Pleading the Fish (Seaside Café Mystery #7)

Pleading the Fish is the 7th (and seemingly final) book in the Seaside Café cozy mystery series by Bree Baker. Released 29th March 2022 by Poisoned Pen Press, it's 336 pages and is available in mass market paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is an engaging and well written small town cozy with a female  protagonist (complete with potentially slightly magical seagull and cat, requisite handsome lawman romantic interest, and wise aunties dispensing advice and sweet tea (it's a southern thing) with equal abandon). The pool of suspects is small, and although the denouement and resolution are fairly easy to guess beforehand, they're well written and satisfying. It's a fast and very easy read - light cozy mystery and quite entertaining. The language is squeaky clean and there's no graphic gore or sexual content. 

The authors have provided an extended epilogue at the end of the book which ties up loose ends and gives a look at the future for the cast of characters. Although it's self-contained, since it's the last book in the series, it will spoil the endings for all of the characters if read out of order. 

Four stars. Entertaining and readable. The authors have included some recipes for sweet treats in the back of the book.

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

How to Be a Difficult Bitch: Claim Your Power, Ditch the Haters, and Feel Good Doing It

 

How to Be a Difficult Bitch is a very well written graphic novel collection on empowerment and inclusion by Halley Bondy and aimed at young people (~12+). Due out 5th April 2022 from Lerner on their Zest Books imprint, it's 152 pages and will be available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. 

The chapters are arranged thematically and cover social aspects of learning to be confident (but not -mean-) and strong in a lot of areas including financial strength, online safety and health (lots of good anti-bullying info here), as well as at school, mental and physical health, relationships, and most other aspects of life. This is a very empowering and accessibly written book, full of humor and important observations. It's well illustrated throughout and salient bullet point lists are highlighted in text boxes for emphasis. 

Four stars. This would be a superlative choice for public or school libraries (potential warnings apply for frank language and concepts - I didn't find anything objectionable, but we're living in a world where school boards try to censor Maus). 

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

1,000 Ideas by 100 Manga Artists

1,000 Ideas by 100 Manga Artists is an interesting and well curated collection of visual ideas edited by Cristian Campos as part of the 1000 ideas series. Originally published in 2011, this reformat and re-release from15th March by Quarto on their Chartwell imprint is 320 pages and is available in flexibound format. 

This is an interesting concept book - the editors chose 100 manga artists and sent the same 20 questions to each of them.including practical artistic tips as well as larger life philosophy type things with the codicil that each artist had to choose 10 questions to answer. The responses are varied and interesting as well as enlightening. Roughly half the respondents are Japanese, the rest include European artists and some from the Americas. The artists provided the answers along with 10 illustrations which represented their answers.

Like all collections, there are some which are purely illustrative, some which tell a story, and some which honestly missed me altogether. As a whole, however, I found paging through the collection interesting and rewarding. 

This is the sort of book to page through during an idle day. The artists included represent a vast array of different styles and media. It would be a superlative selection for public library acquisition, maker's spaces/art collectives, and the artist's home library. There's ample inspiration here for drawing and technique. The volume also includes a short bio of the artists and many have included links to their internet sites.

Four stars. Lots of worthwhile reading to be found here and art for inspiration. 

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

The Observer Effect (Joseph Bridgeman #3)

The Observer Effect is the third Joseph Bridgeman time travel mystery by Nick Jones. Released 15th March 2022 by Blackstone, it's 344 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. 

I have always loved time travel stories. I devoured every episode of Dr. Who, Star Trek, every story and book about time travel with gusto. Obviously some were better than others, but I loved (and still love) them all. This series is one of the better representatives of the genre. It's full of fun history and watershed moments for the reluctant hero, hapless but plucky Joe, to right and to try and help untangle. He's an unlikely everyman hero, really relatable, muddling along the best he can manage and trying to fix what he can fix. 

The writing is solid and additionally filled with small comedic moments that made me grin. Mr. Jones managed to write believable flowing dialogue which is never choppy or uneven. The action flows and in between fighting for his life, Joe has a fair number of quiet scenes where he interacts with his family and friends and grows as a character.

It's an ensemble cast and like lots of very well written quest stories, every part is integral to the whole. The plot, denouement, and resolution are quite cleverly constructed and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series with anticipation. It's *full* of time paradoxes and the way the characters solve them are clever and believable (in context). 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of  12 hours 7 minutes and is capably narrated by Ray Porter. He does an impressive job with wide ranging geographical accents and genders. I absolutely love his voice for Vince, who reminds me a lot of my very fond memories of Brian Glover in Mystery! as Magersfontein Lugg (Campion series). When the book started, I was afraid that Mr. Porter's very gravelly baritone would be too strong for the part (I "hear" Joe up in my head as very put upon and almost whingey sometimes) but I soon warmed to him and he's very versatile and definitely enhanced the read a lot. Sound quality and production values were high throughout the recording.

Five stars. Fun, clever, and entertaining. Five stars also for the audiobook version.

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

Intermittent Fasting Made Easy: Next-level Hacks to Supercharge Fat Loss, Boost Energy, and Build Muscle

Intermittent Fasting Made Easy is an accessible practice based overview on intermittent fasting for weight loss, energy and muscle building by Thomas DeLauer. Due out 12th Apr 2022 from Quarto on their Fair Winds Press imprint, it's 256 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

There has never been a dearth of diet and weight loss books. It's a huge booming industry. What has changed radically is the science-based understanding of physiology and metabolism which has led to more specific targeted practice and plan for working *with* our bodies' and metabolism instead of against them. 

The author speaks well and convincingly (and enthusiastically) about intermittent fasting and provides quite a lot of benefits of eating on a schedule: saving time (by not sitting in your car in a fast food drive through), regulating sleep patterns, gaining energy, losing weight, correcting insulin resistance, and more. The introduction covers what intermittent fasting is, and the benefits both physical and mental. The following sections cover how to get started, how to optimize results (weight loss, reducing inflammation, sleep quality, hormonal balance), and maintenance. 

Although this is very much a layperson accessible book, and I found the information easy to understand, the book is annotated throughout and the source material (bibliography included in the back) comes from high quality sources. 

