Golden Age Locked Room Mysteries

 

Golden Age Locked Room Mysteries is an anthology of American crime fiction from the first half of the 20th century (1930 - 1949) collected and curated by crime fiction historian Otto Penzler. Due out 19th July by Penzler on the American Mystery Classics imprint, it's 508 pages and will be available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats.

This is a selection of 14 short works from very well known golden age authors from Craig Rice to Anthony Boucher, John Dickson Carr, Cornell Woolrich et.al. All the authors are relatively well known and will be familiar to most readers. Of the stories selected, only half were previously familiar to me (and provided a welcome re-read, I had forgotten most of the denouements). The detectives are selected from the authors' best known, and all of the stories are of a very high quality. Especially considering the addition of the information rich story notes, it's a very satisfying read overall. 

In the introduction and story notes, we are gifted a multitude of plum trivia and factoids which are delightfully obscure and lift the whole to another level of wonderfully nerdy and edifying. Background such as Mr. Penzler provides really enhances the overall enjoyment of the stories themselves and I always (always!) look forward to reading his insightful commentary. This volume also provides guided reading notes for classroom or bookclub discussion which will come in handy for more formal discussion (or solo rumination). 

Along with the classic and engaging stories, the background info and notes, and the discussion content, this is one of a series with coordinated cover art and layouts which provide a worthy service by protecting these early stories and presenting them to newer generations of readers. 

Five stars. The stories themselves are solidly 3.5 - 5 stars, weighted toward the higher end of the scale. Despite being pretty firmly an e-reader prejudiced reader at this point (sorry, not sorry), I have acquired these in physical copies as well, and I love the way they look on my bookshelves. This would make a good selection for library acquisition, book club & classroom use, or plain reading enjoyment. I recommend the series (and its editor) very highly.

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

Mysteries of the Norman Conquest: Unravelling the Truth of the Battle of Hastings and the Events of 1066

Mysteries of the Norman Conquest is a well annotated and layman accessible monograph on deciphering the extant sources (and later interpretations) from the Battle of Hastings and the events of 1066. Due out 14th July 2022 from Pen & Sword on their Frontline imprint, it's 248 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

I was fascinated reading the author's presentation of both the primary historical sources on the Norman incursions into England and events of the period which have been muddled or partially lost to the passage of time. The author begins with a helpful recap of the undisputed events of the period, and on to the salient battles (Fulford, Stamford Bridge, and finally Hastings). He also examines the composition of the warring forces, their technology, and the relevant physical terrain, then and now. 

It's annotated well throughout, and the chapter notes and bibliography will give rich scope for further reading for keen students of the period. Probably the highlight for me was the author's riveting (really!) discussion of the Bayeux Tapestry and its inception and known history. I'm a keen embroiderer (it's not a tapestry, as most people know by now) and reading about the work and the history and disposition of the piece, as well as the missing/lost panel of William's coronation, was fascinating. The sheer scope of the tapestry has always amazed me and although not lavishly illustrated, the text was fascinating.

The final release version will also include a number of photographs and maps of relevant locations described in the text.

Four and a half stars. 

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

Locklands (The Founders Trilogy #3)

Locklands is the third and final book in the Founders Trilogy by Robert Jackson Bennett. Released in the US 28th June 2022 by Penguin Random House on their Del Rey Books imprint, it's 560 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. 

This is a sweeping campaign fantasy rich in detail and world building. It provides political action, campaigning, skulduggery, questing, magic, a seriously nasty and powerful antagonist, and everything for the 'doorstop fantasy' fan. I have followed the progress of the series and world building since the beginning, and will say right away that I believe that this final book will suffer greatly by attempting to read it as a standalone. There's way too much backstory and context necessary to be read by itself. 

This is such a beautifully written book. The prose flows, the dialogue is realistic and the characters are distinctly individual and despite containing a large cast of secondary characters, I didn't have any troubles keeping them separate. The many disparate plot threads wind together throughout into a satisfying climax, denouement, and conclusion. I gasped out loud at the epilogue. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run-time of 21 hours and 35 minutes and is capably narrated by Tara Sands. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.

Five stars. Perfect for fans of campaign fantasy. It would also be a good choice for library acquisition.

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

Contemporary Color Theory: Watercolor Flowers: A modern exploration of the color wheel and watercolor to create beautiful floral artwork

Contemporary Color Theory: Watercolor Flowers is a well written watercolor tutorial for botanical subjects by Manushree Mishra. Due out 5th July 2022 from Quarto on their Walter Foster imprint, it's 128 pages and will be available in paperback format. 

The layout follows the familiar Walter Foster tutorial format. An introduction covers tools and supplies and is followed by a short and easily accessible general watercolor tutorial and an introduction to necessary techniques and info about value, water control, pigment saturation, etc.  The author expends a lot of effort to impart lessons on color harmony and palettes as they relate specifically to watercolor. She has a competent, friendly, and encouraging style of writing. It reads more like a one-on-one class with a friendly and talented teacher.

Roughly half of the book is technique and color theory and half is specific project tutorials. The tutorials are all professional and beautiful looking and they utilize the techniques and color theory from the beginning chapters. Each tutorial includes a palette in color alongside a photo of the finished painting followed by step by step directions for achieving similar results. Each of the tutorial steps is captioned with simple and easy to understand direction.

This is a basic book but it's full of good techniques and will provide some useful takeaways for the majority of readers/artists.This would be a good choice for the artist's home studio, as well as for public and school library acquisition.

Four and a half stars.

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

Classic Calligraphy for Beginners: Essential Step-by-Step Techniques for Copperplate and Spencerian Scripts

Classic Calligraphy for Beginners is a well written tutorial guide for Spencerian and copperplate calligraphy by Younghae Chung. Due out 12th July 2022 from Quarto on their Quarry imprint, it's 144 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats (ebook currently available). 

