The Secret Life of LEGO Bricks

The Secret Life of LEGO Bricks is an encyclopedic monograph on all things LEGO by Daniel Konstanski. Released 19th Sept 2024 by Unbound, it's 400 pages and is available in hardcover format. It's unclear from the publisher's info, but at least the ebook ARC provided for review also has interactive hyperlinks throughout.

This is a gorgeously illustrated -very- deep dive into the history, design, stories, and people behind the universally beloved building bricks which have graced kids' toyboxes, adults collections, engineering student lounges, and geek-allied tech giants (Google, Microsoft, Blizzard, etc) for the last 80 years. The author is incredibly knowledgeable and writes interestingly and accessibly about LEGO. There are personal stories from numerous employees and hobbyists throughout the decades. 

Some of the highlights from the book include all the photos from LEGO corporation's own historical archives as well as design schematics and facsimile design pages which aren't usually available to the public.There aren't any build plans included in the book, but just the historical collections and collector editions of sets from yesteryear are worth the price of admission. Mr. Konstanski knows LEGO (he's the editor of Blocks Magazine) and shares his expertise with readers in a fun and engaging way. 

Five stars, awesome fun. It would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, home reference, gaming groups, and similar.  

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

A Murderous Plot - The Bookstore Mystery #6

 

A Murderous Plot is the 6th Bookstore cozy by Sue Minix. Released 29th Aug 2024 by HarperCollins on their Avon Books 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 and references throughout.

This is an undemanding and fun series for fans of small town shopfront cozies. Crime novelist Jen is drawn into real-life sleuthing yet again when another violent death occurs in Riverton. It seems -everyone- is conspiring to keep her from finishing her newest book. The usual pool of small-town-oddball characters are present, there's skullduggery and hidden motives to be unearthed, and there's also some romance. 

Some of the characterizations and plot developments are admittedly a bit over the top and there are some twists which require a healthy suspension of disbelief, but all in all, it's a pretty good example of why the shopfront cozy subgenre is so popular. Although it works well enough as a standalone, readers who choose to read them out of order should be prepared for some spoilers and developments from earlier books in the series.

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 7 hours and 52 minutes and is read by series narrator Rebecca LaChance. She has an interesting and nuanced voice. She enunciates very well and although her voice is youthful (she's young), it doesn't detract from the read at all. The sound and production quality of the recording were high throughout.

Four stars. This would be a good light read for fans of cozies. It would be perfectly safe for work/commute reading. The series is developing well, and it'll be interesting to see what comes next for Jen and co.

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

A Messy Murder - Decluttering Mysteries #4

A Messy Murder is the fourth book in the decluttering mystery series by Simon Brett. Released 3rd Sept 2024 by Severn House, it's 192 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out from the same publisher in May 2025. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links.

The author writes entertainingly and well. All the parts (and they are varied and numerous) fit together and do precisely what they're meant to do. The characters are believable and well rendered. The dialogue works and is never clunky or awkward. Although this series isn't fluffy enough to fit firmly into the cozy mold, it's not at all gritty, either. In short, it's a modern British murder mystery with a well plotted story arc, some not-too-graphic crimes, some humour, and an interesting/edgy denouement and resolution.

A fair bit of the book does revolve around mental illness (expectedly since the protagonist is a de-clutterer and works with professional local social services to help clients). The author manages to treat the subjects sensitively, but some readers could conceivably find some of the subject matter and situations triggering.

North American readers should be aware that it's written in British vernacular (wellies, lift, flat, etc), but this shouldn't pose any problems in context.

Four stars. Quite well done. With four books currently extant in the series and such a prolific author, this would make a good choice for a binge/buddy read. Recommended for fans of not-terribly-fluffy modern cozies. Fans of M.C. Beaton, G.M. Malliet, and Anthony Horowitz will likely enjoy these also.

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

Horror for Weenies: Everything You Need to Know About the Films You're Too Scared to Watch

Horror for Weenies is a well written and curated guide by Emily C. Hughes containing synopses for the "outsiders", readers who can't stomach the horror stories their friends and loved ones consume with glee. Released 3rd Sept 2024 by Quirk Books, it's 272 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. 

It's not fun to feel left out of conversations about things we don't understand and haven't experienced. Examples abound: sports, music, culture, current events, politics, science fiction, gaming, popular TV series, etc etc. This is the first volume of a new series to give readers who don't like/can't tolerate horror media to understand and be part of the conversation without actually having to have sat through hours of scary and squishy STUFF. 

Wonderful concept, and in this case, pretty well executed. The author has done a good job of showcasing a number of classics (arranged into chapters by decades) without unnecessarily graphic descriptions. Additionally, she's added a lot of neat trivia and background info which non-wussy horror fans will enjoy as well.  Win/win.

Each entry contains a description, bio info for director/author/etc as well as a short precis. There is also specific detailed plot full of spoilers (fair warning if you intend to see the movie), and highlighted text boxes with trivia and analysis (tropes, genres, etc). Lots of the trivia about the sets, background, etc will impress readers' horror genre loving friends.

Graphically, it's very simple and almost monochrome ("neo-xerox" in scarlet, black, and white) with simple line drawings and cutouts. There are no photos, and nothing scary. 

Four and a half stars. It's a cool concept for a series and this first volume is pretty comprehensive and well done. 

