Turning to Birds: The Power and Beauty of Noticing

 

Turning to Birds is a perceptive, engaging, and well written collection of essays on presence and finding meaning in nature by Lili Taylor. Released 29th April 2025 by Penguin Random House on their Crown imprint, 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.

The 12 essays are ranged roughly thematically on a number of topics across both species (human and avian), behavior, personality, and understanding. The essays are personal and written in everyday, accessible language; like visiting with a particularly perceptive friend who has a lot of good points to make about a wide variety of subjects.

The chapters are enhanced with lovely detailed pen and ink sketches by Anna Koska. They're restful and beautiful. 

Four stars. It's a charmingly unexpected book. It would be a good choice for public library acquisition, home library, or gifting. Well written.

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

 

The Knife Before Christmas - Fixer-Upper Mystery #11

 

The Knife Before Christmas is the 11th Fixer-Upper cozy mystery by Kate Carlisle. Released 22nd Oct 2024 by Penguin Random House on their Berkley imprint, it's 288 pages and is available in hardcover, 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 is a fun and easy-to-read cozy with well established three dimensional characters and an ensemble cast. Although it's the 11th book in the series, it works fine as a standalone with the codicil that events and relationships established in this book will spoil some of the previous books if read out of order. Readers who read them out of order won't be lost or confused though; the author manages to fill in the backstory and character developments without spoon-feeding or info dumping. 

For readers of romance who like some cozy mystery in their reads (or cozy readers who enjoy clean romance) this series will be a good fit. The plot is simple and mostly linear. The violence is mostly off scene and without gore. The language is PG and there is no racy content. It's full of fun holiday themes and would make a great choice for a fun holiday buddy read.

The unabridged audiobook version has a run time of 7 hours 41 minutes and is capably read by series narrator Jae Delane. She has a pleasantly neutral alto, American accent (west coast? but not at all intrusive) and does a good job of a range of ages and both male and female characters. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.

Four stars. Well written and engaging. 

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

 

Marble Hall Murders - Susan Ryland #3

 

Marble Hall Murders is the third book in the bookish Susan Ryland mystery series by Anthony Horowitz. Released 13th May 2025 by HarperCollins on their Harper imprint, it's 582 pages and 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.  

The author writes entertainingly and so very 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 a satisfying denouement and resolution. For readers who enjoy modern amateur sleuths without paranormal aspects, talking cats, telepathy, and crystals, this series is blessedly free of them. He uses the "book within a book" trope to full effect, and the shifting back and forth is clearly delineated in the chapter headers and not confusing in the slightest.

It's a delightful read and despite the potentially serious subplot elements (terminal illness, breakups), Mr. Horowitz manages to imbue the whole with enough humour to make it an entertaining and quick read, despite the rather prodigious length. North American readers should be aware that it's written in British vernacular (crisps, lift, flat, tyres, etc), but this shouldn't pose any problems in context.

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 17 hours 38 minutes and is capably read by series narrators Leslie Manville and Tim McMullen reprising their roles from the TV productions. Sound and production quality is high throughout the read. 

Four and a half stars. Really well done. With three books currently extant in the series and with 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 Simon Brett will likely enjoy these also.

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

Proof: The Art and Science of Certainty

 

Proof is a (mostly) layman accessible monograph on scientific certainty and methods, written by Dr. Adam Kucharski. Released 6th May 2025 by Hachette on their Basic Books imprint, it's 368 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. 

The author has a wide ranging background: from mathematics to infectious diseases/tropical medicine/epidemiology. This book is similarly wide ranging and not always direct - there's a fair bit of meandering involved. That being said, the author writes well and understandably and doesn't rely on obfuscation and jargon to score points. 

Although not academically rigorous, the content is meticulously annotated throughout, and the chapter notes are likely worth the price of the book for the extra content alone. As a multidisciplinary work, there are some wide ranging meanders across disciplines and subjects (and time periods), but overall, it's interesting and fairly engaging. The author is clearly bright, and invested in the subject, and it's indisputably important and noble, helping humans understand how to winnow *actual* facts from the chaff we're all bombarded with continually.  

Three and a half stars. It would be a good choice for public or post-secondary school library acquisition, or for niche non-fiction readers.

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

Them Without Pain - Simon Westow #7

 

 

Them Without Pain is the seventh Simon Westow historical mystery by Chris Nickson. Released 3rd Sept 2024 by Severn House, it's 239 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

This is such a skillfully written series. Protagonist thief-takers (bounty hunters/private investigators) Simon and his partner Jane (and protege Sally) are employed to find stolen silver cups a servant has taken from a wealthy employer. Intertwining murder and general skullduggery soon render the straightforward task much more difficult and dangerous.  There's a real and palpable sense of the setting and narrative menace throughout much of the book and the writing is very high quality and engaging. It is redolent of the time period (1820's) and setting (Leeds and environs) without sacrificing readability.

It's written around a framework of actual events so skillfully that it's difficult to tell when fact shades over into fiction. The author is technically competent and (happily) quite prolific. There are now 7 books extant in the series, making this a good candidate for a long binge or buddy read. Although the mystery and denouement are self-contained in this volume, the backstories and relationships between the characters have developed over the duration and readers who read them out of order should expect spoilers for the earlier books.

The books -are- quite realistic and this one is no exception. The author has a very realistic writing style and describes the less salubrious facts of life in the early 19th century unflinchingly. This book deals with the stark, brutal, and all-too-often short lives of the inhabitants, even relatively financially well-to-do. 

Four and a half stars. Definitely one for lovers of well-crafted mysteries. Heartily recommended to fans of Hambly's Benjamin January and Peters' Cadfael (although different time periods and settings, obviously). It would make an excellent choice for public library acquisition or home use.

