Pub Quiz

Pub Quiz is a very well written and presented guide to planning and executing a successful quiz night, including question rounds (with an answer key) written by Eric Saunders. Released 15th Oct 2021 by Arcturus Publishing, it's 494 pages (print format) 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. (The book's questions are directly hyperlinked to the answers in the back of the book; a really handy feature).

This is such a fun and well written book. The introduction covers the basics: who, what, where, how, when, and why. There are more specifics about venues, cover charges (if any), drinks & snacks, acoustics, scoring, and, really, all the info needed to run a quiz night. 

The bulk of the book is taken up with the questions. They're hugely varied, concisely written, and definitely not all easy. I pride myself on being a trivia maven and these weren't a walk in the park. 

Four stars. This is a one-stop resource for planners of trivia nights. It will be a solid resource for trivia fans as a study guide also. There are some repeat answers, but I didn't see any repeat questions. 

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

 

The Mummy's Curse (Museum Kittens)

      

The Mummy's Curse is a new tale for young readers in the Museum Kittens series by Holly Webb. Released 12th Oct 2021 by Tiger Tales Books, it's 160 pages and is available in paperback format. 

This is a very simply written and whimsically illustrated adventure style chapter book about a group of kittens tasked with guarding a museum. They are varied in size and ability and the author makes them understandable and realistic to the target audience by showing them experiencing and learning from frustration (and problem solving) as well as fear, bravery, differences, and supporting one another. There are also themes of found/blended family, work, and cooperation. 

The book is peppered with monochrome pen & ink illustrations by Sarah Lodge which support and expand the text and are full of small details which invite a lingering look.

There's a lot of action and adventure along the way with the exhibits in the museum providing a backdrop for some educational tidbits in the form of Egyptian and natural history. Although most adults should be shaking their heads over the shocking lack of archival protocol in this shockingly lax museum (full of sleeping guards, marauding rat gangs, broken leaking pipes, flooding, and a pack of cats), it is a fun and full speed romp for younger readers. The author has also included a short author's notes at the end with interesting facts about Egyptian history, the Book of the Dead (funerary book from ancient Egypt), and cats. 

This would make a good choice for public or school library acquisition, reading circles, read-a-longs, and solo reading for youngsters. 

Four stars.

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

 

It's a Wonderful Woof (Chet and Bernie Mystery #12)

It's a Wonderful Woof is the 12th outing for Chet and Bernie by Spencer Quinn. Released 19th Oct 2021 by Macmillan on their Tor Forge imprint, it's 272 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is another fun and engaging read starring Chet (the dog) and Bernie (the human) doing what they do best, solving crimes, righting wrongs, and keeping each other (relatively) safe and functional. Although it's the 12th book in the series, all the books work very well as standalone novels. There are a few minor spoilers in the background story if read out of order, but nothing major. 

Probably the most unusual aspect of the story is that it's told in the first person point of view of Chet, Bernie's Dr. Watson. Chet's a Very Smart Dog (and a Very Good Boy), but he is a dog and so there are many asides about smelling things and sort of a stream-of-consciousness commentary running throughout. I found it very distracting at first, but after a few chapters it wasn't as noticeable. 

For current fans of the series, this is another solid mystery with a cleverly constructed plot complete with a satisfying denouement and conclusion. The language is fairly clean throughout and on the same average as the other books with regards to violence.

Recommended for fans of mysteries with strong animal protagonists, and American PI mysteries. I'm impressed how this series continues to be solidly entertaining without being overly formulaic. Chet and Bernie are the good guys.

Four stars.

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

Mrs Hudson and the Blue Daisy Affair (Mrs. Hudson #5)

Mrs Hudson and the Blue Daisy Affair is the fifth book in the cozy English mystery series by Martin Davies. Released 4th Nov 2021 by Canelo, it's 305 pages and is 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. 

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 - Russian spies, assassination plots, women's suffrage, 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 5th book in the series, it works perfectly well as a standalone, and I had no trouble keeping up with the plot. 

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.

A Peculiar Combination (Electra McDonnell #1)

 

A Peculiar Combination is the first book in the Electra McDonnell WW2 period mystery by Ashley Weaver. Released 25th May 2021 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is such a well written and immediately engaging book. The protagonists are understandable and sympathetic (despite being firmly on the wrong side of the law) that the reader is instantly drawn to their side. The hook was firmly embedded within the first few pages of setup and I found the entire read satisfyingly action filled and fast paced. 