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

To Reign in Hell

To Reign in Hell is a reformat and reprint of the original classic fantasy novel by Steven Brust. Originally published in 1984, this re-release forms part of a library of classic, important SF/Fantasy historical works as part of the Tor Essentials, and was republished 15th Oct 2024 in this edition, by Macmillan on their Tor/Forge imprint. It's 288 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is an incredibly ambitious novel about the upheaval and creation in Heaven, the angels' personifications, and the structure of the divine. There aren't a lot of authors who could honestly pull off a cohesive story without being trite and tiresome. Brust manages to do so with both wit and pathos. The characterizations are amazing, distinct, and moving.. and the prose is often sublime (hence its inclusion in a collection of speculative fiction classics). It's truly wonderfully well done. 

The forward is by Roger Zelazny, and if it's a little bit "fanboy-ish" it's no less than well deserved. He is, as always, insightful and writerly, and he makes some good points. 

Five stars. It's not an -easy- read, despite the relatively short length. It's a great book, and classic, and should be (and often is) taught in speculative fiction literature classes at the collegiate level. It would be an excellent choice (with the sister volumes) for public library acquisition, for home library collection building, and for book club study. 

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

The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook -

The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook is the third book featuring Dungeon Crawler Carl (and Princess Donut) by Matt Dinniman. Originally published in 2021, this reformat and re-release from Penguin Random House on their Berkley Ace imprint is 544 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 fun and well written take on light comedic dungeoncrawler fantasy. MC Carl is unwillingly thrust into a starring role in a survivor reality TV contest when an alien invasion puts a major crimp in *everyone's* day.  Princess Donut (his ex-GF's pampered show cat) is along for the ride, and the book is positively bursting with sarcastic humor and improbable situations, with viewers from across the universe tuned in to see what happens next, and which contestants get eliminated, permanently. Each adventure sees the contestants thrust into a new floor of the dungeon with new loot, new puzzles and traps, and ever more creative ways to crash and burn.

It's not at all derivative, but the bonzo, zany humor will likely appeal to fans of Charles Stross and Tom Holt. 

Four stars. There are currently 6 books in the series with a 7th due out in 4th quarter 2024. It would make a great choice for a genre buddy/binge read. It's definitely full on silly, but it's diverting.

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

Murder in Verona - Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mysteries #9

 

Murder in Verona is the ninth Armstrong and Oscar cozy destination mystery by T.A. Williams. Due out 3rd Nov 2024 from Boldwood books, it's 200 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 in the series are also currently available on KU. 

This is a beautifully descriptive and well written destination mystery set in Tuscany. Expat former policeman Dan Armstrong and his trusty canine sidekick Oscar are sought out by the mother of a famous opera singer after a tragic accident cuts his life short. Dan's insights are valuable and he is dogged and adept at getting to the bottom of the lies and obfuscation to the truth.

The plotting is solid and the dialogue and characterizations are well written and believable. The mystery, denouement, and resolution are self contained in this volume, so it works well enough as a standalone, but the writing and mystery are so well planned and executed, that it would make an excellent long binge or buddy read (especially since they're all available on KU). 

It's not derivative at all, but it reminded me in a lot of good ways of Leon's exceptional Brunetti books as well as Walker's lovely Bruno, chief of police books. Fans of those authors will find a lot to enjoy here. There are also happy parallels to Rosenfelt's excellent Andy Carpenter series (though less sarcastic humor), with canine characters being given a significant role in the story.

Four and a half stars. Highly recommended.

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

 

Two Times Murder - Quiet Teacher Mystery #2

Two Times Murder is a very well written murder mystery thriller with light espionage overtones and is the second novel by author Adam Oyebanji featuring mild mannered teacher of Russian Language (and sometimes French), Greg Abimbola. Due out 5th Nov 2024 from Severn House, it's 224 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. 

This is a very well constructed light espionage thriller mystery set in Pittsburgh. Titular main character Greg is a suave, very tightly controlled/guarded language teacher working in a private school who is far outside the normal run. He's a former Russian intelligence (GRU) officer who has "retired" to Pittsburgh, he's of English and Russian extraction, and he's black. 

Trying to avoid the agents sent after him from Russia and keep his lifestyle and job, of which he's become very fond, as well as staying on the right side of local law enforcement, is proving quite challenging. 

The author writes intelligently and the characters are very well rendered, believable, and three dimensional. Mr. Abimbola is a sympathetic character and readers will relate to him. There are a number of characters in the book, and his building of a tenuous team, with custodian Andrea (from book 1), as well as Sgt Rachel Lev, a local investigator and reluctant collaborator, make the cohesive whole a pleasure to read. Pittsburgh itself plays a large part in the story and it's a palpable (welcome) presence throughout. Readers with familiarity with the city will find themselves transported; the author clearly knows his way around. 

Although not derivative at all, fans of Le Carré will likely enjoy this modern take on a retired spy trying to forge a life outside "the Business". It's the second book in the series, but works fine as a standalone (with the understanding that the denouement and resolution from book 1 are discussed here, so expect spoilers if read out of order). There are a few moderately graphic instances of violence and torture; not extremely graphic or egregious, but they are there.

Four stars. It would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home use, or would make a nice 2 book binge/buddy read.

