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Reviewer's Choice
Unpacking My Father's Bookstore
Laurence Roth
Rutgers University Press
https://www.rutgersuniversitypress.org
9781978836600, $29.95, HC, 330pp
https://www.amazon.com/Unpacking-Fathers-Bookstore-Laurence-Roth/dp/1978836600
Synopsis: With the publication of "Unpacking My Father's Bookstore" by Laurence Roth brings to life the history of J. Roth / Bookseller of Fine & Scholarly Judaica, which was a microcosm of the Los Angeles Jewish community from 1966 to 1994 and one of the premier Jewish bookstores in the United States.
Blending critical analysis with a personal account of growing up in his father's bookstore, and connecting both to larger forces that helped shape Jewish and American book retailing in the twentieth-century, Laurence Roth crafts a richly felt narrative about his family's Jewish experience in America.
It is also a reminder that while most independent bookstores like J. Roth Bookseller are disappearing from history, these bookstore retailers often had outsized effects on their communities.
Breaking with conventional modes of scholarship, "Unpacking My Father's Bookstore" tells a unique and troubled story that rarely gets told, one that is both personal and analytical, theoretical but rooted in the everyday.
Critique: Fascinating, informative, exceptionally well written, "Unpacking My Father's Bookstore" by Laurence Roth is a compelling and fully engaging read from start to finish. Of special value to readers with an interest in the changing nature of the publishing industry and the impact of those changes on independent and neighborhood bookstores, "Unpacking My Father's Bookstore" is a welcome and highly recommended addition to personal reading lists, as well as community and college/university library American Jewish Biography collections and supplemental Publishing Industry History curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Laurence Roth is the Charles B. Degenstein Professor of English and director of the Jewish & Israel Studies Program and The Build Collaborative at Susquehanna University, Pennsylvania. He is the author of Inspecting Jews: American Jewish Detective Stories (Rutgers University Press, 2003), and coeditor, with Nadia Valman, of The Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Jewish Cultures.
The Education Shelf
How Studying Abroad Changed My Life
Chinekwu Obidoa, author
Eimad Houry, editor
Mercer University Press
www.mupress.org
9780881469660, $25.00, PB, 242pp
https://www.amazon.com/How-Studying-Abroad-Changed-Life/dp/0881469661
Synopsis: From fostering a deep appreciation for other cultures and human experiences to becoming more empathetic, self-assured, generous, open-minded, reflective, adaptable, and analytical, all while gaining a deeper understanding of one's identity and culture, studying abroad has left an indelible mark on Mercer University students.
Mercer rigorously supports students from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds by providing opportunities to contribute to positive change in the world through service.
Collaboratively compiled and co-edited by Professors Professor Chinekwu Obidoa and Eimad Houry, "How Studying Abroad Changed My Life" serves as an indispensable resource for showcasing why such programming is important. The contributors also provides practical tips and strategies for conceptualizing, designing, and planning impactful study abroad and internship experiences for students.
Every story contained in this unique collection offers a timeless lesson on the impact of immersive learning, representing the undeniable impact of Mercer University's dedication to its mission: to learn, to create, to discover, to inspire, to empower, and to serve.
Critique: Original, eloquent, exceptional, memorable, informative, inspiring, "How Studying Abroad Changed My Life" is comprised of twenty four stories by articulate contributors and is an inherently fascinating read from cover to cover. Thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, this paperback edition of "How Studying Abroad Changed My Life" from the Mercer University Press is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Education Theory & Practice collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Chinekwu Obidoa is associate professor of Global Health Studies and Africana Studies at Mercer University. She earned a PhD from the University of Connecticut and holds Master's degrees in Geography, Public Health, and International and Area Studies. In 2017, Obidoa received the Mercer University Innovation in Teaching Award.
Editorial Note #2: Eimad Houry is emeritus professor of Political Science and International Affairs at Mercer University. He holds a PhD from Florida State University. Houry developed, led, or co-led 28 study-abroad programs, Mercer's first-ever international internship program, and was a recipient of Mercer's prestigious Joe and Jean Hendricks Excellence in Teaching Award.
The Cookbook Shelf
The Vermont Farm to Table Cookbook
Jenna Rice & Nora Rice
Hatherleigh Press
c/o The Hatherleigh Foundation
www.hatherleighpress.com
9781961293311, $25.00, HC, 208pp
https://www.amazon.com/Vermont-Farm-Table-Cookbook-Recipes/dp/1961293315
Synopsis: "The Vermont Farm to Table Cookbook" by Jenna and Nora Rice is an ode to the flavors and ingredients of Vermont. Showcasing over 50 recipes, each of which is focused on fresh, local ingredients, this homegrown cookbook is your invitation to create and savor the bounty of the Green Mountain State.
"The Vermont Farm to Table Cookbook" is a celebration of Vermont's unique flavors, focusing on New England recipes that utilize locally grown meats, dairy products, and vegetables.
Experience a full year in a Vermont kitchen -- with every dish flowing with the rhythm of the land, no matter the season. Featured recipes comprising "The Vermont Farm to Table Cookbook" include:
Herbed Ricotta Stuffed Chicken
Potato and Wild Leek Gratin
Asparagus and Goat Cheese Frittata
Maple Bourbon Glazed Pork Chops
Blackened Peach Salad
Summer Berry Maple Pavlova
Roasted Delicata with Cider Syrup
Red Wine Braised Short Ribs
Apple Celeriac Salad
Maple Fudge -- and so many more!
With expert tips, beautiful photography, and a variety of dishes to suit any taste, "The Vermont Farm to Table Cookbook" is a culinary love letter to all the colors and flavors of Vermont.
Critique: Also included with a full page/full color photo, each individual recipe includes a listing of ingredients, clear step-by-step directions, estimated serving numbers, cooking times, and a succinct commentary. An ideal, 'kitchen cook friendly', and fully recommended addition to family and community library New England Regional cookbook collections, this hardcover edition of Nora and Jenna Rice's "The Vermont Farm to Table Cookbook" from Hatherleigh Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note #1: Nora Rice is a chef with experiences spanning the globe. After graduating from Ashburton Chefs Academy in Devon, England, she went on to cook in international locales from Ireland's only Michelin Starred Pub to a quaint on-farm restaurant on an Italian Agriturismo. She spent a year cooking in Bozeman Montana before a stint in New Zealand catering with some of the country's finest farm-to-table ingredients. After returning to her roots in Vermont, Nora began a catering business, aptly named 'Roaming Roots Kitchen,' offering farm-to-table meals and events.
Editorial Note #2: Jenna Rice is a photographer, artist, and musician. Also an avid homesteader and gardener, Jenna sees her land and gardens not only as a source of food, but as a creative outlet and a form of art. She documents her homestead and love of Vermont on a YouTube channel titled Life By Hand. Raised in the Connecticut River Valley, Jenna has deep roots in Vermont. Jenna works with Vermont food and beverage brands helping them to elevate their stories through photography, web design and creative marketing. Her client work has made appearances in a number of local and national publications, including Edible Vermont and USA Today, and graced the covers of Woodstock Magazine and BrewView Vermont.
The Catskills Farm to Table Cookbook, revised edition
Courtney Wade
Hatherleigh Press
c/o The Hatherleigh Foundation
www.hatherleighpress.com
9781961293168, $25.00, HC, 272pp
https://www.amazon.com/Catskills-Farm-Table-Cookbook-Revised/dp/1961293161
Synopsis: The Catskills region of New York State boasts a rich farming heritage that spans three centuries. Recently, it has become a sought-after destination for weekenders yearning to escape city life and savor fresh air and farm-fresh foods.
Now in a newly revised edition featuring more than 100 recipes, "The Catskills Farm to Table Cookbook" by Courtney Wade brings a delightful culinary resource and experience directly into your kitchen.
Featuring an array of recipes that highlight the best of the region's produce, meats, dairy, wild game, and foraged foods, "The Catskills Farm to Table Cookbook" now includes new recipes and stunning photos. Indulge in mouthwatering dishes such as:
Cast Iron Ribeye with Ramp Butter
Rhubarb Crisp Bars
Ricotta Fritters with Strawberry Sauce
Spring Chicken and Herb Biscuits
Raspberry Ice Cream Sandwiches
Stuffed Squash Blossoms
Braised Ham Hocks with Squash and Sweet Corn Polenta
Apple Cider Doughnuts
Roasted Leek Fettuccini
"The Catskills Farm to Table Cookbook" also captures the true essence of the Catskills food scene through contributions from top restaurants and farms in the region, including Buck Hill Farm, Barbers Farm, Horton Hill Farm, Crystal Valley Farm, Scrumpy Ewe Cider, Solinsky's, Phoenicia Diner, and others.
Critique: Enhanced with full page, full color photographs of finished dishes, this newly revised edition of Courtney Wade's "The Catskills Farm to Table Cookbook" from Hatherleigh Press is an extraordinary and inspiring resource to plan and prepare memorable meals for any and all dining occasions. While unreservedly recommended as a popular pick for family and community library regional cookbook collections, it should be noted that "The Catskills Farm to Table Cookbook" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Courtney Wade lives on a farm in the Catskills mountain region of New York and has an intense passion for farm fresh food. With both a degree in graphic design and agricultural business from the State University at Cobleskill, she understands the importance of and promotes supporting local producers by purchasing seasonally grown products. She is also the author of "Pancakes Make People Happy" which she co-wrote with Buck Hill Farm proprietors Sharon and Charlotte Collins.
Hamlyn
c/o Octopus Books
https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
Hamlyn is a British publishing house that has a rich history of publishing smart, popular books for everyday living. With food, drink, home, garden, health and parenting at its core, Hamlyn continues to be a dependable and trusted voice for readers and families of all shapes and sizes. They have now published two new cookbooks by Eloise Goode.
https://www.amazon.com/Pumpkin-Spice-Cookbook-Recipes-irresistible/dp/0600639487
Synopsis: "The Pumpkin Spice Cookbook: Recipes for irresistible treats with a hint of sugar and spice" (9780600639480, $12.99, HC, 80pp) is comprised of more than 40 irresistible recipes -- each of which has the theme of utilizing Pumpkin Spice when making warm cupcakes, sweet crunchy biscuits, gooey pumpkin pie, or cozying up with a blanket to sip on a delicious pumpkin spice latte. From classic Pumpkin Pie to Spiced Plum Pudding and the ubiquitous Pumpkin Spice Latte, The Pumpkin Spice Cookbook celebrates the season with a treasure trove of cozy, soul-warming recipes that are nostalgically evocative of home and all its comforts.
https://www.amazon.com/Cinnamon-Bun-Cookbook-Recipes-irresistible/dp/0600639460
Synopsis: "The Cinnamon Bun Cookbook: Recipes for irresistible cakes, bakes, sweet treats and more" (9780600639466, $12.99, HC, 80pp) is a compendium of recipes designed to bring the coziness into your kitchen with over 40 irresistible recipes for cinnamon based confections that include warm cupcakes, sweet crunchy biscuits, gooey cinnamon buns and inviting you to cozy up with a blanket to sip on a delicious cinnamon hot chocolate. From Glazed Pear & Cinnamon Loaf for chilly mornings to Spicy Apple Parkin for toasty warm evenings, "The Cinnamon Bun Cookbook" celebrates the season with a charming selection of deliciously decadent recipes that satisfy even the sweetest tooth.
Critique: Both the "The Pumpkin Spice Cookbook" and "The Cinnamon Bun Cookbook" hardcover editions from Hamlyn are especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, family, professional, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that both titles are also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).
Editorial Note: Eloise Goode is a self-taught home baker with over 30 years' experience making biscuits, cakes and delicious desserts. A lover of all-things sweet, Eloise began her baking journey making sweet treats for friends, before turning her hobby into a full-time passion project. She lives in the Cotswolds, England with her husband and chief taste-tester David, two cats named Mumbo and Bumble, and an elderly but still energetic Westie terrier called Fred.
The Biography/Memoir Shelf
Backstage: Stories of a Writing Life
Donna Leon
Atlantic Monthly Press
c/o Grove/Atlantic, Inc.
www.groveatlantic.com
9780802165374, $26.00, HC, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Backstage-Stories-Writing-Donna-Leon/dp/0802165370
Synopsis: Donna Leon's memoir, "Wandering through Life", gave her legions of fans a colorful tour through her life, from childhood in New Jersey to adventures in China and Iran, to her love of Venice and opera. Nowhere, however, did she discuss her writing life.
With the publication of "Backstage: Stories of a Writing Life", Donna reveals her admiration for, and inspiration from, the great crime novelists Ruth Rendell and Ross Macdonald, examining their approach to storytelling as she dissects her favorite books of theirs.
She expresses her love for Charles Dickens's Great Expectations and her appreciation for Sir Walter Scott's generosity of spirit. And she chronicles the amount of research she undertakes to be able to present authentically, through Guido Brunetti and his colleagues, places and characters far from her own experience -- from interviewing a diamond dealer in Venice to open up the world of blood diamonds, to meeting, through back channels, a courageous sex worker and women's rights activist to depict accurately the trafficking of women in Italy.
By contrast, the idea and opening scene of one of her novels came to her as she was walking through Venice.
Venice is central in her memory, whether recounting the semi-comic irritation of a noisy elderly neighbor or the origins of the city's Carnevale. Her teaching career yields memorable tales: helping a young Black boy in a Newark, New Jersey, elementary school; instructing young Iranian pilots in English just before the 1979 Iranian Revolution; and taking her students at a Swiss private high school to the famous Frank Zappa concert in Montreux interrupted by fire.
Throughout, she is as good a storyteller about herself as she is a chronicler of Guido Brunetti's crime adventures. Readers will be as caught up in her world as she is in his.
Critique: Raising her memoir to an impressive level of literary excellence, "Backstage: Stories of a Writing Life" by Donna Leon is highly recommended reading for both her legions of fans and anyone who aspires to a career of writing 'best selling' fiction. Especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library Contemporary Biography/Memoir collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Backstage: Stories of a Writing Life" from Atlantic Monthly Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $24.70, Amazon).
Editorial Note: Donna Leon (https://groveatlantic.com/author/donna-leon) was born in New Jersey in 1942. She has worked as a travel guide in Rome and as a copywriter in London. She also taught literature in universities in Iran, China, and Saudi Arabia. Commissario Brunetti made her books world-famous. Donna Leon lived in Italy for many years, and although she now lives in Switzerland, she often visits Venice.
My Homecoming Dance: Reflections on Teaching in Wisconsin
Sue Leamy Kies
https://www.sueleamykies.com
Wisconsin Writers Association
https://wiwrite.org
9798986336565, $39.95, HC, 290pp
https://www.amazon.com/My-Homecoming-Dance-Reflections-Wisconsin/dp/B0D46VWXLG
Synopsis: In her memoir "My Homecoming Dance: Reflections on Teaching in Wisconsin", Sue Leamy Kies returns to her alma mater to teach high school English. What's changed in the twenty years since graduation? What hasn't? Her recollection of former classmates, students, mentors, peers, and lessons taught and learned provide a humorous, behind-the-scenes look at secondary public education.
Platteville (home to a state university), lies amid the rolling hills of the Driftless Area of Wisconsin that was left untouched by glaciers. This personal memoir also embodies small town Middle America, its customs, attitudes, and people. Platteville High School maintains a stellar track record for providing students with a top-notch education, but, like all schools today, it faces unprecedented, historical challenges.
Over the course of her nearly thirty-year career, Sue deals with homecoming pranks, hormonal teens, disgruntled parents, demonstrative administrators, and ever-changing technology. The drama of three bomb threats in one year, mandatory shooter drills, book banning, and ramifications of Act 10 distract from teaching and put a damper on the joy of the job. But, through it all, Sue finds hope for the profession in her ever-inquisitive students, those priceless teachable moments, and her dedicated supportive peers.
Compassion and empathy present powerful lessons as Sue experiences the deaths of students, her beloved mentor, and her own son. Sue's story will inform and entertain anyone who has entered the doors of an American high school.
Critique: Candidly informative, deftly crafted, impressively insightful, engaging both emotionally and intellectually, "My Homecoming Dance: Reflections on Teaching in Wisconsin" by Sue Leamy Kies is an inherently fascinating memoir and one that will be of immense appeal to readers with an interest in Wisconsin, education, and a dedicated teacher's life experiences both expected and unexpected. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary American Biography/Memoir collections and college/university library supplemental Educator Biography/Education Theory curriculum studies, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "My Homecoming Dance: Reflections on Teaching in Wisconsin" from the Wisconsin Writers Association is also available in paperback (9798986336541, $24.99)
Editorial Note: Sue Leamy Kies (https://www.sueleamykies.com) has published poetry, essays, movie reviews, and short stories for regional magazines and newspapers, including The Illinois English Bulletin, The Voice of the River Valley, and The Wisconsin Academy Review. Also, in 2021 CADA (Center for Applied Drama and Autism) chose her play Back about a disabled veteran to be performed for their One-Act Play Festival. Additionally, Sue has written two children's books. The Platteville Library Foundation published Saving Sadie in recognition of the donors for the new library that opened in 2017. Sassy's Vacation was published by the Platteville Community Arboretum in 2022 to promote literacy and nature education on the Rountree Branch Trail.
The General Fiction Shelf
Such Good People
Amy Blumenfeld
https://www.amyblumenfeld.com
SparkPress
c/o Spark Point Studio
www.gosparkpress.com
9781684633227, $17.99, PB, 360pp
https://www.amazon.com/Such-Good-People-Amy-Blumenfeld/dp/1684633222
Synopsis: It's 10 p.m. on a Thursday in the spring of her freshman year of college, and April is standing at the back of a crowded Manhattan bar waiting for her friend, Rudy, to arrive. Their eyes lock the moment he enters the room, and in an instant, lives and legacies are altered forever.
Within hours, Rudy is arrested. Within days, April is expelled. Within weeks, he's incarcerated. And within months, she meets Peter, a prodigious young attorney who makes her world recognizable again.
Nearly fifteen years later, April is happily living in Chicago married to Peter, a mother of three with a fulfilling career and standing yoga date with her girlfriends. On the eve of Peter's election for local office, Rudy is up for parole. Headlines explode about April's past, jeopardizing Peter's campaign and everything they hold dear.
Suddenly, April is faced with an impossible choice: protecting the life she created, or the person who sacrificed everything to make that life a possibility.
Critique: Exceptional, original, clever, emotionally engaging, memorable, and extraordinary, "Such Good People" by author Amy Blumenfeld is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary General Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this trade paperback edition of "Such Good People" from SparkPress is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99)
Editorial Note: Amy Blumenfeld (https://www.amyblumenfeld.com) is a graduate of the Barnard College and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism where she received the James A. Wechsler Award for national reporting. Her essays and articles have appeared on the cover of People, in The New York Times, The Huffington Post, O, The Oprah Magazine, as well in George where she worked as a staff editor and writer. Amy's debut novel, The Cast, was selected as a New York Post Best Book of the Week and named Winner of the Independent Publisher Book Award in Popular Fiction. She has also been a contributing author to a best-selling anthology and two non-fiction books.
The Cover Girl
Amy Rossi
Mira Books
www.mirabooks.com
9780778368267, $28.99, HC, 336pp
https://www.amazon.com/Cover-Girl-Novel-Amy-Rossi/dp/0778368262
Synopsis: Birdie Rhodes was only thirteen when legendary modeling agent Harriet Goldman discovered her in a department store and transformed her into one of Harriet's Girls. What followed felt like the start of something incredible, a chance for shy Birdie to express herself in front of the camera. But two years later, she meets a thirty-one-year-old rock star, and her teenage heart falls hard as he leads her into a new life, despite Harriet's warnings.
Then, as abruptly as it began, it's over, like a lipstick-smeared fever dream. Birdie tries hard to forget that time -- starting over in Paris, in the dying embers of the LA punk scene, in Boston at the height of the AIDS crisis. She's not that person anymore. At least, that's what she's been telling herself.
