Heart of the Hive: Inside the Mind of the Honey Bee and the Incredible Life Force of the Colony

Heart of the Hive is an interesting and well written monograph on honeybee anatomy, social structure, and by apiarist Hilary Kearney. Due out 3rd Sept 2024 from Hachette on their Storey imprint, it's 200 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. 

This is an all-ages, accessible, thorough and up-to-date look at everything bee related. It is slanted heavily towards honeybees (Apis mellifera) but other bee species do get mentions here and there. The bulk of the book is however dedicated to the phenomenally cool honeybee and how they impact our world and how humans interact with them.

The author's an experienced beekeeper and educator who conducts workshops and educational resources, training other beekeepers and new beekeepers how to succeed with their own colonies, and it shines through in the text. Her voice is encouraging, casual, and so enthusiastic and upbeat. It's clear she really loves bees and wants everyone else to love them too.

The book's information is logically arranged: basic introduction including a little nomenclature (not much of that), how bee societies are arranged and what the working parts include, lifecycle, necessary environmental resources (what bees like/need to succeed), anatomy, bee senses, communication, queens and their life cycles, what they *don't* like (and as far as we know *why*), and a general catch all chapter with bee factoids and characteristics.

It's not an academically rigorous book, there are no annotations, and the language is easily accessible. The author/publisher have included an abbreviated bibliography with chapter links, and those resources will provide readers with many more hours of reading.

The book is beautifully photographed in color throughout. Eric Tourneret's macro photography is incredibly detailed and clear, and is a definite highlight of the book. 

This is not a how-to manual. It won't teach readers how to successfully keep bees. It is however a good starting point for general learning.

Five stars. It would make an excellent choice for public or school library, home use, smallholder, gardening / allotment /community garden groups, 4-H, extension agency, etc.

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

The Day Tripper

 

The Day Tripper is an inventive time-slip novel by James Goodhand. Released 19th March 2024 by HarperCollins on their Harlequin Trade/Mira imprint, it's 368 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out from the same publisher in late 1st quarter 2025. 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 well written time travel magical realism story with flashes of science fiction, which has accessible prose and a poignant plot. A traumatic injury sees MC Alex, whose life had been in an upward trajectory, slipping in and out of his life with the days completely out of order with no knowledge of what happened, or how he got there. It's an intriguing idea, but gets in its own way fairly often throughout. The pacing is deliberate, sometimes a bit ponderous, and the first few chapters will require a significant good faith effort on the reader's part. It does pay off, eventually.

It's not precisely derivative (not actionably anyhow), but fans of Montimore's Oona Out of Order will find parallels to that one here, as well. There are also some vibes from Haig's The Midnight Library. 

The unabridged audio format has a run time of 11 hours 14 minutes and is capably narrated by James Meunier. He has a classically trained, smooth, well modulated voice and handles the disparate voices of a range of ages and both sexes very well. Sound and production quality is high throughout the read.

Three and a half stars. Well written, undeniably competently so. Some pacing and setup issues in the first 20% of the book, and there's surprisingly little actual effort expended on world building, but the bones of a very good story, well told. 

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

The Garlic Companion: Recipes, Crafts, Preservation Techniques, and Simple Ways to Grow Your Own

The Garlic Companion is a well written and curated monograph on humble but wonderful garlic written by 5th generation farmer Kristin Graves. Due out 17th Sept 2024 from Storey, it's 224 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

This is an all-in-one collection about garlic, from culture and properties, to using/showcasing the bulbs in food and crafts. The author is knowledgeable and writes well. The information is organized logically and is accessible and understandable. The introductory chapter contains botanical, historical, and pharmacological info (it's one of the most ancient agricultural products known to mankind and has been used as an ingredient in food and medicines since Neolithic times). 

The following chapters are arranged logically: recipes for food, crafts, culturing garlic for the home gardener/DIY, and finally pickling & preserving. 

Recipes contain an introduction and description, ingredients in a bullet list, followed by step-by-step cooking and prep. Ingredient measures are given in imperial (American) units with metric measurements in parentheses (yay!). Recipe ingredients are mostly easily sourced and will be available in any well stocked grocer or farmers' market in North America. 

The crafts range the gamut from utterly practical (how to make a garlic braid) to a bit frou-frou but still on the good side of fun and quirky (a garlic harvest crown with wheat, flowers, and whole garlic bulbs). 

Each of the recipes and tutorials is accompanied by one or more color photos. The photos are clear and professionally styled. Serving suggestions are appealing and appropriate. 

Five stars. This would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, gardening groups/allotment garden groups, smallholders, and home use. Really the definitive up-to-date volume on garlic.

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

Come Shell or High Water - A Haunted Shell Shop Mystery #1

Come Shell or High Water is the first book in a new light paranormal cozy shopfront mystery series by Molly MacRae. Released 25th June 2024 by Kensingon on their cozy imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. 

The author is prolific and experienced especially with the genre. This is a nicely written, entertaining, and engaging series starter with a light paranormal twist set in the Outer Banks. The MC is a widowed folklorist and former malacologist (invertebrate snail/shell expert), hence the seashells. Arriving during hurricane season, she's trips over a body, almost gets drowned, and meets the ghost of a pirate. 