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

Victorian and Early 20th Century Baby Farming: The Darkest Business

Victorian and Early 20th Century Baby Farming is an often horrific and unflinching monograph on the history and background (and methods) of the practice by lecturer and history maven Eve Bacon. Due out 30th Nov 2024 from Pen & Sword on their History imprint, it's 264 pages and will be available in hardcover format. 

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, in supposedly "civilised" countries, the care and raising of infants and children was commonly handed over to other caregivers than the mother. In the case of affluent families, they were nurtured in the family home by nurses, nannies, and tutors and trotted out to be fawned over a couple times per day by the adoring (if distant) parents. In the cases of the less wealthy, they were "provided" for by the council or parish in the form of an allowance and handed over to caregivers/baby farmers to be maintained and raised to be productive citizens. A sad majority of these infants didn't survive their care, an outsized number even given the high infant mortality statistics across the board. 

The author explores many specific cases and details an appalling series of law changes and social conditions which gave rise to baby farming and allowed it to flourish. The book is well annotated throughout and the text is enhanced by facsimiles and archival photographs from the time period. The chapter notes are extensive and probably worth the price of the book for reference purposes alone.

Four stars. It's a sad but important read. It would be a good choice for public library acquisition, home use, or gift giving to a history/genealogy interested recipient. 

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

The World Is Your Dumpling: Little Parcels. Big Flavours. 80 Gorgeous Recipes: Celebrate dumplings with 80+ easy recipes from around the world.

The World Is Your Dumpling is a nice collection of dumpling recipes from different cuisines by Emily Roz. Released 29th Oct 2024 by HarperCollins on their Harvest imprint, it's 240 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. 

The author has curated a wide selection of dumplings/wrapped food, both savory and sweet from a number of world cuisines. The recipes are grouped thematically: easy-breezy meals, a bit more effort, speedy eats, and sweet treats. 

Each recipes contains a description, background info/location/inspiration, ingredients in a bullet list sidebar, and prep/cooking instructions. Ingredients are listed with metric measurements and imperial (American) units. Ingredients will *mostly* be readily available in any well stocked grocery store in North America. Some ingredients, spices, and blends will necessitate a trip to an international type food store or online resources. 

The author has also included a really solid tutorial section showing how to prepare, create, fold, and cook different dumplings. Although there are a number of very traditional dishes contained in the book, the author is also surprisingly fearless combining different cultures and tastes (for example, there's a recipe for "Vibrant Dumpling Chaat" which uses spinach & ricotta tortellini as a base - surprising, but tasty). 

The book is beautifully photographed throughout, in color, and most of the recipes are accompanied by one or more color photos. The food is professionally styled, attractive, and appetizing. Special dietary considerations (vegan, veggie, gluten free, dairy free, etc) are noted in each recipe. Nutritional info is not included.

Four and a half stars. It would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, home use, or possibly gift giving purposes (to an adventurous cook). 

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

Breaking Bao: 88 Bakes and Snacks from Asia and Beyond

Breaking Bao is an engaging, accessible, and do-able collection of baked goodies from Asia (and beyond) by professional baker Clarice Lam. Released 22nd Oct 2024 by Chronicle Books, it's 248 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

Most people who enjoy Asian bakery offerings just buy them from their favorite vendors and leave the expert/time consuming tasks and prep to the experts. That's problematic for the majority of folks who don't live in urban areas blessed with a local Asian bakery. Pastry chef Lam has a lightly humorous and encouraging "voice" throughout the book and there's something for every taste in the collection.

The author does a great job simplifying the tasks involved and shows readers how to recreate them at home with their own tools and supplies. Most of the ingredients will be available at any well stocked grocery store in North America. Some of them will require a trip to an Asian/international market or online retailer. 

The recipes are wide ranging and are arranged into sections thematically: bao, cakes & desserts, and snacks. There are 88 recipes and they're all complete and well written. Ingredients are listed in a bullet sidebar, with yields, background for the recipe, a description, yields, and step-by-step directions. Recipe ingredients are listed with both imperial (American) and metric units (yay!).

The photography and styling throughout are excellent. Photos are in color, and the food is presented appropriately and stylishly. 

Five stars. This is a delicious and comprehensive collection. It would be a great choice for public or school library acquisition, home use, or gift giving purposes.

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

Emily Snook: The World's Smallest Cook

Emily Snook: The World's Smallest Cook is an adorable fully illustrated all ages book by Laura Bower. Released 8th Oct 2024 by Gnome Road Publishing, it's 32 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

Written in easy to read rhyming verse, it's engaging and fun with a generous dash of drama. Emily is (by far) the smallest chef in the cooking competition and nothing seems to be going to plan. Her grandpa believes in her and helps her believe in herself.

The art by Rekha Salin is dynamic, colorful, and full of small details which invite readers to linger and look. It supports and enhances the story very well. 

Five stars. It's cute and would make a superlative choice for public or school library acquisition, for classroom reading circle, home use, or gift giving. The author and publisher have included a QR code with links to additional materials for classroom or home use. 

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

Christmas Crimes at the Mysterious Bookshop

Christmas Crimes at the Mysterious Bookshop is a nice holiday themed collection of short fiction, edited and curated by Otto Penzler. Released 22nd Oct 2024 by Penzler Publications on their Mysterious Press imprint, it's 288 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. 