I love calligraphy books. There is something very relaxing and meditative about sitting quietly and finding a thoughtful zone and seeing a piece come together on the paper. Even (maybe even especially?) the practice that goes before getting comfortable with a new technique is a meditative process and valuable for the quiet time and sense of mastery it provides. 

This is a well and logically formatted book which is beginner friendly and not intimidating at all, but which will also provide challenges and learning opportunities for more advanced beginner and intermediate calligraphers. The book is accessible. The introduction covers tools and supplies and is followed by the two main tutorial chapters covering copperplate and Spencerian script. The chapters are built up in practice lessons from introduction and overview through basic strokes, lower and uppercase letters, connections, and negative spaces/spacing. 

The final half of the book contains specific tutorials for projects using nib, brush, and pen work. The projects are appealing and beautiful. The book includes a number of reproducible/copyable guide sheets with a link to her website for more practice sheets, a short links and resource guide, and an abbreviated index. 

Five stars. This would make a good choice for public or school library acquisitions, makers' space studio library, and for the artist's home reference shelf. 

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

Brilliant Inks: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating in Vivid Color - Draw, Paint, Print, and More!

Brilliant Inks is a colorful well written tutorial guide for artists by Anna Sokolova in the Art for Modern Makers series. Due out 5th July 2022 from Quarto on their Quarry imprint, it's 128 pages and will be available in paperback format. 

This is such a colorfully inspiring and useful book. All of the pages are enhanced with gorgeously rendered botanicals, butterflies, and nature scenes. The author has an informal writing style that is encouraging and never intimidating. It reads like a well written masterclass one-on-one. The books chapters are arranged thematically with later techniques building on earlier lessons. She begins with the absolute basics; introducing tools and supplies, inks, paper, etc. I liked that she doesn't push one particular brand or specific equipment (brand labels are figleafed in the photos). She's fairly specific about which *types* of inks give specific results, but she also encourages readers to experiment and discover and innovate on their own as well. 

The tutorial chapters are full of clear color step-by-step photos. I appreciate that the photography stylist was clearly good at their job and the photos are easy to decipher, without hands or other items in the way of the action. The range of the tutorials is impressive and the author has included some really beautiful portraiture here which will keep artists of -all- levels of expertise challenged and learning. Her use of negative space, shading, and light effects is masterful. 

Five stars. This is one for the artist's home studio library reference shelf. It would also make a superlative choice for public or school library acquisition, makers' spaces, and similar. 

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

Everyday Celebrations From Scratch

Everyday Celebrations From Scratch is a DIY guide with cooking and crafts written and curated by Maria Provenzano. Released 28th June 2022 by Harper Collins on their HarperHorizon imprint, it's 368 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats.  

The book is written around the idea that celebrations don't have to only occur on big occasions. It's enough to celebrate the everyday things as well. To that end, the chapters' recipes and crafts are grouped thematically: weeknight meals, family, friendship, sports, and seasonal celebrations with entries for each season. 

Recipes are appealing and the book is styled to within an inch of its life. In fact, it reminds me more than a little bit of the Martha Stewart style/aesthetic with a bit more American Italian casual and a little less New England WASP. Recipes are written with an introduction, ingredients in a bullet list in a sidebar, and followed by step-by-step instructions. Measurements are provided with imperial (American) units only. There is no nutritional information included. Most of the ingredients for food and crafts will be relatively easy to source at any moderately large grocery store or big box crafts supplier. 

The production values are top notch, but fair warning: the book seems to be a photo album of a hyper-imagined "instagram perfect" family (as I look around at my messy kitchen countertops and wash my 3rd load of laundry for the day). They're almost all blonde, beautiful, thin, with straight teeth and full heads of beautifully styled hair (even the older generation). There are abundant photos of the author's beautiful family, but not so many of the food or crafts. 

The crafts are mostly kid-friendly, and I never really thought I would review a book which intentionally included pasta picture art, but here we are. 

Three and a half stars. A careful read-through showed no glaring errors in the recipes or crafts tutorials. 

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

101 Super Cute Cat Things to Draw: Draw, doodle, and color a plethora of purrfectly pawsome felines and quirky cat mash-ups

101 Super Cute Cat Things to Draw is an adorable beginner drawing guide with tutorials by Lulu Mayo. Released 14th June 2022 by Quarto on their Walter Foster imprint, it's 128 pages and available in paperback format. 

This is a how-to book. The sections and tutorials are grouped thematically and start with the very basic tools & supplies, and tips for getting started. Further chapters build on the skills from the earlier parts and include using color, and step-by-step tutorials.

The author has a very friendly and encouraging style of writing and the drawing lessons are not intimidating or difficult in any way. She also includes some tips and tricks to get the shy artist in motion.

The book seems to be slanted to a mostly younger audience, but frankly I see kawaii scientist cats with lab coats and syringes and microscopes in the margins of my "meeting notes".  

Well worth a look, especially if you have a young artist (or wannabe) on your hands. It would also make a lovely gift, perhaps bundled with some art supplies. Highly recommended for folks who regularly interact with small children as well to learn to draw something which will delight and impress the smalls.

Four and a half stars

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

Risen (Alex Verus #12)

Risen is the 12th Alex Verus urban fantasy novel by Benedict Jacka. Released 7th Dec 2021 by Penguin Random House on their Berkley Ace imprint, it's 334 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. 

This is a consistently solid series, well written, skillfully plotted, and precisely engineered. Titular protagonist Alex Verus is world-weary, cynical, and generally fed up with everyone's crap. This installment sees him yet again navigating the self-created crises the council have managed to create in their jockeying for power whilst (hopefully) staying alive and preventing minor catastrophes like the end of the universe and all life in it. 

I've seen Verus and the series as a whole compared to Butcher's Dresden. They're both seat of their pants mages and reactive and sarcastic, but Dresden is indelibly American in tone, language, and impulse - he's a hot tempered cowboy. Verus seems more considered and tactical - he usually has a backup plan or two (and usually needs them). 

