Sirgrus Blackmane Demihuman Gumshoe and The Dark-Elf

 

Sirgrus Blackmane Demihuman Gumshoe and The Dark-Elf is a hard boiled PI mystery with a fantasy setting. Due out 27th May 2021 from BHC Press, it's 220 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats at release. 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. 

I've been a fan of gritty noir books (and films) since forever. I revisit many of my perennial favorites often. My pantheon includes Hammett, Cain, Chandler, and Hughes, and this fantasy twist on the hardboiled PI archetype kept me engaged from the first chapter. 

With the codicil that the main protagonist isn't a human (he's a dwarf) and the setting isn't earth (it's alternate-earth-slightly post WW1 prohibition era USA New York(ish)), this could be a period piece straight out of the 1940s pulps. 

There are some grim/heavy themes: abduction, prostitution, corruption, sexual abuse, drug abuse, PTSD, and war (to name a few). Sirgrus is trying to keep his head above water (and attached to his neck) pay the bills and keep his trauma from the war from overwhelming him. Despite those facts, there really is quite a lot of humor here, and I found myself smiling often whilst reading. 

The dialogue is very well done and true to the spirit of the period. The characters were well fleshed out and believable and although I had a pretty good grasp on where the author was going into the denouement and resolution, there were a few twists I didn't see coming at all. Well played, Mr Schlichter, well played. 

I sincerely hope this wasn't a one-off standalone novel and I will be eagerly looking forward to future adventures. 

This would be a good one for fans of hard boiled detective fiction, period fantasy, and PI fiction. Really well done. Four stars.

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

The Custard Corpses

The Custard Corpses is a well written WW2 police procedural set in England and written by M.J. Porter. Released 25th March 2021 it's 225 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. 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.

This is the author's first foray into the more modern era. Quite possibly having been used to settings in the quite distant past, the relatively recent setting of WW2 era Birmingham wasn't too much of a stretch. I was impressed with the verisimilitude of the characters, the dialogue, and the setting. I'm often an unwilling stickler for anachronisms and continuity (my friends hate my continuity game), and nothing jumped out at me here. It's very much a procedural with an ensemble group along with Chief Inspector Mason trying to unravel a very cold-case child murder more than 20 years old. 

The characters are distinct and well rendered. The setting (as stated) is pitch perfect. The only thing that felt off-kilter to me was the fact that there's a fair bit of banter and light humour and the book's murders are about as dark as it's possible to *be*. The murders (over several decades) are children and the denouement and resolution struck me as so bizarrely creepy (but well done), that the sort of humorous banter just added maybe a bit too much ick factor for me to really relax and enjoy the read. The author is both prolific and talented; it was unquestionably intentional, it just felt a bit too much to me. For readers who really like that sort of creepy vibe, there's a lot to enjoy here.

Four stars. Well written. I would recommend it to fans of period British police procedurals. 

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

Sea of Kings

Sea of Kings is a fun midde-grade adventure by Melissa Hope. Released 27th April 2021 by North Star Editions on their Jolly Fish imprint, it's 352 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. 

This is a well written epic quest adventure for more advanced middle grade readers. The length of the book and the methodically developed plot are better suited to readers who already have a reading habit. It's almost certainly too long for a classroom read, but would make a good choice for a long-project bedtime read. There are tons of secondary characters with potential for fun narration possibilities. 

Protagonist Noa is a bookish 13 year old. His relationship with his burly brother, Dagan, is full of (mostly) affectionate sibling rivalry. Their dialogue is impressively written, full of teasing and competition between them, but solidly supportive when it's them against antagonistic forces from outside. 

The book is full of pirates,  an ensemble group of young adventurers, villains, and a little magic. There are themes of family, friendship, loyalty, and making difficult choices.  The epilogue strongly hints at a sequel. I'm looking forward to seeing how the story develops.

I enjoyed it a lot, with the codicil that it's a long read for younger kids. 

Four stars. 

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

Queer Icons and Their Cats

Queer Icons and Their Cats is a stylish and affectionate look at beautiful kitties and their dedicated humans. Due out 1st June 2021 from Chronicle Books, it's 112 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

This is an illustrated collection of 40 LGBTQ+ icons and the kitties they adore. The chapters are arranged alphabetically and include an array of actors, musicians, artists, writers, and cultural icons alongside their beautiful animal companions (mostly cats, but there are a few canines who are included alongside their feline siblings). The pictures are accompanied by short and informal blurbs about the artists and what they're best known for. The accompanying photos are mostly taken from public archives and aren't "coffee table book" polished... in fact most are quite informal and a number of them appear to be from the subjects' personal collections. Each of the short biographies is accompanied by a photo of the subject and one or more cats.

A number of the subjects are sadly departed; many are still with us. I loved that the authors made the salient and touching point that our cats are one of the most unacknowledged social support networks for LGBTQ+ people. 

Four stars. This would make a good selection for gift-giving for cat loving friends and acquaintances. 

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

Blueberry Love: 46 Sweet and Savory Recipes for Pies, Jams, Smoothies, Sauces, and More

Blueberry Love is a beautifully presented collection of recipes developed and collected by Cynthia Graubart.Due out 27th April 2021 from Storey, it's 104 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

I really love blueberries. Second to strawberries, they're my favorite fruit (sorry). I love them in everything, and honestly there are some dishes which they give a star turn, such as blueberry muffins, cheesecakes, and in smoothies. I am also a keen gardener and the last few years have seen me expanding my blueberry bushes by propagating my bushes and getting starts from my gardening friends. That means the months between the middle of August to October are full of wonderful tart sweet healthy blueberries around here. Normally I make a lot of jam, but this cookbook came at exactly the perfect time for me.

An introduction contains lots of logical tips for handling and cooking with blueberries as well as kitchen notes and some comments on ingredients and pantry choices for best results. The recipes themselves are arranged roughly thematically in chapters: Breakfast, Salads & Sides, Lunch & Dinner, and Dessert.