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

Murder at the Ponte Vecchio - Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mysteries #11

 

Murder at the Ponte Vecchio is the eleventh Armstrong and Oscar cozy destination mystery by T.A. Williams. Released 4th May 2025 by Boldwood Books, it's 226 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 other books in the series are also currently available on KU. 

This time, expat former policeman Dan Armstrong and his trusty canine sidekick Oscar are drawn into helping solve criss-crossing cases of corruption, smuggling, and murder in Florence. Dan's ostensibly along to facilitate translations in English for the police and witnesses, but his insights are valuable and he and Oscar are, as always, central to the story. It's lovely to read a series where the main character is healthy, honorable, intelligent, and straightforward in his dealings with his customers, colleagues, and friends. 

The plotting is solid and the dialogue and characterizations are well controlled 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 binge or buddy read. The series has really found its feet and continues to move from strength to strength. 

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.

Four and a half stars. Highly recommended.

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

 

Mystery in the Title - Miranda Abbott Mystery #2

 

Mystery in the Title is the second Miranda Abbott cozy mystery by brothers Ian & Will Ferguson. Released 22nd Oct 2024 by Harlequin Trade on their MIRA 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.

This is a wonky, mostly silly, eccentric cozy, populated by oddballs, harmless goofs, and long-suffering publicity aides-de-camp. Former TV star Fran was an amateur sleuth ages ago... now her comeback has her reprising her long vanished acting role in-real-life when her comeback costar exits violently stage left. 

The writing is competent, but tries too hard to be funny (?) and mostly lands in over the top unbelievable. MC Fran is completely delusional, her enablers are similarly far-fetched. It's a cross between scooby-do and I love Lucy without Lucy's zany lovability. Except for the fact that it's a continuing series with her as the main character, she's so unrelentingly annoying, it wouldn't have been amiss for -her- to have been murdered. 

The solution, climax, denouement, and resolution are similarly silly and over-the-top. 

Three stars. It works well enough as a standalone, with the understanding that the relationships and backgrounds for some of the returning characters will be slightly spoiled if read out of order.

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

A Change of Place - Night's Edge #3

 

A Change of Place is the third book in a continuing cozy fantasy series by Julie E. Czerneda. Released 17th Sept 2024 by DAW Books, it's 496 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.

Readers should be looking for a meandering revisit with the characters from the earlier books in the series. There's not a lot of cohesive plot thread, and the book wanders from scene to scene. That being said, it's engaging and well written, full of odd and quirky characters (including magical toad(ish) familiars, dragons, spirits (efflet, yling, nyphrit, and others from the author's imaginings), and an ensemble cast of humans and magical human hybrids. 

The climax and denouement are somewhat diffuse and not explicitly resolved (which is potentially explored in the previous books in the series). It's not a standalone novel. Besides the main series, there's a shorter work which could also help provide the necessary backstory. 

Curses and interjections in the book are universally formatted as "ancestors ____" (ancestors blessed, ancestors tried and tested, ancestors grim and grieving) Every. Bloody. Page. of the read. Literally hundred(s) of times. It was difficult to skim over and quite intrusive after a while.

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 19 hours 15 minutes and is capably read by Jenn Jaden. She has a young, eastern Atlantic seaboard American accent and does a good job with the disparate human and non-human cast. Sound and production quality is high throughout the read.  

Three and a half stars. Worth a look for fans of romantic fantasy, possibly as a buddy/binge read from the beginning. 

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

Under the Shadows

 

Under the Shadows is an engaging action driven PI mystery by Tony McFadden. Released 1st July 2024, it's 340 pages and is available in paperback format. 

Well written, full of action and likeable protagonists and nasty antagonists, it's full of white-collar crime, a missing 15 year old boy, lots of punch-ups and a (mostly) white-knight investigator. The author is talented with characterization and it's easy to be drawn into the story. It's told in alternating flashback sequences, but he takes care to label them as such, so it's not confusing or annoying.

The climax, denouement, and resolution are exciting and satisfying, and self-contained in this volume. There are four books featuring Nick Harding extant, with a fifth due out in July 2025. They seem to be standalones and can be read in any order. 

Four stars. Entertaining, adrenaline soaked (the author is quite adept at writing fight scenes, and they are legion, peppered with sarcastic smart mouthed comments), and with a recognizable complete story arc. Recommended for fans of PI action. 

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

The Ultimate Fantasy Character Creator: From Origin Story to Character Voice, Everything You Need to Develop Original Fantasy Characters

The Ultimate Fantasy Character Creator is an interesting reference guide by Jeff Stormer aimed at writers/creators who want reliable techniques for filling out character background and stories. Released 14th Jan 2025 by Simon & Schuster on their Adams Media imprint, it's 304 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 fairly comprehensive walk-through, full of guidance for coming up with names, backstory, characteristics (and how to pick), strategically "loaning" attributes from icons, ancestry, setting and environs, watershed moments, and a whole host of other characteristics (the author has included a generous selection of worksheets and specific prompts to help). 

Four stars. Although admittedly a niche selection, this reference will have wide applicability for authors, gamers (though not specifically aimed at them), GMs, possibly LARPers, SCAdians, actors, and similar.

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

Ocean: Earth’s Last Wilderness

Ocean is a layman accessible, touching, sobering, and beautiful look at the world's marine environments by Sir David Attenborough and Colin Butfield. Released 6th May 2025 by Hachette on their Grand Central imprint, it's 400 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. 

The book is arranged by habitat: coral reef, deep ocean, open ocean, kelp forest, arctic, mangroves, oceanic islands & seamounts, and southern ocean. It's breathtakingly illustrated in color throughout, and the photos are detailed and gorgeous. It would be a solid coffee table/display volume on just those merits alone, but it's deeply detailed and packed with science based information about each of the ecosystems and the species which can be found there.

