Saturday, February 8, 2025

Witch Slap

 

Witch Slap is the first book in a cozy paranormal mystery series by Amelia Ash and Kim M. Watt. Released 25th June 2024 by Sterling & Stone, it's 290 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 and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The later books in the series are also currently available on KU. 

This is a funny, quirky, and engaging lighthearted (sometimes silly) paranormal mystery with a talking cat who is a cursed human/brother to the main character, skullduggery, a missing magical tome, and some slapstick alongside heaps of sarcastic drama. 

The mystery is well constructed with a direct and engaging action driven plot. The characterizations and descriptions are a trifle trope-y, but overall it's a solid and diverting read for fans of saucy irreverent funny paranormal books. 

Four stars. With four books in the series, it would make a good choice for a binge/buddy read (bonus points for being in the Kindle Unlimited library).

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

Stemosaurus

 

Stemosaurus is a quirky, colorful, fun picture story about dinosaurs and one brave and clever dino in particular. Written by Andrew Root and illustrated by Mark Chambers, it's due out 22nd July 2025 from Brilliance (Amazon) on their Two Lions imprint. It's 40 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book will be included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. 

The illustrations are whimsical, beautiful, and colorfully appealing. There are lots of small details (like the flowers, background figures, scenery details) which invite readers to stop and take a closer look. The text is in simple free verse and easy enough for new readers to master and understand. It's also a great candidate for a read along in the classroom (with "roar-alongs" from students) or a read-together with an older sibling or adult.

The basic message of being yourself, problem solving, love of reading/learning, and diversity are all positively presented in a simple and accessible manner. 

Four stars. A delightful read and it would make a great selection for public, school, or classroom acquisition, home use, or gift giving.

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

Thursday, February 6, 2025

An Insidious Inheritance - Clara Dawson 1

 

An Insidious Inheritance is the first Clara Dawson historical mystery by Amelie West. Released 28th Jan 2025, it's 303 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 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 well written, creepy paranormal historical mystery set in the depths of the American depression in 1933. Clara inherits a run-down inn after the death of her estranged father. Things almost immediately start going bump (or creak) in the night, and between the hostile locals and inexplicable happenings in the environs, she fears she might be losing her mind. 

The author has a gift with setting, and the entire novel has an edgy, brooding, and threatening aura that is disquieting and compelling in about equal measure. It feels like the tension ratchets up waiting for a jump scare that doesn't materialize. 

The isolated setting adds to the overall Gothic atmosphere. The mystery, denouement, and resolution are self-contained in this volume, though it is marketed as the first of a series; it works well as a standalone.

Four stars. Enjoyable historical mystery. It's not derivative at all, but there are flashes of Shirley Jackson and maybe a little Henry Farrell in the mix. It would make a nice choice for a buddy read or mystery book club selection.

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

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

The Weird and Wonderful World of Bats: Demystifying These Often-Misunderstood Creatures


The Weird and Wonderful World of Bats is a beautifully illustrated and well written monograph on fascinating and often maligned creatures by Dr. Alyson Brokaw. Due out 11th Feb 2025 from Hachette on their Timber Press imprint, it's 312 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

This is an up-to-date collection with information about bats: their anatomy, their niche in the local ecosystems, evolution, range, habitat, diet(s) (hugely varied), their senses and how they interpret and learn, and how *we* learn about *them*. Dr. Brokaw is a behavioral and sensory ecologist and this is her niche/expertise. She writes eloquently and accessibly for average readers.

Although it's not rigorously academic in tone or writing, it is well annotated throughout, and the chapter notes and references are likely worth the price of admission. It will provide many hours of further learning. 

The photography is wonderful throughout, clear and in color, with explanatory captions. Many of the photos throughout are close up/macro shots with incredible detail.

Five stars. This would make an excellent choice for public or (secondary) school library acquisition, home use, or gift giving. Dr. Brokaw's knowledge and passion shine through in the writing. 

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

Murder on a Country Walk - Julia Bird Mysteries #6

 

 

Murder on a Country Walk is the sixth Julia Bird village cozy mystery by Katie Gayle. Released 11th Sept 2024, it's 250 pages and is available in 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The earlier books in the series are also available on KU. 

