Secret Dead Men

 

 

Secret Dead Men is an engagingly quirky fantasy/mystery by Duane Swierczynski. Originally released in 2005, this reformat and re-release from Titan Books came out 1st Oct 2024, is 320 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. 

Instead of a seedy walk up office downtown, PI Del has a hotel inside his brain which houses a collection of conscious souls which he's collected. His main purpose at the moment is to chase down and dismantle The Association which was responsible for his own trip into discorporeal inconvenience. 

The writing is, frankly, solid. It's action driven, but also full of well rendered three dimensional characters (including a stoner thief who comes out to hotwire the occasional getaway car, lots of criminals, and a few psychopaths). The plot is well constructed with a nice mystery which works very well given the intricate and creative world building.

It's not at all derivative, but there are glimpses of Philip K. Dick, Chuck Wendig, Stross, and even a bit of Joe Lansdale in the mix. There are moments of levity, although it's not primarily a humorous book, and there's over the top violence throughout. 

Four stars. Well written, workable plot, nice mystery, solid characters. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

A New Lease on Death - Supernatural Mysteries #1

A New Lease on Death is the first book in a new cozy paranormal series by Olivia Blacke. Released 29th Oct 2024 by by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 336 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. 

This is a light cozy with some darker moments. There are themes of substance abuse, alcoholism, lots of mentions of suicide, infidelity (long term), financial irregularity, domestic violence, and some not-quite-cozy descriptions of violence and murder. 

It -is- a cozy, however, with a very strong central paranormal theme (one of the main characters is a ghost). It's sort of a "buddy caper" with a duo of women, one of whom is living challenged. The writing is light and easy to read, and the character driven action flows well. The dialogue isn't always very well polished and there were a few issues with pacing throughout. It mostly felt like a setup for future series books, and whilst that isn't a deal-breaker, it did lead to some frustration with the here-and-now of the mystery in *this* volume on which the two main characters are supposed to be concentrating. 

The denouement and resolution felt a bit deux-ex-machina and were pulled out of nowhere. Again, not a deal breaker, but not ideal. 

It's warm and humorous and a definite comfort read. It would make a good choice for a weekend buddy read for fans of paranormal cozies. There is one *glaring* plot problem with the world building which will likely annoy readers who notice it, but otherwise a fun and undemanding read. Some of the "features" of ghost-Cordelia's existence were a bit lazy (she can do anything she *believes* she can do), but again, probably ok inside the parameters of the genre. 

Three and a half stars. It will be interesting to see this series develop. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Open Sesame: 45 Sweet & Savory Recipes for Tahini & All Things Sesame

Open Sesame is a well written, attractively presented, niche collection of recipes featuring sweet and savory twists on sesame by Rachel Belle. Released 12th Nov 2024 by Sasquatch Books, it's 176 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. 

The book has a friendly, funky, retro graphic vibe which suits the slightly offbeat focus, to put sesame in the limelight. It's full of tasty recipes which, if they aren't instant classics, will definitely be a hit with brunch loving foodies. Sesame is surprisingly versatile, and although the collection does a good job of representing the cuisines where sesame (and tahini) feature large, it's by no means exclusive to the middle and far eastern countries. The author has developed and included some unexpectedly adventurous recipes which will either delight or perplex readers (or a bit of both?) such as Basil-lime pasta with sesame chicken bolognese (interesting!).

The recipes utilize ingredients which will mostly be readily available in any well stocked grocery store in North America - however some feature ingredients (tahini) which will require specialist retailers, probably online; not prohibitively rare, but requiring some planning for readers who live outside NYC or LA. They're arranged in the book thematically: morning meals, party snacks, mains & meals, and sweets. 

Each recipe includes a description/intro, yields, ingredients in a bullet list header, and step-by-step prep directions. Ingredient measures are given in imperial (American) units only. There is no nutritional info provided.

It's got a bouncy, fun, young, foodie vibe, and the author is very open and chatty (in a good way). It's a small collection, but every one of the recipes, even the simpler ones, definitely have some *pow* factor. It will be an instant hit with foodies who love to brunch with friends, do potlucks, and who also gather with friends to do dinner or informal party nights. 

The photography is very good, and each of the recipes is accompanied by one or more color photos. Serving suggestions are attractive and appropriate and the food is professionally styled. 

