License to Grill: 100 BBQ Recipes for Your Eyes Only

 

License to Grill is a nice barbecue cookbook with recipes curated by Coastal Kitchen. Released 1st July 2025 by Cider Mill Press, it's 224 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

Despite the cute cover, this is a standard grilling cookbook with emphasis on quality meats, rubs, sauces, and grilling technique. Recipes are arranged thematically: beef & lamb, poultry & pork, seafood, appetizers, sides & salads, and rubs marinades & sauces. The recipes include a short introduction, serving sizes/yields, ingredients in a bullet list, and step by step instructions. Ingredient measures are given in imperial (US) measurements only. The author/publisher have included metric conversions in the appendices in the back of the book, which also includes a cross-referenced index.

Cooking and alternative prep suggestions are given in highlighted text boxes throughout. The author(s) have some good and creative suggestions. The photography is standout (some of it is from stock photo suppliers). Prep and serving photos are appealing and professionally styled. 

The recipes are fairly standard. Some of the salads and sauces are quite creative alternatives to the standard family barbecue staples. Recipe ingredients will be readily available at any well stocked grocery store in North America. 

There are thousands of BBQ cookbooks in print, and as a hook, the Bond tie-in is pretty good, but it probably would've been better if the authors had leaned into it a little more. Bond fans who expect more movie tie-ins and trivia will be disappointed, and cooks who aren't at all into the film/fandom will likely pass on it, thinking it's full of trivia and light on recipes.  

Four stars. It would be a nice choice for gift-giving, or for public library or home cooks. 

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

The Conspiracies of the Empire - Judge Dee Investigation #2

 

 

The Conspiracies of the Empire is a Judge Dee mystery and outisde the author, Dr. Qiu Xiaolong's, long running Inspector Chen series. Released by Severn House 5th Nov 2024, it's 192 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. Paperback due out in 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.

This is beautifully lyrical and well written story. Most western readers who are familiar with Judge Dee first came into contact with the character via Robert van Gulik's wonderful stories. The style (and mystery), though semi-fictional is in no way derivative of van Gulik's work. The plotting is intricate and the book is filled with poetry. The settings and character names are exotic and although set in the Tang dynasty, it reads well for modern audiences. Most readers will encounter no trouble immersing themselves in the story. 

The secondary character names are confusing and occasionally a little difficult to keep straight, so the electronic version of the book was great to be able to easily search back in the text to easily clear up confusion. 

This was an engaging and beautifully written book. I'm intrigued enough to search out the other series (Inspector Chen) by the same author. Kudos, also, to the translator/s' work (I can't easily find translation info in the eARC provided for review). The English language version doesn't read as if it's been translated at all, and the story flows quite easily and naturally. The author/publisher have also included appendices with translated poems related to the story by contemporary historical poets. 

Four and a half stars. Beautifully rendered. 

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

The Summer Before

 

The Summer Before is a well written starkly moving drama by Dianne C. Braley. Released 15th Oct 2024, it's 224 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats.  It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

The author writes well, and eloquently. The plotting, pacing, and characterizations are well rendered and effective. That being said, the content is often quite dark and difficult to read. There are strong themes of SA (involving a child), suicide ideation, abuse, coercion, failure of care, and more. Really nothing is glossed over, but neither does the author include prurient unnecessary gratuitous detail. Nevertheless, it's a very difficult read, and readers should be in a good mental state before reading.

Three and a half stars. 

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

Bird Talk: Hilariously Accurate Ways to Identify Birds by the Sounds They Make

 

Bird Talk is a lighthearted but useful and accurate guide to IDing birds based on the sounds they make collected by Becca Rowland. Released 24th June 2025 by Hachette on their Storey imprint, it's 256 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. 

The author has a wry sense of humor and the book is absolutely full of clever (and accurate!) descriptions of the everyday sounds made by different North American bird species. She covers the common to the rare and each species description is accompanied by delightfully rendered simple (but identifiable) illustrations. 

Four stars. Fun and quite useful. It would be a good choice for public or secondary school library, for home use, or for gift giving to a nature-loving friend. 

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

Dogged Pursuit - Andy Carpenter #31

 

Dogged Pursuit is the 31st Andy Carpenter legal procedural mystery by David Rosenfelt. Due out 7th July 2025 from Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 288 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout.

For current fans of the series, this is a good one. It's full of the same sarcastic, warm humor and the same ensemble cast as previous entries in the series. Although it's the 31st book, it's actually a prequel and the story involved Andy's first forays into being a criminal defense attorney, putting him at odds with his wife and in-laws, as well as his meetups with the folks who will be returning throughout the series. This is such a long running and consistently well written series that saying it's "more of the same, worked around a different mystery" should be enough of a recommendation by itself. Although it's the 31st book, the mystery is self contained and the necessary back-story is written in without major spoilers for previous books. I heartily recommend the whole series, but this particular entry is very strong and for folks who are new to the books, it's a great entry point. 

This is pure comfort reading. It's got a likable protagonist, an engaging mystery, humorous dialogue, and a solid climax, denouement, and resolution. Andy's support team, especially Marcus and Laurie (not yet his wife as in the later books) are introduced with their own back stories.

The audiobook has a run time of 6 hours and 30 minutes and is expertly narrated by Grover Gardner who manages to juggle the various accents and characters of all ages and both sexes without problems. There are actual laugh out loud moments in the read, and it's always delightful to hear his sarcastic banter. The read was definitely enhanced by the narrator. The sound and production quality are high throughout the recording.

