Crime Novels: Four Classic Thrillers 1964-1969: The Fiend / Doll / Run Man Run / The Tremor of Forgery

 

Crime Novels: Four Classic Thrillers 1964-1969 is a collection omnibus which includes 4 full-length novels. Released 12th Sept 2023 as part of the Library of America series, it's 950 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. 

The four novels included are true classics and will be familiar to most readers of crime fiction. Ed McBain's Doll is an early(ish) 87th Precinct novel and is an exemplary example of early police procedural. The others range from single protagonist thrillers to psychological drama. All are well known capable writers writing at the top of their formidable forms. 

The editor, Geoffrey O'Brien, has also included biographical and background notes and an essay on text selection. For lovers and students of classic form American mystery, these extras and introduction will undoubtedly prove valuable and interesting. 

Four and a half stars. The actual novels included in this and its sister volumes will likely be familiar to most die-hard lovers of American crime fiction; much of the value of the series comes from having the library as a reference source and to revisit the classics over and over again. It would be a superlative choice for public library acquisition, for authors home reference, and for lovers of classic American fiction. 

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

A Furry Little Christmas - Melanie Travis mystery

A Furry Little Christmas is a set of two holiday-themed novella-length mysteries featuring canines galore (and Melanie Travis & co.) by Larien Berenson. Released 26th Sept 2023 by Kensington, it's 320 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

These are both fully developed novellas and delightfully cozy to read. As always, the author has well developed characters and scene driven plots with well devised mysteries. The denouement and resolution are satisfying in both cases. Both stories are easily read in one sitting (each) and will make a nice interlude and relaxation from holiday stresses.  

Both of the stories were previously published in 2017 and 2019 respectively, but this is a new re-format and re-release from the publisher. The book also includes a teaser chapter from the author's tie-in series featuring Melanie's Aunts Peg & Rose, some background info and author's notes which were fun to read.

Four stars. Likely higher for fans of the author. Very well written and worth a look for fans of Donna Andrews, Nancy Atherton, and Laurie Cass to name a few.

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

The Insect Artist: How to Observe, Draw, and Paint Butterflies, Bees, and More

 

 

 

The Insect Artist: How to Observe, Draw, and Paint Butterflies, Bees, and More is a new tutorial guide with additional activities by Zebith Thalden. Due out 12th March 2024 from Hachette on their Timber Press imprint, it's 344 pages and format information is unclear from the publisher's data at the current time; but at least paperback and ebook formats will be included.

This is a very well written and beautifully illustrated guide to gaining skill and familiarity with surface rendering, shading, concept, linework, and finishing, all as they relate to realistic natural and insect subjects. The tutorials are written accessibly and encouragingly and include a wonderful amount of clarity from the author's viewpoint about creative process, design, and important lessons about subject choice, inspiration, shading, materials, and knowing when to stop overworking a project.

There are many tutorials included which utilize basic techniques such as geometric base shape sketching, blocking, shading, base working with colored pencils, blocking with dilute acrylics, and finishing by overlaying colored pencil for detail and line/shading. The drawing tutorials are species specific and tutorials include a base palette, materials and supplies, and very detailed photographic step by step procedure.

Although it's written one-on-one for home study use, this would be a great choice for public or school library acquisition, maker's groups, artist studio reference library, and gift-giving (perhaps bundled with some supplies).

Five stars. Well made and engaging.

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

Murder at Midnight - Lily Adler Mystery #4

 

Murder at Midnight is the fourth Lily Adler historical cozy mystery by Katharine Schellman. Released 19th Sept 2023 by Crooked Lane, it's 320 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out in third quarter 2024 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.

This is a nice historical mystery set in the Regency era and featuring a well rounded cast of characters, including young widow Lily Adler, up from London in Hertfordshire for the holiday season, and still in semi-mourning for her late husband. The mystery is written around a framework of real history which gives it some verisimilitude. The background research was inserted seamlessly and the whole is quite polished and engaging. 