Every year, the Mysterious Bookshop (a real brick & mortar store in TriBeCa) commissions and prints a short story in a nice limited print edition for their regular holiday patrons. Many of them have become collectors' items. So much so, that in 2010, a special anthology of these stories was collected to commemorate them and bring some of them to a wider audience. This is a companion volume and adds 12 of the holiday stories originally published in 2011 to 2022 to the total. 

In addition to the top shelf stories (from famous authors writing at the top of their games), the book includes an introduction and some background by Mr. Penzler himself, always erudite, thoughtful, and knowledgeable. The stories are a mixed bag, but all generally high quality (4-5 stars).

Four stars. Well written and darkly delightful. It would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home use, and holiday gift giving.

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

The Encyclopedia of Cast Iron: Over 350 Recipes for the Cast Iron Connoisseur

 

The Encyclopedia of Cast Iron is a huge comprehensive resource with recipes for -everything- cast iron and part of a series a encyclopedia kitchen resources from the same publisher. Due out 12th November 2024 from Cider Mill Press, it's a solid 560 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. 

This is a no-frills, utilitarian collection with a huge range of recipes and written specifically for cast iron utensils. There's not much introduction about care, maintenance, use, or selection of cookware before jumping into the recipes directly. For selection and usage/maintenance, consult another source (or the myriad youtube videos available).

The recipes are arranged thematically: breakfast, breads & flatbreads, vegetables, beef veal lamb pork & rabbit, poultry, seafood, and desserts. Each recipe includes a bullet list of ingredients in a sidebar, yields, prep times, and step-by-step instructions. Recipe ingredients are given with imperial (American) units. There's an abbreviated metric conversion chart in the appendices. Most ingredients will be easy to find at any well stocked grocery store in North America.  Nutritional info is not included. 

The recipes are good, basic, casual family style recipes, but it was nice to see a wide range of culinary influences (Asian, European, South American, TexMex, Middle Eastern) and not just "American" standards. The author/publisher have also included sauces and partial ingredients in the last chapter which are featured in the recipes (including a good one for sourdough starter, and a couple more for salsa, pico de gallo, etc.). 

Graphically it's simple but appealing. About 20% of the recipes are accompanied by one or more color photos. There is a cross referenced index (absolutely necessary with a book of this size).

Five stars. This is a well written reference, and will be a flagship go-to in the kitchen library. It would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition as well as for home use, smallholders, and cooking aficionados. 

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

Death Comes at Christmas

 

Death Comes at Christmas is a lovely collection of Christmas themed crime fiction, edited by Marie O'Regan and Paul Kane. Released 22nd Oct 2024 by Titan Books, it's 368 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 throughout. 

Something about the peace/love/joy holiday vibe has inspired crime fiction writers to serve up murder and mayhem for over a hundred years, and this collection of largely previously unpublished short form fiction showcases 18 top shelf writers doing it up in style. 

It's a strong collection with stories running the gamut from 3-5 stars, weighted toward the upper end. As always, it's a lot of fun to read the editors' introductory notes. The stories themselves are included without author's/editors' notes, but the publisher has included short author bios in the back of the book. Many of the included authors will be familiar to readers (Tom Mead, Claire McGowan, Samantha Hayes, Angela Clarke, Liz Mistry, Fiona Cummins, and several others), whilst some will likely provide a nice introduction for new authors to follow. They're all adept and quite readable. There's not a clunker in the lot (which is a bit surprising). 

Four stars. Highly recommended and worthwhile. It would make a good choice for public library acquisition, home reading, and gift giving. 

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

Pitch Dark - Mike Bowditch #15

 

Pitch Dark is the 15th Mike Bowditch mystery by Paul Doiron. Released 25th June 2024 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out second quarter 2025 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 wonderfully written series with an intelligent and honorable protagonist who works as an investigator for the Maine Warden Service (game warden). Although it has more thriller elements than the usual shopfront cozies, it's so well written, so redolent of the area and the outdoors, that it's an immersive and enjoyable read. Readers who are already fans of procedural thrillers will be right at home. 

The plotting moves along at a good pace and the characters are relatable and well rendered. It's easy to believe their motivations and internal drives. The examination and detection on the part of the protagonist and his colleagues (and girlfriend Stacey) is meticulously written and very cleverly constructed. The final climax, denouement, and resolution were (as always) tense and satisfying. Although the mystery is self contained, the entire series is highly recommended and would be a great candidate for a long binge read. 

It is self contained, and works well enough as a standalone, but if read out of order, there will be spoilers for character interrelationships and developments from earlier in the series. 

Four and a half stars. 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.

In the Mad Mountains: Stories Inspired by H. P. Lovecraft

 

In the Mad Mountains is a collection of short fiction by Joe R. Lansdale inspired by/homage to H.P. Lovecraft. Released 15th Oct 2024 by Tachyon, it's 256 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.

Most of the stories contained in the collection have been previously published between 2009-2015 in other publications, but they're collected her for the first time (conveniently packaged for consumption). The author notes and commentary are new, and as always, worth reading. It's nice to get some background history from the author about the works. 

Lansdale is a prodigious talent. These stories are cherry picked from his massive oeuvre and complement one another well thematically. It's not -all- body horror and squishy stuff, there are some which would be equally at home in a Bradbury homage  (“Starlight, Eyes Bright”), but there is also adventure horror aplenty for the straight-up Lovecraftians in the room.