Decades later, Birdie lives a quiet life. She works modest gigs, takes Pilates and mostly keeps to herself. Maybe it's not the glamor she once envisioned, but it's peaceful. Comfortable. Then a letter arrives, inviting Birdie to celebrate Harriet's fifty-year career. Except Birdie hasn't spoken to her in nearly thirty years -- with good reason.
Almost famous, almost destroyed, Birdie can only make her own future if she reckons with her past -- the fame, the trauma, the opportunities she gave up for a man who brought her into a life she wasn't ready for. Just like she's not ready now. But the painful truth waits for nobody. Not even Birdie Rhodes.
Critique: All the more impressive when considering that "The Cover Girl" is author Amy Rossi's debut as a novelist, this deftly crafted blend of psychological thriller and 'coming of age' story is original, extraordinary, compelling, and an inherently fascinating read from cover to cover. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "The Cover Girl" from Mira Books is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Amy Rossi (https://amyrossi.com) received her MFA from Louisiana State University, and she lives in North Carolina, by way of Massachusetts, with her partner and two dogs. The Cover Girl is her first novel.
Before We Say Goodbye
Boo Walker
Lake Union Publishing
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662523748, $28.99, HC, 461pp
https://www.amazon.com/Before-We-Say-Goodbye-Mountain/dp/1662523742
Synopsis: In Washington State's Red Mountain wine country, Otis and Rebecca's bond was one for the ages. Now older, and reflecting on his blessings and his losses, Otis is moved to write down the love story of their lives.
At Woodstock in 1969, two lost souls with big hearts and boundless dreams see the future and all its possibilities in each other's eyes. Before the music is even over, Otis is thunderstruck by the liberating Rebecca, so much so that he's suddenly questioning his attendance at Berkeley and decision to follow in his father's footsteps as a journalist.
When he first sets eyes on the vineyards of Sonoma, where Rebecca is from, the captivating idea of a life in wine further mars his path. Would it be so crazy to chase a dream? Impulsively married, unquestionably devoted, Otis and Rebecca are thirsty to see what happens next -- wherever it takes them and no matter how hard it gets.
Over the decades, from Sonoma to the delightfully eccentric community of Red Mountain, Otis and Rebecca fight against all odds to work their way to the top of the wine world. But neither of them could have imagined the darkness to come, or what it will take to find a spark of light once again.
Critique: An original and deftly crafted novel of love, friendship, eccentricity, and a pair of lives exuberantly lived, "Before We Say Goodbye" is a part of author and novelist Boo Walker's 'Red Mountain' series and a welcome, recommended pick for personal reading lists and community library collections. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Before We Say Goodbye" from Lake Union is also readily available in paperback (9781662523755, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Editorial Note: Boo Walker is the author of An Echo in Time, The Stars Don't Lie, A Spanish Sunrise, The Singing Trees, An Unfinished Story, and the Red Mountain Chronicles, among other novels. He also writes thrillers under the pen name Benjamin Blackmore.
Young Fools
Liza Palmer
www.lizapalmer.com
Lake Union Publishing
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662527159, $28.99, HC, 303pp
https://www.amazon.com/Young-Fools-Novel-Liza-Palmer/dp/1662527152
Synopsis: Helen Hicks may not have any friends, but she does have a plan: prove her doubting, elitist parents wrong and become a literary sensation before she turns thirty. When she's finally accepted into the esteemed Hayward Writing Intensive at twenty-four, Helen believes she's right on schedule.
At Hayward, Helen meets Cherry Stewart, a free-spirited, ambitious kid whose eclectic tastes skew far more pedestrian than Helen's, but as Cherry's champion and mentor, Helen decides they'll set the publishing world on fire and go down as one of the literary world's most iconic duos.
But as Helen turns thirty with no debut novel in sight and a breathtaking case of writer's block, she is forced to put her dreams on hold. Thinking Cherry shares her sad fate, Helen is shocked to learn that her best friend has not only finished and sold a novel in secret, but even more devastating it's... genre fiction.
As Helen and Cherry's years long friendship comes crashing down, Helen finally has the clarity and inspiration to take her own art to the next level. It's going to get personal.
Critique: An original, clever, engaging, and fun read from cover to cover, "Young Fools" by Liza Palmer will be especially appreciated by fans of novels about female friendships and anyone who has every tried their hand at writing the next 'Great American Novel'. Highly recommended, especially for community and college/university Contemporary General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Young Fools" from Lake Union is also available in paperback (9781662527166, $16.99) and in digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Editorial Note: Liza Palmer (www.lizapalmer.com) is the author of Family Reservations, The Nobodies, The F Word, and Nowhere but Home, winner of the Willie Morris Award for Southern Fiction. A two-time Emmy-nominated, internationally bestselling tea enthusiast who gets to write for Marvel sometimes,
Cammy Sitting Shiva
Cary Gitter
Alcove Press
www.alcovepress.com
9798892422543, $29.99, HC, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Cammy-Sitting-Shiva-Cary-Gitter/dp/B0DQBXGWR2
Synopsis: When Cy Adler dies, it's a shock to everyone, especially his daughter, Cammy. Almost thirty, slightly aimless, and stuck in a basement apartment in Queens, she's forced to return to River Hill, her one-square-mile New Jersey hometown, to sit shiva for her deceased father.
Cammy's fraught relationship with her mother, Beth, has never been easy. And now, with her beloved father gone, she would rather be anywhere but back in her childhood room, in a house filled with guests noshing on snacks and offering their condolences. So Cammy does whatever she can to make it through seven turbulent days of mourning.
Amid getting stoned, reconnecting with her best friend and her high school crush, evading the rabbi, and spending a debauched night in Atlantic City, Cammy must reckon with her roots -- with the place she fled for the glamour of New York, where she thought she belonged. But is she really any better off than those she left behind? While navigating the swirl of emotions that accompany grief, Cammy also uncovers hidden truths about her father, which lead her to doubt how well she knew the man she adored. Then again, does she even know herself?
Fueled by wry, lively prose, Cammy Sitting Shiva is a deeply relatable fish-out-of-water story, grappling with how it feels to be adrift and to find that a hard trip home may be what it takes to anchor you.
Critique: Original, clever, engaging, deftly crafted, laced with dark humor, and all the more impressive when considering that it is author Cary Gitter's debut as a novelist, "Cammy Sitting Shiva" is a fascinating and compelling read from cover to cover. With an eloquent prose storytelling style that has created a story that rises to an impressive level of literary excellence, "Cammy Sitting Shiva" is unrestrictedly recommended for community library Contemporary General Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition from Alcove Press is also readily available in paperback (9798892422789, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Cary Gitter (https://www.carygitter.com) is the author of the plays The Steel Man, Gene & Gilda, and The Sabbath Girl, among others, and the co-creator of the musicals The Sabbath Girl and How My Grandparents Fell in Love. His work has appeared off-Broadway and at theaters around the country, and he is the playwright-in-residence at Penguin Rep Theatre in Stony Point, New York.
The Names
Florence Knapp
Pamela Dorman Books
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com
9780593833902, $30.00, HC, 336pp
https://www.amazon.com/Names-Novel-Florence-Knapp/dp/0593833902
Synopsis: In the wake of a catastrophic storm, Cora sets off with her nine-year-old daughter, Maia, to register her son's birth. Her husband, Gordon, a local doctor, respected in the community but a terrifying and controlling presence at home, intends for her to name the infant after him. But when the registrar asks what she'd like to call the child, Cora hesitates...
Spanning thirty-five years, what follows are three alternate and alternating versions of Cora's and her young son's lives, shaped by her choice of name. In richly layered prose, "The Names" by novelist Florence Knapp explores the painful ripple effects of domestic abuse, the messy ties of family, and the possibilities of autonomy and healing.
Critique: Original, thought-provoking, and with exceptional sensitivity and eloquence, "The Names" is all the more impressive when considering that it is author Florence Knapp debut as a novelist. She draws her readers into an inherently fascinating and unique three alternative world style 'histories' of a family as related through a prism of three alternative name based 'what-ifs'.
Knapp's deftly crafted, emotionally engaging, and narrative driven storytelling style is certain to make "The Names" a classic of modern American literature. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library Contemporary American Literary Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "The Names" from Pamela Dorman Books is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99) and in a large print edition ( 9798217067497, $32.00, PB, 400pp).
Editorial Note: Florence Knapp (https://www.florenceknapp.com) is a writer whose short stories have been shortlisted for the Bridport Prize and won the Bath Short Story Award's Acorn Award. She is the author of a nonfiction book about a centuries-old method of quilt making and has also contributed to a book for the Victoria and Albert Museum. She is passionate about children's literacy and has worked alongside her husband for the past fifteen years creating educational apps for use in schools.
She Used to Be Nice
Alexia LaFata
Alcove Press
www.alcovepress.com
9798892422741, $29.99, HC, 336pp
https://www.amazon.com/She-Used-Be-Nice-Novel/dp/B0DQC1JKWY
Synopsis: One night in college changed the course of Avery's entire life. Her rapist took everything from her -- including the trust of her friends and long-term boyfriend, who were convinced she cheated. A year later, she still can't bear to tell the truth about what happened and risk her friendship with Morgan, the only friend she has left.
Instead, Avery finds her way under a man or into a bottle just to convince herself that she has power over her feelings and her autonomy -- that her body still belongs to her. That is, until she meets Pete, a man so kind and good that he awakens a part of Avery that makes her want to try something new.
But somehow Avery's rapist has resurfaced in her life as the best man in Morgan's wedding. And as maid of honor, there's no way Avery can avoid him. His mere presence grates at Avery's already raw emotional state, and she begins to drive away the final few who care about her --including Pete.
As the wedding nears, Avery must decide whether to finally let her walls down and tell her truth or risk spiraling toward a darkness she may never be able to recover from.
Critique: Original, emotionally compelling, and a simply riveting read from cover to cover, "She Used To Be Nice" by Alexia LaFata is an extraordinary and deftly crafted novel of tragedy, romance, and cliffhanger suspense leading to a memorable conclusion. It is all the more impressive when considering that this is Aelxia LaFata's debut as a novelist. While an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community library Contemporary General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "She Used To Be Nice" from Alcove Press is also readily available in paperback (9798892421713, $16.99) and in digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Alexia LaFata (https://alexialafata.com) is a writer and editor with over ten years of experience in digital media, working at publications such as New York Magazine, The Cut, Vulture, Polygon, The Verge, and many others.
The Historical Fiction Shelf
From the Valley We Rise
Elizabeth Musser
Bethany House Publishers
c/o Baker Publishing Group
www.bethanyhouse.com
9780764245084, $39.99, HC, 400pp
https://www.amazon.com/Valley-We-Rise-Fictional-Historical/dp/0764245082
Synopsis: WWII France -- Isabelle Seauve is dedicated to risking her safety for the protection of Jewish children. As a US Army Chaplain, a teenage rebel, and a Jewish orphan join her ranks and face increasing danger during the Allied invasion of Provence, these unlikely heroes must first find freedom in their souls before they can rebuild what has been destroyed!
Critique: Although a work of fiction set in France under the Nazi occupation of World War II, "From the Valley We Rise" accurately reflects the heroism (and personal peril) of the resistance movement and the men and women who sought to provide safety and sanctuary from what would go down in history as the Holocaust. Deftly crafted by blending romance, suspense, and the brutalities of World War II France is a compelling and memorable read from start to finish, "From the Valley We Rise" by Elizabeth Musser is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and community library Historical Fiction collections. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "From the Valley We Rise" from Bethany House Publishers is also readily available in paperback (9780764243493, $18.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.82, Amazon).
Editorial Note: Elizabeth Musser (www.ElizabethMusser.com) writes "entertainment with a soul" from her writing chalet (a toolshed) outside Lyon, France. A Carol Award winner and Christy Award and Georgia Author of the Year finalist, Elizabeth's critically acclaimed novels have been translated into multiple languages and have been international bestsellers. "The Swan House" was named one of Georgia's Top Ten Novels of the Past 100 Years. "By Way of the Moonlight" was a Publishers Weekly Top Ten Pick in Religion and Spirituality.
The Room of Lost Steps
Simon Tolkien
www.simontolkien.com
Lake Union Publishing
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662528651, $28.99, HC, 379pp
https://www.amazon.com/Room-Lost-Steps-Novel-Sterling/dp/1662528655
Synopsis: Barcelona 1936. Theo helps the Anarchist workers defeat the army that is trying to overthrow the democratically elected government, and he is reunited with his true love, Maria. But all too soon, his joy turns to terror as the Anarchists turn on him, led by a rival for Maria's affection.
Lucky to escape with his life, Theo returns to England to study at Oxford. But his heart is in Spain, now torn apart by a bloody civil war, and he is quick to abandon his new life when his old schoolmate Esmond offers him the chance to fight the Fascists. He is unprepared for the nightmare of war that crushes his spirit and his hope until, back in Barcelona, Theo is confronted with a final terrible choice that will define his life forever.
As Theo's tumultuous coming-of-age journey reaches its end, can his dream to change the world (so far from home) still hold true?
Critique: The second volume in novelist Simon Tolkien's 'Theo Sterling' series, "The Room of Lost Steps" continues the author's historical fiction that blends a continuing coming-of-age story that is packed with politically sponsored action and adventure. While this hardcover edition of "The Room of Lost Steps" from Lake Union is a highly recommended acquisition for community library Literary & Historical Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that it is also available in paperback (9781662528668, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.99).
Editorial Note: Simon Tolkien (www.simontolkien.com) is the author of No Man's Land, Orders from Berlin, The King of Diamonds, The Inheritance, and Final Witness. He studied modern history at Trinity College, Oxford, and went on to become a London barrister specializing in criminal defense. Simon is the grandson of J.R.R. Tolkien and is a director of the Tolkien Estate. In 2022 he was named as series consultant to the Amazon TV series The Rings of Power.
A Promise to Arlette
Serena Burdick
Atria Books
c/o Simon & Schuster
www.simonandschuster.com
Blackstone Publishing
https://www.blackstonelibrary.com
9781668070307, $28.99, HC, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Promise-Arlette-Novel-Serena-Burdick/dp/1668070308
Synopsis: Sidney and Ida Whipple are living the suburban 1950s American dream, complete with two children and a white picket fence, which didn't seem possible when they first met at the height of WWII in France. Reveling in the present, they can almost convince themselves that their past is behind them. But when their neighbors show off a newly purchased Man Ray photograph, Ida comes face-to-face with the person she loved and lost in the war: Arlette.
Only Ida knows the truth about the photograph, and why it can't possibly be authentic. In an attempt to right past wrongs, she travels to California vowing to confront Man Ray. Sidney wakes to find his wife is missing, the photograph in question stolen, and all the secrets they've tried to bury come rushing back. With his daughters in tow, he travels after Ida, hoping to forge a new path together. Instead, their sojourn leads to a shocking discovery that could pull their family apart in this sweeping, unforgettable story about love and friendship, trust and betrayal, and how promises made, broken, and ultimately renewed, can determine our fate.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, emotionally engaging, and a simply fascinating read from start to finish, "A Promise to Arlette" is an extraordinary novel by Serena Burdick that will have a very special appeal to readers with an interest in contemporary literary fiction. The author's exceptional and narrative driven storytelling style presents an impressive level of literary excellence and is an especially recommended acquisition for community and college/university library Contemporary American Literary Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "A Promise to Arlette" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Publishing, 9781668116029, $39.99, CD).
Editorial Note: Serena Burdick (www.SerenaBurdick.com) is author of The Girls with No Names, The Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey, Find Me in Havana, and Girl in the Afternoon. She studied creative writing at Sarah Lawrence College, holds a BA from Brooklyn College in English literature and an AA from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in theater.
The Romantic Fiction Shelf
A Wager with the Matchmaker
Jody Hedlund
Bethany House Publishers
c/o Baker Publishing Group
www.bethanyhouse.com
9780764241987, $18.99, PB, 352pp
https://www.amazon.com/Wager-Matchmaker-Arranged-Marriage-Historical/dp/0764241982
Synopsis: Kiernan Shanahan is intent on establishing his name apart from his father by seeking a wealthy bride with a sizeable dowry. But when he finds a position for Alannah Darragh in his household to keep her safe from a dangerous family situation, the sparks that fly between them are only the start of a wily matchmaker's scheme -- no matter how much both fight it!
Critique: Original, exceptional, memorable, and a fun read from cover to cover, "A Wager with the Matchmaker" by historical romance novelist Jody Hedlund is a very special and unreservedly recommended pick for the personal reading lists of American Historical Romance fans. An arranged marriage historical romance novel set in 1800s St. Louis, "A Wager with the Matchmaker" is also a welcome addition to community library Historical Romance collections. It should be noted for the growing legions of author Jody Hedlund fans that this paperback edition of "A Wager with the Matchmaker" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Jody Hedlund (www.JodyHedlund.com) is the successful author of more than 50 novels and is the winner of numerous awards. Jody writes sweet historical romances with plenty of emotional sizzle!
Falling For You Again
Kerry Lonsdale
www.kerrylonsdale.com
Lake Union Publishing
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662525285, $16.99, PB, 271pp
https://www.amazon.com/Falling-You-Again-Kerry-Lonsdale/dp/1662525281
Synopsis: Furniture artisan Meli Hynes still abides by her uncle's truism: the only lasting love story is the one between artists and their creations. Having already given marriage a shot (for all of twenty-four hours during a Las Vegas fling) Meli made her choice. The wood-crafting shop that is her family legacy will always come first.
But when her uncle decides to sell to a competitor, Meli's promised inheritance goes belly-up. She'll do anything to muddle the deal. Including a marriage of convenience to an unforgettable and very practical old friend -- the competitor's son, Aaron. With a controlling family of his own, and every bit as impulsive as Meli, Aaron is in. After all, this isn't the first time he and Meli got hitched on a whim.
The rules of the ruse are simple: public displays of affection and live together as happy newlyweds. The hardest rule of all? Never let real feelings get in the way of what they plan to be a purely professional second time around.
Critique: A singularly fascinating and compelling read from cover to cover, "Falling For You Again" by Kerry Lonsdale is a unique and deftly crafted novel that will hold enormous appeal for readers with an interest in and original and unorthodox story of romance and determination. While highly recommended for personal reading lists and community library Contemporary Fiction collections, it should be noted that this paperback edition of "Falling For You Again" from Lake Union is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99, Amazon).
Editorial Note: Kerry Lonsdale (www.kerrylonsdale.com) is the author of more than ten novels. Her books have been Amazon Editors' picks, translated into twenty-seven languages, and sold over two million copies. You can follow her on Instagram: @kerrylonsdale
You'll Find It All Still Here
Lisa Greenwald
https://www.lisagreenwald.com
Lake Union Publishing
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662530982, $16.99, PB, 239pp
https://www.amazon.com/Youll-Find-All-Still-Here/dp/1662530986
Synopsis: Successful event planner Mira Erdman never expected to see Brush Hill Camp again. But these days, the old sleepaway camp in the Berkshires offers "adult" experiences for New York's twenty-something Jewish singles. And Mira's bubbie knows it's the perfect place for her granddaughter to find love.
Since losing her mom, Mira has basically given up on dating. But for Bubbie's sake (and with best friend Josie at her side) she is resigned to giving grown-up camp a try. The beer garden and coed cabins are wild, though not enough to stop the flood of old memories. And when her onetime camp crush turns up, Mira's teenage anxieties threaten to resurface... along with a rush of other feelings.
Rooted in nostalgia, "You'll Find It All Still Here" weaves together themes of friendship, community, and family. Mira's soulmate may be out there, but she'll have to learn to love and accept herself first, with the help of those she holds dearest.