Being firmly cozy, there are eccentric and quirky characters aplenty. The book starts with a chaotic and crisis filled opening (MC Maureen is very nearly drowned), and an abundance of characters to start with, but for readers who bear with the chaos, it soon resolves into a fun and readable story. 

The unabridged audiobook format has a run time of 10 hours 26 minutes and is capably read by Callie Beaulieu. She has a well modulated alto voice and delineates the characters clearly, and manages to make the often rapid fire dialogue understandable in context. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.

Four stars. It's a promising start to a new paranormal cozy series. It would be a good choice for public library acquisition, home use, or a buddy read. 

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

Secrets Ever Green - The Everlight Series #1

Secrets Ever Green is a charming and well written coming of age YA romantasy and the first book in the Everlight series by Sara Knightly. Released 1st Feb 2024, it's 269 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

The characters are well defined, with an appealingly honest and stubborn orphan MC, the daughter of a renowned arborist (working with plants, trees specifically, and the magical systems of the world in which they live). Her focus has been to just qualify to continue her late father's work, but there are hidden forces drawing her along another more adventurous path. She has a loyal best friend (maybe more?), and classmates who are in awe of her father and by turns intimidated and/or jealous of her, though she's got an intractable case of imposter syndrome. 

Add in a catty antagonistic "mean-girl", some weirdly mysterious unexplained occurrences, a darkly shadowy plot, and stir well. The world building is superlative and the magic system well wrought and intriguing. 

Four stars. There's a second book in the series which released in June 2024. It would make a good binge/buddy read. 

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

NetGalley Reading Journal User Guide

The NetGalley Reading Journal User Guide contains a number of step-by-step tutorials for downloading and utilizing the Reading Journal and a general guide with tips to getting started with electronic journaling.

The folks at We Are Bookish have put together a journal, customizable pages, stickers, and more. This guide contains instructions for getting the most out of the journal and resources.

Graphically, it coordinates with the Reading Journal, and is a restful neutral palette of greens and beiges.

It is fairly simple, but readers should be comfortable with basic computer tasks, downloading apps, setting them up, importing files, and copying/customizing pages.

Additionally, depending on how much time readers wish to spend on journaling, it could come at a cost of valuable reading time (finding covers, copying them, tracking reading time, filling in charts, etc). All in all, however, it's a great resource for -using- the journal and getting the most out of figuring out how to set the journal up and how to use it for maximum effect.

Five stars. Kind of the We Are Bookish folks to provide support and tutorials to make book advocacy easier and more fun.

Mummy & Me: A Monster’s Tale

Mummy & Me: A Monster’s Tale is an adorable and funny children's book written and illustrated by Danesh Mohiuddin. Due out 27th Aug 2024 from Owlkids Books, it's 32 pages and will be available in hardcover format.

Such a funny, quirky, well illustrated kids' book with themes of unconditional love, cooperation, and family (no matter whether we look like our parent(s) or not). There are good takeaways for all ages, though it's aimed at 3-6 year olds (Lexile AD470L). 

The illustrations are funny and dynamic with lots of little details that invite readers to spend a little extra time looking at the pictures.

It's a lovely book and is appropriate for all ages. The characters are monsters, but it's not scary at all. It would make a nice gift for any youngster, a good library or classroom book, and a superlative read-to-me book.

Five stars. Funny and positive. Some parts might be wishful thinking on the part of the adults in the room: "So on nights when Mummy is feeling a little undone... I will always be there, too.", but overall it's just a sweetly funny book full of warm feelings. There are some cute plays on words, for example the main character, a werewolf, is called Wee Wolf.

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

The Full Moon Coffee Shop - 満月珈琲店の星詠み #1

 

The Full Moon Coffee Shop is the first book in a cozy fantasy series by Mai Mochizuki. Originally published in Japanese in 2020, this English language translation is due out 20th Aug 2024 from Penguin Random House on their Ballantine imprint It's 240 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

There's a vibrant sub-genre in Japanese food related cozy fantasy (Kamogawa Food Detectives, Tales from the Cafe, Days at the Morisaki Bookshop, Dallergut Department Store (which was Korean, but same basic genre), etc), and this one fits right in with the others. There's definitely a dreamlike, slightly trippy, aspect (the cafe is ephemeral and changes location depending on circumstances dictated by the patrons' needs, always on the full moon, oh, and it's staffed by giant anthropomorphic talking cats).  

The book has a dreamlike quality, and the cats wax poetic to their patrons about Japanese astrology (quite a lot) and philosophy, and music. It contains a fair bit of "woo-woo" pop psychology, but overall it's entertaining, full of whimsy, and fun with a serious bent. 

The prose is beautifully wrought and although slightly discursive and meandering, manages to make some good points about the meaning and trajectory of life, growing up, acceptance, and being truthful (and kind) to ourselves. The translation work, done by Jesse Kirkwood, is seamless and invisible. The text flows very well, and it doesn't read as though it's been translated (which has to be the goal).  

Four stars. Well written, professionally translated, and full of whimsy, it would make an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home use, and a challenging and enjoyable book club selection/buddy read.  

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

Squirrel-ish

 

Squirrel-ish is a fun illustrated children's book in free verse written and illustrated by Bambi Edlund. Due out 17th Sept 2024 from Owlkids Books, it's 32 pages and will be available in hardcover format.

