The Black Guy Dies First: Black Horror Cinema from Fodder to Oscar

The Black Guy Dies First is a well written and erudite monograph by Dr. Robin R. Means Coleman and Mark H. Harris on black cinema portrayals especially in the horror film genre. Released 7th Feb 2023 by Simon & Schuster on their Gallery/Saga Press imprint, it's 336 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

Horror cinema has had a long and fraught history with black actors and until recently, as the title says, when an actor of color appeared on screen, viewers could be fairly certain s/he wouldn't be long for the world. This book is full of horror film trivia and humor and often surprised a chuckle out of me for the wryly funny observations which were spot on. Throughout it's clear that the authors 1)know what the heck they're talking about and 2)have the research and sources to back it up. 

This is a beautifully researched book *full* of horror films with which I was unfamiliar but which I intend to look up asap. This book contains enough film trivia and obscure cult favorites to stump even horror mavens who *always* win the film categories at their local pub trivia nights. It's also full of background info and film history and culture as well as some profound and thought provoking object lessons and a couple of uncomfortable moments of self-reflection. It really made me think.

Although it's written in completely comprehensible layman accessible language, it is well annotated and the chapter notes and annotations make for a very educational additional reading. I was delighted by the depth of trivia contained here; list after list of credits, history, background, and awards. 

Four and a half stars. Strikes a perfect balance between humor and serious critique/history. This would be a good choice for public or school library acquisition as well as a must-have for any serious lover of film (especially, but not only, horror).

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

Norman Rockwell's Models: In and Out of the Studio

Norman Rockwell's Models is an interesting collection of stories collected and curated by S.T. Haggerty about the people Norman Rockwell knew and painted from his area. Released 15th Feb 2023 by Rowman & Littlefield, it's 312 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. 

The iconic paintings are familiar to almost everyone. They graced the covers of The Saturday Evening Post and for many Americans, they became synonymous with middle America. This is the story of the men, women, and children of Rockwell's acquaintance who became his models. There aren't many earth shattering revelations here, and no scandals to speak of, but it's full of warm reminiscence and kindly nostalgia. The book is further enhanced by the inclusion of black and white pictures of the paintings, facsimiles of items from the archives of the Rockwell Museum, snippets from interviews, and pictures from the private family collections of the models themselves. 

Four stars. All in all a fascinating, often tantalizing, glimpse into the background of a beloved artist and cultural icon. It would make a good selection for public or school library acquisition, as well as home use. 

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

Taxi from Another Planet: Conversations with Drivers about Life in the Universe

Taxi from Another Planet is an intriguing and well written collection of essays and conversations between the author, Dr. Charles S. Cockell, and various taxi drivers he's encountered over the years. Released 30th Aug 2022 by the Harvard University Press, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

This is an engaging and whimsical meandering contemplation of life as we know it and what could be out *there*, presented by a well know astrobiologist (whose doctorate, from Oxford, was in biophysics - so clearly a guy who knows some things) as discussed with various taxi drivers. The language is easily layman accessible and the more complex scientific concepts contained here are explained simply and understandably. It's not an academic treatise, there are no annotations, and the bibliography and chapter notes are brief and not academically rigorous or demanding. 

It stands on its own whimsical merits as the ruminations of an unusually clever and curious guy pondering the universe in which we all live. I found it both charming and sometimes surprisingly profound. I also really liked that despite his being a clearly academically gifted individual, he never took the focus on himself in these conversations. There was no judgement stated or implied toward the taxi drivers and the book really is a group of recollections of conversations about the possibility of life outside the Earth.

Four stars. Admittedly a niche book, but a delightful one. 

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

The Murder Question - A Beth Haldane Mystery #3

 

The Murder Question is the third Beth Haldane cozy by Alice Castle. Originally published in 2018 (as Calamity in Camberwell), this reformat and re-release from 22nd Aug 2022 is 242 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. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently available to borrow and read for free. The other books in the series are also currently available on KU. 

This is a competently written and engaging amateur sleuth mystery featuring an archivist employed at a local high-end boys' school who takes to sleuthing to help straighten out mysteries which seem to keep happening around her, this time the suspicious disappearance of her friend, another mother in the school mothers' group. The writing is engaging and the mystery is quite readable. I liked the protagonist and the author does a good job with the settings and descriptions. Some of the subject matter may be difficult for some readers. There are descriptions of spousal abuse and domestic violence included on page and which I found distressing in places.

The dialogue is a bit rough and uneven in places but overall, it's an entertaining and readable cozy-ish mystery. There are 8 books extant in the series currently (and all are available as part of the kindle unlimited library service), so it would make a good choice for a binge read for fans of British cozies. The mystery, denouement, and resolution are satisfying and well wrought, and self-contained in this volume so it would also work perfectly well as a standalone read.

Four stars. Worth a look for fans of J.R. Ellis, Faith Martin, and Merryn Allingham. 

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

What is that Plant?

What is that Plant? is a well put together beginner friendly plant guide and resource by Louise Burfitt. Due out 28th April 2023 from Pen & Sword on their White Owl imprint, it's 232 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

Gardening provides so many positive benefits: exercise, improved mental & physical health, beauty from the scents and colours of the plants we maintain, serenity, distraction from the stresses of a hectic and often confusing daily life. A well maintained garden is a thing of beauty and joy. Identifying the component plants in a garden is not always easy or straightforward. Perhaps a lovely plant has caught one's eye at a garden centre, how to know where to plant and how to care for it in the home garden? This is a useful resource guide to identifying and vetting plants common in gardens in the UK (and elsewhere). 

