Leaf Your Troubles Behind: How to Destress and Grow Happiness Through Plants

Leaf Your Troubles Behind is a reassuring and interesting volume about de-stressing and the positive mental health benefits to be found in interacting with plants and nature written and presented by Karen Hugg. Due out 15th July 2022 from Prometheus Books, it's 256 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

Taking time to work with an enjoy plants has been shown to have a positive effect on mental health. The last few years have been tough on most of the planet with isolation, stress, economic challenges, job stresses, and all the other negatives of the pandemic. This book does its small part to help readers find the time and techniques necessary to interact with houseplants and flowers. 

I liked that the author emphasizes play and enjoyment and less strictly goal-oriented techniques. This is not so much a how-to guide as a manual for enjoyment and possibly improving readers' happiness and mental health. 

The first section of the book helps readers examine their own motivations and desires in building and maintaining a green space. The following chapters explore the value of playing with plants, meeting up with like minded people (including an uplifting account of Ron Finley's successful fight with city hall), embracing and enhancing our mental spaces. The final section of the book is a synthesis of the techniques and tutorials provided in the earlier parts and discusses methods of selection and growth and how to interact with plants in a -non-stressful manner (since being stressed about the choices and processes negates the entire point of the book).

This is a very well written and practical book. It's a bit diffuse and philosophical in places. It's not full of instructions and the illustrations are sparing and drawn, not photographed. The entire vibe is laid back, gentle, and contemplative. 

Four stars. This would make a good choice for public or school library acquisition, gift giving, or possibly for the houseplant enthusiasts' home library. 

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

The Color Meditation Deck

The Color Meditation Deck is an interesting and information dense tutorial on color theory with inspiration prompts by Lisa Solomon. Released 12th July 2022 by Roost Books, it's 110 pages in card format. 

This is such a calm and meditative book. The author's voice is gentle, knowledgeable, and encouraging. The prompts are full of reference theory with thorough illustrations on basic groundwork: tint, shade, palettes, and color schemes. There is nothing stress inducing to be found here and I found the lack of direct expectations very freeing and, honestly, fun. 

I received an eARC for review, so it's not possible to evaluate the effectiveness of the individual card format, but the information and color theory contained in the book is helpful and solid. It's not full of "woo woo" and artists who are less interested in meditation than color theory will still find this a useful resource. 

Four stars. It would make a good candidate for acquisition for maker's spaces, group studio, or the artist's private studio. 

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

Until the End (Skulduggery Pleasant #15)

Until the End is the 15th book (and the last in this cycle) of the Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy. Released 5th July 2022 by Harper Collins on their HC Children's imprint, it's 656 pages and is available in all 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; it makes it much easier to find particular text with the search function.

This is an epic YA adventure series with loads of action and a lot more edge than most YA fantasy advenures.This is the last book in this "cycle" (subseries) and as such, especially for readers who are new to the overarching series, it really cannot be read as a standalone without utter confusion/frustration. This cycle begins with book 10, Resurrection, and it's highly recommended as a starting point for readers who don't want to or can't start with book 1.

The writing is consistently better than average and the author combines wit and sarcasm with drama into a dark melange which is engaging and full of suspense. There are -so- many characters and so many disparate plot threads flying around that using a searchable format or taking careful notes is almost a must (it's a *huge* book). Some of the book felt a bit rushed toward the end. It's a massive volume and I can only imagine that it must've been like trying to birth an elephant - huge achievement but in the end you just want it to end as soon as possible.

Four and a half stars; five for the target audience. Current long time fans of the series will be in raptures.

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

A Perilous Pal (Friend for Hire Mystery #2)

A Perilous Pal is the second Friend For Hire cozy mystery by Laura Bradford. Released 5th July 2022 by Penguin Random House on their Berkley imprint, it's 288 pages and is available in mass market paperback, audio, and ebook formats. Library binding available in third quarter 2022. 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.

Protagonist Kim is a friend for hire and will, for a fee, attend whatever function/wedding/concert/or event her clients need. When her new client's ex-husband winds up dead and the evidence points directly back at client Kim, Emma channels her inner amateur sleuth yet again. 

The characterizations are well done and believable. I enjoyed the bantering dialogue which is never overwrought or clunky. The pacing is maybe a trifle slow in places, but the author has an above average facility with description and the mystery and resolution are well controlled and satisfying. The clues are well presented and the entire "whodunit" is fair play and cleverly constructed.