It is well written, but might be a bit info-dense for casual readers. For natural history fans, however, it's wonderfully compelling. The "voice" of the writing is recognizably Attenborough's and he takes readers along on a myriad of expeditions, relating personal reminiscences from his vast experiences. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 8 hours, 54 minutes and is narrated by the authors. The reading is relaxing to listen to, but the content is so dense in places that it would be an advantage to listen with a print copy available.  It's not an academically rigorous volume; it's not exhaustively annotated, but there are numerous chapter notes and the references will provide avid readers with many more hours of learning.

Four and a half stars. It would be an excellent choice for public or secondary school library acquisition, home use, or gift giving to natural history readers. 

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

The Fallen Fruit

The Fallen Fruit is a dynastic historical fantasy by Shawntelle Madison. Released 3rd Sept 2024 by HarperCollins on their Amistad imprint, it's 448 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out from the same publisher in Sept 2025. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

Not at all derivative, but the vibe is reminiscent of The Time Traveler's Wife, and fans of the work will likely find a lot to like here. Apart from the comparisons, this is a truly compelling, sensitively told, -engaging- family saga history and the curse/mechanic that the author employs here is fresh and unique with the additional conflict of the main character's ethnicity and gender being dangerous throughout much of history. 

It's told in 5 parallel parts, each one detailing a different family member's time-slip (two members in one part). As a parallel time-slip story told in several disparate parts, a print copy is just about required. The unabridged audiobook (run time: 14 hours, 11 minutes) is very well narrated, but the story itself is highly intertwined and complex and will be difficult to follow in audio format.

Four stars. It's an intelligently written, complex, and compelling story, but will require concentration. It would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home use, or for a book club study. 

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

The Rebel Romanov: Julie of Saxe-Coburg, the Empress Russia Never Had

 

The Rebel Romanov is a well written, layman accessible monograph biography/history of Julie of Saxe-Coburg written by historian Dr. Helen Rappaport. Released 15th April 2025 by Macmillan on their St. Martin's imprint, it's 336 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out from the same publisher first quarter, 2026. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

Napoleonic (and post-Napoleonic) European royals were a dizzyingly interconnected lot, and the author does a pretty good job of untangling the interweaving threads. In the case of Julie of Saxe-Coburg, having been alllied into the Russian royal household, she was given a host of alternative monikers including Grand Duchess Anna Fyodorovna, Grand Duchess Konstantin, and diminutively as Jülchen to family. 

The author is an academic and this is a layman accessible history. As an academic work, it is *full* of annotations, references, and minutiae (in a good way). The author definitely "shows her work" in full. Especially considering that the bio subject is relatively obscure (even among royal records of the time period), this has clearly been a task requiring more than the usual level of dedication and reference chasing. That said, for readers who aren't dedicated to the history genre, the facts and family crossovers can be overwhelming (and necessarily a bit dry). Dr. Rappaport has included family trees and exhaustive chapter notes to help keep the players straight in the retelling.

Five stars. It's an exhaustive, very well annotated history of post-Napoleonic European noble houses, and interesting (if not quite riveting) biography of an interesting, willful, strong minded, strategic, and intelligent woman who made an effort to live her (relatively) long life on her own terms.

It would be an excellent choice for public or university library acquisition, home use, or possibly gift giving for recipients who are particularly interested in the subject matter and time period.

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

The Spider Lady: Nan Songer and Her Arachnid World War II Army

The Spider Lady is an interesting and age-appropriate illustrated biography of Nan Songer for primary school (~7-10 year old) readers by Penny Parker Klostermann. Released 6th May 2025 by Penguin Random House on their Calkins Creek imprint, it's 48 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. 

Nan Songer was a mostly self-taught amateur arachnologist and technician whose facility with spiders and collecting their silk for manufacturing sights for ballistic weapons was utilized during and after WW2. The book goes into a surprising amount of detail on her trial-and-effort development of methods of "silking" the black widow spiders she chiefly used. The incredible patience and manual dexterity were admirable.

The text is easy to understand and aimed at the target audience, but will also likely be of interest to adults and older kids. The author/publisher have included useful glossary and references in the back of the book. 

The illustrations by Anne Lambelet are attractive and evocatively nostalgic. Rendered in sketch/watercolor/pencil and digital methods, they're full of small details which invite readers to spend some time looking. The art supports the text and time period very well.

Four stars. This would be an excellent choice for public or school/classroom libraries, home use, and gift purposes, especially for STEM interested youngsters.  

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

Moved to Murder - Vivien Brandt Mystery #1

Moved to Murder is the first cozy (and debut novel) by Gianetta  Murray to feature Vivien Brandt, an anglophile expat American living in England. Released 5th June 2024, it's 305 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 an Anglophile American cozy with the usual ensemble cast of small town eccentric characters, ... and an unlikely amateur sleuth in the form of a perky, likeable, brash American (married to an Englishman and living in England). The story is character driven and the author has an affinity for descriptive prose. 

For readers who are already comfortable with the spelling and vernacular differences between US and British English, the authors *constantly* referencing the differences (in the form of MC Vivien's internal monologue) will probably be somewhat annoying. It's certainly pervasive. The pacing is slow, but not unnecessarily so; the first murder appears at about 30% through the story. 

The resolution and denouement are over-the-top (even for the genre), and there's quite a lot of posturing. Given the current political climate in the USA, it might be more believable if set there, but not so much in the UK. 

There is no current publishing info available for book 2 in the series. Working title: Dug to Death.

Three and a half stars. Quite readable and engaging. The constant spelling references are intrusive. The author has included a handy reference guide at the end of the book for the references and name-drops throughout. 

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

Skin and Bones: And Other Mike Bowditch Short Stories

Skin and Bones is a collection of short fiction featuring Mike Bowditch and ensemble supporting characters written by Paul Doiron. Released 13th May 2025 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 368 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 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. 