The book is divided into four main sections: perennials & bulbs, self-seeders & spreaders, shrubs grasses trees & climbers, and weeds & wildflowers. Each section contains many individual listings for diverse plant profiles which include: common & botanical (Latin) names, highlighted text box with profile info (flowering season, habit, conditions, origins, toxicity, etc), and a description written in accessible layman language. Every profile listing is also accompanied by one or more unobstructed colour photos showing foliage, blooms, and other features. Pictured varietal names are also included, where applicable. Latin/botanical names follow the newest agreed nomenclature rulings and there were some surprises for me contained in the book (rosemary has been changed from R. officinalis to Salvia rosmarinus, which I, for one, missed the memo).

The author has also included an abbreviated resource and bibliography/links list, vocabulary, and cross referenced index.

Four and a half stars. This is a simple, no-frills guide and resource which, although slanted toward gardeners in the UK will have relevance for readers located elsewhere. It would also make a superlative selection for public or school library acquisition, allotment library, gardening groups, and activity groups. 

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

The ChopChop Family Cookbook: 250 Super-Delicious, Nutritious, Real-Food Recipes to Cook and Eat Together

The ChopChop Family Cookbook is an exuberant and fun guide to cooking and creativity for the whole family together with recipes and ideas by Sally Sampson. Due out 4th April 2023 from Storey Publishing, it's 256 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

Cooking is a great way for kids to exercise creativity, learn about physical science, gain coordination and life skills. Cooking together as a family is a wonderful activity and will provide special memories together. The author does a good job of covering both the safety aspects of cooking together safely -and- emphasizing the fun. The language is simple and accessible and the graphics and layout of the book are colorful and exuberant. Important tips and notes are provided in color highlighted text boxes throughout the text.

The chapters are arranged thematically: an intro which covers how/why to invite kids into the kitchen, as well as an overview over safety/tools/etc, followed by breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner, and dessert chapters. The author has also included a set of appendices which do a great job of explaining pantry & fridge essentials and a nice set of tutorials for building basic knife, measuring, and cooking skills. Tutorials are accompanied by clear, unobstructed photos and simple captions. 

Recipe ingredients are given in a bullet list sidebar for each recipe, followed by step by step cooking instructions. Measurements are given in imperial (American) units. They've included a metric conversion chart in the back of the book. Nutritional information is not included. 

It's beautifully photographed throughout, and the food is attractively styled and prepared. I was impressed with the range of inspiration from different cuisines as well as the inclusion of ingredients (bulgur, couscous, orzo) which are oft-ignored in kid-centric cookbooks. 

Four stars. Really really well done. This would be a superlative choice for public or school library acquisition as well as home use and gift-giving. 

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

Ruthless Positivity

 

Ruthless Positivity is a standalone dystopian SF thriller by Avery Blake. Released 22nd Aug 2022 by Sterling & Stone, it's 233 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.

This is a dystopian relatively near future techy-romance SF thriller. Throughout the book, the undeniably talented author takes swipes at superficiality, the interchangeable masks we use to interact with one another, and the relentless pressure for perfection imposed by social media (despite not being remotely achievable or truthful). On another level, it's a vaguely Romeo and Juliet pastiche with some of the supporting characters played by AI-entities instead of Friar and Nurse. 

I would have called this a NA/YA romance, but there are some rough parts which might not be appropriate for young(ish) readers. The language is R-rated with liberal use of rugged Anglo-Saxon monosyllables (especially f*ck). 

Three and a half stars. An interesting take on reality and social interaction, and a quick read. 

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

An English Garden Murder - Julia Bird Mysteries #1

An English Garden Murder is the first Julia Bird village cozy mystery by Katie Gayle. Released 5th May 2022, it's 254 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 other two books in the series are also currently available on KU. 

This is such an engaging modern village cozy with a genuinely appealing female amateur sleuth who's in her late middle age, intelligent and earnest and generally well meaning. Despite a long career in social services in London, a recent divorce (her husband married the gardener), and other major curveballs, she maintains a mostly positive outlook on life. Having acquired a cozy cottage in a cozy village in the Cotswolds, she's ready for the next adventure which includes a cozy garden with some chickens. What she wasn't planning on was discovering skeletal remains under the garden shed she's had pulled down to build a chicken coop. It doesn't take long until more crimes are uncovered and she discovers that life in a village might not be more peaceful and crime-free than in London. 

The author has a deft touch with humour and there were lots of scenes which surprised a grin or giggle out of me. The characters are well rendered and (mostly) believable within the allowable framework of the genre. I was particularly impressed by the dialogue which flows well and freely. The usual small town eccentric characters are present and the plot moves along at a good pace.

I also liked that instead of the usual trope-y antagonistic and incompetent local police force, protagonist Julia has an unexpected ally in the form of young DI Hayley Gibson. They strike up a surprisingly good cooperation to solve the mysteries.

The main mystery is self contained in this volume, so it works well as a standalone. There are currently three books extant in the series making it a good candidate for a long weekend binge read or buddy read. Genuinely well written and fun to read.

Four and a half stars.

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

Hide and Seek

Hide and Seek is a standalone M/M romantic cozy mystery by Josh Lanyon. Released 20th Oct 2022, it's 306 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 well written shopfront cozy mystery with a fun retro "Macguffin" twist and a somewhat hapless amateur sleuth. It's more of a romantic drama with a side of murder mystery than primarily a cozy, but there's enough of both genres to keep most readers engaged. The plot does meander in places and there were a few places where ridiculous developments strained my suspension of disbelief, but all in all it's a fun and entertaining ride. 

It's occasionally somewhat graphic for a true cozy mystery, with some on-page violence. There's also some explicit (but not gratuitous) sex scenes (M/M), so it might not be 100% safe for work. Quite a lot of the plot revolves around MC Andrew's abusive ex, so readers who prefer not to read on-page abuse and physical and emotional threats should be aware that this book contains a lot of both. 

It's well written throughout and the author is adept at plotting and descriptive prose. There are some places where the plot meanders a bit, but it definitely gets there in the end. The denouement and resolution are sweetly satisfying. 