The plotting throughout is tight and the plotline is beautifully fluid, leading to a satisfying climax, denouement, and conclusion. For all the readers who enjoy binge reading from start to finish and aren't already huge fans, this is a good candidate. It's top notch well written urban fantasy with well rendered characters and settings. 

Four and a half stars. Sad to see the end of the series, but it's very very well done. 

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

Welding for Beginners: Learn Everything You Need to Know to Weld, Cut, and Shape Metal

Welding for Beginners is a reformat and re-release based on Stephen Blake Christena's earlier introductory welding manual titled Learn to Weld. Due out in this edition 2nd Aug 2022 from Quarto on their New Shoe Press imprint, it's 160 pages and will be available in paperback format. 

This is a very basic beginner-friendly manual on MIG welding. The author does give a very short overview over other types of welding, but the focus of this book and the bulk of the instruction concerns MIG. The book's intro is thorough and step-by-step. The author has an accessible and easy to understand style of writing. In fact much of the book reads like a one-on-one tutorial workshop. Safety is paramount and the author emphasizes safety, attention to detail, and a good and well organized workspace at every step. 

Equipment is explained in detail along with abundant photography of both the necessary gear and the processes. I really liked that the action tutorial photos are taken without hands or other tools obscuring the shot (not a trivial detail - as most of the action in welding occurs with hands and tools in the way). Special tips and tricks for processes are located throughout the book in highlighted text boxes. These provide short and digestible tips for getting the best (and safest) results.

This is a very good short but comprehensive manual which will get the absolute beginning welder some competence and familiarity with the basic processes. 

Five stars. This would be a good choice for public and school library acquisition, as well as for the home DIYer, activity groups and makers' spaces, and smallholders. The tasks and tutorials in this manual aren't specifically slanted toward smallholders, but there is a wealth of relevant info here. 

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

Smorgasbowl

Smorgasbowl is a fun and convenient collection of tutorials and recipes for customizable one-bowl meals written and curated by Caryn Carruthers. Released 10th Dec 2021, it's 130 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats. 

The general idea is a simple one: provide ingredients for DIY bowl meals, and allow people to build their own bowl based on taste, preference, and/or dietary restrictions. The bowls themselves are beautifully colourful and appealing. The author makes an effort to make recipes which combine a variety of textures, tastes, and temperatures. I'm a huge fan of "grazing" type dining and love the casual twist this book brings to the table (sorry, not sorry). 

The bowls are arranged thematically: an introduction with examples of how-to-build selections & tutorials, followed by breakfast, soup & salad, entree, and sauces. Recipes are formatted with a title and introduction in the header along with yields and coded labels (gluten free, dairy free, paleo, vegan, etc), followed by ingredients in a bullet list. Measurements are in imperial (American) only. Instructions are easy to read and understand. Recipe ingredients will be generally easy to find at any medium to large grocery store in North America. Some few fresh ingredients (jicama for example) might require a trip to a farmers' market or whole foods type store.

The book is beautifully illustrated throughout. Photographs are abundant and "instagram-worthy", with well styled, attractive, appetizing food. All of the recipes are accompanied by one or more photographs. The book is, admittedly, full of diet/culture advice. It's clear that the author is well-meaning and earnest in her exhortations against sugar, processed ingredients, and grains, but for most people, unnecessary. The recipes can, of course, be easily adapted to fit a more mainstream diet. 

It would be a 5 star read without the grain-phobia, and as it is, a 4+ star read even with it. Lots of interesting and appetizing recipes here.

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

 

Abandoned Train Stations

Abandoned Train Stations is a beautifully curated collection of photographs from abandoned and neglected railway stations edited by David Ross. Due out 13th Sept 2022 from Amber Books, it's 224 pages and will be available in hardcover format. 

This is a beautiful collection of photographs, many of them full page and in colour. The entries are arranged geographically in chapters by region: Europe, Africa & the Middle East, Asia & the Pacific, North America, and South America & the Caribbean. Each entry is accompanied by a short caption giving tantalising glimpses into the history of these broken and abandoned places. Some of the most effective photos show nature reclaiming these spots and I really liked the ones showing earlier bustling transport centres inhabited only by wildlife and greenery. 

The photographs are curated from stock photos (chiefly Shutterstock, Alamy, and Getty Images) and all are credited in the back of the book. Interesting and well done. 

Five stars. It would make a good selection for public and school library acquisition, as well as for transport enthusiasts. All of the destinations are identified geographically, so the ones available to the public could make an interesting sightseeing goal for especially interested fans of the subject.

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

The High Sierra: A Love Story

The High Sierra contains memoirs and ruminations on life, philosophy, wilderness, and how access to physical exercise outdoors can benefit humanity written by Kim Stanley Robinson. Released 10th May 2022 by Hachette on their Little Brown & co. imprint, it's 560 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out in 2024. 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 author is a gifted and renowned craftsman and, as a good friend said, "I'd willingly listen to him read his grocery list". This is certainly a departure; it's not fiction, it's more of a ruminative recollection of a life spent outdoors in a place which he loves deeply, it's not written as a cohesive linear experience, he hops around, and it varies wildly in pace and style from travelogue to non-fiction/science. It is eminently readable and enjoyable however. 

There are pictures included in the print version of the book. On the other hand, the unabridged audiobook version has a run time of 16 hours and 30 minutes and is read by the author himself. He has a warm and gravelly baritone voice which is by turns lulling and full of conviction, meaning, and passion for the Sierras and spectacular nature. Sound and production quality were high throughout.

Five stars for both the print and audio formats. I personally think the additional materials in the print version make me lean toward that format as a preference, but he does a good job with narration. Highly recommended for public or school library acquisition, for fans of the author's oeuvre, and for nonfiction/natural history/travel readers.