Critique: Showcasing author Lisa Greenwald's genuine flair for the kind of narrative driven storytelling style that will fully engaging her reader's full attention from start to finish, "You'll Find It All Still Here" will be especially appreciated by fans of romance novels laced with humor, issues of friendship, family, and rekindled love. While the trade paperback edition of "You'll Find It All Still Here" is highly recommended for community library Contemporary Romance Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that it is also available from Lake Union Publishing in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.99, Amazon).
Editorial Note: Lisa Greenwald (https://www.lisagreenwald.com) is the author of the TBH books, the Friendship List series, the Pink & Green trilogy, and several other novels for tweens and teens. You'll Find It All Still Here is her first novel for adults. A graduate of the New School's MFA program in writing for children, Greenwald lives in New York City with her husband, daughters, and mini Bernedoodle, Kibbitz.
Both Things Are True
Kathleen Barber
www.kathleenbarber.com
Lake Union Publishing
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662525742, $16.99, PB, 303pp
https://www.amazon.com/Both-Things-Are-True-Novel/dp/1662525745
Synopsis: Vanessa is a yoga influencer living high in New York. But after her crypto entrepreneur fiance ruins both their lives by fleeing the country amid fraud allegations, Vanessa's only choice is to start over -- by flying home to Chicago and moving in with her sister.
Just as Vanessa puts her life back together, she bumps into Sam. Years ago, they fell hard and too fast. Their relationship ended in heartbreak after an impromptu Las Vegas wedding officiated by a Dolly Parton impersonator -- and an annulment that was just as sudden.
Now Sam is co-owner of a solar company with a promising future, a future Vanessa wants to be included in. But she can't shake the whiff of scandal from her AWOL fiance, and to protect Sam's reputation, she's keeping her distance. Then again...
If anyone can turn a negative into a positive (and a first love into a second chance) it's a young woman with influence.
Critique: The stuff of which Hallmark Channel romance movies are made, "Both Things Are True" is a fun and deftly crafted read from start to finish. Original, memorably entertaining, and recommended for community library Contemporary Romance collections, with the publication of "Both Things Are True", author Kathleen Barber demonstrates her mastery of the genre. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this trade paperback edition of "Both Things Are True" from Lake Union Publishing is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.99, Amazon).
Editorial Note: Kathleen Barber (www.kathleenbarber.com) is the author of Follow Me and Truth Be Told, which was adapted into a series for Apple TV+ by Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine media company. A graduate of Northwestern University School of Law and a former attorney, she now writes full-time.
The Odds of Getting Even
Amanda Sellet
St. Martin's Griffin
c/o Macmillan
https://us.macmillan.com
9781250906274, $19.00, PB, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Odds-Getting-Even-Novel/dp/125090627X
Synopsis: The last thing reluctant resort employee Jean Harrington expected to find on a middle-of-the-night towel run was a bashful scientist in desperate need of company... and clothes. Charmed by his awkwardness and endearing tangents about reptiles, she returns the next day to give the handsome mystery guest she knows only as "Charlie" lessons in poker.
He's reserved and she's chaotic, but together, the two of them just click. It's like a honeymoon without the hassle of a wedding, until Jean discovers there's a lot more to Charlie's story than shyness and snakes -- and she isn't the only person with a pressing interest in his whereabouts, not to mention his secretly scandalous dating history.
When Charlie has the audacity to abandon her without a word, Jean has a score to settle. She'll do whatever it takes to get him back -- no, make that get back at him -- even if it means chasing him across an ocean to brave the wild west of his remote hometown, and the famous family business he neglected to mention. With flames from their pasts raising the stakes, Jean is gambling she can get the upper hand before Charlie calls her bluff.
The real trick will be remembering what they're playing for, when the biggest risk is putting all their cards on the table.
Critique: Original, clever, and a memorably fun read from cover to cover, "The Odds of Getting Even" will hold immense interest and appreciation for fans of deftly crafted Rom-Com fiction. With many and unexpected plot twist and turn, and laced throughout with nicely tuned humor, "The Odds of Getting Even" is a satisfying and unreservedly recommend work of finely tuned fiction for personal reading lists and community library Contemporary Romance collections. It should be noted that this trade paperback edition of "The Odds of Getting Even" from St. Martin's Griffin is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Publishing, 9798228589025, $45.95, CD).
Editorial Note: Amanda Sellet (https://www.amandasellet.com) is a rom-com author who is fond of silly jokes, large bodies of water, dessert at least once a day, and stories of all kinds. A former journalist, Amanda is also the author of "By the Book: A Novel of Prose and Cons".
Falling into Place
Allison Ashley
www.authorallisonashley.com
Montlake
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662527999, $16.99, PB, 319pp
https://www.amazon.com/Falling-into-Place-Allison-Ashley/dp/1662527993
Synopsis: Accountant and freelance personal stylist Carly Porter (and the daughter of a compulsive gambler) knows the personal cost of a bad bet. But when she partners with her best friend, Sasha (publisher of a floundering fashion magazine) Carly can't resist. The highly publicized makeover of an Oklahoma City bachelor could boost sales and be Carly's ticket to her dream profession.
The bachelor in question is none other than Sasha's older brother, Brooks.
Hardly the party boy Carly remembers from high school, Brooks is now an antisocial, work-obsessed physician still struggling with a devastating loss. But if it means helping his sister, he's in. It's Carly's job to get him out of those lived-in scrubs, style him to the nines, and bring Brooks back to life. But so far, the only real connection is between Brooks and Carly -- and falling for a client could cost Carly the career she's worked so hard for.
To move forward, they will both have to overcome their painful pasts. And whatever the risk, maybe even take a chance on love.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, emotionally compelling, and an inherently entertaining read from cover to cover, "Falling into Place" by Allison Ashley is an exceptional and highly recommended pick for community library Contemporary Romance Fiction collections. It should be noted for fans of contemporary romance laced with humor and unexpected plot twists that this paperback edition of "Falling into Place" from Montlake is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.99, Amazon).
Editorial Note: Allison Ashley (www.authorallisonashley.com) is the author of If Tomorrow Never Comes, The Roommate Pact, Would You Rather, Home Sweet Mess, and Perfect Distraction. She is a science geek who enjoys coffee, craft beer, baking, and love stories. When Allison is not working at her day job as a clinical oncology pharmacist, she pens contemporary romances, usually with a medical twist.
The Surrender
Jodi Ellen Malpas
www.jodiellenmalpas.co.uk
Montlake
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662530180, $16.99, PB, 347pp
https://www.amazon.com/Surrender-Arlington-Hall-Ellen-Malpas/dp/1662530188
Synopsis: A pawn in a man's callous game, Amelia Lazenby is trying to heal after being betrayed by the wealthy and scorchingly sexy Jude Harrison. Now he's saying all the right things, whispering apologies as sincere as his kisses, and refusing to let her walk away. It's hard for Amelia to resist a force as strong as Jude. Before long, he's making her pulse pound, her head spin, and giving her the rapture she craves.
But once she surrenders, Amelia can't help but fear she's risking her heart all over again. This time, maybe even more. Jude is every bit as mysterious and possessive as she remembers. His ex-lover is back to wreak havoc on their lives. And Amelia's own ex has returned from the past, knowing more about Jude than Amelia can imagine. As the secrets and shocking revelations keep coming, Amelia must decide what she's willing to sacrifice to stay with the man she loves and above all else... can't resist.
Critique: Original, clever, complex, emotionally engaging, and a simply fascinating read from start to finish, "The Surrender" is a riveting novel that will especially appeal to readers with an interest in contemporary romance where money, power and charisma can play havoc with a woman's happiness and self-esteem. Highly recommended for community library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this trade paperback edition of "The Surrender" from Montlake is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.99).
Editorial Note: Jodi Ellen Malpas (www.jodiellenmalpas.co.uk) is the author of numerous series, including This Man, This Woman, One Night, and Unlawful Men, as well as the stand-alone novels For You, Perfect Chaos, and Leave Me Breathless, among many others. Her captivating storytelling and complex characters have earned her a dedicated following, and her ability to weave intense emotions with sizzling romance and heart-pounding drama ensures her stories resonate with readers globally.
Road Trip With a Rogue
Kate Bateman
St. Martin's Paperbacks
c/o Macmillan
https://us.macmillan.com/smp
9781250907387, $9.99, PB, 336pp
https://www.amazon.com/Road-Trip-Rogue-Majestys-Rebels/dp/1250907381
Synopsis: Daisy Hamilton's new mission for King & Co., London's premier private investigation firm, is simple: stop heiress Violetta Brand from eloping. But her case is derailed when she mistakenly holds up the carriage of Lucien Vaughan, Duke of Cranford -- cynical war hero, infamous libertine, and the very man who broke her heart five years ago.
Lucien's determined to see his love-struck nephew married to Miss Brand, but the unexpected appearance of Daisy (the one woman he's never been able to forget) could ruin his plans. As they follow the runaway couple together, Lucien decides that delaying the headstrong Daisy by any means possible (including seduction) will be his absolute pleasure... and hers.
After Daisy's reputation is threatened, Lucien makes a scandalous claim, but when an unexpected enemy threatens her life, he realizes she's the only woman for him. Their past encounters have made Daisy almost as jaded about love as Lucien himself, and it's going to take action, not words, to convince this knife-wielding hellion to risk her heart on him again...
Critique: A midnight mishap. A reluctant road trip. A dangerous desire. These are the elements of an impressively original and simply riveting blend of romance, and adventure. This paperback edition of Kate Bateman's third novel in the 'Her Majesty's Rebel's series, "Road Trip With a Rogue" is a finely crafted and fun read from start to finish. Highly recommended for community library Historical Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Road Trip With a Rogue" is also available from St. Martin's Press in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Kate Bateman (who also writes under the name of K. C. Bateman) is an author of historical romances, including her RITA(R)-nominated Renaissance romp, The Devil to Pay, the Ruthless Rivals series A Reckless Match, A Daring Pursuit, and A Wicked Game, the Bow Street Bachelors series This Earl of Mine, To Catch an Earl, and The Princess and the Rogue, along with the novels in the Secrets & Spies series To Steal a Heart, A Raven's Heart, and A Counterfeit Heart. (https://www.kcbateman.com)
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Remembered Anger
Martha Albrand
Stark House Press
www.starkhousepress.com
9798886011128, $12.99, PB, 184pp
https://www.amazon.com/Remembered-Anger-Martha-Albrand/dp/B0DHJFMMYX
Synopsis: Chet Burton had been betrayed. He had parachuted into France but was captured immediately by the Germans, and spent the last three years in a prisoner of war camp. Now that the war is over he is back in Paris, looking for the traitor who betrayed him. It can only have been one of two people: Robert Grandelieu or Colonel Blois, both French patriots.
The last person he expects to see is the woman he loved before his capture, Sue Porter, in the company of one of these men. Sue had thought Chet was dead -- that had been the official report. But their meeting is bittersweet. She has moved on, and is quite certain the traitor can't be her new love, Grandelieu. Then Chet's contact, Josephine Vachon, is found hanging in her apartment. Whoever the traitor is, he is beginning to cover his tracks.
Critique: A deftly crafted and riveting read from cover to cover, "Remembered Anger" by Martha Albrand was original published in 1946 and is now brought back into print for a new generation of mystery suspense thriller fans by Stark House Publishing. While highly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the reading lists of mystery fans that this paperback edition of "Remembered Anger" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Editorial Note: Martha Albrand was born September 8, 1910 as Heidi Huberta Freybe in Rostock, Germany. Her sisters were actress Jutta Freybe and writer Johanna Sibelius, and Albrand was the name of her Danish great-grandfather. Also known as Katrin Holland, she began her writing career in Europe before coming to the United States in 1937. Her first American novel was No Surrender, which was serialized in The Saturday Evening Post, where most of her subsequent novels were first published. Albrand was the author of nearly 40 novels of mystery and suspense, winning the Grand Prix de Litterature Policiere International Prize in France for After Midnight in 1950. Five movies were made from her novels, including Captain Carey, U.S.A. with Alan Ladd. Albrand died at her home in Manhattan on June 24, 1981.
Make With the Brains, Pierre
Dana Wilson, author
Stark House Press
www.starkhousepress.com
9798886011494, $12.99, PB, 198pp
https://www.amazon.com/Make-Brains-Pierre-Dana-Wilson/dp/B0F3JYVB9M
Synopsis: Pierre Bernet is clearly adrift. He's in love with Eleanor, a would-be starlet who's in love with Joe. Unfortunately, Joe's wife has no intention of giving him a divorce. So Pierre acts as Eleanor and Joe's go-between. Reluctantly, of course, but anything to stay close to Eleanor.
Then Fred Marshall enters the scene. He's a bigwig in charge of the career of Marjorie Dean, and uses Pierre to engineer her divorce from her aging-star husband. Pierre is in the thick of it, and no doubt about it. All he really wants is the love of his elusive Eleanor. But now Marjorie Dean is taking an interest in him... and two thugs are threatening his life. Wherever Pierre is headed, this surely will not end well -- for any of them!
Critique: A classic suspense thriller by a master of the genre, "Make With the Brains, Pierre" by author/storyteller Dana Wilson is a fun, fascinating, and engaging read from cover to cover. Originally published in 1946 and now brought back into print by Stark House Press for the benefit of a new general of mystery buffs, "Make With the Brains, Pierre" is a welcome and recommended pick for community library collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).
Editorial Note: Dana Wilson was born Dorothy Natoli in New York City on January 3, 1922. She took the name Dana when she moved to Los Angeles to pursue her acting career, and became Dana Wilson when she married the original Batman actor, Lewis Wilson, in 1941. Alongside her short acting career, Dana wrote two novels -- Make With The Brains Pierre (1946) ( also released under the titles Scenario for Murder and Uneasy Virtue) and Florinda (1977), which was produced as a West End stage musical La Cava in 2000, with Dana writing the book for the show. Dana Wilson is best known as Dana Broccoli, after her second marriage to film producer Albert R "Cubby" Broccoli in 1959. Cubby Broccoli went on to create and produce the James Bond film series, and although she is never credited on the Bond films themselves, Dana is acknowledged as a powerful force in shaping the longest running cinema franchise in history. She is also the mother of the current Bond producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. Dana Broccoli passed away in Beverly Hills on February 29, 2004.
Fog and Fury
Rachel Howzell Hall
www.rachelhowzell.com
Thomas & Mercer
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662522840, $28.99, HC, 395pp
https://www.amazon.com/Fury-Haven-Thrillers-Rachel-Howzell/dp/1662522843
Synopsis: After ten years on the force, LAPD cop Sonny Rush relocates with her elderly mother to peaceful Haven, California, to join her godfather's burgeoning PI business. What crimes could possibly happen in a town nicknamed "Mayberry by the Sea"?
Sonny's first case: find Figgy, a missing goldendoodle last seen sporting a Versace collar. At least scouting out a dognapper gives Sonny a chance to get to know her new neighbors.
Forty-eight hours in town and Figgy's disappearance entangles Sonny in an unwelcome reunion with her ex, one of Haven's wealthiest citizens. And when the body of a teenage boy is found along a popular hiking trail, Sonny is drawn into a web of strange beyond anything she ever saw in LA.
Then comes a local's warning: question everything. Haven hides secrets that could destroy its idyllic facade. Or destroy Sonny first.
Critique: A splendidly crafted, impressively original, and thoroughly entertaining suspense thriller of a read from start to finish, "Fog and Fury" by talented novelist Rachel Howzell Hall will be of immense appeal for readers with an interest in mysteries and thrillers featuring a female sleuth, a myriad of unexpected plot twists, and a memorably 'big reveal' finale. While unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs that this hardcover edition of "Fog and Furty" from Thomas & Mercer is also readily available in paperback (9781662522857, $16.99) and in digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Editorial Note: Rachel Howzell Hall (www.rachelhowzell.com) is the author of The Last One; What Fire Brings; What Never Happened; We Lie Here; These Toxic Things; And Now She's Gone; Land of Shadows, Skies of Ash, Trail of Echoes, and City of Saviors in the Detective Elouise Norton series. A past member of the board of directors for Mystery Writers of America, Rachel has been a featured writer on NPR's acclaimed Crime in the City series and the National Endowment for the Arts weekly podcast; she has also served as a mentor in Pitch Wars and the Association of Writers & Writing Programs.
Death of an Ex
Delia Pitts
Minotaur Books
c/o Macmillan
https://us.macmillan.com
9781250904249, $28.00, HC, 120pp
https://www.amazon.com/Death-Ex-Vandy-Myrick-Mystery/dp/1250904242
Synopsis: Queenstown, New Jersey, feels big when you need help and tiny when you want privacy. For Vandy Myrick, that's both a blessing and a curse. Now that Vandy's back in "Q-Town", her services as her hometown's only Black woman private investigator have earned her more celebrity (or notoriety) than she figured.
Keeping busy with work helps Vandy deal with the grief of losing her daughter, stitching the seams, cementing the gaps. The memories will always remain, and they come crashing back to the surface when her ex-husband, Phil Bolden, walks back into her life. Promising everything, returning home, restoring family. Until she answers her door to the news that Phil has been murdered. And Vandy decides Phil is now her client.
It's hard to separate the Phil that Vandy knew from the one Queenstown did. She sees him (and their daughter) in Phil's son, who attends a prestigious local high school. She sees the layers of a complicated marriage with his wife. She sees all of Phil's various roles: parent, husband, businessman, philanthropist. But which role got him killed?
Critique: "Death of an Ex" is an original, special, and a fascinating read that will have a very special appeal to readers with an interest and appreciation for female sleuths and carefully crafted 'whodunnit' mysteries. As a novelist, Delia Pitts exhibits a complete mastery of the genre and a compelling, effective, narrative driven storytelling style that will fully engaging the reader from start to finish. While strongly recommended for all community and public library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Death of an Ex" is readily available in paperback (9781250904263, $19.00) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Delia Pitts (https://www.deliapitts.com) worked as a journalist before earning a Ph.D. in history from the University of Chicago. After careers as a U.S. diplomat and university administrator, she left academia to begin writing fiction. Delia is the author of the Vandy Myrick mysteries, featuring a Black private investigator in New Jersey. She is also the author of the Ross Agency Mysteries, about a Harlem detective firm, and several short stories. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and Crime Writers of Color.
A Ghostwriter's Guide to Murder
Melinda Mullet
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9798892421423, $29.99, HC, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Ghostwriters-Guide-Murder-Novel/dp/B0DLG6VCTD
Synopsis: Maeve Gardner kills people for a living. Fictional people, that is. As ghostwriter for the long-running Simon Hills mysteries, Maeve has planned the perfect murder time and again, and she enjoys it. She dreams of writing something under her own name someday rather than babysitting her adopted character Simon, but at least she's writing.
And as one of the burnt-out souls who've run away from dry land to live on London's waterways, she has the joy of working from the home she loves: a colorful houseboat. Life on the canals is grand, but when her cheating ex-boyfriend turns up floating facedown in the water outside her boat, murdered, and the police arrest her, the plot takes a wayward turn.
Suddenly, Maeve is thrust into one of her own crime dramas, complete with missing money, violent thugs, extortion, and conspiracy. Only this time, there is no real-life Simon Hill to come to her aid. Instead, with the help of friends from the river (including India, owner of a popular floating bookshop; Paul, the exceedingly attractive landlord of the local pub; and Ash, Maeve's quiet, nerdy neighbor who is keeping some secrets of his own) Maeve may have a shot at saving herself.
As Maeve and her motley crew of would-be investigators find themselves wondering if they are in over their heads, a killer lurks who won't hesitate to kill again!
