A Pain in the Tuchis, a Mrs. Kaplan Mystery

 

A Pain in the Tuchis is the second cozy mystery by Mark Reutlinger featuring octogenarian sleuth Mrs. Kaplan and her own Dr. Watson, Ida Berkowitz. Released in this edition 12th Jan 2022, it's 217 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. 

The Julius and Rebecca Cohen Home for Jewish Seniors is once again the site of a murder. This time it's the demise of the universally disliked "pain in the tuchis" Vera Gold who is hastened to the hereafter. The list of people who couldn't get along with Vera was extensive. Mrs. Kaplan and her friend Ida are on the scene and are determined to get to the bottom of things. There is warm and compassionate humor throughout, the language is squeaky clean, and there's no graphic violence involved. 

The author manages a pitch perfect tone and vernacular with the characters. It would have been -very- easy for him to fall on the wrong side of caricature and/or respectfulness. Throughout most of the book I could literally *hear* my grandfather and aunties' voices. For readers who are unfamiliar with Jewish and Yiddish slang, there's quite a lot of both sprinkled throughout. The author is diligent about explaining potentially unfamiliar language in context or quickly translating in the text. It adds a lot of atmosphere to the read.

The scene descriptions verge on slapstick sometimes but even those bring a nostalgia more reminiscent of an episode of "I Love Lucy" or "The Golden Girls". I really loved most everything about the book. It was a comfort read - but it did leave me with a serious craving for my grandmother's chicken matzo soup. 

Four stars. There are three books in the series currently, so it would make a good choice for a mini-binge read.

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

 

The Mystery of the Sorrowful Maiden

The Mystery of the Sorrowful Maiden is an appealing and very well written mystery and the third of the Laetitia Rodd mysteries by Kate Saunders. Released 7th Dec 2021 by Bloomsbury, it's 336 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. 

This is an extremely well written period mystery featuring the middle-aged widow of a cleric as the protagonist, an *extremely* discreet private enquiry agent. She's sensible, intelligent, and (luckily) quite aware of the world and its foibles. She assists the official police (to an unusual/anachronistic degree). She's eminently respectable and can talk to people who are otherwise inaccessible to the official police forces. 

All of the mysteries in the series are self contained and work perfectly well as standalone reads. There are three books extant at this point which might make them suitable for a mini-binge read. I found some of the plot twists felt unreasonable and challenged my suspension of disbelief, but overall I have really enjoyed the series and look forward to future installments. 

This book revolves around the death of a thespian, so many of the characters are from that sphere and the interconnections and personal drama are sometimes a bit over the top.

Four stars. Quite well written and diverting.

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

Shadow of the Knife

Shadow of the Knife is a very well written dark and atmospheric historical mystery by Richard Ayre. Released 12th Oct 2021 by Burning Chair, it's 304 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. 

The story drew me in and kept me engaged from the first few pages. I'm still impressed over the attention to historical detail and the realistic descriptions, especially those that existed in the East End of London at the time. The author provides a hard look at the way the unfortunate locals lived (and died, early and too often to violence and disease). There are scenes of graphic violence described unflinchingly in the book, which I found myself skimming over. It's well written and very well researched.

Fans of Victorian English mysteries (not cozies) will find a lot to appeal, and the writing is very well rendered and engaging. Spelling and vernacular are British English, but that shouldn't pose any problems to American readers. The author has helpfully included a short glossary of period colloquialisms for reference.

Four stars. Very well done.

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

A Dangerous Riddle of Chance

A Dangerous Riddle of Chance is a whimsical, well written adventure story aimed at middle grade readers by the pseudonymous F.L.Ying (snicker). Released 28th Oct 2021 by The Book Guild, it's a substantial 448 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. 

Even though I'm not a huge fan of clowns (looking at you, Stephen King), this book's titular protagonist, Chance, is an appealing and sympathetic everyman. He and his ragtag entourage have 99 days to save the world before he disappears and everyone's doom is sealed. 

The world building is solid, including a magical circus, truly despicable bad guys, and a mostly appealing group of friends out to try to save the world. There is a Lemony Snickett vibe here and readers who are fond of that franchise will find much to engage them. The length is potentially problematic, at 448 pages, and frankly the book could've done with a ruthless editor shaving off about 30% of the word count.  There is a surprising amount of relatively graphic violence/murder which surprised me, but again with a sort of Roald Dahl/Lemony Snicket sensibility which will appeal to fans of those authors.

The spelling and vernacular are British English, but shouldn't pose any problems for American readers. 

Three and a half stars. 

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

Children's Mathematics: Cognitively Guided Instruction

Children's Mathematics: Cognitively Guided Instruction is a clearly written supportive and accessible guide for facilitators and teachers to help children succeed with learning mathematical concepts with minimal frustration. Released in this edition in 2014 by Heinemann, it's 240 pages and is available in paperback format. It's unclear from the publisher's info, but the book is full of links and support videos which would be more accessible in ebook format, if it's available in electronic format. The electronic ARC provided for review contains hyperlinked table of contents and links to online resources, so if possible, I recommend at least one copy of the ebook for ease of navigation.

