The Grown-Up's Guide to Crafting with Kids

The Grown-Up's Guide to Crafting with Kids is a tutorial guide and resource filled with fun crafting projects for kids (and their adults). Released 2nd June 2020 by Quarto on their Walter Foster imprint, it's 128 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.

I really liked the exuberance and fun energy of this book. The author is enthusiastic and upbeat and the project tutorials are colorful and engaging. The layout is easy to follow. The author enumerates some of the benefits of crafting: encouraging creativity, building self-confidence, mindfulness, fine motor skills, and not least, spending time bonding. The author also includes a short chapter about materials and tools.

The crafting prompts and tutorials are grouped thematically: nature crafts, things found around the house, and found objects and recycled project materials. The bulk of the content is given over to the projects. Each one includes an intro/description, tools and materials, and step by step photo tutorial. The photography is clear and abundant. There are color photos on every page. Alternate steps and enhancements are included for many of the activities.

This would make a superlative choice for a staying home activity, as well as a great idea for a library or classroom activity (when we can gather together again).

Five stars. There are a lot of good ideas here.

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

Essential 3-Ingredient Cocktails: 75 Classic and Contemporary Drinks to Make at Home

Essential 3-Ingredient Cocktails is a mixology reference with recipes curated by Amy Traynor. Due out 9th June 2020 Callisto on their Rockridge Press imprint, it's 242 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats (ebook available now). It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. 

This is a really solid bar book full of traditional and updated recipes. The recipes are arranged thematically, by main alcoholic ingredient. It also includes an introduction with general directions along with lists of useful bar equipment and relevant discussions on subjects as diverse as ice quality and choosing quality citrus. 

Each of the recipes includes an introductory description (and often interesting history), ingredients (US measurements only, no metric equivalents), and step by step instructions. Variations and alternatives are provided at the end of the recipes.  Additional historical notes are scattered throughout in text. The recipes as stated in the title, contain three main ingredients, so they're not intimidating to create (and don't cost a fortune in weird ingredients readers will never use up). 

Most of the ingredients should be available at any well stocked grocery/liquor store although some might need to be sourced at specialists.

Cocktails are such a civilized interlude and this book includes a solid cross section of 75 (new and old) to build mixology skills and impress one's friends at the next gathering.

Five stars.

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

Success in Art: Mastering Perspective

Success in Art: Mastering Perspective is a tutorial and skills guide with a special emphasis on perspective in rendering 3d shapes. Due out 9th June 2020 from Quarto on their Walter Foster imprint, it's 112 pages and will be available in paperback format.

This is a well laid out and accessible treatise on one-, two-, and three- point perspective by graphic artist and illustrator Andy Fish. The author has a lightly humorous and spare writing style which is down to earth ("We all want to get to the good stuff, and we all think we know more than we really do" he writes pithily). I imagine he would be a gifted teacher in a classroom setting and his instructions translate quite well to the written word.

The introductory chapter contains a very brief capsule history of perspective and its development in the context of art. The following chapters develop one point through three point perspective with specific guided tutorials. Glossary and technique terms are highlighted in bold and defined in the text. The basic tutorials are followed by more advanced alternatives which are also well illustrated and understandable.

Understanding perspective and building skills for rendering realistic looking 3D representations has relevance for many different applications and combines an understanding of art and mathematics. This is a basic guide but information dense and useful.

Five stars. This would make a superlative choice for all ages (including students who will be having units in mathematics and science on perspective drawing). These paperbound Walter Foster editions are well made and provide good basic instruction at an affordable price point.

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

Joy

Joy is a sweetly exuberant picture book for the youngest readers. Due out 9th June 2020 from Candlewick Press, it's 32 pages and will be available in hardcover and paperback formats.

The text by Yasmeen Ismail is gently rhyming and simple. It is fun to read aloud and will have the youngest helping to read it after a few readthroughs. The illustrations by Jenni Desmond suit the text perfectly and lend a happy and bouncy activity to the read with lots of "zoom - zoom"ing and "crash-bang-wallop-bonk-a-donk"ing.

While not entirely appropriate for bedtime reading (too many bouncy bits), it would be a really superlative selection for afternoon or post-naptime or reading circle reading activities.

Fun and happy and beautifully illustrated along with some subtle lessons on trust and support from the ones who love and care for us.