This is a wonderfully illustrated sweet story about accepting ourselves for who we are and not comparing ourselves to others (whose lives might seem easier and better but who have their own challenges we might not see). There are good takeaways for all ages, though it's aimed at 4-7 year olds (Lexile AD420L).

The illustrations are funny and quirky with lots of little details that add to the read.
It's a lovely book and is appropriate for all ages. It would make a nice gift for any youngster, a good library or classroom book, and a superlative read-to-me book.

Five stars. Funny and positive.

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

The Woman in the Garden - Professor Eustacia Rose Mystery #1

The Woman in the Garden is the first book in an intriguing mystery series by Jill Johnson. Released 16th July 2024 by Sourcebooks on their Poisoned Pen Press imprint, it's 336 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. The book's alternate title is Devil's Breath, with a similar date of release.  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 beautifully written book with often breathtaking prose. The author is wonderfully adept with description and setting, and the characters are at turns odd, toxic, quirky, and strange. The main character, a neurodivergent botanical toxicologist and former university lecturer, has a collection of rare poisonous plants and a quiet but regimented life. She's unwillingly drawn into investigation when her rooftop poison garden is vandalized and poisons from her plants are used to commit a murder. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 8 hours 18 minutes and is capably narrated by Rachel Capell. She has a warm, well rounded alto voice and does an amazing job with the disparate accents (Brazillian, RP English, London, regional), of a range of ages and both sexes. Much of the dialogue is rapid fire, and she changes character easily and well. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.

There is a great deal of botanical information as a tie-in here, so horticulturalists will be especially engaged. The botanical info is precise and correct as written.

Four stars. The book would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home use, and gift-giving purposes, especially to gardening enthusiasts. It's not at all derivative, but there's a slight Alan Bradley vibe (MC Eustacia is so anachronistic that hearing her talk about cell phones is a shock), with a whiff of classic Christie poison; the prose is so precise, it's a thing of beauty.

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

Hearty: On Cooking, Eating, and Growing Food for Pleasure and Subsistence

Hearty is a well curated essay collection about food, food culture, and growing and eating food by andrea bennett. Due out 3rd Sept 2024 from ECW Press, it's 256 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. 

The author has a vital, restful, interesting voice and the ruminations from the book are well written and pleasant, occasionally profound, and engaging. From making lilac syrup to real conversations about what and how we prepare food, how we take care of our community, what interpersonal relations mean in a context of food and nourishment, and even the politics/philosophy of dietary restrictions and vegetarianism.

This is not in any meaningful way a recipe/cooking book. It's worth reading, but not for the recipes. It's not an academic treatise either, but it is well annotated, and the chapter notes are likely worth the price of the book just for the links for further reading. A few of the essays included in this collection were previously published in other forms in other publications. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 9 hours 21 minutes and is beautifully read by Panta Mosleh. She has a rich alto voice, very well modulated, and there's a contemplative, gentle cadence to the read which her voice suits very well. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.

andrea bennett was not previously on the radar, but is certainly now one to for whom to keep an eye out. They write well and perceptively.

Four and a half stars. The book would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home use, smallholders, gardening groups, and gifting.

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

Nightmare in the Backyard - Eek! 2

Nightmare in the Backyard is a creepily atmospheric middle grade thriller by Jeff Strand. Released 6th Aug 2024 by Sourcebooks on their Young Readers imprint, it's 256 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is surprisingly creepy/scary. A backyard sleepover takes a terrifying turn when 3 girls are trapped with a bunch of scary tentacles surrounding their tent. It's action driven and moves along at a fast pace. There's nothing *too* graphic or scary, but it is definitely creepy. About the same level as R.L. Stine and Katherine Arden, this one is scary without being terrifying.

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 3 hours 59 minutes and is well read by Stacy Gonzales. She has a bright, well modulated, neutral American accent, and does a good job with the characters and settings. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.

Four stars. Definitely one for fans of middle grade fiction. It would be a great choice for public library acquisition, but might be too scary for school library collections.

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

Red Dwarf: Discovering the TV Series: Volume I: 1988-1993

Red Dwarf: Discovering the TV Series is an unauthorised but respectfully curated monograph on the hysterically funny classic Grant/Naylor SF series from the 80s and 90s put together by Tom Salinsky. Due out in the UK 30th Aug 2024 from Pen & Sword on their White Owl imprint, it's 192 pages and will be available in hardcover format. Book is due out outside the UK 30th Oct 2024. 

Red Dwarf (aka RD), is an absolutely iconic comedy show from the fevered imaginations of Doug Naylor and Rob Grant via the auspices of the BBC. Scratch virtually -any- SF nerd and you'll find memorised dialogue, often recited verbatim usually with accompanying tears of mirth. Even "hard" SF/classic fans are often huge RD fans. Additionally, the show was a vehicle for many (many!)  BBC stars including Frances Barber, Mark Williams, and Clare Grogan in addition to the central cast. 

This book does a good job of bringing back those memories. The author has assembled insider stories, reminiscences, continuity, influences, and a host of interesting trivia. There is an episode guide with a host of facts and data for each of them (and best gag/worst visual effect, in the author's opinion). For readers who have not seen absolutely all the episodes 500 times, there *are* spoilers, so fair warning.