This is such an engaging modern village cozy with a genuinely appealing female amateur sleuth who's late middle-aged, intelligent and earnest, and generally well meaning. Despite a long career in social services in London, a recent divorce (her husband married their (male) gardener), and other major curveballs, she maintains a mostly positive outlook on life. Having acquired a cozy cottage in a cozy village in the Cotswolds, she's ready for the next adventure which includes a cozy garden with some chickens. The only fly in the ointment is the sudden preponderance of murdered people... Once again, she's into the breach to solve the suspicious deaths.

The author has a deft touch with humour and there were several scenes which surprised a grin or giggle out of me. The characters are well rendered and (mostly) believable within the allowable framework of the genre. It's peopled with the usual small town eccentric characters, and the plot moves along at a good pace.

I also liked that instead of the usual trope-y antagonistic and incompetent local police force, protagonist Julia's ally from the earlier books, DI Hayley Gibson is back on the case once again. They strike up a surprisingly good cooperation again and make a good team.

The main mystery is self contained in this volume, so it works well as a standalone. There are currently six books extant in the series making it a good candidate for a long weekend binge read or buddy read. Genuinely well written and fun to read.

Four stars.

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

 

Monday, February 3, 2025

Super Frenemies! - Simon and Chester #5


Super Frenemies! is the 5th Simon & Chester young reader graphic novel by Cale Atkinson. Released 24th Sept 2024 by Penguin Random House on their Tundra imprint, it's 176 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats. 

This is a touching, funny, human (and ghost) story about cooperation, learning, growing up, facing our own fears and prejudices, and resolving our differences and finding common ground. The story arc is accessible, but the author/artist does a great job of making it engaging, sometimes funny, and serious. There are great messages (about racism, judgement, learning, and cooperation), as well as a solid narrative story. 

Four and a half stars. Nice art, and a good story, well told. This would be a great choice for public or school library, classroom reading circle, or home use. 

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

Compound Fracture


Compound Fracture is an unflinching blood-filled thriller/light horror standalone novel by Andrew Joseph White. Released 3rd Sept 2024, it's 384 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. 

This is marketed as YA, but fair warning, it's *very* brutal in places. It's exceptionally well written, honest, direct, and truly worthwhile, but so bloody and graphic. Having grown up in WVa, and seen firsthand the generational trauma, poverty, desperation, widespread bone-deep racism/sexism/homophobia and violence, the author does an impressive job of getting inside the almost inexplicable choices a lot of the people growing up in rural conservative communities make politically (to continue to be exploited, as long as there are *some* people who are even *more* marginalized and abused than they themselves are). Trigger warnings, homophobia, ableist abuse of neuroatypical/autistic people, transphobia, graphic violence, body horror, opioid abuse, sexual abuse, generational trauma, poverty, and certainly some I'm missing.

It's raw. It's very very well written. 

Four and a half stars. Not an easy read. It would be a good choice for public library acquisition. Likely far too violent/triggering for school library. It's politically relevant to a degree that would make it a very good choice for gender studies/Appalachian studies, allied subjects (American southern rural politics/culture/literature), and allied subjects. 

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

Sunday, February 2, 2025

The Baguette Murders - Brittany Murder Mysteries #3


The Baguette Murders is the third Brittany cozy murder mystery by Anne Penketh. Released 28th Jan 2025 by Joffe Books, it's 234 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 and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The first books in the series are also currently available on KU. 

This is a nice village cozy, set in Brittany and featuring an ensemble cast of expat Brits and locals from the area. The author does a nice job of showing the daily issues and occasional frictions of locals vs. incomers, without being at all preachy or strident. It's a pleasant read and the mystery (if a bit over the top in the details) is well constructed and a good puzzle to work out during. 

It works perfectly well as a standalone with the codicil that the returning characters have a history with one another from earlier books and there will be minor spoilers if read out of order. It is perhaps a tiny bit more graphic than the run of the mill village cozy (head injuries with blood described on page), and there is some moderately strong cursing occasionally, but overall it's not egregious. 

Four stars. Eminently readable and entertaining. It would be a good choice for public library acquisition, home readers, and a good series binge/buddy read.

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

Ramadan on Rahma Road: A Recipe Storybook


Ramadan on Rahma Road is a beautifully colorful illustrated children's storybook with lots of recipes collected and curated by Razeena Omar Gutta and Faaiza Osman. Due out 4th Feb 2025 from Barefoot Books, it's 40 pages and will be available in hardcover format. It's aimed at children aged ~6-8 years (lexile measure 940L), but kids in the target age group will definitely need some adult supervision in prep/cooking the recipes contained here.