There are no specific meal plans or food lists included here. The author presents the information and allows readers to formulate their own plans (with guidance) rather than presenting a rigid set of inflexible rules. I also liked that he says to expect unsolicited advice. Throughout the book small bullet lists of important points are given in highlighted text boxes give readers short, concise info in easy-to-remember bits. 

New vocabulary and concepts are defined in the text. The book does include a comprehensive chapter annotations list and cross referenced index. 

Four stars. There's a lot of good information here. Sometimes it reads a bit like an infomercial, but I enjoyed the author's enthusiasm and I also liked that he backs up his information with practice based scientific sources.

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

Freestyle Bonsai: How to pot, grow, prune, and shape - Bend the rules of traditional bonsai

Freestyle Bonsai is a beginner friendly casual introduction and tutorial guide to some of the concepts and techniques of bonsai collected and written by Jerome Kellerhals & Mariannjely Marval. Due out 12th Apr 2022 from Quarto on their Cool Springs Press imprint, it's 160 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

This is a really well written introduction to bonsai aimed at keen beginner level to expert gardeners. There is a good introduction with some interesting history, followed by bullet point lists of common misconceptions and some definitions of what bonsai actually *is*. The following chapters give a good overview over tools & supplies, plant materials and how to choose for specific purposes, and good beginner friendly chapters on bonsai culture: repotting, styling, and maintenance. The book also contains useful appendices: FAQ, glossary, bibliography, and resources/links lists. The included resources are impressively comprehensive and include resources in most regions in the world, listed by continent/region. The resources include exhibitions and bonsai gardens which can be visited as well as retail suppliers.

I loved the color photos of gorgeous gorgeous bonsai in all their glory, showing a wide variety of species trained into both traditional and modern silhouettes. The included tutorial photos are easy to understand and are carefully positioned such that hands and tools aren't in the way of the "action". The photography is superlative. Worthwhile and inspirational. I was a little taken aback at the cover blurb suggesting that readers "bend the rules of traditional bonsai" but I needn't have worried. The book (and its authors) are knowledgeable and respectful of the ancient art.

Five stars. This would be a good choice for public or school library acquisition, garden groups, makers spaces, and for the home gardener's library.

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

A Matter of Hive and Death (An Oregon Honeycomb Mystery #2)

 

 

A Matter of Hive and Death is the second book in the Oregon Honeycomb small-town cozy mystery series by Nancy Coco. Due out 29th March 2021 from Kensington, it's 320 pages 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats.

This is the follow-up "small town" shop cozy mystery by a very well-loved veteran author. For fans of the genre, this one ticks all the boxes including a punny title, recipes included, clean language, not-terribly-gory murder, a likable female amateur sleuth, a foreshadowed slow-burn romantic interest, and a cat "sidekick" & adorable elderly aunt who help her solve the mystery. If it is, admittedly, trope-y and formulaic, it also has everything that fans of these series (including me) love. The pacing is good and doesn't drag. The dialogue can be a bit over the top and unnaturally stilted occasionally, but all in all, it's a fun and undemanding read with a satisfying denouement and resolution. I also found it a little odd that the recipes were scattered throughout between chapters instead of being gathered into an appendix at the back. It affected the continuity of reading for me more than I would have expected. (Not a huge deal, but noticeable). I tried the honey-blueberry muffins and the recipe works quite well as written and the addition of honey makes the muffins very moist (and even better the next day!).

Four stars. A strong follow-up to a promising cozy series with a likeable protagonist and the expected small-town eccentric characters and vibe. Real-life beekeepers might notice a questionable factoid or two in the story, but overall, I was impressed with the level of background research on beekeeping on the part of the author. I also really liked it that the main character's shop "Let it Bee" also incorporates a glass walled observation hive. Bees are fascinating and deserve all the good PR they can get.

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

Magical Rescue Vets: Holly the Flying Horse (Magical Rescue Vets #4)

Holly the Flying Horse is the fourth book in the Magical Rescue Vets series by Melody Lockhart. Due out 1st May 2022 from Arcturus, it's 128 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. 

This is a well written and engaging story full of friendship, adventure, and the care and nurturing of magical creatures. It's written as a chapter book and is appropriate for all ages, but the intended age range is approximately 7-10 years. The language is very clean and there's no violence. Best friends Rosie and and Kat are helpful, intelligent, and relatable youngsters and kids will enjoy following their adventures

The art by Morgan Huff is line drawn in monochrome, but suits the story very well and is nicely rendered. The book is generously illustrated throughout (in B&W). 

The resolution and denouement are satisfying and well done. This series only contains 4 books at present, but promises to be one which will be perfect for binge reading. I would've devoured these when I was 7 years old.

Four stars.

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

 

Wish You Weren't Here (The Rooks #1)

Wish You Weren't Here is the first book in an urban fantasy mash-up series by Gabby Hutchinson Crouch. Released 7th Oct 2021 by Farrago, it's 240 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. 

This is a completely bonkers full-bore action UF comedy which reminds me of the comedy/horror aspects of Buffy and Supernatural, but not derivative at all and with its own British self-deprecating humour. The ensemble crew of ghost hunters are fundamentally a family with the rich comedic possibilities that entails, alongside each having their own particular talents (clairvoyant, telekinetic, possessed by ancient mostly benignly cooperative demon, accountant, etc). The world building is by turns complex and comedic including an apocalyptic fight in an abandoned Tesco store on a possessed island. 

The humour relies heavily on sight gags and slapstick, but happily, the author's up to the task of writing quite cinematically, so it never drags or bogs down. The entire book is a potty, very trippy, out of control end-of-the-world extravaganza. The author even manages some sly foreshadowed twists which she ties up into a satisfying denouement and resolution. 

I've been a fast fan of her Darkwood series, and this is both a departure with different settings and themes, but also resonant with the same bouncy repartee and humour as her other series (but alas, no Trevor the spider to liven things up here). 

This book includes positive representation of LGBTQIA+ relationships, family/sibling relationships, British (and Polish) pluck and esprit de corps and I frankly loved it to bits. I'm waiting on tenterhooks for more. It's weird and funny and wonderful. It might require readers to be in a particular mood for fantasy humour, but otherwise is very well written, immersive, and engaging. 