This is a limited suspect pool isolated "country house" setting, and does a more-than-creditable job of following the pattern with fair play clues, multiple twists, and red herrings in the classic style.

The writing is articulate, the narrative arc and tension are well engineered, and with a satisfying denouement. The dialogue isn't ever clunky or cringe-worthy (and for modern Regency fiction, that's saying something). There are some minor developments between the main characters which will be spoiled by having been read out of order, but nothing major. The mystery is nicely crafted and the motives for the crimes are believable (for fiction).

Four stars. Highly recommended, especially to fans of the genre. This would be a good fit for fans of C.S. Harris, Stephanie Barron, and Anne Perry.

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

The Murder Wheel - A Spector Locked-Room Mystery #2

 

The Murder Wheel is the second Joseph Spector locked room historical mystery by Tom Mead. Released 11th July 2023 by Penzler, it's 288 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out second quarter 2024 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.

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 good addition to a well written classic-style historical series. For fans of Golden Age classic mysteries, this is a good one. The classic great authors of the period aren't producing any more stories, and it manages to evoke the time period without being derivative or precious. The third volume (The Cabaret Macabre) is due out from Penzler in July 2024.

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

Save the Cat! Writes a Young Adult Novel

Save the Cat! Writes a Young Adult Novel is a tutorial guide/workshop for writers (and would-be-writers) by Jessica Brody with guides for producing a finished YA novel. Released 18th July 2023 by Penguin Random House on their Ten Speed Press imprint, it's 432 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. 

This is a practical and logically arranged guide to the craft of writing; specifically young adult narrative fiction. The chapters progress from creating worthy protagonists to blueprints/charts/storyboards for creating a narrative arc, through denouement and resolution. There are also tutorials for polishing, finishing, marketing, and planning sequels and series. 

Nearly all the books on writing craft seem to be dry and so full of detail that it's easy to get overwhelmed. The Save the Cat! series is humorous, very useful, and accessible. 

Four and a half stars. This would be a great public or school library acquisition, reference for aspiring writers, writing/bookclub groups and similar. 

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

KnitOvation Stitch Dictionary: 150+ Modern Colorwork Knitting Motifs

KnitOvation Stitch Dictionary is a is a compendium and technique pattern guide for knitting motifs compiled and curated by Andrea Rangel. Released 2nd June 2023 by Interweave, it's 336 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

This is a pretty collection of precisely what it says on the cover: colorwork patterns to use in creating, enhancing, or adapting knitting projects. They're grouped in one chapter with both a color picture and clear graph of each motif. The rest of the book contains some good tutorials and tips on planning and designing garments and project with which to utilize the patterns.

There are roughly 150 patterns here (not for actual projects, but for motif patterns), and it would be a superlative choice for public or school library acquisition, gift giving, and the knitter's home reference library. The photography is clear, detailed, and in color throughout the book. 

Four and a half stars. Very useful. The tutorials on materials choice and planning are well written. For readers who are true beginners, I would recommend having a teacher/guide in addition, or videos on the internet *in addition*... but it does provide enough info to get started.

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

The Cargo From Neira - Gabriel Taverner Mystery #5

 

The Cargo From Neira is the 5th Gabriel Taverner historical mystery by Alys Clare. Released 2nd May 2023 by Severn House, it's 256 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. (Paperback format due out in 2nd quarter 2024 from the same publisher). It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links.

Set during the reign of James I, a spate of killings and a desperate woman fleeing for her life soon involve Dr. Gabriel Taverner and his household in skullduggery and larger machinations.

The plot is well paced and constructed and I was engaged from the beginning. The characterizations are top notch, the dialogue is accessible and the author manages to suffuse the speech with verisimilitude without sacrificing clarity for modern readers.

Since it's the 5th book in a continuing series, some of the interrelationships and character backgrounds will be spoiled by being read out of order, but the mystery and denoument are (mostly) self contained in this volume and could be read as a standalone. 

With a well established series like this one, it would make a great choice for a binge/buddy read, or a mystery bookclub selection. 