This is a true collection of recipes from all over the world, presented in a story about the diverse families living on Rahma Road. The colorful illustrations by Atieh Sohrabi are full of movement and small details that invite readers to take a closer look. It's done in a simple/naive style, but Ms. Sohrabi has done an excellent job of showing the array of foods, clothing, styles, and colors of the characters. 

In addition to the food, the authors have also written a nice wraparound story about the cultural traditions and beliefs of a wide variety of world cultures (Middle East, Africa, Asia, South America, and the Antipodes). 

Four and a half stars. It's a lovely story about diversity, cooperation and friendship. It would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, classroom use, home library or gift giving. 

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

Furever After - Magical Cats Mystery #16


Furever After is the 16th (!!) magical cats cozy paranormal mystery by Sofie Kelly. Released 3rd Sept 2024 by Penguin Random House on their Berkley imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out in 1st quarter 2025. 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 an appealing, well written series with a likeable librarian protagonist as amateur sleuth along with her anthropomorphic/supernaturally gifted kitties and her fiancé who's in law enforcement.  The language is very clean (only an occasional mild curse, nothing worse), there's no graphic on page violence or sexual content, and it's an appealing, satisfying read. In addition, in this installment, there's a nice art theft mystery, some murder, and a visit with the ensemble returning characters.

Although it's the 16th book in the series, the mystery is self contained in this book and it works very well as a standalone, with the understanding that the returning characters have a history, and there will be spoilers for the earlier books if read out of order.

Four stars. It would be a good choice for public library acquisition, for mystery fans, and a binge/buddy read. 

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

Saturday, February 1, 2025

Nothing but the Bones - Bull Mountain #4


Nothing but the Bones is the fourth novel set in Bull Mountain by Brian Panowich. Released 16th April 2024 by Macmillan on their St. Martin's imprint, it's 336 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out from the same publisher in March 2025. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. 

This is an exceptionally well written, albeit gritty/graphic crime novel. The characters are so well rendered and believable (quite often horrifyingly so). The story is peopled with flawed, broken, criminal, bloody characters and the descriptions are unflinching.The story arc staggers from one catastrophic occurrence to the next and it's almost impossible to just look away. It's a compelling story, well told, but not at all pleasant.

There's a jagged honesty in Mr. Panowich's narrative. The denouement and resolution are satisfying but it's a bumpy ride to get there. Despite being the 4th book, it works well as a standalone (and seems to be a prequel and side story to the first books). 

Four stars. Recommended for fans of Joe R. Lansdale, Michael Connolly, Denis Lehane, and Robert B. Parker. 

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

 

 

Monday, January 27, 2025

Murder Of A Hermit - The Fortune Telling Mysteries #3


 

Murder Of A Hermit is the third shopfront paranormal cozy mystery in this series by Carol Miller. Released 4th June 2024 by Severn House, it's 224 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. 

The setting of Asheville, North Carolina, is well written and believable, with the codicil that readers who are intimately familiar with the environs might find discrepancies which aren't obvious to readers from other areas. The irascible ghosts in the attic are back with a vengeance, banging and rattling and threatening to bring the house down (literally) although the author still hasn't really explored the backstory or explained their presence much. 

Much of the characterization, especially secondary characters, is only sketched in *very* lightly. Readers should be prepared to bring a healthy suspension of disbelief. (Then again, there are ghosts in the attic, so there's that). The mystery itself, denouement, solution (supernatural deux-ex-machina) and resolution will strain most readers' suspension of disbelief.

Three stars. Readable, very light, and mostly enjoyable. It works well enough as a standalone, and with three books in the series, it would make a good candidate for a mini-binge/buddy read. Clean language and content, it would also be good for public library acquisition.

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

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Scotzilla - Last Ditch Mystery #7

 

Scotzilla is the seventh cozy(ish) Last Ditch mystery by Catriona McPherson. Released 3rd Dec 2024 by Severn House, it's 240 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. Paperback due out in late 3rd 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 throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. 

