500 Patterns for Woodworking, Laser Cutting, and General Crafting: Full-Size Plans

500 Patterns for Woodworking, Laser Cutting, and General Crafting is precisely as advertised 500 ornament patterns drawn and curated by Fred Arndt. Released 17th Dec. 2024 by Fox Chapel, it's 152 pages and is available in paperback format.

This book is full of a wide variety of small ornaments/decorations which are aimed at precision digital aided cutting tools (laser and digital cutters such as Cricut) and to a lesser degree fine scroll saws. The author has included a *very* short chapter on cutting tool use in conjunction with these patterns, but it is by no means sufficient to learn how to use them (or even choose them) safely or wisely according to the reader's needs. 

The patterns themselves are varied and arranged thematically: holiday, winter, stars, hearts & flowers, fun in the sun, animals, hobbies, automotive, science fiction, miscellaneous shapes & objects, and words.Templates are full size and quite detailed (see cover). 

All the templates have a punch/hole/hanger incorporated into the pattern. The author/publisher have also included a detailed index for quickly finding specific items. It's a large and varied collection, and especially some of the more esoteric science fiction and automotive themed ornaments are generic on the "not actionable from a legal standpoint" but clearly recognizable. 

This would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, for the home hobbyist, for activity and makers' groups, for collective studios, and for crafters who enjoy selling at craft shows. The legal disclaimers contained in the book specify that readers can use them for personal use (but that copyright law forbids the *patterns* from being repackaged and sold, obviously). 

Five stars, given the limitations of the instruction contained within, it's a great and varied selection of patterns.

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

The Legacy of Arniston House - Edinburgh Nights #4

 

The Legacy of Arniston House is the fourth fantasy mystery by T.L. Huchu.  Released 12th Nov 2024 by Macmillan on their Tor imprint, it's 400 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out in Aug 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. 

Oddly paced and twitchily frenetic in places, the whole series is nevertheless very well written and engaging. It follows on from the first books in the series and, as such, would be a challenge to read as a standalone. Main character Ropa can communicate with (and indeed compel) spirits. At this point, she's acquired a new employer and is banishing/compelling ghosts professionally in his service. All is not well, however, and she's soon up to her neck in another murder mystery, as prime suspect in the murder of her beloved gran.

It's marketed as a YA fantasy, but it's perfectly good for an all ages (YA+, not for little kids) read. It has a huge cast, and readers who haven't kept track of the previous books should be prepared to flip back and forth some. The author/publisher have provided a handy dramatis personae list at the front of the book with characters/titles and relationships, and also principal settings, institutions, and other necessary info which will help. 

The world building is *stunning* and cohesive and wonderful. There is, however, quite a lot of reverse snobbery and making fun of traditional academia; Ropa is something of a Jack-the-Lad and seemingly has a malleable and very pragmatic moral code. It's LGBTQIA+ friendly, without being preachy, which is cool. The denouement and resolution are not finished in the book and end on a huge cliffhanger.

Four stars. Very well written and exciting, if distinctly odd. There are four books extant at the moment, with the fifth strongly implied, but no definite publishing info available atm. It would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home use, or as a long buddy read or book club series project. 

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

 

Prince of the Palisades

Prince of the Palisades is an appealing YA romance standalone by Julian Winters. Released 20th Aug 2024 by Penguin Random House on their Young Readers imprint, it's 352 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 a modern royalty romantic comedy(ish) story which is queer (m/m) friendly and young. There's good representation here (young, gay, ethnically and culturally diverse) and fans of Red, White & Royal Blue will likely be in raptures. There are some good and important discussions about consent, identity, and being true to oneself. There is also a lot of high-school drama and unnecessary conflict; but it's a YA rom-com, so, fair play. 

Some of the characterizations are cartoonish; the antagonists are over-the-top two dimensional. The redemption arc is sweet and not *too* saccharine, especially for the genre. There is no inappropriate graphic sex descriptions, those scenes are fade-to-black.

Four stars. Sweet, full of high school drama, but mostly for YA romance fans.

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

NetGalley Reading Journal Sunset Palette

 

The NetGalley Reading Journal is a new resource for making and utilizing a reading journal and a general guide with tips to getting started with electronic journaling as well as a toolkit with tips for being an effective book advocate.

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 other items for e-journaling from We Are Bookish, and is a fun energetic "sunset" palette of oranges to purples.

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. It's very kind of the We Are Bookish folks to provide support and tutorials to make book advocacy easier and more fun.  