Four and a half stars. It's a perfect spooky season/Hallowe'en read, even better with a buddy. The cover art by Mike Mignola is a nice bonus and suits the book perfectly.

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

Murder Most Persuasive - Eliza Darcy #2

 

Murder Most Persuasive is the second cozy mystery featuring Eliza Darcy, written by Jessica Berg. Released 7th June 2024, it's 308 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The first book in the series, Murder Most Pemberley, is also currently available on KU. 

This is a fun humorous homage cozy series featuring an intelligent and likable young female protagonist and a wonky crew of amateurs helping her solve the next murder and clear the name of the unfairly accused (in the case, DCI Finn Wentworth). It's not absolutely necessary to be a die-hard Austen fan to enjoy this series, but there are Easter eggs aplenty in little references to Persuasion and other Austen-esque name drops throughout the story.

It's the second book in the series, but it works well enough as a standalone. It's not too much over the top, but in typical cozy fashion, it's full of eccentric characters and slightly wonky (mostly humorous) situations. The climax, denouement, and resolution are satisfying and not too silly. Lighthearted and clean.

Four stars. It would make a nice weekend binge/buddy read and a cozy standalone read by the fire with a big pot of tea and a four legged friend.

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

Plants for the Winter Garden: Perennials, Grasses, Shrubs, and Trees to Add Interest in the Cold and Snow

Plants for the Winter Garden is a beautifully illustrated, well grounded compendium for adding winter season interest to the garden, written and curated by Warren Leach. Due out 5th Nov 2024 from Hachette on their Timber Press imprint, it's 256 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

Winter is a challenging season for most gardeners in the northern hemisphere. For most, it's the season of rest after frenetic harvesting and cleaning up in fall... the season of waiting, when the catalogues come to us and we spend days by the fireplace dreaming of the next season. Everyone *wants* to have an attractive and inviting garden even in the bleakest depths of winter. 

The author has done a very good job introducing readers to interesting, often beautiful, options for form and structure in the winter season which are often also useful habitat/food for birds and wildlife and give our eyes a resting place through the window in our cozy dreaming. 

The author uses proper binomial classification (Latin names) as well as many common and cultivar names to make correct identification and sourcing as easy as possible. He has a phenomenal eye for the architectural design side of garden planning, and this book is a great source of inspiration and ideas for those of us whose garden "planning" tends to consist of wandering around looking for a spare bit of space to plonk new plants into. 

The content is grouped into sections thematically: form & color, signs of life (buds, winter fruits, perennials, etc), structure, and seasonal care & maintenance. It's photographed generously in color throughout. The author/publisher have also included a useful cross referenced index. There are no resources or bibliography listed, but many of the species and varieties can be sourced online or from local nurseries. It's slanted toward readers in North America in the temperate areas which experience a "real" winter season with freezing temps and snow/ice. 

Five stars. Beautifully done. It would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, for gardening groups/allotment/community garden, and for smallholders and home gardeners. 

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

Fondue or Die - Cheese Shop Mystery #5

 

Fondue or Die is the fifth Cheese Shop cozy mystery by Korina Moss. Released 22nd Oct 2024 by Macmillan on their St. Martin's Press imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in mass market paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout.

Cheese shop owner Willa Bauer is back with her quirky helpers, her cheese store Curds & Whey, lots and lots of cheese trivia, lots of groan-worthy puns, and another bizarre murder/accident to solve. This time,  it's labor day weekend and annoying event organizer Nadine's been discovered under a pile of ceramic milk jugs. It's up to cheesemonger Willa and friends to get to the bottom of the mystery before her friend Mrs. Schultz gets sent to the big house for the crime. 

As with most cozies, the emphasis is on the characters and the puzzle. The crimes are described off-scene and without being gruesome. The language is very clean. The series continues to improve, from a strong start, and the ensemble cast of Willa and her employees continue to mesh and become more three dimensional and believable (for a cozy).

Although it's the fifth book in the series, the plot arc and resolution are self-contained, and it works well enough as a standalone. With five books currently in the series (and a 6th due out in second quarter 2025), it would make a good choice for a cozy series binge or buddy read.

Four stars. Definitely one for shopfront cozy fans. It's full of esoteric cheese minutiae and readers will surely find a number of specialty cheeses to try out. The author has also included intriguing cheese themed recipe for a special upgraded pimento cheese sandwich (yum!).

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

If Something Happens to Me

If Something Happens to Me is a standalone twisty thriller by Alex Finlay. Released 28th May 2024 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 336 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out in April 2025 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 interesting multi-PoV thriller. The characterization is quite good; they're three dimensional with (mostly) believable motivations and priorities. The chapters are short and the narrative is often choppy, shifting focus and hopping to the next scene in what feels like an out of control freight train. 

Oddly enough, there are places in the middle third of the book which seemed to drag, though the ending, resolution, and denouement were satisfying (and very convoluted). Readers should bring a *hefty* suspension of disbelief to the read, and there are at least a couple places which will likely elicit "are you kidding me??" responses. 

All in all it's a good vacation read and will appeal to thriller procedural mystery fans. 

Three and a half stars. 