The language is squeaky clean and the violence occurs off-scene. Four and a half stars. This is definitely one for fans of modern cozies with cute dogs and plucky female protagonists.

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

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

Little Homesteader: A Fall Treasury of Recipes, Crafts, and Wisdom is a fully illustrated picture book for kids and caregivers full of fun fall themed activities and recipes by Angela Ferraro-Fanning and illustrated by Anneliesdraws. Released 5th July 2022 by Quarto on their Ivy Kids imprint, it's 32 pages and is available in hardcover format in this edition. 

This is such a fun book full of colorful illustrations full of small details which suit the simple projects very well. There's such a wholesome and inclusive vibe throughout that I found myself smiling often looking through the crafts. The projects are safe and will provide lots of ideas for families with young kids as well as facilitators, educators, childminders, and others who spend a lot of time in the company of youngsters. There are some projects which can be done by kids alone, but the ones which need adult supervision are clearly marked. They're all fall 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.

A Cold Nose for Murder (A Chatty Corgi Mystery #3)

A Cold Nose for Murder is the third Chatty Corgi cozy village mystery by Jennifer Hawkins. Released 5th July 2022 by Penguin Random House on their Berkley imprint, it's 352 pages and is available in mass market paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a fun, very light, well written murder mystery series with an intelligent middle aged female protagonist named Emma and her saucy opinionated corgi whom she can understand perfectly well and who has opinions and suggestions about *everything* (the dog, not Emma). The author does a super job with the returning characters who are three dimensional, quirky, and mostly appealing. In small-town cozy style, the book is peopled by characters who are by turns nosy, exasperating, fun, or just odd. It's a nice distraction to figure out "whodunit", and the plot moves along at a good clip and doesn't drag or hiccup.

The story is lighthearted and flows well, and in good cozy fashion, the language is clean and the violence occurs off-page. The story is occasionally a tiny bit precious and over the top, but the protagonist has a talking dog (who only she can understand) and I never found myself being yanked out of the story. The author has clearly gone to some pains to learn about motorcycle history and there are small tidbits of trivia scattered throughout since the main plotline is built around an antique Vincent Black Lightning motorcycle. 

Although it's the third book in the series, the mystery is self contained and the author is adept enough at providing the necessary character backstory, that it works perfectly well as a standalone. The story, climax, denouement, and resolution are all satisfying and cleverly wrought.

Four stars. Very fun. It would make a good selection for public library acquisition, and the series would be a nice candidate for binge reading poolside or possibly mystery book club discussion. 

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

 

Death by Bubble Tea (LA Night Market #1)

Death by Bubble Tea is the first book in a new shopfront foodie cozy series by Jennifer J. Chow. Released 5th July 2022 by Penguin Random House on their Berkley imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in mass market paperback, audio, and ebook formats. Library binding available in third quarter 2022. 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 an interesting "buddy" investigation where the two main protagonists couldn't be more different. They're cousins, shy bookish Yale and her flashy outgoing influencer cousin Celine, who haven't seen one another since they were children. Yale gets roped into playing tour guide when Celine flies in from Hong Kong for a visit. It's not long until murder intrudes in the reunion, and the cousins decide to play amateur sleuth. The story is engaging and told well, but the pacing is occasionally a little off and I found my interest wandering in places. That being said, the story is fun, and the story arc leads to a satisfying climax, denouement, and resolution. Celine's character starts out as entirely unsympathetic and I had so much antipathy toward her I considered dropping the book but wound up glad that I hadn't done so over the course of the book.

Being a cozy, it's blissfully free of graphic violence, bad language, or sexual content. There were a couple bits of clunky dialogue, but they're few and far between. The author has included a few recipes in the back of the book as well as a chapter sneak-peak for the upcoming second book in the series which is due out in spring 2023.

Three and a half stars, rounded up for the better than just competent characterization and story. A good choice for public library acquisition, as well as for fans of shopfront food cozies. 

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

Iced

Iced is a self contained mystery thriller in the style of Dick Francis and ghost written by his son Felix Francis. Due out 12th July 2022 from Crooked Lane Books, it's 326 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out 1st quarter 2023. 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 is engaging and readable with an action driven plot told in parallel first person PoV through flashbacks and the current day, timelines which converge in St. Mortiz with protagonist Miles drawn back into the equestrian world he had walked away from years earlier.