Five stars for both the text and audiobook versions. All around fun read. It would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home reading, or a long (long!) binge/buddy read project.

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

 

 

The Widows’ Guide to Skulduggery - The Widows’ Detective Club #3

 

 

The Widows’ Guide to Skulduggery is the third Widows' Detective Club village cozy mystery by Amanda Ashby. Released 30th June 2025, 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. 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. 

Small village cozies are perennially popular and it's lovely to find a solid series. The book is populated by small town eccentrics, undercurrents of rage, jealousy, and scandal, into which the new local village librarian has been unceremoniously thrust without warning. It checks all the boxes: intelligent late middle aged sensible widow/librarian, small town gossip, an outlandish ensemble cast of apparently harmless oddball characters, and a satisfying resolution and epilogue. 

Compared to the first books in the series, the series has found a footing and more surety in the plotting, with a host of secondary characters who are a bit of a handful to keep track of, but overall, still readable and enjoyable. 

It's not derivative, but fans of Robert Thorogood (Marlow Murder Club), Janice Hallett, and Richard Osman will find a lot to like here. The author has a genuinely good grasp of character and setting, good pacing, and a satisfying denouement and conclusion. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 8 hours 40 minutes and is capably read by series narrator Diana Croft. She has a well modulated alto voice and an impressive command of regional accents (East London, Midlands, etc), and switches seamlessly between a range of ages and male and female (even Scottish) without a hiccup. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.

Four stars. It's a diverting read. It would be a great choice for home library, or a binge/buddy read. There are now three books extant in the series. 

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

Mrs Hudson and the Capricorn Incident - Mrs. Hudson #7

 

Mrs Hudson and the Capricorn Incident is the seventh book in the cozy English mystery series by Martin Davies. Released 4th Nov 2021 by Alison & Busby, it's 320 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references. Paperback due out from the same publisher in 3rd quarter 2025. 

This is on the surface a nice tie-in series starring the redoubtable Mrs. Hudson (of 221B Baker St. fame), and featuring lots of nice Holmes and Watson cameos. As always, this installment also features Mrs. Hudson's assistant Flotsam who has blossomed into a capable, honourable, intelligent, and fearless protagonist in her own right. 

There are several disparate plot threads - Eastern European nobles, blackmail plots, rigid social class divisions - and they all twine ever more tightly together to reach a satisfying climax and denouement. The author weaves fictional characters and events so skillfully around real historical characters that it's not always easy to figure out where fact shades into fiction. 

Despite being the 7th book in the series, it works perfectly well as a standalone, and readers will have no trouble keeping up with the plot. Although it's not canonical Conan Doyle, it really is a worthy homage. 

Four stars. This would be a good choice for public library acquisition as well as for fans of historical British cozies.  It would also make a good choice for bookclub discussion or a buddy-read for online cozy enthusiasts. 

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

 

Head Cases - PAR Unit #1

 

Head Cases is a procedural series opener featuring an ensemble unit of FBI special agents written by John McMahon. Released 28th Jan 2025 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 352 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out from the same publisher in 1st quarter 2026. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout.

The interactions among the specialists on the team (mathematician, weapons expert, sniper, computer IT, and the requisite neurodivergent main guy) is engaging and well written; lots of banter and interplay. The author's style is direct and unvarnished, and surprisingly effective. 

The second book in the series is due out in 2026. Readers who enjoy psychological/FBI type procedurals will likely enjoy this one. 

Four stars. It would be a good choice for public or home library acquisition. Some rough language and graphic content, but nothing egregious for the genre. 

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

The Forbidden Book

 

The Forbidden Book is a queer friendly YA fantasy by Sacha Lamb. Released 1st Oct 2024 by Levine Querido, it's 256 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

The genderqueer main character runs away from her former life and the external constraints forced on her by her culture and station, and takes up the name and identity of a young man who is in the middle of murder, inherent conflict between different groups of Jews (religiously Orthodox, and more casual), and the wider world in the context of Jewish identity and culture. 

It's well written, although there are significant pacing hiccups, and the storytelling is not at all linear. It hops around quite a lot. Much of the characterization is left to the reader to fill in, and it's not always easy to keep them straight, or to extricate any believable motivations for them. 

Three and a half stars. It's worthwhile for the cultural background and quite interesting to read for the Jewish folklore itself. There are depictions of distressing (accurate) antisemitism, sexism, etc. 

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

The Others: The Council Trilogy #1

 

The Others is a dystopian paranormal fantasy trilogy opener by Evette Davis. Released 17th Sept 2024, it's 352 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

Humans and supernatural creatures at odds with lots of shadowy government skullduggery, in a heavily political dystopian fantasy set in San Francisco. The author's blurb likens it to a Supernatural/True Blood mash-up, and the analogy is apt. The characterizations are often lightly rendered, and some of the secondary characters blend together a bit. 

The author leans heavily into atmospheric San Francisco fog as a literary device and it's quite noticeable from the first page. Readers should be aware that there's a fair bit of graphic content, including adult content. It's not trigger-warning worthy, but it's present. There's also a large amount of real-life political commentary, which readers who are looking for strictly escapist reading might want to avoid. 