Four and a half stars. More, please. 

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

Beyond Grapes: Simple Recipes for Delicious Homemade Liqueurs

Beyond Grapes: Simple Recipes for Delicious Homemade Liqueurs is a tutorial guide with recipes for homemade liqueurs curated by Yacov Morad and is the second book in the Beyond Grapes titles by the author. Released 18th Oct 2021 by Library Tales, it's 134 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

The author has experience as a non-grape based vintner, and these recipes reflect non-grape based liqueurs and flavorings. The book is streamlined and meticulously, logically laid out. The introductory tutorial walk-through of the base process is followed by the recipes, grouped thematically: specialty liqueurs, fruit liqueurs, mixed liqueurs (dozens to choose from), veggie and herbal, homemade and flavored vodkas, and homemade moonshine. 

Each of the tutorials contains a description, yields, estimated proof alcohol percentage, a bullet list of ingredients with measurements given in standard (metric) units, and followed by step-by-step instructions. The photography throughout is stellar; beautifully styled, clear, and attractive. 

There were some minor points which I didn't understand with the first read though which I need to investigate a little more thoroughly, for example, which specific sort of alcoholic base is used in the moonshine recipes (which I understand to be home-distilled high-proof liquor which is legally problematic in most of the world without special licensing). I'm assuming that, like the other chapters, store-bought vodka or grain alcohol is used as a base. 

The author's style of writing is warmly conversational and he seems like a genuinely knowledgeable and generous man. The introductory dedication to his family, especially his wife, was touching and uplifting, especially in the current darkly unsettled world climate. 

Five stars. This would be a superlative choice for public library acquisition, for foodies, for cocktail aficionados, and fans of hospitality/entertaining. 

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

The Rebels of Vanaheim: A Marvel Legends of Asgard Novel (Marvel Aconyte Novels)

The Rebels of Vanaheim is an exciting prose adventure featuring Heimdall and Valkyrie Uschi imagined by Richard Lee Byers. Released 21st Dec 2021 by Aconyte Books, 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a prose adventure. It's not a comic, although it is part of the canonical Legends of Asgard. It's action driven, with well defined characters who are believable and nuanced. The pace is often frenetic and Heimdall and Uschi are drive pillar to post trying to battle shape-shifting really nasty undead draugr and uncover the reasons behind the anti-Asgardian feeling in Vanaheim. 

The battle action scenes are creatively described and coordinated. It was easy for me to imagine the fight scenes in my head whilst I was reading.  I really enjoyed the mechanics of the story being told as a story inside a story, rendering the epilogue humorous and effective. 

This is a good story, well told. Although it works perfectly well as a standalone, readers who prefer to read series in order should be aware that this novel is a sequel to The Head of Mimir by the same author (published 2020).

Four stars. Wall-to-wall action and epic fantasy. 

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

Murder at the National Gallery (Museum Mysteries #7)

 

 

Murder at the National Gallery is the 7th Museum Mystery by Jim Eldridge. Released 20th Jan 2022 by Alison & Busby, it's 311 pages (ebook version) and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats (paperback due out in summer 2022). 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 competently plotted slightly gritty murder mystery. The characters are well developed and have a solid background and chemistry together. The pacing was variable, at points it dragged a bit for me, but overall it moved along at a good pace. It's 90% dialogue driven and the dialogue tends to be overly simplistic and not very nuanced. I admit the dialogue threw me. The book is set in the 19th century and is often quite jarring because the vernacular is completely modern (it reads very much like a modern mystery and the historical setting is only made clear by contextual clues such as when the author throws Bram Stoker, Conan Doyle, and Van Gogh in as contemporary). My other small quibble is that it seemed the author included almost every famous contemporary person, actor, current event, landmark, and news headline in the narrative. It interfered with my suspension of disbelief in several places.

All in all it's a readable and mostly engaging mystery with lots of skullduggery and shenanigans, a soupcon of danger, and a reasonable denouement and resolution. Sensitive readers will want to be aware that there are graphic descriptions of Jack-the-Ripper-esque murders including disembowelment, as well as fairly graphic on-page sexual content and descriptions. The two main protagonists are cohabiting in a stable long-term relationship and apparently suffering no social censure (another anachronism, although the author does partly address the paradox in the text).

Three and a half stars.

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

Magical Rescue Vets: Blaze the Phoenix

Magical Rescue Vets: Blaze the Phoenix is the third book in the Magical Rescue Vets series by Melody Lockhart. Due out 1st May 2022 from Arcturus, it's 128 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. 

This is a well written and action driven story full of friendship, family, and the care and nurturing of magical creatures. It's written as a chapter book and is appropriate for all ages, but the intended age range is approximately 7-10 years. The language is very clean and there's no violence. I was a little dismayed to see main character Rosie being ignored and shooed away by her parents and teacher - but it's presented in a way which will certainly resonate with kids that age who are impatient to grow up and be taken seriously by the adults around them.

The art by Morgan Huff is line drawn monochrome, but suits the story very well and is nicely rendered. The book is generously illustrated throughout (in B&W). 

The resolution and denouement are satisfying and well done. This series only contains 4 books at present, but promises to be one which will be perfect for binge reading. I would've devoured these when I was 7 years old.

Four stars.

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

Tree generation and enumeration: A collection of mathematical ideas in graph theory

Tree generation and enumeration is an engaging and interesting but demanding book on tree generation and graph theory by Jesse Sakari Hyttinen. Released 28th Dec 2021 by the author, it's 150 pages and is available in paperback format. 

This is an interesting concept: formalization of a system by which tree generation and enumeration can be more easily codified for study. The author has used a significant amount of effort to explain his methods for generating and classifying tree structures. Full of mathematical language which will likely be beyond the reach of most laypersons without either expert help, or a specialist background in allied subjects.