Four stars. 

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

The Boneyard - A Doc Holliday Mystery #2

The Boneyard is the second Doc Holiday mystery by Loretta C. Rogers. Released 20th April 2022, it's 308 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. 

Dr. Tullah Holliday is a veterinarian who winds up assisting a state and national investigation when her labrador brings her a skeletal hand he found. It doesn't take much time before more burial sites are found in the same area and the hunt turns toward putting the victims to rest and giving some closure to their families.

The author is adept at characterization and setting. There's an oppressive and very creepy atmosphere through a lot of the book which ratchets up the tension. It's a fast read and very engaging. There's also a significant paranormal element which ties into the Cherokee belief system and Dr. Holliday's own intuitions and insights as the investigation proceeds.

It's quite melancholy in places, but the denouement and resolution are satisfying and well wrought.With three books extant in the series at this point, it would be a good choice for a weekend binge or buddy read. 

 Four and a half stars. 

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

Pressed Plants: Making a Herbarium

Pressed Plants is a comprehensive beginner friendly guide with tutorials for getting started preserving and cataloguing a person herbarium/plant collection by  Linda P.J. Lipsen. Released 10th Feb 2023 by the Royal British Columbia Museum, it's 96 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.

The cataloguing and organization of plant material into a cohesive (and correctly identified) herbarium is admittedly exotic, academic, and (some would say) tweedy hobby. It's also deeply steeped in adventure, history, and exploration. Early explorers were hardy and fearless and raced to find and bring back heretofore unknown species. As a result, botanical material was crated and shipped wholesale (generally unidentified) back to be bought and curated into private and public collections worldwide. This book is written for hobbyist collectors and for building readers' private collections, but there are flashes of the same adventure and wanderlust in the author's instruction included here.

The book is arranged logically, with chapters divided thematically: building a field kit and collecting tools (including a good overview on sourcing and evaluating what to get and where), collecting plant material, pressing & drying, mounting, preserving & organizing, and identifying specimens. The text is enhanced throughout with tips set apart by identifying icons indicating reusable/recycling ideas, tips and tricks, and checklists for fieldwork. The text is enhanced throughout by simple line drawings and graphics rendered by Derek Tan. Although quite simple, they enhance and inform the text. The author has also included a solid bibliography to get collectors started with ID and classification, as well as a cross referenced index (not provided in the ARC for review).

Four stars. It's an admittedly niche book, but I heartily recommend it to readers who enjoy academic collections and who really enjoy seeing collections of *stuff* being arranged and catalogued and ordered. Beautifully done and well illustrated. This would also be an excellent choice for public or school library, activity groups, maker's groups, smallholders and similar.

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

 

Planned Obsolescence: A manuscript of life

Planned Obsolescence is a mystery thriller featuring an academic investigator by Lorin Brandon. Released 1st Dec 2022 from Loudhailer Books, it's 361 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

This is an interesting and well written fictional deep dive about the role religion plays in humanity's development and existence, consensual reality, perception, self determination, all wrapped up in an ancient mystery. There will be inevitable comparisons to Dan Brown's Langdon books (Da Vinci code, et. al.). I also got a distinct faint Lovecraftian vibe from some of the setup (creepy forbidden manuscript, secret societies, indifferent/absent/malevolent alien overlords, etc). 

An interesting and thought provoking book. Very well written. 

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

The Murder Museum - A Beth Haldane Mystery #2

 

The Murder Museum is the second Beth Haldane cozy by Alice Castle. Originally published in 2017 (as The Girl in the Gallery), this reformat and re-release from 22nd Aug 2022 is 274 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. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently available to borrow and read for free. The other books in the series are also currently available on KU. 

This is a competently written and engaging amateur sleuth mystery featuring an archivist who takes to sleuthing to help solve the mystery of a near-murder of a young girl in the art gallery she's stopped in on her way to work as an archivist at a local upper end school. The writing is engaging and the mystery is quite readable. I liked the protagonand the author does a good job with the settings and descriptions.

The dialogue is a bit rough and uneven in places but overall, it's an entertaining and readable cozy mystery. There are 8 books extant in the series currently (and all are available as part of the kindle unlimited library service), so it would make a good choice for a binge read for fans of light cozies. The mystery, denouement, and resolution are satisfying and well wrought, and self-contained in this volume so it would also work perfectly well as a standalone read.

Four stars. Worth a look for fans of J.R. Ellis, Faith Martin, and Merryn Allingham. 

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

Reginald Belcik and the Mystery of the Diamonds

Reginald Belcik and the Mystery of the Diamonds is a standalone cozy mystery by Roger Blieck featuring a widowed retired engineer thrust by circumstance into the role of amateur sleuth when he stumbles across a shoebox containing diamonds in his new role as building supervisor. Released 22nd June 2022 by The Book Guild, it's 314 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. 

The bones of a very good mystery, entertainingly told, are here. The author has a quirky humorous style of writing and an appealingly wonky view of the world which adds warmth and style to his storytelling. The writing, however, is rough, and it very much reads like he translated it himself with the assistance of Google translate from (presumably) Dutch to English with possibly an intermediary step to Swahili. There are idioms throughout which either are oddly translated or just don't have a good equivalent in English. 

Here's a random quote: 

Faced with such tragedies, we can look at everything through a telescope, but from the lens to the eyepiece. Everything becomes very small. The pile on the table too?

They left, relieved of a problem, which is not one for those who know what is there in the big package of documents.

I return to my chair and contemplate my table, full of files. I can leave it like this, without touching it. I have no obligation to touch it…

It isn't ideal that it's written in first person present tense throughout (though I admire the author's gumption - quite a lot). It's also full of stacatto bursts of dialogue, scattered sentence fragments, and broken idiomatic phrases. 

