Death by a Cornish Cove

 

Death by a Cornish Cove is the second Cressida Fawcett historical cozy by Fliss Chester. Released 9th Feb 2023, it's 276 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 first book in the series is also currently available on KU, and a third book is due out in late second quarter 2023 (June . 

This is a beautifully rendered historical cozy featuring flapper Cressy Fawcett and her sidekick (a pug) named Ruby. It's set in interwar (1920's) England and protagonist Cressida is a lot more enamored of her independence and her motorcar than in finding a husband and settling down (egads!). She's drawn into mayhem (again) and danger (yet again) when she and Dotty motor to Cornwall for a country house weekend with lots of fizz, sun, sea, and murder. Civilized repartee joins up with a genteel cast of characters, secrets and skullduggery. The author seems to hit her stride in this second installment and the mystery, if a tiny bit predictable, is very well constructed and the prose is easy to read and breezy.

It's sure to appeal to fans of the original Golden Age authors (Christie, Marsh, Sayers, Allingham, and the others sadly departed). It's not an absolute dead ringer for their work (how could it be?), but it's satisfying and diverting nevertheless. With two books currently in the series and another due in June, it would also be a good choice for a buddy/mini-binge read.

Four stars. The language is squeaky clean and the violence is off page. It's civilized and fun (and Ruby the dog is wonderful). 

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

Three Can Keep a Secret - A Greer Hogan Mystery #3

Three Can Keep a Secret is the third Greer Hogan cozy(ish) mystery by M. E. Hilliard. Released 7th Feb 2023 by Crooked Lane, it's 320 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback out in 1st quarter 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.

This series is developing nicely, and the author writes well and clearly. The author has apparently worked as a librarian and seems to have a similar background in high-end retail fashion as her alter ego protagonist Greer. The librarian-dog-cozy-murder-smalltown-mystery sub-subgenre is always fun and this is a nice addition to the promising start laid down in the previous books. The murders are off-scene and mostly bloodless, there's no graphic content, the language is fairly clean, the characters are (mostly) likeable and intelligent and there are a plethora of suspects and lots of red herrings. I got a slight Agatha Raisin vibe.  She's smart and fashion conscious and sophisticated as well as vulnerable and not so perfect that she becomes insufferable. 

Since it's a librarian cozy, there are of course book tie-ins and title name-dropping. One of my favorite features of librarian cozies is the suggestions for titles, series, and authors with which I was previously unfamiliar. I found a couple of good ones in this book to follow up on as a nice bonus. I suspect most of the titles and series mentioned will be familiar to most readers.

The climax and denouement are well done. It's a fun, slightly melancholy cozy and full of the things which we all love about small-town cozies. Happily in this installment landlord Henri and his adorable bulldog Pierre feature somewhat more heavily. I hope they figure as prominently in the next book.

The unabridged audiobook version has a run time of 7 hours 58 minutes and is narrated by Kirsten Potter. She has an earthy low-toned rich alto voice and a well modulated general American accent (not notably regional).  She manages the read with good inflection and not too much breathiness, and readers will be able to concentrate on the narrative without noticing the narrator overly much. One slight codicil, for Francophiles, he accent for Henri's dialogue is not overly accurate. He doesn't have too much dialogue, so it won't be a problem for most readers. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read. 

Four stars. Highly recommended to fans of the genre. 

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

A Mischief of Rats - Nell Ward Mystery #3

 

A Mischief of Rats is the third book to feature ecology conservationist Dr. Nell Ward, by Dr. Sarah Yarwood-Lovett. Released 28th Feb 2023 by Bonnier on their imprint Embla Books, it's 420 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 previous 2 books in the series are also currently available on KU to borrow.

This is a diverting series featuring an intelligent female ecologist who finds herself in a dangerous and difficult situation when the murder of a flamboyant "bad boy" race driver occurs on her family's estate during a rally event and threatens to draw her family into danger and scandal. Although it has the bones of a cozy mystery, there are elements of procedural and some slightly more graphic violence and descriptions than are usually present in cozies. The usual romantic plot elements are present in abundance and for readers who don't like any romance in their cozies, proceed with caution - there's an semi-unresolved romantic triangle here with added family drama courtesy of Nell's boyfriend's family which has racial overtones (Nell is caucasian and her boyfriend and his family are ethnically Indian).

The main protagonist is a conservation ecologist and it's a profession which she shares with the author. It's an oft-said proverb that authors should write what they know, and Dr. Yarwood-Lovett has done just that; describing the realities of crawling through muck to collect water samples and collecting and analyzing diatoms in (human) bone marrow with gleeful abandon. 