I've been an advocate for STE(A)M for decades. Our capacity for innovation and probably future survival are dependent on the critical reasoning skills we foster in the next generation(s). They're literally our future. When I find books which support learning styles and techniques which actually work and are logical and have practice based data to back them up, I am thrilled. This is a sensible and very accessible guide to using children's natural developmental understanding to build math skills in the classroom.

This book is aimed at professional educators although it will also be appropriate for some homeschooling/hybrid resource people. The book is based on CGI techniques (Cognitively Guided Instruction) and uses the differing ways children's cognitive development occurs to creatively support their learning styles to foster *understanding* of concepts as opposed to rote learning (which gives no firm basis to build on). 

The introductory chapters explain the ways children formulate mathematical problems differently than adults, and how teachers can utilize those differences to help them succeed at problem solving. The book contains concrete techniques for tool building and retention.

The book contains the methodology and techniques for classroom practice as well as appendices containing research data and resource links.

This is a well written and practical guide to using natural psychological development to enhance students' understanding and facility with math.

Four and a half stars. 

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

 

Angelbound Enhanced

Angelbound Enhanced is a partially illustrated edition with additional chapter samples of the first book of the Angelbound Origins series by Christina Bauer. Originally released in 2013, this reformat and enhanced re-release is 388 pages and is available in paperback format. Other editions available in most formats. 

This is a YA/NA fantasy romance series with lots of angst and drama. Protagonist Myla is a kickass fighter whose day job is to fight opponents who seek redemption in the arena in Purgatory. She's a human demon hybrid (and she's got a tail, which is pretty cool). She's good at her job, undefeated in fact, but that doesn't stop her from having to get through her senior year of Purgatory High School. 

The world building and story set up are competent, although I struggled to really build a rapport with Myla. I freely admit that I'm several decades outside the target audience, but the first third of the book dragged for me. The pacing  does get better toward the middle, so I would encourage readers to stick around past the first parts of the book. 

The language is surprisingly rough for a YA book, although again, I'm certain that no high schooler would blink an eye at the f-bombs and physical descriptions. 

The ebook format contains hyperlinks and searchable text (I really enjoy this feature). The audiobook format has a run time of 14 hours 48 minutes and is capably narrated by the author herself. 

Three and a half stars for this entry, rounded up for the competent writing and plotting. I would imagine it will likely be higher for the target audience. 

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

Classic Cocktails Done Well: Tried-And-True Recipes for the Home Bartender

 

Classic Cocktails Done Well is a nicely curated easy to understand bar book by Faith Hingey. Due out 18th Oct 2022 from Penguin Random House on their Zeitgeist imprint, it's 192 pages and will be available in hardcover 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. 

This is a well organized and accessible bar book. All the recipes are photographed and serving suggestions are attractive and appropriate.

The recipes are arranged by main liquor ingredient: gin, whiskey, brandy, rum, and other liquors; individual cocktails are arranged alphabetically in each chapter. Each recipe includes an introductory description and yields, ingredients in imperial standard (oz) measurements, and step by step instructions. Barware and tools are also listed. Variations and alternatives are provided at the end of the recipes. The book also includes a useful links list and resources for further reading as well as a cross referenced index. 

Many of the ingredients should be available at any well stocked grocery/liquor store although some might need to be sourced at specialists. Cocktails are such a civilized interlude and this book includes a solid cross section of classics to build mixology skills and impress one's friends at the next gathering.

 

Five stars. A good resource for the home mixologist.

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

Pump: A Natural History of the Heart

 

Pump: A Natural History of the Heart is a well written, layman accessible, information rich look at the heart by Dr. Bill Schutt. Originally released in 2021, this reformat and re-release to coincide with the papaerback release from Algonquin is 288 pages. The book is also available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. 

I liked so many things about this book. It's well written and laid out logically. The author moves from the actual physiology and function, to a comprehensive (and very entertaining) history of scientific understanding about the organ, and our gradual understanding and exciting future prospects including regenerative medicine (fix it! make it better!). Graphically, it's typeset in a high contrast easy to read typeface with illustrations and drawings scattered throughout. I really loved the drawing of the immense blue whale heart preserved in plastic absolutely *looming* over the author. 

Although it's written with the layperson in mind, it's well annotated throughout. The chapter notes will make for engaging further reading. It is, admittedly, a niche book and will appeal especially to readers interested in biology, physiology, and natural history. The language is accessible and informal. The author has a gift at distilling difficult and complex concepts into smaller digestible bits and I can imagine he would be an engaging and worthwhile lecturer.

Five stars. 

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