Four and a half stars. This is the first volume of two volumes (the second grew out of the sheer overwhelming volume of *stuff* / resources, and stories and will be published in future). It's undeniably a niche choice, but would be great for public library acquisition, home use, or gifting (especially to trivia nerds and fans of the series). There was a huge amount of info here which was new (to me).

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

The Mushroom Color Atlas: A Guide to Dyes and Pigments Made from Fungi

The Mushroom Color Atlas is a beautifully colorfully illustrated atlas to fungi by Julie Beeler specifically aimed at artists and naturalists. Due out 3rd Sept 2024 from Chronicle Books, it's 288 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

This is a comprehensive reference absolutely full of information specifically about foraging, preparing, and using fungi in the fibre coloring and pigment making process. There's a wealth of knowledge including color charts/swatches, species (including proper (at the time of publication) nomenclature), range, and dyeing tutorials. 

There's a whole interesting subset of mycology specifically as it relates to and intersects with the artist community. There are festivals and symposia about pigment-bearing fungi, and a strong grass roots element of experiment minded artists continually tweaking and documenting available knowledge.

This book is full of up-to-date info about how to source and use fungi to make pigments and dyes. She goes into detail about mordants and processes for different fibres, as well as a fairly comprehensive pigment making tutorial aimed at watercolorists. 

There isn't much photography in the book outside the actual how-to tutorials, but the book is lavishly illustrated in color throughout by Yuli Gates. Illustrations are very detailed and the different species are certainly recognizable.

The book is arranged in sections: colors (of dye), specific mushrooms (boletes, gilled, polypores, etc), and finally the dye/pigment tutorials. 

Five stars. This would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, for smallholders, fibrecrafters, fibre arts guilds, and similar groups. 

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

True Crime Trivia & Activity Book: Untangle the Secrets Behind History's Most Gripping Crimes

True Crime Trivia & Activity Book is a well curated collection of trivia and factoid based puzzles on true crime cases curated and written by Lana Barnes. Due out 10th Sept 2024 from Penguin Random House on their Zeitgeist imprint, it's 176 pages and will be available in paperback format.

This is a nice collection of varied puzzles, around 150 in all, and of varying difficulty, from mild to fiendishly obscure. The puzzles have some tie-ins to historical crimes, and are also enhanced by black and white illustrations and photos. The puzzles themselves include cryptograms, acrostics, logic (grid) puzzles, futoshiki, kakuro, magic squares, crosswords, and straight trivia quizzes (with some fascinating tidbits) as well as several other types.

Answer keys are provided in the back of the book.

Five stars. Charming and interesting. A good choice for puzzle mavens as well as true crime fans.

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

My Hair Can

 

My Hair Can is a fun whimsically illustrated book for the youngest readers by Matt Forté. Due out 3rd Sept 2024 from Tyndale House, it's 32 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

This is a beautifully illustrated book in rhyming verse for 4-7 year olds with a positive message about self-love, spirit, culture, and happiness with ourselves. Despite being aimed at kids, it's definitely an all-ages message about loving ourselves for who we are. The text is simple and accessible and will be understood by even the youngest, but will be a great bedtime or anytime read with parents or caregivers.

The art by Sophia Green is dynamic and colorful and full of small movement and details which invite a closer look. It's appealing and supports and enhances the text very well. 

Tyndale House is a Christian imprint, and there are two references to Bible verses (in the dedication, and the "about the author" page), but it's not at all intrusive and is presented in a positive, motivational way. The kids in the book are multi-ethnic, from a broad range of skin tones and inclusively presented in a positive, non-judgemental way. 

Five stars. It would be a good choice for public or school library acquisition, home use, or for carers/childminders.

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

The Library Murders - Flora Steele Mystery #8

 

The Library Murders is the eighth Flora Steele cozy mystery by Merryn Allingham. Released 20th Feb. 2024 by Bookouture, it's 256 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.

Village cozies, historical mysteries, and light British crime are wildly popular, and with good reason. This one ticks a lot of boxes. It's capably written with an intelligent and appealing female bookstore owner drawn into another investigation with her soon-to-be-husband Jack during a book fair when Flora happens across a man standing over a body under suspicious circumstances. 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 twisty surprises. 

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, and all the books are in the 4-5 star range.

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

Estella's Revenge

Estella's Revenge is an atmospheric Gothic homage featuring Miss Havisham's daughter Estella, re-imagined by Barbara Havelocke. Released 9th May 2024 by Canelo on their Hera imprint, it's 384 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. 

Dickens' Great Expectations is a timeless classic. The story has a wonderful narrative arc, but in Dickens' original, the secondary characters don't get the same resolution imagined here. This is told from Estella's PoV and it's very much a darker re-imagining. 

The author has an impressive facility with characterization, but what really shines here is the overall prose. It's beautifully wrought and immersive, compelling and atmospheric. 

A passing familiarity with the original book is a definite plus. It's taken for granted that most readers will have previously read Great Expectations, but if not, this entire book will be more understandable and accessible with at least a quick skim of the original source material. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 15 hours 46 minutes and is beautifully read by Rosie Akerman. She has a light, well modulated RP accent and classically trained voice and does a good job with the disparate accents of a range of ages and both sexes.  Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.