This is such an exuberantly fun murder mystery. An ensemble cast who are a found family of oddballs living in and around a small motel, living their lives in one another's pockets and solving a string of odd/cruel pranks in a local cemetery and the occasional murder. They couldn't possibly be more disparate; plucked from different cultures, socioeconomic strata, backgrounds, orientations, and family makeups, they're knitted together by circumstances and their apparently genuine fondness for one another. 

Faced with an indisputably murdered corpse, they are determined to sleuth out the guilty party and set about investigating in their own inimitable way. The "whodunit" and "how" is an impressively funny comedy of errors which reads like a cross between I Love Lucy, Scooby-Doo, and Queer Eye, with a little comedic Lost in Translation for good measure.

All the dispararate subplots wind together quickly into a satisfying (and exciting) denouement and resolution. The author has quite a talent with comedic timing.

Four and a half stars. Definitely a good one for fans of comedic light murder cozies. It would make an excellent choice for public library acquisition, cozy fans, or a great series binge/buddy read.

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

 

Monday, January 20, 2025

A Happy Beginning

 

A Happy Beginning is a well written debut novel by B.A. Richards. Due out 21st Jan 2025 it's 359 pages and will be 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.

This is pure escapist romantic fantasy, genderqueer friendly, told in a dual PoV between the two main characters, a fae princeling who is also living in the human world and working as an attorney, and a human businessman and entrepreneur. There's a fair bit of explicit content (M/M), so readers should be seeking a spicy read, or at least ok with that. The author does a good job with it, and it's surprisingly not cringey at all. The language (and content) are at least R-rated+. Definitely NSFW/commute (unless the e-reader is well figleafed). 

The story is engaging, and the characters are well rendered and not just "body parts"... they have real motivations and thoughts. The plot is complete, with a magic and political systems which are well constructed and thought out (not just tacked on to bridge the gaps between the sexy scenes).

Four stars. It seems to be a series opener. It's an indi-pub, and quite explicitly spicy, so probably not appropriate or easily accessible for public library acquisition, but for romantasy fans, it's a good start.

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

Sunday, January 19, 2025

Star-Crossed Egg Tarts - Magical Fortune Cookie #2

 

Star-Crossed Egg Tarts is the second charming light paranormal cozy mystery by Jennifer J. Chow. Due out 21st Jan 2025 from Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 343 pages and will be available in paperback, mass-market 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.

This is a well written, engaging, series from a consistently prolific *readable* author. The series features a young Asian American protagonist whose family bakery bakes slightly magical sweets. Felicity and Kelvin are again at the center of a murder investigation when they almost literally trip over the body of a member of the wedding party in a wedding they're serving (as caterer and florist)

The character driven plot moves along at a good pace, and the mystery is well engineered and appealing. It's nice to see healthy supportive relationships. Kelvin's always there for Felicity and they make a nice pair of amateur sleuths. It's also nice that the local police detective isn't incompetent or antagonistic, and they semi-bond over the microaggressions and racism-lite that people of color live with every day in the USA. 

Four stars. Eminently readable and pleasant. The language is clean, and there's no on-page graphic violence. The author/publisher have also included some crafty recipes (almond cookies, floral boutonniere, and votive holders) at the back of the book in classic cozy mystery style.

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

 

The Stars Turned Inside Out


The Stars Turned Inside Out is an engaging and well written standalone thriller/SF/mystery by Nova Jacobs. Released 19th March 2024 by Simon & Schuster on their Atria imprint, it's 320 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out mid-Feb 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.

This is a science rich but entirely accessible mystery set in and around CERN (European theoretical physics lab in Switzerland where the Large Hadron Collider resides). The actual theoretical physics involved is not at all too much for general readers to process, however, the dual timeline, uneven pacing, and almost clinical descriptions might be a little more problematic. 

It's a mystery, and the plot is so well engineered and set up and resolved so cleverly, that readers who enjoy cerebral puzzle mysteries will likely love it. There are integral touches of magical realism which was an interesting choice for a book about physicists, but not a deal-breaker. Generally fair play, full of a generous helping of philosophy, religious musings, society, climate, and the nature of the universe and our place in it, albeit unevenly paced. 

Four stars. It would be a good selection for public library acquisition, science fiction fans, and possibly a book club discussion or buddy read.

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

Fatal Foul Play


Fatal Foul Play is a standalone locked room/isolated classic style murder mystery by David S. Pederson featuring an isolated setting and a group of friends, at least one of whom is a murderer. Released 12th Nov 2024 by Bold Strokes Books, it's 242 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 and references throughout.