Four and a half stars. A very well crafted mystery. Fans of Andrea Penrose, Candace Robb, et. al. will be delighted with this author.

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

 

The Climate Change–Resilient Vegetable Garden: How to Grow Food in a Changing Climate

The Climate Change–Resilient Vegetable Garden is a sobering and well written book about regenerative gardening within the constraints of a rapidly changing climate written by Kim Stoddart. Due out 6th Feb 2024 from Quarto on their Cool Springs Press imprint, it's 208 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

The author's clear and long experience (and love of) gardening comes through very clearly. This is a well written, illustrated, concise guide to gardening including lots of tips for best practice to navigating our way through unprecedented and rapidly worsening climate challenges. 

She talks about our interconnectedness and our dependence on other species in terms of stewardship and regeneration (where possible). It's nice that she also tackles over-dependence on power tools and chemical treatments. The book touches on seed saving, planning, and executing garden plans, species selection, and with a large focus on wise resource use. The specific aim of the book is food-production/vegetable growing, and they take up the bulk of the content.

Four and a half stars. This would be a great selection for public or school library acquisition, home use, smallholders, allotment/community garden groups, and similar.

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

21 Easy Ukulele Songs for Christmas: Learn Traditional Holiday Classics For Solo Ukelele with Songbook of Sheet Music + Video Access

21 Easy Ukulele Songs for Christmas is a delightful and well curated selection of 21 songs arranged for the ukulele and collected by Rebecca Bogart and Jenny Peters. Released 9th Nov 2023, it's 155 pages and is available in paperback format.

The ukulele is an accessible instrument and can be an inexpensive choice for starting to learn to play. The authors are experienced teachers and have done a good job putting together this book (and series) to help readers get started quickly and successfully and with a minimum of frustration. 

They've chosen 21 holiday songs and have included fret notations and photo tutorials with finger positions, arrangements also include sheet music and links to online video tutorials. The songs are classic Christmas titles like Away in a Manger, Jingle Bells, and Over the River and Through the Wood. Some of them also have embellishments like finger picking accompaniment to the chord tabs. 

This book is part of a series of instructional booklets, so readers who are familiar with the other books will find the format here already familiar. 

Five stars. Well worth a look. It would make a good choice for public or school library acquisition, gift giving, and personal study.

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

Mrs. Plansky's Revenge - Mrs. Plansky #1

Mrs. Plansky's Revenge is the first book of a new cozy series by Spencer Quinn. Released 25th July 2023 by Macmillan on their Tor Forge imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out from the same publisher in July 2024. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

This is a quirky, humorous, and well written mystery romp with a 71 year old widowed protagonist who is fed up and not taking any more of anyone's crap. After being scammed and learning that her chances of getting her money back are vanishingly slim, she decides to follow the clues herself and see if she can turn the tables on the scammers and get her dignity (and maybe her money) back.

Mrs. Plansky is just about equal parts Pargeter and Pollifax with a little bit of Helen Mirren in "Red" thrown in for good measure. It's a chaotic caper from start to finish and thoroughly tongue in cheek throughout.

Recommended for fans of the author's oeuvre, although this one is not written in first person stream of consciousness from the dog's viewpoint... it does have that same sort of oddball slapstick humor. 

Four stars. 

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

If Shapes Could Talk

If Shapes Could Talk is a cute illustrated book in rhyming verse by Rella B. Released 24th Oct 2023, it's 40 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. 

The illustrations throughout are cute, colorful, and full of small details which invite readers to spend a little more time looking at the pictures and thinking about the text. The story has thought provoking takeaways about comparing ourselves to others, the dangers of jealousy, and what it means to be a friend.  

The text is very simple and should be accessible to even the youngest readers. The characters are diverse and have different shapes and colors which are mirrored in the descriptions. 

It's a valuable little book on several levels and will provide opportunities with a teacher/facilitator/parent/babysitter to find and identify shapes, colors, and some beginning learning about emotions and how families can differ from one another. 

Four and a half stars. It would be a nice choice for school or public library acquisition, gift giving, and home use. 