The recipes have an introduction header and description with ingredients listed bullet style in a sidebar. Ingredient measures are given in US standard only followed by step by step directions. Required ingredients are easily sourced and will be available at any well stocked grocery store.There are a few gluten free and many vegetarian friendly recipes included. 

The photography and food styling are exceptionally well done and attractive. I found myself flipping through the recipes and having trouble deciding what I wanted to try first - they all look really good. In the end, we tried the sautéed pork tenderloin with blueberry balsamic mustard glaze and the instant pot blueberry swirl cheesecake (love my intant pot. and cheesecake. and blueberries). Both recipes were easy to follow and gave extremely good results. The balsamic glaze was -amazing- and I've tried it since then with huge success on chicken fillets. I fully intend to use it on a roast chicken and possibly on the Thanksgiving turkey. I'm not joking about the glaze - it's the best marinade/glaze I've ever done ... the author is definitely onto something here.

Five stars. This is a must have for gardeners (or readers with a pick-your-own farm or wild blueberries within driving distance) who are looking for ways to use up those glorious delicious little blue globes. 

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

Tables and Spreads: A Go-To Guide for Beautiful Snacks, Intimate Gatherings, and Inviting Feasts

Tables and Spreads is an accessible and *useful* guide to putting together inviting tables from the smallest gatherings to feasts. Due out 4th May 2021 from Chronicle Books, it's 288 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

This is a complete guide from the planning phase (what, how many, season, where, resources) through to completion for beautiful, timely, appropriate, inviting, and tastefully presented spreads - from the simplest nibbles with friends, to a lush extravaganza. I really felt as though this book was like a well equipped and experienced event planner, reassuring and sensible and with an enviable sense of style. I loved that there are charts and questionnaires to fill out to help readers define the scope of their event and get a solid idea of planning and making a timeline (that was worth the price of the book to me). 

There are so many practical takeaways here - everything from choosing flavors and balancing flavors and textures, to serving utensils, containers, glassware, dinnerware, and more. This is the stuff which those of us who grew up without a subscription to Southern Living and Town & Country probably missed out on. Tablescaping is given its own chapter (including flowers, music, tablecloths and runners, and general wow-factor), as well as different spreads for consideration. 

The recipe section is full of appetizing recipes which are included in numerous casual to fancy spreads - there are brunches (of course), but there are also year round holiday spreads which will turn any holiday into a showstopper. 

Ingredient measurements are supplied in American standard measurements with some metric measures included (yay!).  The nutritional information is not included.  Each recipe includes a header with a short description of the recipe and approximate servings. Extra tips or recipe alternatives are listed in text boxes in the recipes. The recipes themselves are fairly straightforward and are made for the most part with easily sourced ingredients. Many are very simple, none of them are overly complex. The photography is abundant and clear and the recipes are illustrated simply and clearly. The photography is one of the highlights of this book.

This would make a great choice for the cook's home library. It's a really good solid volume on entertaining and it also includes quite a good selection of finger-foods, appetizers, small bites, and brunch dishes as well as lots of holiday special type dishes (not just Christmas/Hanukkah) . 

Five stars. 

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

Cozy Case Files, A Cozy Mystery Sampler, Volume 12

Cozy Case Files 12 is a free chapter sampler for 14 upcoming or newly released cozy mysteries. The sampler is due out 4th May from Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint. It's 420 pages and will be available (gratis) in ebook format.  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. 

I love cozies (my favorite genre). This is a nice cross selection of 14 upcoming releases from very well known authors, and a couple who were previously not on my radar. I love collections for that very reason - there are generally a few which are new to me or which I'd forgotten to put in my TBR pile (which is, as always, untamable).

The chapter previews are generous, they're all multi-chapter, and give a good idea of the writing style and theme of each mystery. I look forward to every one of these previews when they become available. Most of these will be getting full length reviews in 2021. 

Five stars. I highly recommend this free publisher's preview to fans of cozy mysteries.  

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

Keto BBQ: From Bunless Burgers to Cauliflower "Potato" Salad, 100+ Delicious, Low-Carb Recipes for a Keto-Friendly Barbecue

 

Keto BBQ is a cookbook and recipe guide with lots of keto-friendly barbecue foods by Faith Gorsky and Lara Clevenger. Due out 4th May from Simon & Schuster on their Adams Media imprint, it's 176 pages and will be 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. 

BBQ is a beloved niche of cuisine, including so many delicious comfort foods and knockout flavor. The problem is that most all marinades, condiments, and sauces which are essential BBQ ingredients are absolutely full of sugar and carbs... along with carb bombs like potato salad , breads, buns, and batters. I wouldn't have thought that BBQ was possible on a keto diet. This collection has so many alternatives, tips, and tricks that it -is- possible to stay in ketosis and enjoy reasonable facsimiles of the most carb-laden barbecue treats. 

The chapters are arranged logically and accessibly: a solidly informative introduction (why, how, what, keto bbq basics), leads into rubs, brines/marinades, sauces & glazes, condiments (much wizardry to be found here, meats (burgers, kebabs, pulled meat, etc), pork, chicken & turkey, beef, sausages & hot dogs, seafood, salads, sides, drinks, and yes, even desserts. 

The recipes have a short description followed by ingredients listed bullet style in a sidebar. Recipe measurements are given in American standard only (and temps are in F). There is a metric conversion table in the appendices. Step by step instructions are clear and easy to follow. Most of the ingredients will be easily found at any well equipped grocery store, some few things might require a health-food store or specialist supplier (allulose, dried butterfly pea flowers, flaxseed meal, and a few others). Nutritional info is included for each recipe and consists of calories, fat, protein, sodium, fiber, carbohydrates, net carbs, and sugar. 

Most of the recipes don't include photographs; I would say 20-25% at a rough guess. The photos which are included are beautifully clear and colorful. Serving suggestions are appetizing and appropriate. 

There is a huge selection here, and despite the fact that I don't think cauliflower based potato salad will ever be a huge hit with my family, there are a huge number of other sides and salads from which to choose. 

Four stars. Well worth seeking out for summer cook-outs (when we can gather again). 

