Reviews, Etc.

BOOK NEWS: June 7, 2022

BOOK NEWS: June 7, 2022

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy June!! In June I always think about summers off and long days of reading. Here are some of the new books releasing this week!

Books for Kids

The Cryptid Club: Bigfoot Takes the Field – First in  a new series. When Lily hears rumors that Bigfoot is hanging around her school, she starts investigating for the school paper. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
Judy Moody and the Missing Mood Ring – Book 12 in the Judy Moody and Friends series. Judy and a new friend get their Nancy Drew on as they check out a spooky house and Judy looks for her missing mood ring. I love this line of Judy and Stink Moody books in the Early Reader format with full color, glossy pages. And the Nancy Drew-ish stories are always fun.

 

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves: Egypt’s Fire – First in a new series. A kid living in the ceiling of the Natural History Museum is accused of stealing a rare Egyptian ruby, so he teams up with a detective to find the real thief. I love a good middle grade mystery!
Unicorn Selfies – Book 15 in the delightful Phoebe and her Unicorn series!
Happily Ever Island – Two college students win a trip to a new Disney resort where they can live like their favorite characters. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.

 

Books for Adults

The Apostle’s Sister (Trade Paperback) – Book 4 in the Jerusalem Road series. Read about the conversion of Saul to Paul from the perspective of his sister. Fascinating!
The Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons (Hardcover) – First in the new Saffron Everleigh Mystery series. Saffron starts investigating when a professor’s wife is killed at a dinner party and her mentor at the university is suspected of the crime.
Dirty Deeds 2 (e-book) – An urban fantasy collection with stories from authors like Jennifer Estep.
The Gatekeeper (Hardcover) – When a former military man stops a kidnapping attempt, he’s pulled into a twisty plot no one expected. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
My Killer Vacation (Trade Paperback) – An elementary school teacher teams up with a bounty hunter to find a murderer. Yep, I pre-ordered this one weeks ago! Top of my list for this week.
The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes (Trade Paperback) – Marian Hayes must turn to her blackmailer for help after she kills her evil, murderous husband. This could be a lot of fun!
The Woman in the Library (Trade Paperback) – Four strangers stuck in the library while the police investigate a murder, get to know one another. Each has a reason for being in the reading room – and one’s reason is murder.

 

REVIEW: Max and the Midknights: The Tower of Time by Lincoln Peirce

REVIEW: Max and the Midknights: The Tower of Time by Lincoln Peirce

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

As Max longs for answers about her twin, she turns to Mumblin the Magician for help going back in time. But he tells her there’s no spell for that. So the kids head out to find answers for themselves.

Review

This was so fun! It’s a great story – meaty, and it didn’t feel like it was over too soon. It was fun to spend time with Max and her friends once again.

References to the earlier books – Max and the Midknights, and Max and the Midknights: Battle of the Bodkins (♥♥♥½) – reward series readers, but newcomers would probably be all right starting here. The story definitely makes more sense, though, with the context of the earlier books. This is a series I have really enjoyed and look forward to – I think kids will love it!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Double Twist by Stephanie Rowe

REVIEW: Double Twist by Stephanie Rowe

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Authenticity Playground Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

After helping the FBI put her husband in jail – and dodging a couple attempts on her life – Mia has bought a marina in Maine with big plans to start over, fresh.

On the plus side, the lake is gorgeous, and she’s already made a couple of friends. On the down side, though, the marina is in horrible shape, the town hates her because they think she destroyed a prized landmark, Mia’s already had to break out her lockpicks despite saying she would live her new life on the straight and narrow, and one of her new friends is a murder suspect.

Review

What a fun, unusual “cozy” mystery! I got such a kick out of this!

Mia is fantastic. She’s got a fun, sassy voice I loved. But I was also touched by the push and pull she feels about her “old” life. She longs to leave the crime-adjacent life she’s always known. But her experiences also help her stay alive and help her try to keep her friend out of jail. I also loved how much she appreciated the women in her new life.

There’s a lot to love here for mystery fans. This is twisty and layered. I really enjoyed the journey to the resolution. The hot Law Enforcement Officer (LEO), and a fantastic feline sidekick round out the terrific cast in this book. And I can’t wait to read more. Book 2, Top Notch, is scheduled to release this fall. I’ll be picking that one up for sure.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

BOOK NEWS: May 31, 2022

BOOK NEWS: May 31, 2022

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy Memorial Day to those of you in the US. Here are some of the books releasing this week!