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

Tuft the World: An Illustrated Manual to Tufting Gorgeous Rugs, Decor, and More

Tuft the World is a colorful very well illustrated tutorial and technique guide to tufting rugs and decor written and curated by Tiernan Alexander and Tim Eads. Due out 16th April 2024 from the Princeton Architectural Press, it's 208 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

It's nice to see arts/crafts tutorial instruction books aimed at other things than drawing and painting. This one is well written and accessible and probably fine for beginners to intermediate crafters. The introductory sections cover a bit of background, history, and a good overview on tools and supplies including selection, maintenance, technique, and safety. The authors also cover some color theory, design, and finishing. The book is beautifully photographed throughout in color. 

The following chapters contain tutorials which build up progressively from simple to more advanced techniques and projects. Each tutorial includes tools and supplies in a bullet list along with both written and photographic tutorial instructions. Templates are not included in the physical book. Important alternatives and creative ideas are provided in highlighted text boxes in the tutorials.

The author and publishers have also included some useful appendices including a glossary and bibliography links which are refreshingly international in scope. This is a well made book which would make a superlative choice for group artists' studio, makers' groups, school or public library acquisition, activity groups, and the artist's home studio. The authors are clearly accomplished artists and they write out their working processes well on the page.

Five stars.

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

Let It Crow! Let It Crow! Let It Crow! - Meg Langslow #34

Let It Crow! Let It Crow! Let It Crow! is the 34th(!) Meg Langslow cozy mystery by Donna Andrews. Released 10th Oct 2023 by Macmillan on their Minotaur 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 throughout. 

This is such a delightful and long running series and it's refreshing to see that the author still has adventures and mysteries for MC blacksmith Meg and her family. The books are like a visit with a good friend with whom you feel comfortable, even if you haven't seen them for a while. This time, Meg and family are involved with a reality TV show, first as a consultant, and then through a series of mishaps, as a last minute substitute contestant. 

There's a lot going on behind the scenes and it's not long until she's drawn into investigating sabotage and murder on the set. 

It's a holiday themed mystery, and perfect for cozy reading. The author does a good job of relating some interesting metallurgy and weaponsmithing info without being pedantic or boring at all. Meg's family are a delight and her mom, sons, and husband make appearances. The mystery is well crafted (if a -tiny- bit easy to anticipate), and the denouement and resolution are satisfying and well written.

Four and a half stars. This would make an excellent binge/buddy read, as well as a super pick for inclusion in a holiday themed shelf read. 

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

Murder at a London Finishing School - Beryl and Edwina Mystery #7

Murder at a London Finishing School is the 7th cozy mystery by Jessica Ellicott to feature Beryl & Edwina. Released 25th July 2023 by Kensington, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. The paperback format is due out from the same publisher in December 2023. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is a delightfully quirky, beautifully written historical cozy village mystery set in the interwar period. There's skullduggery afoot at Edwina's alma mater, and she and Beryl are soon on the case at the exclusive girls' school from which Edwina matriculated years earlier. As with the other books in the series, there are lots of side plots which are engaging in themselves, but which also enrich and entwine with the main story. 

There's a very golden age feel to the whole and the author has a deft touch with dialogue and characterization. The characters are nuanced and delightfully rendered with drawing room wit. Although it's not at all derivative in any way, the feel of the story and the narrative voice remind me a lot of why I love Alan Bradley's Flavia de Luce books. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 9 hours 23minutes and is -masterfully- read by series narrator Barbara Rosenblat. She has a beautifully modulated quite deep voice and the enunciation and perfection of characters' accents delighted me. There is a moderate amount of quite rapid dialogue in the read and she hops from crisp cut-glass upper class British to indefinite general English with quite distinct Scottish brogue, to a domestic servant's broad midlands without a single stumble. Virtuoso reading, a delight.

It could be read as a standalone, however, there will be major spoilers for earlier books in the series if read out of order. 