The resolution and denouement were exciting with espionage and skullduggery aplenty, whilst foreshadowing the possibility of future adventures for Electra and her compatriots. 

Four stars. This would be a good choice for fans of historical spy thrillers and general historical mysteries who don't mind a touch of romance in their reads. I found the characters especially well rendered and the dialogue flowed well and believably. The author is adept at her craft. 

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

The Best American Mystery and Suspense 2021

The Best American Mystery and Suspense 2021 is a well curated annual collection of new short mystery & suspense fiction edited by Alafair Burke & Steph Cha. Released 12th Oct 2021 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt on their Mariner imprint, it's 320 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats.

There are 20 stories by my count and they're from authors both familiar and new to me. The stories are varied, there were (as always) some which didn't grab me personally, but all were well written and competently plotted. They were mostly in the 4 star range(ish) with a a fair smattering of really standout stories. This is a well done anthology of stories in the 3-5 star range.

One reason I like collections and anthologies is that short fiction is really challenging.  It's spare and the author doesn't have a wealth of wordage to develop characters or the plotting.  Well written short fiction is a delight. I also love collections because if one story doesn't really grab me, there's another story just a few pages away.  

Four stars on average. It's a diverting read.

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

Little Homesteader: A Winter Treasury of Recipes, Crafts, and Wisdom

Little Homesteader is a well written and heartwarming collection of hands-on crafts and activities for young readers by Angela Ferraro-Fanning. Released 7th Sept 2021 by Quarto on their Ivy Kids imprint, it's 32 pages and is available in paperback format. 

This is such a fun book full of colorful illustrations by Annaliesdraws which are full of small details and suit the simple projects very well. There's such a wholesome and inclusive vibe throughout that I found myself smiling along. The projects are safe and will provide lots of ideas for families with young kids. There are some projects which can be done alone, but the ones which need adult supervision are clearly marked. They're all winter themed and include both indoor and outdoor activities. Some of the projects are also designed to help support wildlife with food and shelter/habitat.

This would make a great choice for public or classroom library acquisition, maker's groups, scouting/activity groups, church youth groups, and families. The included projects are aimed at roughly 5-8 year olds, but can be adjusted. 

Five stars. Fun projects, a wholesome book.

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

Dessert Boards: 50 Beautifully Sweet Platters and Boards for Family, Friends, Holidays, and Any Occasion

Dessert Boards is an exuberantly well curated ode to desserts with recipes by Kellie Hemmerly. Released 2nd Nov 2021 by Quarto on their Harvard Common Press imprint, it's 144 pages and is available in paperback format. 

This is a well presented and easy to follow book full of good tips and tricks for presenting tasty food and creating a convivial atmosphere with platters and boards full of sweets. I like that the author has a very friendly upbeat style of writing and the food is beautiful. 

The introduction covers the basics of building a board including the board itself (not necessarily wooden), bowls, serving utensils, and food considerations (including transportation logistics). The boards themselves are arranged thematically: early day (coffee, breakfast, etc), holidays, international, family gatherings, celebrations, and anytime. The boards contain both homemade treats (recipes in the back of the book) and store-bought additions such as fruit, trail mix, granola bars, donuts (no recipe included), croissants (ditto), and jams/jellies. The following section of the book contains the recipes used in the boards. Recipe ingredients are listed in a bullet-style sidebar. Measurements are in American standard with most metric measures in parentheses (yay!) followed by step by step instructions. Boards using the recipes are listed in the header. The book doesn't include nutritional information. The recipes are pictured with the finished boards and the pictures are beautifully clear and colorful. Many of the recipes do use pre-packaged ingredients and condiments for convenience.

Five stars. The dishes and boards here aren't super *fancy* but they really *feel* special because of the presentation. I liked everything about this book, from the presentations, the clearly written recipes, and the beautiful photography and food styling. This is a very popular instagram/pinterest trend and this book contained a lot of time-saving shortcuts and suggestions. Perfect for holiday entertaining.

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

Modern Crochet Style 15 colourful crochet patterns for your and your home, including fun sustainable makes

Modern Crochet Style is a pattern book with tutorials by Lindsey Newns. Due out in late Dec 2021 from Pen & Sword on their White Owl imprint, it's 112 pages and will be available in paperback format. 