The characterizations are very well rendered, with believable three dimensional characters and dialogue which is never clunky or overwrought. The descriptions of the very disparate sports of tobogganing and horse racing on the flat ice, are well written and rich in small details. The climax, denouement, and resolution were well written and satisfying. 

For fans of la famille Francis, this is a solid addition to the artists' oeuvre. It's full of beautiful scenery, set in the middle of the winter and would make a nice read for beating the heat. The language and some of the action is a bit rough and gritty, so it's not a completely innocent cozy read. There is some potentially triggering content in the form of frank discussions of eating disorders, mental health, athlete exploitation, etc. 

Three and a half stars.

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

1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows: A Memoir

1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows is a memoir by Ai Weiwei of the sociopolitical changes in the 20th century in China and of his own place in the larger picture as an artist, philosopher, and activist. Released 2nd Nov 2021 by Penguin Random House on their Crown Publishing imprint, it's 400 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out in 4th quarter 2022. 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 it makes it much easier to find particular text in a search. 

This is an engaging and honest memoir of the author's life, part of which he spent in exile as a child with his father, a poet of renown. The philosophy with which he was surrounded and the privation of his early life informed much of his personality and later artistic expression. The writing is intelligent and open and there are glimpses of genuine wit and humor. I enjoyed his reminiscences very much; the recollections of culture shock and confusion as a young Chinese student in America were touching and honestly told. 

The book is enhanced throughout with glimpses into his sketchbooks and drawings. They add a lot of depth to the read. The translation work is flawlessly provided by Dr. Allan Barr. It scans very well and doesn't read in the English edition as though it were translated, which is obviously the ideal.

Four and a half stars. This would be a superlative choice for public library acquisition as well as recommended for readers of memoir and biography. 

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

A Deadly Confession (Lipton St Faith #2)

A Deadly Confession is the second Lipton St. Faith historical cozy mystery by Keith Finney. Released 28th Oct 2021 by Lume Books, it's 258 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book (and the other extant book in the series) are currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

This is a light WW2 cozy historical adventure set in Norfolk. The main protagonists, the local vicar's daughter and a US volunteer pilot "doing his bit" before the USA officially entered the war, are untangling the brutal murder of a local woman. The author has taken some pains with historical and geographic research. He does quite a good job of evoking the time period through quaint dialogue and background descriptions (flyovers, ration coupons, the Women's Land Army, child evacuees, etc). There is one stylistic element which often dragged me out of the story where the main protagonist Anna has a nearly continuous monologue in the text in italics. She has something to say or think a couple times per page and I found it both distracting and annoying and never got used to the literary device.

The narrative is well written but slow-paced and readers used to hastier writing might find their attention wandering. All in all, I found it charmingly nostalgic if possibly a bit unrealistically saccharine. The spelling and vernacular are true to the area and location, although there are a few possibly anachronistic usages which I didn't chase down, such as "Yes, I get you". The author has included a handy short glossary of terms for readers who might be unfamiliar with the vernacular. 

Three and a half stars. Worth a look for fans of the time period. It's squeaky clean and there's nothing in the writing or language which would startle anyone's maiden aunt.

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

The Silent Witness (Detective Amanda Steele #3)

The Silent Witness is the third Amanda Steele procedural thriller by Carolyn Arnold. Released 24th Sept 2021, it's 294 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. 

This is a tensely written, action driven procedural with loads of atmosphere and a feeling of real threat. The opening scene, almost a prologue, which sets up the entire plot arc was difficult to read with its brutality. The author has very good technical expertise with descriptive prose, and although the dialogue is a bit rough in places, it's never clunky and I never found myself yanked out of the story by overwrought descriptions or action. 

This is definitely not a cozy mystery and much of the action, which includes home invasion, violent murder, and a traumatized child, may be potentially triggering to some readers. There are now 5 extant books in the series, with a 6th due out in late 2022, so for fans of procedural thrillers, this is a solid contender for binge reading. Despite being the third book in the series, all necessary back-story is provided in context, and the mystery is self contained in this volume, so it could be read as a standalone. 