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

Some Creatures Have All the Luck!: Antonio Vivaldi

 

Some Creatures Have All the Luck! is a beautifully illustrated children's book and part of the Little Stories of Great Composers series. Due out 1st May 2021 from The Secret Mountain, it's 32 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. 

This is a really cute story and this time the narrator/facilitator Minim (a cheese and music loving mouse) is in the home of Vivaldi and lamenting his misfortune to share the house with an unfriendly tomcat. As always, the costumes and details of the narrative are engaging and will provide lots of enjoyment for young readers. 

The book also includes a QR code link to access some sound recordings to download digitally. This would make a superlative selection for public or school library acquisition, home library, or gifting. It would also be a nice choice for classroom or homeschool use.

Four stars. 

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

Famous Last Words: Confessions, Humour and Bravery of the Departing

Famous Last Words is a well written series of short biographies (and the end of the lives of the subjects) written and presented by Chris Wood. Due out 30th June 2021 from Pen & Sword, it's 216 pages and will be available in paperback format. 

This is a fascinating account of the deaths of 23 historical figures. They range from the very well known (Lady Jane Grey, William Burke) to the previously unfamiliar (to me). The accounts are written simply and engagingly in plain language. Despite the often gruesome nature of the murders, poisonings, and other crimes which led directly to the executions, the descriptions are neither too graphic nor disturbing (most of them happened many many years ago and have lost the immediacy of horror). They're not all executions, several are related stories from the deaths of non-criminals (Liam Whelan, Sir Henry Irving).

The author has included a number of illustrations from extant historical records, drawings, and some photographs. There are no annotations or bibliography included in the advance copy I received for review which are listed in the table of contents and will be included in the final release version. Ditto the index which will be available in the final release copy. 

This would be a good selection for library acquisition, or for history fans. It would also be a good choice for true crime fans. 

Four stars.

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

Gilded Age Cocktails: History, Lore, and Recipes from America's Golden Age

Gilded Age Cocktails is a beautifully curated collection of history, minutiae, and cocktails by Dr. Cecelia Tichi. Due out 4th May 2021 from NYU Press, it's 176 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

This is such an exuberant and well written ode to historical and classic cocktails and drinking culture. The author is both a historian and clearly enamored of the elegance and refinement (and sometimes humor) to be found in these classic libations and their origins. This is not just a bar book full of recipes. To the contrary, it's a history essay with recipes interspersed in the relevant stories. The recipe for the "Blue Blazer"  is contained in the story of Jerry Thomas, the originator of the drink (and quite a character, according to this account). The recipe for the "Tuxedo" is presented in a charming interlude on the Erie Railway and passengers who were offered a complimentary cocktail by the railway en route to Tuxedo Park. There are many more presented in a similar vein.

Each of the recipes includes an introductory description and yields, ingredients in American standard (oz), and step by step instructions. Variations and alternatives are provided at the end of the recipes. The book also includes a useful bibliography and links resources for further reading as well as a fairly comprehensive glossary of terms and an index. 

Many of the ingredients should be available at any well stocked grocery/liquor store although some might need to be sourced at specialists.

Cocktails are such a civilized interlude and this book includes a solid cross section of classics to build mixology skills and impress one's friends at the next gathering.

 

Five stars. Fans of the period as well as cocktail fans won't want to miss this one. It should be sought out as a well written history of the cocktails along with recipes, and not the reverse.

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

Homebrewed Vinegar How to Ferment 60 Delicious Varieties

Homebrewed Vinegar is a comprehensive guide with recipes to brewing and using vinegar by Kirsten K. Shockey. Due out 11th May 2021 from Storey, it's 296 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

I am enthusiastic about fermentation. I love homemade wines, became a beekeeper to fuel my mead brewing, make my own kimchi and other ferments, and just generally all around love the microbes which enrich our lives (and occasionally disappoint us when they're not where we think they should be). This is a really well written and *useful* guide to intentionally turning alcohol into vinegar, or as the author whimsically put it, acid alchemy. I'm also a person who -loves- vinegar and I've been known to sneak a spoonful of one of my collection of balsamic vinegars straight from the bottle.

The information is arranged logically and easy to find in the text. Chapters progress from an introduction, through the science of fermentation, an alcohol primer, alcohol to vinegar. The following chapters deep dive into vinegars from cider, wine, and beer and further into additional vegetable additives such as fruits, nuts, and even scraps and leavings. The final chapters present an impressive array of useful recipes.

The recipes contain an introduction, ingredients listed bullet style in a sidebar, and step by step instructions. Measurements are given in American standard, with metric in parentheses (yay!). The ingredients are mostly relatively easily sourced, but some will obviously require access to mail order or a specialty brewing supplier (especially the equipment).

The book is quite lavishly illustrated, the photographs are colorful, clear, and easy to understand. There are so many beautifully presented serving suggestions and the vinegars have such a lovely range of colors - they almost look like jewels in their glass jars. This is a book full of inspirations. 

The author has also included a fairly comprehensive links and resources list for further reading. There are numerous specialty retailers as well as lots of fun links. 

Five stars. This book would make a superlative selection for homebrewers, sustainable agriculture folks, smallholders, orchardists, gardeners, local food fans, adventuresome cooks, and other lifestyle readers. This is a passionately written, eminently reasonable, usable guide to making and enjoying vinegar for cuisine and health uses.

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

Armies of the Thracians and Dacians, 500 BC to Ad 150: History, Organization and Equipment

 

Armies of the Thracians and Dacians, 500 BC to Ad 150 is a capsule survey of these two Indo-European tribes collated by military historian Gabriele Esposito. Due out late June 2021 from Pen & Sword, it's 192 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

This is one of a series of books on ancient military history by the publisher with similar layout and historical overview. They're accessible to the average layman with some background in military history and the language is clear and understandable. The work is not rigidly academic; it's not annotated and there are no chapter notes. The author has included an abbreviated bibliography including some contemporaneous primary sources, but most of the work he's based this work on are secondary histories and modern re-enactors (primarily two groups: Historia Renascita and Ancient Thrace). That's not necessarily a *bad* thing, but it is something to know going into the read. 