I am neither an expert in advanced algebra nor graph theory, although I have a significant background in biophysics, chemistry, and physics, and the necessary calculus and complex analysis to support those studies. I struggled to understand what the author was *trying* to say in this book. I didn't come away from the read with any clear understanding of how his method might differ from currently extant algorithms for tree generation (ramped half-and-half, PTC1, PTC2, randombranch, and uniform for example) except that his method is manual and the abovementioned are partially or wholly computer generated. 

I also found the actual grammar tough going. It's not clear if the book was translated from Finnish or typeset/edited in English, but there are several places in the text which forced me to stop and interpret what the author was trying to say (grammatically, not mathematically). 

There are no step by step proofs, although there are examples of generations of different sizes and complexity throughout the book.

Overall impression. I lack the specific expertise to make a valid judgement on the worth of the thesis to forward the study of graph theory or algebra. It's a deeply niche book and without the necessary background, I can't judge its suitability or correctness to classroom use in those disciplines. It's considerably beyond the scope of linear algebra and might be of use to graduate level graph theory studies. 

The author is quite enthusiastic and the book is very well typeset. The eARC provided for review did not have an index, and it's unclear from the publishing info if there is an index in the final release copy.

Three stars with the *strong* codicil that my expertise in advanced mathematics might not have been up to the job. There are more accessible methods of tree generation and analysis currently available in my opinion.

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

The Lie About the Truck: Survivor, Reality TV, and the Endless Gaze

The Lie About the Truck is an unflinching examination of reality TV and the nature of objective truth by Sallie Tisdale. Released 26th Oct 2021 by Simon & Schuster on their Gallery imprint, it's 251 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. 

The media, the objectivity of truth vs. perception, conspiracy theories, and the nature of reality are very much hot-button topics in our collective cultural consciousness. Up should mean up, blue should be blue, right and wrong, truth, and justice should be objectively simple concepts on which we all agree. Clearly something is amiss when people can see the same information and come to strongly held diametrically opposed, mutually exclusive conclusions. 

So, this book is about Survivor and reality TV, but it's also about the nature of experience and objectivity and perception and what, exactly, is quality, and what is crap and why we feel about them the ways we do. The writing is full of vignettes about the shows (generally including specific season and episode information, so readers can go look up what the author's talking about) and stories about the individual contestants, creators, and behind the scenes info. Accompanying the stories are ruminations and drawn parallels to society and life in general. 

Four stars. Overall the author manages to make some salient points and her writing is, as always, worthwhile and interesting.

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

The Princess and the Pea

The Princess and the Pea is a whimsically illustrated retelling of the classic fairy tale for learning readers by Sue Purcell. Released Jan 15th 2022 by Rosen Publishing on their Windmill Books imprint, it's 24 pages and is available in paperback and library bound formats. This book is part of a series of classic fairy tales written for learning readers which have a similar format and focus.

Most kids will already be familiar with the classic fairy tale so will be able to concentrate on the lessons the author provides on literacy learning whilst listening to the story. There's an emphasis on the phonetics of the words in the text and the sounds with which they're made. Each page of the text has the relevant sound highlighted in the words and a highlighted text box at the foot of each page showing the words which are emphasized in the text. 

The book includes keys for teachers/facilitators/caregivers helping them to present the material for learners optimally and comfortably. Small highlighted text areas on the pages also contain prompts for saying character names, finding objects, or studying pronunciations. 

The art by Charlotte Cook is full of whimsy and small details which invite readers to take a closer look. It's rendered in a friendly naive style which is appealing and fun. 

Although the publisher and author (and illustrator) are in the UK, the vernacular won't pose any problems whatever with English learners in other locations. The only non-universal phrases in this book are "They didn't hang about" and "beastly" which will be easily understood by all readers in context.

Four stars. Very nice for classroom use or homeschooling.

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

The Know-Nonsense Guide to Money: An Awesomely Fun Guide to the World of Finance!

The Know-Nonsense Guide to Money is an appealingly up-to-date guide to all things financial by Heidi Fiedler which is part of the Know-Nonsense series of guides and which is aimed at middle-grade readers. Originally published in 2017, this reformat and re-release from Quarto on their Walter Foster Jr. imprint is due out 5th April 2022. It's 64 pages and will be available in paperback format. Other editions available in other formats.

This is a resource rich and sensible guide to all things fiscal. It clearly and humorously explains concepts from debit cards to currency exchanges.

The book is broken up into chapters: What is Money, Earning, Saving, Spending and Borrowing. Each of the chapters contain full page illustrations, some with sidebars, covering such essentials as 'Needs vs. Wants' and setting financial goals. Quite a lot of the information contained here isn't regularly taught in schools and is really important for life skills mastery. It would make a great addition to a school or classroom library as well. Author Heidi Fiedler includes quite a number of subtle philosophical points in the text in an easy to digest (non-preachy) manner. The art by Brendan Kearney is quirky, colorful, and fun and supports and illustrates the text very well.

Quite a fun and accessible introduction to money and its potential effects on our lives.

Four stars.

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

Puss in Boots

 

Puss in Boots is a whimsically illustrated retelling of the classic fairy tale for learning readers by Sue Purcell. Released Jan 15th 2022 by Rosen Publishing on their Windmill Books imprint, it's 24 pages and is available in paperback and library bound formats. This book is part of a series of classic fairy tales written for learning readers which have a similar format and focus.

Most kids will already be familiar with the classic fairy tale so will be able to concentrate on the lessons the author provides on literacy learning whilst listening to the story. There's an emphasis on the phonetics of the words in the text and the sounds with which they're made. Each page of the text has the relevant sound highlighted in the words and a highlighted text box at the foot of each page showing the words which are emphasized in the text. 

The book includes keys for teachers/facilitators/caregivers helping them to present the material for learners optimally and comfortably. Small highlighted text areas on the pages also contain prompts for saying character names, finding objects, or practising pronunciations. 

The art by Kay Widdowson is full of whimsy and small details which invite readers to take a closer look. It's rendered in a friendly naive style which is appealing and fun. 

It should probably be mentioned that the fairy tale contains some outdated "fairy tale" tropes which might be problematic (giving a princess away to marry a strange young man they pulled out of a stream the day before without any hint of her consent is a little awkward to say the least). But in context with a fairy tale setting and talking cats and ogres, it can likely be ignored. 