This is a collection of 8 stories; 7 previously published, and one new to this collection. All are top shelf fiction and fill in background for the main characters from the series, and some are set in Bowditch's early career as well as more focused on his mentor Charley and his experiences from the early days in the warden service. 

The stories are in the four-five star range and all are engaging and well written. 

Four and a half stars. It would make an okay introduction to the style of the main books in the series but probably should be read after more familiarity with the main characters. It would make an excellent 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.

Candle & Crow - Ink & Sigil #3

Candle & Crow is the third (and final) book in the UF  Ink & Sigil series by Kevin Hearne. Released 1st Oct 2024 by Penguin Random House on their Del Rey imprint, it's 352 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out 1st July 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 really fun series with an ensemble cast and an intricate and well built world (the same settings and tangential political/magic governmental bodies as his Iron Druid chronicles). This series will likely already be on the radar for fans of the iron druid books, but if not, it's an entirely worthwhile side-series. The external characters make an appearance in this installment of the series as well, along with Al's other compatriots, Buck Foi (a drunken cursed hobgoblin), Nadia (pit fighter and office associate extraordinaire), and their tricked out Scooby-Doo-esque wizard van, as well as Gladys Who Has Seen Some Shite, and assorted wizards, fey beings, gods, goddesses, demigods of various combinations, monsters, and human bureaucrats (ew!). 

This time, they're globe hopping saving the multiverse, with a side-quest to try and resolve Al's double curses, and everything still really wants to kill them. Many of the characters in this book are Scottish (Glaswegian specifically) and the author has made a herculean attempt to translate the language and accent. It's mostly successful and readers won't have any trouble following (and will chuckle at the vernacular). Readers unfamiliar with spoken Scottish will find parts of the book slow going, but will be richly rewarded for the effort. The language is rough, but not egregiously so. There is violence and destruction aplenty (again, used in context). For readers familiar with the author's other work, it's on a similar level (or roughly equivalent) to Jim Butcher, Charles Stross, and the like.  

I loved the vernacular. Readers who hate transliterated accented dialogue will probably be somewhat annoyed, but it truly is worth the effort. Some of the dialogue surprised an actual guffaw out of me, and that's a pretty big deal. I found it genuinely funny and I really wish there were more forthcoming in this world setting - maybe some short fiction or another spinoff series?

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 11 hours 4 minutes and series narrator Luke Daniels delivers an absolutely virtuoso performance. Most of the story is heavily dialogue driven and Mr. Daniels has a superhuman, awe-inspiring delivery, hopping between Glaswegian, adenoidal RP public school bureaucrat, central plains Canadian, and telephone app London (Al's curse means the telephone talks for him) - without a single fumble. Sound and production quality are very high throughout the read. It was emphatically not a straight read-through as evinced by the "bloopers" at the end of the recorded book (which is highly recommended).

Excellent book. One of the best reads, and *easily* the best audiobook experience of 2024. 

Four and a half stars. Five stars plus plus plus plus for the audiobook version.

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

Second Chances: The Ultimate Guide to Thrifting, Sustainable Style, and Expressing Your Most Authentic Self

 

Second Chances is a trendy and stylish guide by Macy Eleni for sourcing wardrobe treasures on the secondhand sale venues (thrift shops, resale/consignment, estate sales, etc). Released 24th Sept 2024 by Simon & Schuster on their Simon Element imprint, it's 224 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.

Funky, eclectic, exuberant, and kinetic the entire book feels like it's ready to burst its covers and explode in technicolor. The author has such an encouraging, chatty, and kind vibe. Definitely the opposite of snooty or "mean girl", she's inclusive and fun, and has filled the book with lots of good tips, but also the compassionately related background for her own style journey. She mentions her own challenges alongside tips for scoring great vintage clothes at an affordable price point.

The colorful graphics, funky photos, and non-conformist style choices give the whole a youthful (tween/teen to young adult) vibe. The chapters are short, with individual categories together, broken up by inset highlighted text boxes and photos (so many photos). 

It's definitely not just fluff, however, and Ms. Eleni makes a lot of salient points about the unglamorous facets of the fashion industry, exploitation, landfills, fast fashion, and sustainability alongside her tips for scoring treasures. She also makes a conscious effort at inclusion and specifically includes tips for folks of all sizes/bodies, and LGBTQIA+ fashionistas.

The photos she includes are mostly her own (funky eclectic) style which calls to mind a bit of Cyndi Lauper with some 1985 Desperately Seeking Susan; not a bad thing, but not for everyone. There aren't a lot of specific, concrete bits of advice aimed at readers whose tastes deviate a lot from her own (and that's fine), it's just that readers who already know *what* they're looking for will probably find more to utilize.

The appendices include a list of good thrifts/sources arranged geographically by US state as well as a short glossary. There's a cross referenced index which allows searching by designer name as well as item.

Four stars. It would make a good choice for public or school library acquisition, for budding thrift buyers, or possibly for gift giving purposes.

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

No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson

 

No More Tears is an unflinching investigative exposé of historical machinations and skullduggery from the Johnson & Johnson corporation, written by Gardiner Harris. Released 8th April 2025 by Penguin Random House, it's 464 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 another well written exposé about corporate skullduggery in the international pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. The author has arranged a rogues' gallery laundry list of dirty and underhanded deeds, from unethical marketing for consumer products and health and beauty items, to prescription drugs, medical devices, opiates, and mishandling during the covid epidemic. The book is scrupulously annotated throughout, and often shocking. Where there was market share to be won and profit to be made, J&J just Did. Not. Care. about ethics or safety, where they could get away with it. 

The chapter notes are extensive and will provide readers with many hours of additional reading material. Although it's not academically rigorous and is written in layman accessible language, it is often drily factual and intentionally not written in inflammatory language. The straight, unadorned telling is even more chilling and direct. It's an effective technique.