Four stars. Broody and dark. 

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

The Clock Struck Murder - Lost in Paris #2

The Clock Struck Murder is the second Lost in Paris historical mystery by Betty Webb featuring amateur sleuth and American expat artist Zoe Barlow set in 1920s Paris. Released 9th April 2024 by Sourcebooks on their Poisoned Pen Press imprint, it's 320 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 throughout. 

Set against the backdrop of the 1924 Olympic games in Paris, expat Zoe  is resourceful, intelligent, and plucky. She's surviving as best she can, but life as an artist is fraught and rarely affluent in the long term. She's again drawn into investigating a murder, this time a stallholder at a local outdoor street market.

MC Zoe is somewhat morally ambiguous (she's sleeping with a married man whose comatose wife she knows and reads to). The author is knowledgeable about the Paris of the 20's and much of the background research makes it into the book which makes it occasionally feel a bit cluttered and chaotic. 

Overall however, it's well rendered and engaging, with complex characters and a mystery interwoven with real life historical events. 

Three and a half stars. 

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

A Swarm of Butterflies - Nell Ward Mystery #6

 

A Swarm of Butterflies is the sixth book to feature ecology conservationist Dr. Nell Ward, by Dr. Sarah Yarwood-Lovett. Due out 26th Aug 2024 from Bonnier on their Embla Books imprint, it's 300 pages and will be 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. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The other 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 situations and seems to have a habit of tripping over (and then solving) unexpected deaths and crimes. 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 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 species data and changes in environment and habitats. 

The book is full of science tidbits and trivia which for science interested readers will be a bonus. 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 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. The pacing is deliberate in places, but it doesn't drag, and it's not unwieldy or ponderous.  This book has a self contained mystery arc, and so it works well enough as a standalone. With six books extant currently in the ongoing series, it's be a good choice for a long binge/buddy read.

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

 

Litany of Lies - A Bradecote and Catchpoll Investigation #12

 

Litany of Lies is the 12th book in Sarah Hawkswood's medieval Bradecote & Catchpoll medieval mystery series. Released 23rd May 2024 by Allison & Busby, it's 275 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.

This is an intricately crafted and well engineered mystery wrapped around a meticulous and accurate historical framework. The characters are well established with realistic and believable internal motivations and agendas. The author is gifted at providing the necessary information without spoon-feeding readers (or drowning them with floods of unnecessary back story). The pacing is well measured and the whole is an engaging and delightful read. It works very well as a standalone mystery. 

When the steward of Evesham Abbey is found dead at the bottom of a well-pit, Bradecote, Catchpool, and Underserjeant Walkelin are called in to untangle the circumstances surrounding the death.  The language is fairly clean (PG rated) and the prose is very well written. 

This is one for one to readers of the historical murder mystery genre, especially fans of Sharon Kay Penman, Ellis Peters, Candace Robb, and Susanna Gregory (and similar). Fans of well written character driven mystery from any period will find much to enjoy here.

Five stars. 

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

 

The Bean Book: 100 Recipes for Cooking with All Kinds of Beans, from the Rancho Gordo Kitchen

The Bean Book is a fresh tutorial guide to the staple versatile legumes written by Steve Sando, with recipes curated by the author. Due out 10th Sept 2024 from Penguin Random House on their Ten Speed Press imprint, it's 288 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

Beans (and other legumes) are often shoved to the side in most dishes. There are relatively few recipes where they are really allowed to shine. Beans are used to provide protein and bulk to soups and stews. The author is a true believer and the 100 recipes here are both traditional and innovative. Additionally, the author invites readers to learn about the different types of beans and their uses, and the book is full of minutiae and interesting tidbits about origins and species of bean, and how to showcase them at their best. This -is- a book full of heirloom beans (which the author's company sells), but he provides alternatives in the recipes to rarer heirloom beans.

The introductory tutorials (how to choose, how to grow, general how to cook, and pantry/staples lists), a very handy primer on bean types, leads directly into the recipes, arranged thematically: bean dips/appetizers, salads, soups, braises stews & stovetop dishes, beans & grains, baked beans, patties fillings sauces & more, and sweets stocks & salsas.

Recipe ingredients are listed bullet style in a sidebar, followed by step-by-step prep instructions. Ingredient measures are given in imperial (American) units. The recipes do not have nutritional info listed. The ingredients will mostly be readily available at any well stocked grocery store in North America. Some of the bean varieties might require a specialist grocery store or international grocer. The emphasis is on whole ingredients and the recipes are fairly light on premade/convenience ingredients, which is a plus. The author does use items like premade hot sauce/pepper sauce, but otherwise very few convenience items.

About 20% of the recipes are accompanied by one or more photos. The dishes are professionally styled, colorful, appealing, and appropriate. 

This is a good "everyday" recipe book and will find a home in casual home kitchens. Not all the recipes are vegetarian/vegan friendly (many are), but there are a generous number of entries which are without meat or animal products and most of the others can be adapted fairly easily.

Five stars. This is a very attractive colorful and useful book. It would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home use, smallholding, gardening club library, or similar uses. 