Four stars. Really fun collection. It would make an excellent gift for a foodie friend, or for the home cook's library, as well as public or school library acquisition.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Time Will Tell - "Sister" Jane #16

 

 

Time Will Tell is the 16th "Sister" Jane mystery by Rita Mae Brown. Released 12th Nov 2024 by Penguin Random House on their Ballantine imprint, it's 304 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

This is a well paced, engaging cozy mystery in an episodic very-long-running series which will please current fans and pick up some new ones. Ms. Brown is a prolific, wide-ranging, versatile author with enough "serious" writing awards to do anything she sets her mind to, but happily, she seems to enjoy the cozy genre, especially the one with anthropomorphic animal characters. This series and her Mrs. Murphy series are -full- of opinionated animals, from cats and dogs to farm animals. For folks who loathe anthropomorphism and light paranormal elements, this probably isn't going to be a good fit.

It's the 16th book in the series, so readers who hop in mid-stream should expect some spoilers for developments from earlier books. The author/publisher have also helpfully included a glossary and list of characters with short descriptions to help readers stay in the story. That being said, the mystery itself is self-contained and resolved in this book, so picking through the series out of order isn't a deal-breaker.

The dialogue and writing are pitch perfect.  Typically for Ms. Brown, the writing is solidly comfortable and engaging.  Reading her books is almost like visiting with an old friend you haven't seen for a while; you just pick up where you left off the last time, even if you haven't seen them for ages.

Four stars, it's a well constructed cozy mystery full of characters from a world outside of the one most people inhabit (including many old-money wealthy FFVs who are crazy about American fox hunting). Bonus points for the author's managing to make her characters ethnically diverse, and not just pasted on, either. Many of the characters have faced and worked through part of their tragic shared traumatic past, from slave times onward and at this point there seems to be more good-natured camaraderie than any festering resentment.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

 

Sexism & Sensibility: Raising Empowered, Resilient Girls in the Modern World

Sexism & Sensibility is a well written and layman accessible monograph on structural societal misogyny and sexism by Dr. Jo-Ann Finkelstein. Released 3rd Sept 2024 by Penguin Random House on their Rodale/Harmony imprint, it's 336 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

It was an uphill climb to succeed professionally, personally, and societally as a woman in the past, but also in the present western world. Girls are told from the cradle about society's expectations for *their own* wants and needs and to sublimate the things they *need* and the people they *are* to fulfill someone else's (often anyone else's) desires. 

The author makes many cogent points about where we are now, what improvement could look like, and some concrete suggestions on how to help the next generations of girls/women achieve self fulfilled, strong, necessary lives. 

The book is written in entirely accessible, non-rigid language, but is also meticulously annotated throughout, and the chapter notes are likely worth the price of admission with lots of peer-reviewed references for further reading. 

If progress is to be made, we must work together to achieve it. Especially given the current political climate and backlash against progressive, egalitarian ideals, fairness, equitability, and women's rights in general, this is a vitally important subject which needs to be discussed at all levels. 

Five stars. Highly recommended to families, professionals who work with children (school counselors, psychologists, medical professionals, etc), as well as being a solid support text for allied studies (gender studies, psychology, education, etc). The research and references are up to date and as modern as possible, given the schedule for book publishing. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.  

What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust

What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust is the 11th Flavia de Luce novel by Alan Bradley. Released 3rd Sept 2024 by by Penguin Random House on their Bantam book imprint, it's 320 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

Flavia is wickedly wryly funny (and clever) and Bradley is a truly prodigiously gifted author.  She and her dogsbody/batman, appropriately named Dogger are a force to be reckoned with and outmaneuver, outflank and outwit all comers. She's possessed of a Greek Nemesis' brain strapped into the body of a precocious adolescent and all bets are off.

This book doesn't work particularly well as a standalone.  Whilst most of the necessary background info is provided by the author (cleverly not "telling" but always "showing"), there are a number of spoilers/plot twists from previous entries which are directly referred to in this book.  Much more fun to find a rainy fall weekend and binge read the whole series.

For readers who are unfamiliar with Flavia, she's not your average youngster. She's self contained and prodigiously interested in chemistry and crime.  Dogger does most of the heavy lifting.

I don't often laugh out loud at books, but I have done so with every single one of the Flavia books.

I have recommended these books to my circle of crime-reading friends and the verdicts seem to be almost evenly split between 'wonderful' and 'no, thanks'.  Definitely worth a try if you appreciate very well crafted mysteries with a touch of the absurd and/or slightly gallows humor.