That being said, it is an entertaining and well constructed mystery. Readers who read a lot of literature in translation or aren't overly daunted by reading in the original language aided by a translating dictionary will enjoy the mystery for its own sake. The book would have benefited greatly by a thorough editing process -or- having been written in the author's native Dutch and -then- being translated to English. Whatever the process, it's clearly not written fluently. Eagle eyed readers will have cottoned onto the fact that the author himself is a retired engineer who was also a building supervisor and whose surname bears an uncanny resemblance to the hero in the story.

Four strong stars for the actual mystery, two for the writing itself. It's a nice attempt and a disappointing execution. 

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

The Shadow of Memory - Kate Hamilton Mysteries #4

 

 

The Shadow of Memory is the fourth Kate Hamilton village cozy by Connie Berry. Released 10th May 2022 by Crooked Lane Books, 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. 

Readers who enjoy British village cozy murder shopfront mysteries are in for a treat with this series. Series protagonist Kate is an American expat antiques dealer who is engaged to local Detective Inspector Tom Mallory. She came to England to enjoy a vacation some years prior and wound up staying. She's now a permanent resident and working on an art authentication project at a former sanatorium, now being converted into luxury townhouses.

I really enjoy murder mysteries built around long-ago cold cases which resonate down the decades to the present day, and this one is an exceptional example of the subgenre. With the addition of clever plotting, good pacing, and engaging background history, it's a winning combo.

I liked the characterizations here; the characters live and breathe and the dialogue was never clunky. There were several seemingly disparate plot threads which intertwined into a satisfying denouement and resolution. Despite being the fourth book in the series, it worked well as a standalone, though there are some minor spoilers for earlier books if read out of order. I was engaged enough with the writing and the mystery, that I've picked up the previous books in the series. 

Four and a half stars. This is definitely one for British village cozy readers. Very well written and constructed. Clean language and mostly off-page violence. With four books extant in the series at this point, it would make a good choice for a long weekend binge read or buddy read. 

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

Before Mrs. Beeton: Elizabeth Raffald, England's Most Influential Housekeeper

Before Mrs. Beeton is a fascinating biography of Elizabeth Raffald, the Georgian period's own answer to Martha Stewart, written and annotated by food historian Dr. Neil Buttery. Due out 28th April from Pen & Sword, it's 224 pages and will be available in hardcover format. 

I was familiar with Mrs. Beeton, but completely unfamiliar with her predecessor and inspiration Elizabeth Raffald. The author does a wonderful job of providing a meticulously researched and annotated academically rigorous biography in layman accessible language and at the same time succeeds in making it really interesting. The book is quite simple graphically, there aren't a lot of illustrations, but there are a number of facsimiles, photos, and line drawings contained in an appendix in the back of the book. The author has also included notes and annotations, as well as a comprehensive index.

It's not a cookbook in much of a sense of the word, or at least not chiefly a cookbook, there are only a few recipes here, in an appendix. There is however, broad ranging historical background, social commentary, history, quite a lot of drama, and some pathos, retelling the rise and fall of Mrs. Raffald. The author has gone to great pains to delineate the subtleties and explain the background minutiae showing the differences between ingredients, preparation methods, and cooking fuels from the 1700s compared to the modern day. 

Five stars. This would be a superlative choice for foodies fascinated by history as well as for historical re-creators/SCA folks.

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

Playing Dead - Molly Madison #2

Playing Dead is the second Molly Madison cozy mystery by Peggy Rothschild. Released 7th Feb 2023 by Penguin Random House on their Berkley imprint, it's 304 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 engaging cozy featuring a likable protagonist and lots (and lots) of dogs. There's a huge amount of info about dog agility and tracking sport which I found interesting. The author is either deeply familiar with the milieu or else has profoundly impressive research skills. (Reading the afterword and acknowledgements, it would seem the latter - quite impressive).

The plot threads are well engineered and controlled and the denouement and resolution are satisfying if fairly predictable. The author did a good job of fleshing out the secondary characters as well. They're three-dimensional and believable. One of the secondary but pivotal characters is a precocious 8 year old who was one of the stars of the book for me. Dog lovers will find a lot to enjoy here.

The language is mild (a few "damns" and nothing worse), and there's no explicit content, gore, or violence. There's a romance sub-thread central to the main character's development which was surprising, and fans of mystery who hate romantic drama in their reads should know that this is a significant part of the plot.

Four and a half stars. This is top shelf cozy mystery. Highly recommended. 

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

 

How Are You Feeling?: Naming Your Emotions with Sesame Street

How Are You Feeling? is a fun and educational read about identifying emotions for the youngest readers through pictures and simple text by Marie-Therese Miller. Released 7th Feb 2023 by Lerner Publishing, it's 32 pages and is available in paperback, library binding, and ebook formats. 

Identifying and learning how to manage emotions can be frightening and difficult for small children. The author uses the comforting familiarity of the Sesame Street characters to learn emotions and show them along with diverse youngsters (ca 4-8 years of age) for readers to model and learn. 

The message is simple: absolutely everyone has big feelings, and that's OK! Appealing color photos showing kids being happy, sad, excited, etc are followed on the facing pages by Sesame Street muppets explaining what makes *them* feel happy, sad, or excited. There is no judgement or shaming whatever. Seeing and learning emotions in a safe way makes it easier to cope and understand when real situations arise which are probably outside the control of the children reading this appealing little book.

Five stars. This would be a superlative choice for public or school library acquisition, for gift giving, for the child's home library, as well as for professional settings such as therapy practices, counselors, kindergartens, doctor's offices, and similar. 

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

The Sustainable Homestead: Create a Thriving Permaculture Ecosystem with Your Garden, Animals, and Land

The Sustainable Homestead is a well written practical guide to permaculture, farming and self-sufficiency by Angela Ferraro-Fanning. Due out 28th March 2023 from Quarto on their Cool Springs Press imprint, it's 192 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

The book has a logical and accessible format with an understandable progression. The author starts with site selection (location location location) and moves on to soil, growing, incorporating animals, creating and maintaining pasture, compost, orchards, and the role of the homesteader. The book also includes a useful reference appendix, bibliography, and index. I really loved the well written no-nonsense foreword by Dr. Temple Grandin, who absolutely knows what she's talking about.