Three and a half stars. The second book in the trilogy was released in March 2025. It would be a potentially good choice for a short binge/buddy read. The third (and presumably final) book in the trilogy has no publicly available publishing info at the current moment.

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

Murder in the Scottish Highlands - An Ally McKinley Mystery #1

 

Murder in the Scottish Highlands is a cozy mystery series opener by Dee Macdonald. Released 2nd Sept 2024, it's 248 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. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The other book in the series is also currently available on KU (ditto for the third upcoming book - out in Sept 2025). 

Guest house owner amateur sleuth and recently retired guest house owner Ally is an appealing and well written character. It's classic village cozy, full of quirky secondary characters, a moderately gentle pace, and no graphic on page violence. The author has even given the main character an appealing Labrador puppy called Flora.

It's not derivative, but fans of the cozy B&B subgenre (like the oeuvre of Victoria Gilbert, Ellen Byron, and Murder She Wrote) will likely love this one as well. 

There's a second book out currently and a third out in third quarter 2025, so it would make a good short binge/buddy read.

Four stars.

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

The Essential Canning Cookbook: Water Bath and Pressure Canning Recipes for Every Season

 

The Essential Canning Cookbook is a seasonal tutorial and cookbook with recipes developed and curated by Molly Bravo. Due out 5th Aug 2025 from Cider Mill Press, it's 176 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

There are so many classic canning and preserving cookbooks that it's a difficult niche to find something truly new and breakthrough. Although most cooks who have experience with canning have a copy of Ball's Blue Book lying around, it's also nice to get some new recipes to try out and this collection has some interesting ones.

The layout is standard: the introductory chapters cover equipment, supplies, ingredient choices, and some basic safety. The second half of the content includes the recipes grouped thematically: fruits, vegetables, sauces & chutneys, broths stocks & soups, one jar meals, and desserts in jars.

Each of the recipes includes an introductory description, ingredients listed in a bullet point sidebar (imperial (US) measurements only, no metric conversions), and step by step instructions. The appendices do include helpful tables and charts, as well as hints and tips from the author for processing and preserving. There's a metric equivalents table as well, and a cross-referenced index.

In general this is a good starting volume with some interesting recipes. Most of the yields for the recipes make a fair bit of product (5-10 pints at a minimum), so testing out a recipe will require some commitment in time and materials. It's useful, and full of really beautifully detailed photography, but readers should still keep their Ball Canning Books (but a nice supplement).

Four and a half stars.

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

The Teller of Small Fortunes

 

The Teller of Small Fortunes is a gently engaging and enjoyable cozy fantasy standalone (and debut) by Julie Leong. Released 5th Nov 2024 by Penguin Random House on their Ace imprint, it's 336 pages and is available in library binding, 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. 

This is such a slow paced, sweetly written story, full of found-family, baked goods, small adventures, and a slightly magical cat, found through the universal cat-distribution-system (he showed up, insisted on helping himself to their food, and moved in). 

It's not derivative at all, but fans of Travis Baldree, Sarah Beth Durst,  and Rebecca Thorne will almost certainly enjoy this one as well. It's full of secondary characters with their own intricate, well rendered stories, and the whole is a nice patchwork of small stories. Warm and escapist enjoyment. 

There's a second book in the same world (but not precisely a sequel, there are new central characters, apparently), due out in mid 4th quarter 2025 from the same publisher. 

Four and a half stars. A beautiful and enjoyable read.

 

Buzz Books 2025: Fall/Winter - Publishers Lunch

 

Buzz Books 2025: Fall/Winter. These semi-annual previews are available free for download from the Buzz Books website here (or Amazon here) and are invaluable for planning TBR lists, avoiding some books which the buzz has overhyped (or just don't fit with you personally), and one of my favorite uses, to stretch our boundaries.  I am guilty, I admit it, of walking straight toward my favorite sections of any bookstore.  I think the vast majority of us are guilty of the same... we have limited book budgets and time and want to stick with the tried-and-true authors who have traditionally delivered for us. When I find an enjoyable free way to maybe find a book which is a great fit for me without committing to a purchase first, it's a win-win.  I have found a number of debut authors this way who have gone on to become fast favorites.

These collections are a great way to get a free 'taste' sample from authors who might well otherwise fly under your radar entirely.

Aside from the generous chapter excerpts included in the book, there's always a publishing preview with notable upcoming releases along with author and publisher info.  I always find upcoming books from authors I love without having known they had an upcoming release.  Valuable timesaver for that reason alone.

Five stars; a valuable resource.

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

The Hanged Man of Saint-Pholien - Inspector Maigret #3

 

The Hanged Man of Saint-Pholien is the third Maigret mystery by prodigiously prolific golden age author Georges Simenon. Originally published in 1931, selected books in the series are being reformatted and re-released by Macmillan on their Picador imprint. It's 144 pages and is available in this edition in paperback and ebook formats. (Other editions are available in other formats). It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. 

This series, and indeed Simenon's oeuvre are classic and deeply readable. It's certainly redolent of its time period (1930s, the golden age of detective fiction) and there are some dated references here, for example the inflexibly rigid class and social structures of the time period, deeply rooted sexism, racism, and classism. 

That being said, the central mysteries still work and are subtly written and plotted, and the characterizations and settings are still as nuanced as when they were written. This is a classic series and it's nice to see it being reformatted in a new edition for collectors and a new audience. 

