Crochet Scandinavian Christmas Gnomes: Miniatures for the Mischievous Gnome in Your Home

 

Crochet Scandinavian Christmas Gnomes is an adorable collection of holiday themed tutorials for crochet projects by Annelie Kojic. Originally published in German in 2023, this reformatted English translation was released 16th Sept 2025 by Callisto. It's 112 pages and is available in softcover and ebook formats. 

The projects (see cover illustration) are very cute and made up of simple geometric shapes. The projects include the dolls themselves along with a selection of accessories and furnishings which every stylish Christmas Gnome might need (including a Christmas pudding and all the trimmings). The patterns are all written out longhand (no charts), and are generally easy enough that an intermediate beginner shouldn't run into many problems. 

There aren't any tutorial process photos, but all projects have a finished/posed photo. 

Four stars. This would be a good choice for public library acquisition, maker's groups, studio library, or for the home crafter.

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

Zine Making and Bookbinding: A Beginner's Guide in 25 Projects

 

Zine Making and Bookbinding is a good, accessible, beginner friendly collection of tutorials for self-published 'zines and small bound projects curated by Lauren Simkin Berke. Due out 28th April 2026 from Chronicle, it's 184 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

The author has an encouraging, very casual vibe, and presupposes no prior knowledge or experience. All the background and techniques are explained clearly and without too much formality. The introduction includes tools and supplies (and how to use them), followed by thematic chapters on bindings, zine/book types, accordion forms, pop-ups, tunnel/layered forms, and includes an abbreviated (but useful) list of resources and links. 

There is no photography, the illustrations (see cover art) are simple line drawn in calm/retro colors throughout. 

Four stars. It would be a good choice for public library acquisition, makers' studios, guild libraries, and home library.

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

The Baby Dragon Bakery - The Baby Dragon #2

 

The Baby Dragon Bakery is a cute sweetly fluffy friends-to-lovers romantasy by A.T. Qureshi, and the second book in the series. Released 28th Aug 2025 by HarperCollins on their Avon imprint, it's 336 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. 

Very cute, very fluffy, with a very YA vibe. Lots of heartfelt drama and a nice (fluffy) ending. There aren't quite as many adorable baby dragons in this follow-up volume as the first book in the series, but there are some. This book has some returning cast, but the plot centers around a different couple and different setting (as does book 3; due out in 1st quarter 2026). 

Three and a half stars. It would make a good choice for public library acquisition, or a short binge/buddy/beach read. 

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

Building Patterns: Ultimate Guide to Designing Patterns for Clothing

 

Designing Patterns for Clothing is a well written and accessible tutorial guide and primer for sewists and designers, curated and written by Suzanne Furrer. Released 9th Sept 2025 by Fox Chapel on their Landauer imprint, it's 280 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. 

The guide and tutorials are very encouraging and accessible, the author has a good grasp of technique and presents info in a straightforward, logical manner. This is a solid general guide, and will give broad basic tuition in straightforward forms and basic shapes. The info presented is arranged logically and thematically in chapters. 

Although there are no -specific- tutorials for more elaborate/costume/cosplay type variations, moderately confident beginners could definitely use the info contained in this volume to branch out into more elaborate forms and variations without too much trouble.

It's an encyclopedic volume and would make an excellent resource for the home sewist's reference library as well as group studio shared spaces and library acquisition.

Five stars. 

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

 

The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective - Marigold Cottages Murders #1

 

The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective is a cute, very light cozy mystery series opener by pseudonymous duo Jo Nichols. Released 19th Aug 2025 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 368 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out from the same author in July 2026. 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. 

Multiple tangled parallel points of view and a large (often confusing) cast of characters. They're a bit trope-y, so after a few chapters they're easier to keep straight whilst reading. There's more than a whiff of homage to Osman's Thursday Murder Club with a bit of Alan Bradley (Flavia de Luce) and Alexander McCall-Smith (Mma Ramotswe) thrown into the mix. Whilst not absolutely top shelf (as the others), it's entertaining, engaging, and well constructed. 

The second book in the series is due out in third quarter 2026 from the same publisher.

Four stars. Well worth a look for public library acquisition, fans of light cozies featuring an eccentric cast of "mature" amateur sleuths, and it would be great as a buddy read. 