Death in a Lonely Place - Jake Jackson #2

 

Death in a Lonely Place is the 2nd Jake Jackson procedural mystery thriller by Stig Abell. Released 2nd July 2024 by HarperCollins on their Perennial imprint, it's 352 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 a very well written book with a believable cast of well rendered characters. Featuring an ex-met detective living off grid and isolated, this time instead of local village corruption, he's pitted against an evil shadowy cabal of ruthless oligarchs who can (literally) buy anything their twisted hearts desire. Absolute power has corrupted them absolutely and Jake & co. are determined to put an end to No Taboo and their nefarious skullduggery.

One of the features of the series is the MC's love of vintage and classic mystery. This is a bibliophile's dream, because the books are liberally peppered with name-drops to chase down after finishing this mystery.

There are some trigger warnings, liberal amounts of sexual content (descriptions and staging in spicy scenes are notoriously difficult, and some of the ones included here really didn't work very well and would've been more suited to a retro bodice ripper romance, honestly), child abduction and abuse, murder, etc... nothing is too depraved for these monsters. 

Three and a half stars. Generally well written otherwise. The romance bits can be skimmed over. Continuing series, which would make a good choice for a short binge or buddy read. The first book in the series is the better by comparison, but they're both quite readable.

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

The Drowned - St. John Strafford #5/Quirke #10

The Drowned is a period series mystery set in Ireland by John Banville. Released 1st Oct 2024 by Harlequin on their Hanover Square 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. 

Banville is an exquisitely writerly writer. The mystery (isn't really much of a mystery until the very end) is 100% character driven and that's what should draw readers to the book. Folks looking for a Poirot style "gather everyone in the library for the big reveal" will likely toss this book out their train window. The ending is *abrupt* and mish-mash and about 87% unresolved at the end. Fair warning.

The book is quite elegantly written and the characters (including the dog which isn't anthropomorphized at all, thankfully) are real and believable. They feel and fight and "have relations" and murder one another and it's believable as written by the author. Most of the characters in the book (sans aforementioned dog) are unlikable or downright loathsome by varying degrees.

It's an extremely broody, threatening book. There's a sense of dread throughout and it's ever so slightly off-kilter. It's disorienting and pervasive. The ending was a major disappointment, and readers who need their mysteries to be resolved by the time the epilogue shows up will not like this one. Readers who read for the joy of the language will be in raptures.

Four stars, almost entirely on the strength of the writing. Continuity from earlier books is tenuous, and some (not all) context is provided, so it does mostly work as a standalone. There are some triggers, such as pervasive racism, antisemitism, sexism, infidelity (from cover to cover), pregnancy loss, child death, pedophilia (with one rather explicitly described scene, but mostly from a character's distant past), alcoholism, and a few others.

Readers will either love or hate it, without a lot of overlap. 

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

Crocheting Reversible Amigurumi Projects: Adorable 2-Way Patterns Using Fur Yarn

Crocheting Reversible Amigurumi Projects is a fun (and beautiful) collection of reversible soft toys by Jessi Van In. Released 19th March 2024 by Fox Chapel, it's 111 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. 

These projects are fun, colorful and appealing. The book contains 6 complete tutorials with several variations of each, as well as a thorough introductory tutorial and all the basic techniques/theory necessary to understand how to do them. Each tutorial contains a complete supplies list, difficulty rating, size (with recommended yarns), and step by step tutorial directions. The book is very well photographed throughout and the "action" shots are rendered without hands or tools obscuring the details (very handy). The photography is clear and in color.

The author makes use of furry "eyelash" yarn on most of the tutorials (see cover photo). The results are very cute and cuddly.

The book also contains a QR code link to the author's website which contains a lot of additional content and video links as well as some free project tutorials. 

Four and a half stars. Well made and very fun. The tutorials are not too advanced for crafters who are familiar with the basics of crochet. The text is clearly written in understandable step-by-step language.

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

The Art of Murder - The Village Detectives #1

The Art of Murder is a new cozy mystery series starter by Fiona Walker. Released 20th May 2024 by Boldwood Books, it's 354 (e-format) 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. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The second book in the series, The Poison Pen Letters, is also currently available on KU. 

The author is prolific and dependably readable in the genre, and this one is happily no exception. There are already two books available in the series, making it a good choice for a binge/buddy read. It's a village mystery, full of quaint, quirky characters, a serviceable plot, and all the necessary working parts for an entertaining mystery. 

There's perhaps a trifle too much witty reparteé, but overall it's a solid comfy cozy read. It leads directly into the next book in the series, so there's no waiting for the next installment. 

