My Grammie's House, by Lana Button , Skye Ali (illustrator)

 

Publication September 3, 2024

I have a sneaking suspicion that this one may be as popular with the adults reading it as the children. I know I found myself pausing as I finished, wondering what I'd have conjured up to share about my grandparents' homes with strangers. The ol' piano in one's home and the pile of genealogy magazines in another that stirred my interest in our family tree in the other would definitely make the cut. Oh, and the short cut to the ice cream store! Somehow Grandma always had some spare change to give me. Grin.

The illustrations add to the layers of memories and love throughout the book. As the obviously introverted child shares memories and things that made them so enjoy visits, the illustrations offer sketchy, line drawn ideas seemingly hovering on the current view of what once was. Ghosts of memories? This book is at once both heart warming and rather melancholy. Be prepared for children to ask "What happened to Grammie?" The book doesn't really say, so that opens an avenue to discussion. In other words, this book could come in handy for helping a child deal with not just the sale of a beloved family home after a move but the inevitable passage of time. Grandparents might find it particularly applicable to read with grandchildren. 

In other words, a lovely combo of fun, ie the energetic, full-of-loving-memories child, and some sense of melancholy, too, as what was lost. It does highlight the idea that as long as there are memories, no one is truly gone. Although I'd honestly thought the couple looking at the house would have a child that Grammie's grandchild would be sharing with, the fact it's a young couple with memories to make, a pair that seems to be charmed and fall under the magic of the child's loving memories, worked well. Thanks #NetGalley and #PenguinRandomHouseCanada - #TundraBooks for giving me an early peek at this delightful book. I'm thinking it would make a lovely gift, perhaps from grandparents to grandchildren, but also to your local library. Bottom line, it made me feel good and remember my own days with "the Grands", as we dubbed them, as those faint memories became strong again.

A Poisonous Palate (Key West Food Critic Mystery #14), Lucy Burdette

 Publication August 6, 2024

As a former Floridian, I always enjoy the virtual visit to Key West to catch up with Hayley and her circle of friends. As usual, she's beyond busy, keeping her food column fresh, helping Danielle with her wedding, and, yikes, another murder. Well, maybe two murders. One a cold case, decades cold, in fact, and the other a murder Hayley stumbled across while trying to help out Catherine Davitt, a writer who wants Hayley's help delving into the decades old disappearance of a friend. Then, after they stumble across a body, Catherine disappears, too. Was she the murderer and simply using Hayley or has something happened to her, too? Needless to say, Hayley, an admitted snoop, simply feels driven to investigate against all the advice of not just friends but police investigator husband Nathan. He pretty much knows he's wasting his breath, of course, although fears she may stir up the proverbial hornet's nest and find herself in danger. And wait until you hear what Nathan's been up to! I won't detail the plot much further other than to note that there are plentiful suspects. This book is 14th in the series but works well as a standalone although new readers will find themselves wanting to catch up on missed episodes when past sleuthing escapades are mentioned, most in the company of 80-something years old Miss Gloria who is a delightful character and part of the reason Hayley finds herself (and Nathan) living on a houseboat. In the process of reading, you'll find yourself soaking up the atmosphere of South Florida, especially the almost mythical Keys. You'll even get to tromp into a mangrove swamp. When not learning about old hippie havens in the area and some prime eating places, you'll be busy learning a great deal about Ernest Hemingway's Key West era, not to mention delving into his possible inner demons. As for the murder, it's an intriguing one weaving past into present and reviving old emotions and secrets some would wish remained buried. Hayley seems almost obsessed with the case. Honestly, I'm always surprised at the ease with which both sources and suspects respond to her not always subtle questioning. She rarely pushes too far, albeit she frequently has to get in one more question that sours the atmosphere. Will this get her in trouble? Oh, you already know that answer. Even Danielle's wedding seems to take the backseat to her thoughts about the investigation although she tries to focus. There's a great deal of driving around and talk, too, between Hayley and Miss Gloria, much of it sharing bits of Florida lore as well as observations they make. Don't let Miss Gloria's age make you underestimate her. She's sharp and knows when the befuddled ol' lady routine might be helpful, too. Bottom line, there's lots going on with some of the past being shared by journal/diary entries by Catherine about the decades old disappearance of her friend. The explanations of why/what that relationship involved are also quite interesting. Toxic love isn't always romantic love, let's just say. I thoroughly enjoyed spending some time with Hayley, Nathan, and Miss Gloria, especially those more relaxed moment on the house boat. It's those relationships and the connections between other friends that keeps drawing me back to this series. Thanks #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for inviting me over for an early visit to the house boat to catch up with Hayley and the rest. I always feel like I've been to the Keys, not to mention in need of something yummy to snack on as I read and ponder those recipes at the end. Yummy.