Isolated lodge setting, group of 8 friends (including ex lovers, frenemies, and two couples), and a debilitating snowstorm sets the stage for murder which only happens around 80% into the book. (There's a prologue murder which isn't really discussed much until the denouement). Although the characters' ages are firmly in the middle aged (40-60) range, they act and think like young adults. There's so much drama and relationship re-hashing that it was frankly a bit of a trial to get through.

The mystery itself is competently constructed and does eventually tie up all the loose ends, including the prologue political murder/suicide which seemingly has no relation to the plot of the novel. It's told in third person, but the characters are so interchangeable that it's very difficult to keep them straight. It might be worthwhile to have a scorecard to keep track of the dramatis personae, since there are only 8 principal players. 

Three stars. It's full of drama and snark, but the author does get to a resolution in the end. Potentially worth a look for fans of gay friendly classic form mystery.

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

A Talent for Murder - Henry Kimball/Lily Kintner #3


A Talent for Murder is the third novel by Peter Swanson featuring Kimball & Kintner. Released 11th June 2024 by HarperCollins on their William Morrow imprint, it's 272 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. (Paperback due out from the same publisher in late May 2025). 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 cleverly constructed atmospheric and highly character driven mystery/thriller. Although the actual plot works fine as a standalone, the main characters' relationship and background setup are spoiled for the earlier books if read out of order. They're fairly quick reads, so this would be a good choice for a long weekend binge read. 

The pacing is taut and the story moves at an engaging pace at least in the first 50% of the book (which certainly isn't always the case with psychological thrillers). The second half does have some minor pacing issues with a surprising amount of re-hashing and characters evaluating earlier content, but overall, it's not too obtrusive.

The denouement and resolution are a trifle predictable but satisfying and complete. The author is undeniably talented and writes very coherently, readably, and well. It's a murder thriller, so there is graphic content and descriptions of violence (and sexual violence).

Four stars. It would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, thriller fans, or a binge/buddy read.

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

Friday, January 17, 2025

The Curious Kitchen Gardener: Uncommon Plants and How to Eat Them


The Curious Kitchen Gardener is a graphically appealing and well written volume full of unusual/rare/little known plants for gardeners with recipes written by Linda Ziedrich. Due out 25th February 2025 from Hachette on their Timber Press imprint, it's 268 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

This is a fun collection of 33 lesser known or not-currently-popular edible plants, fruits, tubers, and vegetables collected in an almanac format by chapters for each plant. The plants include well known plants which are used for other purposes (lavender, poppies) as well as plants which *should* be much more popular and utilized (haskap, artichoke, Makah Ozette potatoes and others). 

Each chapter includes specifics about the history and background of each plant, along with photos (in most, but not all cases), along with a recipe utilizing the fruit/veg/flowering part of each plant. Recipes are varied and interesting, and most of the other ingredients will be easily available from any well stocked grocery store in North America. 

One drawback with the book is that the author does not include culture info for the entries, so it's not clear (without further investigation) what climate ranges the plants will do well in. The author/publisher have included a short seed and plant supplier list to get readers started on sourcing plants and supplies. 

Four stars. Well photographed and full of inspiration for gardeners to explore and stretch their gardening muscles. It would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, home use, gardening groups, smallholders, and gift giving.

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

Thursday, January 16, 2025

Frankie


Frankie is delightfully witty, deeply engaging historical fiction from Graham Norton. Released 14th Jan 2025 by HarperCollins on their HarperVia imprint, it's 304 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.

Fans of the author's work in video/tv media will likely be surprised by the depth and quality of the writing (since print media is emphatically not the same as TV), but here is a happy surprise: the author is adept, indeed quite talented, at both. This was a fun read from start to finish. It's quite often poignant, and nostalgic, and especially for readers who remember the 90s and AIDS epidemic, and losing our friends way too young, this story will bring back lots of memories. 

The language is evocative and well wrought and the characters are distinct and believable. Frankie herself is lovely, and honestly someone readers will wish were part of their own real lives. She's irascible (she's broken an ankle and impatient to be up and about) but irresistible and full of history. The pacing is quite measured, it's 100% character driven and there's not a lot of action. 

So intelligent and well written. Highly recommended. It would make an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home reading, or a really fine book club selection or buddy read. 

Five stars. 

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