The translation work by Dr. Linda Coverdale is precise, nuanced, and more or less seamless. The book, whilst redolent of the European cities/countries of the time, nevertheless doesn't read like literature in translation and happily doesn't joggle the reader out of their suspension of disbelief. 

The books in general are melancholy and sometimes tragic, and this one is no exception. The clues, denouement, and resolution are fair play and satisfying (although quite sad). There's a strong sense of desolation, futility, and pervasive sadness. It's very well written, though.

Four stars. Wears its age quite well. Recommended for public library acquisition, home library, or a long binge/buddy read or book club selection. 

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

 

The Everyday Naturalist: How to Identify Animals, Plants, and Fungi Wherever You Go

 

The Everyday Naturalist is an engaging monograph for foragers and nature lovers who want to gain confidence with their IDs and interactions - by observation and documentation,  not as a field guide, written and curated by Rebecca Lexa. Released 17th June by Penguin Random House on their Ten Speed Press imprint, it's 272 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. 

The author does a good job of showing readers how to observe and record information in order to narrow down the possibilities for plant and animal species they see in nature. Although proper binomial nomenclature (Latin names) are used throughout, it's not a field guide for ID in any sense of the word. In fact, there are very few photographs at all included in the text, but it is liberally illustrated in with detailed color pen/pencil/ink drawings by Ricardo Macía Lalinde. They are beautifully rendered and add a lot of depth and detail to the text. Illustrations are accompanied by simple captions. 

The author has included guidelines and field note templates to fill in with observations for fungi, animals, and plants. They're fairly detailed and self-explanatory. There are also useful appendices including glossary, detailed resource/bibliography lists, and a cross-referenced index. 

Four stars. It would be a good choice for public or secondary school library acquisition, for home use, or possibly for foraging and gardening groups. 

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

The Crescent Moon Tearoom - Spellbound Sisters #1

 

The Crescent Moon Tearoom is a cozy fantasy series starter by Stacy Sivinski. Released 1st Oct 2024 by Simon & Schuster on their Atria imprint, it's 336 pages and available in paperback, large-print library edition, 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. There's a second book in the series due out in mid-4th quarter 2025 from the same publisher. 

This is a low-stress cozy romantasy with a trio of magical sisters (triplets) who run a popular tea shop. The setting, a house in an alternate magical Chicago, is *literally* a character, full of opinions (it redecorates itself regularly) and rearranges its features to suit its own whims.

Lots of tea-leaf reading, romance, gossip, and some adventure as the sisters try to figure out what paths to follow in their own lives. The pacing is... whimsical... and exceptionally meandering. There's no violence and the language is squeaky clean. It's written in a nostalgic style which recalls the early 20th century, and some of the dialogue reflects this (undoubtedly intentional on the author's part). 

Three and a half stars. Definitely one for the fans of cozy fantasy. It would make a good buddy read. 

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

When the Tides Held the Moon

 

When the Tides Held the Moon is a beautifully illustrated YA romantasy by Venessa Vida Kelley. Released 29th April 2025 by Kensington on their Erewhon Books imprint, it's 464 pages and is available in special 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. 

Comparisons to The Shape of Water and The Greatest Showman are apt enough, but the additional wistful melancholy and aching desire of this story are nuanced and beautiful. The book is additionally enhanced by the artist/author's illustrations, which are intricate pen and ink and recall La Belle Époque. Much of the book is written around a framework of real history, Dreamland for example, was a real amusement park on Coney Island, where much of the book takes place.

MC Beni's ethical/moral dilemma (rescue/release someone he's fallen hard for and lose his found family as well) drives the plot and he's such a morally pure and admirable protagonist. His quandary is poignant and heartbreaking. The climax, denouement, and resolution are perfect and satisfying. 

It's peppered with Puerto Rican Spanish phrases and words. They probably won't pose too much challenge in context, but the author/publisher have also included a handy glossary in the back of the book.  

Four and a half stars. It's so well written. Recommended for public library acquisition, for fans of historical fantasy, and it would make an excellent buddy read or book club selection. One of the best reads so far in 2025. 

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

 

The Widows’ Guide to Backstabbing - The Widows’ Detective Club #2

 

The Widows' Guide to Murder is the second Widows' Detective Club village cozy mystery by Amanda Ashby. Released 10th March 2025, it's 270 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. 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. 

Small village cozies are perennially popular and it's lovely to find a solid series. The book is populated by small town eccentrics, undercurrents of rage, jealousy, and scandal, into which the new local village library assistant has been unceremoniously thrust without warning. It checks all the boxes: intelligent late middle aged sensible widow/librarian, small town gossip, an outlandish ensemble cast of apparently harmless oddball characters, and a satisfying resolution and epilogue. 

Compared to the first book in the series, this one is a bit more scattered, with a host of secondary characters who are a bit of a handful to keep track of, but overall, still readable and enjoyable. 

It's not derivative, but fans of Robert Thorogood (Marlow Murder Club), Janice Hallett, and Richard Osman will find a lot to like here. The author has a genuinely good grasp of character and setting, good pacing, and a satisfying denouement and conclusion. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 8 hours 54 minutes and is capably read by series narrator Diana Croft. She has a well modulated alto voice and an impressive command of regional accents (East London, Midlands, etc), and switches seamlessly between a range of ages and male and female (even Scottish) without a hiccup. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.