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

 

 

Changing Woman's Hair

 

Changing Woman's Hair is a trippy magical realism mystery/thriller by Jan D. Payne and the second book to feature Marin Sinclair. Released 15th Sept 2025, it's 380 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. 

Conspiracy, domestic terrorism, corruption, politics, and murder set against a backdrop of native culture and featuring larger elements (including magic and time travel). It's an odd, dichotomous mix, but works fairly well in context. The violent elements (including sexual assault, drugs, gun violence, physical assault, and more) are well written, and about average description-wise for the psychological political thriller genre. 

The climax, denouement, and resolution were a bit over the top and deux-ex-machina, but overall, given the rest of the magical realism written into the plot, weren't completely egregious. There's more than a little Leaphorn/Chee energy to the writing, but with the added magical elements, manages to skirt the edge of actual homage. 

Fans of Hillerman (either one),  Craig Johnson, and the others will probably find this one enjoyable, but be forewarned, the magical realism and parallel timelines is a big part of the whole. 

Four stars. 

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

The Carpool Detectives: A True Story of Four Moms, Two Bodies, and One Mysterious Cold Case

 

The Carpool Detectives is a fictionalized account of an amateur cold case murder investigation by Chuck Hogan. Released 29th July 2025 by Penguin Random House, 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. 

2020, pandemic looming, 4 moms who are transitioning from working outside their homes to full-time stay-at-home momlife, meet up and are drawn together over their shared love of true crime podcasts and cold case murder. For (American) readers who lived through the pandemic and just want to forget all about it, be warned that covid is a major character in the narrative, and there are lots and lots of discussions about distancing, masking up, etc. There was also some weirdly backhanded complimenting of the women's thinking and researching ability which came across (especially from a male author) as "wow, these gals sure are smart and clever, who would've believed it?!" which fell a bit flat. That's not a huge complaint though, and probably won't register with a casual read-through. 

The pacing is methodical and sometimes a bit slow, not plodding, but definitely not high-octane. Happily, and unusually for true crime, the book's not sensationalized, there are no lurid crime scene photos splashed all over and it's written respectfully. The denouement and resolution are somewhat diffuse and vaguely unsatisfying. There's no "gotcha" moment for the bad guys with a slick courtroom climax. 

It's moderately well written (especially for fictionalized true-crime), and a diverting read, especially for the genre. 

Four stars. It would be a good choice for public library acquisition as well as die-hard true-crime fans.

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

Bandy

 

Bandy is a poignant middle grade+ historical novel by Craig R. Hipkins. Released 15th Feb 2024, it's 337 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 but quite sad historical novel with some uncomfortable and unflinching representations of the racism and casual cruelty of the time period (late 19th century USA). The pacing is somewhat uneven, but the characterizations and deeply detailed scenery compensate to a large degree. It's quite a long book for the recommended age group. 

Three and a half stars. Often -very- sad and overall impressions are quite melancholy. 

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

500 Sewing Tips, Tricks, Techniques, and Hacks: Must-Have Manual for Easy and Accurate Sewing

 

500 Sewing Tips, Tricks, Techniques, and Hacks is a nice general guide full of tips for increasing productivity and enjoyment and getting the most out of sewing time, collected and curated by Ashley Hough. Due out 24th Feb 2026 in Oceania (Aus/NZ/PNG) from Fox Chapel on their Landauer imprint, it's 280 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. Book released in other English speaking areas and available from Nov 2025. 

This is an easy to understand and use collection of tips and hacks for sewing and fiber arts. The pages are full of short entries (several per page); most are one or two paragraphs, enhanced with illustrations and photos. The tips are arranged thematically: tools, techniques, patterns, closures, finishing, hand sewing, needle knowledge, thread, fabric, and form and function. 

The author has an upbeat casual voice and a solid grasp on technique. 

Four stars. This would be an excellent choice for public or home library reference, and for sewing/makers groups.  

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

A Cyclist's Guide to Villains & Vines - A Cyclist's Guide Mystery #2

 

A Cyclist's Guide to Villains & Vines is the 2nd book in a fun cycling themed cozy series by Ann Claire. Released 27th May 2025 by Kensington, it's 368 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. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The first book in the series is also currently available on KU. 

This is a very cozy light destination mystery, with a tour guide and a group of mature cyclists in France's countryside to enjoy wonderful food and cycling and making memories. Murder soon throws a wrench in the spokes; even moreso when they discover that one of the group has ties to the victim. 