The author is adept and competent. Although it's not at all derivative, the vibe here felt a lot like Deaver's Lincoln Rhyme books, and fans of that series will likely enjoy this one as well.

Four and a half stars. 

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

The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Homestead Gardening

 

The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Homestead Gardening is an interesting monograph on planning and beginning gardening to lessen readers' carbon footprint and improve food security and self sufficiency. Due out 11th July 2022, it's 117 pages and the review materials provided for review included no retail/acquisition information or author links. 

This is a very simply written and accessible guide to planning and getting started with gardening. The information included in the book is very general and widely available online, but the author (the publicity info received for review does not specify or give author name or credits and there's no Library of Congress info available) does a good job of collating the information in one manual. There are no annotations provided and the book (in the ARC supplied for review) doesn't include an index or bibliography. 

The chapters are arranged thematically, starting with basic concepts (where, how, what, when, why), small space gardening, beginning vegetable gardening, layouts (there are no plans given here), tools, easiest vegetables to grow, companion gardening, soil prep, seaonality, seed sowing and propagation, watering, weeding, fertilizing, harvesting, storage, crop rotation, some pitfalls to avoid, general self-sufficiency, and making money from your "homestead hustle". 

This is a guide for dreamers and people who are trying to get started with planning. There is no real concrete information contained in this book which cannot be found easily online elsewhere. Graphically it's a very simple layout, devoid of photos or illustrations. There are no graphics in the ARC at all.

Three stars. It might make an appropriate support text alongside other more traditional guides, but as a solo work, it doesn't go into enough detail on any of the subjects to be a sufficient resource on its own.

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

Hatchet Island (Mike Bowditch #13)

 

Hatchet Island is the 13th Mike Bowditch mystery by Paul Doiron. Released 28th June by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 320 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. 

This is a wonderfully written series with an intelligent and honorable protagonist who works as an investigator for the Maine Warden Service (game warden). Although it has more thriller elements than my usual shopfront cozy selections, it's so well written, so redolent of the area and the outdoors, that it was an immersive and enjoyable read. Readers who are already fans of procedural thrillers will be right at home. 

The plotting moves along at a good pace and the whole setup is so steeped in a pervasive sense of menace that the tension is ratcheted up continually til the first catastrophic crimes and it doesn't slow down after that. The examination and detection on the part of the protagonist and his colleagues (and girlfriend Stacey) is meticulously written and very cleverly constructed. The final climax, denouement, and resolution were tense and satisfying. Although the mystery is self contained, the entire series is highly recommended and would be a great candidate for a long weekend binge read. 

Four and a half stars. This series will appeal very much to fans of Stabenow's Kate Shugak and Box's Joe Pickett mysteries. 

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

Whittling Workbook: 14 Simple Projects to Carve

 

 

Whittling Workbook: 14 Simple Projects to Carve is a beginner friendly whittling guide with tutorials by James Ray Miller. Released 26th April 2022 by Fox Chapel, it's 112 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

This is a sensible, accessible, and well written practical guide to whittling. The introduction covers the basics, types of wood, grain, tools and supplies, safety guidelines, and the skills which build up successively. The first section of the book also contains tips on painting, finishing, and finding a woodcarving community to network and share the joy of the hobby with. 

The second half of the book contains the projects, arranged roughly in order of difficulty. All the pattern templates are included (in both vertical and horizontal rough outlines). All of the tutorials are accompanied by copious color photos which are clear and easy to understand. Carving action shots are taken without tools or hands obscuring the relevant areas (which I can imagine was not a trivial task). They include a finished project photo, tools and supplies in a bullet list in a highlighted text box, followed by step-by-step concise instructions for completing the objects. The projects are all appealingly folksy and whimsical.

I liked the casual style of the writing; the author's very encouraging and it's a friendly book. It reads like a one-on-one workshop with an experienced instructor. 

Four and a half stars. This would be a superlative choice for public and school library acquisition, scouting, activity, and makers' groups, and for the home hobbyist. 

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

Super Easy Origami for Beginners: Learn to Fold Origami with Easy Illustrated Instuctions and Fun Projects

Super Easy Origami for Beginners is a beginner friendly origami guide with tutorials by Carri Hammett. First released in 2011 as Origami 101, this reformat and re-release from Quarto on their New Shoe Press  is due out 2nd Aug 2022. It's 160 pages and will be available in paperback format.