Four stars. It's a diverting read. It would be a great choice for home library, or a binge/buddy read. There are two books extant in the series, with a third due out at the end of June 2025. 

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

The Dead Shall Inherit - Elspeth Laird #1

 

The Dead Shall Inherit is the first book in a semi-cozy mystery series set on an isolated island off the coast of Scotland written by Raye Anderson. Released 1st Sept 2024 by the Literary Press Guild of Canada, it's 230 pages and is avialable 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 a well written cozy(ish) mystery in an isolated setting, with a small village of eccentric and pathologically tightly knit locals. There are lots of bookish tie-ins and some literature festivals - Canadian Elspeth is targeted by unhappy locals after a sizeable inheritance from her aunt. There's a broad range of suspects, pretty much the entire island population, so it's no easy task to identify (or neutralise) the threats.

Interestingly, it's approximately halfway through the book that the first unequivocal murder happens. Relatable/compassionate characters are pretty thin on the ground, honestly they're all fairly obnoxious and unlikable. 

The author has a genuine command of setting and pacing however, and the scenery really comes alive. 

Three and a half stars. No currently available publication info for the next book in the series, but this one is quite readable and engaging. It would be a good choice for fans of "tartan noir" or less cozy cozies like Ann Cleeves, Peter James, and Peter Robinson will likely enjoy this one. 

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

Keeled Over at the Cliffside - Saltcliff #1

 

Keeled Over at the Cliffside is the first book in a cozy series by Nancy Stewart featuring a neurodivergent innkeeper, and amateur sleuth. Released 15th Aug 2024, it's 302 pages and is available in ebook format (other editions available in other 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. 

Cozy shopfront/innkeeper small town mystery. The author has a good grasp of plotting and pacing. Some of the characterizations and dialogue are a bit over the top (even for a cozy), but not egregiously so. The denouement and resolution are satisfying, if heavily foreshadowed. The author/publisher have also included a handful of recipes featured in the books for readers to enjoy at home. 

Three and a half stars. There are four books extant at the moment, and it's an ongoing series. It would make a good choice for a holiday binge/buddy read; especially nice that it's currently included in the kindle unlimited library.  

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

Dreamy Nighttime Dot-To-Dot

 

Dreamy Nighttime Dot-To-Dot is a relaxing and well made connect the dots drawings for youngsters along with mindfulness and breathing prompts. It contains 134 pages, and is available in paperback format. 

The drawings are simple but effective and all are restful and night-time/bedtime themed.  The dots are numbered sequentially (like other dot-to-dot books) and contain up to 100 dots or so (many contain fewer). There are also some coloring pages and simple inspirational quotes.

This would be lovely for the home library, or for gifting to young readers. Babysitters, grandparents, primary school classroom helpers, etc could also benefit from having the book for youngsters at naptime/quiet time.

Four stars.

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

The Widows' Guide to Murder - The Widows’ Detective Club #1

 

The Widows' Guide to Murder is the first book in a village cozy mystery series by Amanda Ashby. Released 3rd March 2025, it's 264 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. 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. 

Small village cozies are perennially popular and it's lovely to find a new series entry. The book is populated by small town eccentrics, undercurrents of rage, jealousy, and scandal, into which the new local village library assistant has been unceremoniously thrust without warning. It checks all the boxes: intelligent late middle aged sensible widow/librarian, small town gossip, an outlandish ensemble cast of apparently harmless oddball characters, and a satisfying resolution and epilogue. 

It's not derivative, but fans of Robert Thorogood (Marlow Murder Club), Janice Hallett, and Richard Osman will find a lot to like here. The author has a genuinely good grasp of character and setting, good pacing, and a satisfying denouement and conclusion. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 8 hours 33 minutes and is capably read by Diana Croft. She has a well modulated alto voice and an impressive command of regional accents (East London, Midlands, etc), and switches seamlessly between a range of ages and male and female (even Scottish) without a hiccup. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.

Four and a half stars. It's a diverting read. It would be a great choice for home library, or a binge/buddy read. There are two books extant in the series, with a third due out at the end of June 2025. 

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

Psilocybin Mushrooms in Their Natural Habitats: A Guide to the History, Identification, and Use of Psychoactive Fungi

Psilocybin Mushrooms in Their Natural Habitats is a well researched, meticulously documented monograph on psychoactive fungi with an emphasis on ID, habitat, appearance, and foraging by Paul Stamets. Due out 10th June 2025 from Penguin Random House on their Clarkson Potter imprint, it's 256 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

The author is a mycologist and forager with decades of experience. He does a good job of writing in an accessible manner which is understandable for everyone. Although some of the book's content is aimed at foraging, culture, and use of psychoactive fungi, the bulk is taken up with documentation of the various species in-situ, and a fascinating in-depth history of humankind's complex relationship to them. (Fascinating backstory included regardning the McKenna brothers' hypothesis that the use of psychoactive fungi gave humanity a psychological advantage and helped their advancement, aka the "stoned ape" hypothesis). 

The book is full of lush, clear, full-color photos as well as facsimile documents, ancient historical relics, maps, and art. Although accessible to laypeople, the author does a meticulous job of annotation throughout, and the chapter notes are worthwhile and will provide keen readers with many (many!) hours of further reading. There's a solid glossary and cross-referenced index. Proper binomial nomenclature is used throughout.  