There are a number of photographs; they're mostly from the modern historical re-enactor's group Historia Renascita. I found the actual information was presented somewhat haphazardly and difficult to find again. The timelines hop around quite a bit, and the chapters end quite abruptly. The photographs (which are the book's best feature) are scattered throughout the text willy-nilly. 

Three and a half stars. I think this would make a good choice for modern readers interested in costume re-enacting groups like the SCA and similar. It would also be a good choice for readers who are already invested in this series from the publisher. 

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

A Death at Seascape House: A totally unputdownable British cozy mystery novel (A Jemima Jago Mystery Book 1)

 

A Death at Seascape House is the start of a new librarian cozy series by Emma Jameson. Due out 27th April 2021, it's 293 pages (ebook version) and will be 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.

I love library cozies (and libraries, and cozies) and this is the start of a new series, so I hopped in. Main protagonist Jem is back in the area in which she grew up (and left, due to trauma, swearing never to return). She hadn't been in town for 24 hours  before she was already suspect #1 in a murder. Although the plot is a little formulaic, it's well written and I was engaged by the setting and descriptions. I'm not personally a fan of slow burn enemies, love triangles, and romance elements in my reads, but fans who like those will enjoy them here. 

Warning for cozy mystery fans, this one is slightly more hard edged and a tiny bit more graphic than usual for fluffy library cozies. The language is relatively clearn (PG level) and includes only a scattering of damns and similar level mild curses. I found some of the dialogue unpolished and some of the motivations for Jem's actions a bit muddled (she's a bit of a doormat, to be honest). The denouement and resolution were just a bit melancholy for me. 

It's a small-town cozy(ish) setting and the book does have a plethora of small-town oddball eccentric characters. I found most of them funny, but in a creepy kind of way (not entirely sure of the author's actual intent here, but there's a distinctly uncomfortably creepy vibe). The author is unquestionably gifted and prolific and has a firm grasp of the technical aspects of writing. Her descriptive prose is excellent, and as stated, she writes atmosphere very well. 

Three and a half stars with the codicil that readers who don't like harder edged mysteries and occasionally unpleasant characters and actions might want to tread carefully. No fluffy kitties here.

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

Tracing Your First World War Ancestors - Second Edition: A Guide for Family Historians

Tracing Your First World War Ancestors is a well written and accessible guide for family historians with emphasis on the First World War and with a focus on the British Isles and its dominions and colonies. Due out 30th April 2021 from Pen & Sword, it's 152 pages and will be available in paperback formats. 

This book, by Dr. Simon Fowler, is one of a series of support materials published by Pen & Sword aimed at laymen genealogists researching their family background. The chapters are arranged logically and finding the relevant chapter the reader is seeking is straightforward. The themes cover a wide variety of topics and include winnowing sources and just getting started, accessing (and understanding) army service records, additional resources, casualty lists, marine battles, aviation records, womens/civilians/home service, and service outside of Britain. 

There are a wealth of links and resources for further research including addresses and websites to consult in the hunt for information. The author has also included an interesting short essay on tourism to martial destinations. He provides a number of links to companies who arrange tours to battle destinations as well as websites with holiday tourism snaps and blog entries (more engaging than it may appear - I spent quite a while reading Phil Curme's online musings - linked in Dr. Fowler's appendix). 

This is a very well done and practical treatise on how to get started doing family research on military service members and how to carry on; which resources are likely to reward the effort and how to make use of uncovered information. 

This would make a superlative selection for library acquisition, home use, or as a gift to a history interested friend or relative. Four stars.

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

Games People Play (PI Charlie Cameron #1)

Games People Play is a psychological PI thriller and the first book in the Charlie Cameron series by Owen Mullen. Originally published in 2017, this reformat and re-release is out 20th April 2021. It's 334 pages in print format and available in ebook format. (Other editions available in other 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.

This is a well plotted, taut, and sometimes graphic PI thriller. Protagonist Charlie specialises in missing persons (but not kids). He's drawn unwillingly into a case with a near drowning incident alongside an abduction which soon spirals out into murder and more. There are a number of entwined subplot threads and lots of false/misleading clues which resolve satisfyingly at the end. 

The characterisations are well rendered and distinct. I had no trouble keeping the characters sorted out and I didn't get yanked out of my suspension of disbelief by clunky dialogue or out-of-character actions. The language is R rated, there are potentially sensitive/trauma inducing scenes including child abduction, drowning, rape, drug abuse, and neglect. A fair bit of this book is quite dark and atmospherically dank and chilling. Although it's set in Scotland, in a lot of ways it reminded me of the Jack Taylor books (set in Ireland). 

I liked the music/bar subplot elements and the descriptions of the music and musicians added a lot of flavour to the book. The vernacular and spellings are British/Scots English. 

Four stars. I would recommend this one to fans of Ann Cleeves, Ken Bruen, and Angela Marsons. 

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

The Chakra Directory: Discover Your Chakras for Healing Balance

The Chakra Directory is a tutorial guide and instruction manual for chakra healing by Vicki Howie. Due out 27th April 2021 from Quarto on their Chartwell imprint, it's 192 pages and will be available in hardcover format.

The author is a yoga instructor, hypnotherapist, and holistic practitioner. There are a wealth of publications in the alternative genre. If that sounds like this book is full of new age 'woo', well, it is, honestly. That being said, I (firmly 'school of western medicine' and about as non-'woo' as it's possible to be) found quite a lot of interesting food for thought here. This is a well structured and well written book. The author has an encouraging and supportive voice. She's not strident or preachy and I found a lot to like.

For readers who are interested in alternative/eastern philosophy & healing, this one is well written and accessible. The chapters present the material in an understandable and logical manner: basic info (what -are- chakras and what readers should know), assessing your chakras and finding potential problems, and finally healing what's wrong. There are tutorials and short guided information blocks in sidebars showing techniques such as EFT, aromatherapy, watsu, touch therapy, and much more. Especially important information is enclosed in highlighted text boxes in the chapters. Key concepts are set apart in the text with a handy key graphic for easy location. 