Four and a half stars. The corporate culture and executives have a lot to answer for. The book would be an excellent choice for public or secondary/post-secondary school library acquisition, as well as for nonfiction readers.

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

The Scientist and the Serial Killer: The Search for Houston's Lost Boys

The Scientist and the Serial Killer is investigative reporter Lise Olsen's true crime retelling of the crimes, eventual murder, and investigations surrounding Dean Corll, aka "the Candyman". Released 1st April 2025 by Penguin Random House, it's 464 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 gruesome story. One of the most prolific serial killers in history, who preyed on young men (some very young). He paid accomplices to find and procure victims whom he tortured and subsequently murdered. Despite the horrific subject matter, the author does a decent job of remaining factual and avoiding the most prurient details. 

The book contains a limited number of black and white archival photos and artist rendered portraits of some of the victims. For the most part, they are entirely bland and unremarkable (thankfully) and entirely respectful to the families of the victims. There are a few exhumation file photos, but again, they're black and white and figleafed except for one generic (unidentified) police file photo of skeletonized human remains. 

Although written in layman accessible language, the book is well annotated and the source materials and chapter notes will provide true-crime fans many hours of further reading.

It's a very sad story, fairly well written.  Three and a half stars. Definitely one for true-crime fans.

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

Tree Houses within Reach: 30 Lofty Cabins, Playhouses, and Getaways You Can Actually Build

Tree Houses within Reach is a cool and well curated collection of tree houses, playhouses and cabins by Derek Diedricksen. Released 13th May 2025 by Hachette on their Storey imprint, it's 224 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. 

The designs run the gamut from whimsical to traditional. The design elements, materials selection, and execution are clearly thought out, with safety, durability, and aesthetics as high priorities. The builds are arranged more or less in order of cost, with chapters corresponding to $ (simple and affordable),  $$ (moderate skill/budget), and  $$$ (high skill/big budget). 

It's very well photographed, in color, throughout and the action/construction photos are well staged and lighted, without hands or other obstructions. These 30 projects are for inspiration and research, the actual plans and materials lists are not itemized and there are no detailed schematics included. 

Five stars. It would be an excellent choice for public or secondary school library, home/workshop use, or makers' groups. 

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

The Witch's Door: Oddities and Tales from the Esoteric to the Extreme

 

The Witch's Door is an anthology of true (but occasionally creepy) curiosities gathered and explained by Ryan Cohn & Regina Rossi about his, and later their, journey as collectors and purveyors of  biological collectibles and artifacts. Released 1st Oct 2024 by Chronicle Books, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. 

The background stories, historical facts, and trivia surrounding the artifacts are worthwhile and fascinating. These include articulated human skulls, bones, skeletal remains, and ritual objects. They should be the focal point of the book, but most of the content is the authors' memoir and recollections about their journeys as collectors themselves. The split between collections and artifacts, and the autobiography of the authors is probably about 30/70.

Three and a half stars. Although it's scrupulously factual and not at all prurient or shocking, some parts might be a bit much for very sensitive (young) readers. For that reason, acquisitions personnel should vet thoroughly before adding to juvenile accessible collections. It's otherwise weird and quirky and recommended. It would be an excellent choice for public (adult) libraries or home use, or for gift giving.

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

Wild Basketry: Making baskets and natural cordage from foraged plants

Wild Basketry is a crafting guide to foraged and found natural baskets with tutorials by Ruby Taylor. Released 6th May 2025 by Simon & Schuster on their Herbert Press imprint, it's 176 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

There are numerous tutorial projects included, as well as good info to help readers with sourcing, foraging, preparing, and using found materials and cordage from plants. The author also includes a lot of information about sustainability as it relates to crafting materials.

The book is beautifully photographed throughout, and the photos are clear and unobstructed. There are numerous inspirational photos of projects and essays by other artists as well. 

Five stars. Superlative book. It would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, home studio, as well as for a shared studio/makers' space.

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

Grounds for Murder: A Jeannie Wolfert-Lang Mystery #1

Grounds for Murder is the first book in an amateur sleuth cozy mystery series by Betty Ternier Daniels. Released 24th Sept 2024 by ECW Press, it's 280 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.

The author does a good job with the setting, and seems to be intimately familiar with rural Canada and smallhold farming. The book is full of quirky small town characters, charlatans, criminals, friends, and the occasional homicidal maniac. 

Dialogue and pacing are notoriously difficult to write and the author struggles in places with naturally flowing back and forth dialogue which feels organic. Some of the characters are obnoxious (her tenants, Monica the realtor, her kids, etc) and the dialogue as written is inconceivable. Readers should bring a strong suspicion of disbelief. 

The book is perhaps a trifle graphic in places for a generally light cozy mystery. Nothing egregious, but more sensitive (squeamish) readers should be aware. The language is also a bit heavier than the usual cozy fare (one f-bomb and a handful of lesser curse words). 

Three stars. Worth a look for fans of light smallholding/rural farm cozies, or possibly a buddy read.

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

Everything Glittered

Everything Glittered is a YA historical mystery by Robin Talley set in a female academy in prohibition era Washington. Released 24th Sept 2024 by Hachette on their Little, Brown, and company Young Readers 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 and references throughout.

This is a YA sapphic polyamorous romance wrapped around a murder mystery. The author does a good job writing believably about the constraints and prejudices of the day, including homophobia, racism, anti-semitism, "morality" policing, fraud, abuse, organized crime (especially in the prohibition context), and the limited choices open to women, even/especially upper class women, at the time. 

Although recommended for an audience of 14+, there are some graphic depictions of violence and high-stakes thriller elements (murder and targeted homophobic violence) which might be traumatizing for more sensitive readers in the younger end of the target audience. There is very light queer romance (kissing) and a polyamory aspect, but nothing too scandalous, especially given the background (an all-girls boarding school).  