Five stars. I heartily recommend this one.

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

Healthy One Pan Dinners: 100 Easy Recipes for Your Sheet Pan, Skillet, Multicooker and More

Healthy One Pan Dinners: 100 Easy Recipes is a well curated recipe collection and cooking guide to one pan/pot/sheet dinners by Dana Angelo White. Due out 9th June 2020 Penguin/RH on their DK imprint, it's 160 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. As almost always with DK's offerings, I was blown away by the detailed, clear, and solidly expert photography. Every photo is well rendered and easy to follow. The supportive text is also clear and spare.

The book follows a logical layout. The instructions presuppose no previous experience on the reader's part.  The book begins with an introduction covering tools and supplies including different coooking vessels (most will already be on hand), pantry ingredients and staplest o keep on hand (ditto - they'll be available in a well stocked kitchen). 

The recipes are arranged around the method of cooking and vessel used (sheet pan, etc). Each recipe includes serving yields, special notes (gluten free, freezer friendly, vegan, quick to prepare) and tips, and prep times. Recipe ingredients are listed bullet point style along with optional ingredients. All measurements are given in American standard measures only (there is no measurement conversion table included in the book, but it's a hassle not to have them included). The directions are given step by step, numbered sequentially. The nutritional information is given in a footer under the recipes and includes calories, fat, protein, sodium, and fiber.

The recipes' ingredients are easily sourced and the resultant dishes are family friendly and appealing to kids and adults. For cooks who are living alone or couples, very many of the included recipes are freezer friendly and could be adapted to fewer than the stated number of servings (generally 4). There are a number of these which will become weeknight staples for my family.

Four stars. Timesaving, nutritious, and tasty.

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

Learn to Paint in Acrylics with 50 More Small Paintings

Learn to Paint in Acrylics with 50 More Small Paintings is a new tutorial and style guide for portfolio and skill building in acrylic painting. Due out 9th June 2020 from Quarto on their Quarry imprint, it's 144 pages and will be available in paperback format.

This is the second book by the author with a similar format. A gallery table of contents contains a thumbnail of each of the tutorial paintings with page numbers. The following chapters progress thematically: a chapter on materials, tools, and supplies is followed directly by the tutorials. Each of them includes some technique or lesson on applying paint, using materials, preparing ground, painting different surfaces, reflections, color contrast, intricate details and more.

Each of the individual tutorials contains a materials list in a bullet point sidebar, a short introduction and information on the lesson takeaway, and detailed step by step process photos. The photos are very well rendered and clear. Many of the photos show the position of the brush and hands for clarity.

The author has also included an abbreviated glossary and index as well as some online supplies links. Worth noting, the tutorials in the book utilize a palette which includes only the standard "basic 8" colors.

This is a worthwhile skill (and portfolio) building guide full of tutorials with accessible digestible short projects. Five stars. This would make a superlative choice for all ages, especially bundled with the basic supplies.

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

Sexton Blake and the Great War (Sexton Blake Library Book 1)

Sexton Blake and the Great War is a reformat and re-release of three short novels from WWI Britain. Originally published before and during the first world war, this reformat by Rebellion publishing is 430 pages and available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats.

My library is more heavily weighted to the golden age and interwar period of classic British mysteries, so Sexton Blake was not really familiar to me previously. These three works are short and easily read.  They're what I would call "ripping yarns" and full of action and espionage. They're absolutely a product of their time and, despite being partially edited for modern audiences, contain some eyebrow raising casual racism and other story stopping bits of dialogue which have been mostly excised from the current release. The historical notes and introductions are cleverly written in as a dialogue instead of the dry potentially academic editing notes which often accompany such re-releases. It works quite well in context and I liked reading them very much.

The writing quality is generally pretty high, especially considering that many of these stories were banged out as public entertainment and, let's face it, propaganda for morale boosting on a very tight schedule.

I definitely would recommend the updated versions to anyone looking for light and entertaining action books, especially fans of series characters. For all my friends and acquaintances who enjoy the old John Creasey series like The Toff and The Baron, these (though set somewhat earlier in time) will fill the bill nicely.

Four stars (warning, product of its time and reflects many of the social mores and attitudes of same).

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

This Magick Marmot

This Magick Marmot is the 5th book in the Abracadabra mystery series by Sharon Pape. Released 7th April 2020 by Kensington, it's 200 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.