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

Shadow of a Doubt (Mirabel Sinclair Mysteries #1)

Shadow of a Doubt is a neo-noir fantasy murder mystery and the first book in the Mirabel Sinclair mysteries by Jeff Reynolds. Released 7th Dec 2021, it's 336 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 fantasy noir aimed at the folks who enjoyed the Garrett Files (Glen Cook) and Kevin Anderson's oeuvre. There's a mean streets vibe with a young female former cop working as a PI who gets drawn into a deeply unpleasant magical murder and corruption plot trying to get to the bottom of her mentor's death. She's angry, idealistic, and impulsive, and it nearly gets her killed on a daily bases.

I found more appeal and a stronger rapport with the book's secondary characters, Mirabel's ally and friend (and love interest) Ingy and the quarter pixie receptionist Petunia than with the main character. Still, the bones of a good story are there and I enjoyed the read overall. I have a special soft spot for PI noir and especially fantasy PI noir and I will definitely pick up and read any follow-ups to the series. 

Three and a half stars rounded up for the good story. I'm looking forward to what comes next.

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

A Field Guide to Backyard Birds of North America: A Visual Directory of the Most Popular Backyard Birds

A Field Guide to Backyard Birds of North America is a well illustrated field guide for a wide range of wild birds in North America. Due out 28th June 2022 from Quarto on their Chartwell imprint, it's 208 pages and will be available in flexibound format. 

Roughly 1/3 of the book is introductory ornithological info about general bird biology and behavior. The information is layman accessible and easy to understand as well as factually accurate. The next chapter includes a collection of specific profiles for common birds which readers would be likely to see in their own backyards. The listing of birds includes 52 entries for birds which readers might expect to find in much of North America, including urban areas, parks, and suburban environments and parklands. There are no photos, but the drawn color illustrations are clear and distinct and easily recognizable.

Half the page content is identical pages provided in a log format for readers to make entries and keep track of sightings. Each of the two page spreads includes a small highlighted text box with bird tracking tips and advice for maximizing enjoyment and understanding. 

The book also includes a basic glossary, and index, but no bibliography or links for further reading. 

Three and a half stars. It could be a good resource for beginning bird watchers, family activity, or possibly for scouting/activity groups, school library and the like. 

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

Holy Chow (Andy Carpenter #25)

 

 

Holy Chow is the 25th (!!!) Andy Carpenter legal procedural mystery by David Rosenfelt. Due out 5th July 2022 from Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 304 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately; it makes it so easy to find information with the search function. 

For current fans of the series, this is a good one. It's full of the same sarcastic, warm humor and the same ensemble cast as previous entries in the series (with the absence of Edna, who's currently in the Caribbean planning her wedding). Andy Carpenter is, of course, central to the story and still trying to figure out how to stay retired and avoid working. This is such a long running and consistently well written series that saying it's "more of the same, worked around a different mystery" should be enough of a recommendation by itself. Although it's the 25th book in the series, the mystery is self contained and the necessary back-story is written in without major spoilers for previous books. I heartily recommend the whole series, but this particular entry is especially strong. 

This is pure comfort reading. It's got a likable protagonist, an engaging mystery, humorous dialogue, and a solid climax, denouement, and resolution. (This one is *particularly* exciting and I was honestly a bit afraid of how it would play out - I sometimes think that the Mr. Rosenfelt puts the characters in impossible situations and then tries to figure out how they'll manage to get out of them). I adore Andy's supporting team, especially the Bubeleh Brigade, and I really like how they're warmly and respectfully written. My family's half Jewish and I can honestly *hear* their voices in my head during reading the dialogue

The audiobook has a run time of 6 hours and 27 minutes and is expertly narrated by Grover Gardner who manages to juggle the various accents and characters of all ages and both sexes without problems. I found myself grinning and laughing along several places with the wonderful narration. The read was definitely enhanced by the narrator. The sound and production quality are high throughout the recording. My only tiny complaint about the narration was a couple places in the text which referred to potassium chloride (KCl) which the narrator, Mr. Gardner, reads as "K C I (since the script lower case "L" is easily mistaken for "I"). The formula is only read out in a couple places and probably not at all noticeable for anyone who isn't a chemistry nerd.

Five stars for both the text and audiobook versions. All around fun read. 

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

Murder at the Savoy (Hotel Mysteries #2)

Murder at the Savoy is the second Hotel Murder historical mystery by Jim Eldridge. Released 21st Oct 2021 by Allison & Busby, it's 352 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. (Paperback format released 17th March 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 an engaging and well written mystery supposedly set in 1940s London as the blitz is heating up. The main protagonist, a well-heeled Scotland Yard DCI and his colleagues are trying to solve a stabbing murder at the Savoy in the bomb shelter during the bombing by the Luftwaffe. The mystery itself is well wrought and the characters are well delineated and distinct. The historical aspects of the story, however, along with the dialogue and the mores of time as written are distinctly modern and completely anachronistic.  I found my suspension of disbelief severely hampered by very modern dialogue or attitudes. This wouldn't normally be a problem, but is more of an issue for historical fiction. The story is also fairly gritty for a historical cozy mystery, and includes on page descriptions of blood and fairly graphic murder (a throat slashing).

Although it's the second book in the series, the necessary character backstories are provided and the mystery itself is self-contained, so it can be satisfyingly read as a standalone. It's an undemanding and pleasant read for fans of British historical mysteries with the aforementioned problematic anachronisms. The third book in the series was published in April, 2022, so the series as a whole is a good candidate for a weekend binge read. 

Three and a half stars. 