The book is full of science tidbits and trivia and for me, that was the highlight. Without being pedantic or lecturing, the author pulls back the curtain on tantalizing bits of nature most never see. There are technical terms bandied about, and there are some places (courtroom expert testimony) which require a little more attention on the part of the reader - but they're relatively few and far between and I think most readers will have no problem understanding the jargon from context.

Four stars. It does move slowly in places, but the author does a thorough job of building up the characters' back-stories and settings. Definitely looking forward to finding out what comes next. This book has a self contained mystery arc, and so it works well enough as a standalone. With three books extant currently, and at least three more planned, it would be a good choice for a binge/buddy read.

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

The Widowmaker - Black Harbor #2

The Widowmaker is the second Black Harbor mystery by Hannah Morrissey. Released 6 Dec 2022 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out in 4th 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 lately.

This is a very well written and cleverly constructed mystery set in and around a fictive town in Wisconsin. The setting is the same area as the first book, though this book works well as a standalone and doesn't follow on directly from the first. 

This is a *very* dark and brutally written cold case/modern procedural. There are direct and graphic descriptions of abuse, torture, including abuse of a minor. Sensitive readers should likely steer clear. That being said, it *is* very well written and engaging. 

There's a large cast of characters and their interrelationships can only be described as very convoluted. The story is written in alternating third person PoV with each chapter labeled by character. The author is talented enough and the voices distinct enough that it wasn't ever a problem keeping them straight, but there were so many characters that it wasn't always straightforward to keep their relationships and motivations clear during the read. 

Four stars, with the codicil that readers who are bothered by graphic descriptions of violence should plan to skim or skip the book altogether. 

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

Murder at St. Saviour’s - Flora Steele Mystery #5

 

Murder at St. Saviour’s is the fifth Flora Steele cozy mystery by Merryn Allingham. Released 21st Nov. 2022, it's 258 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, as are the rest of the books in the series.

I love small-town cozies, historical mysteries, and light British crime. This one ticked a lot of boxes for me. It's capably written with an intelligent and appealing female bookstore owner drawn into another investigation with her friend Jack when they're asked to assist the official investigation into a newly-appointed church curate's death. Flora and Jack, who functions as her sidekick here, seem to go directly from point to point with very few distractions or false clues. The action does move resolutely forward, and it never drags, so although simple, it's an enjoyable and engaging read. There is no bad language or triggering content and the climax and denouement were satisfying and included a few twists I didn't see coming. 

Four and a half stars. This is an enjoyable historical British cozy. Fans of the genre will find a lot to like here. Despite being the fifth book in the series it works well as a self-contained standalone. The series continues to go from strength to strength and with so many books extant currently, it would make a great choice for a binge/buddy read.

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

External Forces - The Marrowbone Spells #2

 

External Forces is the second fantasy alternate-history adventure novel by Shannon Fay. Released 8th Nov 2022, it's 507 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 first book in the series, Innate Magic, is also currently available on KU. 

This is an entirely action driven plot and the ensemble cast careen from drama to crisis and back again without pause, more or less throughout. There's not a lot of dramatic range in the individual characters, and the good ones are misunderstood and generally good and the bad ones are thoroughly despicable more or less throughout. There are a couple of redemption arcs, but for the most part, the characters continue on the path they're on from start to finish.

The world building is quite interesting and the schools of magic and how they work are clearly the product of a lot of work and planning by the author. The basic framework of the world is *very* loosely based on our own world, and despite the stated time setting of 1958, the dialogue, setting, and character interactions really hearken back to a much earlier time period (Georgian or Victorian); so much so that mentions of automobiles or James Dean (for example) are quite anachronistic and jarring. 

The draw for many YA/NA readers will be the exploration of gender roles, romance, and romantic entanglements. Several of the primary characters are gay, bi, curious, ace, and/or aro. There is a fair bit of cross dressing and fun inclusion of cloth magic as a tool for cross dressing expression included in a non-judgemental way. 

There is some graphic violence, including a shocking disfiguring death-by-fall, consensual and non-consensual torture and body horror, and murder. There's an extended torture scene which sensitive readers will probably want to skim. There's also some undead(ish) horror-lite, as well as a fair bit of consensual strongly implied intimate physical contact.

Well written but often meandering. Worth a look for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Cassandra Clare. It's not explicit or steamy, but there is strongly implied physical contact. It's the second book in the series and doesn't work super well as a standalone read.

Four stars. 

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

The Bride Wore White - Burning Cove #7

The Bride Wore White is the seventh book in the historical Burning Cove paranormal mysteries by Amanda Quick. Released 2nd May 2023 by Penguin Random House on their Berkley imprint, it's 320 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a character driven paranormal mystery with very tenuous tie-ins to characters in some of the other books. Since they don't follow on from one another, it can be read as a standalone without losing continuity. The series format focuses each book's plot around a couple and their romance and unraveling a mystery, in this case, solving a psychically motivated murder and revenge plot against the protagonist, Prudence, who keeps having to reinvent herself to escape each new attempt.