This is a fun and lighthearted paranormal cozy with a whimsical ensemble cast, and punny titles. The setting is the fictional small tourist town of New Camel. Main protagonist (witch, amateur sleuth, and potion shop owner of the titular Abracadabra) is nearly 30-something Kailyn Wilde. When one of her best friends from high school is murdered at their 10 year high school reunion, she steps in to solve the crime.

The returning main characters - the trio of magic shop owner and telekinetic powerhouse Kailyn, her slightly dithery-but-sweet Aunt Tilly, and Merlin (yes, that Merlin) are back solving another murder.

I will say that for the paranormal cozy mystery subgenre, this one is well written. It's silly and somewhat humorous. It is well plotted and the dialogue is well written. Despite being the 5th book in the series, it does work as a standalone, and all the necessary backstory is written in. The series as a whole reminds me nos

I enjoyed the book a lot, but must admit that my suspension of disbelief suffered more than a few dings every time Kailyn's mother and grandmother showed up (as clouds whose color changes reminded me of some sort of afterlife mood rings). Readers in search of pure escapist fantasy could find a nice read here.  The physics involved (or counfounded) over the paranormal parts of the plot (Kailyn is a telekinetic), will require some mental gymnastics to get around.

The language and plot are fairly clean (a few 'hells' and 'damns' but nothing worse), and there's only implied consensual (off scene) sex, nothing that would scandalize anyone's auntie.

Three and a half stars, rounded up because the author is quite adept and it's a fun read, it's got lots of cats, (and I love Merlin).

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

Administrations of Lunacy: A Story of Racism and Psychiatry at the Milledgeville Asylum

Administrations of Lunacy is a dispassionate account of the facts of the Central State Hospital in Milledgeville GA, USA. Released 14th April by The New Press, it's 384 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.

This is an unflinching and unflattering deconstruction of the history of (at one time) the largest facility for treating and housing the mentally ill in the world. In continuous operation since December 1842 and now largely defunct, it's a huge sprawling (and mostly abandoned) complex of over 200 buildings on 2000 acres of land. Author Mab Segrest knits the facts and bald history of the place together with the systemic, wilful, historical administration and in-baked racist policies and treatment that people of color received throughout the institution's almost 180 year history.

Especially in the greater context of the continuing painful racist brutality that is rampant in the world today, this was a very difficult but important read. I found that I had to put the book down and walk away and think about and process the information at several points. The author is unsparing. There are frank discussions of (to modern people) barbaric, cruel, and senseless "treatments" and processes. The author's historical examination of eugenics as practiced by the non-consensual sterilization of inmates, torture, lobotomization, and other procedures is unstinting. The notes and references are academically rigorous, plentiful, and well organized.

General information and historical background are alternated throughout the book with personal stories of inmates (where known) or professionals employed in the care and operation of the facility. The author quotes a former staff member, Joe Ingram,  when she devastatingly writes that there are "Rows upon rows of numbered, small, rusted markers as far as you can see... it must be the most gruesome sight in Georgia. Unknown humans, shunned when living, deprived of their very names in death... and literally known only to God".

Difficult reading. This would make a superlative adjunct text for related subjects, history of medicine, gender and race studies, psychiatry, mental health issues, public health, and so forth.

Four stars. Readers should certainly be prepared for triggering subject matter. It makes for grim reading.

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

The List of Things That Will Not Change

The List of Things That Will Not Change is a beautifully and sensitively written novel by Rebecca Stead. Released 7th April 2020 by Penguin Random House on their Wendy Lamb imprint, it's 224 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.

There are few adult writers in my experience who seem to have a good ear for the actual priorities and inner thoughts of middle grade / tween readers. This is a very well written and engaging book which has a frankness and reality which is often missing from juvenile literature. The first person point of view adds another layer of directness and the whole has an authenticity which is arresting.

The blurb description is accurate and complete, so I won't try to reiterate. I'd just add that inclusivity and representation are *SO* vital (for everyone, not just kids). Presenting a new normal and family changes written in a first person voice without ever once condescending or being disingenious to the audience is admirable and the author has done it so well here.

Protagonist Bea is a nice kid, normal, not a paragon of virtue or extremely smart, clever, or athletic. She's "everyman" and that's what made her both sympathetic and relatable. Her family has undergone seismic shifts, her dad is remarrying (a man), which is bringing even more changes (stepsiblings). The reality isn't always the same as the dreams and expectations we have and the author renders the story deftly and well.