Graphically the book is light and clean looking with high contrast text and clear photos. Models in the text are representative and picture a range of ages and ethnicities. It's nice to see representation in media. It's passive in the book, the author doesn't make a big deal out of it, but it is nice to see people who are older enjoying yoga and other forms of meditation and practice.

Four stars. Interesting alternative ideas and recipes.

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

Plant-Based Buddha Bowls: 100 Recipes for Nourishing One-Bowl Vegan Meals

Plant-Based Buddha Bowls is a well written and accessible tutorial guide with recipes developed by Kelli Foster. Due out 4th May 2021 from Quarto on their Harvard Common Press imprint, it's 160 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats (ebook available now). 

I am always on the lookout for tasty, convenient, healthy meals with a big bonus for easy variations which can change the taste and look of the meal depending on what appeals at the time. This book has recipes for mix and match variations for plant-based one-bowl complete meals which include complete proteins, starches, roughage, vegetables and which are also delicious.

I'm generally not a super organized plan-ahead type person. Having a selection of previously made ingredients for dinner bowls ready to go is a -workable- way to have nutritiously responsible and tasty food for dinner after work. This collection includes lots and lots of mix-and-match alternatives: start with a base (noodles, rice, and whole grains,for example), add proteins (plant based in this case), plus vegetables, and finish with delicious sauces and dressings.

The recipes are arranged thematically: sauces and extras, breakfast bowls, vegetable power bowls, rice and grains, lentils and beans, noodle, hummus, brothy bowls, and sweet bowls. Recipes include a description, yields, ingredients in a bullet style list in a sidebar and step by step clear directions. Ingredients are given with American standard and metric (yay!). Recommended combos are provided in a highlighted text bar along with tips and alternative preparations. Nutritional info is not included. 

The photography is clear and colorful. At a rough count, about 20-25% of the recipes are accompanied by photos. Serving suggestions are appealing and appropriate. Graphically the book has good contrast and the text is easy to read.

This is a good collection of recipes which are anything but bland. This would make a superlative selection for library acquisition, home use, or a good choice for gifting. The versatility of mix-and-match ingredients would make these bowls perfect for meal-prepping. I would also imagine it would be well received by singles or couples who have newly moved into their own places.

Five stars.

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

Animus Mundi: Tales of the Spirit of Place

Animus Mundi is an anthology of short fantasy/light horror fiction edited by Jaym Gates. Released 7th Jan 2020 by Outland Entertainment, it's 169 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

There are a number of standout stories in this collection and I felt all of them were well written and worthy of inclusion here. It first struck me as an odd angle to write an anthology around, but as the 16 capable authors have such different viewpoints and the stories represent a whole world of different cultures and traditions, it adds a depth and richness to the whole which would have been lacking in the individual stories read singly. There was some neat synergy going on which elevated the whole. 

There are a number of very well known names here from the speculative fiction genre. There are also a number of new-to-me authors and one reason I've always loved anthologies is the chance to find new creators to follow, and in that respect, this one delivers. 

One slightly confusing detail: for readers who see the publicity release info provided by the publisher which states "Genius Loci is a huge anthology of 31 all-new fantasy and science fiction stories drawing on the rich tradition of place-as-person. Within its pages, the authors present stories of sentient deserts, beneficent forests, lonely shrubs, and protective planetary spirits, highlighted by the fantastic art of Lisa A. Grabenstetter and Evan M. Jensen." in reference to this collection, Animus Mundi - it appears that the latter is a reformat and re-release of 16 stories (without additional art) which originally appeared as a part of Genius Loci, by the same editor and publisher, released in 2020. 

Nevertheless, the stories which did make it into this edition were well written and engaging. Not all of them appealed to me personally (trigger warning: themes of suicide), but that's sort of the point of anthologies. The stories individually range from solid 3+ to 4+ stars, and for me personally, the collection is a 4 star read. I do confess I'm curious about whatever legalities led to the reformat and re-release being 15 stories and enhancement art lighter than the original release, but whatever the reason, this one is worth checking out on its own merits.

Four stars.

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

When a Stranger Comes to Town

When a Stranger Comes to Town is an interesting and immersive thematic anthology edited by Michael Koryta which contains 19 high quality short fiction selections from the MWA written around the theme of a stranger coming to town. Due out 20th April 2021 from Harlequin Trade, it's 400 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. 

One thing I love about anthologies is the potential to find new authors to follow. I tend to read anthologies like chocolate samplers; one story at a time, so this one has taken a while to read. There is an impressive array of authors represented here from instantly recognizable (Joe R. Lansdale, Lisa Unger, Joe Hill, Alafair Burke and more (see the cover)), to new-to-me authors some of whose books have already been added to my TBR pile.

The stories are varied, there were (as always) some which didn't grab me personally, but all were well written and competently plotted. I've always had a particular fondness for collections/anthologies because short fiction is spare and technically challenging, so you get a better feel for an author's expertise with the form. Short fiction is less of a time commitment as well, so if one story is not working for you, there's another piece readily available in a few pages. They were mostly in the 4 star range(ish) with a couple of really standout stories. The Joe Hill piece has really stuck with me in the way good fiction sometimes does, bubbling away on several levels since I finished it. 

Four stars. Well worth seeking out. 

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

Weed A Connoisseur’s Guide to Cannabis

Weed is an excerpt from the upcoming tutorial and recipe guide by Ellen Holland. Due out in Oct 2021 from Quarto on their Epic Ink imprint, it's 256 pages (excerpt review is only 6 pages) and will be available in hardcover format.

This is a graphically beautiful, photograph heavy, sensible, positive, and factual guide to appreciating and understanding cannabis. It's accessible and easy to use but doesn't shy away from more advanced topics such as terroir, practices, evaluating, and tasting events. 

The chapter excerpt contains an overview of some of the amazing attributes of the cannabis plant including enjoying edibles, (including the concept of savory edibles which I had never considered), and raw cannabis as a superfood.