Four and a half stars in my appreciative estimation. Long may she reign!   

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.   
 

Busybodies: There’s a Mystery Around Every Corner

Busybodies: There’s a Mystery Around Every Corner is the collected omnibus of Busybodies 1-6. Released 15th Oct 2024 by Amazon Stories, it's 206 pages and is available in audio and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

This is a mixed bag of mystery stories written around "nosey" amateur sleuths solving crimes which pop up in their orbits. The stories vary in intensity, but all are lightly humorous, and all are more or less in the cozy subgenre. There are several collections with different themes (secrets/mysteries, thrillers, adventure/fantasy, etc). All are available free to prime/unlimited subscribers and all can be downloaded as singles or collections. 

In both graphics and layout, these collections are more colorful than expected, with each new story delineated with a full color cover page with cover art. The interactive table of contents is handy for flipping back and forth without having to read from cover to cover in order.

The audiobook narration contains 6 different story narrators, and the sound and production quality are high throughout. 

The stories themselves are a mixed bag. Several of them are by authors with massive followings, and a couple were less familiar. All were well written and enjoyable. For readers looking to test out new authors, this is an accessible and easy way to do that without committing to a full novel.

Four stars. Diverting and fun. (And really, that's the point!).

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Poirot Investigates: A Hercule Poirot Story Collection - Hercule Poirot #3

 

Poirot Investigates is a new collection of 14 classic early Poirot short stories by Agatha Christie. This reformat and re-release from Dover published 16th July 2024 is 176 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. This collection is released as part of the Dover Mystery Classics series, and is formatted to coordinate with the other volumes in the series.

Originally released in 1924-25, this collection of short stories will be familiar to most Christie fans, and includes The Adventure of the "Western Star", The Case of the Missing Will, The Veiled Lady, The Lost Mine, The Chocolate Box, and nine more. 

This is comfort reading. They'll be familiar to most readers of classic fiction, but every single one of them is like a warm visit with an old acquaintance. All is as it should be and all comes to right in the end with the help of the little Belgian detective's intelligence. 

For readers who are new to classic golden age detective fiction, each and every one is worthwhile, well written, and clever. 

Five stars for the stories, and for Dover's unwavering dedication to preserving and keeping these important cultural treasures available for new generations of readers. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Katherine Johnson - Little People Big Dreams

Katherine Johnson is a new biography for young readers in the Little People, Big Dreams series.  These are all delightful and exuberant little books which cover the lives of famous cultural, science, arts, and innovative icons while maintaining an age-appropriate level of detail. Due out 7th Jan 2025 from Quarto on their Frances Lincoln imprint, it's 32 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

Succeeding throughout her life despite formidable hurdles in place because of the time period (mid 20th century) and area in which she was born (WV), as well as being a female person of color, Katherine Johnson was a wonderfully brilliant applied mathematician who refused to be cowed and whose expertise played a significant part in the early manned space program's success.

Written by Isabel Sánchez Vegara it's written in clear accessible language.  The gentle and sweetly whimsical illustrations are well done. The art by Jemma Skidmore is appealing and colorful and supports the text very well. The art is rich in small subtle details which bear a closer look (like the school scenes, her studies, her university days, and her work at NASA and even her acceptance of the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama).

Well written and appealing, all of these little books are worthwhile and enchanting. This one is a worthy addition. The author/publisher have also included a short timeline with photos in the back of the book as well as suggestions for further reading.

Five stars. This would make a superlative reading circle book, classroom library book, or gift.  Mrs. Johnson was an intelligent and beloved figure and has become an icon for a more hopeful and cooperative future, an inspiration for girls choosing STEM educations, and this little book is a nice introduction to her life and work for the youngest generation.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes

Fog & Fireflies

Fog & Fireflies is the first book in a YA fantasy series by indie debut author T.H. Lehnen. Released 11th April 2024, it's 380 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats.  It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

The adventure story is well conceived and MC Ogma is an appealing protagonist trying to make the best of an impossible situation. Much of the characterization is spotty, however, and the world building which has huge potential is, at least in this first book, choppy and often disorganized. It's an indie debut novel and despite a lack of polish, shows a lot of promise. 