The layout is clear and bright with high contrast text and modern feeling colors. The chapters are arranged thematically: a tutorial introduces the basic stitches and concepts and is followed by the project patterns (there are 15 total) grouped seasonally: spring (hair scrunchies, an adorable gingham bag, wallhanging, kitchen cloths), summer (eye mask, cushion, basket, placemats), autumn (bathmat, duffel, scarf), and winter (hat, cowl, rug, and stocking). The photography in the sample pages is excellent, clear and full of color.

The projects are quite appealing and not-too-trendy (but not stodgy), and are versatile enough to invite crafters' personal embellishments or followed as written. The author gives specific information about yarn weights and good tips on fibres and colourways.

Four and a half stars. This would be a superlative choice for public or school library acquisition, maker's groups, fibrecrafts groups, activity groups, pension homes and similar. The projects range in difficulty but none are beyond the scope of a keen amateur. I was impressed how cute the hair scrunchies turned out and it's a really great pattern for using up tiny scraps of yarn which we all seem to collect.

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

 

The Christmas Killer (DI James Walker #1)

The Christmas Killer is the first book in the murder procedural by Alex Pine. Originally released in 2020, this reformat and re-release (coinciding with the publication of book two) is 416 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. 

Despite the slow plotting and often lax tension, this was an entertaining and engaging read. It's holiday themed and the 12 days of Christmas plot was slightly creepy and relevant. I personally had some trouble relating to main protagonist James' motivations and found him patronising and unsympathetic. The denouement and resolution were not unexpected and there was quite a long exposition which amounted roughly to "why I did it" from the killer. 

There's very little subtlety in the writing, characterisations, or plotting. It's very simply written and the dialogue was often flat and unbelievable to me. I just didn't find much to grab or hold my attention. 

Three stars. It might make a good choice for picking up to read in 10 minute snatches during the holiday planning madness. 

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

Orders to Kill (Home Front Detective #9)

Orders to Kill is the 9th historical procedural mystery in the Home Front Detective series by Edward Marston. Released 21st Oct 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. 

This is a well written historical series and this installment sees inspectors Marmion and Keedy investigating the particularly brutal murder of a revered orthopedic surgeon. It's set in London during WWI and the inspectors will travel outside their home precincts to find the guilty and bring them to justice. 

Despite being the 9th in the series, it works well as a standalone and there are no huge spoilers for the earlier books if read out of order.  This is a well written and engaging series, however, the writing is uneven in places and there are a few instances of dialogue which yanked me out of my suspension of disbelief. The end conflict, denouement, and resolution were a trifle two dimensional and flat. There was very little sense of danger. There were also some plot threads which seemed tacked on and could have been trimmed down and streamlined without problem (Alice and Iris' entire interaction and shopping trip, for example).

All in all, though, the author is quite competent and the mystery is a light and engaging one.

Three and a half stars. This would be a good choice for fans of historical British police procedural mysteries. 

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

Ghost Electricity (Hawthorn House #1)

Ghost Electricity is the first full novel in the Hawthorn House urban fantasy series by Sean Cunningham. Originally released in 2018, this reformat and re-release is 244 pages and is 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 currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

This is an absolutely character driven chaotic urban fantasy which slams along chaotically like a zoetrope filmed strobe-lit mosh pit. The characters are worth the effort though. Warlock & vampire flatmates Julian & Rob respectively are living next door to a sort of Wednesday Addams/Flavia de Luce 10 year old metaphysics supergenius whose elder sister may-or-may-not-be possessed (and who undeniably has a monster in her shadow). Add lots of monsters, a huge amount of fighting and bloodshed, and stir. 

Despite hopping from scene to scene like water droplets on an overheated griddle, there are some genuinely funny moments and the author has a deft touch writing comedy. There are fascinating glimpses of cohesive and potentially amazing world building here, but they're mostly obscured by the chaos and constantly changing scenes. 

I feel that there is an impressive amount of potential here and recommend it to fans of UF. There is at least one other book and several shorter novella length works set in the same universe for readers who enjoy a binge series. (They all seem to currently be available for kindle unlimited subscribers).

Three and a half stars.