This is, and will continue to be, classic children's literature. It shouldn't be controversial in any way, but I fear it will garner resistance from some quarters. This would make a superlative library or class library choice, gift for a young reader, and all ages.

Five stars, lovely story very well told.

The Budget-Friendly Vegan Cookbook: Healthy Meals for a Plant-Based Diet

The Budget-Friendly Vegan Cookbook is a recipe collection and cookbook for whole food plant based meals by Ally Lazare. Released 2nd June 2020 by Callisto on their Rockridge Press imprint, it's 242 pages and 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. 

The recipes are arranged thematically, an introduction with general directions for prep-work and pantry ingredients is followed by chapters for partial ingredients and staples, tofu tempeh and soy recipes, beans legumes and seeds, fruits vegetables mushrooms, grains, snacks and sides, and desserts. Each of the recipes includes an introductory description, ingredients listed in a bullet point sidebar (US measurements only, no metric equivalents), and step by step instructions. Recipes have special category notes in a header (nut free, gluten free, etc). Nutritional info includes calories, fat, carbs, fiber, protein, sodium and other micronutrients.  Variations and alternatives are provided at the end of the recipes.  There is a resource list, bibliography and related reading links, as well as a metric convesion table at the back of the book.

Most of the ingredients should be available at any well stocked grocery store although some might need to be sourced at specialist (vegan) grocers.

My main quibble with the book is that the recipes are mostly not photographed. There are some photos, and they're clear and attractive, but they only represent about 5% of the recipes included in the book. It is, however, a very well written book full of family friendly plant based foods many of which will also appeal to non-vegans. 

Four and a half stars. I've rounded up for the quality of the writing and the distinctly high quality of the recipes themselves (tasty!) and the mission of the book: high quality food with a budget friendly price tag. Good food shouldn't be ruinously expensive.

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

Death in Fancy Dress

Death in Fancy Dress is a country house golden age murder mystery by Anthony Gilbert. Originally released in 1933 this reformat and re-release, out 14th April 2020 is part of the British Library Crime Classics series by Poisoned Pen Press. The new edition is 272 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats. (Other editions available in other formats).

This is a short novel with a classic country house setting. The house party is varied, eccentric, and interesting. The murder victim was undeniably a cad, a blackmailer, a ne'er-do-well. The list of suspects is large, everyone wanted him to just go away, but one of them made it permanent. The denouement is satisfying and twisty, the plotting is well done and the whole is pleasantly diverting. It's a standalone novel. The collection includes two shorter works by the same author, both originally published in 1939. 

For me, one of the draws of the books in the crime classics series are the erudite and always interesting introductions by editor Martin Edwards.  Mr. Edwards has a prodigious knowledge of the genre and writes engagingly and well.

Well written, this entry and the series as a whole are well worth seeking out. This would make a superlative selection for readers of the genre as well as an introduction to classic crime fiction from the golden age by a lesser known author from the period. It's so nice to see these being released for a new generation of fans.

Four stars.

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

Healthy Vegan, Happy Body: The Complete Plant-Based Cookbook for a Well-Nourished Life

Healthy Vegan, Happy Body is a recipe collection and cookbook for whole food plant based meals by Tess Challis. Released 26th May 2020 by Callisto on their Rockridge Press imprint, it's 242 pages and 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. 

The recipes are arranged thematically, an introduction with general directions for prep-work and pantry ingredients is followed by chapters for smoothies juices & shakes, breakfast, snacks and sides, salads, soups & stews, handheld food/wraps, rice & noodles, special occasions, desserts . Each of the recipes includes an introductory description, ingredients listed in a bullet point sidebar (US measurements only, no metric equivalents), and step by step instructions. Nutritional info includes calories, fat, carbs, fiber, protein, sodium and micronutrients .  Variations and alternatives are provided at the end of the recipes.  There is a resource list, bibliography and related reading links, as well as a metric convesion table at the back of the book.

Most of the ingredients should be available at any well stocked grocery store although some might need to be sourced at specialist (vegan) grocers.

My main quibble with the book is that the recipes are mostly not photographed. There are some photos, and they're clear and attractive, but they only represent about 5% of the recipes included in the book. It is, however, a very well written book full of family friendly plant based foods many of which will also appeal to non-vegans. 