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

The Dark Wives - Vera Stanhope #11

The Dark Wives is the 11th Vera Stanhope procedural mystery by Ann Cleeves. Due out 27th Aug 2024 from Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 384 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 and references throughout.

This is a consistently top-shelf mystery series from a prolific, very gifted author.  Ann Cleeves is one of a scant handful; she has very few peers. The characters have made the jump to TV as well; Brenda Blethyn has made such an indelible stamp on the character that readers "see" her whilst reading, much like Suchet really *became* Poirot to a generation of viewers.  Happily, high expectations aren't unreasonable in this case and this is a very strong book in a wonderfully strong series (long may it continue).

The development and real (sometimes shocking) changes for the characters of Vera and the people on her team feel natural and organic. They feel like real three dimensional believable people.  From the first book (The Crow Trap), Vera and crew were well fleshed out and believable, and the plots have been solid and tightly written and plotted.  This book is so meticulously well  crafted - clearly the author continues to go from strength to strength.  

In this installment, Vera and her team turn their investigative powers to solving the bludgeoning death of an idealistic young care home worker, and the disappearance of a young girl who was housed at the care home when the murder took place.

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 11 hours 48 minutes and is excellently read by series narrator Janine Birkett. She has a well modulated classically trained mezzo/light alto voice with a very convincing Geordie accent (native?), and an impressive facility with a number of other regional accents from cut-glass RP to London. She enunciates remarkably clearly and the dialogue is crisp and understandable even at higher listening speeds. The sound and production quality are high throughout the read.

Five stars for both audio and print. Beautifully written and completely compelling.  The scenery is bleak and breathtaking and lends so much atmosphere to the book. The denouement and resolution were breathless and dramatic (and satisfying, if melancholy, a hallmark of this series).

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

The Poison Pen - Scottish Bookshop Mystery #9

The Poison Pen is the 9th book in the Scottish Bookshop cozy mystery series by Paige Shelton. Released 9th April 2024 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out late 4th 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

All of the Scottish Bookshop mysteries are self contained and as such work well enough as standalones. The characters' interrelationships have developed over the course of the books, so there will be some missing backstory, but the author is adept at giving the necessary information, so readers who choose to pick up this one first won't likely experience any problems with keeping the story straight.

For lovers of very light bookstore cozies, it will likely be a good fit. This outing sees Delaney and crew investigating crusaders, ancient history, artifacts, and the true lineage to the English throne.

All in all, it's a diverting, very light, readable cozy mystery with a whimsical ensemble cast. Some of the plot setups and developments are a bit over the top, but that's a big part of why bookshop cozies are wildly popular. A strong suspension of disbelief is required. The language and content are chaste and perfectly safe for commute or work reading.

Four stars. The author is a talented and capable storyteller, and everyone loves bookstore cozies.

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

The Minor Miracle: The Amazing Adventures of Noah Minor

The Minor Miracle is a fun middle grade series starter with an "everyman" protagonist (who has superpowers), written by Meredith Davis. Released 7th May 2024 by WaterBrook & Multnomah, it's 272 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

The author is gifted at storytelling, and the narrative arc is full of action and with appealing and relatable characters. Noah is living a life that most adolescents can relate to, not super gifted academically, picked on by a school bully, and not the best on his basketball team. He's got good friends, though, and he's trying his best. He -also- has a genetic mutation which lets him (and other gravitars) manipulate gravity. Mostly his manifestation just makes his clothing cling to him in funny ways when he gets annoyed. 

There are lots of forces at work behind the scenes: a mysterious uncle who dropped him off a building when he was an infant, a shadowy government agency, and surviving math tests and basketball practice.

The incidental art throughout is well rendered by Billy Yong and his simple and dynamic style complements the comic book narrative very well and is full of small details which invite a closer look. 

Four stars. It's appealing and appropriate for all ages but should do especially well with the middle grade boy demographic. It would make a good choice for public or school library acquisition, home use, and gifting.

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

Sticks and Scones - A Bakeshop Mystery #19

 

Sticks and Scones is the is the 19th Bakeshop cozy mystery by awe-inspiringly prolific author Ellie Alexander. Due out 20th Aug 2024 from Macmillan on their St. Martin's imprint, it's 336 pages and will be 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.

This installment sees the crew at Torte baking up springtime delights, and Jules' friend Lance involved in a theatrical production of The Taming of the Shrew which turns deadly. Jules and co. are soon unearthing clues and motives alongside baking and pastry making.

The plotting, characterization, and dialogue are representative of the genre; lighthearted, somewhat over-the-top, and used to move the narrative along. It's not a realistic procedural. There's no gritty unpleasantness, no brutality (even the violence is mostly off-scene), no blatant sexual aspects, and the language is squeaky clean and used appropriately. Although this is the 19th book in the series, it works fine as a standalone.

For fans of the genre, it's a well written and very pleasant diversion. For readers who enjoy this Bakeshop series, the author's Sloan Krause brewing mysteries are also highly recommended. She has either a truly impressive grasp of baking, brewing, and coffee culture or she's got experts on tap to consult for her background research. Lots of "foodie" fun to be found in both series. With so many books, it's a great candidate for a binge / buddy read, or possibly for a mystery book club long-term project. The book, in genre style, also includes some intriguing recipes to try out.