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

Crooked in His Ways (Lightner and Law Mystery #2)

 

Crooked in His Ways is the second Lightner and Law historical mystery by S.M. Goodwin. Released 7th Sept. 2021 by Crooked Lane Books, it's 336 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a skillfully written and well researched historical mystery set in pre-civil war New York in 1857.  A wealthy businessman who had disappeared a year earlier is found, dismembered and packed in salt in a shipping crate, far away from where he had vanished. The mystery is exceedingly well constructed and impressively engineered. I generally have a good idea by midway through a mystery who did what and to whom (and why) and this one managed to surprise me on several levels.

Despite being the second book in the series, the author is adept at providing the necessary backstory and the mystery is self contained in this book. The real-life period history is skillfully interwoven into the story with enough craft that it's not always clear where the real history shades over into fiction. 

Although it's not at all derivative, this is a series which will undoubtedly appeal to fans of Will Thomas, C. S. Harris, and Andrea Penrose. The writing is superb and the plotting is precise and full of twists (possibly slightly too convoluted? - the jury's out). There were two small issues for me with the read: the cast of secondary characters is massive and I found it difficult to keep them straight, and the author's meticulous representation of Lightner's stammer in the dialogue, which often slightly yanked me out of the story because it was so pervasive. Kudos to the author for being true to the character, however. Neither problem was insurmountable and I found myself hopping over places where I couldn't remember a secondary character.

The unabridged audiobook format has a run time of 11 hours 20 minutes and is read with magnificent facility by Rupert Degas. He manages the narration of the characters flawlessly. The accents are widely divergent; from upper class Victorian minor noble (with stutter), through American, both male and female. It's -rare- to find a narrator who can manage both minor British nobility and born and bred American (New Yorker, no less) without mangling one or the other painfully. I found that listening to the stutter as read by the narrator *much* less intrusive or disruptive than reading the book in print. I would recommend the audiobook for that reason alone, but the narrator's performance itself is a huge bonus. 

Five stars. This is a strong entry in a very good series. The audiobook version is also currently the best narration of 2022 so far in my estimation. 

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

The Comfort of Distance

The Comfort of Distance is the first Sebastien Grey forensic mystery by Ryburn Dobbs. Released in 2020, it's 274 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The second book in the series, The Boxwood Torso, is also currently available on KU. 

This is an interesting forensic mystery with a neurodivergent protagonist. He's meticulous and neurotic, intelligent, and has moderately severe interpersonal social anxiety. He's more or less independently wealthy, and that's a factor in the story and the emphasis makes him come across as a bit of wish-fulfillment on the part of the author (who also worked as a forensic anthropologist and consultant and who could, for all I know, actually also be independently wealthy).

The writing is very choppy and almost frenetic. The story hops from thread to thread seemingly without rhyme or reason. I found the back-and-forth distracting and at places, and it yanked me out of the overall story. The dialogue and characterizations are adequate and the scenery descriptions are very good. There's an exhausting overabundance of minutiae; street directions for example ("After snaking his way through town—5th Street, right on Mt. Rushmore, left on 2nd Street, left on Washington, left on 5th, right on Custer—", etc) and I found myself taking breaks more often than usual because I felt bogged down in the non-essential details. The eventual climax, resolution, and denouement are satisfying and well written. 

The bones of a very good mystery and series are here from the beginning. The book would have benefited immensely from being subjected to a thorough and merciless editing process, but only in tightening the prose, editing a few loose ends, and mostly in the finishing and polishing process. The basic story, including the neurodivergent and interesting protagonist and his dysfunctional and complicated relationship with his brother and his brother's wife are well written, nuanced, and complex. I really liked that the author clearly shows that Sebastien's atypical neurology and personality aren't a super-power, but can make him difficult and irritating to people around him. 

Three and a half stars, a promising start to the series.  

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

In the Houses of Their Dead: The Lincolns, the Booths, and the Spirits

In the Houses of Their Dead is a meticulously researched and annotated history of the Lincoln family, their interaction and common themes and the relationship of both families to spiritualism written by Dr. Terry Alford. Released 14th June 2022 by W.W. Norton on their Liveright imprint, it's 320 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. 

This was a fascinating look at the general social and economic realities of the USA in the mid to late 19th century. The author has written a much more extensive biography of the wider families and contemporaries of Lincoln, John Wilkes Booth, and the relatively newly minted "scientific" study of spiritualism and how it informed their fateful decisions. 

The book is layman accessible and extensively annotated. The chapter notes and bibliography will provide many hours of further reading.

The text is liberally annotated and illustrated with line drawings, facsimiles of period documents, and an impressive number of photos. Although the treatment is admittedly academic, there's enough annotation and chapter notation and bibliography to satisfy the staunchest pedant - at the same time, there's a clear and compelling biographical narrative. I'm amazed that there's enough period record to reconstruct the stories of these families after all this time (despite their fame, and in the case of the Booths, their notoriety). 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 9 hours and 14 minutes and is capably narrated by Danny Campbell. The narrator has a rich and rugged voice and reads clearly and distinctly. Sound and production quality are high throughout the recording. The down-side of the audiobook format is the lack of photos and reference notes. 

Four and a half stars. It's an interesting synergistic look at a mostly unfamiliar facet of Lincoln and his wife. I would recommend this book to readers of American history, war history, American culture, as a support text for classroom instruction on Civil War history, or allied subjects. 

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

Death at Fort Devens (Andy Roark #3)

Death at Fort Devens is the third Andy Roark PI mystery by Peter Colt. Released 7th June 2022 by Severn House, it's 224 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. Paperback due out in 1st quarter 2023. 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 written PI crime investigation in a largely military setting. The titular series protagonist is a tough and unapologetic lone wolf. He has a long and involved back-story (which the author provides in an unflinching manner) and has been involved in conflict in one capacity or another for decades. 

The mystery plotting and characterizations are well done and the writing is superb. The dialogue is gritty and rough-around-the-edges. It oozes testosterone and it's clear this is 100% intentional on the author's part. I found myself wishing for a little more softness, a little more light humor, but it wasn't forthcoming. Although it's not at all derivative, there are flashes of Parker's Spenser and Connelly's Bosch, but without the wry humor of those two.