Four stars.

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

21 Day Thyroid Plan - Thriving With Hashimoto's

21 Day Thyroid Plan - Thriving With Hashimoto's is an action plan and detailed foods list by Mark Pilja. Released 29th April 2020, it's 187 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.

The book starts with a timely introduction regarding the immune system against the larger backdrop of a worldwide pandemic. The author's writing style is layman accessible, and science based. He discusses and provides definitions for some of the physiology behind autoimmune issues and Hasimoto's thyroiditis specifically.

The following chapters cover carbohydrates (and limiting them), arranging the pantry to more easily sustain a specialized diet, paleo diet, food security (in terms of a pandemic and civil unrest), stress and sleep management (very important factors with auto-immune disease in general and Hashimoto's in particular), healthy exercise and building and supporting the body and immune system. Note: the author is quite specific about foods and combinations he uses for specific meals but this book is a resource guide and does *not* contain specific recipes or meal plans.

Much of the text and information has been reformatted and rewritten to take the pandemic into account. There is a chapter by chapter resource and bibliography list with links included at the back of the book which is very useful and information dense. Many of the citations are peer-reviewed medical publications and may be heavy going for some readers (but well worth the effort).

Well written and accurate. There are a lot of good takeaways here for patients and their families trying to come to grips with a diagnosis and wondering where to proactively change for a better lifestyle.

Five stars.

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

The Mersey Estuary: A Travel Guide

The Mersey Estuary is a travel guide to the area by Kevin Sene. Released 28th April 2020 by Matador, it's 256 pages and 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a good general guide to the area with a richly varied collection of associated activities both solitary and family/social oriented. The introduction (with a good traveller's safety segment) is followed by particular places to visit arranged by geographic area (Lower estuary - Liverpool,  Wirral - Cheshire, and upper estuary), with more attractions arranged thematically (rivers & tides, maritime, and wildlife). Many of the sites listed in the book conveniently include active links for further reading. The pictures (most of which are credited to the author himself) are clear and illustrative. (Note: the book should be viewed full screen for the photos to display correctly).

The author  also includes a short bibliography and reading list for further information.

I would definitely recommend this guide to anyone contemplating a trip to the area as well as people (like me) who aren't travelling at all in the midst of the pandemic and just needed to "leave home" without leaving home, as it were.

Five stars. Very well written, down to earth, and up to date.

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

The Easy Baked Donut Cookbook: 60 Sweet and Savory Recipes for Your Oven and Mini Donut Maker

The Easy Baked Donut Cookbook is a well curated collection of baked donut recipes by Sara Mellas. Due out 2nd June 2020 from Callisto on their Rockridge Press imprint, it's 245 pages and 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

The recipes are arranged thematically, an introduction with general directions is followed by chapters for basic and sugared, glazed, iced and frosted, filled, donut holes, and savory donuts. Each of the recipes includes an introductory description, ingredients listed in a bullet point sidebar (US measurements given, with *some* of the metric equivalents in parentheses), and step by step instructions. There is no nutritional info provided.  Variations and alternatives (gluten free, vegan, etc) are provided in very limited numbers.  The gluten-free recipes are the same as the non-gluten free versions except with substituted gluten-free flour.

My main quibble with the book is that the recipes are mostly not photographed. There are some photos, and they're clear and attractive, but they only represent about 5% of the recipes included in the book. It is, however, a very well written book full of tasty treats prepared in a novel way. 

Four stars.

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

Creative Pottery: Innovative Techniques and Experimental Designs in Thrown and Handbuilt Ceramics

Creative Pottery is a studio reference and series of guided tutorial lessons by Deb Schwartzkopf. Due out 2nd June 2020 from Quarto on their Quarry imprint, it's 192 pages and will be available in hardcover format.

This is one of those reference books which is lovely to look at, solidly written to a high quality, and deceptively densely packed with good takeaways both technical and philosophical. Whilst the author says it's for all skill levels, I personally feel that the introductory and beginner chapters are a little light on skill building info for real beginners and too basic for advanced beginners. The more advanced tutorials are really superlatively photographed with clear and concise directions (and her hands are NOT in the way in any of the action shots *yay*).