The plotting and writing are above average, the mystery is straightforward, and the solution inevitable, but otherwise an above average read for lovers of historical romance/mystery with a paranormal element. The dialogue is uneven, but nothing egregious (some minor anachronisms and occasionally overwrought passages, but otherwise fine). 

Three and a half stars. Diverting and worth a look for fans of paranormal mystery/romance.

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

Who Cries for the Lost - Sebastian St. Cyr #18

Who Cries for the Lost is the 18th Sebastian St. Cyr mystery by C. S. Harris. Released 18th April 2023 by Penguin Random House on their Berkley imprint, it's 352 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.

Despite being the 18th book in the series, the author manages to strike a fine balance between providing a twisty and engaging mystery, while still delivering a satisfying read featuring the characters with whom readers have a long and enduring history. The strength and intelligence and synergistic delight of seeing Hero, her husband Sebastian, their growing family, and even his carriage "tiger", Tom, interacting and supporting one another is worth the read alone, but the author has wrapped the heart of the characters inside a historical plot which is so skillfully interwoven around real Regency history that it's not always clear where reality becomes fiction. There is an engaging and very well constructed mystery, but also a great deal of apt and perceptive social commentary which will resonate.

This is one of my favorite ongoing historical mystery series and I always look forward to new installments with anticipation. Although it's the latest of 18 books in the series, it works reasonably well as a standalone and new readers won't have any trouble following the story. With so many volumes extant in the series, it would make an excellent choice for a long binge or buddy read.

Five stars, a worthy addition. Highly recommended for public library acquisition, home use, or gift-giving.

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

Transmogrify!: 14 Fantastical Tales of Trans Magic

Transmogrify! is a YA fantasy anthology edited by G. Haron Davis. Released 16th May 2023 by HarperCollins on their HarperTeen imprint, it's 416 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 anthology of 14 fantasy short fiction pieces by non-binary authors and featuring non-binary characters. It's unclear from the material provided for review, but it seems that these stories are previously unpublished, and it contains all-new content. There are no story introductions but the editor/publisher has included short author bios in the back of the book for further information/following.

The stories are varied, there were (as always) some which didn't grab me personally, but all were well written and competently plotted. They were mostly in the 3.5 - 4 star range(ish) with a smattering of really standout stories.

One reason I prefer collections and anthologies is that short fiction is really challenging.  It's spare and the author doesn't have a wealth of wordage to develop characters or the plotting.  Well written short fiction is a delight. I also love collections because if one story doesn't really grab me, there's another story just a few pages away.  I can only recall a few times where I've read a collection (or anthology) straight through from cover to cover as I did this one.  

Four stars on average. It's a diverting read, but readers should be aware of potentially triggering descriptions of violence, suicide ideation, misgendering, light body horror, and transphobia.

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

The Essential Peter S. Beagle, Volume I: Lila the Werewolf and Other Stories

The Essential Peter S. Beagle, Volume I: Lila the Werewolf and Other Stories is the a collection of short(er) fiction by perennial author Peter S. Beagle. Released together with its sister volume 16th May 2023 by Tachyon, it's 352 pages and is 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 lately. 

This is a wonderfully curated collection of 16 pieces, all of which I had previously read, but which still had the power and relevance to render me breathless. There simply isn't a lesser or unworthy story in the entire lot. Mr. Beagle is a superlative writer with a sublime and consummate command of English as well as being a master of written fiction and he is here in top artistic form.

Each of the stories contains a short introduction by the author himself. The collection is also enhanced by the intricate chapter headings and line drawings of artist Stephanie Pui-Mun Law, whose art is ethereal and reminiscent of Sulamith Wülfing and calls to mind P. Craig Russel as well, without being the slightest bit derivative of either.

Five stars. This would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, for home use, and for gift giving purposes. For connoisseurs of speculative fiction, this is required reading. 

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

The Essential Peter S. Beagle, Volume II: Oakland Dragon Blues and Other Stories

 

 

The Essential Peter S. Beagle, Volume II is the second collection of short(er) fiction by perennial author Peter S. Beagle. Released together with its sister volume 16th May 2023 by Tachyon, it's 352 pages and is 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 lately. 

This is a wonderfully curated collection of 16 pieces, including one previously unpublished, four previously uncollected, and several which were unfamiliar to me. There wasn't a dud in the entire lot. Mr. Beagle is a superlative writer with a sublime and consummate command of English as well as being a master of written fiction. 