This is certainly an intriguing preview and I'm looking forward to the release. Four stars.

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

Max and the Spice Thieves (Secrets of the Twilight Djinn #1)

Max and the Spice Thieves is the first book in a series aimed at middle grade readers by John Peragine. Due out 20th April 2021, it's 272 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. It's possibly worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a rollicking middle grade fantasy full of adventure and action. Young Max is suddenly alone after his mother goes missing, so he joins Captain Cinn and the crew of the Saucy Pig as a cabin boy to look for his parents. The story provides a generous portion of adventure (pirates! spice pirates!), shapeshifters, magic, a secret book, monsters and more. What surprised me was how much warmth was written into the story along with humor and bigger concepts like bravery, loyalty, and found family as well as other cultures, spices, foods and being open to trust. 

The story is complete in this volume with foreshadowing leading into the next book(s). It works well as a standalone.

The typography and graphics are beautifully done with gorgeously rendered map and cover art. 

Four stars.

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

Dance with Death (Barker & Llewelyn #12)

Dance with Death is the 12th Barker & Llewelyn Victorian historical mystery by Will Thomas. Released 13th April 2021 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 320 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a well established series and the characters are quite finely drawn in a well written whole. The background research is impressive and the descriptions really do call up Victorian London. The story is fictionalized but written around a real historical framework and intertwined so skillfully that it's not always easy to tell where real history shades over into fiction. 

The denouement and resolution are well done and satisfying. My only quibble (and it's a fairly minor one) is that the dialogue feels anachronistic in some places. It isn't clunky or awkward, but there is some modern vernacular. 

The books are self contained stand-alones, so it's not necessary to have read the books in order to understand what's going on. 

High quality historical mystery. Four stars. 

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

Felting

Felting is a historical survey and informational guide to working with wool for felting objects written by Lynn Huggins-Cooper. Due out 30th April 2021 from Pen & Sword, it's 176 pages and will be available in paperback format. 

This is the newest book in the Heritage Crafts series which cover many traditional and heritage subjects such as leatherworking and tanning, dyeing, fibre crafts, felting, and others which are in danger of being lost forever. This book makes a nice addition to the series and provides a surprisingly comprehensive look at felting as both a practical and decorative artistic activity. 

The material is presented in chronological chapters of felting history from ancient times to the modern day. With such a massive timeline, the coverage is brief for each time period, but provides a lot of tantalizing glimpses to follow up later. The last chapters include interviews with several different individual artisans and collectives. The format provides the same questions to each interviewee and it's interesting to see how they came to their craft from often disparate origins, cultures, and geographical locations but their enthusiasm and respect is shared by all of them.
 

The photography is sparse and mostly confined to a gallery chapter at the end of the book, but the included pictures are beautifully clear and illustrative. There is a short general tutorial (for making a felted fairy doll) as well as a wealth of links provided (slanted toward readers in the UK) in the form of a solid bibliography and links section to stockists and teachers. This would make a superlative library selection for a guild or shop, as well as for any crafter's home library.

This is a good, accessible, clearly written introduction to felting materials and technique. The series as a whole would be superlative for library acquisition, maker's groups, homesteaders, historical re-enactors, and similar uses. 

Four stars.

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

Shadows Left Behind: An Historical Mysteries Box Set

Shadows Left Behind is a collection of five novella length historical mystery romances by Josh Lanyon. Released 1st April 2021, it's 632 pages and is available in ebook format. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

According to my excel book review spreadsheet, the majority of my TBR and review selections are historical mysteries (followed closely by non-fiction, mostly cookbooks and gardening). I really love reading mysteries set in the past and enjoy solidly immersive, detailed, and well written stories most of all. 

This collection has 5 different novellas and all were engaging and well written. They vary in setting from WWI to just post WW2. The mysteries are serviceable and the romance plots are integral to the story. Since it's Josh Lanyon, most readers will already be aware of the romance angle, but they're all M/M romances and some of the descriptions are graphic, if that's an issue. 

The stories vary from 3-5 stars. I enjoyed them all but my favorite was the final selection "Murder Between the Pages". It's a locked room mystery and full of humor and snark. 

Four stars. Not really safe for work/commute reading. Entertaining and well written. 

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

Mushrooms of British Columbia

Mushrooms of British Columbia is a well illustrated field guide to mycology and the specimens in British Columbia specifically. Due out 3rd Sept. 2021 from The Royal BC Museum, it's 504 pages and will be available in paperback format. 

Drs. Andy MacKinnon and Kem Luther are both professionals with backgrounds in mycology and science. Despite being academics, they manage to write accessibly and engagingly about the subject in a way that spans both layman level interest and the obvious necessity for science based and factual positive species identification for safety reasons.The book is laid out logically and the information is easy to locate. 

There seems to be a happy resurgence in interest in mycology and nature lately which might be one of the very very few positives from the social constraints the pandemic has thrust upon us. Turned out of the possibilities for social interaction, (and turfed out of workout studios and gyms), many have turned to the great outdoors for solace, grounding, mental and physical health and connection. Birding groups, nature walks (alone or video guided), foraging groups online and similar outlets have enjoyed a strong renewal of interest in the last year. 

This is a very good, very well illustrated, no-nonsense guide to BC and that part of the Pacific Northwest. The introductory chapters give a good overview over the life cycle of fungi, their role in ecology, info about foraging and other general information and resources for further learning. 

The following (majority portion) of the book breaks down the identification process by separating mushrooms by their physical attributes: veined, gilled, if gilled, then by spore print (pale, pink, brown, dark spored), boletes, toothed, clubbed, corals, polypores, jellies, puffballs, bird's nests, and so on and so forth. 

Each entry includes the common and botanical nomenclature, size, description, habit (location, fruiting identifiers, etc), edibility (or not), and species with similar or potentially confusing appearances. The photographs are abundant and in colour.

Very well done, very high quality book for mushroom/fungus enthusiasts. This would also make a superlative selection for library acquisition, and use in more formal instruction such as school nature walks, foraging groups, mycology groups, in addition to the home library.  