Four and a half stars, five for the audiobook narration. This would make a superlative choice for public library acquisition, social reading (bookclubs, buddy reads, etc - in fact the author has suggested discussion questions on her website) as well as being a great candidate for a very well written series binge read. 

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

The Spare Room

 

The Spare Room is a racy thriller by Andrea Bartz. Released 20th June 2023 by Penguin Random House on their Ballantine imprint, it's 352 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

This is a "beach read" with lots of scandalously racy scenes and an over-the-top plot. The author has a good grasp of description and setting, and there's a palpable tension throughout which is unsettling and impressive. The book falls a bit flat with stilted characterization and uneven dialogue. Many of the sex scenes felt tacked on gratuitously and the pacing in the first 50(ish)% was distinctly different than the latter parts. That being said, fans of Gone Girl and Pretty Things will find a lot to like here. 

Definitely an adult read, much of it NSFW. Three stars due to the uneven pacing and weirdly convoluted denouement and epilogue. 

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

Peg and Rose Stir Up Trouble - Senior Sleuths Mystery #2

 

Peg and Rose Stir Up Trouble is the second cozy mystery featuring Aunts Peg & Rose written by Laurien Berenson. Released 25th July 2023 by Kensington Books, it's 288 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out 2nd quarter 2024 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. 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, Peg & Rose Solve a Murder, is also currently available on KU.

This is a nice sequel and a delightful cozy which has a distinct Odd Couple vibe, mixed with a little bit of Golden Girls thrown in for good measure. The plot is fun; late middle aged sisters-in-law with decades of unpleasantly fractious interactions. They couldn't be more different, one's a former nun who renounced her habit to marry a priest, the other is a pragmatic professional purebred dog show judge who generally has little time for what she considers distractions and non-practicalities. Rose (former nun) has convinced Peg (no-nonsense professional show judge) to try out online dating. Potentially disastrously funny encounters actually lead to a promising match, who soon turns up dead (yikes!). Peg & Rose are soon on the case.

As with most of the author's oeuvre, there is a surprisingly educational amount of minutiae and interesting behind-the-scenes nuts and bolts info about the dog show world and especially poodles. Additionally, the characterizations are subtly rendered (especially for a cozy mystery) and the mystery itself is well written and clever.

Four stars. Recommended for fans of cozies, and especially for fans of the author's other work. This series lightly ties in to the author's Melanie Travis canine mysteries, although they certainly can be read independently of one another, there are some occasional mentions or crossover cameos.

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

The Grimoire of Grave Fates

The Grimoire of Grave Fates is a YA murder-mystery fantasy themed anthology edited by Hanna Alkaf and Margaret Owen. Released 6th June 2023 by Penguin Random House on their Delacorte Press imprint, it's 464 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out 11th June 2024 from the same publisher. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately; it makes it so easy to find information with the search function. 

This is an engaging murder mystery set in and around a school for magically talented students. A grisly murder has taken place, and the stories of the students and staff are written around finding (or concealing) the who why and how of the crime. There are 18 authors writing in an "hour per chapter" timeline format. The chapters are stylistically varying, but generally well edited enough to make a more-or-less cohesive whole. 

It's definitely written toward a YA audience (Lexile score 800), but enjoyable to other ages; though not too young, there are some scary descriptions included. The authors and their characters are diverse and are drawn from a wide variety of ethnicities, orientations, and backgrounds. 

It's an interesting and challenging premise, and the editors do a fine job of tying the chapters into a readable and engaging story. 

Three and a half stars. This would be a nice choice for public or school library acquisition, home reading, or possibly a buddy read. 

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

A Chinese Remedy - Mercenaries in Suits #1

A Chinese Remedy is the first book featuring "fixer" Chance Yang, written by Shawe Ruckus. Released in 2021, this release roughly coincides with the release of the third book in the series. It's 246 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. 

This was an interesting read, with a large cast of odd but well rendered characters and engaging story. It's less a crime fiction story (although the crime element is tangential) and much more of a collection of character study vignettes tied together through common elements and circumstances. The story elements required a bit more attention to detail; it's not a passive read, and it's not a cozy mystery. In fact the mystery element is secondary to the character driven plot.