Each of the stories contains a short introduction by the author himself. The collection is also enhanced by the intricate chapter headings and line drawings of artist Stephanie Pui-Mun Law, whose art is ethereal and reminiscent of Sulamith Wülfing and calls to mind P. Craig Russel as well, without being the slightest bit derivative of either.

Five stars. This would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, for home use, and for gift giving purposes. 

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

Snakes: From Vipers to Boa Constrictors

Snakes: From Vipers to Boa Constrictors is a beautiful photographic book about snakes by Julianna Photopoulos. Due out 14th June 2023 from Amber Books, it's 224 pages and will be available in hardcover format. 

The first section of the book includes a very basic introduction on snakes as a general family. The bulk of the book contains a gorgeous and very colorful primer of specific snake species arranged by continent. Each entry includes a common name, the genus and species names, and numerous crystal clear photos of the snake, and various behaviours. 

This is a gorgeous hardcover coffee table book. I found it quite appealing and would definitely recommend it for the home or school library or a very nice gift. To appreciate and protect the future of our planet, people have to learn to appreciate and love the creatures with whom we share the earth. A lot of ignorance and fear can be dispelled with calm and factual information. This book shows snakes in their habitats as interesting and worthy of our respect and protection. Many (most?) of the photos are stock photos collected from commercial companies; they're all credited in the index.

Five stars. 

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

Plant-Powered Protein

Plant-Powered Protein is a tutorial and theory guide to eating adequate protein on a plant-based diet written and curated by dietitians Brenda Davis and Vesanto Melina, and agronomist Cory Davis. Released 28th March 2023, it's 192 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 authors are professionals working in nutrition and allied fields (one is an agronomist). They provide science and practice based research for their assertions. The authors expend a considerable amount of effort exploring the background of some of the sociopolitical realities behind farm subsidies and lobbying and how they affect meat farming and agriculture, especially in the US. 

The content is arranged in chapters thematically, exploring protein in general, and by life phase (pregnancy, lactation, infancy, toddler, up through adult). The chapters are *full* of raw data and statistics, tables, and expository information which gives an overall thorough and convincing picture of the benefits and realities of plant based diets. This is a monograph on plant based protein, and NOT much of a cookbook. There are some recipes gathered in the final chapter of the book which are varied and attractive, but they're not the chief focus of the book. 

Recipes are written with a description/intro, ingredients in a bullet list, and followed by step by step prep and cooking directions. Ingredient measurements are provided in imperial (American) units, with metric measures in parentheses (yay!!). Nutritional info is included for each recipe, as well as alternative ingredients for taste or necessary dietary restrictions. Most of the recipes include one or more color photos. Serving suggestions are attractive and appealing.

Four stars. An enthusiastically and motivationally written book with very general recipes. Readers will likely need more specific training advice as well as a broader selection of recipes. What the book does, and does well, is make a compelling argument for plant based nutrition being beneficial for health and performance as well as the heath of our biosphere. It also includes a comprehensive cross-referenced index for finding information quickly; important as this is a very very information dense volume full of tables and statistics. It would be well suited to readers who are looking for reference material, not chiefly for the recipes. It would also be a good selection for more formal classroom use for diet/nutrition and allied subjects.

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

Knock, Knock: In Pursuit of a Grand Unified Theory of Humour

Knock, Knock is a humorous and accessible monograph on the *nature* of humour by William Hartston. Released 9th May 2023 by Watkins Publishing, it's 224 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. 

The author poses the question to readers: Why, when we know so little about *what* humour actually is and *why* we find things funny (or not), would anyone write a book about the subject? He spends the next couple hundred pages doing an entertaining and enlightening job doing precisely that. It's not academic in scope or language, but the book is helpfully annotated throughout and the chapter notes are both erudite and entertaining. Amongst the annotations -are- a plethora of academic treatises on various related subjects which will give keen readers a fertile source to mine for further reading.

Much (most?) of the time, rigorously writing about what's funny is distinctly unfunny. E.B. White famously said “Explaining a joke is like dissecting a frog. You understand it better but the frog dies in the process.” In this case, the author's bonhomie, intelligence, and wit carry the day, and readers will likely experience grins and a giggle in the course of the read. 

Four stars. This would make a good choice for school or public library acquisition, home use, or gift giving. Spelling and vernacular are British standard English (as is the author), but won't cause issues in context for readers from elsewhere. 

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

Six Ostriches - Dr. Bannerman Vet Mystery #2

 

Six Ostriches is the second Dr. Bannerman veterinary mystery by Dr. Philipp Schott. Due out 23rd May 2023 from ECW Press, it's 256 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. 