The mystery is well constructed and the conflict, resolution, and denouement are satisfying, if dark. The bad guys are *bad*, and the good guys don't get off without costs. I was disenchanted by the casual sexism and racism throughout; although it's not glorified or used gratuitously. There is a fair amount of graphic violence in the story which seems to be realistic, including descriptions of wartime injuries along with liberal use of rugged language. The protagonist is a Vietnam vet and the story includes historical actions during and after that time period. The military history and locations seem to be well written and correct from a geographical, political, and historical basis. The book is full of military descriptions and background info on life on a military base and the organizational structure of the US armed services. 

The classic advice to authors is "Write what you know". It's abundantly clear that this author has done precisely that. He's writes well about his life experience and if his protagonist is fictionalized, he certainly lives and breathes through the author's experiences. 

Four stars. Recommended for fans of PI lone-wolf military mysteries. Probably higher for fans of testosterone fueled procedurals.

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

Guilty Creatures: A Menagerie of Mysteries (British Library Crime Classics)

Guilty Creatures: A Menagerie of Mysteries is an anthology of classic crime fiction featuring animals in one way or another collected and curated by Martin Edwards. Released 7th June 2022 by Poisoned Pen Press as part of the British Library Crime Classics series, it's 320 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is another worthy anthology in a long-running collection of well- and lesser-known classics from the British crime fiction of yesteryear. These 14 stories, originally published between 1892 and 1967 are taken from the oeuvre of luminaries like Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle (The Lion's Mane), and G.K. Chesterton (The Oracle of the Dog) and others, possibly not as well known to most readers. All of the authors were previously familiar to me, but several of the stories included here were new to me in any form. It's a well rounded collection and all but the most stalwart and well read connoisseur will find stories they've never read. 

For me, one of the biggest draws of the books in the crime classics series are the erudite and always interesting introductions by editor Martin Edwards.  Mr. Edwards has a prodigious knowledge of the genre and writes engagingly and well.

Well written, this entry and the series as a whole are well worth seeking out. This would make a superlative selection for readers of the genre as well as an introduction to classic crime fiction from the golden age. It's so nice to see these being released for a new generation of fans.

Four stars.

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

Kill All the Judges (Arthur Beauchamp #3)

Kill All the Judges is a frenetic dark legal crime comedy/drama, and the third Arthur Beauchamp novel by William Deverell. Originally published in 2008, this audiobook format, read by Michael Benyaer was released 15th May 2022 by ECW Press. The book has 332 pages in print format and is available in all formats. 

This is a very dryly humorous book with a large cast of unlikable and out-of-control secondary characters and an absolutely frenetic plot with wall-to-wall drugs, mayhem, and murder. The author is unquestionably talented and adept at his craft. The writing is technically brilliant although the reader is dragged along for the ride. There were numerous places in the narrative where I was by turns disgusted by the scenes being written and simultaneously amazed at the sheer difficulty of writing the point of view and scene descriptions in any comprehensible manner. 

In some ways it reminded me of Hunter S. Thompson's more frenzied offerings wrapped around the core of a solid murder mystery. The writing is very very good. The characters (with the possible exception of the series protagonist Arthur Beauchamp) are very very bad. There are great swathes of the book which are NSFW with drugs, explicit sex, felonies galore, and murder. I didn't enjoy the read very much and I strongly suspect that readers will have to be fond of nearly surreal gonzo sex, drugs, and rock & roll in their fiction to be in the right frame of mind. For those blessed few, this is a series which is currently still being written and will be a good candidate for binge reading. Book 8 was released in 2021. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 13 hours and 15 minutes. The narrator does a masterful job of voicing a massive cast of characters with a wide variety of accents and ages. I was impressed by the narration and repelled at the action of the characters at the same time. The sound and production quality were high throughout the recording.

Three and a half stars. Definitely a different read and a niche one. It is blackly funny and well written.

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

The Tuesday Night Survivors' Club (Survivors' Book Club Mystery #1)

 

The Tuesday Night Survivors' Club is a small-town bookshop cozy and the first book in a new mystery series by Lynn Cahoon. Due out 14th June 2022 from Kensington on their Lyrical imprint, it's 175 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 and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. 

This is a light and fluffy cozy mystery built around a strong romance/women's fiction framework. The titular Survivors' Club is a group of women who gather to discuss books as well as their previous cancer diagnoses and treatments (that's the survivor part). When one of their number is murdered, they decide to investigate. The author is quite adept and prolific; she knows what she's doing. As such, although it's almost entirely dialogue driven, it was readable and moderately engaging. There were several places in the story I found myself rolling my eyes over some less than believable dialogue, but I persevered to the end and found the denouement and resolution satisfying if a bit predictable. There was no real push-back from official law enforcement when Rarity & co. decide to investigate the crime and that rankled a bit.

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 7 hours and is narrated by C.S.E. Cooney. The book is full of dialogue from characters of varying ages and accents, both male and female. She does manage to keep them mostly distinct from one another. Her rendering of main protagonist Rarity Jones, has some odd breathy, almost adenoidal quality which I never warmed to, unfortunately. Her voice for Rarity's best friend Sam is some eldritch mix of deep Louisiana bayou with an uptonal Georgia twang (everything she says sounds like a question) and although the character herself is sympathetic, her accent made me want to hop back over to the ebook format. I split the book about 50/50 between audio and print, and I honestly think I'd've enjoyed it more if I had stuck to print format only. 

I absolutely love bookstore cozies, and there are some good name-drops included here. It was fun to figure out which books she's discussing even when she doesn't name them outright. I'll be sticking around for a while to see how the series develops. 

Three and a half stars for the book overall, two and a half for the audiobook narration. 