Despite being a cozy (with an expectedly high suspension of disbelief), these characters are *often* completely out of control. They're so over the top that some readers (at least *this* reader) will often be yanked out of the story. Nevertheless, the story is entertaining, the mystery is well engineered with a satisfying (if over-the-top) climax and denouement, and the descriptions of food and setting are well rendered and easy to picture.

Three and a half stars. With 2 books extant in the series (both on kindle unlimited), it would make a good mini-binge or buddy read.

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

 

We Dig Ammonites: Fact, Folklore, and History

 

We Dig Ammonites is a no-nonsense guide curated and written by paleontology field associate for the American Museum of Natural History, Jodi Summers. Due out 23rd Dec 2025 from the Columbia University Press, it's  320 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

This is both a fascinating natural history monograph as well as a guide built for collectors and rockhounds with tips to sourcing, legalities of shipping and collecting, and includes a field manual. It's full of clear photos and an impressive amount of origin/location information for specific species. There -is- a fair amount of paleohistory and background biology/nomenclature, but the true focus of the book is where to find, how to acquire, and how to learn about and understand ammonites. Admittedly niche, but really cool. 

The book's sections are arranged logically and accessibly: background history, nomenclature, cultural history, impact and use for dating -other- fossils, general fossil paleohistory, locations in the modern world, physiology & morphology of Ammonoidea, typical diet & predators, some cultural background info, and much more. The author is very knowledgeable and her writing style is inclusive and friendly. Despite being a very esoteric hobby, the language is (-mostly-) layman accessible and fun to read. 

The photography throughout is very clear. Although it's not rigorously annotated, the author/publisher have included a comprehensive bibliography arranged by chapter, which will provide many hours of further reading and learning. Nomenclature throughout is correct at the time of publication and to international zoological standards.

Four stars. It would make a superlative choice for public or post-secondary library acquisition, home use, and professional reference. 

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

 

The Pickled City: The Story of New York Pickles

 

The Pickled City is an engaging and well written monograph on the intersection and history of pickles and pickling in New York City by Paul Van Ravenstein & Monique Mulder. Due out 31st March 2026 from  Princeton Architectural Press, it's 224 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

This is one for the foodies and cultural history fans. Pickling is one of the oldest forms for preserving a harvest and human history has been tied inextricably to salting and pickling for thousands of years. The authors have presented a fascinating glimpse into the history of pickles in the New World, especially commercially and in ethnic populations in New York. 

It's illustrated throughout with hundreds of photos, illustrations, facsimile records, and contemporary graphics/ads. Highlighted text-box captions are easy to understand. 

Four and a half stars. It's decidedly niche, but really fun and chock full of interesting party trivia (How on Earth did you know *that*??!!). It would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, home use, or gift giving to the foodies on the gift list.

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

Mince Pies and Murder - Morwenna Mutton Mystery #4

 

Mince Pies and Murder is the fourth Morwenna Mutton cozy by J.R. Leigh. Released 23rd Aug 2025 by Boldwood Books, it's 354 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. The other books in the series are also currently available on KU.

This is a nice, well written cozy set in Cornwall, featuring an eccentric 60something amateur sleuth and her friends and family. It's a returning ensemble cast with assists from local police constable Sally, Morwenna's ex husband, her daughter and granddaughter, and eccentric locals. Although it's the 4th book in the series, it works well enough as a standalone, with the codicil that the backstory and relationships have developed over the course of the previous books and there will be some spoilers if read out of order.  

The language is PG rated for some uses of profanity, there are no graphic descriptions on-page, and the resolution, and denouement are mostly satisfying, if heavily foreshadowed. The writing is competent and the dialogue not clunky or awkward.

There are currently 4 books in the series (with a 5th book due out in 3rd quarter 2026). It would make a good choice for a binge or buddy read. Although reviewers have compared it to Osman's Thursday Murder Club, it compares better (and more favorably) to Peter Boland's Charity Shop Mysteries. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 8 hours 39 minutes and is capably read by series narrator Jilly Bond. She has a well modulated voice and does a great job of often rapid fire dialogue and a range of ages and regional accents. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read. 