This is a credible follow up to the first story, featuring an amateur sleuth who is also a veterinarian and somewhat neurodivergent (but high-functioning) protagonist alongside his trusty canine sidekick Pippin, a husky/lab/border collie mix with a gifted sense of smell and an unusually high degree of intelligence to go with it. Dr. Bannerman struck me as an odd guy, generally likeable but also stubborn and often pedantic. I appreciated the nerdy culture references which the author wrote into the story, and it's cool that his wife is a nerdy fibre artist and knitting designer.

The book is well plotted and moves along at a good clip; definitely action driven and engaging. Unusually in this case, the characterizations are above average and believably rendered. There were a few places in the book where the dialogue didn't ring true for me at all, but all in all, well written and enjoyably readable. The overarching mystery is heavily foreshadowed and not a surprise, but there were motivations and hidden aspects which definitely surprised me. The climax, denouement, and resolution had a bit too much deus-ex-machina to be entirely satisfying, but overall I enjoyed it very much. 

It's not really a cozy mystery at all and shares more in common with modern medical thrillers than "James Herriot". The author is clearly familiar with rural Manitoba and he does a great job describing the weather, the area, and the history of the place. There is some on-page violence as well as some mildly graphic descriptions of blood and exanguination, mutilation of livestock, and a couple of quite shocking decapitations. Language and dialogue are mostly PG rated shading toward the R-rated end of the spectrum. The author has not shied away from mentioning and exploring the themes of right-wing political culture and extremism. Also, there's explicit violence toward animals and very sensitive readers might want to check the discussion threads (spoiler: the dog doesn't die).

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 7 hours and 26 minutes and is capably narrated by Miles Meili. He has a rugged and rough-edged baritone which suits the dialogue very well. Sound and production quality are high throughout the recording. 

Four stars. Very enjoyable and I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next for Peter, Laura, and Pippin (&co). The author/publisher have included a sneak peek at the third book in the series, Eleven Huskies.

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

Ukulele of Death

Ukulele of Death is the first book in a new SF(ish) mystery series by pseudonymous author E.J. Copperman. Released 2nd May 2023 by Severn House, it's 284 pages and is 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a tongue in cheek lightly humorous mystery opener with a brother/sister pair of private investigators who aren't entirely human, but not entirely robot either. There are quirky aspects which are never really explored, such as them having to plug in to recharge occasionally (but not consistently). There's also endless repartee around their physical appearance, Fran is remarkably tall, and the author never lets an opportunity pass to comment on it.

The plot and investigative puzzles are pretty well constructed and the writing is entertaining and lighthearted. The humor will be hit or miss for most readers. I found it repetitive and trying in places. I did love the premise of semi-human super intelligent created protagonists and thought the background and world building for the overarching evil-shadow-corporation back-story was intriguingly done. 

Four stars. Odd but eminently readable; tries too hard to be funny in some places. Credible plot and well executed. 

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

The Vegetable Garden Pest Handbook: Identify and Solve Common Pest Problems on Edible Plants - All Natural Solutions!

The Vegetable Garden Pest Handbook is an organic based troubleshooting guide for garden support and pest protection by Susan Mulivhill. Released 27th April 2021 by Quarto on their Cool Springs Press imprint, it's 208 pages and is available in paperback, spiral-bound, 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 practical and accessible guide, well arranged and sensibly realistic in its reach and scope. The author is clearly knowledgeable and experienced and that comes through in the text. The introduction does a good job of introducing and explaining some basic terms (what -is- organic gardening, what is integrated pest management, "bug" ID, a solid overview of good cultural practice and how to adapt and integrate it into the reader's particular situation, wildlife and diversity, and how to attract wildlife/birds for a robust and diverse biome. Although it's easy to understand for beginners, there's a lot of information here and even more advanced gardeners will find tips and good advice. 

The following chapters include a gallery/bestiary of bugs which include the most common (and a few uncommon) bugs which gardeners in North America are likely to encounter. Profiles include photos of both the bugs (some with multiple photos of different life stages) and what the damage to plants typically looks like. The profiles also include taxonomy info (Latin name) as well as life cycle, range, and controls. 

The book's third section is a well organized tutorial guide for different organic pest control treatments and a neat collection of DIY project tutorials. It's photographed clearly and in color throughout. The author has also included a resource/suppliers list, a rogue's gallery of bug-shots, and a cross-referenced index. 

Five stars. Well written and useful. This would make an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, allotment/community garden library, and home use. Although this book is slanted toward readers in North America, there are enough common garden pests here which will be quite familiar to gardeners on other continents.

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

The Book That Wouldn’t Burn - The Library Trilogy #1

The Book That Wouldn’t Burn is the first book in the Library trilogy by Mark Lawrence. Released 9th May 2023 by Penguin Random House on their Berkley Ace imprint, it's 576 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 a really outstandingly well written epic adventure with a beating heart and brains as well as a heaping helping of adventure. There have been a number of stories-as-reality-shaping-tools written over the years and it's been a strong subgenre in speculative fiction. The library and guardians of the stories have a tender and precious place in the minds of many (most?) SF fans, a great number of whom were bookish young kids who felt safe and protected at their local library. 