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

The Heathens (Quinn Colson #11)

The Heathens is the 11th Quinn Colson novel by Ace Atkins. Released 13th July 2021 by Penguin Putnam on their G.P. Putnam's Sons imprint, it's 416 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. 

This is a plainly written gutsy investigative procedural featuring an interesting dual plot following both Quinn Colson's investigation into the murder of a local woman and his ex-deputy's tracking the suspects wanted in the same murder. The writing is, as always, tight and unvarnished and engaging. The author's adept at writing action and equally talented with natural and believable dialogue. 

I have enjoyed the other books in the series and recommend them, but this one works pretty well as a standalone. The author has tied up a number of multi-book plot threads in the previous book, so logistically speaking, this is a good place to jump in to the series.

This book will appeal to fans of the Longmire books, as well as Crais' Cole & Pike. This is by no means a derivative work, but it certainly has the same authenticity and realism in the characters, descriptions, and dialogue. 

Four stars. 

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

To Know a Starry Night

To Know a Starry Night is an often breathtaking photographic ode to the night sky and darkness in its myriad colors written by Paul Bogard and featuring photographs by Beau Rogers. Released 12th Oct 2021 by the University of Nevada Press, it's 144 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats.

The written parts of the book are gathered very loosely into 8 thematic meandering essays. The author explores light pollution, the primal satisfaction and awe of true darkness (mostly lost to us now), solitude, heavenly bodies, and stars, always the stars, so distant. Really though, it's the breathtaking skyscapes which are center stage here, both varied and similar and of an unusual virtuosity. The themes are universal, but the photos are weighted to the western contiguous USA: California, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Montana, Washington, and Oregon. 

Four stars. This is a beautifully curated coffee-table worthy collection of masterful photos of the night sky. Although the quality of the digital eARC provided for review was high quality, this is a book which will shine brightest in physical print. This would be a good selection for library acquisition, home library display, or a lovely gift for an outdoors-y friend. 

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

Beyond the Headlines (Clare Carlson #4)

Beyond the Headlines is the fourth investigative procedural mystery featuring reporter Clare Carlson by R.G. Belsky. Released 4th May 2021 by Oceanview, it's 336 pages and available in hardcover and ebook formats.

Writing realistic gritty procedurals is an art. It's all too easy for that realism to shade (unironically) over into self-parody. So I'm always on the lookout for series and authors to follow. This is a very well written and engaging procedural with a gutsy and intelligent female protagonist which is cleverly plotted and written and with believable characters who aren't perfect cookie cutter archetypes and who have realistic internal motivations and interactions. 

I was unfamiliar with the series before reading the fourth book and although it works perfectly well as a standalone; I was intrigued and impressed enough to seek out the first three books in the series before finishing this one. It's not necessary though, but they're worth a look as well. 

I'm also slightly wary of male authors who write strongly female dominant character driven books. There are some wonderful authors who nevertheless still make me cringe when reading their female characters (John D. MacDonald, I'm looking at you). This wasn't a problem here. He writes Clare with wry and sarcastic wit, unapologetic appetites (physical and sexual), and a sharply cynical worldview. 

Four stars. Worth a look for fans of modern procedurals. 

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

The Last Diving Horse in America: Rescuing Gamal and Other Animals--Lessons in Living and Loving

The Last Diving Horse in America is a warmly personal memoir of animal (and human) rescue and the special inter-species bonds which define and enhance us. Released 19th Oct 2021 by Knopf Doubleday on their Pantheon imprint, it's 288 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. 

This is a touching and well written memoir full of anecdotes of a lifetime of animal rescue by Cynthia A. Branigan. She begins with the plight of performing animals and "diving" horses, specifically Gamal, one of the last, and moves on to other rescue animals and their stories. The book moved me deeply and is written in an honest and unvarnished way in plain language. I enjoyed reading about her life and her family and her work in rescue and animal protection. The book is peppered with personal and family anecdotes and wry self deprecating humor. There are a number of black and white photos from the author's personal family archive as well as publicity and newspaper historical photos.

Four stars. This would be a superlative choice for public or school library acquisition, and for readers who enjoy memoir and biography. Well written, informative, and engaging.

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

The Fall of the House of Thomas Weir (The Casebook of Johnson and Boswell, #1)

The Fall of the House of Thomas Weir is a historical mystery and the first book in a new series by Andrew Neil MacLeod. Released 4th July 2021 by Burning Chair, it's 246 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. 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.