Four stars.

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

 

A Deadly Affair - The Hopgood Hall Murder Mysteries #5

 

A Deadly Affair is the fifth Hopgood Hall cozy by E.V. Hunter. Due out 18th Aug 2024 from indie press publisher Boldwood Books, it's 270 pages and will be available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.The other books are also available on KU. 

This is a well written, engaging, and finely engineered amateur sleuth mystery pairing a former investigative journalist (and boutique hotel co-owner) with a handsome PI trying to keep life on a smooth footing despite having solved FOUR murders (she's getting a reputation like Jessica Fletcher's! (Murder She Wrote)). This time around, awful gossip Polly Pearson has arrived at the hall begging for Alexi's help proving her own innocence in the death of her (Polly's) partner Gerry.  

The characters are well rendered and mostly believable and the pacing and plot are well done and the denouement and resolution of the various plot threads are satisfyingly wrapped up by the end of the book. It's a continuing series, so if read out of order, some of the character developments and relationships will be spoiled, but otherwise it works fine as a standalone.

Spelling and vernacular are British standard English, but won't pose a problem for readers in context. 

Four stars. A fun continuation of a nice light series. With five books extant in the series, it would make a good choice for a long(ish) binge or buddy read. Language is clean throughout and there's no graphic content.

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

 

Upscaled: A Cozy Comedic Dragon Fantasy - The Dragons of Nóra #1

 

Upscaled is the first volume in a new cozy middle grade/YA fantasy by Joseph John Lee. Due out 23rd Aug 2024, it's 201 pages and will be available in hardcover, 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. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free at release.

This is a truly exuberant, often silly, cozy fantasy with two young protagonists, a random encounter with destiny on an errand to the market to buy eggs, and a fairy-tale version of the kitten (dragon egg) that "followed them home".

It's not derivative, but it gives the same vibe as T. Kingfisher's awesome "A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking", and fans of the latter will likely enjoy this one too. 

Four stars. Silly (REALLY silly and occasionally overwrought), but quite good fun. 

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

The Tainted Cup - Shadow of the Leviathan #1

The Tainted Cup is a very well written fantasy mystery series starter by Robert Jackson Bennett. Released 6th Feb 2024 by Penguin Random House on their Ballantine imprint, it's 432 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out fourth 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 an engagingly constructed classic murder mystery starting with the extremely outré death of an imperial officer. The world building and magical systems are well wrought and believable (in context). 

It's a Holmes and Watson homage in some ways, with an eccentric, abrasive, and super brilliant sleuth, Ana Dolabra, who is assisted by an assistant with perfect memory recall as a sort of Watson character. 

The setup seems like a bit of a everything-including-the-kitchen-sink conglomeration of genres, including a heaping dose of political fantasy, but the author has a prodigious imagination and it really manages to span mystery/fantasy/political structure as a cohesive whole.

Four and a half stars. The language and violence are R-rated, but not used egregiously. It would make an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home reading, or gift giving. A second volume is due out in 1st quarter 2025. 

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

Move by Move: Life Lessons on and off the Chessboard

Move by Move is an engaging book full of insightful philosophical ruminations on life and chess by Grandmaster Maurice Ashley. Released 2nd April 2024 by Chronicle on their Prism imprint, it's 176 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. 

The author has decades of experience and engagement at every level of the chess world and the longevity to have acquired a lot of lessons. He has a friendly and down-to-earth style of writing and this small book is full of accessible takeaways about life, learning, the philosophy of art and learning, friendship, and chess' unique ability to bridge differences in culture, class, religion, gender, age, and wealth. Chess is the ultimate equalizer.

The hardcover edition is lovely, with a foil embossed cover and would make a nice gift. It should be noted that this is *not* a how-to guide for chess. There are no puzzles or tutorials included here (he covers a lot of chess theory in his other books and commentary/videos). This is a general book on philosophy and life.

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

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

The Lost Coast - Clay Edison #5

The Lost Coast is the 5th Clay Edison PI procedural by Jonathan and Jesse Kellerman. Released 6th Aug 2024 by Penguin Random House on their Ballantine imprint, it's 384 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, 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.

This is a well written PI investigation in a very well written series. A brazen real estate scam has lone wolf private investigator Clay digging into the background of a number of seriously shady characters who would strongly prefer to remain under the radar. 

The plotting is (as always) very tight and action driven. It's eminently readable and exciting. The denouement and resolution are satisfying and self-contained in this volume. For readers unfamiliar with the characters, it works well as a standalone, with minor spoilers for earlier works. There is some rough language and violence. 

Although it's not derivative at all, fans of Robert B. Parker, Stuart Woods, and Michael Connelly will likely enjoy this one. There are 5 books extant in the series; it would make a great binge/buddy read or choice for mystery bookclub study.

Four and a half stars. A solid mystery in a very solid, very long-running series.

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

A Gravely Troubling Discovery - Dinner Lady Detectives #5

 

A Gravely Troubling Discovery is the fifth Dinner Lady Detectives cozy by Hannah Hendy. Released 1st Aug 2024 by Canelo, it's 268 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.