This is a very basic beginner manual. I liked the graphics and layout. Information is presented in straightforward easy to understand language and the format makes it easy to locate the info needed quickly. The sections are arranged around basic classic folds (kite, collapsed square, basic form, and collapsed triangle. Each tutorial builds on the information in the prior tutorials and by working through the book systematically, readers will build up enough of a skill set to move on to intermediate folding guides.

The book is lavishly illustrated throughout and the drawings & photos are clear and in color. There is an included explanation key for the folding diagrams at the back of the book. New symbols and folds are introduced in highlighted text boxes throughout with clear and easy to understand captions.

It also includes a glossary list of symbols. There are no supplies links or lists, but the necessary materials will be easily available at any big box store, stationery store, or online.

This is a nice addition to the crafter's library. It would also make a good choice for public or school library acquisition, makers' spaces, activity groups and the like. 

Four and a half stars.

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

Super Easy Quilting for Beginners: Patterns, Projects, and Tons of Tips to Get Started in Quilting

Super Easy Quilting for Beginners is a new beginner quilting tutorial and pattern guide edited by Quarry. First released in 2011 as Quilting 101, this reformat and re-release from Quarto on their New Shoe Press  is due out 2nd Aug 2022. It's 160 pages and will be available in paperback format.

I liked the layout of this book. Information is presented directly in easy to understand language and the format makes it easy to find info. This is a very basic beginner manual. The introduction includes general instructions for machine usage, tools & supplies, fabric & batting choice, rotary tools & how to use them safely, and everything else readers would need to get started with quilting safely and with a minimum of frustration. 

The second two thirds of the book contains the project tutorials and patterns. Each of the projects contains one or more good technique lessons such as piecing, applique, quilt as you go, and paper piecing. The projects are well designed and attractive. Many of them would make lovely gifts and bazaar/donation items for charitable use. The book is lavishly illustrated throughout and the photos are clear and in color. Some few of the color choices are a bit retro (the book was originally from 2011), but a change in fabrics will make them more modern, or left as is for a more classic look. 

The pattern templates are included. Tutorials include a tools & supplies list with required fabrics in a bullet list in a highlighted text box, followed by step by step instructions. Required materials are listed with both imperial (American) and metric measurements (yay!). The photos are clear and in color, without hands or tools obscuring construction details. The book also includes a glossary and abbreviated index. There is no supplies links or list, but the necessary materials will be easily available at any big box store, fabric store, or online.

This is a nice addition to the quilter's library and especially for those of us who have generous stash baskets, will provide a very satisfying way to use up some of those scraps. It would also make a good choice for public or school library acquisition, makers' spaces, church auxiliary and the like.

Four stars.

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

A Murder of Crows (Nell Ward Mystery #1)

A Murder of Crows is the first book in a new modern cozy(ish) mystery series by Dr. Sarah Yarwood-Lovett. Released 1st July 2022 by Bonnier on their imprint Embla Books, it's 368 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. 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 diverting series starter with an academically experienced female ecologist who finds herself in a dangerous and difficult situation when an ecological impact survey for a potential construction project lands her as the chief suspect in a homicide which occurred on the site at the same time she was present. Although it has the bones of a cozy mystery, there are elements of procedural and some slightly more graphic violence and descriptions than are usually present in cozies. The usual romantic plot elements are present in abundance and for readers who don't like any romance in their cozies, proceed with caution - there's an unresolved dramatic triangle here which saw me raising my eyes heavenward on a couple occasions.

The main protagonist is a conservation ecologist and it's a profession which she shares with the author. It's an oft-said proverb that authors should write what they know, and Dr. Yarwood-Lovett has done just that; describing the realities of crawling through brambles to map badger setts and collecting and analyzing bat poop with gleeful abandon. Did you know bat droppings are (logically enough) full of insects and they crumble, whilst rodent poo *squishes*? I didn't, and now we both do. It's relevant to the story. 

The book is full of science tidbits and trivia and for me, that was the highlight. Without being pedantic or lecturing, the author pulls back the curtain on a tantalizing bit of nature most never see. There are technical terms bandied about, and there are some places (courtroom expert testimony) which require a little more attention on the part of the reader - but they're relatively few and far between and I think most readers will have no problem understanding the jargon from context. 