TAILS OF LOVE: Canine Parables for the Heart, by Daniel Weaver

 

Publication Feb. 9, 2024

Oh....(said with a smile as I exhale in delight), I love this. If you've had dogs in your life, the book will surely trigger an array of emotions and memories. Why dogs haven't given up on us mere humans yet is beyond me, but as I write this with my own furry love ball in my lap, I'm glad they haven't. They have subtle lessons to teach us.

While aimed at children, this one has something for all ages. While adult memories will be stirred, children may ooh and aah over the wonderful illustrations. Some made me want to laugh, cry, or sigh, usually all at once. Yes, they're powerful. I honestly can't pick a favorite story (all seem to run to one page with the illustration facing them), the all appealed to me on some level. Each reminds us of the role or value of dogs in our lives, pointing out how they are patient, kind, and sensitive, somehow maintaining that forever bond with humans who may or may not truly deserve such devotion. They genuinely are "man's best friend". Thanks so much #NetGalley and #DreamWovenBooks for giving me this lovely gift of reading and smiling and going aah repeatedly as I went through the book. It was a heartwarming reminder of how much we owe our furry friends.

The Next Best Day, by Sharon Sala

 

Publishes Nov. 8, 2022

Although the opening is intense, involving not just getting left at the altar but being seriously wounded in a terrifying school shooting, this one has the usual Sala themes of hope and healing. I must admit, as a former teacher, albeit one who was never involved in any lock down other than for weather, the section involving the school shooter left me shaken. Sadly, while this is fiction, this is also the reality nowadays for too many students and teachers. That Katie McGrath is able to survive not just these events but a childhood of being shunted from foster home to foster home and abuse is amazing. Even more so, she seems to be a wonderful teacher, kind and caring, and, as one character describes her, nice. You'll root for her. Katie is a survivor in all senses of the word.

Fresh starts is another common Sala theme and this one involves not just Katie, who moves after the shooting incident, but her neighbor Det. Sam Youngblood and his two young, twin daughters, Evie and Beth. He's raised them alone after his wife died giving birth to them. Like Katie, he's opening up to more and they are immediately attracted, particularly as Katie proves adept at not just telling the twins apart easily but sensing their moods and needs. How these two wounded souls come together forms the basis of the story and it's a good one. 

The only jarring aspect of the book, as in jarring because it took me out of the story, was the side-story following Katie's almost husband, Mark. Well, that and a sad acknowledgement that Sam simply couldn't be that perfect, nor could Katie.... but I liked them just the way they are. It's occasionally nice to read about people who aren't twisted up by inner demons (as if Katie's PTSD from the shooting isn't enough). Bottom line, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and found myself thinking about it as I went about my daily life. That is a sign for me that a book has made an impression, in this case a good one. Give it a read but, sigh, be sure you're ready for the gut wrenching intro to how they get to their "next best day".

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Sourcebooks - #Casablanca for introducing me to Katie, Sam, and the rest of Borden's Gap, TN. I wish they were real and my neighbors.

The Plot and the Pendulum (Library Lover's Mystery #13) by Jenn McKinlay (Author), Allyson Ryan (Narrator) AUDIO

 

Available October 11, 2022   AUDIO

Running time, 7h 4m 

Never underestimate the power of words. Such is the power of not just words but suggestion that as soon as I noted that this is the 13th book in the series and that Poe's "The Pit and the Pendulum" would somehow be featured, I was hooked. It's been awhile since I last visited Lindsey and Sully, now happily married, so it was both a delightful and spooky visit. An air of sadness hovered over the story, however, perhaps due to the excellent job of conveying emotions done by narrator Ryan, that was hard to shake, I must admit. Once I started reading, well, listening to the audio version of the book, I became determined to finish asap to blow that shadow away. But, don't get me wrong. It was an absolutely fascinating, intriguing read and I loved all those chills.