Critique: Another original and beautifully crafted cozy mystery novel from a master of the genre, "A Ghostwriter's Guide to Murder" by Melinda Mullet is a compelling and fun read from cover to cover. While an absolutely recommended and enduringly popular pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated cozy mystery fans that this hardcover edition of "A Ghostwriter's Guide to Murder" from Crooked Lane Books is also readily available in paperback (9798892422512, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Melinda Mullet (https://www.melindamullet.com) is the author of the Whisky Business mystery series, spent many years in the legal trenches, but is now happy to be known as a former lawyer, a travel junkie, and a lifelong advocate for children's literacy causes, both domestic and international. When she is not in the UK, Melinda lives just outside Washington, DC, with her whisky-collecting husband and two wild COVID canines named Bailey and Captain Jack. (https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/melinda-mullet)
The Myth Maker
Alie Dumas Heidt
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9798892421263, $29.99, HC, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Maker-Alie-Dumas-Heidt/dp/B0DJQDWFR4
Synopsis: Cassidy Cantwell has devoted her life to becoming a detective, never forgetting the cold case that has influenced her entire career: the unsolved murder of her best friend. Cassidy tries to balance her demanding job with her suffocatingly close-knit family and her increasingly clingy boyfriend, but when a strange new murder case comes across her desk, she is determined to solve it, especially when it turns out the victim was the wife of her college ex-boyfriend.
While Cassidy's partner, Bryan, works to prove that her ex is their suspect, Cassidy can't shake the feeling that there's something more to the case that they're not seeing. After the medical examiner finds a strange ring among the victim's personal effects that the husband insists didn't belong to his wife, Cassidy is struck by similarly odd details from a previous crime scene -- details that seem to have an uncanny connection to a Greek myth.
Critique: Original, clever, riveting, and a fun read from cover to cover for fans of female detective murder mysteries with many an unexpected plot twist leading to a dramatic 'whodunnit' finale, "The Myth Maker" by novelist Alie Dumas Heidt is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for community and public library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "The Myth Maker" from Crooked Lane Books is also readily available in paperback (9798892422499, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Alie Dumas-Heidt (https://www.blog.aliedh.com) lives in Puget Sound with her husband, adult kids, and two Goldendoodles - Astrid and Torvi. Growing up she wanted to be a detective and a writer and spent a few years working as a police dispatcher. Now, working is writing in her home office with the dogs at her feet. When she's not writing, she enjoys being in the forest, creating glass art and yarn crafts, and watching baseball.
There Will Be Bodies
Lindsey Davis
Minotaur Books
c/o Macmillan
https://us.macmillan.com
9781250906731, $30.00, HC, 368pp
https://www.amazon.com/There-Will-Be-Bodies-Flavia/dp/1250906733
Synopsis: In first century Rome, Flavia Albia (daughter and successor to Marcus Didius Falco) is once again faced with uncovering the truth. Quite literally.
Only ten year's previous, Mount Vesuvius erupted and rained ash down about the Roman cities and towns along the Bay of Naples. But while some cities were destroyed, others were merely badly damaged. And the uncle of Flavia Albia's husband seizes the opportunity to buy a villa... cheap! It just has to be dug out of the ash, and restored. Oh, and any bodies uncovered, including the previous owner, given a proper burial.
And as the Villa is being renovated, there are indeed bodies found. But one is not like the others -- instead of buried in the ash, the previous owner's body is found in a locked storeroom and Albia is immediately suspicious that he didn't die in the eruption.
With suspicious caretakers, a large inheritance, untrustworthy friends and a Sicilian pirate sniffing around, Albia must solve the riddle of a long ago death, maybe murder, to prevent another one.
Critique: The 15th novel in author Lindsey Davis' magnificent Flavia Albia historical mystery series set in ancient Rome, "There Will Be Bodies" is an impressively original, deftly crafted, and simply riveting read from cover to cover. An absolute 'must' for the growing legions of Lindsey Davis fans, "There Will Be Bodies" is unreservedly recommended for personal and community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for fans of historical murder mysteries that this hardcover edition of "There Will Be Bodies" from Minotaur Books is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: The novels of Lindsey Davis (https://lindseydavis.co.uk) featuring ancient Roman detective Marcus Didius Falco include Venus in Copper, The Iron Hand of Mars, Nemesis and Alexandria. She is also the author of Rebels and Traitors, set during the English Civil War. Davis is the recipient of the Crime Writers' Association Cartier Diamond Dagger Award, the highest accolade for crime writers, as well as the Ellis Peters Historical Dagger Award and the Authors' Club Best First Novel award.
Open Bar
Dan Schorr
https://danschorrbooks.com
SparkPress
c/o Spark Point Studio
www.gosparkpress.com
9781684632565, $17.99, PB, 336pp
https://www.amazon.com/Open-Bar-Novel-Dan-Schorr/dp/1684632560
Synopsis: Campus, corporate, and local politics collide when a high-profile sexual misconduct scandal rocks a prominent university.
Serena Stanfield, Mountain Hill University's human resources director, has just learned that the school's softball coach has been molesting teenagers in its youth summer softball program for years, and that the university has covered it up from both her and the public.
Troy Abernathy, a junior associate at an international investigations firm, is navigating a turbulent, toxic workplace as the company aims to be retained by the university to investigate these sexual assault allegations.
Megan Black, a new member of the Mountain Hill City Council, is thrust into the fallout from the national scandal while she simultaneously focuses on securing a presidential commutation for her childhood friend, who is unfairly facing decades in prison after stabbing her abusive husband to death in self-defense.
As additional disturbing details of the coach's actions are uncovered, Serena, Troy, Megan, and other prominent community figures confront competing interests and unique obstacles while they each pursue different paths toward obtaining justice for the softball program's sexual abuse survivors -- and offer conflicting understandings of what justice would even mean.
Critique: An impressively and deftly crafted work of literary fiction, "Open Bar" by Dan Schorr will hold a very special appeal to readers with an interest in politically themed suspense thriller novels. Clearly, Dan Schorr has effectively drawn upon his background experience and expertise as a professional sexual misconduct, investigator to writ such an original, clever, memorable, and an inherently fascinating read from beginning to end. "Open Bar" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and community library Contemporary Fiction collections. It should by noted that this paperback edition of "Open Bar" from SparkPress is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note: Dan Schorr is a sexual misconduct investigator at his firm, Dan Schorr, LLC, and an adjunct professor at Fordham Law School. Previously, he served as a New York sex crimes prosecutor, the Inspector General for the City of Yonkers, and an adjunct law professor with Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. He has been a television legal analyst for Good Morning America, CNN, Fox News Channel, Law & Crime network, and elsewhere. His debut novel "Final Table" was the 2022 Indie Excellence Awards Winner in Literary Fiction. "Open Bar" is his second novel.
The Mango Murders
Lucy Burdette
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9798892421652, $29.99, HC, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Mango-Murders-West-Critic-Mystery/dp/B0DMVCX52B
Synopsis: Food critic Hayley Snow's employer, Key Zest, is throwing the event of the season, a lavish cocktail party catered by Janet Snow, Hayley's mother. As Hayley boards the luxurious cruise, she anticipates a smooth sailing soiree filled with shimmering cocktails, mouthwatering mango-infused delicacies, and new supporters for the e-zine. But as the boat sets sail, the festivities take a tragic turn when an explosion rocks the vessel, plunging the party guests into chaos.
In the days that follow, Hayley learns that a local culinary entrepreneur died in the explosion and it was no accident - someone on board had a deadly agenda. With the tropical city of Key West as her backdrop, Hayley navigates a web of secrets and lies. Her investigation takes her from the shadowy corners of island politics to fierce competition between high-end event caterers and personal vendettas.
With the clock ticking and the stakes higher than ever, Hayley must rely on her keen intuition to unmask a cunning culprit before they strike again!
Critique: Another gem of a cozy mystery in author Lucy Burdette's Key West Food Critic Mystery series, "The Mango Murders" will hold immense appeal for readers with an interest in deftly crafted 'whodunnit's starring an amateur female sleuth. A fun read from cover to cover, "The Mango Murders" will prove an enduringly popular pick for personal reading lists and community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "The Mango Murders" from Crooked Lane Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Lucy Burdette (https://lucyburdette.com) is the author of twenty-two mysteries, including "A Poisonous Palate", "The Key Lime Crime", and "Unsafe Haven". Her books and stories have been short-listed for Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity Awards. She's a past president of Sisters in Crime and is currently serving as president of the Friends of the Key West Library.
Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes
Sandra Jackson
Minotaur Books
c/o Macmillan
https://us.macmillan.com
9781250351906, 336pp
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1250351901
Synopsis: When Savvy Summers first opened Essie's soul food cafe, she never expected her customer-favorite sweet potato pie to become the center of a murder investigation. But when Grandy Jaspers, the 75-year-old neighborhood womanizer, drops dead at table two, she suddenly has more to worry about than just maintaining Essie's reputation for the finest soul food in the Chicagoland area.
Even as the police deem Grandy's death an accident, Savvy quickly finds herself - and her beloved cafe - in the middle of an entire city's worth of bad press. Desperate to clear her name and keep her business afloat, Savvy and her snooping assistant manager, Penny Lopes, take it upon themselves to find who really killed Grandy.
But with a slimy investor harassing her to sell her name and business, customers avoiding her sweet potato pie like the plague, and her police sergeant ex-husband suddenly back in the picture, will Savvy be able to clear the cafe's name and solve Grandy's murder before it all falls apart?
After all, while Savvy always said her sweet potato pie was to die for, she never meant literally.
Critique: "Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes" is esteemed and award-winning poet Sandra Jackson-Opoku's debut as a writer of mysteries. Original, clever, deftly crafted, and a fun read from cover to cover, Sandra has raised her 'whodunnit' mystery to an impressive level of literary elegance. While "Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes" is a prized pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of cozy mystery fans that this hardcover edition from Minotaur Books is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Sandra Jackson-Opoku is the author of The River Where Blood is Born and Hot Johnny and the Women Who Loved Him, an Essence Magazine Bestseller in Hardcover Fiction. She also coedited the anthology Revise the Psalm: Work Celebrating the Writing of Gwendolyn Brooks. Her fiction, nonfiction, and dramatic works are widely published and produced in Adi Magazine, Midnight & Indigo, Aunt Chloe, Africa Risen: A New Era of Speculative Fiction, New Daughters of Africa, Obsidian, Another Chicago Magazine, storySouth, Lifeline Theatre. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandra_Jackson-Opoku)
The Moth Bit Back
Tara Ratzlaff
Camel Press
www.camelpress.com
9781684923168, $16.95, PB, 250pp
https://www.amazon.com/Moth-Bit-Back-Tara-Ratzlaff/dp/1684923166
Synopsis: Carmen Karlaff, owner of a native grass and wildflower seed farm in northwestern Minnesota, is busy with spring farming operations, prairie cabin rentals, enjoying her relationship with her boyfriend Nick, and getting to know his half-sister Faye.
When an emergency visit to the local dentist is required, she is shocked by the dentist's murder minutes after fixing Carmen's tooth. The death appears to be drug related and with no friends or family under suspicion, she is relieved there is no need for her to be involved.
Her relief is short-lived when another dead body with ties to Faye is found in one of Carmen's burnt fields.
When both Nick and Faye end up on the Sheriff's suspect list, Carmen is forced to investigate. In the process, Nick and Faye's past is revealed with surprising ties to Carmen's father. As she follows the clues to clear her loved ones, she finds herself in harm's way again.
Critique: Original, cleverly scripted, and a fun, fascinating, memorable read from cover to cover, "The Moth Bit Back" showcases author Tara Ratzlaff's genuine flair for the kind of narrative driven storytelling style (and unexpected plot twists and turns) that is absolutely required by the cozy mystery genre. Especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "The Moth Bit Back" from Camel Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.99).
Editorial Note: Tara Ratzlaff (https://tararatzlaff.com) decided pursue her dream of writing cozy mysteries. Her hobbies are reading (mysteries only, of course), long walks, swimming when the pool isn't frozen and being amused by the antics of her pets.
Picking Up the Pieces: A Jigsaw Puzzle Mystery
J. B. Abbott
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9798892421614, $29.99, HC, 304pp
https://www.amazon.com/Picking-Up-Pieces-Jigsaw-Mystery/dp/B0DQC3FTSH
Synopsis: After her mother's passing, Katie Chambers returns to Cedar Bay, a serene enclave nestled in the southwest corner of Washington State's Whidbey Island to support her newly widowed father, Jim Chambers.
Stepping into her mother's footsteps, Katie takes on the role of graphic designer at Cedar Bay Puzzles. With the help of her father, she resurrects her mom's cherished initiative, the South Island Jigsaw crew, a group of puzzle enthusiasts who gather weekly at the library to test and tackle the latest Cedar Bay Puzzles creations.
But when a member of their club is murdered and Jim is the last person to see her alive, resulting in his arrest, Katie and the rest of the gang must use all of their resources to obtain justice for both.
To prove her father's innocence, Katie reaches out to Connor Crozier, a firefighter and her former flame who shattered her heart seven years ago. With problems piling up at work and a competitor outright accusing CBP of stealing his designs, it is up to Katie to puzzle out the mystery before it's too late.
Critique: An original, finely crafted, and inherently fascinating read from start to finish, with its unexpected plot twists and turns, "Picking Up the Pieces: A Jigsaw Puzzle Mystery" by J. B. Abbott is an ideal pick for personal reading lists and community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for fans of the cozy mystery genre that this hardcover edition of "Picking Up the Pieces" from Crooked Lane Books is also readily available in paperback (9798892422703, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Brian Tracey is the past chairman of DFWCon, Texas's premier multi-genre writing conference. He's an active member and long-serving officer of the DFW Writers' Workshop and a member of International Thriller Writers, serving as a volunteer in several capacities for ITW's annual conference, ThrillerFest. He's published business articles and white papers, and his short stories have appeared in Suspense Magazine (written as Patrick J. McKnight). In addition to his thrillers, he also writes cozy mysteries with Jeff Ayers.
Jeff Ayers's first book was a guide to the world of Star Trek novels for Simon and Schuster, Voyages of Imagination. He read over 550 books for that project and interviewed over 350 people, including William Shatner and John DeLancie. He has been a book reviewer for the Associated Press and Booklist and is currently reviewing for Criminal Element, Library Journal, and firstCLUE. Jeff has interviewed hundreds of authors in newspapers, podcasts, and magazines. He is a retired public librarian and a former co-executive director of Thrillerfest for International Thriller Writers. He co-writes thrillers about national parks under the name A. J. Landau.
Together they write as J. B. Abbott.
Death at an Irish Village: An Irish Castle Mystery
Ellie Brannigan
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9798892422581, $29.99, HC, 336pp
https://www.amazon.com/Death-Irish-Village-Castle-Mystery/dp/B0DP44JC8C
Synopsis: With six months left to fulfill the provisions of Uncle Nevin's will and save the fixer-upper castle she and her cousin inherited, Rayne McGrath and Ciara Smith's bridal venue venture is finally bringing in money. To unite the reluctant villagers (some who'd vehemently protested their efforts to modernize the village), they agree with Father Patrick's idea to create a group of volunteers to clean the old cemetery behind the beloved church.
But when a body is found by one of the historic tombstones, the cousins must work overtime to solve the newest case.
The plot thickens and an unsolved crime from the past is unearthed when it's discovered that the body was on top of a fake grave that has connections to Rayne's ancestors.
With two weddings scheduled at the castle and her mother on the way, Rayne fears she won't be able to balance it all, yet she rolls up her sleeves and dives into old family journals in hopes of puzzling out not one but two mysteries.
Critique: Exceptional, original, clever, and a fun read from cover to cover, "Death at an Irish Village" is part of author Ellie Brannigan's 'An Irish Castle Mystery' series from Crooked Lane Books. A solid pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the legions of cozy mystery fans that this hardcover edition of "Death at an Irish Village" is also available in paperback (9798892423137, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Ellie Brannigan has lived in South Florida for the last twenty years. She loves the ocean and any food dish with shrimp. When she's not creating new fictional worlds, she reads, and travels and eats! (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22541174.Ellie_Brannigan)
I Found a Body
Becky C. Brynolf
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9798892422628, $29.99, HC, 336pp
https://www.amazon.com/Found-Body-Becky-C-Brynolf/dp/B0DRC4W6BL
Synopsis: Detective Sergeant Mona Hendricks has a lot on her plate: she's getting divorced, her teen daughter is punishing her for it, and she's shooting for a life-changing promotion. When her daughter's favorite influencer, Kylie May, finds a dead body and live streams it to the world, Mona is thrown into a very public murder investigation.
Mona, a seasoned detective, is trying her best to conduct a proper investigation based on good old-fashioned police work, but when Kylie decides to solve the case herself, their dueling investigations hamper all efforts to identify the killer.
Nine years later, Mona has hit rock bottom, and the case remains unsolved. When Kylie, now a sleek TV contrarian, approaches Mona with a high-paying offer to reopen the cold case, Mona has no choice but to accept and hope things will be different this time around.
Critique: An original and deftly crafted combination of police procedural and 'whodunnit' historical thriller, and all the more impressive considering that it is author Beck C. Brynoff's debut as a novelist "I Found A Dead Body" is a fully engaging and entertaining read from cover to cover. While a strongly recommended and enduringly popular pick for community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated suspense/thriller fans that this hardcover edition of "I Found A Dead Body" from Crooked Lane Books is also available in paperback (9798892422864, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Becky C. Brynolf has worked in social media for a long time and has been a crime fiction fan for much longer. After ten years in London, she's relocated to her childhood home of Scotland with her husband, baby, and mad Border Collie. Becky hopes to do justice to Scotland's rich tradition of crime writers.
Murder Italian Style
Diane Vallere
Polyester Press
https://polyesterpress.com/index.html
9781954579200, $15.99, PB, 296pp
https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Italian-Killer-Fashion-Mystery/dp/1954579209
Synopsis: When style expert Samantha Kidd plans a holiday in Italy, she expects scenic piazzas, endless pasta, and maybe a little romance -- not a murder mystery older than her passport!
Samantha's idyllic vacation comes to a screeching halt when a favor for her host pulls her into a decades-old mystery and lands her in more hot water than her morning espresso.
The case? The murder of Alfredo, the town's most hated man.
The suspect? Pasquale, a mild-mannered cobbler who has spent decades in prison for the crime.
The twist? Samantha's host should have been Pasquale's alibi -- if she hadn't left town that night to start invasive cancer treatments in Switzerland.
Armed with her quick wit, a love of gelato, and the undercover help of her shoe designer husband, Samantha will need all the luck she can muster to solve the crime and make it through her getaway alive.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, and with all the makings for a memorable cozy mystery including interesting characters and unexpected plot twists, "Murder Italian Style" by Diane Vallere is an extraordinary and fun read from cover to cover. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of all dedicated cozy mystery fans that this trade paperback edition of "Murder Italian Style" from Polyester Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Editorial Note: Diane Vallere (https://dianevallere.com) writes entertaining character-based mysteries with touches of history. A graduate of the College of William and Mary, she spent two decades in luxury retailing, before trading fashion accessories for accessories to murder. As past president of the national Sisters in Crime organization, she edited the Agatha-Award-winning essay collection 'Promophobia: Taking the Mystery out of Promoting Crime Fiction'. Diane started her own detective agency at age ten and has maintained a passion for shoes, clues, and clothes ever since.
Please Don't Lie
Christina Baker Kline & Anne Burt
https://christinabakerkline.com
Thomas & Mercer
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662524394, $28.99, HC, 268pp
https://www.amazon.com/Please-Dont-Lie-Thriller-Crystal/dp/1662524390
Synopsis: Two years ago, Hayley Stone lost everything. First, her parents died in a devastating fire. Then, her sister overdosed, leaving Hayley alone and hounded by a media circus that turned her family's tragedy into tabloid fodder. When her new husband suggests a fresh start in the Adirondacks, the promise of anonymity in an isolated mountain town feels like salvation.
But the mountains hold darker secrets than she ever imagined.
Her once-loving husband grows distant and volatile. The widow down the road keeps spewing vague accusations. Not even their new friends (a free-spirited couple living on the property) can help Hayley shake the creeping sense that something is off.