This isn't a children's book, but readers may well hearken back to their own discoveries and growth in SF and transportive literature. It's told in a dual third person PoV between Evar, who lives in the vast library, and Livira, a young girl living in a desolate landscape outside the walls which is called The Dust. The PoV alternates throughout, but the chapters are labeled and the voices are so different as to be impossible to mistake for one another. 

Again, although it is emphatically *not* a children's book, there are flashes of Narnia and other crossrealm fantasy works. It's not derivative, but it does occupy some of the same real estate. 

Five stars. This is an important, classic, and despite the "buzz" very well written fantasy.

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

Epic Ellisons: Cosmos Camp

Epic Ellisons: Cosmos Camp is an accessible and well done illustrated STE(A)M adventure by Lamar Giles. Released 9th May 2023 by Harper Collins on their Children's imprint, it's 288 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.

Twin prodigies Wiki and Leen are actually looking forward to their first summer apart, with Leen heading off to summer camp and Wiki staying home to manage the farm stand, eradicate mutant moles, and eat gelato. The game's afoot, however, when *both* girls wind up at Camp Cosmos in the middle of a mystery disappearance and related sinister developments. 

This is a rollicking well written and lightly illustrated science mystery adventure and will appeal to 8-12 year old avid readers (all ages, honestly, but written for the middle grade audience). There are lots of cool factoids scattered throughout, the protagonists are appealing and realistically rendered, and the action driven plot is well crafted. 

The simple pencil illustrated chapter headers by Morgan Bissant are fun and full of motion and energy. They're sketched in and contain a surprising amount of small detail and relate well to their position in the book. They're inviting enough to encourage young readers to pick up a pencil and copy/try their own hand at illustrating their own stories.

For educators who know the importance of diversity and representation, the protagonists are young, female (yay!), science strong, and black (also yay!). 

Five stars, this is a very well written book which is quite fun to read and featuring two smart twin sisters who cooperate as a team, and solve mysteries. The ending foreshadows more adventures, which readers and school acquisitions personnel can look forward to in future. 

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

Cozy Coastal Knits: 21 Shawls, Sweaters, Ponchos and More

 

Cozy Coastal Knits is a fun and well curated collection of portable knitting projects to take on vacations and trips (and which will remind you of your holidays every time you use it). Written and designed by Rosann Fleischauer. Due out 1st June 2023 from Rowman & Littlefield on their Stackpole imprint, it's 160 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

The designs are simple and mostly classic and won't soon be dated. The items are basic staples and are mostly smaller/portable like hats, shawls, mitts, and cowls, though there are a few larger projects: ponchos, a skirt, and a pullover. There are some unisex pieces, including the pullover, a classic crew neck long sleeve mid-gauge staple. All are for adults. There are 21 projects total, many are accessories, but there are no socks included, for the sock-fanatics in the room. There are a couple of fingerless mitts included, though.

The introduction includes some good general info about gauge, tools, yarn substitution, and planning. It's not a learn-to-knit manual, and the author does presuppose basic knowledge on the part of the reader. She does include some very basic written technique tutorials like Kitchener and provisional cast on, but they're -very- basic (less than one page) and readers who are unfamiliar with the techniques would probably be better served watching a visual tutorial on youtube or ravelry. 

The projects are all photographed very well and clearly, without items or models in the way. The aesthetic is clean and appealing (classic) and not at all trendy or frilly. The author/publisher have included a thumbnail gallery in the table of contents which is helpful and useful (and should frankly be standard for -all- tutorial books!). 

Four and a half stars. Good holiday knitting and a wealth of patterns which use relatively small amounts of yarn, freeing knitters up to buy the most delicious extravagant yarns without buyer's remorse.

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

Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends One-Pan Wonders Cookbook: Over 200 Recipes for Simplifying Mealtime

 

 

Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends One-Pan Wonders Cookbook is a well curated collection of one pan prep/cooked dishes. Released 1st May 2023 by Barbour Books, it's 224 pages and is available in spiral bound format.

The eARC provided for review is a 50 page sample with recipes for breakfasts, salads, soups & stews, dinners, stovetop, desserts, snacks, and breads, and also includes several indexes with recipe contributors, recipes by each section, and VERY helpfully, an index of main ingredients with recipes included featuring each main ingredient..

The photography is appealing and warm and emphasizes the comfort and simplicity of good food with good friends and family. The typography and layout are homey, with recipes presented individually, organized by section.