Each of the chapters includes one or more artist highlights and very short (but insightful) in a Q&A format. The chapters are arranged logically and progress thematically from introductory, tools and supplies, design and asymmetry, bisque molds, hand building and adding complexity/interest.

There's a lot of philosophy and prompts for self reflection and (hopefully) growth as an artist. Are some of them a bit artistic and diffuse? Yes, but I found them valid and worthwhile. I also liked the author's down to earth writing voice. The book reads almost like a class or guided tutorial session. I liked that and found it encouraging and never intimidating.

Very well made and written instructional, full of very very well done photography, high production values, and a *lot* of information for the potter. This is a superlative reference book.

Five stars.

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

An Anthology of Thirty, 30 Minute Made-From-Scratch Desserts

An Anthology of Thirty, 30 Minute Made-From-Scratch Desserts is a short e-cookbook by the editors of CakeChatter. Released 12th May 2020, it's 137 pages and available in ebook format. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. As far as I can see, the recipes are well curated from the content included on the blog, sparing the reader from having to hunt for them.

The recipes have their ingredients listed bullet style in a sidebar. Measurements are given in US standard only. Special tools and ingredients are also listed, along with yields and cooking directions. Most of the ingredients are easily sourced at any moderately well stocked grocery store. Nutritional information is included in the footer at the end of the recipes and includes calories, fat, sodium, carbs, protein, sodium, potassium, fibre, sugar, vitamin content and micro-nutrients.Tips and variations on each recipe are included in after the step by step directions. There are small color photos for each recipe.

The book also includes a short metric conversion chart, but lacks any index or general ingredients index.

Four stars. This would make a superlative selection for busy cooks, and is apparently the start of a series (next volume is yeast rolls and biscuits).

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

Robert B. Parker's Grudge Match (Sunny Randall #8)

Grudge Match is the 8th book in the Sunny Randall series begun by Robert B. Parker, and continued posthumously by other authors (Mike Lupica in this instance). Released 5th May 2020 by Penguin on their G. P. Putnam's Sons imprint, it's available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.

Of Parker's three perennial related/spinoff series (Spenser, Stone, and Randall), Sunny Randall was always in third place for me. Parker was such a gifted writer, brilliant (or nearly so) at all aspects of the art and craft of storytelling, that I never missed an opportunity to read (and re-read) his books. I still revisit them. The authors who are writing the posthumously released books are all worthy of the collaboration. I'm a keen reader for pleasure, not a literary professional by any means, but I can't easily tell what's cobbled together from Parker's notes and partially finished manuscripts and what (or if all of it) is completely new.

In fact, this episode is probably my favorite in the Sunny Randall series thus far. It's tightly plotted, engaging, and really well written. It's just a solidly entertaining and well written book. I also really enjoyed the inclusion of Dr. Susan Silverman in this book (she's Sunny's therapist) and as always, she's the Greek chorus of the play.

This would make a perfect summer read (although it's set in January).  It's too cold to read about Boston in January during the wintertime.

Five stars, a worthy addition to the series.

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

Castle Skull (Henri Bencolin #2)

Castle Skull is the second Henri Bencolin mystery by John Dickson Carr. Originally released in 1931 this reformat and re-release, out 5th May 2020 is part of the British Library Crime Classics series by Poisoned Pen Press. The new edition is 256 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats. (Other editions available in other formats).

This early Carr novel is well crafted, but quite lurid and, to me, a bit over the top. A large house full of very odd characters, a gothic skull shaped tower across the river which was the scene of a bizarre murder-by-fire on the ramparts, two competing detectives (one French, one German), and a twisty denouement which I honestly didn't see coming.

As the others in the series, there is an introduction by mystery history maven Martin Edwards. As engaging as these classic mysteries have been, I have also looked forward in equal measure to Mr. Edwards' insightful commentary.

Carr is well known (with good reason) for his 'impossible' locked room mysteries. Despite being almost 90 years old, it wears well, and still provides a load of atmosphere (in some places, positively creepy). The first murder is quite gory (an immolation) and there's a varied cast of suspects and a load of red herrings along the way.

The dialogue and style are admittedly a bit dated and true to the period, but I found it charming. For fans of golden age mysteries, it'll definitely be a plus, not a detraction.

Very well done. I have read a lot of Carr's work, but somehow had missed this one. Worth a read, especially for fans of the golden age.

Four stars.

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