As winter edges closer, Hayley discovers that her sanctuary is anything but safe. Trapped and isolated, she faces a terrifying truth: in trying to escape her past, she may have run straight into something far more dangerous.
Critique: An original and masterfully crafted psychological thriller of a read from start to finish, "Please Don't Lie" is collaboratively co-authored by the talented team of Christina Baker Kline and Anne Burt. Raising their murder mystery novel to an impressive level of literary excellence, this hardcover edition of "Please Don't Lie" from Thomas & Mercer will prove a welcome and enduringly appreciated addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Please Don't Lie" is also available in paperback (9781662524400, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Editorial Note #1: Christina Baker Kline is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of eight novels, including The Exiles, Orphan Train, and A Piece of the World. She is the recipient of the New England Society prize for fiction, the Maine Literary Award, and a Barnes & Noble Discover Prize. Kline has also written and edited five nonfiction books. Please Don't Lie is her first thriller.
Editorial Note #2: Anne Burt's debut novel, The Dig, was an American Booksellers Association Indie Next pick, the Strand Book Store's mystery selection for spring 2023, and the IndieBound.org Indie Next list's lead "Thrills & Chills" reading group title for summer 2024. She is also a nonfiction writer and editor and a past winner of the Meridian literary magazine's Editors' Prize in fiction.
What Happened to Lucy Vale
Lauren Oliver
https://www.laurenoliverbooks.com
Skyscape
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662529016, $28.99, HC, 443pp
https://www.amazon.com/What-Happened-Lucy-Vale-Novel/dp/1662529015
Synopsis: Who in their right mind would move into the Faraday House, with its grim history and a generation spent rotting and untended? -- Rachel Vale and her daughter, Lucy.
They have arrived unexpectedly, yet with peculiar purpose, to Woodward, Indiana, to rent the most infamous house in town. Here, sixteen years ago, Nina Faraday vanished without a trace and her mother was found hanging from an apple tree in the front yard. It was the stuff of ghoulish fascination and dark imaginings.
Old rumors are stirred up all over again by an online community of teenagers now fixated on Lucy, the new girl in school... especially when Lucy's shattering romance with the swim team star becomes another small-town obsession.
This time the kids in Woodward will be asking: What happened to Lucy Vale?
Parallel mysteries soon converge -- about two teenage girls, nearly two decades apart, both consumed by the stories and suspicions of others. Only a mother can bring the truth to devastating light.
Critique: Deftly crafted and simply riveting from start to finish, "What Happened to Lucy Vale" by award winning novelist Lauren Oliver is original, compelling, and memorable. While an especially recommended pick for community/public library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of psychological thrillers featuring amateur sleuths that this hardcover edition of "What Happened to Lucy Vale" from Skyscrape is also readily available in paperback (9781662529009, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Editorial Note: Lauren Oliver (https://www.laurenoliverbooks.com) is an author, screenwriter, and media entrepreneur. Her previous works include multiple novels for teens, including Before I Fall, the Delirium trilogy, and Panic. Along the way, Lauren founded the IP company StoryGiants as well as its technology offshoot, DubFrog Technologies, and helped to package and edit nearly one hundred other novels.
Lavender Lies Bleeding
Leslie Budweitz
https://www.lesliebudewitz.com
Seventh Street Books
https://www.seventhstreetbooks.com
9781645060864, $18.95, PB, 313pp
https://www.amazon.com/Lavender-Lies-Bleeding-Leslie-Budewitz/dp/1645060861
Synopsis: Spring is in full bloom in Pike Place Market, where Pepper is celebrating lavender's culinary uses and planning a festival she hopes will become an annual event. When her friend Lavender Liz offers to share tips for promoting the much-loved (and occasionally maligned) herb, Pepper makes a trek to the charming town of Salmon Falls.
But someone has badly damaged Liz's greenhouse, throwing a wrench in the feisty grower's plans for expansion. Suspicions quickly focus on an employee who's taken to the hills, though Liz herself is not convinced.
Then Liz is found dead among her precious plants, stabbed by a pruning knife. -- But in Salmon Falls, there's one in every pocket.
Pepper digs in, untangling the tensions between Liz and a local restaurateur with eyes on a picturesque but neglected farm, a jealous ex-boyfriend determined to profit from Liz's success, and a local growers' cooperative. She's also hot on the scent of a trail of her own, sniffing out the history of her sweet dog, Arf.
As Pepper's questions threaten to unearth secrets others desperately want to keep buried, danger creeps closer to her and those she loves. Can Pepper root out the killer, before someone nips her in the bud?
Critique: The ninth novel in author Leslie Bedewitz's series 'A Spice Shop Mystery', this paperback edition of "Lavender Lies Bleeding" from Seventh Street Books is a cosy mystery lover's delight and includes delicious recipes, as well an amateur female sleuth having to solve a problematic and perilous murder mystery. A deftly crafted, impressively original, and fun read from cover to cover, "Lavender Lies Bleeding" will prove an immediately welcome and enduringly popular pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated cozy mystery fans that this paperback edition of "Lavender Lies Bleeding" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Leslie Budewitz (https://www.lesliebudewitz.com) writes stories about women's lives, seasoned with friendship, food, a dash of history, and a heaping spoonful of mystery. She is the author of the Spice Shop mysteries set in Seattle's Pike Place Market, as well as the Food Lovers' Village mysteries and historical short fiction set in her native Montana. As Alicia Beckman, she writes moody suspense. A three-time Agatha Award winner (2013 Best First Novel for "Death Al Dente" the first Food Lovers' Village mystery; 2011 Best Nonfiction, and 2018 Best Short Story, for "All God's Sparrows," her first historical fiction) she is a past president of Sisters in Crime and a former board member of Mystery Writers of America.
Last Seen
J. T. Ellison
https://www.jtellison.com
Thomas & Mercer
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662520372, $28.99, HC, 447pp
https://www.amazon.com/Last-Seen-J-T-Ellison/dp/1662520379
Synopsis: Halley James just lost her job at the forensics lab. Her dad needs emergency surgery. But the biggest blow comes back home in Marchburg, Virginia, where she discovers her mother didn't actually die in a car crash. Her mom was murdered -- and her father has lied about it all these years.
Since she was six years old, it's been Halley and her dad. Now, she doesn't know what to believe. Desperate for the truth, Halley chases down a lead in Brockville, Tennessee. But all there is not as it seems. Brockville's utopian charm hides a chilling darkness. And Halley's search for answers threatens to expose an unspeakable reality.
Critique: Original, deftly scripted, clever, compelling, "Last Seen" by J. T. Ellison is a riveting psychological thriller of read from start to finish. Simply stated, author J.T. Ellison is a master of the genre. Emotionally engaging, deftly crafted, impressively original, this hardcover edition of "Last Seen" from Thomas & Mercer is an ideal and recommended addition to community library collections and personal reading lists. It should be noted for dedicates murder mystery fans that "Last Seen" is also available in paperback (9781662520389, $16.99 and in a digital book format (Kindle, $1.99, Amazon).
Editorial Note: J.T. Ellison (https://www.jtellison.com) is the author of more than thirty psychological thrillers and domestic noir novels, as well as the Emmy Award - winning cohost of A Word on Words on Nashville PBS. She also writes contemporary fantasy as Joss Walker, whose titles include the award-winning Jayne Thorne, CIA Librarian series.
Tell Them You Lied
Laura Leffler
Hyperion Avenue
c/o Disney Hyperion
https://books.disney.com
9781368102469, $26.99, HC, 384pp
https://www.amazon.com/Tell-Them-Lied-Laura-Leffler/dp/1368102468
Synopsis: Anna had never met anyone like Willow. Entering art school with lofty ideas about Art and her role in it, Anna was wholly unprepared for someone as mysterious, moody (and cool) as Willow. Here was Anna's muse and collaborator all in one, ready to bring her in on Art's great secrets.
Now, five years later, Anna is weary. Where art school was boundless creativity and collaboration, the New York art scene is all about survival. Worse: Willow's true nature as a muse only to herself has become nakedly apparent -- as has her cruelty.
So the mugging Anna has staged for Willow this morning? It's supposed to send Willow running back to her true friend. The knife is supposed to be a mirror in which this 'artist' can finally see the monster she's become. It's supposed to give Anna her power back.
But this morning isn't just any Tuesday. It's September 11, 2001. And as the city reels from the seismic events of that day, Willow never returns home. Anna keeps quiet about the prank and her growing panic that she's to blame for Willow's disappearance. But as the hours and days tick by, Anna begins to question whether she's the mastermind she thought she was, or the pawn.
Alternating between the friends' art school tenure and their lives in 2001 New York, "Tell Them You Lied" reveals how difficult the search for answers is when you'd rather have anything but the truth.
Critique: Original, clever, deftly crafted, fully engaging and a simply riveting read from start to finish, (and her debut as a novelist), "Tell Them You Lied" showcases author Laura Leffler's impressive and narrative driven storytelling style. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated psychological thriller fans that this hardcover edition of "Tell Them You Lied" from Hyperion Avenue Books is also readily available in paperback (9781368103763, $17.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99).
Editorial Note: Laura Leffler (https://www.lauraleffler.com) is a writer and art historian who builds stories within the gorgeous, strange, and sometimes terrifying art world. After receiving a master's degree in post-war and contemporary art, she spent more than a decade working in commercial galleries, doing everything from art fair sales to condition reporting and logistics. Along the way, she witnessed more of that glittering world's dark underbelly than she thought possible.
Making a Killing
Cara Hunter
Hemlock Press
c/o William Morrow & Company
www.harpercollins.com
9780008545789, $25.99, HC, 368pp
https://www.amazon.com/Making-Killing-Fawley-Cara-Hunter/dp/0008545782
Synopsis: When Nick Vincent, producer of true-crime show Infamous, hears about an explosive new angle on a high-profile case (the 2016 murder of an eight-year-old girl in Oxford) he leaps at the chance to send a researcher to verify the claims.
Two months later, a dog walker discovers a woman's body, bound and buried in a shallow grave in the woods. Forensic evidence links the corpse to the disappearance of that same child.
DCI Adam Fawley, the original investigating officer, is called in to run the enquiry. And he remembers the case well -- he arrested the child's mother for murder. A murder he now knows she didn't commit.
The investigation raises more questions than answers. What connects the two crimes? Where has the dead girl been all these years? How did she manage to disappear? For Adam Fawley, this case is personal.
Critique: an impressively original and simply fascinating, "Making A Killing is the seventh title in novelist Cara Hunt's 'A DI Fawley Thriller' crime thriller series. A very special and entertaining read for fans of police procedural 'whodunnit' murder mysteries, "Making A Killing" is a solid and recommended pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections. For personal reading lists of suspense/thriller fans it should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Making A Killing" is also available in paperback (William Morrow Paperbacks, 9780063271098, $18.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Cara Hunter (https://cara-hunter.com) is the author of Murder in the Family as well as the crime novels featuring DI Adam Fawley and his Oxford-based police team. Of those novels, Close to Home was shortlisted for Crime Book of the Year in the British Book Awards 2019 and No Way Out was selected by the Sunday Times as one of the 100 best crime novels since 1945. Cara's books have sold more than a million copies worldwide.
Murder at Blackwood Inn
Penny Warner
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9798892421850, $29.99, HC, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Blackwood-Inn-Haunted-Breakfast/dp/B0DRC2XR3B
Synopsis: Ghostwriter Carissa Blackwood is having the worst year of her life. After leaving her cheating husband, she finally takes up the offer to help her two eccentric aunts manage the Blackwood Bed 'n' Breakfast Inn in Pelican Point, California - a house -- they only recently inherited from their deceased father, Bram Blackwood.
The old man dabbled in the occult, and his daughters haven't fallen far from the family tree. Aunt Runa is into crystals and plans to hold seances at the reportedly "haunted" house. Aunt Hazel has an herbary and offers herbal cures for everything from headaches to paranormal visions. But it's Hazel's poison garden that really concerns Carissa.
When one of the townspeople dies from a poison that could have only come from Aunt Hazel's garden, the town is quick to point fingers. It doesn't help that one of Aunt Runa's charms is found at the scene of the crime. With a little help from Noah, the mysterious and handsome handyman; Aiden, the charming newspaperman (and the ghost of Carissa's grandfather) it's up to Carissa to clear her aunts and find the real killer before someone else is checked out for good at the B&B.
Critique: Original, unique, deftly crafted, compelling, and a fun read from cover to cover, "Murder at Blackwood Inn" showcases novelist and storyteller Penny Warner's complete mastery of the cozy mystery genre featuring an amateur female sleuth who must solve a puzzling 'whoddunnit' murder mystery to protect the 'innocent accused'. Part of the author's 'A Dead and Breakfast Mystery' series, this hardcover edition from Crooked Lane Books is an ideal and highly recommended pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs that "Murder at Blackwood Inn" is also readily available in paperback (9798892422857, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Penny Warner (https://pennywarner.com) is the author of several mystery series, including the award-winning Dead Body Language series, the How to Host a Killer Party series, Death of a Chocolate Cheater, and three-time Agatha Award-winning middle-grade mysteries, the Code Busters Club.
Murder in Miniature
Katie Tietjen
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9798892421812, $29.99, HC, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Miniature-Maple-Bishop-Mystery/dp/B0DRC3XPKT
Synopsis: In post-WWII Vermont, Maple Bishop has a thriving dollhouse business and a new career as a crime scene consultant for the local sheriff's office. On the surface, she seems to be doing well, but deep down Maple is still reeling from the death of her husband.
When the body of an aspiring firefighter (who was close childhood friends with Kenny, the sheriff's deputy and Maple's confidante) is discovered in the charred remains of a burned cabin, Maple is called in to help determine whether the fire was an accident or a case of murder by arson.
Realizing there's more to the crime than meets the eye, she sets out to unearth the discrepancies from the scene by re-creating the cabin in miniature. The investigation leads them to Maple's old Boston neighborhood, forcing her to confront the past she's desperately trying to forget.
As Maple and Kenny sift through clues, they uncover dark secrets that hit close to home, unraveling in unexpected ways -- and putting their lives in danger.
Critique: "Murder in Miniature" is the second title in author Katie Tietjen's 'A Maple Bishop Mystery', and a deftly crafted, exceptionally compelling, fully engaging, and impressively original 'whodunnit' mystery from start to finish. A fun read for fans of historical murder mysteries featuring female sleuths, unexpected plot twists, and climatic finales, "Murder in Miniature" is an especially recommended choice for community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery fans that this hardcover edition of "Murder in Miniature" from Crook Lane Books is also available in paperback (9798892422840, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Katie Tietjen (https://katietietjen.com) is an award-winning writer, teacher, and school librarian. The Mary Higgins Clark Award-nominated "Death in the Details" was her first novel and inspired by the real-life mother of forensic science, Frances Glessner Lee.
A Murder Most Fowl
Carmela Dutra
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9798892423175, $29.99, HC, 336pp
https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Most-Fowl-Truck-Mystery/dp/B0DQBWBTT4
Synopsis: When their late aunt Dolly passes away, twins Beth and Seth Lloyd inherit a chicken themed food truck. Despite the challenges, the siblings rise to the occasion, even going as far as signing up their truck Kluckin' Good to compete on a top cooking show and ruffle a few feathers for some good publicity. But the competition goes from heated to lethal when a contestant is found dead.
With the elimination competition becoming far too literal, Beth and Seth will need all the help they can get to get out of the frying pan without landing in the fire. With their loyal assistant (and Beth's best friend) Rylie by their side, they'll have to follow the bread crumbs to untangle a very twisted case before either one of them is put on the chopping block.
Critique: Imaginative, clever, laced with humor and unexpected plot twists leading to a dramatic conclusion, "A Murder Most Fowl" is a quintessential cozy mystery complete with amateur female sleuths compelled into solving a classic 'whodunnit' murder mystery. "A Murder Most Fowl" is a part of author Carmela Dutra's 'A Food Truck Mystery' series and a fun and funny read from cover to cover, While a popular pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, this hardcover edition of "A Murder Most Fowl" from Crooked Lane Books is also readily available for the personal reading lists of all dedicated cozy mystery fans in paperback (9798892423182, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Carmela Dutra (https://carmeladutra.com), after years of working on her award-winning independently published children's picture books, deftly transitioned into crafting cozy mysteries filled with emotion, humor and heart.
Peter Pulaski Must Pay
Jen Lancaster
www.jenlancaster.com
Little A
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662530722, $28.99, HC, 315pp
https://www.amazon.com/Peter-Pulaski-Must-Pay-Novel/dp/1662530722
Synopsis: The Friday Night Doom Crew is an eclectic group of true-crime enthusiasts that includes a forensic psychologist, historian, and popular Instagram presence who dedicated to sleuthing out nefarious offenders and doing whatever it takes to set things right. But when dark secrets threaten one of their own, the Doom Crew grapples with how far they are willing to go to protect her.
Diana Pulaski is the crew's meticulously organized beating heart whose physician husband, Peter, is secretly a swindler behind an illegal pill mill, not to mention a loathsome cheater involved in an online romance. When they discover the truth, the amateur vigilantes have a plan to make Peter pay. Unfortunately, the closer Diana's friends are to hunting Peter down, the closer they get to discovering a secret Diana has been hiding.
As the fumbling Doom Crew's wild ride of vengeance goes awry, they must navigate the consequences of their actions. And Diana, forced to confront the past, must decide to whom she will remain loyal -- no matter the cost.
Critique: A roller coaster of a ride with unsuspected plot twists and surprising turn of events, "Peter Pulaski Must Pay" by gifted storytelling novelist Jen Langcaster is a non-stop fun read from cover to cover. Original, effectively scripted, and of immense attraction for fans of suspense novels laced with humor, this highly recommended hardcover edition of "Peter Pulaski Must Pay" from Little A is an ideal pick for community library Contemporary General Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Peter Pulaski Must Pay" is also available in paperback (9781662530739, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).
Editorial Note: Jen Lancaster (www.jenlancaster.com) is the author of the novels The Anti-Heroes, Housemoms, Here I Go Again, and The Gatekeepers, and the nonfiction works Welcome to the United States of Anxiety; Bitter Is the New Black; The Tao of Martha; Such a Pretty Fat; Bright Lights, Big Ass; Stories I'd Tell in Bars; Jeneration X; My Fair Lazy; Pretty in Plaid; and I Regret Nothing.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Tick Town
Christopher A. Micklos
https://christophermicklos.com
Castle Bridge Media
https://www.castlebridgemedia.com
9798991785549, $14.99, PB, 200pp
https://www.amazon.com/Tick-Town-Christopher-Micklos/dp/B0F979451M
Synopsis: Tomahawk Hollow has a huge problem. Slaughtered livestock. Disappearing townsfolk. And something in the woods hungry for blood. When young reporter Emmaline and Jackson her boss investigate, they discover a band of giant mutant ticks have made the rural Wisconsin tourist town their feeding ground.
Now, with the annual Harvest Moon Jubilee about to begin, Emmaline and Jackson must race to find the queen tick and her nest before a massive clutch of monster eggs hatch... and thousands more terrifying ticks are unleashed into the world!
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, and a fun read from cover to cover, "Tick Town" by Wisconsin author Christopher A. Micklos is the kind of science fiction story they used for making B-movie SciFi flicks of the 1950s starring monsters threatening mankind. Featuring an impressive blending of pulp fiction style imagination, action, horror, and thrills "Tick Town" (and with a cover art reminiscent of those old movie posters from the 50s) "Tick Town" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Science Fiction & Fantasy collections. It should be noted for the legions of monster movie fans that this paperback edition of "Tick Town" from Castle Bridge Media is also readily available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Editorial Note: Christopher Micklos (https://christophermicklos.com) is a life-long horror junkie, an award-winning filmmaker, and a frequently published writer of horror-themed fiction and non-fiction. A member of the Horror Writers Association and the Wisconsin Writers Association, Christopher recently received the Wisconsin Backbone of Horror Award for "crafting amazing horror experiences" and "supporting Wisconsin horror." His two feature films, THE NURSERY and THE HEADMISTRESS, are widely available streaming and on DVD; and his writing has appeared locally in numerous national outlets, including Rue Morgue Magazine, Sci-Fi Lampoon Magazine, and many others. Christopher lives in Wisconsin, with his wife, daughter, two frisky ferrets, and their monstrous mini-labradoodle Ygor.