The chapter containing info on the use of psychoactive fungi is precise, meticulously recorded (although largely anecdotal) and technical. He links to ongoing scientific research on neurogenesis, neuroplasticity, and synaptogenesis. 

Five stars. Interesting, professionally presented and researched. It would be an excellent choice for public library, or post-secondary institutional acquisition, for home use, and possibly gift giving purposes. It definitely deserves shelf space for foragers and self-sufficiency folks.

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

Braided Heritage: Recipes and Stories on the Origin of American Cuisine

Braided Heritage is a beautifully written culinary history of the complex tapestry that is American cuisine curated and presented by historian Dr. Jessica B. Harris. Due out 25th June 2025 from Penguin Random House on their Clarkson Potter imprint, it's 272 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

The author uses broad strokes to introduce the ideas that, for much of North America's history, "it's complex". There are many-thousands-of-years of history for the first, indigenous Americans which unrecorded or actively destroyed by incoming Europeans, who brought (largely unwillingly) Africans to the fledgling USA. After a scant few hundred years, the history, a literal melting pot of fusion, food, customs, ingredient availability, and heritage, have interwoven the traditional foods which people in the USA know and love today. 

The book is divided into three sections: The Native Peoples, The Europeans, and African Americans. Each section is absolutely full of background, with stories and anecdotes, history, and pathos and (surprisingly) some humor. The author has a wonderfully wry and deft touch which is good to read which also importantly doesn't shy away from the painful parts of the past, whilst staying positive and respectful and acknowledging the sacrifices and loss. 

It's not *precisely* a cookbook, the main value is the accessible and engaging culinary history, but the book is nevertheless full of useful and tasty All-American recipes which pay homage to the inextricable fusion of all the cultures who have lived, cooked, and fed people here since pre-history.

Recipes are written with full introduction and history (and the author's reminiscences and introductions are worth the price of the book), followed by bullet lists of ingredients and prep/cooking directions. Measurements are provided in imperial (American) units only, no metric conversions. 

Photography is in color and abundant throughout the book. The food pics are professionally styled, appealing, and appropriate.

Five stars. This would make a superlative choice for public or secondary school acquisition, for home use, and for gift giving.

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

Grass Isn't Greener: The Everyday Conservationist's Guide to Bringing Nature to Your Yard

 

Grass Isn't Greener is an accessible, interesting, and often sobering look at natural diversity and the benefits of natural plantings over grass lawn and monoculture in suburban and exurban spaces by Danae Wolfe. Released 13th May 2025 by Hachette on their Timber 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. 

According to the WHO one of the biggest threats to humanity is the loss of biodiversity across climates and geographical areas. Supporting biodiversity in our immediate area is something tangible which everyone can do to some degree. The author gives concrete, implementable, often surprisingly simple suggestions in the chapters which most people can do without major disruption. These include leaving leaves, save and use seeds, improve soil with compost, support and attract local pollinators and wildlife, control/limit light pollution, reduce or eliminate pesticide use, and more.

It's written in layman accessible language, simple enough for readers to understand and encouraging enough to raise enthusiasm. It's a practical and hands-on approach.

Graphically, it's simple and direct. There's a ton of photography throughout, high quality, clear, and in color.

Four stars. It would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, for home use, community gardens, activity groups, and similar. 

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

Angel Eye - The Cursebreakers #2

 

Angel Eye is the second book in a queer friendly mystery fantasy series by Madeleine Nakamura. Released 3rd June 2025, 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. 

This is an often disturbing, directly written, and engaging novel. It would not surprise me one bit to find out that the author often has to explain on public appearances and signings why she tortures her characters so unrepentantly in the course of the books.  Sensitive readers should be aware going in that there are disturbing themes including psychological manipulation, gaslighting, grooming, and abuse. Additionally, there are scenes of graphic violence and torture which were difficult to read in places.

 That being said, the plot is sound and the pacing moves along at a good clip. The characterizations are well rendered and believable for the genre. 

Four stars.

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

 

The Yellow Dog - Maigret #6

 

The Yellow Dog is the sixth Maigret mystery by prodigiously prolific golden age author Georges Simenon. Originally published in 1931, selected books in the series are being reformatted and re-released by Macmillan on their Picador imprint. It's 144 pages and is available in this edition in paperback and ebook formats. (Other editions are available in other formats). It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. 

This series, and indeed Simenon's oeuvre are classic and deeply readable. It's certainly redolent of its time period (1930s, the golden age of detective fiction) and there are some dated references here, for example the inflexibly rigid class and social structures of the time period, deeply rooted sexism, racism, and class. 

That being said, the central mysteries still work and are subtly written and plotted, and the characterizations and settings are still as nuanced as when they were written. This is a classic series and it's nice to see it being reformatted in a new edition for collectors and a new audience. 

The translation work by Linda Asher is precise, nuanced, and more or less seamless. The book, whilst redolent of the French coast and seaside of the time, nevertheless doesn't read like literature in translation and happily doesn't joggle the reader out of their suspension of disbelief. 

The books in general are melancholy and sometimes tragic, and this one is no exception. The clues, denouement, and resolution are fair play and satisfying (although quite sad). 

Four stars. Wears its age quite well. Recommended for public library acquisition, home library, or a long binge/buddy read or book club selection. 