Four stars. It would be a good choice for readers who enjoy light amateur sleuth cozies featuring eccentric mature female sleuths. Morwenna is charming and refreshingly intelligent.

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

 

Big Bad Wool - Sheep Detective Story #2

 

Big Bad Wool is an offbeat mystery featuring anthropomorphic animal "sleuths" alongside humans written by Leonie Swann. Originally released in German in 2009, this English language translation was released by Soho Press on their Soho Crime imprint. It's 384 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out from the same publisher in late 2nd quarter 2026. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. For readers who are familiar with the author's Agnes Sharp books, this book is in much the same vein. 

Definitely whimsical and at the same time brooding and off-kilter, this is an atmospheric mystery told in parallel third person perspective from both the sheep and human characters. The human dialogue is related in sheep-perspective and none of them are particularly intellectually gifted (even for sheep). The spend most of the book trying to avoid the vet and the shadowy malign "shapeshifter" who's stalking the locals. 

The translation work by Amy Bojang is seamless and works perfectly, without clunky or awkward scansion or diction.  

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 12 hours 24 minutes and is capably read by series narrator Caroline Lennon. She has a well modulated light alto voice and does a great job of the -massive- cast of characters, including sheep, goats, and humans (of a range of accents from Irish to French). It's a huge cast of characters and she does a good job of delineating them. The print formats include a dramatis personae list, and it's probably worth accessing. 

Although it's the second book, it works well enough as a standalone, and it's not necessary to have read them in order to figure out what's going on. It's an odd book, and would make a good choice for public library acquisition, home library, or a buddy read.  

Three and a half stars. 

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

The Essential Guide to Bulbs: Grow a Bounty of Beautiful Bulbs in Gardens and Containers

 

The Essential Guide to Bulbs is a beautifully photographed tutorial guide to selecting and using flowering bulbs by gardening expert Jenny Rose Carey. Released 14th Oct 2025 by Hachette on their Timber Press imprint, it's 348 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. 

This is a huge, encyclopedic, and very well arranged primer on bulbs and how to grow and deploy them successfully in a wide variety of situations, containers, beds, and naturalized. The author's writing voice is unforced and layman accessible, but where the book really shines is the photography. It's as much an inspiration book to pore over during garden planning as it is theory/tutorial.

Correct binomial (Latin) nomenclature is used throughout, alongside common names where applicable. Specific varieties are named in the text. It's unusual to find gardening books which have something for every level of expertise, and this one does deliver, from the beginner trying to select some daffodils for a spring container by an entryway to the professional gardener selecting for large installations or customers. 

Five stars. This would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, home use, smallholders, gardening/community garden/allotment libraries, and similar uses.

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

Voices of the Elysian Fields: A Jonathan Gray, M.D. Mystery

 

Voices of the Elysian Fields is a gritty procedural featuring medical examiner Dr. Jonathan Gray written by Michael Rigg. Released 8th April 2025 by Level Best Books, it's 344 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. 

Moody with palpable tension and a shocking amount of action driven plot (especially considering the main character is a physician), Dr. Gray is engaging and sympathetic. He's intelligent and honest and fighting against a corrupt and powerful system. The book is set in New Orleans and the setting is as much a character as any of the living characters in the story. The author does an excellent job of bringing the city and its culture to life. 

It's emphatically not a cozy book and there are vivid descriptions (including medical terminology) of violence and corruption in government agencies and employees. The plot is full of twists and manages to be genuinely surprising in places. The denouement and resolution are mostly satisfying and self-contained in this volume.

Three and a half stars. It would be a good choice for public or home library acquisition. Recommended for fans of medical procedurals, and especially for fans of NOLA.

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

All My Bones - Old Juniper Bookstore Mysteries #2

 

All My Bones is the second Old Juniper Bookstore cozy shopfront mystery by P.J. Nelson. Due out 2nd Dec 2025 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 352 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out from the same publisher in 4th quarter 2026. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

Another small town bookstore cozy, but engaging and well constructed, with the requisite eccentric secondary characters, and an indelible Southern USA (Georgia) flavor. It's a trifle longer than the average small town shopfront cozy, and consequently the pacing is a trifle uneven and slow in places. That being said, the author manages to put all the working parts in the right places, and the mystery, denouement, and resolution are fair play and satisfying. Some of the motivations for the crimes in the book are over the top and unrealistic, but not completely out of bounds for the genre. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 9 hours 49 minutes and is capably read by series narrator Hallie Bee Bard. She has a well modulated, slightly breathy alto, and for this read, a syrupy deep south Georgian American accent. There are some points where the more rapid dialogue exchanges get a bit confused as far as character delineation goes, but it's not egregious, and it is easy enough to tell them apart that it never becomes confusing. 