This won't be the *only* book needed to get from dreamer phase to small-farmer, but it is a very useful resource and will be a welcome addition to the smallholder's library. This would also make a good choice for public or possibly school library acquisition, as well as for community gardens and allotments. The photography throughout is superlative; clear and colorful.

Four and a half stars. The information contained in this volume is slanted toward readers in North America, but there are good takeaways for readers living elsewhere.

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

The Container Victory Garden: A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Your Own Groceries

The Container Victory Garden is a beginner friendly guide to growing food and herbs in containers written by Maggie Stuckey. Due out 21st Feb 2023 from HarperCollins on their Harper Horizon imprint, it's 272 pages and will be available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. 

This is an appealing and accessible guide to growing plants and taking some steps toward our own food security and satisfaction with safe, accessible, high quality food which is good for physical and mental health. It's written in simple straightforward language with solid concrete steps on how to get started and how to progress.

The author describes "Victory" gardens from the past and draws parallels to cultural stress/crises (like the pandemic) and how people react by going back to basics and how good for mental and physical health growing a garden can be. Following chapters show the importance of planning, sourcing tools and supplies for the best outcomes, growing, troubleshooting, and specific varieties for success growing vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers. 

Specific tips and advice are set apart in the text in color highlighted text boxes. Charts are easy to read and understand. The book is enhanced by clear color photographs as well as appealing pastel/pencil line drawings by Janice Minjin Yang and Lee Johnston.

The appendix includes links and information to a number of retailers with  selection of quality seeds for gardeners in North America. 

Five stars. This is a very useful, appealing, and well laid out book which has value both for new gardeners as well as more experienced readers. 

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

The Lost Metal - The Mistborn Saga #7

 

The Lost Metal is the 7th Mistborn western fantasy adventure by Brandon Sanderson. Released 15th Nov 2022 from Macmillan on their Tor/Forge imprint, it's 528 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out 4th 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. 

One of the difficult things about having a huge, overarching, intricate, and long running series is the sheer intimidation of attracting new readers to the fold without scaring them off with the literal *thousands* of pages of precursor books. Luckily, Sanderson is a pretty darned gifted writer and though new readers will not have the depth of experience of the True-Fans® who are already familiar with every scintilla of the canon, neither will they be lost at sea from page 1. He manages to carry everyone along in the same boat (more or less). And what a fine boat it is. This is a fantasy western featuring a pair of adventurers and an ensemble cast of secondary partners and support staff.

The setting of this world covers, as previously stated, literally thousands of pages of stories including a trilogy, a related follow-up tetralogy (of which this is the 4th and final novel), as well as many related stories of varying length. The overall quality is impressively high. It is *full* of explosions, gunplay, and a large helping of sarcastic humor. 

Although this tetralogy is self contained, it follows on the first trilogy (a few centuries later), and the author has announced a future trilogy without any definite projected publishing dates.  It would make a superlative binge/buddy read. 

Four and a half stars. Excellent read. Not great as a standalone, but possible.

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

Matchmaking in the Archive: 19 Conversations with the Dead and 3 Encounters with Ghosts

Matchmaking in the Archive is an interesting and well curated collection of essays about how the past informs and deepens our understanding in our present day lives. Released 10th Feb 2023 by the Rutgers University Press, it's 264 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats. 

This is a very well written collaborative project curated by E.G. Crichton, linking a currently active artist with a dead artist/performer whose artifacts are contained in the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Historical Society's archives and which draws parallels between how the relics of past generations relate to modern artists' creative lives and experiences. 

It's easy to become overwhelmed, a little bogged down, and completely enraptured by this odd book of pairings. It's both whimsically appealing, melancholy, and quite subtly profound to understand how the author and the guest essayists tease out the common threads and present them to the reader. 

Most of the artists were unfamiliar to me. There were a few familiar names, but most weren't. That didn't detract from the read (and might have actually enhanced it). There's a certain amount of voyeuristic pleasure in seeing ephemera from the past and so much history to be gleaned here. 

Four stars. Valuable for readers interested in arts, ephemera, culture, LGBTQIA+ history, and allied fields. 

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

Reader, I Murdered Him

Reader, I Murdered Him is a Victorian vigilante mystery adventure by Betsy Cornwell. Released 15th Nov 2022 by HarperCollins on their Clarion Books imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out early 4th quarter 2023 from the same publisher. 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 gifted with descriptive prose. The scenery and characters are rendered believably and well. The dialogue is somewhat archaic and sometimes stilted to modern ears, but it evokes the time period very well. The basic plot is a retelling/twist/expansion of Jane Eyre told from Adéle's point of view, with Adéle (Rochester's young ward) in the role of vigilante, robbing/killing evil men who would prey on women. 

This is very much through a glass, darkly. For fans who love and revere Jane Eyre, although very well written, this book will likely cause rage and distress. There's no redemption for Rochester here, and the potential creepiness of his questionable relationship with his 9 year old ward (at the time of her relocation to England from France) is explored in depth. 

There's a Jane Eyre meets Thelma & Louise/Natural Born Killers vibe which is odd and unsettling but fascinating at the same time. Lovers of Bronte will have conniptions. 

Three and a half stars for the writing alone. Recommended for readers who do not have strongly positive feelings about Jane Eyre and who are willing to allow the author the expedient of making *all* the male characters malignant narcissistic creeps in pretty much the same way throughout.