Five stars.

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

The Act of Sewing: How to Sew, Alter, and Embellish Clothes You'll Love to Wear

The Act of Sewing is a tutorial and general technique guide aimed at beginning sewists by Sonya Philip. Due out 27th April 2021 from Roost Books, it's 176 pages and will be available in paperback format. 

It is indisputably true that choosing the right clothes can affect our comfort, mood, life, even our personality. Choosing the wrong clothes or suffering through clothes that make us feel uncomfortable can even have a huge impact on the way other people interact with us. Getting educated and empowered to change the things we can change and make informed choices about what we consume and *how* we can go about gaining the technical expertise and confidence to change the things we can change is almost stunningly empowering and freeing. 

I started sewing as a child. I bought fabric and made many of my own clothes as a teen because my available monetary resources would stretch further and because I live in a body which falls outside the normal ready-to-wear bell curve. Clothes available off the rack have never fit me properly and I've never been wealthy enough to have professionally tailored bespoke clothing - so sewing was a good fit for me. 

This is a very good book for consumers who want to have body-positive, well fitting, well made clothes which make them feel comfortable and are a good outward expression of the wearer's personal style and personality. The book includes four full sized patterns for 4 basic wardrobe staples (top, skirt, trousers, & shirt) as well as understandable and accessible tutorials for alterations and fitting information to make clothes really wearable and comfortable.

The book is mostly illustrated with simple line drawings with a retro feel. There are some photographs, but not many. Readers who are beginners to sewing might well need to seek out additional resources in the form of videos, teacher/mentor, or online learning for some specific points. The descriptions included in the book are well done, but I am (alas) a very visual and hands-on learner and a purely descriptive explanation is unfortunately usually not enough to master the concept for me. That being said, I adore the author's straight talking genuine warmth and humor! I can imagine that she would be a *really* fun teacher from whom to take a workshop. 

I would heartily recommend this one to sewists (beginner to advanced). It would also make a superlative selection for public or school library acquisition, maker's groups, classroom instruction, community theatre/wardrobe or continuing education workshops, library sewing groups, outreaches, volunteer/charity sewing, and similar. I intend to acquire a copy at release for my own sewing room. 

Five stars.

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

How to Write a Mystery: A Handbook from Mystery Writers of America

How to Write a Mystery is an interesting and information rich style/technique guide by the MWA and full of takeaways from some of the biggest names in mystery (who, generally speaking, know their stuff). Due out 27th April 2021 from Simon & Schuster on their Scribner imprint, it's 336 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.

Although this is a collection of workshop type instructional writing shorts, I found it lots of good background information here which will inform and enrich my mystery *reading* going forward. Some examples: why are so many mystery protagonists so flawed? What does that bring to the writing of a mystery, for example a police procedural or a PI novel. Why are some loners and some definitely team players? What special considerations are there in writing graphic novels? Children's or YA mysteries? Supernatural elements/talking animals/etc? How do supporting characters help (or hinder) the main character(s)?

The editors did a really stellar job of choosing collaborators to answer particularly relevant questions for them. If the question is on writing with characters who aren't original to your work, finding a writer particularly (probably uniquely) qualified to answer the question is a master-stroke. Max Allan Collins is a very fine writer in his own right, of course (and in collaboration with his wife), but his channeling of Mickey Spillane on the Mike Hammer books both from Spillane's extant notes and on his own are nothing short of amazing. Getting Caroline & Charles Todd to talk about collaborative writing, Charlaine Harris on mixing genres, Tess Gerritsen on medical mysteries, every single one of these short essays is from a top shelf writer talking about the stuff they really know.

Summing up, this is not strictly speaking a "how to write a book" tutorial guide. It is a very well curated selection of digestible essays on particular considerations when tackling mystery writing. I would recommend it to readers of the genre, to writers of any genre, to teachers, and other book related professionals. Five stars. 

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

The Cookie Bible

The Cookie Bible is a really comprehensive collection of cookies and small bakes by baking maven Rose Levy Beranbaum. Due out 9th Nov 2021 from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, it's 448 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

There are a number of truly perennial cookbooks like The Joy of Cooking, Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking, The Cake Bible (also by Beranbaum) and Fannie Farmer's classic to name just a few. This is one for *every* lover of small bakes and cookies.

 This book really does have it all. There are cookies which are familiar and beloved of everyone - so it gets an A+ on completeness (a whopping huge book). There are classics both easy and challenging for all occasions. There are also beautifully presented exotic cookies with unexpected twists: soft or fruity centers, candied peel, unexpected pairing of sweet and savory and more. There are many (many!) with an international background including lebkuchen, macarons, pizelles, pepparkakor (Scandinavian gingerbreads), and so many more. I am a huge cookie/cake fanatic and I couldn't think of a single cookie which isn't represented here in one form or another. 

The recipes are grouped roughly thematically: hand rolled, dropped/piped, shaped by hand, rolled & cut, holiday cookie cutouts, bars & cake cookies, meringues & candies, and extras including the author's own recipe for candied citrus peels includes enough thorough instruction, extra hints and tips, and clear photographs to likely make it alone worth the price of the book. Each recipe includes an introduction, yields, description, equipment, ingredients listed bullet-style in a sidebar with metric and American standard measures included, and step by step specific directions which are clear and easy to follow. Alternatives and special info is included in "baking gems" which are highlighted in text bars at the end of each recipe.

The photography is superb. This is a classic and comprehensive collection and will be a perennial go-to. Five stars.

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

The Unkindness of Ravens (Greer Hogan Mystery #1)

The Unkindness of Ravens is the first book of a new cozy series featuring a librarian by M.E. Hilliard. Released 13th April 2021 by Crooked Lane, it's 336 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. 