I won't detail the plot other than to say Lindsey is thrilled when her beloved library is selected to receive the vast library collection of the somewhat mysterious Dorchester family. Several valuable books are involved and Lindsey is determined none be damaged. The only catch is she has only about a month to retrieve the books, hence she drafts her friends from the library staff and Crafternoon group to help. They arrive at the old Victorian estate ready to work. 

There are some complications, however, and this is where the chills and shadows begin to close in. Ghost cat? Flickering, failing lights? Rumors of a runaway bride perhaps haunting the place? Yep, all those and more. Marian Dorchester is slowly losing touch with reality due to dementia, which adds an extra element of sadness. Toss in a hidden room and initially unidentified skeleton found in that room and you have the makings of a fine, chill inducing read. Add characters with contradictory needs and desires and even Lindsey's husband Sully, usually a rock, admits being a bit spooked. On the plus side, Lindsey and Sully do get a new pet but I'll leave readers to sort out how that happens. 

Thanks #NetGalley and #DreamscapeMedia - #BerkleyPublishingCompany - #Berkley - #PenguinRandomHouse for allowing me this early bit of Halloween spookiness. We're left wondering, however, do we or don't we believe in ghosts? Loved it! I need to visit Lindsey and Sully more often.

A Book of Murder in Notchey Creek (Harley Henrickson #4), by Liz S. Andrews

 Shared pasts. 

Shared memories. 

Shared secrets.

Superb mystery with many layers. The author's writing style flows, almost poetic at one moment, insanely tense at others, all while moving the story steadily forward. Her imagery is superb, capturing moments and sounds that vividly help us visualize the beauty of the setting and mood. I didn't write it down exactly, bad me, but one phrase introducing a tense encounter sorta encapsulated that ability as she describes crickets chiming out the "beleaguered seconds" like a metronome. In other words, I fully loved this book. 

I won't detail the plot, which is easily found elsewhere, but simply say that it's far more complex that the cute cover might indicate. Harley has an amazing ability to remember and quote passages from books. She's well read and once had a scholarship to Harvard. Yet, she's known for her cocktail mixes, hence many underestimate her. Although this worked nicely as a stand-alone, I found myself wanting to know more about not just Harley's past but that of her rock star friend, Beau, who seems to share so many of her memories. She's also got a good friend in Jed, the sheriff, who in contrast to the more stereotypical police-v-amateur sleuth relationship, seem to work together well and trust each other. How refreshing. 

As for the murder, it's complicated. On the surface, it begins simply enough with the death of an unknown woman. Then bodies start piling up. First, who is the unknown woman? Is there some connection between the deaths or is there a random killer at large? Wow, did you realize how much rare books are worth? How is a tatoo connected to the book "Jane Eyre"?  What did Suzanne mean when she called "Jane Eyre" a little golden Easter egg? A maid mumbling literary verse? Why is the press hounding....oh, never mind. Enough teasers. Read the book. I don't think you'll regret it and, hey, Matilda the pig does get a couple scenes.

Thanks #NetGalley and #LittleForestPress for introducing me to the wonderful series. I'll be back! And, oh, those cocktail recipes sound wonderful.

The Socialite's Guide to Murder (Pinnacle Hotel Mystery #1), by S.K. Golden

 

 

Publication October 11, 2022

What secrets lurk behind the walls of the Prohibition Era style luxury hotel? Will spoiled rich girl Evelyn be able to find them and the murderer of artist Billie Bell? 

To be honest, if you'd asked me early on in the book, I'd have said no way. Evelyn, daughter of the mega rich hotel owner, comes across as rather an empty headed, Marilyn Monroe wannabe. She's all about the style and drama, from selecting the perfect outfit to playing along with photographers seeking photos of her with actor boyfriend Henry. She carries a Pomeranian mix with her seemingly at all times, Presley, who resembles a bear cub, and her hotel suite is, well, pink. Very pink. Pink with lots of fancy clothes and jewelry. In other words, she doesn't appear to be likely to solve anything other than perhaps how to fix a broken nail. 