Four stars. Very nice for classroom use or homeschooling.

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

Conscious Crafts: Whittling: 20 mindful makes to reconnect head, heart hands

Conscious Crafts: Whittling is part of a series on mindful crafting, this volume by Barn the Spoon (Barnaby Carder). Due out 12th April 2022 from Quarto on their Leaping Hare imprint, it's 144 pages and will be available in hardcover format.

I don't think many would disagree that it's been a stressful and difficult few years. There is a disconnect between our daily consumerist lives and our hands. Many of my friends and colleagues have picked up knitting, painting, or other crafts. This is a good general primer on whittling wood with hand tools. The author writes authoritatively and knowledgeably about woodcarving, but he also has salient points to make about process and how we relate to our crafting and the creative process. 

The introduction includes a good overview over tools, materials, and basic skills. The following chapters contain the tutorials: food/prep items (egg cup, fork, tongs, chopsticks, a very clever whisk (pictured on the cover), and salt spoon), utility items (letter opener, soap dish, card holder, etc), and some small decorative and handmade crafts tools (buttons, crochet hook, drop spindle, plant label, and a nifty wooden whistle). 

Tutorials contain a bullet list of tools and ingredients; measurements are given in standard (metric) units with imperial (American) units in parentheses. Instructions are clearly and simply written and are easy to understand. Each of the tutorials is accompanied by clear colour photographs and simple line drawn illustrations.

This is a very restful and very useful book. The author is quite talented at explaining the processes and the result feels like a well organised masterclass with a very competent and patient teacher. 

Five stars. This would be a good choice for public or school library acquisition, maker's spaces, or home crafter's studio. 

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

Atlas of Perfumed Botany

Atlas of Perfumed Botany is a beautifully illustrated atlas/encyclopedia of the art and botany of perfumery by renowned "nose" Jean-Claude Ellena. Released in French in 2020, this English language translation is due out 5th April 2022 from the MIT Press. It's 168 pages and will be available in hardcover format. 

This is an accessible and well written nonfiction atlas of scented botanical materials used in perfume, and presented by a world renowned perfumer with decades of experience. He writes very knowledgeably and well and it's very clear that he knows what he's talking about. The book's chapters are arranged thematically: woods & barks, leaves, flowers, gums & resins, seeds, and roots. Each entry includes the name with botanical (Latin) nomenclature, and wonderfully warm stories of the plants and how they're grown and processed. It could be a dry recitation, but these vignettes are anything but - they're told in a personal and conversational manner and felt to me much like an informal coffee date with a mentor.

The translation work by Erik Butler is seamless. I never once felt yanked out of the flow of the stories or found anything that was clumsily translated or awkwardly worded. The illustrations by Karin Doering-Froger are graphically attractive and restful and enhance the individual entries well. They have a sort of botanical print / Wm. Morris vibe. 

Five stars. This would be a good choice for public or school library acquisition, as well as for gardeners and readers who enjoy botanical reading. The author is a joy to read and vastly knowledgeable.

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

Natural Kitchen Dyes

 

Natural Kitchen Dyes is a primer and tutorial guide for organic plant based dyes written and curated by Alicia Hall. Due out 31st March 2022 from Pen & Sword on their White Owl imprint, it's 152 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

The book is presented in a sensible progression, with chapters flowing naturally into one another: gathering (potentially large amounts of) dye materials, choosing fabrics, necessary tools and supplies, mordanting with soya milk, colourfastness, the actual dyeing process, surface printing and inks, and tutorial projects. Readers should be aware that the information contained in the chapters is broad in scope, but very short on actual concrete tips and usable facts. It would be quite difficult, I think, to take this book as a total beginner and have enough information to make colorants and dye fabric without having other resources or a teacher available.

The pictures are appealing and restful. The author emphasizes safety and (where applicable) organic and easily sourced ingredients. The included projects are very simple and most are appealing. Natural dyeing is an experimental and experiential craft. It is almost impossible to get consistent results and the author's writing style goes with that flow. The projects (to me) have a very hippy-style earthy vibe and will appeal to readers who enjoy a more natural decor. The included lunch bag/cutlery roll tutorials are wonderful and very versatile. Full size templates are included in the book.

The book doesn't include an index or links for further reading, or a bibliography. The measurements included in the tutorials are in standard (metric) measures. There is no conversion tool in the book. Text and spelling are UK/standard English and shouldn't be problematic in context for readers in the USA.

I loved the easy and accessible prose and the lovely clear pictures. Four stars.

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

Under Lock & Skeleton Key (Secret Staircase Mystery #1)

Under Lock & Skeleton Key is an engaging cozy mystery series starter full of illusions and stage magic by Gigi Pandian. Released 15th March 2022 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 352 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. 

I love stage magic and illusions and I'm completely crazy about old houses with hidden rooms and architectural easter-eggs like bookcases which are secret doors and mantlepieces with hidden catches to open secret panels. This book is full of them. The plot turns around an ensemble cast of specialty builders, stonemasons, and woodworkers who design and install secret rooms and hidden staircases. This is a locked room cozy with hidden rooms aplenty and skullduggery abounding. 

Although it's a murder mystery, it felt as though it were written more for a younger (YA/NA) audience. It's very much action driven with characters racing from one scene to the next at a frenetic pace. There's a fair amount of BFF drama between the main protagonist and her former BF with lots of heartfelt emotional dialogue between the two. There's also a literal locked room murder mystery with a recently dead corpse (and doppelganger of the MC) tumbling out of a wall which was just opened - no way in or out. It has a definite Nancy Drew vibe with a little whiff of Scooby Doo.

Throw in lots and lots of stage magic, a family curse (the eldest child shall die by magic), hidden motives, and crazy architectural prestidigitation, and stir well. Although I'm a few decades beyond the presumable intended audience, I found it engaging and entertaining. I was impressed over the author's expertise describing architecture and scenery; technically that's very challenging and she does it very well. Some of the dialogue is a bit choppy and some of the scenery dressing and illusions are a bit over the top and "Scooby-Doo-ish" but it's all good fun. 