The Shattered King
Charlie N. Holmberg
www.charlienholmberg.com
47 North
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662530586, $28.99, HC, 333pp
https://www.amazon.com/Shattered-King-Charlie-N-Holmberg/dp/1662530587
Synopsis: The kingdom of Cansere is on the brink of war. Young men are conscripted from their homes, and a royal decree from the queen has made healing the only legal form of craftlock.
Nym, a healer and beekeeper, is the sole provider for her family of seven now that her younger brother has been sent to the war front. But when a letter comes from the queen, summoning Nym to the palace to heal Prince Renn, the kingdom's ailing shut-in, Nym finds herself making the tumultuous journey from her family's apiary to the capital city.
Nym is determined to fail the queen's mission and return to her younger siblings as soon as she can.
But escaping the castle's hold isn't as easy as failing a simple test. Prince Renn is cold and distant, and his illness is like nothing Nym has ever seen before, nothing she could ever imagine treating.
In a moment of connection with Prince Renn, Nym manages to remedy the faintest symptom of his ailment -- only to discover that no healer before has made such progress. Forced to become the prince's official healer and a ward of the castle, and with her only hope of returning to her family hinging on the prince's recovery, Nym must navigate the castle's cruel and twisted court and uncover the haunting truth behind Prince Renn's illness -- even as she finds herself irrevocably drawn to him!
Critique: A deftly crafted and impressively original fantasy by an author with a genuine gift for the kind of narrative driven storytelling style that keeps the reader fully engaged from start to finish, "The Shattered King" by Charlie N. Holmberg is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to community library Historical Fantasy collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated fantasy fans that this hardcover edition of "The Shattered King" from 47 North is also available in paperback (9781662516832, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).
Editorial Note: Charlie N. Holmberg (www.charlienholmberg.com) is an author of fantasy and romance fiction, including The Hanging City, Star Mother, the Paper Magician series, the Spellbreaker series, and the Whimbrel House series. She also writes contemporary romance under C. N. Holmberg. She is published in more than twenty languages; has been a finalist for the ALA awards, the Goodreads Choice Awards, and multiple Whitney Awards; and won the 2020 Whitney Award for Novel of the Year: Adult Fiction.
The Alchemy of Fate
Jeff Wheeler
https://jeff-wheeler.com
47 North
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662528613, $28.99, HC, 384pp
https://www.amazon.com/Alchemy-Fate-Invisible-College/dp/1662528612
Synopsis: For now, the centuries-long war between mortal kind and the Aesir is quiet. Yet not over. With the coming of winter, a season in which the Aesir thrive, they will resurface. Only two people, united by magic, can stop them. But first they'll have to survive more imminent threats to their lives.
Robinson Hawksley is of the tragic belief that his beloved wife, McKenna, has perished in a sorcerer's fire -- just as he is about to ascend to the highest rank in the magic order of the Invisible College. But as Robinson navigates political machinations, deception, and betrayal, not everything is as it seems.
McKenna, a woman of uncanny mysteries, has been abducted as an offering to the Aesir that promises to end the invasion once and for all. Now she is running for her life.
To reunite, Robinson and McKenna have so much to learn about themselves and each other. Amid secrets, sacrifices, and long-dormant memories restored, they still hold the power to save the world.
Critique: Original, imaginatively clever, deftly crafted with memorable characters and reader engaging plot twists and turns, author Jeff Wheeler's "The Alchemy of Fate", with its blending of romance, magic, action and adventure, is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of readers with an interest in epic fantasy sagas that this hardcover edition of "The Alchemy of Fate" from 47 North is also readily available in paperback (9781662521904, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).
Editorial Note: Jeff Wheeler (https://jeff-wheeler.com) is the author of more than forty epic novels, including the Invisible College series, the Kingfountain series, the Muirwood series, and many more. You can learn about Jeff's publishing journey in Your First Million Words, visit his many worlds at www.jeff-wheeler.com, or participate in one of his many online writing classes through Writer's Block.
Angel Eye
Madeleine Nakamura
Canis Major Books
c/o Red Hen Press
www.redhen.org
9781939096210, $18.95, PB, 280pp
https://www.amazon.com/Angel-Eye-Cursebreakers-Madeleine-Nakamura/dp/1939096219
Synopsis: An unknown healer has begun murdering hospital patients. Still recovering from a recent institutionalization and unable to trust his own mind or magic, Professor Adrien Desfourneaux is drawn into the witch hunt as suspicion falls upon those closest to him.
The city's inquisitors and witchfinders are losing control, the magicians are growing more and more resentful, and the scars from Adrien's last brush with disaster refuse to fade. To put an end to the innocent deaths, to keep his dearest friends, and to prove himself worthy of a potential new romance, Adrien is forced to confront his own blind spots before he's fatally ensnared by the angel of death's machinations.
Critique: A riveting blend of magic and murder, "Angel Eyes" (part of author Madeleine Nakamura's 'The Curse Breakers' series) is a compelling and original story that will be of especially appeal to readers with an interest in tales of fantasy and mystery. Especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Fantasy/Magic Fiction collections it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated fantasy fans that this paperback edition of "Angel Eyes" from Canis Major Books is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Publishing, 9798228516076, $45.95, CD).
Editorial Note: Madeleine Nakamura (https://www.madeleinenakamura.com) is a writer, editor, and lifelong fantasy devotee. She began writing her first novel the day she realized a computer science degree wasn't happening. She graduated from Mills College in Oakland with a degree in creative writing.
Tantrum
Rachel Eve Moulton
G. P. Putnam's Sons
c/o Penguin Group
www.penguin.com
9780593854600, $28.00, HC, 192pp
https://www.amazon.com/Tantrum-Rachel-Eve-Moulton/dp/0593854608
Synopsis: Thea's third pregnancy was her easiest. She wasn't consumed with anxiety about the baby. She wasn't convinced it was going to be born green, or have a third eye, or have tentacles sprouting from its torso. Thea was fine. Her baby would be fine.
But when the nurses handed Lucia to her, Thea just knew. Her baby girl was a monster. Not only was Lucia born with a full set of teeth and a devilish glint in her eye, but she's always hungry. Indiscriminately so. One day Lucia pointed at her baby brother, looked Thea dead in the eye and said, "I eat."
Thea doesn't know whether to be terrified or proud of her rapacious baby girl. And as Lucia starts growing faster and talking more, dark memories bubble to the surface--flashes from Thea's childhood that won't release their hooks from her heart. Lucia wants to eat the world. Thea might just let her.
Critique: Original, unique, nightmare inducing and peppered throughout with macabre humor, "Tantrum" by novelist Rachel Eve Moulton is one of those deftly crafted and compelling horror fantasies to be read with the lights on and only if the reader is not pregnant or trying to be. While recommended for community library Horror/Fantasy fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Tantrum" from G. P. Putnam's Sons is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Rachel Eve Moulton (https://www.rachelevemoulton.com) earned her B.A. from Antioch College and her M.F.A. from Emerson College. Her work has appeared in Chicago Quarterly Review, Cream City Review, Bryant Literary Review, Narrative Magazine, Southwest Review, New Ohio Review, Button Eye Review, and The Bangalore Review among other publications. Her debut novel, Tinfoil Butterfly, was long-listed for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, and nominated for both a Shirley Jackson Award and a Bram Stoker. Her second novel, The Insatiable Volt Sisters, was named as one of the top ten horror novels of 2023 by the NYT Book Review. She's spent most of her life as an educator, writer, and editor.
The Graphic Novel Shelf
Nocturnos
Laura Perez, author
Andrea Rosenberg, translator
Fantagraphics Books
www.fantagraphics.com
9798875001260, $29.99, HC, 192pp
https://www.amazon.com/Nocturnos-Laura-P%C3%A9rez/dp/B0DXSZQGDJ
Synopsis: "The night does not belong to us. She harbors her own mysteries."
With the publication of "Nocturnos", Laura Perez delves into the ethereal world of the night, when the mundane vibes of the day cede to a mysterious atmosphere in which anything seems possible. In the twilight hours, the darkness feels vast and untamable, the dead can intrude upon the land of the living, and the distance between imagination and reality seems closer than ever.
Haunting narration connects a series of vignettes that capture glimpses of people's lives as they navigate the nighttime. A traumatic collision while driving down a dimly lit road; a bedtime story that blurs the bounds of the imaginary, a walk through the woods that leads to strange symbols; this nighttime tour encompasses lush forests, dreamscapes, and the shadowy corners of private rooms. Along the way, these stories question the truths veiled in dreams, the nature of fear and loneliness, and the unknowable aura of the nocturnal world.
In "Nocturnos" (arguably her most masterful work to date), Spanish comics artist Laura Perez explores the magic and melancholy we encounter when dusk descends.
Critique: Original, thought provoking, fully illustrated in color, ably translated into English by Andrea Rosenberg, "Nocturnos" by author/illustrator Laura Perez is a fascinating and memorable read from cover to cover. This large format (10.51 x 7.76 x 0.79 inches, 1.74 pounds) hardcover edition of "Nocturnos" from Fantagraphics is a unique and unreservedly recommended addition to personal and community library fantasy themed Graphic Novel collections.
Editorial Note #1: Laura Perez (https://www.lauraperez.net) is a Spanish illustrator and comics artist whose work has appeared in The Washington Post, National Geographic, and Vanity Fair, among others. She's created several award-winning graphic novels, and Totem is her English debut. In 2022, she was nominated for an Emmy Award for her title design for the TV series Only Murders in the Building.
Editorial Note #2: Andrea Rosenberg (https://reedsy.com/andrea-rosenberg) is a translator who has worked on a variety of novels and graphic narratives in Spanish and Portuguese. Her translations of the graphic novels Run For It by Marcelo D'Salete and The House by Paco Roca won Eisner Awards in 2018 and 2020, respectively.
Muted: Volume 1
Miranda Mundt
Ten Speed Graphic
c/o Ten Speed Press
https://crownpublishing.com/imprint/ten-speed
9780593836798, $29.99, HC, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Muted-1-Miranda-Mundt/dp/0593836790
Synopsis: It has been thirteen years since the mysterious fire at the Severin family manor that killed Camille's mother and twin sister, and the last thing Camille wants to do is return to her old home deep in the swamps of Louisiana. But she doesn't have a choice. Deeply ingrained family tradition and Matriarch Athalie (Camille's coldhearted aunt and head of the Severin household) demand it.
When the time comes for Camille to perform the demon-summoning blood ritual that every prospective matriarch in her family must complete, she is afraid of making a mistake. No matter how hard she tries to be a witch worthy of the Severin name, nothing is ever good enough for her aunt. Camille has practiced and practiced, but instead of the beat of demonic wings or the snap of talons, her blood calls forth evergreen vines and leaves. Terrified of what this might mean, she flees into the swamps.
But her failed ritual gives her something precious: time away from Aunt Athalie. Time to spend with her beloved familiar Toben and kindly cousin Silvia. And (unbeknownst to her) time to fall in love, discover the truth of her magic, reunite with long lost family, work through her grief, and solve the mystery of who killed her mother and sister.
Critique: Complete with an exclusive bonus chapter, "Muted" is the first graphic novel volume series by author/illustrator Miranda Mundt that is comprised of episodes 1-27 of her highly popular Webtoon webcomic. Original, clever, fascinating, and a fun read from start to finish, "Muted: Volume 1" from Ten Speed Graphic is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal and community library fantasy themed graphic novel collections. It should be noted for the growing legions of Miranda Mundt fans with an interest in Lesbian romance and magic themed illustrated graphic novels that "Muted: Volume 1" is also readily available in paperback (9780593836804, $29.99).
Editorial Note: Miranda Mundt (https://mirandamundt.com) is a Seattle area - based graphic novelist best known for their webcomic Muted and for co-creating LoveBot with their wife, fellow artist Chase Keels. Mundt studied 2D animation at Vancouver Film School and has also worked extensively as a freelance illustrator, layout designer, and graphic designer.
The Music CD Shelf
New America
Nick Biello
www.nickbiellomusic.com
La Reserve Records
$TBA CD / $6.99 MP3
https://www.amazon.com/New-America-Nick-Biello/dp/B0DV34ZR95
New America is the third album by pianist, alto saxophonist, and composer Nick Biello, along with Charlie Porter on trumpet, George Colligan on piano, Alex Tremblay on bass, and Peter Kronreif on drums. The original songs combine majestic elements of classic Italian opera with skillful, up-tempo jazz improvisation. Reflecting on topics ranging from mythical tales to modern social and political divides, New America is engaging, enlightening, immersive, and highly recommended. The tracks are Bel Canto; Queen of Jordan; Slightly Perilous; Before the Flood; A Long Way To You; and New America.
Sub Rosa
Julian Shore Trio
julianshore.com
Chill Tone
www.chilltone.com
$TBA CD / $9.49 MP3
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F948KN2Z
The Julian Shore Trio consists of pianist Julian Shore, bassist Martin Nevin, and drummer Allan Mednard. Together they present their second release Sub Rosa, an album featuring both Shore's original compositions and the trio's masterful rendition of beloved favorites. The trio's intricate, stellar performances form a balanced harmony, in this choice pick for jazz connoisseurs. Highly recommended! The tracks are Messenger; Mission; Must Keep Going; Beacon; Blues in Blueprint; All The Things You Are; Don't Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulders); It Was A Dream; Winter Song; and Pegasus (excerpt).
Modern Music
Wayne Alpern, composer
Steven Beck, performer
waynealpern.com
Henri Elkan Music
$TBA CD / $9.49 MP3
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FBJTN1NQ
The eleventh album by Wayne Alpern, Modern Music is a collection of twenty short solo piano songs composed by Wayne Alpern and masterfully performed by Steven Beck. The piano pieces span a wide gamut of styles and immerse the listener in a multifaceted musical journey. Ideal for contemplation or creative inspiration, Modern Music is a treasure for solo piano connoisseurs and highly recommended. The tracks are March; Gigue; Prelude; Variations; Aphorism; Partita; Reverie; Novelette; Bagatelle; Toccata; Nocturne; Raga; Courante; Divertissement; Operetta; Masquerade; Rhapsody; Fughetta; Passepied; and Sonatina.
Sound Remains
Rez Abbasi's Acoustic Quintet
Whirlwind Recordings
$14.00 CD / $10.00 digital
https://rezabbasi-whirlwind.bandcamp.com/album/sound-remains
Rez Abbasi's Acoustic Quintet consists of Rez Abbasi on guitar, Bill Ware on vibraphone, Stephan Crump on bass, Eric McPherson on drums, and Hasan Bakr on percussion. Together they present their third music album, Sound Remains, a collection of Abbasi's original jazz songs given life by the quintet's masterful performance. Featuring signature intricacy and complexity, Sound Remains is a musical rapture and highly recommended especially for connoisseurs of the genre. The tracks are Presence, You Are, Questar, Folk's Song, Spin Dream, Lonnie's Lament, Meet the Moment, and Purity.
The DVD Shelf
Ash
Directed by Flying Lotus
Written by Jonni Remmler
Starring Eiza Gonzalez and Aaron Paul
RLJ Entertainment
www.us.RLJEntertainment.com
www.acornonline.com
www.shudder.com
UHD $14.99 (Buy); $UHD $5.99 (Rent)
Running Time: 1 Hour 35 Minutes
https://www.amazon.com/Ash-Flying-Lotus/dp/B0DWY3VH86
Synopsis: Riya awakens on a strange planet to find her crew destroyed. When a man arrives to rescue her, an ordeal of psychological and physical terror ensues. It should be noted for light sensitive viewers that this film contains extended sequences of flashing lights.
Critique: An original and deftly crafted blend of science fiction and horror, "Ash" is a true suspense thriller of a movie from start to finish and one that is impressively enhanced for the viewer's benefit with the inclusion of special features that include over 2 hours of content, including Cast & Crew Interviews, Behind-the-scenes, The Making of ASH, and much more, "Ash" is especially and unreservedly recommended to the attention of all action/adventure science fiction fans. Ideal for community library Science Fictoin themed DVD collections, it should be noted that "Ash" is also readily available in a Blu-Ray format ($25.99, Amazon).
Editorial Note #1: Jonni Remmler is a writer and actor, known for Ash (2025), Das Quartett (2019) and Fabrixx (2000). (www.imdb.com/name/nm2309761/bio/?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm)
Editorial Note #2: Steven Ellison (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Lotus), better known as Flying Lotus or sometimes FlyLo, is an American record producer, DJ, filmmaker, and rapper. He has released seven critically acclaimed albums: 1983 (2006), Los Angeles (2008), Cosmogramma (2010), Until the Quiet Comes (2012), You're Dead! (2014), Flamagra (2019), and Yasuke (2021). Flying Lotus' other work includes creating the record label Brainfeeder, producing much of Adult Swim's bumper music, releasing rap mixtapes such as Duality (2012) under his Captain Murphy alter ago, curating and hosting the in-game radio station FlyLo FM in Grand Theft Auto V (2013), and directing the sci-fi horror film Ash (2025).
The Sports Shelf
Ring the Bell
Kevin Reavy & Jack Fritz
Sports Publishing
c/o Skyhorse Publishing
https://www.skyhorsepublishing.com/sports-publishing
9781683584971, $32.99, HC, 352pp
https://www.amazon.com/Ring-Bell-Memorable-Philadelphia-Phillies/dp/168358497X
Synopsis: The Philadelphia Phillies, a franchise nearly 150 years old, has only reached its grand destination twice (World Series wins in 1980 and 2008), but it harbors the most fervent fan base in baseball. How?
Co-authored by Phillies baseball fans Kevin Reavy and Jack Frizt, "Ring the Bell: How the Philadelphia Phillies Built Baseball's Best Fan Base" is a kind of encyclopedia team history -- but one that doesn't get too deep into the really old stuff. While the 1915 World Series loss was painful, no one's calling local sports radio to curse the name of Eppa Rickey.
So "Ring the Bell" mostly delves into the memories that formed this generation's deep bond with its ballclub; the kinds of happenings (good and bad) that somehow manifested an unrivaled home-field advantage.
At any game, in any city, a stadium media crew can ask its fans to scream as loudly as possible... but they can't make them care. The Phillies have the best home edge in baseball because, through it all, the fans never stopped caring.
"Ring the Bell" covers the moments and emotions of being a Phillies fan, from every perspective: the players, coaches, front office, fans, etc. Phillies fandom is a family, and this is our collective history.
Critique: A fun and fact heavy compendium of commentaries, observations, history, "Ring the Bell: How the Philadelphia Phillies Built Baseball's Best Fan Base" must be considered essential reading for all truly dedicated Phillies fans and would serve as an excellent template for similar studies of other teams. An entertaining and informative read from cover to cover, "Ring the Bell" is a unique and unreservedly recommended pick for community and college/university library Sports/Baseball history collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Ring the Bell" from Sports Publishing is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $21.99).