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

The Restaurant of Lost Recipes - 鴨川食堂 #2

 

The Restaurant of Lost Recipes is a charmingly diverting example of the Japanese food story genre, and the second Food Detectives book by Hisashi Kashiwai. Released 8th Oct 2024 by Penguin Random House on their Putnam imprint, it's 224 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 such a comforting, nostalgic, and sweetly uplifting collection of related stories. Originally published in Japanese in 2014, the translation work by Jesse Kirkwood is seamless and manages to flow very well in English without losing the indelible Japanese cultural and food-related nuances. 

The stories are related by a common thread: seekers find the restaurant run by a father and daughter duo who specialize in recreating meals for their clients from the clients' own memories and recollections. 

Despite the lack of danger or dramatic tension, the stories are moving and told effectively. Food manga and food-centered narrative is a popular subgenre in Japan, and this is a wonderful collection. 

Five stars. Charming and worthwhile. Comfort reading. 

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

 

Linguaphile: A Life of Language Love

Linguaphile is an interesting deep dive on linguistics and language acquisition, part memoir, part monograph, written by Dr. Julie Sedivy. Released 15th Oct 2024 by Macmillan on their Farrar, Straus and Giroux imprint, it's 336 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.

The author has an exquisite command of the language and the prose is often poetic and moving. She has a lot to say about language, how we acquire it, how we use it, and how it can enrich us and our interactions with one another. 

It's not academically rigorous, in fact, it's perfectly accessible for average readers. It is, however, well annotated throughout and the references the author uses are mostly from academia and will require more effort to access and interpret. 

This is one for nonfiction readers, and is exceptionally well written, moving, and often profound. 

Four and a half stars. It would make an excellent acquisition for public or post-secondary school library, for home use, or possibly for a book club study. 

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

Field Notes from a Fungi Forager: An Illustrated Journey Through the World of Pacific Northwest Mushrooms

 

Field Notes from a Fungi Forager is a gorgeously illustrated useful field guide with observations for the fungi of the Pacific NW written by Ashley Rodriguez. Released 15th Oct 2024 by Sasquatch Books, it's 176 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

The author has a respectful and accessible voice throughout the book. This isn't really a foraging guide (the author is quite specific in that regard); it's more a beautifully illustrated monograph on some of the fungi (and other species) to be found in the Pacific NW, and her own experiences hiking and foraging. 

There are useful resources throughout; the book opens with an alphabetical species listing with page numbers for quick reference. There's a quick primer on fungal life cycles and biology, which is followed by the individual listings. Each entry includes botanical nomenclatures including family designation, appearance, habitat, season(s), and detailed notes. 

The illustrations by Libby England are clear, colorful, and detailed. Although not photorealistic enough to work for actual definitive ID purposes, they absolutely are clear enough to recognize. 

Four and a half stars. Very well done. Not a comprehensive guide, and it has a limited range focus (Pacific NW of North America), but overall a worthwhile addition to library collections and home reference.

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

How To Cook Everything Kids: Recipes for every skill level, from simple to complex, empowering kids to cook with joy and discovery.

How To Cook Everything Kids is the 9th cookbook in the How To Cook Everything series by Mark Bittman. Released 15th Oct 2024 by Wm. Morrow on their Harvest imprint, it's 320 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.

This is an impressively accessible, kid friendly, appealing book full of appetizing healthy recipes, many of which kids can make with minimal adult supervision (depending on the kid of course).  The graphics are cool and vibrant, and the photography is crisp and in color. 

It's a comprehensive, encyclopedic collection with a nice selection of recipes. They're arranged thematically: an introduction/primer gives an overview over equipment and processes, then the recipes follow by chapter - breakfast, sauces/sprinkles/drizzles, hand held sandwiches, soups, salads and sides, pasta/noodles, grains & beans, main dishes, baked goods, and desserts. 

Recipes are written with an introduction & description, ingredients in a bullet list, followed by step-by-step cooking directions. The language is simple but complete and readers will have no trouble following. Recipe ingredients are provided with imperial (American) measurements only, no metric units. Nearly all the recipes are accompanied by one or more color photos and tutorials. 

The action shots and prep photos throughout the book are modeled by kids, which is a cool touch and adds a lot to the book. 

Five stars. One of the better kids' cooking books. It would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition or home use. 

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

Detective Duck: The Case of the Missing Tadpole

The Case of the Missing Tadpole is a lighthearted caper mystery for youngsters with some good underlying messages, written by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver. Released 15th Oct 2024 by Harry Abrams Books, it's 80 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.

This is a cute mystery, and the second to feature the titular character, Willow, the Detective Duck, and a large ensemble cast of secondary characters. Readers are dropped into the middle of the action from the first page, little tadpole, Tad, has gone missing and everyone joins in to find out how he could've disappeared.  

All the animals get in on the hunt, and they soon find even more mysteries to solve. The action driven plot is a bit choppy in places, and there are a large number of characters, but overall it's a fun light story with some good takeaways. 

The incidental art by Dan Santat is adorable and supports and enhances the action. It's "cartoon"ish, but also full of details which invite readers to spend some time and take a closer look. 

Four stars, it would be a good choice for public or school library acquisition, home reading, or possibly gifting. 

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

Seriously Good Barbecue Cookbook: Over 100 of the Best Recipes in the World

Seriously Good Barbecue Cookbook is a nice niche cookbook with recipes curated by Brian Baumgartner. Released 16th Oct 2024 by Fox Chapel, it's 176 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. 