I also liked that the protagonist's family is multi-ethnic and the requisite cozy recipes at the back of the book reflect her Indian/Scottish background. 

Four stars. Looking forward to what's coming next.

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

My Sticker Paintings: Unicorns

My Sticker Paintings: Unicorns is one of a set of new "paint by numbers" mosaic sticker books aimed at young readers. Released 15th Feb 2022 by Chlorophyl Editions, it's 44 pages and is available in paperback format with all stickers included. 

This is precisely what it says on the cover. The drawings on each page are numbered by parts which correspond to a matching sticker to place on the page to create a mosaic like finished project. Each of the 10 picture mosaics covers a 2 page spread with the picture on one side and a description and "facts" about each unicorn on the other side along with a picture of the finished painting to go by.

The electronic ARC provided for review didn't include a physical copy of the book, so paper quality and sticker stickiness and printing/cutting are not part of this review. The pictures themselves are engaging and creative and well drawn.

Four stars. This is a fun activity book and will provide hours of quiet play.

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

Byzantine Fortifications Protecting the Roman Empire in the East

Byzantine Fortifications is a well written and accessible guide to the strategic fortifications of the eastern Roman Empire by historian Dr. Nikos Kontogiannis. Due out 30th May 2022 from Pen & Sword, it's 240 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

This is a beautifully illustrated volume which covers an impressively broad time period - from early 3-4th century fortifications through the late Byzantine 13th-15th century. The unifying strategic importance, location, and development are well explained by the author in a manner which is understandable to the layperson. There are maps, line drawings and schematics, and modern photographs of ancient castles and fortifications. 

The author writes engagingly. It's clear he's both knowledgeable and enthusiastic about his area of expertise. It's easy to imagine he would be a gifted lecturer and instructor. Although it's accessible to the layperson, the volume is meticulously annotated throughout and the chapter notes and source annotations will provide readers with many hours of further reading. I especially liked seeing the modern photos of ancient ruins.

Five stars. This would make a superlative choice for public and school library acquisition as well as a fine addition to the home library for readers of military history, archaeology, etc. 

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

Attracting Garden Pollinators by Jean Vernon

 

Attracting Garden Pollinators is a well written guide to understanding local pollinators and planning an appropriate garden environment to attract and support them. Due out 6th June 2022 from Pen & Sword on their White Owl imprint, it's 176 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

The introduction covers the basics of pollinator entomology and concepts: what are beneficial insects, how they work and why they're important. The intro is followed by a "bestiary" with some of the most common groups of pollinators (butterflies, moths, bees, wasps, hoverflies, flies, and beetles). The rest of the book covers habitats, attractor plants, and thuggish plants like bindweed and Japanese knotweed (and some techniques for controlling them).

The book is lavishly illustrated with clear color photos throughout. The photos show featured insects in various life stages including pupal and adult which make identification easier. Tips and extra info is included in highlighted text boxes throughout. Photo captions are well written and easy to understand. The chapter on useful plants for native pollinators and parasitoids has been written with a good eye toward garden design and diversity. There are a lot of plants which are beautiful and useful and which people will want to plant in their gardens (instead of hiding the weedy looking ones).

There's an abbreviated resource and links list in the back of the book which is mostly slanted toward readers in the UK but will also provide relevant info for readers living in other parts of the world. The book also includes a cross referenced index.

No single book is going to be the holy grail of gardening information; this one does a good job of deep diving into an important (and often overlooked) aspect of natural controls and organic methods which happily co-align with much needed biodiversity support and regenerative gardening.

Five stars. This would make a good selection for public or school library acquisition, makers groups, gardening and activity groups, home and community gardeners, smallholders, and the like. 

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

Raising Chickens for Beginners: The Complete Guide To Raising Backyard Chickens - Quality Eggs, Safe, Healthy and Smell-free Coop

Raising Chickens for Beginners is an accessible and easy to understand guide to succeeding with a backyard flock written and presented by Otis Banks. Released 30th June 2021, it's 146 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 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 very basic, no frills book which is short on glossy photos and unnecessary graphics but which is complete, information dense, and sufficient to get started in poultry keeping. The author presupposes no previous knowledge, and all new terms and concepts are explained well in the text. The chapters progress from first thoughts about keeping backyard chickens, through considerations (legal, local, space, costs, etc), to building coops (no specific plans are included, but there are some photos for inspiration), acquiring a flock, and keeping them healthy and happy. 

The book contains a useful links/resources list which, though suited to a North American audience, is useful to poultry keepers in other areas.  There is also an index after the resources section.

Final verdict, very entertaining and interesting book, well written and on-topic, and fighting the good fight against misinformation and disappointment. This would be a good choice for public or school library acquisition, and for readers wishing to increase their food security and self-sufficiency. It would also be a good choice for allotment/garden group libraries, activity groups, scouting, and 4-H. The scope of the book is probably too narrow to make it an appropriate choice for smallholders or farmers. It's mostly for suburban/hobby/pet chicken enthusiasts.

Four stars

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

Abuelita and Me

Abuelita and Me is a sweetly illustrated and perceptively written book for young readers (~4-7 years) by Dr. Leonarda Carranza. Due out 12th April 2022 from Annick Press, it's 32 pages and will be available in hardcover format.

This is a poignant little book. The first person account from the point of view of the young narrator shows her feelings, confusion, sadness, and reactions to racism in her daily existence as she goes about her life with her grandmother: to the store, on the bus, shopping, and just existing. It's also full of warmth and fun as she abuelita (grandmother) have fun painting their nails, drawing, splashing in puddles, and cooking together. 

The art by Rafael Mayani is rendered simply but full of warmth and feeling. The drawings are dynamic and the artist has a knack of portraying emotional range: anger, confusion, sadness, disdain. The art is full of small details which invite readers to take a closer look.

Five stars. It's not always a comfortable book to read, but it is, I think, an important one. This would make a superlative choice for public, school, or classroom library acquisition, reading circle, for therapists and counselors, and for the home library. It will provide an opening for discussion and learning. It's distressing, but also empowering and uplifting. 