Editorial Note #1: Kevin Reavy, a Chester County native and lifelong Philadelphia sports fan, is the co-author of Incredible Baseball Stats and This Day in Philadelphia Sports. His writing and media credits include contributions to Fusion magazine and CBS Local's Sports Verdict. (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7247050.Kevin_Reavy)
Editorial Note #2: Jack Fritz lives and breathes Phillies baseball, with a foot in both old media and new. He is a host on Sports Talk 94.1 WIP in Philadelphia, and High Hopes, a Phillies podcast. He can routinely be found leading Phils conversations on X (@JackFritzWIP) and other social media platforms: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Fritz_(radio_personality)
The Interior Design Shelf
Zoe de Las Cases La Maison: Decorating with French vintage style
Zoe de Las Cases
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Books
https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
9781840919608, $39.99, HC, 256pp
https://www.amazon.com/Zo%C3%A9-Las-Cases-Maison-Decorating/dp/1840919604
Synopsis: "Zoe de Las Cases La Maison: Decorating with French vintage style" is is gorgeous collection of ideas for decorating your home the French way and style.
For interior designer Zoe de Las Cases, decorating your home is like painting a work of art or crafting a recipe -- you have to put your heart and soul into it. Home is about feeling comfortable and peaceful, creating a cocoon to provide respite from a busy life.
In the illustrated pages of "La Maison", Zoe shares her love for hunting out second-hand treasures, her eye for the delicate color combinations that have become her signature style, and her tips and tricks for designing a beautiful home that works for you.
With "La Maison" you will learn how to transform your Ikea kitchen into something unique, get creative with photographic wallpaper or pay a knowledgeable visit to your local antiques shop. From white parquet flooring to vintage enamelware, eclectic trinkets to colorful cushions, "La Maison" is fairly brimming with ideas for how to transform your home with French style and embrace the art of living.
Critique: Magnificently illustration, elegantly presented, inspirationally motivating, this large format (8 x 1.2 x 10.9 inches, 2.6 pounds) and impressive hardcover edition of "Zoe de Las Cases La Maison: Decorating with French vintage style" from Mitchell Beazley is a very special and highly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Interior Design and Home Decorating collections. It should be noted that it is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.99).
Editorial Note: Zoe de Las Cases (https://www.zoedelascases.com/en) is an illustrator, graphic designer and interiors decorator. She cultivates an art of living that combines a sense of style and decoration, in a joyful, playful and colorful universe. Zoe is the author of many books, including her popular adult coloring books which have seen great success both in France and internationally. She regularly collaborates with brands and creates stationery and home decorations under the Zoe de Las Cases brand. She lives with her husband and children between Paris and Normandy.
The Home Bird
Elle Hervin
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Books
https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
9781840919271, $39.99, HC, 224pp
https://www.amazon.com/Home-Bird-Curating-Joyful-Interiors/dp/1840919272
Synopsis: "The Home Bird: Creating joyful interiors where old meets new" by Elle Hervin is an instructively inspiring volume for readers with a penchant for vintage and who are keen to learn how to blend contemporary with classic decor. It is interior inspiration for busy homebodies who need versatile spaces which bring joy and help relieve the stresses of everyday life.
If you have a vision for decorating or renovating but are struggling to pull ideas together, browse through the pages that comprise "The Home Bird" and let yourself be inspired by Elle's home and the timeless, elegant properties of other homeowners from across the UK and Australia, each illustrated by stunning photography.
In addition to home inspiration, readers will find a collection of innovative and imaginative projects and ideas, designed to make every corner of the home a space that's both practical and beautiful, sustainable and affordable. In The Home Bird, you will find:
Tips and inspiration for color palettes
A 7-step formula to achieving your home's aesthetic
The 'dopamine decor' effect
How to source your vintage pieces
Q&As with interior stylists -- and so much more!
Critique: This large format (8.75 x 0.81 x 9.25 inches, 3.02 pounds) hardcover edition of "The Home Bird: Creating joyful interiors where old meets new" by gifted interior design expert Elle Hervin is profusely and beautifully illustrated throughout with full color photos of images that educate, stimulate, motivate, and inspire. Informed and informative, thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "The Home Bird", especially relevant on the subject of home decorating for cottages and small homes, will prove a welcome and enduringly popular addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university Contemporary Interior Design collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "The Home Bird" from Mitchell Beazley is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.99).
Editorial Note: Elle Hervin (https://ellethehomebird.substack.com) is a writer and content creator who has turned her passion for interior design and decorating into a full-time job following the success of her interiors-based Instagram account @elle_the_home_bird, which has attracted more than 1 million followers. She is a huge advocate for creating spaces which are not only reflective of the homeowner as a person, but which also bring about feelings of joy in every single room. Elle has worked on interior styling campaigns with a plethora of big-name home and lifestyle brands, including Ikea, Next, Laura Ashley, Le Creuset, Habitat and Barker & Stonehouse. "The Home Bird" is her first book.
The Business Shelf
The Mindset of Success: From Good Manager to Great Leader, 3rd Edition
Jo Owen
Kogan Page Inc.
www.koganpage.com
9781398621022, $92.00, HC, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Mindset-Success-Manager-Great-Leader/dp/1398621021
Synopsis: Many people get promoted because they are good managers. But when they get into a leadership role, they struggle. And in today's world, it's never been truer that what got you to being a good manager, won't necessarily provide you with the right tools to become a great leader.
Now in a fully updated and expanded third edition, "The Mindset of Success: From Good Manager to Great Leader" is an ideal DIY guide to help you fill your potential. In it, award-winning leadership author, Jo Owen, explains that extraordinary leaders are naturally able to transform, motivate teams and positively disrupt. Using real-world examples of inspirational leaders, he explains that what they all have in common is that they act differently because they think differently.
This new third edition of The "Mindset of Success" identifies seven leadership mindsets common to all great leaders: high aspiration; courage; resilience; being positive; accountability; collaboration; focused on growth. And the good news is that all of these can be learnt.
There is a way which is guaranteed to help you go from being a good manager to a great leader. That's having the leadership mindset. "The Mindset of Success" will you show you how to develop it.
Critique: Offering a complete DIY course of informative instruction on becoming a successful business leader, "The Mindset of Success: From Good Manager to Great Leader" this new third edition of Jo Owen's classic 'how to' guide for career advancement, professional development, and business management is especially and unreservedly recommended as a critical acquisition for personal, professional, community, corporate, and college/university library Business Management collections and supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "The Mindset of Success: From Good Manager to Great Leader" from Kogan Page is also available in paperback (9781398621008, $25.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $17.59, Amazon).
Editorial Note: Jo Owen is a best-selling and multi-award winning leadership author, keynote speaker and social entrepreneur. He is a founder of eight charities, including the UK's largest graduate recruiter Teach First. His books The Mindset of Success, The Leadership Skills Handbookand Management Stripped Bare, all published by Kogan Page, A listing of his books is available online at: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/460794.Jo_Owen
Building Top-Performing Teams
Lucy Widdowson, author
Paul J. Barbour, author
Kogan Page Inc.
www.koganpage.com
9781789666786, $120.00, HC, 304pp
https://www.amazon.com/Building-Top-Performing-Teams-Employees/dp/1789666783
Synopsis: Co-authored by Lucy Widdowson and Paul J. Barbour, and featuring more than 40 tools which can be used in a virtual or in-person coaching environment, "Building Top-Performing Teams: A Practical Guide to Team Coaching to Improve Collaboration and Drive Organizational Success" is a practical guide for leaders, HR professionals, coaches, team coaches and anyone with management responsibility. It covers how to motivate, develop, engage and reward a team of employees with different levels of experience and priorities to achieve outstanding business success.
"Building Top-Performing Teams" also includes essential guidance, tools and techniques that show how to promote team ways of working rather than individual-focused processes. It also includes guidance on managing internal team conflict and ensuring that teams are purpose-driven and working towards a shared business goal.
Each chapter includes diagnostic questions and reflective practice exercises to allow its readers to identify how to apply each element of team development to their workforce. Supported by the authors' experience in organizations such as the BBC, John Lewis, KPMG, Britvic, the NHS and BMW this is essential reading for anyone needing to unlock the value of teams to achieve greater business performance.
Critique: Offering a complete DIY course of instruction on developing, maintaining, and improving team performance in a business organization or entrpreneurial endeavor, "Building Top-Performing Teams: A Practical Guide to Team Coaching to Improve Collaboration and Drive Organizational Success" is thoroughly 'reader/user' friendly in organization and presentation making it an ideal choice for personal, professional, community, corporate, and college/university library Business Management/Leadership collections and supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for MBA students, academia, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and non-specialist general readers that this hardcover edition of "Building Top-Performing Teams: A Practical Guide to Team Coaching to Improve Collaboration and Drive Organizational Success" from Kogan Page is also available in paperback (9781789666762, $39.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $31.44, Amazon).
Editorial Note: Lucy Widdowson is the Founder and Director of Performance Edge Consulting. She has over 30 years' experience and has worked at board level as HR Director at The Body Shop and Head of HR at Virgin Nigeria Airways. She is also a UK Associate Board Member for the International Coach Federation. (https://www.henley.ac.uk/people/lucy-widdowson)
Editorial Note #2: Paul Barbour (https://www.fxlexecutivesolutions.com) is Lead Facilitator at FXL Performance Management where he works with tech start-ups, blue chip multinationals and third sector organizations to develop and coach their teams for improved performance. Prior to this, he worked in-house at the Kerry Group Plc
The Needlecraft Shelf
An Introduction to Whitework Embroidery with Colour
Trish Burr
Search Press Ltd.
https://www.searchpress.com
9781800922426, $25.95, PB, 128pp
https://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Whitework-Embroidery-Colour-iron/dp/1800922426
Synopsis: Fresh and uplifting, Trish Burr's use of color brings a joyful lease of life to her stunning whitework designs.
Complete with a comprehensive guide to getting started, and arranged in order of difficulty, "An Introduction to Whitework Embroidery with Colour" is comprised of 10 complete, brand-new white work embroidery projects, each with clear step-by-step instructions, an iron-on transfer, a full-size template and sumptuous photography.
An expert teacher, Trish has carefully constructed "An Introduction to Whitework Embroidery with Colour" to appeal to the beginner or novice seeking a simple, no-nonsense approach to the technique, as well as being of value for the more advanced embroiderer looking for inspiration.
With subjects ranging from striking florals to birds, bees and butterflies, "An Introduction to Whitework Embroidery with Colour" will inspire and delight with its variety of subjects as it features:
Re-usable iron-on transfers for all 10 designs, as well as full-size traceable templates
A comprehensive illustrated stitch library of all the stitches used throughout
A handy guide to selecting materials, preparing your fabric and using color
Easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions with plenty of inspiring photography
Critique: This large format paperback edition of Trish Burr's "An Introduction to Whitework Embroidery with Colour: 10 stunning projects with reusable iron-on transfers" from Search Press is an ideal pick for personal, professional, and community library Needlecraft/Embroidery collections and is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.44) as well.
Editorial Note: Trish Burr (www.trishbembroidery.com) is a self-taught and renowned embroiderer. Through research and practice she has developed her own individual technique of surface embroidery. She is also the author of many best-selling books including The Kew Book of Embroidered Flowers and Trish Burr's Embroidery Transfers. Trish lives and works in South Africa.
Crochet Now
Salena Baca
Stackpole Books
c/o Globe Pequot
https://www.globepequot.com
9780811776714, $11.99, PB, 32pp
https://www.amazon.com/Crochet-Now-Beginners-Essential-Techniques/dp/0811776719
Synopsis: "Crochet Now: A Beginner's Guide to Essential Stitches and Techniques + 6 Easy Patterns" is specifically intended for those who want to learn how to crochet but weren't sure where to start. Packed from cover to cover with clear, step-by-step DIY instructions, "Crochet Now" by Salena Baca covers everything needed to start crocheting beautiful projects with confidence.
Baca is a crochet instructor with years of experience teaching beginners, makes learning crochet simple and fun. She breaks down essential stitches, techniques, and terminology into easy-to-follow steps, with detailed explanations and helpful photos to guide the way.
"Crochet Now" starts with the essentials, teaching how to hold a hook, manage yarn, and create those first stitches. It covers essentials like understanding crochet terminology, reading patterns, and even stitch diagrams. With straightforward tutorials, practice comes easily as you learn to crochet in rows, tubes, and increasing rounds. Plus, you will work through 6 beginner-friendly patterns designed to help build knowledge and skill along the way.
By the time you finish "Crochet Now", you will have a solid crochet foundation and the confidence to make even more creative projects!
Critique: This thoroughly 'reader/user' friendly, slender, and large format (8.2 x 0.2 x 10.9 inches, 4.8 ounces) trade paperback Stackpole Books edition of "Crochet Now: A Beginner's Guide to Essential Stitches and Techniques + 6 Easy Patterns" by crochet expert Salenda Baca is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, community, and senior center Crochet instructional themed reference needlecraft collections. It should be noted that "Crochet Now" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note: Salena Baca is the author of numerous crochet titles, including Crochet in a Weekend; Quick Crochet for Kitchen & Home; Crochet Market Bags; Learn to Crochet in 10 Easy Lessons; Two Simple Shapes = 26 Crocheted Cardigans, Tops & Sweaters; Build Your Skills: Crochet Tops; My Crocheted Closet; and Crochet in a Day. She resides in Bend, Oregon, happily spreading the joy of crochet far and wide.
The Art Shelf
Make (Sneaky) Art
Nishant Jain
Quarry Books
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
www.quartoknows.com
9780760394199, $19.99, PB, 144pp
https://www.amazon.com/Make-Sneaky-Art-other-sketchbook/dp/0760394199
Synopsis: As an artist, how would your life change if, whenever you found a free moment, you reached for a sketchbook instead of your phone? "Make (Sneaky) Art: and other ideas to build your sketchbook habit " by Nishant Jain is not just another 'how-to' guide for drawing on location; it is a way to actively engage with our world and reclaim our attention spans.
After moving to the United States, Nishant Jain began carrying a sketchbook to better understand his new world and learn to draw. Hesitant to do "this silly thing" in public, he developed a practice of sneaky art -- making quick, secret sketches from observation inside a small sketchbook.
"Make (Sneaky) Art is the culmination of this journey of self-education -- to become an artist and a more mindful observer of the world.
With "Make (Sneaky) Art", you will find:
Techniques to draw your environment: Learn to draw as a way to be present in your world, free from the distractions of devices and notifications.
Ideas to overcome your imposter syndrome: Let go of the baggage that prevents you from following your creative instincts.
Tips to sustain a lifelong sketchbook habit: Integrate sketching into your daily routine, wherever it takes you.
Today is the day to begin the visual journal of your life with the assistance of "Make (Sneaky) Art: and other ideas to build your sketchbook habit !
Critique: Original, informative, inspiring, motivating, "Make (Sneaky) Art: and other ideas to build your sketchbook habit" is thoroughly 'reader/user' friendly in organization and presentation. Profusely illustrated in both color and b/w, and an ideal and recommended pick for personal, professional, community, art school, and college/university library Figure Drawing instructional art collections, it should be noted that this paperback edition of "Make (Sneaky) Art" from Quarry Books is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.99).
Editorial Note: Nishant Jain (www.sneakyartist.com) also known as The Sneaky Artist, is an artist, writer, and former neuroscience student who left his PhD program to pursue art and writing full-time. His unique approach to "sneaky sketching" has resonated with fans around the world, inspiring them to capture their surroundings quietly and authentically. Through his workshops, newsletter, The SneakyArt Podcast, and social media (Instagram: @thesneakyartist), Nishant shares his love for observing and documenting life in real time, encouraging artists to embrace simplicity and find joy in small, daily sketches.
Plant and Ink: Make Your Own Plant-Based Ink
Judith Rosema
Search Press Ltd.
https://www.searchpress.com
9781800923102, $24.95, PB, 192pp
https://www.amazon.com/Plant-Ink-Make-Your-Plant-based/dp/1800923104
Synopsis: Plant-based inks are fuller and richer in color than synthetic types: they are not one uniform color, but instead contain the whole spectrum of pigments found in abundance within each plant. They give you a far greater choice of colors, a unique palette and stunning visual results.
Extracting and storing the inks ready for use is made simple in "Plant and Ink: Make Your Own Plant-Based Ink" -- a beginner-friendly instructional book by Judith Rosema. The 27 seasonal plant 'recipes', which yield 49 colors of ink, are ordered seasonally, to accompany you through the creative year.
"Plant and Ink: Make Your Own Plant-Based Ink" offers such paint color recipes as:
Warm yellows from daffodils in spring;
Rich reds, pinks and indigo from poppies in summer;
Light blue and mint green from sage in autumn;
Warm orangey-browns from hazel in winter.
Each recipe contains a guide to the plant used, the lightfastness of the ink created, written step-by-step instructions for extracting the ink, and beautiful visuals to illustrate the colors available; handy tips are also included for working with plant-based ink.
For artists who like to work with different mediums, "Plant and Ink: Make Your Own Plant-Based Ink" also includes guides to creating pigments from your plant recipes, then using different binders to create oil paint, egg tempera, watercolor, gouache, chalk pastel and screen-printing ink.
Critique: Original, extraordinary, and thoroughly 'reader/user' friendly in organization and presentation, "Plant and Ink: Make Your Own Plant-Based Ink" by Judith Rosema is an unusual, invaluable and recommended addition to personal, professional, community, art school, and college/university library collections. It should be noted that this large format trade paperback edition of "Plant and Ink: Make Your Own Plant-Based Ink" from Search Press is also readily available in a convenient digital book format (Kindle, $21.83, Amazon).
Editorial Note: Judith Rosema is a botanical artist, illustrator, multi-disciplinary creative and sustainable entrepreneur. She was trained at an art academy in the Netherlands, where she specialized in graphics (lithos, lino prints, wood prints and etches). Afterwards she started her career as an artist and has exhibited her work in the Netherlands and Belgium. In 2009, concerned by the suffering inflicted on the planet, Judith decided she no longer wanted to work with materials that harm our world, so began to experiment with plants and flowers found by roadsides, exploring their dyeing properties. In 2017 she founded Het lnkt Atelier [The Ink Atelier], a sustainable company which focusses on the production of botanical inks, and organizes workshops, courses and group trips. Judith lives in the Netherlands.
The Modern Flower Painter
Anna Mason
Search Press Ltd.
https://www.searchpress.com
9781844488636, $39.99, HC, 128pp
https://www.amazon.com/Modern-Flower-Painter-Botanical-Watercolour/dp/1844488632
Synopsis: Anna Mason's exceptional floral artwork has won awards from the Royal Horticultural Society, International Artist magazine and seen her elected to the prestigious Society of Botanical Artists. With the publication of "The Modern Flower Painter: A Guide to Creating Vibrant Botanical Portraits in Watercolour" she shares her innovative watercolour technique so that you can paint flowers in her clean, crisp style.
"The Modern Flower Painter" covers every aspect of painting modern botanical-style portraits of flowers, from tips on gathering your reference to Anna's six stage watercolor process. There are instructions on setting up your studio and how to produce the detailed drawings.
Each of the six step-by-step projects comprising "The Modern Flower Painter" is accompanied by an outline drawing, tonal notes and useful colour swatches so that you can compare the tone and hue of your mixes to Anna's own. This all builds into a fantastic guide that will inspire and challenge the experienced watercolour artist, while drawing in and reassuring the complete beginner.
Critique: An ideal introduction and DIY tutorial on painting flowers in a watercolor medium, "The Modern Flower Painter: A Guide to Creating Vibrant Botanical Portraits in Watercolour" by Anna Mason is an especially appropriate pick for personal, community, art school, and college/university library Watercolor Art instructional reference collections. It should be noted that this large format paperback edition of "The Modern Flower Painter: A Guide to Creating Vibrant Botanical Portraits in Watercolour" from Search Press is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.00).
Editorial Note: Anna Mason (https://www.naturestudio.com) grew up surrounded by the lush English countryside and has always been inspired by the intricate detail and colourful beauty in the natural world. Completely self-taught, Anna has developed a true-to-life painting style that she wants to share in order to get as many people enjoying the therapeutic benefits of watercolour painting as well as the results they want. A member of the Society of Botanical Artists, Anna has won numerous awards for her painting. She lives in Surrey and teaches at RHS Wisley & West Dean College.