But, don't let appearances fool you. She's anything but empty headed. True, she's lived a sheltered, catered to life, and throws her money and name around to get what she wants, but there's a brain in that blond-by-choice head of hers. Although the hints are subtle at first, she's also faced trauma. She discovered the body of her murdered mother outside the hotel as a child. She considers the hotel her safe place, so to speak. Her sense of security is shattered when she discovers a bloody body in the hallway of what she considers her hotel, a man Henry had a rather public argument with earlier. When another hotel employee is arrested she should feel relieved but feels he is innocent and has the overwhelming need to help find the real murderer. How can someone who suffers from agoraphonia, however much she denies it to herself, and hasn't left the hotel in fourteen months going to solve a murder?

So, if neither the man arrested nor Henry killed artist Billie Bell, who did? Did they also steal the missing painting? What secret is Henry keeping? How about Mac, the man Evelyn is slowly beginning to realize she genuinely loves? Will he accept being a kept man? Heck, how will star Henry react to losing his girlfriend to a bellboy? Why is Mac dragged down to the police station? What habit may get Evelyn into trouble or worse, danger? Why is the mystery maid threatening Evelyn in a hallway? Could a Countess be guilty of murder? Who trashed Evelyn's, sigh, pink hotel suite? Could her day maid be a threat? Why doesn't Henry keep the expensive gift Evelyn gives him, in front of cameras, no less? And, oh, so much more for a book that I thought I wasn't going to particularly like initially. As it turned out, after the slow start I found myself unable to set it aside. Evelyn may be naive and spoiled but I liked her (and Presley). I liked Mac and his sister. Heck, even the police investigator was likable, even while dealing with spoiled Evelyn's horror of having to share a hospital room with someone else. Hospital, you say? Nope, not telling, you're just going to have to read the book. 

Thanks #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for inviting me to spend some time at the lovely Pinnacle Hotel to get to know Evelyn. After rolling me eyes lots at her, I've become a fan and am looking forward to the next adventure.

Donut Disturb (A Bakeshop Mystery #15), by Ellie Alexander

 

 I love this series! Great setting, Ashland, Oregon, something of a Shakespearean mecca, great characters who are fleshed out with back stories of their own, and lots and lots of food talk with Shakespearean quotes and references popping up frequently, and it all makes for a fun, intriguing read. Main character Juliet Montague Capshaw is smart, energetic, and cares about her friends, family, and her town, Juliet and husband Carlos operate not just popular bakery Torte but Uva, a winery. The tale of how both Carlos and Juliet came to be where they are has been fascinating but they're seemingly in a happy place as this book opens, staying very busy and, hmm, thinking of future plans. Juliet is likable and seems to be respected and trusted in her community and it's hard not to wish that the extended cast of family and friends is your own. This is #15 in the series but this can be read easily as a standalone although I encourage you to read the series because it's plain ol' good.

Juliet's also a darn good amateur sleuth. In this installment of the long running series she finds herself investigating a murder that takes place not long before good friends Kerry and Thomas are about to walk down the aisle and be married. Even worse than the timing, Kerry's father, who has shown up unexpectedly, is the main suspect. While his background is, well, shady at best, could he have gone to the great effort of being there despite obstacles only to turn right around and ruin his daughter's big day? What connection does he, not to mention some others, have to the victim, Brett? I mean, could the 80 year-old have committed this murder? Or maybe one of the other members of the jazz band the victim was bassist with? Dani does seem particularly driven. Could seemingly always cranky business neighbor Richard have done it? Why won't Nat take his information to the police himself? Why does he want Juliet to be involved? Who.....nope, not telling any more. You're just going to have to read the book. I do have one suggestion, however. Make sure you eat before you start reading. All that talk of food prep and fine wines makes you almost able to sense the smells and tastes. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for the invite to Kerry and Thomas' wedding. Glad I hung around after to taste test and see how Juliet's sleuthing was going. I'm looking forward to the next adventure which sounds like it may be a bit of a trip.