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

The Healing Garden: Cultivating and Handcrafting Herbal Remedies

 

 

The Healing Garden is an encyclopedic herbal and guide to medicinal plants and herbal medicine by Juliet Blankespoor. Due out 8th April 2022 from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt on their Mariner imprint, it's a substantial 448 pages and will be available in hardcover, and ebook formats.

This is a well written and accessible beginner-friendly guide (with recipes and tutorials) for herb gardening and herbal medicine.The author writes with competence and experience on choosing, growing, harvesting, processing, and using herbs and the active ingredients they contain. The first section (~25%) covers culture, siting, soil building, pest control, and propagation (very useful info here). The chapters in section 2 introduce methods for harvesting and preparing/preserving plant material without destroying active ingredients. The third and largest section contains a survey of active ingredients, safety issues, and a comprehensive herbal with profiles for 32 common herbs from anise hyssop to yarrow.

The tutorials and recipes include tools and ingredients in a bullet style list. Measurements are in American/imperial units with metric/standard measures in parentheses (yay!), followed by step by step instructions. Plant profiles in the herbal chapters include common and botanical (Latin) nomenclature, culture info, habit (size, spread), propagation, medicinal uses, and recipes and tutorials for specific uses.

The book is lushly illustrated and photographed throughout in full color. The author has also included a resource and links lists, bibliography, and index. 

Five stars. This would be a superlative choice for public or school library acquisition, community garden/allotment member libraries, or the home gardener's library. 

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

 

Spindles for Small Shop Metalworkers Learn How to Build Your Own Spindle Varieties and Enhance Your Lathe and Workshop; Over 150 Scale Plans, Line Drawings, and Data Tables

Spindles for Small Shop Metalworkers is a well written accessible tutorial guide with schematics for machining custom spindles for lathe work. Released 1st Feb 2022 by Fox Chapel, it's 160 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. 

This is precisely as described on the cover. The author is clearly experienced at engineering and gives precise instruction with clear and detailed drawings throughout. The introduction gives a good overview over expectations and the scope of the book, what the resultant spindles are for, and materials and tools required. 

The following chapters cover the design process, a basic tutorial for creating a general spindle, and specific more specialized spindles of differing diameters, shapes, and uses. The final chapters cover setups for driving the spindles created in the book with specific info about motor speeds, power delivery, and safety. The book is very well illustrated throughout with clear high contrast sectional drawings which are clearly captioned. Measurements are given in both standard (metric/mm) and American (imperial/inches). The author also gives specific information about fitting bearings, as well as specs for nuts, pulleys, caps, and clamps used. I was also impressed (and charmed) that the author included his specific contact information (email, phone, etc) in case readers find errors in the text.

Five stars. Clearly a niche book, but one which does a very good job of what it proposes to do. This would be a good choice for public or school library workshop, makers' workshops, classroom use, or for the DIYer's home library.

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

Make Your Own Cake Toppers

Make Your Own Cake Toppers is a versatile and whimsical tutorial guide to cake toppers and decorations by Darren Allford. Due out 30th May 2022 from Pen & Sword on their White Owl imprint, it's 152 pages and will be available in paperback format. 

The fun tutorials included here are full of wit and humour and are cute and appealing as well. The author begins with a general introduction to the tools, materials, and techniques. The projects are written for either polymer clay or fondant and he does a good job of explaining the simple tools needed to shape, mold, and create with both fondant and polymer clay, as well as the inks and powders which will add detail and finish. 

The projects are arranged thematically: a girly 21st b'day topper, farm animals, baby themed, pets, gamer, fairies, unicorn, festive holiday elf, glamour/diva, superhero, wedding, and princess. I'm definitely a process based learner, so this book was perfect for me. Each tutorial includes detailed step-by-step instructions with clear process photos. The photographs are crisp and clear, the steps are very well delineated, and the projects are super cute and appealing (see cover). The projects are mostly whimsical and have a younger/kid-age feel in my opinion; but could easily be adapted for more grownup projects. Stylistically, they're heavily slanted toward kids' birthdays, and casual celebrations, and much less appealing for very formal weddings or other serious occasions.

Four stars.

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

Korean American: Food That Tastes Like Home

Korean American is a gloriously colorful cookbook/memoir/ode to Korean American food and fusion culture with recipes developed and curated by Eric Kim. Due out 29th March 2022 from Penguin Random House on their Clarkson Potter imprint, it's 288 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

I love Korean food but always felt somewhat intimidated and full of excuses: "It's too complicated", "the ingredients are hard to source", "it requires too much special equipment", and maybe the lamest of them all "it's culturally insensitive for a lily white Irish girl to make Korean food". This book is wonderful. It's a full spectrum of food - from quick snacks to eat alone, up to company worthy feasts. There's introspective comfort food for a quiet dinner at home as well as exuberant celebration food, and all of it with a Korean American fusion vibe.

The book is arranged logically and well and info is easy to find quickly. The introduction covers a little bit of history, some personal family reminiscences, ingredients, and pantry lists with ingredient explanations. The recipes in the following chapters are grouped thematically: quick meals (to eat on the couch), kimchi (my favorite chapter - luscious variations here for every taste and so versatile), stews, rice dishes, fish, vegetables, feasts/celebratory food, and baked goods.

Each recipe includes an introduction and background, followed by a bullet list of ingredients. Measurements are given in American standard units, no metric equivalents are provided. The cooking instructions are enumerated step by step. There is no nutritional info included. Most recipe ingredients will be familiar to western cooks and will be available at any well stocked grocery store. Some ingredients will require access to a larger metropolitan area or specialist grocers (or mail order). Each recipe is accompanied by one or more color photos. Serving and preparation suggestions are appealing and appropriate. It all looks delicious.

Five stars. This is a beautifully made, thoughtfully written, engaging, and information dense book. It's a classic and good cookbook, not just a good Korean cookbook. This would be a superlative choice for public library acquisition, and for foodies. The pictures alone are worth the price of admission.

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

Missing, Suspected Dead (Elisabeth Hicks, Witch Detective #3)

Missing, Suspected Dead is the third Elizabeth Hicks paranormal romance/mystery by Rachel Graves. Released 13th Aug 2021, it's 188 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 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, alongside the earlier books in the series.

