Dave and the Sabretooth

Dave and the Sabretooth is an appealing story for kids by Matt Crew. Released 31st March 2023, it's 37 pages and is available in paperback format. The author has included a QR code in the book for purchasers to acquire a copy in ebook format as well. 

This is a fully illustrated short tale for young readers, told in rhyming text. The illustrations (see cover) are whimsically appealing and *many* of them feature funny small details for both young readers and the adults in their lives to find. 

 

Protagonist Dave isn't particularly brave, or super intelligent, or strong. He's a sort of everyman character most of us can sympathize with and recognize ourselves in. He just wants to prove himself, so he sets off alone to hunt and finds danger instead. 

The loosely rhyming text couplets are funny and lightly humorous. There are a couple of typos in the text, but the review copy provided to the media is an early version, and presumably the (minor) errors are corrected in the print release copy. 

Four stars. It would make a good choice for public or school library acquisition, gift giving, and home use. 

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

 

 

The Ghosts that Haunt Me

The Ghosts that Haunt Me is an unflinching depiction of the impact of murder from the experiences of retired detective, Steve Ryan. Released 13 Sept 2022 by Dundurn Press, it's 232 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. 

This is quite a difficult read. The author is a retired career law enforcement officer with 30 years experience, 10 of which he served as a homicide detective. The memoir is written around his recollections of 6 specific cases, and he does a good job of recreating the grinding desperation, sadness, and sometimes slogging work of policing, including bringing cases to resolution. The standout for me was a deeper understanding of the loss and horrible cost of murder. The writing is unpolished but effective, describing horrific acts and the investigative aftermath plainly and directly. It makes for difficult reading throughout.

He covers 6 cases from Toronto in which he was involved. The first of them was the murder and dismemberment of a young girl, aged 10 at the time of her death. He does a good job of also describing the ancillary services, social, criminal, and medical which are involved in the investigation, solution, and resolution of criminal assault and murder.

Four stars. Recommended for fans of very gritty true-crime stories/podcasts.  

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

The Christmas Murder Game

The Christmas Murder Game is a delightfully witty holiday themed mystery by Alexandra Benedict. Originally released in 2021, this reformat and re-release from Sourcebooks on their Poisoned Pen imprint, it's 288 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. Other editions available in other formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is an engaging cozy with a nice closed circle mystery revolving around the Armitage family gathered for the holidays at Endgame House for the annual Christmas Game. The mystery is well constructed and the characters well rendered. It's a very slightly harder-edged cozy, with lots of very clever wordplay, and is an enjoyable, diverting read. The plotting is *full* of twists with lots of undercurrents and red herrings to keep readers engaged. The resolution and denouement were written with finesse and facility and readers will find it a satisfying read. Bonus for cruciverbalists: the author has included lots of clues for readers to find and puzzle out parallel to the main story.

This one reminded me in a lot of good ways of the best of the golden age authors, especially Dorothy Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, or even John Bude or Edmund Crispin's slight shadings of campy lighthearted repartee. Quite a worthwhile read. Fans of golden age British crime shouldn't pass it up since there won't be anymore classics from the original sources. 

Four stars. 

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

The Night Ship

The Night Ship is a haunting and evocative story based on the shipwreck of the Batavia in 1629 written by Jess Kidd. Released 4th Oct 2022 by Simon & Schuster on their Atria Books imprint, it's 400 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out in third quarter 2023 from the same publisher. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. 

This is a strikingly lush and complex tale told around the alternating timelines of the two lead characters, children, living their lives separated by more than 3 centuries. Based on the actual wreck of the Batavia in 1629, the author also skillfully weaves in imaginative folklore and fantasy from both European and Antipodean tradition. 

The prose is often disturbing and brilliant in just about equal measure. Some of the descriptions are difficult; and the overall vibe is -very- melancholy and could be distressing for sensitive readers. Both the central characters are children; both suffering trauma, grief, and death. It's a book that will stay with readers. 

Four stars. 

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

Murder in Westminster - Lady Worthing Mysteries #1

Murder in Westminster is a well written and engaging historical cozy series starter by Vanessa Riley. Released 30th Aug 2022 by Kensington Books, it's 336 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out in 3rd quarter 2023 from the same publisher. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 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 second book in the series, Murder in Drury Lane, is due out in 4th quarter 2023.  

Set in regency London, the main protagonist is an extremely intelligent but socially precarious woman of mixed heritage who is in a marriage of advantageous convenience to a baron and as such, with entry to the ton. She soon finds herself mixed up in the violent murder of her neighbour's estranged wife and seeks to solve the crime to keep herself from scandal and prosecution. 

There is a moderate subplot revolving around Lady Worthing's precognition and other paranormal aspects, so readers who prefer more realism will want to be aware going in. It's also somewhat more graphic than a light cozy series, with on page descriptions of violence/murder. It wasn't off-putting or egregious, but it was there. As a person of color, especially given the time period, there are also fairly realistic themes of racism, racist violence, and a large subplot about abolitionist movements in Great Britain (and to a lesser degree the colonies) which are interesting and informative. The author has done a superlative job with research and background.

The author skillfully weaves the fiction around a framework of actual historical occurrences and persons. The resolution and denouement for the mystery is self contained in this volume, but there are also background developments between Lady Worthing and her family and associates which promise to be developed in future. 

Four stars. Quite a strong series starter. Recommended for readers who enjoy historical mystery such as Anna Lee Huber, C. S. Harris, etc.

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