There are some moderately graphic scenes of body horror (a gut stab early in the book with graphic descriptions), fighting, psychological horror, etc. It's the first book in an ongoing series (no current publication info available for book 2), so the author will presumably expand and explain some of the dangling unresolved plot threads from book 1; it could just be a while.

Three and a half stars. It would've benefited from a thorough/ruthless editing and polishing process, but it's entirely readable and enjoyable as it is. Recommended for dark YA fantasy adventure fans.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Feasts of Good Fortune: 75 Recipes for a Year of Chinese American Celebrations, from Lunar New Year to Mid-Autumn Festival and Beyond

Feasts of Good Fortune is a well written and beautifully curated cookbook with recipes by mother/daughter team Hsiao-Ching Chou and Meilee Chou Riddle. Due out 3rd Dec 2024 from Sasquatch Books, it's 256 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

There are festival and traditional Chinese American foods to prepare (and share) at home which are achievable by regular cooks. The recipes are well written and accessible and the book is gorgeous and colorful graphically with lots of photographs and illustrations in color.

The recipes are arranged thematically in chapters by seasonal celebrations and by culture, with the Chinese holidays: Lunar New Year, Lantern Festival, Qingming Festival, Dragon Boat, Mid Autumn, and Winter Solstice, followed by the American/fusion ones: Birthdays & party bites (noodles or cake?), stir fries, and hot pots. 

The recipes are well selected and varied. Recipe ingredients are given in a bullet list sidebar. Each recipe includes some background info, yields, and step-by-step directions. Ingredient measures are given in imperial (American) units only. Nutritional info is not included for the recipes. Most of the ingredients will be available at any well stocked grocery store in North America; some will require a trip to a local Asian/international food store. 

The recipes are also tagged with a difficulty rating, allowing readers to have an idea how long prep and cooking will take. The authors have done a standout job providing background and cultural info about the festivals and celebrations which are covered in the book, including personal family stories which add depth and warmth to the read. 

Five stars. This would make a great choice for public or school library acquisition, for cookbook collectors, and for gift giving. Stellar job on writing and curating. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Saving Susy Sweetchild - Silver Screen #3

 

Saving Susy Sweetchild is the third Hollywood historical mystery by Barbara Hambly. Released 3rd Sept 2024 by Severn House, it's 256 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. Paperback format due out 2nd quarter 2025 from the same publisher. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

More intrigue, kidnapping, and murder in Hollywood's golden age. Academically gifted, impoverished, widowed Emma Blackstone is once again called on to help, this time to locate a missing child actress and her mother who've been kidnapped. 

Hambly is an incredible prolific and prodigiously gifted writer, whatever genre she turns her talents to. This one is no exception. It's remarkable how different this series is from her other well known series (Dr. Benjamin January, for example). 

Although the mystery and denouement work well enough as a standalone, there are some minor spoilers and developments from earlier books which will affect reading if the series is read out of order (nothing story-breaking, but they are there). 

Four and a half stars. It would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home reading, or gifting. With three books extant in the series, it would also be a good choice for a binge/buddy read.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

A Letter to the Luminous Deep - The Sunken Archive #1

A Letter to the Luminous Deep is the first book in a wonderfully engaging romantasy by Sylvie Cathrall. Released 23rd April 2024 by Hachette on their Orbit imprint, it's 400 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. 

This is an epistolary fantasy romance, told entirely throughout by letters and "email (equivalent)" telegram/messages between the chief characters. There's a strong theme of academic exploration and research which becomes more personal and romantic between the daughter of a famously academic family (though she's a shut in), and a well renowned professor and researcher. Emily and Henerey disappear in a catastrophic event and it's left to their siblings to piece together what happened by sharing the letters, sketches, and other extant materials left to them by E and Henerey. 

The story arc is set to be told in a duology, with the second volume due out in 2nd quarter 2025 from the same publisher. It should probably be said that although this volume is very well written, with often moving prose and descriptions, it does end on an absolute cliffhanger. There's precious little denouement or resolution to be found. 

Due to the nature of epistolary storytelling, it's slow to develop, and formal through the first third of E's and Henerey's correspondence. It's not derivative, but fans of Heather Fawcett (Emily Wilde series), and Marie Brennan (Natural History of Dragons) will be right at home. 