Historical mysteries woven around a framework of real history and featuring real historical characters are one of my very favourite subgenres. This one features Dr. Samuel Johnson and friend Scottish diarist and attorney James Boswell against shadowy secret organisations, skullduggery, administrative corruption, and the forces of evil. The story is fictionalized but written around a real historical framework and intertwined so skillfully that it's not always easy to tell where real history shades over into fiction. 

The denouement and resolution are well done and satisfying. There is a *strong* horror element and I would personally place it in that genre first, and historical mystery second. Readers looking for a nice Georgian costume mystery will be getting more than they bargain for. There are many scenes of graphic gore and horror. It was honestly much scarier and more graphic than I was comfortably equipped to handle. It is very well written and plotted however, and the author clearly knows his craft.

It's the first book in a series, so it works very well as an introductory stand-alone. 

High quality historical horror mystery. Four stars. 

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

The Beautiful Ones

The Beautiful Ones is a genre-crossing atmospheric YA romance with elements of magical realism by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Released 27th April 2021 by Macmillan on their Tor imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in most formats. 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. 

This is a very well written but slowly developing narrative about family, love, loyalty, social constraints and expectations with magic. The author is quite adept at her craft and her command of narrative prose is exceptional and impressive. Despite that, I found my interest flagging at several points. It took much longer to finish reading than it should have and my overall impressions were no doubt negatively impacted by having picked it up and put it down over a period of months (I generally finish books in one or two sittings). 

There is an overarching grand theatrical feeling to the work which, although unquestionably original, called to mind Wuthering Heights, Pride & Prejudice, and with a shading of tortured Russian grand literature. My difficulty with the reading was at least partly due to the antipathy I felt toward the deeply unhappy character Valerie. 

Beautifully well written. It didn't enthrall me. Three and a half stars.

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

Old-Time Country Wisdom and Lore for Hearth and Home: 1,000s of Traditional Skills for Simple Living

 

Old-Time Country Wisdom and Lore for Hearth and Home is a volume in a series of republished and collated Old Farmer's Almanac type tips and folklore from the 1970s.Originally released in the 70's, this re-release from Quarto on their Voyageur Press imprint 12th Oct 2021 is 176 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats.  

This is a wide-ranging collection of "Old Farmer's Almanac" type of wisdom and trivia. The tips and tricks are very roughly arranged thematically: hearth and home (cleaning and general info) and the country table (food prep & handling).

There are some hair-raisingly scary "tips" and observations included here and they are blended willy-nilly with old wives & farmers tales without regard to the veracity of any of the claims. In fact, the publisher states quite clearly in the disclaimer that "Any recipes or “health cures” are intended as a historical reference only. They are NOT recommended by the editors or publisher of this book. They have been compiled as a historical narrative for historical purposes only. The publisher assumes no responsibility whatsoever for any injury or damage resulting from reader’s use of any of the material or information contained in this book".

The graphics are simple with old fashioned monochrome illustrations and line drawings throughout. This would be a good selection for the smallholder's winter home library reading, allotments, fans of old farmer's almanac type publications, and similar. I would go so far as to suggest its usefulness for historical research and background context for authors, historical re-enactors, etc. This is *not* a book to be followed or used as a reference to any degree.

Three and a half stars. It's of limited practical use, but will be enjoyed by people who remember the old almanacs fondly.

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

Aesop’s Animals: The Science Behind the Fables

Aesop’s Animals is an interesting layman accessible nonfiction look at the potential truth behind the fables written by zoologist Dr. Jo Wimpenny. Due out 2nd Nov 2021 from Bloomsbury on their Sigma imprint, it's 368 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats (ebook available now). 

The author has selected 9 different fables and examined them through the lens of zoology and related science. Each of the tales is retold in an abbreviated form and then explored in the context of scientific relation and behavior. The author references current and past research and observation and relates it to each of the 9 stories. This is not an academic treatise. There are no chapter notes or footnotes. The language is layman accessible and more narrative than precise. The book does include an abbreviated and helpful bibliography and index.

Four stars. The author writes with style and humor and tries (and succeeds) to make the read minimally pedantic. I can well imagine that she's a talented and popular lecturer.

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