Three stars. It would be a good choice for public library, possibly for secondary school library acquisition (with the understanding that there's a significant amount of the plot and character development concern same sex romance). 

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

Misery Hates Company - Marigold Manners #1

Misery Hates Company is the first book in a historical mystery series set in the late Victorian era featuring "plucky" orphan heroine, Marigold Manners, written by Elizabeth Hobbs. Released 5th Nov 2024 by Crooked Lane Books, it's 320 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is a dark and brooding gothic mystery which is loosely based on Cold Comfort Farm (but set in the previous century). Miss Manners is an orphan cast out into a relatively pitiless world at the death of her parents and learning that their profligate lifestyle has left her impoverished. (Mostly because she refuses the genuine good will of her friends and wants to be entirely self-sufficient). 

A mysterious letter from a distant relation sets her on a dangerous path to investigate a long ago family tragedy and hidden scandal. She's got a ruthlessly Polyanna-ish attitude and a knack for "fixing" problems which include her relations, their down-at-the-heels farm, the local society, public relations, and tilting at some local windmills in the form of misogyny, emancipation, racism, and her potentially murderous family. 

The actual murder mysteries are secondary to the main narrative arc, and honestly resolve into such an irritatingly convoluted denouement that readers will likely need a pencil and paper to keep the players interrelationships clear. 

Three and a half stars. Likely worth a look for people who enjoy brooding creepy gothic mysteries. It would be a good choice for public library or home readers, or possibly a buddy read. No updated publishing info available yet for the second, or subsequent, books in the series. Content warnings for murder, suicide, religious persecution, sexual assault (fairly graphic), racism, and lots of misogyny. 

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

Blood Over Bright Haven

 

Blood Over Bright Haven is a standalone dark academia fantasy by M. L. Wang. Released 29th Oct 2024 by Penguin Random House on their Del Rey imprint, it's 448 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook format. Paperback due out in early 3rd 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.

There are some problematic mechanics in this narrative. There's a redemption arc which relies very heavily on a "white savior" character's magnanimity fighting the racist/misogynistic structure from within. The entire book is undeniably very well written, but the conflict is off, the romantic subplot between the oppressor and oppressed is off, and the denouement and resolution feel off.  

Comparisons abound to Kuang's Babel, and though both are beautifully written, this book suffers by comparison because of the fundamental power structure problems and unresolved dynamics.

For sensitive readers, the book is full of blood and violence, sexual assault, deep/violent misogyny and racism, horrifying colonialism, slavery, rough language. Despite the aforementioned issues, it really is wonderfully well written and the world building is original with an impressively intricate magical system.

Four stars. It would be a good choice for public or home library, buddy read, or possibly as an SF/Fantasy book club selection. (*LOTS* of meaty discussion material here).

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

Making Pottery without a Kiln: Happy Little Projects to Make for Your Home

 

Making Pottery without a Kiln is a tutorial and instruction guide for pottery techniques with projects by multi crafter and content creator Daniela Schmidt-Kohl. Originally published in German in 2023, this English language translation is due out 14th May 2025 from Fox Chapel.  It's 144 pages and will be available in paperback format. 

The book follows a logical layout. The instructions presuppose no previous experience on the reader's part.  The book begins with an introduction which covers tools and supplies. It includes recipes and definitions for everything from surface embellishments, to sourcing and preparing clay.

The tutorials are arranged by seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Each of the projects include complete instructions, supplies lists, and numerous full color photos. Readers of most levels will find useful information and tips. The projects all use air drying clays (and modelling clay) and no kiln firing is needed. There are small gift tags, decorative objects, small table items (like a cute coffee tray), and other giftables. The projects utilize rolling pins, surface embossers, cookie cutters, etc.. so for the most part, there are no full size templates included.

Really lovely job. 

Five stars.

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

Dover Pocketbook Collection: Cross-Stitch Flowers: Classic Patterns, Checklists, Space for Notes

Cross-Stitch Flowers is a classic and well-curated collection of historical floral cross-stitch by Gerda Bengtsson. The graphs were originally published in Danish in the 70s; this reformat and re-release is part of Dover's Heirloom Crafts series,. It's 64 pages and is available in paperback format. 

This collection includes a number of whole-cross one page patterns mostly wildflowers (brambles, sloe, dandelion, etc), but also some nostalgic garden flowers (poppies, violets, and pansies). The charts include a color printed graph (just full color, there are no symbols included) along with a general color coded key with color names (and no specific brands/color numbers mentioned). They're easily recognizable and with a surprising amount of detail for smaller graphs (circa 70x70 stitches). 

They would make nice hostess gifts, or for readers who want to learn how to do cross stitch, maybe as a gift bundled with a handful of floss and some evenweave cloth. 

Like all of Dover's art and craft books, they're out there fighting the good fight to document and bring these important historical crafts to a new generation of readers.

Four stars. It would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, for home use, for gift giving, and for maker's groups and shared studio spaces. 

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

Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales - Emily Wilde #3

 

 

Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales is the third book in this delightful historical cozy fantasy by Heather Fawcett. Released 16th Jan 2024 by Penguin Random House on their Ballantine imprint, it's 368 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 historical academic fantasy with light romance elements set in Edwardian England and is so beautifully written that the descriptive prose is occasionally breathtaking. The titular protagonist, Dr. Emily Wilde, is a prickly strong-willed academic who is performing field studies to categorize and understand the fae (dryadology). This often lands her and her colleagues in dangerous situations, though she usually manages to extricate herself using her prodigious knowledge and sheer will (and cleverness). She finds it easier to confine herself to codifying the unspoken rules which govern the fair folk than to understand the same with her fellow humans. 

There is (naturally) an element of slow-burn romance in the form of an former frenemy (now firmly in the romantic lead role, and her betrothed), the exasperating (but devilishly handsome) Dr. Wendell Brambleby, well-born (he's royalty in exile), charming, and infuriatingly indolent. It's marketed as a YA selection, so there are some smouldering kisses, but nothing outré or explicit.