Watercolour for the Absolute Beginner
Matthew Palmer
Search Press Ltd.
https://www.searchpress.com
9781800923324, $23.95, PB, 176pp
https://www.amazon.com/Watercolour-Absolute-Beginner-anniversary-inspiration/dp/1800923325
Synopsis: Now in a 10 year anniversary edition and featuring new techniques, projects and inspiration with full-size outlines, "Watercolour for the Absolute Beginner" is a comprehensive and basic course in watercolour landscape painting by expert Society of All Artists tutor, Matthew Palmer.
Matthew is renowned for his beautiful, detailed paintings and his ability to teach effective painting using simple techniques. He teaches over 150 pupils per week and also appears regularly on TV.
"Watercolour for the Absolute Beginner" begins with excellent advice for the beginner, including, easy drawing for painting, composition, easy perspective, light and shade, colour, and how to paint skies, tree, water and figures in watercolour.
There are then six simple step by step painting exercises, and each exercise leads into a more developed step by step painting project, including a windmill, seascape, snow scene, mountains and lakes, bluebell stream and an all-rounder featuring a landscape with buildings and figures.
The exercises are ideal for beginners and the main projects will also build skills for improving artists. A pull-out outline drawing is provided for every exercise and main project, and Matthew shows step by step how to transfer these onto watercolour paper.
Matthew has an impressively accessible style, plenty of tips and tricks for beginners and his own range of brushes and colours to make things easier.
Critique: An ideal pick for DIY instructional guide for aspiring watercolor painters with no previous experience with the medium, this large format paperback edition of "Watercolour for the Absolute Beginner" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, community, art school, and college/university library Watercolor Paining instructional reference collections. It should be noted that "Watercolour for the Absolute Beginner" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.83, Amazon).
Editorial Note: Matthew Palmer (https://mattpalmerartist.com) is one of the Society for all Artists' most renowned demonstrators, and his classes are particularly popular with beginners. He has been painting seriously for twenty years and specialises in landscapes, still life and animals. He has his own studio at his home in Derbyshire and teaches over 150 people per week, as well as running watercolour workshops and holidays. He has many personal exhibitions, participates in several art shows and appears regularly on the Painting and Drawing Channel.
Manga Muscles: An Artist's Guide To Drawing Powerful Male Bodies
Syu Itadori, Kishi Ueno, Kiki, and GomTang
Tuttle
https://www.tuttlepublishing.com
9780804858267 $17.99
https://www.amazon.com/Manga-Muscles-Artists-Powerful-illustrations/dp/0804858268
Synopsis: A must-have guide to drawing muscular physiques - from professional manga illustrators!
Manga Muscles teaches you how to draw powerful male bodies in dynamic styles - from athletic to bodybuilder to fantasy superhero - in hundreds of different situations and from all possible angles. Plus, you'll learn to adjust the physical attributes of each character so they don't all look the same, and how to drape clothes on their bodies in a realistic way. Every body type you'll want to draw is described in great detail here:
Super-Fit Lean: "Spiderman" physiques for strong and agile characters
Athletic Muscular: Beefy "Special Forces" physiques with harnessed strength and balance
Bodybuilder Ripped: Competitive heavyweight "Mr. Universe" physiques with high-definition musculature
Fantasy Superhero: over-the-top "The Hulk" physiques that push the limits of anatomy
The authors - professional illustrators with deep anatomical knowledge - break down the skeletal and muscular systems to show how structure and posture work together to create bold, expressive figures. With over 500 detailed illustrations and tips on how to emphasize key muscle groups, vary character designs, and suggest different moods through physical form, this book offers both technical guidance and artistic inspiration. This is an essential reference for artists drawing strong, dynamic characters in manga and beyond!
Critique: Muscles and muscular bodies are traditionally one of the more difficult things to draw in virtually any artistic medium. Manga Muscles: An Artist's Guide To Drawing Powerful Male Bodies lives up to its title as a descriptive, illustrated guide to drawing muscular body types in a manga style - from lean and compact physiques to strong, bodybuilder, or exaggerated superhuman bodies. Black-and-white, partially colored, and full color illustrated examples fill this accessible, how-to guide. The majority of illustrations are partially colored, showing individual muscles in red, blue, or yellow in contrast to the body, in order to help the reader memorize, internalize, and visualize muscles. Manga Muscles is a choice supplementary resource for aspiring artists and comic creators, highly recommended.
The Christian Studies Shelf
Hope Without Borders: 30 Days with Frances Xavier Cabrini
Frances Xavier Cabrini, author
Amy J. Cattapan, editor
Ave Maria Press
www.avemariapress.com
9781646804030, $11.95, PB, 128pp
https://www.amazon.com/Hope-Without-Borders-Spiritual-Teachers/dp/1646804031
Synopsis: With the publication of "Hope Without Borders: 30 Days with Frances Xavier Cabrini", you are invited to explore the life and legacy of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first American citizen to be canonized, through this short yet transformative thirty-day retreat. Cabrini was known for her tireless devotion to orphans, immigrants, and the sick, and her unshakable courage and missionary zeal were driven by her deep love for Jesus and his Sacred Heart.
In "Hope Without Borders", you will explore the spiritual practices that fueled Cabrini's remarkable life. Drawing from her journals, letters, and retreat notes, this book provides daily meditations, reflections, and short prayers to guide your journey. Cabrini's writings, inspired by the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, reveal how retreat and prayer became her wellspring of strength, enabling her to persevere in her mission. As Cabrini herself wrote, "It is in retreat that the soul learns to give internal glances at the beauty and goodness of God."
Whether you are seeking to deepen your prayer life or reconnect with God amid a busy schedule, "Hope Without Borders" offers a practical and inspiring path. An excellent addition to the Great Spiritual Teacher series, "Hope Without Borders" is an accessible companion for anyone looking to root their spiritual practice in the wisdom of the saints.
Let the words and example of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini draw you closer to Christ -- the true source of hope and strength.
Critique: Deftly compiled and edited by Amy J. Cattapan, and an ideal introduction to the life and example of the Roman Catholic Church's first American Saint, "Hope Without Borders: 30 Days with Frances Xavier Cabrini" is informative and inspiring. While especially and unreservedly recommended for clergy, seminary students, and members of the Catholic community, it should be noted that this paperback edition of "Hope Without Borders" from Ave Maria Press is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.35, Amazon).
Editorial Note #1: Frances Cabrini (1850 - 1917) was a pioneering Catholic missionary who dedicated her life to serving the underserved. She founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, an order focused on education, healthcare, and social services. In 1889, Pope Leo XIII sent her to New York City to minister to the growing population of Italian immigrants, and she quickly became a champion for their needs. Over the course of her life, she established sixty-seven institutions worldwide, including schools, hospitals, and orphanages, all grounded in her unwavering faith and commitment to human dignity. In recognition of her exceptional holiness, compassion, and tireless service, she was canonized a saint by Pope Pius XII in 1946. Four years later, she was named the Patroness of Immigrants, further cementing her legacy as a symbol of hope and solidarity for those in need.
Editorial Note #2: Amy J. Cattapan is a middle-school English teacher, Catholic speaker, retreat leader, and author who has written or contributed to several books, including Sweet Jesus, Is It June Yet?, A Saint Squad for Teachers, Chicken Soup for the Soul: From Lemons to Lemonade, and the award-winning novels Angelhood and Seven Riddles to Nowhere. She hosts Cath-Lit Live!, a podcast where she interviews Catholic authors about new books.
Chronicles of Wonder: The Story-Formed Life of C. S. Lewis
Leah Boden
Moody Publishers
www.moodypublishers.com
9780802433602, $12.99, PB, 160pp
https://www.amazon.com/Chronicles-Wonder-Story-Formed-Lewis-Boldness/dp/080243360X
Synopsis: With the publication of "Chronicles of Wonder: The Story-Formed Life of C. S. Lewis - Tales of Boldness and Faith", author Leah Boden tells the story of the imaginative boy born in Ireland who loved books and poetry and grew himself to be a famous teacher and writer.
But before he penned The Space Trilogy or The Chronicles of Narnia, Clive Staples Lewis found friends in other stories, including tales from Beatrix Potter, The Wind and the Willows, Phantastes by George MacDonald, and The Pilgrim's Progress.
"Chronicles of Wonder" is fictionalized biography, in which Leah Boden intertwines the life of Lewis (or as his friends knew him, "Jack") with literary works that impacted him. From Shakespeare to his close friend Tolkien, each chapter takes you through the life of Jack and the works that steadied and guided him.
Readers travel through Jack's boarding school days, The Great War, and his professorship at Oxford. They learn when Jack came to trust in Jesus and how he then became a voice for the Christian world. As each chapter unfolds, young readers are encouraged by the creativity, wisdom, and humility of Jack, while gaining an appreciation for the heart shaping power of books.
Critique: Although a work of fiction, "Chronicles of Wonder: The Story-Formed Life of C. S. Lewis - Tales of Boldness and Faith" by Leah Boden is authentic in presenting the values of C. S. Lewis that were to influence his literary works and his personal faith. Thoughtful and thought-provoking, inspired and inspiring, this paperback 'biography' of C. S. Lewis from Moody Publishers is well worth reading and is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Leah Boden has over two decades of experience in church leadership. She has also devoted herself to youth, children's, and family work within the church and for the local education authority. Leah is a respected speaker, podcast host, and coach who passionately shares the transformative beauty of the Charlotte Mason approach to childhood, motherhood, and education. She is the author of Modern Miss Mason and lives with her family in England.
The Metaphysical Studies Shelf
Tarot Spreads
Meg Jones Wall
Weiser Publishers
c/o Red Wheel/Weiser
www.redwheelweiser.com
9781578638550, $21.95, PB, 240pp
https://www.amazon.com/Tarot-Spreads-Read-Create-Revise/dp/1578638550
Synopsis: For many who read tarot (and those new to tarot) spreads can offer a lot of power, clarity, and purpose to readings. Tarot spreads (intentional arrangements for tarot cards that include a particular meaning or prompt for each card), can help us to ask focused, direct questions of our cards.
Rather than focusing on premade cookie-cutter layouts, with the publication of "Tarot Spreads: How to Read Them, Create Them, and Revise Them", Tarot expert Meg Jones Wall takes you to the very foundation of tarot spreads so that you can understand how and why a spread is created and how it works.
"Tarot Spreads" will walk you through reading spreads as well as writing and revising original spreads, giving you everything you need to understand, develop, tweak, and test tarot spreads of your very own.
In "Tarot Spreads", Meg encourages you to release yourself from the expectation that you need to use a spread precisely as written in order to get the full benefit of a layout in your reading. Spreads are infinitely customizable to suit your own needs, preferences, and experience level. While the cards can offer clarity in a variety of ways, tarot spreads can help us be more direct about what we want to know, explore, question, and understand. No matter our question, concern, or situation, tarot spreads empower us to be clear about what we need from our reading.
At the core of every spread are the prompts -- the meanings given to each card positioned in a layout. So that you can more effectively write and design your own spread, in "Tarot Spreads" Meg offers over 200 prompts and suggestions for simple one-card to five-card layouts for a variety of intentions from relationships to self-awareness to community to wealth, and includes special recommended spreads for lunar cycles, the zodiac, the archetypes, the sabbats, the elements, and more.
Critique: An ideal, comprehensive, and thoroughly 'reader/user' friendly tutorial, "Tarot Spreads: How to Read Them, Create Them, and Revise Them" by Meg Jones Wall is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Tarot collections and supplemental Metaphysical Studies curriculum lists. It should be noted by aspiring and practicing tarot readers that this trade paperback edition of "Tarot Spreads" from Weiser Publishers is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.54, Amazon).
The Prophecies of Merlin
John Matthews, author
Maarten Haverkamp, author
Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
www.innertraditions.com
9798888502198, $35.00, HC, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Prophecies-Merlin-English-Translation-15th-Century/dp/B0DH3MQX4X
Synopsis: Maarten Haverkamp acquired a French book from 1498 titled The Prophecies of Merlin that claimed to be prophecies given by the legendary magician. The book was really a compilation of documents collected by an unknown 13th century monk. Working with John Matthews, Maarten spent five years translating the mysteries hidden in this obscure volume.
Presenting their translation and commentary, the co-authors share forgotten stories of early Arthurian literature and magic. They share the tale of Merlin's birth from a demon, how he was born able to speak, and how his magic ensured he was not killed by his guardian. Merlin's affair with the Lady of the Lake is also detailed, ending with his imprisonment in a tomb. Other stories include Percival's first contact with the Grail and King Arthur's connection with the mystical king Prester John. The co-authors show how The Prophecies of Merlin sheds new light on the world of King Arthur and the women who learned magic from Merlin.
To reveal the esoteric meaning of this work, "The Prophecies of Merlin: The First English Translation of the 15th-Century Text" also includes Welsh prophecies attributed to Merlin (translated by John and Caitlin Matthews), other prophecies attributed to Merlin that were compiled by Geoffrey of Monmouth, and the original letter of Prester John that inspired the Polo family and Columbus to search for India.
Discovering a hitherto lost or forgotten book about Merlin and King Arthur is a rare event these days. Yet here the authors present a virtually forgotten and, to date, untranslated book, which includes much that is new (and exciting) about the legendary king and his magical adviser. Through their translation and insightful passage by passage commentary, secrets long hidden behind the obscure language of the prophetic utterances are revealed.
Critique: Absolutely fascinating, "The Prophecies of Merlin: The First English Translation of the 15th-Century Text" by co-authors John Matthews and Maarten Haverkamp is a 'must read' study and essential acquisition for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Metaphysical Studies collections and supplemental Arthurian Studies curriculum lists. Informatively enhanced for the reader's benefit with Foreword by R. J. Stewart, four appendices (including The Tale of Prester John & The Letter of Prester John), a four page listing of Sources and Further Reading, and a six page Index, it should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this hardcover edition of "The Prophecies of Merlin: The First English Translation of the 15th-Century Text" from Inner Traditions is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $22.99).
Editorial Note #1: John Matthews (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_and_Caitlin_Matthews) has made a lifetime study of every aspect of the Arthurian legends, from their origins to modern retellings. He has published more than 100 titles on myth, folklore, and ancient traditions, and he won a BAFTA for his work on the movie King Arthur (2004). Among his many authored and coauthored titles are The Book of Merlin, The Complete King Arthur, and The Lost Book of the Grail.
Editorial Note #2: Maarten Haverkamp (1964 - 2025) was a senior lecturer/researcher at The Hague University of Applied Sciences. An avid collector of rare medieval books for more than 20 years, his years of translation work and collaboration with John Matthews culminated in the completion of the first English translation of a rare text nearly forgotten for more than 500 years.
Navigating Liminal Realms
Norma J. Burton & Nisha Burton
Findhorn Press
www.findhornpress.com
c/o Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
www.innertraditions.com
9798888501658, $19.99, PB, 272pp
https://www.amazon.com/Navigating-Liminal-Realms-Psychonavigation-Dreaming/dp/B0DH3M348L
Synopsis: Psychonavigation is the art of mindfully exploring the liminal realms of consciousness. This requires a map, a guide, and a clear intent, so one does not emerge overwhelmed and struggling with unexpected shadow material.
Offering techniques drawn from psychonauts both ancient and modern, "Navigating Liminal Realms: Psychonavigation Skills for Lucid Dreaming, Trance Journeys, and Altered States" by co-authors Norma and Nisha Burton is profound and 'reader/user' friendly guide that will help you navigate consciously into the depths of the human psyche.
"Navigating Liminal Realms" deftly map the important connection between three gateways into the psyche's depths: lucid dreaming, shamanic drumming trance journeys, and ceremonial plant medicine journeys. With drumming-induced trance journeys, it explores the scientific effect on brainwave frequencies alongside consciousness teachings from indigenous cultures like the Sami of Norway and Huichol of Mexico.
The co-authors' masterful approach to lucid dreaming transcends basic instruction, offering sophisticated techniques to not only summon but sustain lucidity and integrate suppressed parts of oneself. They explain how a mindful engagement with entheogens can be profoundly enhanced through these precursory mystical practices, creating a safe container for integration and meaning-making that honors the gravity of such experiences.
This blending of skillful methodologies and ancient psycho-spiritual techniques will enable seekers to process and integrate their profound encounters with expanded consciousness.
Critique: Of particular value to readers with an interest in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and the phenomena of 'lucid dreaming', "Navigating Liminal Realms: Psychonavigation Skills for Lucid Dreaming, Trance Journeys, and Altered States" by Norma and Nisha Burton is an extraordinary, informative, thought-provoking, original, and deftly crafted study that is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Metaphysical Studies collections and supplemental curriculum lists. It should be noted for students, academia, and both professional and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this paperback edition of "Navigating Liminal Realms" from Findhorn Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99).
Editorial Note #1: Norma J. Burton (https://normaburton.com) is a counselor and theologian with academic degrees in Buddhist psychology and shamanic traditions. She specializes in trauma healing, shadow work, and Jungian dream analysis. Having apprenticed with indigenous elders for more than 30 years, she founded the Journey to Completion methodology and the Circle of Trust Healing Center.
Editorial Note #2: Nisha Burton (https://nishaburton.com) has been a skilled dream worker and lucid dreaming practitioner for more than a decade. She's an award-winning filmmaker and a sought-after consultant on branding and emerging technologies for Fortune 100 companies. A specialist in visual storytelling and film-AI integration, she speaks at conferences and universities worldwide.
Telepathic Tales
Daniel Bourke
Destiny Books
c/o Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
www.innertraditions.com
9798888501733, $24.99, PB, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Telepathic-Tales-Precognition-Clairvoyance-Legend/dp/B0DH3KCYYW
Synopsis: Whether a premonition of an impending event, a warning of potential danger, or an unlikely synchronistic experience, such things are surprisingly common, even if they often cannot be clearly explained.
Taking readers on a historical and cross-cultural voyage through extrasensory experiences, with the publication of "Telepathic Tales: Precognition and Clairvoyance in Legend, Lyric, and Lore", Daniel Bourke documents, contextualizes, and sheds light on these mysterious phenomena.
From the plains of Peru and the haunted highlands of Scotland to the snowy taiga forests of the Far North and the Indigenous cultures of Australia and America, Bourke examines the strange psychic occurrences that seem to appear in all places, at all times. These include instances of bilocation, premonitions about the coming of visitors, intuitions of the location of lost items or treasures, the discovery of cures by telepathic means, and even accurate pre-perceptions about one's own demise or the perilous situation of a loved one.
Bourke also looks at the renowned Greek seers, including Iamos, who announced the death of Hercules at the moment it occurred; the far-reaching visions of the shaman in a trance who might warn his tribe of danger; and the witches, wizards, and heroes of legend and romance who were privy to secret knowledge through magical means.
Additionally, Bourke's survey incorporates rare accounts from people all around the world and across the ages, including figures like Rumi, Saint Anthony, Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, and Carl Jung.
Shedding light on our cultural and mythic past, Bourke shows that wherever you look in the world, whatever culture or time, telepathic tales are unfolding all around us.
Critique: As informative as it is fascination, "Telepathic Tales: Precognition and Clairvoyance in Legend, Lyric, and Lore" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library Metaphysical Studies collections and supplemental curriculum lists. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in ESP, the paranormal, and New Age mysticism that this paperback edition of "Telepathic Tales" from Destiny Books is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.99).
Editorial Note: Daniel Bourke is an author, poet, and songwriter. Bourke has a background in the natural sciences, the arts, and the video game industry. He has also previously been published in the Journal of the Society for Psychical Research, New Dawn Magazine, and the journal Darklore and is the author of Apparitions at the Moment of Death. He currently resides in Ireland. (https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Daniel-Bourke/224859219)
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Diane C. Donovan, Editor
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