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

 

The Whisperwood Legacy

 

The Whisperwood Legacy is a genuinely creepy YA fantasy/mystery by Jo Schulte. Released 27th May 2025 by Hachette on their Young Readers imprint, it's 346 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. 

This is a surprisingly horror-filled dark fantasy, uncomfortably full of jump scares and unlikable characters. They all *loathe* one another, and the narrative is told in staccato interludes woven between the current day and flashbacks. There are glimpses of some impressive world building (the chapter headers are full of whole-cloth German fairy tales which are interwoven in the plot as it plays out in real life). 

The abandoned creepy amusement park with dangerous rides and extremely scary nightmares-come-to-life is well done and the author definitely has a knack with setting. That being said, it's quite graphically violent in places and might be a tad too explicit for young readers (or more sensitive ones) in the lower end of the target audience (12+).  The language is also quite gratuitously rough (f-bombs every other sentence). It seems unnecessary. 

The climax, denouement, and resolution are self contained in this novel, it's a standalone, but they're not particularly well resolved or satisfying. 

Three stars. It's unclear who the target audience really is. It's too scary for younger readers, but too juvenile and not engaging enough for YA readers at the higher end of the range. 

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

 

 

Death in Briar Bottom

 

Death in Briar Bottom is a fact based true crime history by historian Dr. Timothy Silver. Released 12th Nov 2024 by the UNC Press, it's 208 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. 

This is a straight unvarnished retelling of the events of one night in the July 1972 at a US forest service campground in western North Carolina which resulted in the shooting death of one young man and the resultant trauma and search for justice by his friends and family in the aftermath. 

Although written in entirely layman accessible "everyday" language, the author is a historian, and the book is meticulously annotated throughout. Facsimile records and black and white archival photos accompany the text. Interspersed throughout are the first hand accounts and records of what happened (widely conflicting stories from eyewitnesses) as well as modern interviews with people who still live in the area of the shooting as well as the surviving witnesses. 

Much of the story is infuriating: the author relates shocking racism and aggressive abuses by law enforcement with unvarnished dispassionate neutrality. It was quite difficult to read in places.  

The unabridged audiobook version has a run time of 6 hours and 7 minutes and is capably read by Andre Bellido. He has a young, neutral tenor voice and a very faintly discernable coastal accent (but absolutely no "twang"). He does a good job of reading the dispassionate facts and recollections and adds a lot of warmth and humanity to the sometimes difficult read. Sound and production quality are high throughout the recording. 

Four stars. It would be a good choice for public or university library acquisition, home library (especially for readers who are interested in modern rural political/cultural history), or possibly as a support text for allied classroom subjects (American rural history, culture studies, anthropology, etc). 

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

 

Inferno's Heir

 

Inferno's Heir is the first book in a YA political fantasy series by Tiffany Wang. Released 15th Oct 2024, it's 400 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. 

This is a chaotic, action driven fantasy with an ensemble cast of disaffected teenagers, each with their own motivations and goals. Black sheep princess and antiheroine Teia is on a mission to depose her cruel/ruthless/amoral brother Jura. Lots of fights (very well choreographed), heists,  more fights, evil threats and posturing, morally grey actions (on Teia's part), and *lots* of surprises. 

This was a book whose resolution was impossible to anticipate; well played on the part of the author. It's definitely written for a YA audience, there's a fair bit of sarcastic and unrealistic banter, along with lots of morally gray skullduggery. It's a debut work, and there are some relatively minor pacing issues. The climax, resolution and denouement are impressively well done and impossible to suss out ahead of time. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 10 hours 48 minutes and is capably read by Natalie Naudus. She has a slightly gravelly alto voice and does the requisite "generic British YA fantasy" voice narration well, though her natural born accent is American. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read. 

Book 2 is due out in mid 4th-quarter 2025. It would be a good choice for a buddy read, or for fans of strong-female-led YA p0litical-fantasies.  

Three and a half stars.

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

 

The New Bad Thing - Book 1

 

The New Bad Thing is the first book in a mystery thriller series by Michael Ebner. Originally published in 2023, this reformat and re-release from Pen + Picture is 237 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. 

This is a chaotically written action thriller based around a lone-wolf journalist whose crowd funded anti-terrorist crusade thrust her into international intrigue and violence. It's very (very) cinematically/visually written and it reads a lot like a slightly fleshed out action movie script. The characterizations and their motivations are convoluted and obscure. Action scenes in international settings are strung together back-to-back. For readers who enjoy action spy type thrillers, it will provide distraction and engagement. It would (or is?) be a good candidate for TV development.

Potential trigger warnings for infertility and violence.  

Three and a half stars. There's a second book due out in third quarter 2025. It would be a good choice for readers who really enjoy action/thrillers. 

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

Lavender for All Seasons: A Gardener's Guide to Growing and Creating with Lavender Year-Round

 

Lavender for All Seasons is a graphically pleasing and information rich volume by lavender farmer Paola Legarre. Released 3rd June 2025 by Hachette on their Timber Press imprint, it's 264 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. 

Beautifully photographed throughout, it's part memoir/recollection with instagram worthy lifestyle shots as well as panoramic views of lush and abundant lavender fields in bloom looking like they came straight out of Provence, and part practical tutorial guides for selecting, growing, maintaining, harvesting, and using lavender of various cultivars.