Many of these recipes will be familiar to cooks who have had family recipes handed down for generations, or for anyone who has attended church socials and family reunions. The recipes all have ingredients listed in American standard measurements only. The written directions are clear and easy to follow. There is no nutritional information given for the sample recipes, and the contributors names are listed for each. There are some convenience/premade ingredients here such as canned soups for casseroles and bakes, Miracle whip, and corn chips. Everything else is from scratch. Also many of these recipes have large yields, perfect for parties, reunions, gatherings, etc.

Four stars. (With the assumption that the rest of the recipes and book quality are to the same standard as the sample provided for review).

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

The Ferryman

The Ferryman is a standalone dystopian SF/mystery/thriller by Justin Cronin. Released 2nd May 2023 by Penguin Random House on their Ballantine imprint, it's 560 pages and is available in hardcover, large print 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 sprawling complex book full of philosophical rumination and moral questions about existence and purpose. It's slow moving (ponderous) in places, and there are twists which are so heavily foreshadowed as to be fairly obvious. Being dropped into the middle of what's going on, along with the author's parsimonious information-sharing, makes for uncomfortable and disoriented reading. It seems to be a normal response, given the extant reviews, and it was certainly my experience as well. 

Around the 45-50% mark, the book becomes a lot clearer and a more linear storytelling style. Although it's not at all derivative, it will likely appeal to fans of Blake Crouch and J.A. Konrath. For readers who insist on clear-cut unambiguous denouement and resolution, this ending will not necessarily satisfy. On a second re-read of the last 100 pages, I'm still not entirely sure I could describe how it ended and not get a rap across the knuckles with a ruler. 

Four stars. Wonderful author, well written but vaguely discursive ending. 

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

The Nameless Restaurant - Nameless #1

The Nameless Restaurant is a quietly written and interesting novella length intro to a new fantasy cooking series by Tao Wong. Due out 1st June 2023, it's 125 pages and will be available in ebook and audio formats. 

This is a quirky entirely setting driven novella which is background and world building for a presumed upcoming series based in and around a hidden fantasy restaurant in modern day Toronto. The restaurant is the work of one cook (who is more or less immortal) and his waitress, a perky young woman who lost her family to a magical attack. 

For foodies who like fantasy, this might fill the bill. There are extensive, admittedly interesting, descriptions of food and cooking. The author *clearly* has done his research. The food in this installment is entirely Southeast Asian inspired. Despite being a huge fan of Malaysian, Thai, and Korean food, he describes ingredients and cooking methods of which I was previously unaware. 

Reading/listening to the book will probably make readers hungry. Not recommended for late night reading unless one is in a large metropolitan area with 24 hour takeaway eateries conveniently accessible. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 3 hours and 11 minutes and is capably narrated by Emily Woo Zeller. She has a nuanced, neutral accent, and a young voice. She does a good job with the disparate accents (a djinn, a frost giant, and others) and long, very involved descriptions of cooking and the resultant dishes produced. 

There are a fair number of restaurant based fantasy settings, from Spider Robinson's Callahan series to Travis Baldree's Legends and Lattes, to 2021's buzz book Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune. This one is a *lot* more food intensive and a lot less plot driven than any of those, but it might whet the appetite. It's an indie published story, and there isn't any indication in the review materials when the next installment is coming, but it does seem to be in the works.

Three and a half stars. Short and interesting read.

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

Mountain Town Mischief With a Poodle (Rocky Mountain Cozies Book 1)

Mountain Town Mischief With a Poodle is the first romance/caper light mystery in a series by Virginia Fox. Originally released as Rocky Mountain Yoga in 2014, this reformat and re-release excerpt(?) from fourth quarter 2022 is 137 pages and is available in ebook format. Availability is unclear from the publishing info provided for review, but it appears to be available from the author's website, and the series is available on major retail platforms. 

This is a romance mystery caper mashup which attempts to do all genres and doesn't manage to do any of them very clearly or well. From the opening scene (yoga instructor Jasmine forgets her keys and walks in on her criminal live-in boyfriend getting harassed by his criminal colleagues), it's a slow-motion run-for-your-life adventure when she tries to hide out at her grandmother's place in Colorado. 

The action driven plot never gels very well and she bounces from crisis and drama to more crisis and drama. The characters are written sympathetically, but it's difficult to get through the over the top dialogue and neverending romantic drama. There's not much suspense and none of the threats had any immediacy or sustained believability.

It's unclear from the material provided for review (there is no publisher/registration info included), but it seems possible that the book(s) are translated from German. It could be the dialogue and writing flow much better in that language. As presented, this novelette/excerpt is rough and uneven and could have benefited from a more thorough editing process. This seems to be a sample from the first book of an established series. Most of the series (though not the first book) are currently available in the Kindle Unlimited library to borrow and read for free.