Books for Older Kids/Teens

Small Town Pride – Jake has found his family and friends to be supportive since he came out as gay, but his community isn’t there yet. So when Jake and his friends want to have a Pride festival in town, they have to convince the town council, and the mayor, to get on board.

Books for Adults

The Messy Lives of Book People (Trade Paperback) – A house cleaner is surprised to discover her deceased client wanted her to finish the recluse’s final novel.
Renovated to Death (Trade Paperback) – First in a new Domestic Partners in Crime Mystery series. Peter and JP, domestic partners with a renovation show, take on new clients – and a murder mystery. I pre-ordered this weeks ago – I can’t wait to dig in!
You’re My I.T. (Trade Paperback) – Book 1 in the Nerds of Happy Valley series. After a two-year crush on the hilarious IT guy at work, Blaine decides she is going to tell him how she feels, first chance she gets. But when Lysander returns after a family health scare, he’s gone through some personal changes and returns with a girl on his arm, leaving Blaine to wonder if she missed her chance.
Wild Life (Hardcover, gift book) – I adore Charley Harper’s work, so this is at the top of my May wish list! 336 pages.

 

REVIEW: Enola Holmes: The Graphic Novels, Book 1 by Serena Blasco

REVIEW: Enola Holmes: The Graphic Novels, Book 1 by Serena Blasco

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

The first three Enola Holmes novels by Nancy Springer have been adapted into graphic novels – The Case of the Missing Marquess, The Case of the Left-Handed Lady, and The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets.

Enola is on the run from her older brothers, Mycroft and Sherlock, as she looks for their missing mother. Along the way, Enola dodges her brothers and solves mysteries.

Review

This is a fun, colorful adaptation of the first three novels in this middle grade mystery series. Fans of the books will enjoy the visual delivery of familiar stories. Fans of the Netflix movie will see a few points of similarity as well as many changes for the movie’s purposes. Newcomers should absolutely check this out as a teaser to the full books.

Book 2 in the graphic novel adaptation will release in October. You can read my review of the latest Enola Holmes novel for young adults here; a second book in that series, Enola Holmes and the Elegant Escapade, will release in September.

REVIEW: Buried in a Good Book by Tamara Berry

REVIEW: Buried in a Good Book by Tamara Berry

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Thriller writer Tess Harrow and her teenage daughter Gertie are staying in a rustic cabin Tess inherited. It’s what Tess needs to get away and get some writing done. It’s what both of them need to recover from Tess’s recent divorce. But before they ever get inside the cabin, explosions shake the property. And dead fish – and human body parts – rain down.

Tess is fascinated by the local sheriff who is so much like the main character in her books. So she tries to keep an eye on the investigation. But the case starts to get more dangerous – and then Tess’s ex shows up and insists it’s too dangerous for Gertie to stay with her mother.

But before long the case leaves Tess wondering if she can trust any of her new friends in this town. Someone here is up to no good.

Review

This was outstanding! I loved all of it – the thriller writer bits, the parallels between the sheriff and the book character, the relationship between Tess and Gertie, the quirky townspeople, and the twisty mystery. This was a perfect read for me. A start- to-finish-in-the-wee-hours-of-the-night read. I can’t wait for book 2, On Spine of Death, to release in November. It’s a must-read for me. You can see some of my reviews for the author’s other books published under the name Lucy Gilmore here.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

BOOK NEWS: May 24, 2022

BOOK NEWS: May 24, 2022

Posted on by Jaymie

I’ve got my eyes on the long weekend ahead, and I’m hoping to get a lot of reading in. Here are some of the new books out this week that you might check out for a long weekend of reading, too!

Books for Kids

Wednesday and Woof: Catastrophe – A girl and her service dog solve mysteries together. You can read my review of this one here.

Books for Older Kids/Teens

The Civil War of Amos Abernathy – A history loving boy goes looking through records to find people like him represented in history. When he discovers a Civil War solider who today might have identified as a trans man, Amos looks for a way to share the soldier’s story. I have requested this one from the library.
Enola Holmes: The Graphic Novels, Vol 1 – The first three Enola Holmes middle grade novels get the graphic novel treatment. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
The Problem with Prophecies – First in a new Celia Cleary series. When a girl who inherited a gift of prophecy sees the death of a neighbor boy, she does everything she can to keep that vision from coming true.