It's quite well written, although stylistically very choppy and staccato. Many of the passages are more like theatre scene direction and notation. Characters wander onstage, deliver their lines, and exit stage left. It doesn't take long to get into the flow of the book's odd pacing, but it is noticeable. 

There are three books extant in the series at this point, making it a good candidate for a long weekend binge or buddy read. 

Three and a half stars.

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

Flop Dead Gorgeous

 

Flop Dead Gorgeous is the 27th (!!!) Andy Carpenter legal procedural mystery by David Rosenfelt. Released 4th July 2023 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 272 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out from the same publisher in July 2024. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately; it makes it so easy to find information with the search function.

For current fans of the series, this is a good one. It's full of the same sarcastic, warm humor and the same ensemble cast as previous entries in the series (and it's nice to see Edna again, who's been mostly absent for a while, doing perpetual wedding planning). Andy Carpenter is, of course, central to the story and still trying to figure out how to stay retired and avoid working. This is such a long running and consistently well written series that saying it's "more of the same, worked around a different mystery" should be enough of a recommendation by itself. Although it's the 27th book in the series (hard to believe it's still so consistently good), the mystery is self contained and the necessary back-story is written in without major spoilers for previous books. I heartily recommend the whole series, but this particular entry is quite strong. 

This is pure comfort reading. It's got a likable protagonist, an engaging mystery, humorous dialogue, and a solid climax, denouement, and resolution.

The audiobook has a run time of 6 hours and 43 minutes and is expertly read by series narrator Grover Gardner who manages to juggle the various accents and characters of all ages and both sexes without problems. I found myself grinning and laughing along several places with the wonderful narration. The read was definitely enhanced by the narrator. The sound and production quality are high throughout the recording.

Four and a half stars for both the text and audiobook versions. All around fun read. 

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

 

Dead Man's Wake - Mike Bowditch #14

Dead Man's Wake is the 14th procedural thriller featuring Mike Bowditch by Paul Doiron. Released 27th June 2023 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 320 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook format. Paperback format due out late second quarter 2024 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. 

This is a strong and long running action driven procedural series with appealing characters, believably well rendered. It's easy to identify with Mike and his colleagues and family. They're recognizable and feel real. This installment, written around the weeks before his long anticipated wedding to his fiancé Stacey, sees them investigating a speedboat accident and suspicious deaths on the lake near his stepfather's home.

The plot of this installment is self contained and works well enough as a standalone. It's a long running series with numerous returning characters and as such, there are spoilers for earlier books if read out of order, especially the lead characters. 

The dialogue is sometimes a bit simplistic, but it's solidly plotted, engaging, and entertaining overall. 

The unabridged audiobook version has a run time of 9 hours 26 minutes and is narrated by series narrator Henry Leyva. He has a gravelly, professionally trained voice which suits the rough-around-the-edges lead character very well. He does a good job of delineating the secondary characters, and there was never any confusion in his narration. Sound and production quality are high throughout the recording. 

Four stars. It would be an excellent choice for a mystery book club selection (lots of thorny/interesting ethical and cultural issues), public library acquisition, or a long binge/buddy read. This series will appeal very much to fans of Stabenow's Kate Shugak and Box's Joe Pickett mysteries.  

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

Women in Science Now: Stories and Strategies for Achieving Equity

Women in Science Now is an interesting and well written exposition on the state of representation and equity in academia, especially in STEM written and presented by Lisa M. P. Munoz. Released 31st Oct by the Columbia University Press, it's 352 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

There is a long acknowledged and seemingly intractable disparity of the sexes in STEM fields, men outnumber women, sometimes by huge margins. It's (happily) changing, but very slowly. When I was choosing a career educational path in the early 80s in the USA, I kept getting told over and over that it's a shame that I was good at math and physics because girls couldn't be engineers (so I became an engineer). 