There's certainly no dearth of urban fantasy gritty PI type series with badass female protagonists floating around. This one distinguishes itself by being better than average. The plotting and action driven story arc are well controlled and immersive. I never found my interest wandering or got yanked out of the story by clunky dialogue or unbelievable scenes (it's a paranormal fantasy, but it operates within the "rules"). 

The story is engaging with lots of personal and family drama against a backdrop of murder and mayhem in the magical community (weres, ghosts, vampires, psychics, the full package). It's pure escapist reading. The language is rough (lots of "f-bombs") and there is a full measure of graphic violence. There are descriptions of abuse, murder, and neglect which could be potentially problematic for some readers. There are frank descriptions of sex acts included. They're not egregious, they advance the plot and set scenes, but they are there. 

Although it's the third book in the series, it works well enough as a standalone, and I had no trouble keeping the characters straight. There are spoilers for the earlier books, however, so readers who want to read them all will be better off reading them in order. 

Four stars. Well written. Fans of Hamilton (Anita Blake) and Briggs (Mercy Thompson) will find a lot to like here.

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

Classic & Colorful Patchwork and Appliqué Quilt Patterns

Classic & Colorful Patchwork and Appliqué Quilt Patterns is a colorful and accessible quilting tutorial guide by Jim & Jan Shore. Originally published (as Jim & Jan Shore’s Passion for Quilts) in 2009, this reformat and re-release is due out 28th March 2022 from Fox Chapel on their Landauer imprint. It's 184 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

This is a collection of 24 quilt designs, accompanied by tutorials for each of the projects. The designs are appealing and beautiful and the suggested colors are classic and also allow wide range for individual artistic expression. The patterns are a wide range of difficulties and many of them are perfectly suitable as a beginner learning project. There are some few which will challenge even experienced quilters.

All the tutorials are well written and include lots of process and finished photos, a bullet list of tools and supplies (measurements are in US standard measurements), and step-by-step instructions. Tutorial photos are clear and in color and are taken without hands or other distractions in the way. Line drawings and schematics are also in color and high contrast and easy to understand. Extra photos of props, ornaments, and settings provide whimsy and coordinating decorating ideas. 

According to the publishing information, the full size templates are included with the book. They were not included in the early eARC provided for review purposes. I assume they will be included in the retail version, but it might be prudent to check. 

Four stars.

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

Around the Board: Boards, Platters, and Plates: Seasonal Cheese and Charcuterie for Year-Round Celebrations and Elevated Gatherings

Around the Board is a well written and beautifully illustrated guide to charcuterie and cheese boards by Emily Delaney. Due out 29th March 2022 from Penguin Random House on their DK imprint, it's 192 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

DK's dependability with nonfiction is well documented. They're really good with illustrated how-to guides and this one is no exception. The author presents a comprehensive general introduction full of basic instructions on how to make boards, how to choose ingredients, how to serve them and more. The introduction is followed by seasonal specialty servings (Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall) full of appropriate and attractive food, well curated and presented. 

The book is full to bursting with useful tables and choices; showing what cheese goes with which fruit and showing readers how to pair ingredients to show them at their best. I'm generally fairly clueless about *what* will complement *which* and I felt that the information contained here gave me enough confidence to make a somewhat educated choice as far as arrangement and choices. Not just enough with specific advice about which types of cheese and meat to provide, the author goes a step further and shows how to slice, fold, and prepare meats and cheeses so that they're accessible and portable for serving. 

Each of the specific board tutorials in the book contains an introduction, a bullet point shopping list, a tutorial for building the recipe, (with ingredients on a color photo showing how to build it), and suggestions for pairings of food for flavor and texture. All the photos in the book are large, high contrast, and in color, without hands or anything in the way. 

Many of the ingredients will be easy to find at any large supermarket or box-store. Some of the more specialized cheeses and charcuterie will require mail order or access to a large urban area, or specialist grocer. Serving suggestions are beautifully styled and attractive (it's the high point of the book for me). 

Five stars. This would make a great choice for library acquisition, for the home cook, or possibly as a thoughtful hostess gift. 

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

(Joe Pickett #22)

Shadows Reel is the 22nd Joe Picket western mystery by C.J. Box. Released 8th March 2022 by Penguin on their G. P. Punam's Sons imprint, it's 368 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback edition due out in April 2022. 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. 

I have enjoyed the books in this series very much. It's solidly relaxing reading, where the good guys are good, the bad guys are evil, and the denouements and resolutions, when they come, are unalloyed and satisfying. This particular installment to the series is a departure, and I'm not convinced it's a good one. There have always been "men gotta be men" aspects to the characters and the earlier books, but this one is overly testosterone soaked and unnecessarily egregiously violent from the beginning on. 

The main characters are back, and it's a holiday gathering for the Picketts, with daughters home for Thanksgiving. Joe's friend Nate is gone for the holiday, chasing down a violent psychopath who threatened his young family and killed or stole all his raptors (he's a falconer who works with raptors in bird abatement). There are several seemingly disparate side plot threads which wind together into one overarching story. On the surface, it's a creative story, well told.

My big problem with the book is the propagandist slant. The author spends a significant amount of time spouting conservative media talking points, no matter how little similarity they bear to objective fact. He holds forth about "Antifa chapters" and "organized street action" and never once pauses to mention Boogaloo Boys, Proud Boys, or any domestic terrorist right-wing organizations. He refers to pushback on police violence as creating an "urban hellscape". He mocks and belittles protestors as dimwitted easily led sheep, parasites on their trust-fund incomes, and living in their parents' basements.

I get that westerns generally, and this series specifically, are full of "good old boys" doing what cowboy hat wearing late-middle-aged guys do, but this one went past that by a country mile, directly into pandering to a not-very-nice vocal subsegment of the population. I spent a lot of the book shaking my head and angry at the straight-outta-FoxEntertainment sound bites. I have no idea how much (or how closely, if any) of fictive Joe Pickett's philosophy is also author C.J. Box's belief system, but it really made me sad, unsettled, and wary of continuing with the series.

Three and a half stars. If I read the next book, it will be with trepidation. 

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