This is, simply, a good collection of BBQ techniques and dishes to suit tastes from very casual backyard BBQ to fairly fancy sit-down type meals. There are even some vegetarian friendly options (barbecued pineapple, yum) and side salads and accompaniments. 

The recipes are arranged thematically: a history/primer/techniques tutorial is followed by the recipe chapters, with recipes arranged by geographic location, then seafood, sides, sauces rubs & marinades, desserts/sweets, and drinks. The author has sprinkled his own personal stories throughout, and the whole reads like a friendly chat over the BBQ grill with good friends. 

Graphically, it's casual and appealing. There are cartoon sidebar illustrations throughout, as well as really beautiful color photos and illustrations. Food is styles professionally, attractively, and appropriately. Recipe ingredients will mostly be available at any well stocked grocery store in North America. Measurements are given in imperial (American) units throughout. 

Four stars. It's a good all-around barbecue book with something for everyone. 

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

The Insect Epiphany: How Our Six-Legged Allies Shape Human Culture

The Insect Epiphany is a well written, accurate, and fascinating look at insects and how they have interacted with and shaped human existence written by entomologist Dr. Barrett Klein. Released 15th Oct 2024 by Hachette on their Timber Press imprint, it's 368 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.

This is a very well grounded, layman accessible monograph on insects and how they interact and shape us from prehistory, down to the modern day. Dr. Klein manages to interpret and present often quite complex concepts in digestible & accessible bites which the average reader will have no trouble understanding. 

The material, although wide-ranging in scope, is presented in a logical order: symbiosis (products and materials - silk, honey, wax, lacquer, etc), genesis (copying design/utilizing/engineering), and metamorphosis (copying fighting, mating, dancing, dress, etc).

The book is beautifully illustrated throughout, with paintings, illustrations, photographs, and facsimiles from historical archives, literature, and the arts. The author/publisher have also included useful appendices for readers' use including comprehensive chapter citations which are likely worth the price of the book by themselves. 

It's not written in rigidly academic prose, but it is fully annotated throughout. Many (but not all) of the sources he uses in the book -are- academically demanding and will require some extra effort on the part of readers.

Five stars. This would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home use, and gift giving, for fans of popular science and nonfiction.

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

Vegan Japan: 70 Comforting Plant-Based Recipes

Vegan Japan is a well written and tantalizing collection of plant based recipes with a Japanese flavor profile developed and curated by Julia Boucachard. Released 15th Oct 2024 by The Experiment, it's 160 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

This is a colorful and versatile cookbook which is vegan/vegetarian friendly. The author does a good job of introducing the ingredients and special prep methods as well as giving the recipes a solid Japanese flavor profile and aesthetic. 

The introduction includes a primer on pantry staples and ingredients, followed by recipes arranged thematically: basics, main dishes, side dishes, street foods, and desserts. Ingredients are listed in a bullet point sidebar, with descriptions, yields, and step by step instructions. Ingredient measurements are listed in imperial (American) units, with metric measures in parentheses (yay!). 

Nearly all the recipes are accompanied by color photos.The styling is appealing and appropriate. Additionally, there are colorful pastel illustrations scattered throughout the book. Graphically it's beautifully done. 

Four and a half stars. This would be an excellent 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 Laundry Book: The Definitive Guide to Caring for Your Clothes and Linens

 

 

 

The Laundry Book is an interesting philosophical and comprehensive guide to laundry and textiles by Zach & Jerry Pozniak. Released 15th Oct 2024 by Quarto on their Rock Point imprint, it's 208 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.

This is a genuinely engaging thorough tutorial with solid information aimed at extending the life of our clothes, taking care of the items we have and saving time, using scientifically based appropriate cleaning products, and making a household chore less unpleasant (or even actually fun). It's a progressive guide, from the very very basics of what/how/why of textile cleaning and preservation, through available products (and what they do, specifically), sorting, cleaning, washing, drying, removing wrinkles, hanging/storage, what dry-cleaners do, and other laundry tidbits and interesting asides.

If it's not ground-breaking, it certainly is interesting and a good reference.

Five stars. Beautifully written, engaging, warmly funny, and full of valuable info. It would make a good choice for public or school library acquisition, home reference shelf, or gift-giving.

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

 

Banchan: 60 Korean American Recipes for Delicious, Shareable Sides

Banchan is an accessible and appealing collection of Korean American side dish (banchan) recipes collected and written by Caroline Choe. Released 8th Oct 2024 by Chronicle Books, it's 208 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

For readers who love Korean food but always felt somewhat intimidated and full of excuses: "It's too complicated", "the ingredients are hard to source", "it requires too much special equipment", and "is it culturally insensitive for a lily white Irish girl to even make Korean food?". This is an everyday cookbook for non-professional cooks who love delicious Korean food and are enchanted by and want a cookbook with emphasis on the huge array of side dishes, pickles, ferments, relishes, etc which accompany meals. The author's accessible and friendly writing style inspires confidence and there's a definite "you can do it" vibe about the whole book. It's a welcoming book with a friendly voice.

It starts with a short background and pictorial introduction to Korean seasonings and ingredients. Some of these can be readily sourced at any well stocked international/Asian grocery store. Some of them will probably need to be ordered online.