The author/editor does a good job of visualizing and describing the disparity and the systems which resists a more equitable workforce in the future -as well as- offering some insights for potentially successful ways to compensate for educational and workplace systems which are passively designed to favor males over females. She has curated essays and personal recollections from female academics and scientists about education, workplace dynamics, eyebrow raising interview questions, and experiences. 

Probably the most valuable parts of the book are written as a guide toward possible solutions for mapping, addressing, and fixing some of the issues facing the sciences including workplace environments, mentorship, recruitment, visibility and other issues. These massive and intractable problem areas are broken down into much smaller subchapters and essays and readers will likely come away with a surprising sense of positivity and hopefulness. 

There's a lot of work to be done but it's definitely not all bleak and it's getting better is the overall takeaway. The book is fully annotated throughout and the bibliography and reference lists will provide readers with lots of further reading. It's an academic treatise, but perfectly layman accessible and not written in impenetrable academic language. It would definitely make a good support text for classroom use (as well as a good and important read for teachers and professors, mentors and career advisors). 

Five stars. The actual essays are collected from a wide variety of scientists and, as such, are varied in style and form, but overall they form a fairly cohesive whole. This would be an excellent choice 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.

Radiant Blocks for Endless Quilts: Designing with New York Beauties

Radiant Blocks for Endless Quilts is a useful and well illustrated quilting tutorial guide by Linda J. Hahn. Released 3rd Oct 2023 by Fox Chapel on their Landauer imprint, it's 56 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. 

Although the introduction and first tutorial chapter are basic and beginner accessible, most readers will encounter less frustration if they come to the projects with -some- background familiarity with paper piecing, foundation piecing, general quilt construction, etc, and/or access to a friendly experienced quilting buddy. 

The main chapters include 6 main quilt projects. These projects all use alternative colorways and layouts of the main New York Beauty block. All projects include template and fabric requirements/yardage, and tools and supplies in a highlighted text box, followed by step by step instructions. The tutorials are very well illustrated throughout, in color. There are numerous photographs of partial and completed projects throughout.

The templates are included and are full size (in the print format). The templates are drawn with seam allowances included. 

Five stars. This is a concise, very well illustrated, step-by-step booklet to this versatile block as well as general guide to foundation piecing. This would be a great choice for public library acquisition, home use, sewing guild/groups, activity groups and similar. 

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

This Is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained

This Is So Awkward is a well-written, accessible, plain-language book about navigating the changes which come with puberty, by Dr. Cara Natterson and Vanessa Kroll Bennett. Released 10th Oct 2023 by Penguin Random House on their Rodale imprint, it's 352 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. Especially with information-dense books, the interactive format makes text searches much easier.

This is a science based, best practice text, with info grouped into thematic chapters logically arranged. The language will be accessible and understandable to the majority of readers, and can be read and understood by middle grades up through adult ages. The chapters contain interesting overviews over current research into puberty in modern western society (beginning earlier and lasting longer), some content about what to expect for the majority of adolescents, what happens when the unexpected happens, and other "awkward" thoughts. It's a reassuring and honest book, written by medical professionals who are experienced in puberty subjects as well as "translating" info into layman accessible language. 

The thematic chapters cover: breasts, male genitalia, periods, hair, acne, body odor, growth spurts, sleep (vital info here that most people don't know), brain development, mood swings, mental health, body image, youth sports overspecialization, sex, contraception (including STIs & STDs), sexual orientation, gender identity, and friendships & peer influence. 

The authors/publisher have also included an abbreviated but useful bibliography and index. The text is annotated throughout. 

Five stars. This would be an excellent (and important) choice for public and school library acquisition, as well as for adults in resource positions who work with adolescents and for the home library. Given the current state of book challenges and banning in the USA, acquisitions personnel and librarians should be aware that this book covers sexuality and gender issues directly and without covering up specifics. There are case studies throughout with personal revelations which are touching, sometimes funny, and often sad. 

Puberty is a vulnerable and fast changing period of a child's life and having a good support guide for them and the adults in their lives is incredibly important.

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