This is such a fun continuation to a humorous and quick-to-read cozy series. The characters are warm and funny (they're cafeteria ladies!), intelligent and (mostly) practical, and the author has a deft touch with plotting and execution. After stumbling (literally) into murder investigations in the previous books, Margery and Clementine have -no- intentions of getting involved in another murder. Their carefully laid plans go awry when a mundane infidelity investigation ties in to another murder investigation, a body discovered during local playground renovations. The main characters are a F/F married couple, but that isn't over-emphasized in the plot. The language is clean, and the violence occurs off-page.

It's a village cozy and replete with the warm and slightly wonky eccentricities of village life and the inhabitants to be found there. The spelling and vernacular are UK English (flat, tyre, torch) but won't pose any problems in context for readers from North America. 

Four stars. The mystery is self contained in this volume so it works well enough as a standalone read, but readers who read them out of order will experience some major spoilers for the interrelationships and development of the returning characters. The generally high quality of the series as a whole would make for a good binge/buddy read. Fans of Fiona Leitch, J. M. Hall, and Peter Boland will find this one a fun romp.

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

 

The Gathering Storm - Detective Shona Oliver #4

The Gathering Storm is the 4th DI Oliver procedural thriller by Lynne McEwan. Released 8th Feb 2024 by Canelo, it's 352 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. 

Words like gripping get overused, but it fits this crime thriller. The author writes very well and the descriptions, characters, and settings are well delineated and feel realistic. There's a palpable sense of urgency and realism in the plot tension. It's not always a pleasant read, but it is definitely compelling. 

This is the 4th book in the series, and the overlapping, multi-book plot threads will give some minor spoilers for the characters' relationships and past if read out of order. The mystery plot, denouement, and resolution for the central story in this volume are resolved, however. 

Definitely a solid read, and a consistently well written series. It's not derivative, but fans of British crime procedurals like Val McDermid, Ann Cleeves, and Peter May will likely enjoy this book/series. With four books extant, it would also make a good choice for a long(ish) binge/buddy series read, or mystery book club project. 

Four and a half strong stars. Content warning for strong language, violence, stalking, arson, mental health issues, and betrayal. 

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

Of Hoaxes and Homicide - Dear Miss Hermione #2

 

Of Hoaxes and Homicide is the second historical cozy featuring agony aunt Miss Hermione written by Anastasia Hastings. Released 30th Jan 2024 by Macmillan on their St. Martin's Press imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

This is a diverting, pleasantly written, eminently readable cozy set in Victorian era England. Half sisters Violet and Sephora, along with their redoubtable housekeeper Bunty are once again drawn into danger investigating a religious cult into which their friend has been drawn. A poisoning ups the stakes and puts them in direct danger. 

The author, who is quite versatile (she also writes series in half a dozen genres under 10 pseudonyms), sends up the Victorian era in this series. It's very well put together, but it never takes itself too seriously and the characters are rendered deftly and with humor. 

The mystery and denouement are self-contained in this volume, so it works well as a standalone. There are small spoilers for the debut book in the series if read out of order, however. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 9 hours 57 minute and is capably read by Mia Hutchinson-Shaw.  She has a very young sounding voice which complements the vibe of the book. She does a good job delineating the various characters and keeps them distinct. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.

Four stars. A fun romp. It would be a good choice for public library acquisition, home reading, or a short binge/buddy read as a series. 

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

Life Lessons from a Parasite: What Tapeworms, Flukes, Lice, and Roundworms Can Teach Us About Humanity's Most Difficult Problems

Life Lessons from a Parasite is an interesting monograph with observations on parasitology and some comparisons to human society written by Dr. John Janovy, Jr. Due out 20th Aug 2024 from Sourcebooks, it's 336 pages and will be available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

Parasitic existence, that is to say, living on/at the cost of, another organism is the most common method of life on planet Earth. Lice, tapeworms, flukes, and other parasites have existed virtually unchanged in the large scheme of things for millions of years. Some of them are annoying to us (lice), some are life-threatening (malaria), and some are truly horrifying (Guinea-worms).

The author, a respected parasitologist and parasite ecologist, sets the book up with a pretty good, mostly accessible, scientifically accurate crash course into parasite ecology and the biological niches they occupy. The book is well annotated throughout, and he does a good job of introducing the concepts and terminology with solid context to make it accessible to most readers. For non-bioscience-nerds, some effort will be required. He's good at making the necessary science understandable, but some effort will be required on the part of the reader.

He uses case studies to illustrate concepts... and then draws larger inferences and parallels to human society. This is where the book goes a bit off the rails, honestly. His science is unquestionably sound. He knows how maggots, flukes, and tapeworms work and can explain them, without the shadow of a doubt. Where he jumps into drawing comparisons between desensitization to dissecting mice or using them for research to wholesale mass deportation and genocide, is less successful (though, certainly, it's a concept which feels logical and intuitive - it's still scientifically sloppy). 

The book is annotated throughout, and the bibliography and chapter notes are probably worth the price of the book and will provide readers with many hours of further reading. 

Four stars. This is a guy with vast life experience, who unquestionably knows what he's talking about. He's clearly a gifted lecturer (he's retired now, apparently, so not actively teaching). The concepts involved in the material aren't all simple or easily understood... some are complex (college level biology). It would be a good choice for public library acquisition, home use, or possibly for gift giving to a science interested friend. 

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