The book continues in a logical fashion from (ferments/preserved dishes), namul & muchim (fresh salad/veg), jorim (soy sauce marinated), stir fried & steamed, soups & stews, buchimgae (pancakes - wonderful selection), and cold & hot banchan. There are 60(ish) recipes, plus alternative tips and prep suggestions. The chapters are packed with recipes (nearly all accompanied by color photographs) which are clear and easy to follow. Each of the recipes include sidebar with ingredients listed bullet point fashion (given in imperial/US standard measurements and metric equivalents), yields, and step-by-step instructions. Nutritional info is not included.

All of the recipes and assorted other information is provided in both English (transliterated), and phonetic Hangul. The book isn't bilingual, but it is well grounded in the traditional Korean names for dishes and ingredients.

All in all, this is a beautifully written and presented Korean cookbook full of delicious food. The photography is top notch, the dishes are appealing and the recipes reflect a love and respect for culture and good food.

Five stars. Loved this one. A good choice for public library acquisition, home use and gift giving.

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

Low-Hanging Fruit: Sparkling Whines, Champagne Problems, and Pressing Issues from My Gay Agenda

Low-Hanging Fruit is the newest book from witty raconteur Randy Rainbow (that's his real name, who knew?). Released 8th Oct 2024 by Macmillan on their St. Martin's Press imprint, it's 256 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 not as screamingly funny and (relatively) light as his other written commentary, but there are still smiles to be found. He's a very very intelligent guy and his smart, self deprecating, unashamedly *out* personality is on full display here. 

This was a nice change from dystopian political landscape and a planet in the throes of a climate change fueled hurricane powered meltdown. There are a number of very personal observations here from the author, but all-in-all it's a nice escape from the current hellscape timeline we all find ourselves in.

Four stars. Funny, sad, poignant, and witty. It would be a good choice for public or home library acquisition.

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

Beyond the Big Lie: The Epidemic of Political Lying, Why Republicans Do It More, and How It Could Burn Down Our Democracy

Beyond the Big Lie is an extremely sobering/terrifying look at the devolution of American politics over the last years and what we can potentially do about it by Professor Bill Adair (creator of PolitiFact). Released 15th Oct 2024 by Simon & Schuster on their Atria imprint, it's 288 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

Anyone on the planet who has been paying even cursory attention to the last years has seen the progressive demise of politics in the USA and the relentless tide of chicanery, lying, dangerous rhetoric, and increasing violence (including stochastic terrorism). This is a remarkably balanced, sober judgement by an intelligent reasonable historian elucidating in accessible real language 1)what's going on, 2)where we've seen it before, 3)how to mitigate the worst of the damage (most of which has already come true, sadly), and 4) a constructive path, however tenuous (and scary) forward toward unity and healing.

The stakes have absolutely never been higher. Objective truth -must- begin to mean something as a currency of public discourse and it better happen PDQ or it's all going to be too late (literally). As I write these words, The GoP held a political rally last night (27th Oct. 2024) in Madison Square Gardens with chilling parallels to the infamous 1939 American Nazi rally in the exact same venue. The subjects ranged from insulting Americans of Puerto Rican heritage in the vilest manner imaginable to racist, misogynistic signals to an ever increasingly violent base. America must be better than this. The world must be better than this. 

The book also includes a useful cross referenced index, and the well annotated chapter notes are likely worth the price of the book by themselves. 

Five stars. One of the most horrifying reads of the year. Hope it's not too little, too late. Truth matters.

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

The More the Terrier - Andy Carpenter #30

 

The More the Terrier is the 30th (!!!) Andy Carpenter legal procedural mystery by David Rosenfelt. Released 15th Oct 2024 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.

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. 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 30th book in the series, 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 very strong and fits the rhythm and vibe of the whole. 

This is pure comfort reading. It's got a likable protagonist, an engaging mystery, humorous dialogue, and a solid climax, denouement, and resolution. (This one is *full* of creepy criminals out to make a young computer science student take the fall for crimes he didn't commit). I adore Andy's supporting team, especially Marcus in this installment, and he's getting more speaking parts and active roles instead of just being the muscle; and it's a good change to see his character development. The dogs, as always, are stars, even lugubrious and lazy Sebastian, although he admittedly slept through most of the book.

The audiobook has a run time of 6 hours and 34 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.

Five stars for both the text and audiobook versions. All around fun read. Perennial favorite series.

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

 

 

The Spamalot Diaries

The Spamalot Diaries is Eric Idle's wonky and often moderately humorous recollections surrounding the writing/staging/&production, bringing Monty Python's Holy Grail to Broadway. Released 8th Oct 2024 by Crown Publishing, it's 208 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, chiefly, a well-edited transcription of Mr. Idle's diaries from the time when he and the other chief agents were working to get the project off the ground. It's amazing how much serendipity, happenstance, and sweat is involved in bringing any creative project to fruition, if this one is anything to go by. 

There are behind-the-scenes stories aplenty as well as his interpretations and "as recollected by" dialogue interspersed between the diary entries.

Four stars. It's an interesting book, not screamingly funny, but definitely worth a look, especially for fans of the author, of Spamalot, and of the original Python troupe. It would be a good choice for public or secondary school library acquisition, as well as for home reading.

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