and each other.  It's these relationships that have made this series so special to me, even when I rolled my eyes at their actions. There's rarely a down moment in Sarah Booth's story but it's that connection that kept drawing me back over and over. Kudos to Carolyn Haines doing such a masterful job tying together so many different story lines and giving us a satisfying, hopeful ending. You get the impression that life may never be dull where Sarah Booth is involved but there are obviously several doors opening up for her future in a wonderful way, especially where Coleman is involved. Make sure you read the author's closing comments, too. Okay, no more hints. Read the book. You won't regret it and may find yourself revisiting or going way back to the very beginning of the story.