Four stars. Well written and developed; a treat for academic fantasy fans. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

A Deathly Compendium of Poisonous Plants

 

A Deathly Compendium of Poisonous Plants is a very well written monograph for middle grade readers about poisonous botanicals curated and written by Rebecca E. Hirsch. Released 22nd Oct 2024 by Lerner Publishing on their Zest Books imprint, it's 204 pages and is available in library binding, paperback, and ebook formats. 

This is a beautifully presented book, with elegant photos and illustrations. It's aimed at middle grade+ readers, so the language is purposefully simple and direct. Proper nomenclature is used throughout alongside common names. Each of the plants (and they are myriad and varied) gets its own profile. 

There are "true crime" historical tidbits and stories scattered throughout as well as scientific based items like what poison types each plant contains and sometimes their effects. If the author occasionally goes a tiny bit overboard with the sensationalistic "gross info incoming", it should be remembered that this book is aimed at youngsters for whom a good gross bit of info is ambrosia. 

Well written and visually appealing, it would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition (school acquisitions personnel are strongly advised to vet the content beforehand and evaluate in light of liability concerns). It would also be a neat addition to gardening / allotment / community garden library, and home use. 

Four and a half stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

The Düngeonmeister Book of RPG Trivia: 400+ Epic Questions to Quiz Your Friends―and Foes!

 

The Düngeonmeister Book of RPG Trivia is a well written collection of fantasy/DND/tabletop gaming questions and trivia curated by Jef Aldritch & John Taylor. Released 24th Sept 2024 by Simon & Schuster on their Adams imprint, it's 224 pages (print format) and is available in paperback and ebook formats.

This is such a fun book. The introduction covers the basics: question types, ways for readers to test themselves or compete with others. The answers are given on the same page with the question rounds, upside down (but still easy to read - this could be a drawback in some situations, if visibility and accidentally seeing the answers are a problem). I noticed flipping through the book that I accidentally (?) stumbled over the answers whilst pondering the questions. I was actively trying not to "cheat" but still saw the answers. Since an eARC was the format I was using, it's not really practical (but it *is* possible) to cover the answer key area with a card or piece of paper.

The bulk of the book is taken up with the questions. They're hugely varied, concisely written, and definitely not all easy. I pride myself on being a trivia maven and these weren't a walk in the park. These will test even the nerdiest tabletop gaming nerd's esoteric knowledge of TTG history and lore.

Four and a half stars. This is a one-stop resource for planners of trivia nights. It will be a solid resource for trivia fans as a study guide also.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

 

Carl's Doomsday Scenario - Dungeon Crawler Carl #2

 

Carl's Doomsday Scenario is the second Dungeon Crawler Carl comedy fantasy by Matt Dinniman. Originally published in 2021, this reformat and re-release from Penguin Random House on their Berkley Ace imprint is 384 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is a fun and well written take on dungeoncrawler fantasy. MC Carl is unwillingly thrust into a starring role in a survivor reality TV contest when an alien invasion puts a major crimp in *everyone's* day.  Princess Donut (his ex-GF's pampered show cat) is along for the ride, and the book is positively bursting with sarcastic humor and improbable situations, with viewers from across the universe tuned in to see what happens next, and which contestants get eliminated, permanently.

It's not at all derivative, but the bonzo, zany humor will likely appeal to fans of Charles Stross and Tom Holt.  Donut and Carl have made it to level three and now things are getting _really_ squicky (like squid games + hunger games + it's a mad mad mad mad world (on steroids)). There are double entendrés and crazy situations and puzzles to solve and Carl has no choice but to forge ahead. It's a neat premise for a series, and the author just about manages to keep the puzzles and challenges different enough that the books don't seem too same-y same.

Four stars. There are currently 6 books in the series with a 7th due out in 4th quarter 2024. It would make a great choice for a genre buddy/binge read. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Black Flora: Inspiring Profiles of Floriculture’s New Vanguard

Black Flora is a collection of profiles featuring nearly 2 dozen floriculture allied artists of color showcasing their artistry & talent, collected and curated by Teresa J. Speight. Released 22nd Oct 2024 by Hachette on their Timber Press imprint, it's 208 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. 

This is a beautifully made and well laid out homage to the horticultural arts and artists at the cutting edge. The entries are lavishly illustrated, with many full page color photos. They represent a number of styles and aesthetics - mostly (but not all) on the avant garde end of the spectrum. The book is full of inspiration. Each of the entries includes specific information about the srtist/designer/farmer/entrepreneur. The text entries also include short biographies about them and their journeys to get to where they are.