This is a promising series opener from a debut author who has worked as a librarian and seems to have a similar background in high-end retail fashion as protagonist Greer. The librarian-dog-cozy-murder-smalltown-mystery sub-subgenre is always fun and this is a well written example. The murders are off-scene and mostly bloodless, there's no graphic content, the language is fairly clean, the characters are likeable and intelligent and there are a plethora of suspects and lots of red herrings. The narrative arc is well controlled and the plot moves along at a good pace. I never found my interest flagging at any point in the read. There's a sort of Agatha Raisin vibe going on with big city girl Greer taking up a position as a librarian in a small-town public library. She's smart and fashion conscious ("Is that Prada?") and sophisticated as well as vulnerable. 

Since it's a librarian cozy, there are of course book tie-ins and title name-dropping. One of my favorite features of librarian cozies is the suggestions for titles, series, and authors with which I was previously unfamiliar. I found a couple of good ones to follow up on as a nice bonus. I suspect most of the titles and series mentioned will be familiar to most readers. The Patricia Wentworth mention was especially nice, and I've been revisiting Miss Silver all weekend because of it.

The climax and denouement are well done. It is a fun cozy and full of the things which we all love about small-town cozies (including an adorable French bulldog!). 

Four stars. Highly recommended to fans of the genre. 

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

Wonder Walls: How to Paint Colorful Geometrics, Graphic Lettering, Decorative Textures Other Techniques to Create a Space You Love

Wonder Walls is a cool tutorial and style guide with lots of punchy graphics and painting ideas by Roxy Prima & Phoebe Cornog. Due out 9th Nov 2021 from Storey, it's 224 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

I adore paint. It's (relatively) inexpensive, it can make a huge (or subtle) statement. Paint can change an entire look and pull a room together with judicious use. If the look isn't as pleasing, it's easy to paint over or start again. This is a book of really *inspired* and easy to utilize designs for nearly every taste.The authors have an accessible and friendly encouraging style of writing and the tutorials are clearly written and easy to follow.

The book's introductory chapters cover design, tools, supplies, and transferring ideas from readers' heads to their working surfaces. The first tutorial chapter is very thorough and goes through the entire process step-by-step. It's clearly and understandably written and covers prepping, priming (or not), painting, different surfaces, and more. There's also a short photo instruction on troubleshooting non-traditional areas and how painting can maximize the potential of dark galley kitchens, small bedrooms, and bathrooms without windows. 

The following chapters contain the complete tutorials. Each tutorial contains lots of color photos, a sidebar with info on skill level, tools and supplies, and average costs involved. All of the steps are delineated and the painting instructions are numbered sequentially and are easy to follow. Most of the projects are on statement walls, but not all. The final tutorials are for non-wall items including a post-box, painted door mat, bentwood chairs, and a breakfast tray. 

Tutorial measurements are given in American standard; there's a metric conversion chart included in the back of the book. There will be links to online resources for templates from the authors in the final release version of the book, they're not included in the review copy of the book.There will also be an index. 

Five stars. This is a very well presented, graphically appealing book and it would make a superlative choice for library acquisition, maker's groups, youth mural projects, and the home library. 

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

The Last Windwitch

The Last Windwitch is a beautifully written coming-of-age middle grade fantasy by Jennifer Adam. Released 13th April 2021 by HarperCollins, it's 448 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

Although it's relatively long for a middle grade reader book, the story is so engaging and immersive, and the narrative moves along so quickly that the reader is drawn along. I enjoyed Brida's story and the way the author builds up the world (including the animal characters and magical aspects). Even though this is a self-contained and complete story, I really hope the author has more stories for us in this world. The dialogue flows very well and the characters really seemed three dimensional and believable. 

Five stars. This story has really stayed with me. I would recommend it for public or school library acquisition, readers of all-ages fantasy, and speculative fiction. I *sincerely* hope this one is a prime pick when next year's Nebula nominations roll around (yes, it really is that good). 

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

 

The Hummingbird Handbook: Everything You Need to Know about These Fascinating Birds

The Hummingbird Handbook is a layman accessible collection of facts and pictures of these beautiful and fascinating birds written by John Shewey. Due out 27th April 2021 from Workman Publishing on their Timber Press imprint, it's 240 pages and will be available in paperback, and ebook formats.

This is a beautifully illustrated and well presented book and will be especially relevant for birders. The author is an experienced birder and nature journalist and writes engagingly about these beautiful little animals.The first chapters give a good introduction and history and lots of interesting trivia as well as representations of the hummingbird in media, on stamps, and from Native American petroglyphs. I especially liked reading about their physiology and behavior; they're such captivating and fascinating creatures. Following chapters give a good overview on landscaping with hummingbird friendly plants (and coincidentally as habitat for other pollinators and wildlife), picture/species galleries and profiles of North American hummingbirds as well as hummingbird species elsewhere in the Americas (North, South, and Central). There is also a cross referenced index and a useful abbreviated resource and links list for further reading. 

I would recommend it for readers of nature and conservancy writing, birders, gardeners, and anyone who has ever been enchanted by their incredible aerial gymnastics. I still remember when I was living in West Virginia, seeing one of "my" tiny fearless little male ruby throated hummers checking out a bowl of tomato peels I was preparing to toss into my compost. He quickly decided they weren't sweet or yummy for hummingbirds, chirped me a *distinctly* unimpressed raspberry and zoomed off back to the feeders.

Five stars.

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

Stargazer (Leaphorn & Chee #24)

Stargazer is the 24th book in the Leaphorn & Chee (& Manuelito) series started by Tony Hillerman and capably continued by his daughter Anne. Released 13th April 2021 by HarperCollins on their Harper 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

Ms. Hillerman is unquestionably a capable author and she writes intelligently and plainly without flowery prose or unnecessary embellishment. The stories are plotted well and although the narrative meanders a bit in places, the denouements and resolutions are satisfying and complete. That being said, it's *not* Tony Hillerman, any more than even the well written homages with Robert B. Parker, Rex Stout, and others' characters are capable of being the originals (however well written). It does satisfy the craving to visit with old friends and see how their lives are going.

I enjoyed this installment very much and although the writing is recognizably different than the canonical Leaphorn & Chee, it's fine in its own right and definitely worth a read. 

Four stars. This is a solid mystery in a long and satisfying series.

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