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

 

Murder in Tuscany - Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mysteries #1

 

 

Murder in Tuscany is the first Armstrong and Oscar cozy destination mystery by T.A. Williams. Released 18th Oct 2022 by Boldwood books, it's 264 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 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, Murder in Chianti, is also currently available on KU. 

This is a beautifully descriptive and well written destination mystery set in Tuscany. Former policeman Dan Armstrong is visiting the Italian countryside at a writing retreat to regroup, recharge, and take stock of his own life after the breakup of his marriage. When the leader/owner of the retreat turns up stabbed with his own decorative dagger, Dan's cop instincts and his inside placement at the scene of the crime leave him in a good position to help the local constabulary. His insights are valuable and he and the lead detective develop a good rapport and friendship. 

The plotting is solid and the dialogue and characterizations are well controlled and believable. The mystery, denouement, and resolution are self contained in this volume, so it works well enough as a standalone, but the writing and mystery are so well planned and executed, that it would make an excellent weekend mini binge or buddy read with the companion volume. I sincerely hope that there are more books to come.

It's not derivative at all, but it reminded me in a lot of good ways of Leon's exceptional Brunetti books as well as Walker's lovely Bruno, chief of police books. Fans of those authors will find a lot to enjoy here.

Four and a half stars. Highly recommended.

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

The Murder Mystery - A Beth Haldane Mystery #1

The Murder Mystery is the first Beth Haldane cozy by Alice Castle. Originally published in 2017, this reformat and re-release from 22nd Aug 2022 is 236 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 available to borrow and read for free. The other books in the seriesare also currently available on KU. 

This is a competently written and engaging amateur sleuth mystery featuring an archivist who takes to sleuthing to prove that she didn't murder her new boss in order to take over his job. Much of the characterizations are somewhat trope-y and superficial, and to be honest the plotting is fairly linear, but it's nevertheless engaging and quite readable. I liked the setting, a tony school outside London, and the author does a good job with the settings and descriptions. 

There were some iffy scientific tests performed as a casual part of the investigation which are costly and would almost *never* be resorted to in real life and which are integral to the plot. The dialogue is a bit rough and uneven in places but overall, it's an entertaining and readable cozy mystery. There are 8 books extant in the series currently (and all are available as part of the kindle unlimited library service), so it would make a good choice for a binge read for fans of light cozies. 

Three and a half stars. Worth a look for fans of J.R. Ellis, Faith Martin, and Merryn Allingham. 

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

Requiem for a Good Machine

Requiem for a Good Machine is the first Song & Waterbird cyberpunk mystery by Daniel Claymore. Released 17th Aug 2022, it's 282 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. 

This is a cyberpunk noir SF cop procedural murder mystery set in the mean streets of future city Mirabilis. Officer Leo Song is, unusually, fully human and whose partner is a machine called Detective Waterbird. This future is one where the machines have taken (benevolent(ish)) control of everything and humans are more or less superfluous. A violent double homicide sees the pair trying to solve both the immediate murders and the underlying setup/frame for the murders before a human revolution is set in motion. 

It's not derivative in any way, but stylistically it reminded me a lot of Philip K. Dick and Dashiell Hammett with a little William Gibson and Earl/Otto Binder in the mix for good measure. It's definitely exalted company, and it stands strongly on its own merits.  

Four stars. Highly recommended for fans of hard SF mystery. 

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

Murder at Black Oaks - Robin Lockwood #6

Murder at Black Oaks is the 6th Robin Lockwood legal mystery by Phillip Margolin. Released 8th March 2022 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 288 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. Mass market paperback format due out in 4th quarter 2023.

The author is unquestionably adept at his craft. The characters, well established, feel realistic and believable. There are series-long interpersonal and collegial relationships which add a lot of depth to the narrative. As it's the 6th book in the series, readers starting with this volume might struggle a bit establishing a rapport with Robin and co. The background info provided in passing is necessary to relate to the characters, but not superfluous. Although they can be read in any order, there are spoilers for earlier books, so they're probably best read in chronological order.

This volume is action driven, as are the previous installments in the series. It's pure escapist reading and that's not a bad thing. The dialogue is choppy in places and I found myself yanked out of my suspension of disbelief sometimes by seemingly out-of-character and unrealistic plot developments.  Margolin does manage to resolve the disparate plot threads into a satisfyingly cohesive climax, denouement, and resolution.

With 6 books extant in the series, and a 7th anticipated out in late 4th quarter 2023, this would be a good choice for a binge or buddy series read. Recommended for fans of legal/courtroom thrillers.

Four stars. 

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

The Parlour Game

The Parlour Game is a well written historical magical fantasy and new series opener by Jennifer Renshaw. Released 31st Aug 2022, it's 411 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. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

This is an atmospheric gothic mystery with magic and spiritualism and more mundane criminal elements. The characters are subtly and (mostly) believably rendered, and the plotting is above average. I never found myself yanked out of my suspension of disbelief by clunky dialogue, and my interest didn't wander. In fact despite the length of the book (400+ pages), I finished it in one sitting. 

This is an indie published work, and as such, it could have benefited from a more enthusiastic/thorough editing process; but it is perfectly readable in the ARC formats sent out for review. One thing which the author does exceedingly well is capturing a creeping dread and gloomy tension. There's no overt reliance on jump-scares, but it constantly feels as though something's going to happen. 

The author does a good job summoning up the atmosphere of late Victorian London including the gloom and fog and mystery. There are plot threads which are not resolved in this book; the author has confirmed a sequel, so they'll presumably be addressed in the follow up book(s).

Four stars. 

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

Freddie Mercury -

 

Freddie Mercury is a new biography for young readers in the Little People, Big Dreams series. I've reviewed a number of these titles and all of them are delightful and exuberant little books which cover the lives of famous cultural, science, arts, and icons of innovation while maintaining an age-appropriate level of detail for young kids. There are over 100 books in the series at this point and they're all worthwhile.