The author is experienced , seems to really know what she's talking about, and includes a lot of interesting scientific background (and some spiffy macro and electron microscope photos of lavender parts. The photography is top notch throughout and it would make a lovely coffee table book just for the photographs. 

The crafting/tutorial parts of the book are simple enough for all crafters. Tools and materials are given in a bullet list. Measurements are given in imperial (American) units, with a conversion chart for metric included in the back of the book. All the tutorials (and there are many, both culinary and crafting), are very well photographed with easy to follow instructions. The crafting tutorials include wreaths, floral arrangements, sachets, oils, cleaning/shampoo/& scented products. 

The author/publisher have also included bibliography and links & resources lists in the back of the book as well as a cross-referenced index. 

Four and a half stars. It's a beautiful, inspirational book. The commercial cultivation content parts of the book will have a relatively limited audience, but the inspirational aspects are great (and it's possible to adapt parts of her advice to home gardens and smallholdings). 

It would be a great choice for public or home library acquisition, as well as for community garden/coop/gardening group libraries. 

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

The Carter of "La Providence" - Inspector Maigret #2

 

The Carter of "La Providence" is the second Maigret mystery by prodigiously prolific golden age author Georges Simenon. Originally published in 1931, selected books in the series are being reformatted and re-released by Macmillan on their Picador imprint. Tt's 160 pages and is available in this edition in paperback and ebook formats. (Other editions are available in other formats). It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. 

This series, and indeed Simenon's oeuvre are classic and deeply readable. It's certainly redolent of its time period (1930s, the golden age of detective fiction) and there are dated references here, for example the central logistics are entwined with life on the waterways of the time period, locks, channels, dray horses, tie-ups along the waterways, and the people who lived and worked on them - almost all of which are vanished now, except for a few longboat channels (mostly in England) still visited and used by vacationers.

That being said, the central mysteries still work and are subtly written and plotted, and the characterizations and settings are still as nuanced as when they were written. This is a classic series and it's nice to see it being reformatted in a new edition for collectors and a new audience. 

The translation work by Dr. David Coward is precise, nuanced, and seamless. The book, whilst redolent of the French countryside and waterways of the time, nevertheless doesn't read like literature in translation and happily doesn't joggle the reader out of their suspension of disbelief. 

The books in general are melancholy and sometimes tragic, and this one is no exception. The clues, denouement, and resolution are fair play and satisfying (if sad). 

Four stars. Wears its age quite well. Recommended for public library acquisition, home library, or a long binge/buddy read or book club selection. 

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

 

Threads of Empire: A History of the World in Twelve Carpets

 

Threads of Empire is a captivating and layman accessible monograph by Dr. Dorothy Armstrong about the geopolitical history entwined with textiles (carpets), their history and development from ancient to modern times. Due out 17th June 2025 from Macmillan on their St. Martin's Press imprint, it's 368 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. 

The author is a specialist scholar and curator with expertise in textiles writing deeply and well about her own specialty. She does a good job of illustrating the dichotomy between the powerful ruling classes throughout the ages and the lengths to which they would go to acquire these carpets which were the products of mostly poorer/illiterate/often female weavers. 

It's written quite accessibly and in language which won't present many problems for laymen, but it's meticulously annotated throughout and the chapter notes and bibliography/references are likely worth the price of the book alone. The stories behind 12 particular historical carpets, curated by Dr. Armstrong, are fascinating and well told. 

It's a niche book, but will definitely be on the radar for readers/fans of textile history, cultural history, political history, and allied subjects. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 10 hours 48 minutes and is narrated by Alix Dunmoore.  Sound and production quality are high throughout the read. 

Four stars. It would be an excellent choice for public or university/post-secondary library acquisition, home use, or gift giving.  

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

The Meathead Method: A BBQ Hall of Famer's Secrets and Science on BBQ, Grilling, and Outdoor Cooking

 

The Meathead Method is a comprehensive grilling/bbq tutorial guide with recipes written and curated by Meathead. Released 14th May 2025 by HarperCollins on their Wm. Morrow Harvest imprint, it's 432 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 an absolutely encyclopedic collection with a surprisingly thorough treatment of outdoor cooking subjects from a crash course over the human neurology and anatomy of smell & taste (interesting and -accessible- facts here), to fats, oils, starches, nutrients, moving through gear/equipment/utensils/etc (what's necessary and what's nice), and all the way to recipes for barbecue (of course), but also all the trimmings: salads, desserts, dairy, and more. ALL the meats (including seafood, fowl, red meat, white meat, and veg (yes!). He's even included a fair number of breads/grain based dishes in the book. 

Recipes are written with background/descriptions, a bullet list of ingredients, and step by step prep and cooking directions. Ingredient measures are given in imperial (American) units only, no metric. Most of the ingredients will be available at pretty much any well stocked grocery store in North America. Nutritional info is not included. 

All of the recipes are accompanied by one or more photos. The photography is outstanding for this collection and all the photos are clear and in color. The theory chapters are also well-illustrated with explanatory graphs and understandable captions. 

The book includes a QR code which links to supplementary online info and the author's website. Very helpful and especially a huge plus for visual learners.  

Five stars. No barbecue-allied subject is missed out in the book. It really is comprehensive. It would be an excellent choice for public or home library acquisition, for cookbook aficionados, cookery venues/schools and the like. Alton Brown says in the intro that it's "honestly probably the only book on outdoor cookery you'll ever need". 

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