The plot is overshadowed by the attraction triangle of the MC and a male colleague and (of course) the handsome detective investigating the crimes. There is so much drama and ridiculous convoluted *unnecessary* sighing and angst which could be resolved with a one sentence explanation that I had to just power through. There are many readers who enjoy that in their books and they'll be in raptures.

Four stars. It does move slowly in places, but the author does a thorough job of building up the characters' back-stories and settings. Definitely looking forward to finding out what comes next.

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

Stealing Infinity (Stolen Beauty #1)

 

Stealing Infinity is an atmospheric YA/NA fantasy/romance, and the first in a series, by Alyson Noël. Released 28th June 2022, it's 497 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 an engaging and well written romance/fantasy with time travel. It's a sort of treasure hunt (in time) with coming-of-age elements. It's not derivative, and the author does a good job with the world building, but it reminded me in a way of Da Vinci Code meets Novik's Scholomance. Protagonist Natasha winds up in a special academy after a events in her life get a bit out of control and she's suddenly surrounded by people who want to exploit her, control her, or just frustrate her. Oh, and she can travel in time, if nobody kills her first.

The character development and plotting were a bit two dimensional and linear in most places. There weren't a lot of deviations or alternative subplot stories to explore. The antagonists were -completely- irredeemable and the protagonists were paragons. The dialogue was often overwrought (not cringe-worthy, but definitely stilted) and I found myself being yanked out of my suspension of disbelief not infrequently. On the other hand, I'm not the target audience (I found my way in via the "time travel-fantasy" door, not the clearly marked romance one). Readers who appreciate fresh, well written YA/NA romance will find a lot to like here; especially readers who really enjoy a healthy dose of draaama and don't mind enemies-to-lovers plots in their stories. I, on the other hand, found myself wanting to shake some of the characters. 

Three and a half stars, rounded up for technically adept writing and an engaging premise.

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

The Lost (Mace Reid K-9 Mystery #3)

The Lost is the third Mace Reid K-9 mystery by by Jeffery B. Burton. Released 28th June 2022 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 288 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a solid installment in a very strong series in the animal mystery subgenre. The series started strong and has gone from strength to strength. The characterizations and descriptions are well rendered and distinct. Protagonist Mace Reid is a dog trainer who specializes in training human remains dogs (cadaver dogs). His "pack" includes ('Vira - short for Elvira), a golden retriever who is a natural wonder as a cadaver dog, and just might be a canine Einstein in addition. The plot arc is full of action and the author is adept at moving the narrative along without info dumping.

There is some anthropomorphism, but it's not out of control. Honestly for some readers who love animal mysteries, it will be a plus. I think there are relatively few readers who will be yanked out of the story by that facet of the writing. The dialogue is well done and flowed smoothly. Mace is sarcastic but eminently likeable, kind, and honest to a fault. Some of the secondary antagonists are caricatures, but that's more or less to be expected with cozy mysteries. There are some disturbing descriptions of violence and ruthless killers included, but it's in character and not egregious. The language is rough (R-rated) in places.

This is a strong addition to the series and I am eagerly looking forward to more. Four strong stars for me, certainly 5 for fans of mysteries featuring dogs. 

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

Farewell Blues (Lady Adelaide Mystery #4)

Farewell Blues is the fourth and final book in the Lady Adelaide historical cozy mystery series by Maggie Robinson. Released 14th Sept 2021 by Sourcebooks on their Poisoned Pen Press imprint, it's 272 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. 

This is a well written 1920's drawing room cozy with the requisite upper-crust British minor landed gentry, inconvenient murder, with a generous side helping of romance and some assistance from the paranormal realm. It wasn't derivative, but reminded me a great deal of Topper, and fans of the franchise will find a lot to love here. It's pure escapist fun, and doesn't take itself at all seriously.

This installment sees all of the overarching plot threads wrapped up to a satisfying denouement and resolution. I especially liked the epilogues which will almost certainly leave readers happy and satisfied. I've enjoyed the series and this was a good ending. The language is relatively clean (a few instances of bloody and damn and nothing worse). This is the end of the series and although the mystery is self contained in this volume, there are huge spoilers for earlier books in the series.

Four stars. For fans of the author's other series, this one is also written to a satisfyingly readable degree. 

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