Books for Adults

Buried in a Good Book (Mass Market Paperback) – First in a new By the Book mystery series. A thriller writer and her daughter arrive at the family cabin looking for some healing – and writing time – when their retreat is spoiled by an explosion – and a murder. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.

REVIEW: Wednesday and Woof: Catastrophe by Sherri Winston

REVIEW: Wednesday and Woof: Catastrophe by Sherri Winston

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This book releases on May 24, 2022.]

Summary

Walia and her service dog, Woof, together make up the detective team of Wednesday (Walia’s lucky day) and Woof. Walia’s neighbor, Mrs. Winters, is getting ready to go on vacation, but her cat, Autumn, has gone missing. Walia saw some older boys acting sneaky. Maybe they took Autumn for her diamond collar!

But in order to work her case, Walia is going to have to dodge a bully – and convince her dad that her sleuthing won’t aggravate her juvenile arthritis.

Review

This is a fun early chapter book mystery and series launch. Walia and Woof are a great team. There’s a nice balance between the story, Walia’s notes about being a detective, and information on her JA. I think kids are going to enjoy this new sleuthing team while also learning about JA, service dogs, and being a detective.

A second book in the series, Wednesday and Woof: New Pup on the Block, also releases next week. Book 3, Wednesday and Woof: The Runaway Robot, releases in November.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

♥♥♥½ = Good +

REVIEW: Adult Assembly Required by Abby Waxman

REVIEW: Adult Assembly Required by Abby Waxman

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Berkley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Laura is new in town and trying to get settled before starting grad school when her apartment building burns down leaving her alone in a strange city with no where to live and the clothes on her back. And wet clothes at that since she got caught in a downpour.

She finds herself at Knight’s, an independent bookstore where the staff take her in, helping her get warm and dry – and finding her a place to live.

As Laura gets to know her new housemates and friends, she starts to feel like she might find a “home” in LA. But her past – and her family – keep trying to drag her back to where she’s been

Review

I read The Bookish Life of Nina Hill a few years ago, and I completely fell in love – with the character, the story, and the writer. While I knew this was by the same author, I didn’t realized when I picked this up that I would be going back to this community and the characters I loved. What a treat!

While this is Laura’s story, there are threads woven in about the others living at the house with her. I was impressed with the author’s ability to build such a broad story while never losing the ultimate focus on Laura.

This is a romance, but it’s also a story of friendship, second chances, mental health, adulthood and independence, and so many other things. And I enjoyed every bit of it.

Aside from the fantastic cast of characters here, I loved this book for the humor. I laughed often – and loudly. One scene even left me cackling, with tears rolling down my face. It was a delight to spend a few hours with this collection of folks.

You don’t have to have read Nina to enjoy this, but I highly recommend you read both books, in any order. (Language, PTSD)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.

BOOK NEWS: May 17, 2022

BOOK NEWS: May 17, 2022

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some of the new books out this week that I have on my watch list!

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

This Is Not a Drill – After a disastrous day, Ava is taking a moment in the bathroom when her school goes on lockdown – and she discovers it is not a drill. I have requested this one from our library.
See You Yesterday – After a horrendous first day of college, Barrett finds herself reliving the same day over. To make things worse, her nemesis is reliving the day, too. And he has been for months. This is already on my library list!
Twin Crowns – Twin princesses, raised apart – one raised to rule and the other raised to usurp the throne. This is exactly my kind of story!

Books for Adults

Adult Assembly Required (Trade Paperback) – The latest from Abbi Waxman. A young woman trying to start over in LA finds herself homeless after just a week and her life takes some wild turns. This is on my review list, so stay tuned!
From Bad to Cursed (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Witches of Thistle Grove series, after Payback’s a Witch. Issa teams up with a member of a rival family to investigate sabotage caused by mysterious dark magic. I have book one on my TBR – I need to get to that one soon!
Hotel California (Hardcover) – A Music and Murder Mystery collection. Includes a new Jack Reacher story!
We Were Dreamers (Hardcover Nonfiction) – We have adored Simu Liu since we first watched Shang Chi (a Marvel movie I wasn’t sure I wanted to watch which has now become a favorite). I am so looking forward to reading this memoir.