For fans of Katherine Arden, Natasha Pulley, Cat Rambo, and Catherynne Valente, this book will recall the wonderful feelings from those authors' books. It's not derivative in any way, but it *is* magical. Dr. Wilde is refreshingly forward thinking and the book more or less simply ignores the inconvenient proscriptions against women being unchaperoned and engaging in academic careers on a somewhat level playing field with their male colleagues. It's delightfully peppered throughout with academic notations, referencing (and lampooning) non-existent literature. The footnotes elevate the whole to a *chef's kiss* other level.

The unabridged audiobook format has a run time of 11 hours 43 minutes and is expertly narrated by series narrators Ell Potter, and Michael Dodds. They both have eminently listenable voices and make a nice contrast to one another; Ms. Potter's cut glass RP accent contrasting nicely with Mr. Dodds' lower tenor Irish lilt. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.

Five stars. Gorgeous. It's a continuing series, and would make a great binge/buddy read.

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

Murder Buys a One-Way Ticket - A Jaine Austen Mystery #20

Murder Buys a One-Way Ticket is the 20th (and final) light cozy mystery featuring freelance writer Jaine Austen and her saucy cat Prozac written by Laura Levine. Released 25th June 2024 by Kensington, 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 and references throughout.

This is a very very light, fun, tongue-in-cheek series with a cast of appealingly goofy characters and a high silliness factor. Perfect beach/commute reading material, it's always tongue-in-cheek and occasionally quite silly. The dialogue (and situations) are over-the-top and are more reminiscent of a Scooby Do/I Love Lucy crossover.

This episode sees Jaine agreeing to ghost write an exercise guru's memoir/guide. A closed suspect pool (a private train) and the unlamented death of the larger than life and entirely unlamented fitness personality has Jaine and Prozac (the cat) on one final ride. 

Although it's the 20th (and apparently final) episode (may Ms. Levine enjoy her retirement!!), it works perfectly well as a standalone. The returning characters' relationships have developed over the course of the series, though... and there will be some spoilers for earlier books if read out of order.

Four stars. Light, entertaining, happy and fun. It would be a great choice for public library, home use, or for a long buddy/binge read. 

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

The Wood at Midwinter

The Wood at Midwinter is a beautifully written wintery short story by Susanna Clarke. Released 22nd Oct 2024 by Simon & Schuster on their Bloomsbury Press imprint, it's 64 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. 

Originally performed as a radio reading for the holiday season for the BBC in 2022, this reformat and re-release with illustrations by Victoria Sawdon is quietly lyrical and engaging. Full of magical realism and allegory, it's gentle and melancholy. The simple monochrome illustrations, rendered in pen & ink on watercolor paper are full of small details and movement and enhance the story charmingly. 

The unabridged audiobook format has a run time of 34 minutes and is beautifully read by the author. It's enhanced with music and sound effects. Sound and production quality are very high throughout the read. 

Four stars. The author's afterword is interesting and gives some background and inspiration for the story. 

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

Instant Ramen Kitchen: 40+ Delicious Recipes That Go Beyond the Packet

Instant Ramen Kitchen is a monograph on the humble instant noodle with flavor packets alongside prep and taste guides curated by Peter J. Kim. Due out 9th Sept 2025 from Chronicle books, it's 248 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.

This is not (as the author emphasizes) a cookbook. Rather it's a pretty comprehensive history (including archive photographs and materials) and background of instant noodles as well as general prep instructions and a series of templates for add-ons to elevate the oft-scorned dish to something nutritionally *better* and more balanced. 

There are a number of more or less traditional recipes included in the book. Each of them includes a background and recommended type of ramen noodle packet as a base, bullet list of ingredients, add-ons, special additions, and step-by-step cooking instructions. Ingredients are listed with imperial (American) measures and metric in parentheses (yay!). Extra tips and tricks such as making dishes vegan friendly, are included in a text footer bar with the recipes. Nutritional info is not included. 

The pictures throughout are in color and a clear and easy to understand. Serving suggestions are appealing and appropriately styled. 

The author/publishers have included a cross-referenced searchable index which includes ingredients. 

Four and a half stars. An absolute winner for everyone who loves ramen (and that must be the vast majority). It would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, for home use, and for gift giving (possibly bundled in a care package for a young person moving into dorm/new apartment). 

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

Impossible Creatures - Impossible Creatures #1

Impossible Creatures is the first book in a middle grade fantasy adventure by Katherine Rundell. Released 10th Sept 2024 by Penguin Random House on their Children's imprint, it's 368 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out in 3rd 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 very well written fantasy adventure for middle grade/tween readers (Lexile HL650L). It's full of classic creatures and two young protagonists whose cross-realms worlds' ("real" world and "fantasy" world) continued existence depend on their cooperation and success. There are scary antagonists and several high stakes conflicts. 

Much of this book is darker than the average middle grade lit, and there are some genuinely traumatic scenes including deaths of characters and creatures. The two main protagonists spend a fair amount of the book running from a murderer. 

The book hype compares the writing to Pullman, and that's quite apt. It's genuinely dark in places, but always lyrical. It's probably not appropriate for the younger end of the middle grade reader audience, or for more sensitive kids.

The second book in the series, The Poisoned King, is due out in September 2025. 

Four stars. It would be a good choice for public or home library. 

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

Strange Folk

 

Strange Folk is an Appalachian gothic paranormal fantasy (with light horror elements) by Alli Dyer.  Released 6th Aug 2024 by Simon & Schuster on their Atria imprint, it's 320 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out from the same publisher in 3rd 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 distinctly *odd* tale, full of witchy Appalachian females and more stereotypes than you can shake a jar of moonshine at. It's atmospheric, full of nebulous dread and threat, and dream(like) sequences which are cinematic (and creepy). There are few relatable actually likeable characters, and most of them are running from something including their own damaged personalities and self-created problems. 