The appendices include an abbreviated resources  and links list for retailers and suppliers. It's slanted toward readers in North America. Notably, the book lacks an index. It's not a crippling deficiency, but it was a notable omission.

Five stars. This would make a superlative selection for gardening aficionados, a special gift, students, designers/horticulturists, library use, or as a beautiful coffee-table book to enjoy and revisit. This one has high "re-readability". 

Disclosure: I received an eARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Carving Faces in Wood: Beginner's Guide to Creating Lifelike Eyes, Noses, Mouths, and Hair

Carving Faces in Wood is a detailed, well written, accessible tutorial guide to carving faces by Alec Lacasse. Released 18th Sept 2024 by Fox Chapel, it's 120 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. 

This is a stunning collection and the author is a gifted woodworker and his voice throughout the book is encouraging and supportive. He asserts that it's a book which should be accessible to beginners, but readers really should have at least a basic grasp of (and access to) woodworking tools and techniques before starting, in order to achieve the best results. 

The book is arranged logically, including an inspiration gallery of the author's own work, a primer covering tools and supplies (and safety), reference & design, general features (mouths noses & eyes), distinct features (age, male vs female), hair, and combining the previous tutorials to produce a finished refined project (including photography, lighting, and video), and three start-to-finish project tutorials. 

The patterns are given without scale templates, line drawings are detailed and given from several views to help carvers visualize the dimensions and plan carving. The author/publisher have also placed QR codes throughout the book which link to online videos and additional materials.

It's well illustrated in color throughout, and "action" shots are well posed, without hands or tools obscuring the view. 

Four and a half stars. This would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, for home woodworkers, for makers' groups and studios, and for gift giving. It's not precisely a beginner tutorial guide, but intermediate to advanced woodworkers will find a lot of good information, and beginners will too, but probably will need additional help. The author's website *is* beginner friendly and full of good information for all levels of expertise. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Keto Like a Chef: Showstopping Recipes for Your Keto TableLOBSTER BENEDICT WITH FENNEL BÉARNAISE

Keto Like a Chef is a beautifully curated collection of *fancy* keto friendly dishes written and developed by Chef Jason Raffin. Released 22nd Oct 2024 by Girl Friday on their Flashpoint imprint, it's 280 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

This is an artistic, aesthetically pleasing collection from a professional chef who was underwhelmed with the selections available which were keto friendly and which could honestly pass muster in a fine restaurant. He developed the recipes and methods himself, apparently mostly for his own (and friends') consumption. 

The recipes are lush and very well written. This is not a cookbook for cooks looking for very easy, cost cutting, or time saving recipes. The first recipe in the book (and which sets the standard from the first page) is his Lobster Benedict with Fennel Béarnaise, which contains roughly 30 ingredients and numerous (very well written) steps. It also gives a really useful recipe for keto biscuits which are fluffy and satisfying, unlike most keto "biscuits" which shouldn't have the name.

The recipes are arranged thematically: breakfast, lunch, small plates, charcuterie, dinner, and dessert. Recipe ingredients are arranged in a bullet list sidebar. Yields and servings, along with macro information are given in a header. He provides very specific, but not overly explanatory cooking directions. There is no hand holding; this is not a book for the easily intimidated. Ingredient measures are given in imperial (American) units with metric in parentheses. (Yay!). 

The photography and graphics are gorgeous and in color throughout. 

Five stars. This would be an excellent choice for public (or post-secondary school) library acquisition, for adventurous home cooks, and for gift giving.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder

Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder is an intriguingly appealing debut crime novel by Kerryn Mayne.  Released 9th July 2024 by Macmillan on their St. Martin's Press imprint, it's 352 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats (paperback due out from the same publisher in late 2nd quarter 2025). It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout.

This is very very much a character driven story featuring a neurodivergent main character, strongly suppresed trauma memories, and a quite surprisingly deeply moving story in places. There are trigger warnings aplenty, domestic violence, child abuse, PTSD, trauma, suppressed memories, and more; it's a comprehensive shopping list. 

The author writes with unvarnished, sometimes clinical detachment on otherwise horrific actions and it is impressively effective, given the slightly wonky personality of main character Lenny. 

The denouement and resolution are satisfying, if also slightly off kilter. 

Four stars. All in all an effective and very well written debut.  It would be a good choice for public or home library acquisition, buddy read or mystery book club selection. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.