Four stars. It's not derivative, but fans of Osman (Thursday Murder Club) and Laurien Berenson (Peg & Rose) will likely enjoy this one as well. 

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

Blood at the Root - Blood at the Root #1

Blood at the Root is the first volume of a YA fantasy/wizardy series by LaDarrion Williams. Released 7th May 2024 by Penguin Random House on their Labyrinth Road imprint (YA/Children's), it's 432 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out in 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 throughout. 

There are so few books written with a strong, well rounded, positively rendered, three dimensional person of color in the MC role that it's refreshing, (and sadly often remarkable) when it happens. It's especially notable when YA novels feature young men in a not-primarily-romantic role, and this one has both, and is quite readable and engaging in addition. 

There's a thread of unresolved mystery from the past, a solid setup, an appealing MC, a HBCU school setting (for magical types), however, the book has been marketed as racial trauma free, and that's not accurate, there is a fair bit of open reality-driven racist commentary/judgement (well deserved) on the foster care system as it's implemented in the USA (sadly). There's also a *lot* of racist(ish?) misogynoir which made me wince (women are represented as either oversexed or elderly, and there's a lot of twerking going on).

Other readers have commented on the jargon/Creole language. Although not competent to comment on the accuracy, it's certainly noticeable and prevalent. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 14 hours and 54 minutes and is capably read by Jalyn Hall. He has a well rounded pleasantly modulated voice and is easy to listen to. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.

Three and a half stars. It would make a good choice for fans of dark academia, YA fantasy, or a good buddy read. It's potentially a bit edgy for public school library acquisition (given the challenges happening across the USA), but should be fine for public library acquisition. 

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

Cabin: Off the Grid Adventures with a Clueless Craftsman

 

Cabin is a warmly funny, well told story by Patrick Hutchison about his acquisition and rebuilding of a tiny off-grid cabin in the Washington state forest. Released 3rd Dec 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 throughout. 

This is a charmingly written book, full of the sort of dreams and aspirations and honest soul searching most of us went through in our late 20s. He finds and fixates on a broken down cabin in the woods and, like Thoreau 170 years before, sets himself to fixing it and maybe finding his purpose in the process. Unlike his philosophical muse, there's a conspicuous absence of mother and sisters providing home cooked meals in his "solitude" and there are a few hair-raising situations before Hutchison gets to where he's going. Unlike Thoreau, however, he doesn't pretend to try to live full time at the shack in the woods, and much of the content is him doing the necessary drudge work in-office to afford to fix up the place in fits and starts over a 6 year period (during which he also acquires the skills along the way). 

The unabridged audiobook format has a run time of 8 hours and 31 minutes and is read by the author himself. Sound and production quality are excellent throughout the read.

Four stars. It's an honestly told, well written book, and definitely worth a winter-time cozy read. It would be a good choice for public or secondary school library acquisition, gift giving, or for readers who enjoy contemplative nature oriented reads.

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

Secret Dead Men

 

 

Secret Dead Men is an engagingly quirky fantasy/mystery by Duane Swierczynski. Originally released in 2005, this reformat and re-release from Titan Books came out 1st Oct 2024, is 320 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. 

Instead of a seedy walk up office downtown, PI Del has a hotel inside his brain which houses a collection of conscious souls which he's collected. His main purpose at the moment is to chase down and dismantle The Association which was responsible for his own trip into discorporeal inconvenience. 

The writing is, frankly, solid. It's action driven, but also full of well rendered three dimensional characters (including a stoner thief who comes out to hotwire the occasional getaway car, lots of criminals, and a few psychopaths). The plot is well constructed with a nice mystery which works very well given the intricate and creative world building.

It's not at all derivative, but there are glimpses of Philip K. Dick, Chuck Wendig, Stross, and even a bit of Joe Lansdale in the mix. There are moments of levity, although it's not primarily a humorous book, and there's over the top violence throughout. 

Four stars. Well written, workable plot, nice mystery, solid characters. 

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

A New Lease on Death - Supernatural Mysteries #1

A New Lease on Death is the first book in a new cozy paranormal series by Olivia Blacke. Released 29th Oct 2024 by by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 336 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 a light cozy with some darker moments. There are themes of substance abuse, alcoholism, lots of mentions of suicide, infidelity (long term), financial irregularity, domestic violence, and some not-quite-cozy descriptions of violence and murder. 