Three stars. Potentially worth a look for very light romantic drama readers. Recommended to download and try the sample before committing.

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

The Ghost Goes to the Dogs - Haunted Bookshop Mystery #9

 

 

The Ghost Goes to the Dogs is the 9th Haunted Bookshop cozy/noir mystery by the pseudonymous duo writing as Cleo Coyle. Released 4th May 2021 by Penguin Random House on their Berkley imprint, it's 320 pages and is available in mass market paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. 

This is a well developed series with an interesting paranormal twist. Protagonist Penelope is in "contact" with the consciousness of a long departed police detective who was killed 70 years ago. The books are set up in a way that very very cold case mysteries from decades ago get intertwined with modern day mysteries and bookstore owner Penelope saves the day by resolving the past and the present. This installment sees Pen & Jack trying to sort out the possibly-not-accidental shooting of a local widow who is also involved with local pet rescue scene.

The mysteries are often convoluted and a bit contrived but otherwise "fair-play". The characters are so distinct and well rendered that keeping them clear from one another is never an issue. I like the sort of noir-1940's vibe that Penelope's internal dialogue (and her ghostly "Watson" Jack) add to the book.  Although it's the 9th book in the series, the mysteries are completely self-contained and work quite well as a standalone. This would be a good jumping-in point for readers who haven't read the previous books.

The language is clean, the violence is low-key and off scene. It would make a good commute or work read. I really enjoyed the tie-ins with period 1940s culture. Lots of fun. The authors have done their research on the era. With 9 books in the series, it would also make a good candidate for a long binge/buddy/readathon read.

Four stars. Definitely worth a look for fans of cozy mysteries like those from Laura Childs and Kate Carlisle (but also with the paranormal twist).

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

How to Be a Rule-Breaking Letterer: A Guide to Making Perfectly Imperfect Art

How to Be a Rule-Breaking Letterer is an appealing and accessible tutorial guide for lettering and layout by Huyen Dinh. Due out 23rd May 2023 from Chronicle Books, it's 168 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

This is such an appealing and well done book. The style is very pastel, informal, and come-as-you-are. The emphasis is on the creating and -not- striving for unrealistic perfection, but embracing the organic creative process and adapting. The aesthetic is cute and feminine as well as being dynamic. 

The book is arranged logically and is easy to follow. An artist's statement and a little bit of her background and learning philosophy is followed by basic lettering and some of the artist's examples including stickers, merch, ad campaigns, and art "in the wild". There's a short chapter on the differences between lettering and calligraphy and the tools and supplies for both. 

The following chapters do a good, basic job of explaining lettering, layout, kerning/spacing, analog and digital tools, intentional rule breaking, the creative process, and some cute tutorial projects. The vast majority of the book is drawn, there are very few photos (except in the abbreviated tutorials at the end). There are many inspirations for page layouts throughout, however, which will be useful for folks to bu-jo, journal layouts, habit-trackers, and others who need to create layouts for personal or commercial purposes.

Four stars. The entire book has the same pastel aesthetic, which is informal, breezy and *cute*. It would make a good choice for public or school library acquisition, home library, or maker's spaces, and activity group studios. 

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

The Scottish Ladies' Detective Agency - The Scottish Ladies Detective Agency #1

The Scottish Ladies' Detective Agency is the first in a new historical cozy series by Lydia Travers. Released 27th April 2023, 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. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

This is a fun and well written historical cozy with an appealing cast of female private investigators (a well born young woman and her assistant, who was also her former lady's maid) during the early 1900s, set in Scotland. Protagonist Maud has set up as a private enquiry agent, despite strongly sexist discouragement, and is overjoyed when a real case comes her way. She and her sidekick, Daisy, are off to a country house weekend to try to prevent, or solve, a spate of jewel thefts at other stately homes in the area. 

The plot is well organized and the characters are rendered (mostly) believably. It's a historical cozy, so there are some period appropriate bits of dialogue and commentary which give the book a historical feel, but not so much as to be awkward or yank readers out of their suspension of disbelief. It's a light read; there's no graphic violence or rough language. Well written and civilized, readers who enjoy early golden age country house mysteries will likely find it an appealing read.

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 9 hours 37 minutes and is narrated by Helen McAlpine. She has a light alto voice with a warm Scottish accent, but does an impressive job of a range of Scots regional accents -as well as- Irish and English without making it a wince-fest; quite an achievement. Ms. McAlpine's voice is relaxing and well rounded and easy to listen to. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read. 

Four stars. It works perfectly well as a standalone read, but readers who enjoy series cozies will be happy to hear that there won't be a long wait; book 2 is due out in May '23, and the third volume is slated to release in July '23. All are currently listed on Kindle Unlimited to borrow with a subscription to KU. 

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