Released 7th Feb 2023 by Quarto on their Frances Lincoln imprint, it's be 32 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

Written by Isabel Sánchez Vegara it's presented in clear and accessible language.  The gentle and sweetly whimsical illustrations are well done. The art by Ruby Taylor is appealing and colorful and supports the text very well. The art is rich in small subtle details which bear a closer look, including many of Freddie's outrageous stage outfits based on real life appearances.  I loved seeing his beloved cats making an appearance as well.

Well written and appealing, I am really enjoying all of these little books. This one is a worthy addition.

Five stars. This would make a superlative reading circle book, classroom library book, or gift.  Queen and Freddie Mercury were and are an important part of the soundtrack of the world's experience for the last 40 years to and this little book is a nice introduction to Freddy's (and Queen's) work for the youngest generation.

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

Invitation to a Killer - Augusta Hawke #2

Invitation to a Killer is the second Augusta Hawke mystery by G.M. Malliet. Released 7th Feb 2023 by Severn House, it's 240 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.

This is a quirky amateur sleuth mystery told in first person PoV featuring mystery writer Augusta in the starring role. It's set in modern day Washington DC and has a cast of well known socialites, philanthropists, and politicians in a sort of locked room murder setup, where the first murder occurs. 

The writing is competent and the plotting is well controlled and moves at a good clip. I found the *constant* unrelenting internal monologue on the part of the protagonist to be intrusive and a detraction to the flow of the read. It reminded me a bit of the full on snarkiness of the M.C. Beaton's Agatha Raisin books, and readers who love the Beaton books will find a lot to like here.

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 8 hours, 36 minutes and is competently narrated by Erin Dion. She has a husky and pleasant alto voice with a neutral American accent. She has a good grasp of timbre and inflection and, in a positive way, her voice doesn't take over the read. I found myself able to listen to the *book* without noticing her *voice* overmuch. She does an ok job differentiating the various characters without being confusing or repetitive. I listened at slightly increased speed and never found my interest wandering or losing my place.

Three and a half stars. Definitely worth a look for fans of tongue-in-cheek sarcastic amateur sleuth mysteries.

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

The Last Lie Told - Finley O’Sullivan #1

The Last Lie Told is the first Finley O'Sullivan PI mystery by Debra Webb. Released 1st Aug 2022 from Amazon on their Thomas & Mercer imprint, it's 315 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. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

This is an engaging and well told legal mystery. The plotting is solid and action driven. The dialogue is smoothly written and I never found myself yanked out of my suspension of disbelief by clunky passages or ridiculous scenes. That being said, however, people who are intimately familiar with or who work in the legal professions will likely find some of the situations ethically problematic or unbelievable. 

Protagonist Finley is well rendered, intelligent, and tough. Although it's a bit trope-y that she's suffering from the fallout from her husband's violent death less than a year prior to the events in this book, the author manages to avoid the larger archetypes and traps of the genre. 

Sensitive readers might find the descriptions of violent sexual assault and murder distressing. The language is R-rated, and there are liberal uses of rugged curse words. There are a number of disparate plot threads and not all of them are resolved in their entirety in this book. 

Three and a half stars. Worth a look for fans of PI/legal thrillers. Book 2 is due out in March 2023 (and will also be included in the KU library). 

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

Murder at an Irish Castle - Irish Castle Mystery #1

Murder at an Irish Castle is the first book of a cozy series by Ellie Brannigan. Released 7th Feb 2023 by Crooked Lane Books, it's 313 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. Library binding format available in June 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.

This is a simple "clean" cozy mystery which opens in Los Angeles and rapidly shifts scene to Ireland (drawn without an overwhelming abundance of convincing background research, apparently). Protagonist Rayne McGrath goes, on her 30th birthday, from having the world as her oyster to being robbed, financially broke, abandoned by her duplicitous boyfriend, and finagled into attempting to turn the fortunes of her father's family's ancestral manor home by convoluted legal and emotional blackmail which push the boundaries of belief.

Added into the mix are a termagant of a previously undisclosed cousin Ciara, some family retainers, a small village of locals, and a cute Irish setter dog (because of course there would be). The writing is competent and enjoyable, although the constant drama and sniping yanked me out of my suspension of disbelief constantly. I found both Rayne and Ciara annoying in the -extreme- and not at all sympathetic or believable.

There are redeeming moments in the narrative, and background world building can take time. There are promising moments throughout. The setup for future volumes in the series is well rounded and open ended. The dialogue is occasionally rough and the mystery isn't much of a mystery, but overall, it's a fair bet for readers who enjoy undemanding cozy village mysteries. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 9 hours and 17 minutes and is narrated by Traci Odom. She has a light voice which has a slightly breathy quality. She does a good job differentiating characters of both sexes and a range of ages. Readers who are intimately familiar with actual Irish accents will possibly find the narrator's portrayal off-putting. After some minutes of adjustment, her voice/accent (she's from Texas, apparently) faded more or less into the background. Sound and production quality were high throughout the read. 

Three and a half stars. Worth a look for fans of women's fiction/light cozies. 

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

The Fifth Horseman

The Fifth Horseman is a quirky lightly humorous fable about life/death/friendship and fate by Jon Smith. Released 7th Feb 2023, it's 321 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. 

This is an unusual take on the afterlife. The author goes to pains to include the quintessential archetypes: Death, Charon, Cerberus, and the other personifications (War, Famine, and the other boys in the band) and sprinkle in some modern twists, including a French domestic helper named Veronique. Dropped into the middle of the Limbo afterlife party uninvited are Emma, who's chosen to be there, and Mark who was just trying to do a good deed and save Emma's life, and failing rather spectacularly.