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

The Key to Deceit (Electra McDonnell #2)

The Key to Deceit is a WW2 British espionage mystery and the second book in the Electra McDonnell mysteries by Ashley Weaver. Due out 21st June 2022 from Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 272 pages and will be 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. 

This series is delightfully distinct from the author's other works and written to a very high standard. The titular protagonist is intelligent, strong, independent, and pragmatic. The background story, of a safe-cracker and locksmith from a questionable family, who is prevailed upon to use her considerable talents in service of king and country, engaged me from the first chapter. Although this is the second book in the series, the mystery is self contained, and the backstory is provided, so readers won't be lost or confused. There are, however, some spoilers from the resolution of the first book contained in this one, so it's a good idea to read them in order. 

The plotting and characterizations are well and precisely engineered, the clues fitting together into an exciting climax and satisfying denouement and resolution. There *is* an element of romance, but it's not an overpowering or distracting and can safely be ignored. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 8 hours and 4 minutes and is beautifully narrated by Alison Larkin. She manages to read clearly and well and imbue all the characters with distinct voices and personalities. I'm always impressed by very talented narrators' ability to imbue each voice with its own timbre and tone, especially in rapid dialogue. She is quite talented and pleasant to listen to. The book contains characters from several different areas in England, different countries, a wide range of ages and both men and women and she manages flawlessly. The sound and production quality is very high throughout.

Four and a half stars. It's a diverting read/listen.

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

The Physicists’ Daughter

The Physicists’ Daughter is a WW2 era romance/espionage/mystery by Mary Anna Evans. Released 7th June 2022 by Poisoned Pen Press, it's 352 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. 

This is a competently written historical romance and slice-of-life story set in Louisiana around the daily lives of some of the women who have taken jobs which were traditionally given to men in the defense industry. There are several disparate plot threads, including some espionage and skullduggery. The mystery parts of the plot are generally secondary to the romance and historical fiction parts but there's an engaging and ongoing development through the characters which kept me interested and reading to the end. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 10 hours and 39 minutes and is capably narrated by Kimberly Wetherell. The narrator has a clear and pleasantly warm voice which is easy to listen to. Many of the characters have very distinct regional accents, including Polish and Lousiana/bayou. The narrator gave a good attempt, but was not always entirely successful. The non-accented narration was fine and enjoyable. Sound and production quality were high throughout the recording.

Four stars. Recommended mostly for fans of women's historical fiction and wartime romance, not so much for mystery or espionage fans.

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

Expedition Backyard Exploring Nature from Country to City (A Graphic Novel)

Expedition Backyard is an engaging and whimsically illustrated story for the youngest readers (~4-8 years)about the nature adventures to be found in our own backyards, written and illustrated by Roesemary Mosco and Binglin Hu. Due out 21st June 2022 from Random House on their Children's imprint, it's 128 pages and will be available in hardcover library binding and ebook formats. 

This is such a sweet and engaging story about two friends, an anthropomorphic mole and vole who go out with their nature journal to see what they can find and learn about in their own backyards. It's written in panel style in a graphic novel format with colorful pen & ink drawings in an appealingly playful style. Although there are no photographs and the story is told with simple drawings, the characters, animals, plants and backgrounds are clear and detailed enough to be easily recognizable. They're full of small details like insects and vole's little sun hat which are cute and lightly humorous and will appeal to all ages. 

Mole and Vole are likeable, honest, and curious to learn about the nature around them. Through their adventures they show readers how interesting and fun it is to learn and document their own natural environment wherever they live. The authors have also included advice from the two friends about helping the environment in the form of protecting birds, caring for nature, keeping pet cats safe from dangers in their neighborhoods (and nature safe from our pets), composting, joining a community garden and more.

Five stars. This would make a superlative public or school library selection or for the home library, activity groups, reading circles and similar. I love the graphic novel format and it's a good example of stories which are ideally suited to the format.

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

Psycho by the Sea (Constable Twitten #4)

 

 

Psycho by the Sea is the fourth book of a procedural mystery series set in 1950's Brighton.  Based on Lynne Truss' BBC Radio 4 series with some of the same characters, this novelization is a decidedly odd & farcical lampooning of post-WW2 police procedurals. Released 9th Nov 2021 by Bloomsbury on their Raven imprint, it's 320 pages and available in hardcover, ebook and audio formats. Paperback format out in August 2022.

The author has an unerring ear for dialogue and setting. The book really reads exactly like it was written contemporaneously for the time in which it's set. The pacing is superb and it moves along at a good clip. I never found my interest flagging.  Ms. Truss has a deft touch with characterizations (she's been writing these characters for a while for audio plays, and it shows). There's a decidedly "keystone cops" element to the characterisations, with the lead policemen being naive and/or dim, whilst the criminal elements of Brighton attempt to exterminate one another with one of the chief underworld bosses actually working in the police department facility as a charwoman.

That being said...  for an almost cozy read, there is a prodigious amount of violence (much of it gratuitous). People are constantly being stabbed, bashed with rocks, shot, throttled, run over, and otherwise mutilated.  There is a disconcerting amount of *glee* in the descriptions.

The language is way over the top. The violence is omnipresent. I personally loved the denouement, but readers who need everything to be tied up in a neat bow with the good guys the unequivocal winners by page 298 are going to be driven mad by the end.

Four stars. Worth a read, but definitely different. Not a cozy, and not precisely a procedural.

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

Mammoth Drop - Murder, Mammoths, and Mimosas

Mammoth Drop - Murder, Mammoths, and Mimosas is a genuinely funny campy murder mystery by Dr. R. J. Corgan and is the third book in the Kea Wright series. Released 6th June 2022, it's 180 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, the previous books in the series are currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

Even though it's thoroughly silly, and punny, and campy, the author doesn't use that as an excuse for crafting a shoddy subpar story.  This is well crafted and well plotted fiction. The characters are likeable and relatable.  The dialogue is silly but it's never clunky. The story and world building are cohesive and believable within the given framework of the story. It's set around an archaeological dig in a sinkhole with the dig scientists and volunteers housed in a digsite RV campground which is also a very gay friendly vacation spot (like Fire Island with glamping).