Three and a half stars. It would make a good choice for public library acquisition, home use, or a buddy read. 

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

Flora: The Secret Language of Plants in Art

 

Flora is a well written and fascinating monograph deep dive into floral symbolism in classical art by Dr. Hope Werness. Released 28th Oct 2025 by Hachette on their Timber Press imprint, it's 240 pages and is available in hardcover format. 

Beautifully illustrated throughout, the intelligently written (layman accessible) text is peppered with historical art, illustrations, facsimiles, and records. The information is arranged thematically: trees, flowers, fruits vegetables & seasonings, and grains grasses & vines. The author writes engagingly and in simple precise language which isn't dry or overly academic. 

The author is very well versed in her subject matter and writes accurately and "shows her work" in cultural and historical references, drawing subtle but logical conclusions from the material. The chapter notes are likely worth the price of the book alone and will provide keen readers with many hours of further reading and exploration. She must be a heck of a professor and her students and colleagues are lucky to move in the same orbits. Very interesting info, very well presented. 

It's admittedly a niche subject, but fascinating nonetheless. 

Five stars, it would be a superlative choice for public or post-secondary school library acquisition, home library, gardening / art interested discussion groups, or gift giving. 

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

A Wonderful Christmas Crime

 

A Wonderful Christmas Crime is the 6th Christmas Tree Farm cozy village mystery by Jacqueline Frost. Released 21st Oct 2025 by Crooked Lane Books, it's 288 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 very light cozy; Christmas themed comfort reading. Lots of things are happening in Mistletoe, Maine, and not all of them are wonderful. Theft and murder are a definite damper on holiday festivities, and again, right on schedule, MC Holly White's in the middle of things. Apparently something about rural Maine brings out the crime in people. Like Jessica Fletcher, the crime statistics are off-the-charts. Nevertheless, for fans of fluffy crime novels, this one is a nice addition and fits well with the series. As always, the village is full of harmlessly eccentric oddball secondary characters, and the resolution and denouement push the boundaries of the suspension of disbelief, but overall it's fair-play and enjoyable.  

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 8 hours 16 minutes and is read by Allyson Ryan. She has a professionally trained neutral American accent and although some of the "Mainer" and "Swedish" accents aren't 100%, it's absolutely not intrusive and doesn't detract from the read. She does a good job with a number of voices of both sexes and a range of ages from very young to elderly. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.

Four stars. It's a long ongoing series and recommended for public library acquisition, home use, or a long(ish) binge/buddy read. Although this is book 6, it works well enough as a standalone, with the understanding that the returning ensemble cast has a long back-history and there will be spoilers for earlier books if read out of order. This is a -very- light cozy; language and content are clean, and violence occurs off-page.

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

 

Strange Ways To Die in the Tudor Ages

 

Strange Ways To Die in the Tudor Ages is a well written and engaging look at life and life expectancies in Tudor England by Emily Bush and Carrie Ingram-Gettins. Released 31st Aug 2025 by Pen & Sword History, it's 256 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. Worldwide release outside the UK is set for 30th Jan 2026. 

Sometimes irreverent, there's a solid historical basis for the information contained and the authors manage to bridge the gap between dark humor and pathos quite well. They cover politically derived causes (Henry VIII was a dangerous guy to cross as were his offspring), natural causes (disease, pathogens, bad food/environmental causes), floods, starvation, accidents (so many unpleasant (and dumb) ways to die), wars, and more or less what readers would expect from the title and description.

The authors are not academics and the book is not heavily annotated or referenced. This is definitely aimed at fans of the period who aren't academics themselves (at least not academically inclined -in the subject-). Professional historians will likely miss the rigor of more academic based research, peer review, annotations, or rigorous bibliographic info. It is lightly humorous and quite amusing, so gains some in that respect.

Four stars. This is an illuminating and interesting book of history and never dryly academic or boring. This would be a good selection for public library acquisition, home library, and for fans of history, culture, and the macabre. 

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