The humour is mildly funny, but not overly so. The plot is quite meandering and I didn't find any profound insights along the way. There's a modicum of Benny Hill(ish) slapstick, but much of it is rather exhausted and trite, like giving hapless Mark a pale horse to ride in the form of a Shetland pony. There is a lot of suicide ideation, death (obviously), along with a surprisingly satisfying denouement and resolution. Spelling and vernacular are British English, but won't pose any problems in context for readers from North America. 

Three and a half stars. Comparing this book to Pratchett, Gaiman, and (checks blurb) Aaronovitch does the book a huge disservice. This isn't them and suffers by comparison.

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

Yeti Left Home

Yeti Left Home is a cryptid adventure by Aaron Rosenberg where the Yeti features as a sympathetic and relatable everyman protagonist. Released 1st Feb 2023, it's 244 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.

This is a cute cryptid story featuring an adult yeti, Wylie, who has to leave his deepwoods mountain home and try to hide himself in the big city, Minneapolis. The story follows his efforts to blend in (most people he encounters see him as a big shaggy human), acquire food and shelter, and stay anonymous. Along the way, he encounters other supernatural beings, both benign and distinctly unfriendly, and develops and learns about himself and his place in the world. 

Three and a half stars. The writing is very simple and there's quite a lot of telling instead of showing. The author is adept at storytelling, and although the plot arc is simple and direct, it's entertaining and a worthwhile, quick read. 

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

 

The Rift: A Bolingbrook Babbler Story

The Rift is the second story in the Bolingbrook Babbler storyverse by William Brinkman. Released 13th July 2022, it's 257 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. 

Although it's not derivative, this gave me vibes of what would happen if you mixed X-Files and Roswell with a little bit of very dry Twin Peaks humor tossed in the mix. It's quirky and odd, but overall engagingly weird and a better than average read. Quite a *lot* of the plot turns on conspiracy theory and warring factions within the skeptical movement who are expending most of their efforts sniping at and scoring off of one another rather than trying to figure out what's really going on outside their sphere. 

It's feminists vs. incels (more or less), and there's more mansplaining than readers can shake a stick at and it's not a good look for -anyone-. The author does a detailed and believable job of describing a convention experience to the smallest detail which was impressive. Most of the characters are superficially less than endearing and it took a while to really feel invested in the actual story.  There is a redemption arc here, and there were some satisfying moments along the way.   

I wonder if the author will wind up getting abuse from both the hardcore male-SF-puppy camp for including sympathetic and intelligent female characters as well as from long-time female SF fans for the nigh-continual redemption-of-Tom plot arc. 

I was somewhere in the middle and enjoyed the book after it settled into the actual story. 

Four stars. Engaging and well written.

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

Murder in Chianti - Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mysteries #2

Murder in Chianti is the second Armstrong and Oscar cozy destination mystery by T.A. Williams. Released 27th Jan 2023 by Boldwood books, it's 264 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 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 first book in the series, Murder in Tuscany, is also currently available on KU. 

This is a beautifully descriptive and well written destination mystery set in Tuscany. Expat former policeman Dan Armstrong and his trusty canine sidekick Oscar are assisting the local constabulary in solving the violent murder of a local in the expat community, resort owner Rex Hunter. Dan's ostensibly along to facilitate translations in English for the police and witnesses, but his insights are valuable and he and the lead detective have a good rapport and friendship. 

The plotting is solid and the dialogue and characterizations are well controlled and believable. The mystery, denouement, and resolution are self contained in this volume, so it works well enough as a standalone, but the writing and mystery are so well planned and executed, that it would make an excellent weekend mini binge or buddy read. 

It's not derivative at all, but it reminded me in a lot of good ways of Leon's exceptional Brunetti books as well as Walker's lovely Bruno, chief of police books. Fans of those authors will find a lot to enjoy here.

Four and a half stars. Highly recommended.

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

Death and the Conjuror - Joseph Spector #1

Death and the Conjuror is the first Joseph Spector locked room mystery by Tom Mead. Released July 2022 by Penzler, it's 288 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out second quarter 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. 

This is such a stylish and well written historical mystery set in the interwar period in England. Stage magician Joseph Spector joins forces with Scotland Yard inspector Flint to solve several "impossible" crimes. Readers who enjoy figuring out how before the sleuths will find a fiendishly clever puzzle. I gave up trying to beat the mystery about halfway in (impossible crimes upon impossible crimes) and just enjoyed the ride. 

The writing is top shelf; engaging and smooth. The characters are believably rendered and the plotting is well engineered and sophisticated. The whole is redolent of the time period without being clunky or archaic. 

Four stars. A strong series start. For fans of Golden Age classic mysteries, this one definitely delivers. The classic great authors of the period aren't producing any more stories, and this one really does evoke the time without being derivative or precious. The second volume (The Murder Wheel) is due out in late 2023.

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

The Secret Life of a Woodland Habitat: Life Through the Seasons

The Secret Life of a Woodland Habitat is a beautifully photographed and well written look at a woodland habitat by Chloé Valerie Harmsworth. Released 14th Dec 2022 by Pen & Sword on their White Owl imprint, it's 128 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

There have been so many studies and research showing that living a life divorced from nature and wildness increases stress and has a negative effect on mental and physical health. The need for nature connection has led to movements to change the way we educate (more wilderness and outdoor time for preschoolers through university students), green spaces in our workplaces, even "prescriptions" for outdoor and nature/wild time for everything from stress to depression to physical issues such as autoimmune flare-ups. 

The author does a brilliant job of showing a year's cycle in a woodland managed by the Woodland Trust. It's a gentle book, a contemplative book, and it's full of colourful macro photos which show close up details. There are poems for each season, and the author does a good job of both showing the beauty of nature close to home as well as explaining in accessible terms why it's vitally important to our physical and mental health as well as to the interconnected health of our planet.

Five stars. Gorgeous project, well executed. This would make a good choice for public or school library acquisition or home use. Readers should note that the specific woodland covered in the book is in the UK, but there are takeaways for readers everywhere. 

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