The plotting is tight and well paced and I absolutely never found myself skimming or skipping ahead.  Fair warning to readers, the book is also liberally sprinkled with really interesting paleontology, anthropology, geology, and science-y tidbits.The mystery, climax, denouement, and resolution were fair play and satisfying.

Four and a half stars. Pure fun and highly recommended.

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

How to Draw Adorable: Joyful Lessons for Making Cute Art

How to Draw Adorable is a wonderful all-ages drawing guide with tutorials by Carlianne Tipsey. Due out 6th Sept 2022, it's 160 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

This is such a cute, accessible, and well formatted book. The subjects are wide ranging and anthropomorphic and character based. The instruction is for line drawn sketching and the subjects are all age appropriate and appealing. Scattered throughout are pages with drawing and thinking prompts for art such as: visual clues that make you happy, are pleasant to look at, and inspire feelings of love, or full page practice exercises such as drawing circles or lines, or bisecting squares and other shapes. All of the practice pages include short tutorials on how to use the spaces to best advantage. 

There are also instruction pages which clearly show proportions and drawing guides for faces, figures, and detailing drawings. The language is very modern and youthful (the book is full of phrases like "all the feels" and "get your cute on"). 

There are tips and tricks for improving technique in highlighted color text boxes throughout the text. The emphasis is on short, digestible, understandable lessons in clear colorful text and illustrations. The practice pages are printed on dotted page layouts which will make a good tie-in for instructors who wish to encourage journaling and drawing practice in their students. This is a very simple and beginner accessible book.

Five stars. This would be a good selection for public or school library acquisition and home study. It would be a superlative gift, excellent classroom or library group selection for activity groups, a wonderful parent/caregiver activity, or even for babysitters and child-minders looking to up their activity time with their small charges. Artistic exploration allows children to improve fine motor skills and gives them a feeling of accomplishment and control. 

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

Wretched Waterpark (Sinister Summer Series #1)

Wretched Waterpark is the first book in a new middle grade series by Kiersten White. Due out 7th June 2022 from Penguin Random House on their Delacorte Press imprint, it's 256 pages and will be 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 second book in the series is due out in Sept 2022. 

It's not derivative; the author is capable and talented, but to describe this first book as an episode of Scooby Doo written by Lemony Snicket feels appropriate and accurate. The three Sinister-Winterbottom siblings, the eldest is 16 and permanently looking at her smartphone, and fraternal brother and sister twins aged 12 are sent to spend the summer with their Aunt Saffronia and it soon becomes crystal clear that weeks of boredom isn't the worst that could happen. People are *disappearing* and it's left to the siblings to get to the bottom of the weirdness. 

This is a fun summertime mystery for middle grade readers. It's well written, edgy, but not inappropriate. The plotting struck me as a trifle meandering and the pacing was odd (clearly intentional on the author's part), and much of the page count is used on world and character building, but it's understandable to write a solid basis for the following book(s) in the series.

Four stars. This would be a good choice for public or school library acquisition, home use, or gifting to a young mystery fan. 

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

Drunk on All Your Strange New Words

Drunk on All Your Strange New Words is a quirky SF post-first-contact mystery by Eddie Robson. Due out 28th June 2022 from Macmillan on their Tor/Forge imprint, it's 288 pages and will be 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 was fascinated by the premise of the book and by the world building (mostly, more on that later). It's post-first-alien-contact in the near future. The aliens, Logi, can only communicate through telepathic images to perceptive individuals, with the proviso that doing so renders the human translator drunk in the process. 

I had some trouble engaging with the story because it's told in third person point of view in the present tense. It was obviously an intentional choice, for the direct told-in-the-moment kinetic style, but I just found it intrusive and ever so slightly annoying to read. The writing itself is quite competent. The central concepts, the plotting, and the world building are a bit chaotic and scattered, again undoubtedly intentionally, but the fact that the disparate plot threads never really resolved into a central and complete denouement felt unbalanced to me. The primary characters are very well rendered and I found them compelling. There are numerous secondary characters however which felt two dimensional and incomplete.

Overall, it's an interestingly offbeat book and well written. Three and a half stars for me, likely higher for fans of avant garde SF murder mysteries.

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

A Rip Through Time (A Rip Through Time #1)

A Rip Through Time is the first in a new time-travel mystery series by Kelley Armstrong. Released 31st May 2022 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 352 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out in early 2023. 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 eminently readable fantasy time travel murder mystery. The main protagonist is an intelligent strong and capable young Canadian policewoman visiting Scotland to be with her grandmother who's in hospice care. 

The time-travel aspect as well as the investigation in the past were well built up and executed. I liked the dialogue and the author was good at the period aspects of both dialogue and class behavior as well as social roles. The limits of the period technology, and MC Mallory's internal reasoning are well rendered and believable. 

The plotting dragged a bit at the beginning for me and I found myself tempted to skim here and there. It's the beginning of a series, and it's understandable that the author would expend a thorough effort with world building and characterization, so I refrained from skipping ahead. Further on in the novel, I found the mystery itself somewhat linear, but the denouement and resolution were well done and satisfying. There's a Quantum Leap aspect which I enjoyed and the later parts of the book were engaging and entertaining.

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 14 hours and is narrated by Kate Handford. She has a rich generic North American/Canadian accent and does a good job of the narration with the exception of the bits of Scottish dialogue, which weren't especially accurate. I've been told that Victorian Edinburgh's dialects are fiendishly difficult, and Glaswegian is worse. It wasn't a distraction and for the vast majority of the read I found her voice quite pleasant and well modulated. The sound and production quality are high throughout. 

Four stars. I'll definitely be looking for upcoming books in the series. 

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