There is some difficult/potentially triggering content, including -masses- of substance abuse (it's a central theme), sexual assault (including predatory behavior toward a minor by an adult in a position of trust), sketchy incest-lite, illegality, murder, violence, and more. There is some explicit material and the language is R-rated. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 10 hours 36 minutes and is capably read mostly by Megan Tusing (et. al.). It's heavy on regional (Appalachian) accents, but the narration encompasses generic American (California) as well, and a range of ages and both male and female voices. Sound and production quality are high throughout. 

Three stars. For readers who really enjoy fantasy magical realism in the same general genre as Alice Hoffman, Sarah Addison Allen, and Jennifer McMahon will likely get more enjoyment out of the read (3,5-4 stars). 

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

Make It Plant-Based! Filipino

 

Make It Plant-Based! Filipino is one of a new series of related kitchen guides with recipes, this one featuring plant based Mexican recipes developed and curated by Ria Elciario-McKeown. Due out 13th May 2025 from Hachette on their Workman Publishing imprint, it's 190 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 and references throughout.

This is a good basic, well organized, vegan friendly Filipino fusion cookbook. The basics and well loved recipes are represented, and the instructions are easy to understand and follow. They are arranged in chapters, thematically: breakfast & brunch, salads starters & staples, stews & soups, dinners & mains, snacks, and sweets & treats.

Ingredients will mostly be available at any large/well stocked international market/grocery store in North America. Recipes include an introduction, background info, and yields. Ingredients are provided in a bullet list, followed by step by step preparation instructions. Measurements are given in imperial (American) units with metric in parentheses (yay)!. Nutritional info is not provided. 

About 25% of the recipes include color photographs. The plated foods are professionally styled and serving suggestions are appetizing and appropriate. The author/publisher have also included pantry lists for convenience as well as a cross-referenced index. 

Four stars. Simple, but effective. It would be a nice choice for public or school library acquisition (it's a set volume, so it's worth acquiring all the volumes which are graphically similar with different themed cuisines), as well as for home use and gift giving.

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

 

Seeker

 

Seeker is the first book in a Regency/Napoleonic flintlock YA fantasy series by Samuel Griffin. Released 14th May 2024, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

The author's command of language and precise usage are one of the book's highlights. The characters are very well rendered; fantasy archetypes (adventurers, mentors, young orphan "chosen one", evil unscrupulous antagonists) but nevertheless well written with moderate depth and believability. It's very much written in a period style, and fans of other narratives written during the actual period (Jane Eyre, Great Expectations, etc) will feel at home. For readers who prefer modern narratives, the writing will possibly be a slog. Diligence is repaid, however, and the story as a whole is well told and satisfying.

Coming of age fantasy adventure with political context. It's definitely got gravitas. It's the first book in an announced series, and it does end on a complete but open ended story arc, however there's no announced date for release on book 2 or future volumes.

Four stars. Worth a look for fans of immersively written period coming-of-age campaign fantasy. 

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

Twisted: Wire Jewellery Techniques and Projects

 

Twisted is an in-depth comprehensive wire wrapping and jewellery course with tutorials by artist and teacher Nadja Shields. Released 6th May 2025 by Simon & Schuster on their Bloomsbury/Herbert Press imprint, it's 240 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.

Like most tutorial instruction books, there's an intro followed by chapters covering tools/supplies and basic techniques including the different weaving techniques along with some very basic torchwork (basically just materials and some good safety advice and drawing a bead on wire (melting the end to form a ball)). One thing I really appreciate about the author's style is that she's encouraging without being too eager or smothering as well as giving some really valuable tips about her own working methods and the specific tools that work for her.  There's an awful lot of product placement going on in the world of how-to books and I really applaud the author for refusing to be a shill for any specific company.

The intro chapters (~20% of the page content) are followed by tutorial chapters for the (by my count) 15 projects from beginner(ish) to masterwork level.  Interspersed in these chapters are really valuable tips and tricks for working with the materials and saving frustration where possible. The projects run the gamut from earrings to pendants and everything in between including rings bracelets, clasps etc. Spelling and vernacular throughout the book are written in UK/international English, but in context won't provide any difficulties for readers from the USA.

I worked as a bench jeweler in the traditional commercial jewelry trade for over 16 years (until I went back to school to become a bioengineer at a ripe old age; it's never too late to take up another career).  Anyhow, the point is, working as a jeweler I always wanted to flex more of my creative muscles and work more with wire as a structural element.  I never got my chance as a professional working for a paycheck (I was the faceless drone re-sizing your engagement ring, or possibly repairing your necklace when you lost it down the garbage disposal *true stories*).  I have set up a bench in my workshop now and share creative space with my kid, also a budding bench jewelry artist.

I love the fact that many of these projects use forged wire as a basis.  The shaped and flattened wire structure gives the entire piece stability and solidity without losing any of the fluidity and organic-ness (it should be a word) of the woven wire. Additionally, the author's tutorials for elements incorporating stone settings for very small accents and faceted stones including a *channel setting* are amazing and creative, and worth the price of the book alone. 

Each tutorial includes a full color detailed macro shot of the finished piece, an introduction/background, and bullet list of techniques, materials and tools. Materials/wire are given with the standard wire gauge as well as the diameter and length measurements given in metric measures -and- imperial (American) units. The step-by-step instructions are clear and easy to follow.
 

This is a worthwhile book, lavishly illustrated and photographed.  Her passion for her art and her willingness to share the 'good stuff' she's learned is rare. Well worth adding to the jeweler's library. This book will age very well and remain current as the reader's skill progresses.

Five stars, really lovely. Recommended for public, school, home library/workshop, maker's spaces and shared studio spaces.

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