It -is- a cozy, however, with a very strong central paranormal theme (one of the main characters is a ghost). It's sort of a "buddy caper" with a duo of women, one of whom is living challenged. The writing is light and easy to read, and the character driven action flows well. The dialogue isn't always very well polished and there were a few issues with pacing throughout. It mostly felt like a setup for future series books, and whilst that isn't a deal-breaker, it did lead to some frustration with the here-and-now of the mystery in *this* volume on which the two main characters are supposed to be concentrating. 

The denouement and resolution felt a bit deux-ex-machina and were pulled out of nowhere. Again, not a deal breaker, but not ideal. 

It's warm and humorous and a definite comfort read. It would make a good choice for a weekend buddy read for fans of paranormal cozies. There is one *glaring* plot problem with the world building which will likely annoy readers who notice it, but otherwise a fun and undemanding read. Some of the "features" of ghost-Cordelia's existence were a bit lazy (she can do anything she *believes* she can do), but again, probably ok inside the parameters of the genre. 

Three and a half stars. It will be interesting to see this series develop. 

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

Open Sesame: 45 Sweet & Savory Recipes for Tahini & All Things Sesame

Open Sesame is a well written, attractively presented, niche collection of recipes featuring sweet and savory twists on sesame by Rachel Belle. Released 12th Nov 2024 by Sasquatch Books, it's 176 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. 

The book has a friendly, funky, retro graphic vibe which suits the slightly offbeat focus, to put sesame in the limelight. It's full of tasty recipes which, if they aren't instant classics, will definitely be a hit with brunch loving foodies. Sesame is surprisingly versatile, and although the collection does a good job of representing the cuisines where sesame (and tahini) feature large, it's by no means exclusive to the middle and far eastern countries. The author has developed and included some unexpectedly adventurous recipes which will either delight or perplex readers (or a bit of both?) such as Basil-lime pasta with sesame chicken bolognese (interesting!).

The recipes utilize ingredients which will mostly be readily available in any well stocked grocery store in North America - however some feature ingredients (tahini) which will require specialist retailers, probably online; not prohibitively rare, but requiring some planning for readers who live outside NYC or LA. They're arranged in the book thematically: morning meals, party snacks, mains & meals, and sweets. 

Each recipe includes a description/intro, yields, ingredients in a bullet list header, and step-by-step prep directions. Ingredient measures are given in imperial (American) units only. There is no nutritional info provided.

It's got a bouncy, fun, young, foodie vibe, and the author is very open and chatty (in a good way). It's a small collection, but every one of the recipes, even the simpler ones, definitely have some *pow* factor. It will be an instant hit with foodies who love to brunch with friends, do potlucks, and who also gather with friends to do dinner or informal party nights. 

The photography is very good, and each of the recipes is accompanied by one or more color photos. Serving suggestions are attractive and appropriate and the food is professionally styled. 

Four stars. Really fun collection. It would make an excellent gift for a foodie friend, or for the home cook's library, as well as public or school library acquisition.

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

Time Will Tell - "Sister" Jane #16

 

 

Time Will Tell is the 16th "Sister" Jane mystery by Rita Mae Brown. Released 12th Nov 2024 by Penguin Random House on their Ballantine imprint, it's 304 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 well paced, engaging cozy mystery in an episodic very-long-running series which will please current fans and pick up some new ones. Ms. Brown is a prolific, wide-ranging, versatile author with enough "serious" writing awards to do anything she sets her mind to, but happily, she seems to enjoy the cozy genre, especially the one with anthropomorphic animal characters. This series and her Mrs. Murphy series are -full- of opinionated animals, from cats and dogs to farm animals. For folks who loathe anthropomorphism and light paranormal elements, this probably isn't going to be a good fit.

It's the 16th book in the series, so readers who hop in mid-stream should expect some spoilers for developments from earlier books. The author/publisher have also helpfully included a glossary and list of characters with short descriptions to help readers stay in the story. That being said, the mystery itself is self-contained and resolved in this book, so picking through the series out of order isn't a deal-breaker.

The dialogue and writing are pitch perfect.  Typically for Ms. Brown, the writing is solidly comfortable and engaging.  Reading her books is almost like visiting with an old friend you haven't seen for a while; you just pick up where you left off the last time, even if you haven't seen them for ages.

Four stars, it's a well constructed cozy mystery full of characters from a world outside of the one most people inhabit (including many old-money wealthy FFVs who are crazy about American fox hunting). Bonus points for the author's managing to make her characters ethnically diverse, and not just pasted on, either. Many of the characters have faced and worked through part of their tragic shared traumatic past, from slave times onward and at this point there seems to be more good-natured camaraderie than any festering resentment.

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