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Molly is the Head Maid now at the posh London hotel and working hard to keep her reputation and the hotel spotless. The reception for a well known author ends badly and once again there is a body and police casting suspicion on Molly. On top of everything Molly has a connection to the author that will only serve to throw more suspicion her way but she and her friends put on their detective caps and go find a killer. A charming addition to a series that focuses on the special talents of quiet people that often go unnoticed. One of the key points in this series is that patience and kindness go a long way. This will appeal to a wide variety of readers as there are references to adult situations but it is about as cozy as you can get. This is a subtle nod to an Agatha Christie style murder mystery with a variety of endearing characters. 4 stars 
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As Polish jews are rounded up in Warsaw and herded into the ghetto by invading Nazi guards no one thinks it will be long term. They come from all walks of life and each bring their skills, talents, faith and a will to survive. Soon, children who once played games are sneaking under fences to barter for goods, women are learning how to recycle already threadbare clothing and cook whatever food they can find and learning patience from multiple families sharing a small apartment. Adam is better off than some as a widower and teacher he teaches the children English and offers them an escape. He becomes part of a project to interview and chronicle daily life in the ghetto to preserve their heritage. As the situation becomes more dire for all of them Adam finds comfort, friendship and more from a married roommate. Out of hate and despair comes a moment of love and tenderness. This historical fiction focuses on the people of the Warsaw ghetto and less on events. Their plight created lovers out of neighbors, community out of strangers while asking for ultimate sacrifice and unshakable faith. 4 stars  Oh to be part of the peerage in London - the best schools with job offers that come out of nowhere, weekends at country manors and all the best parties until you end up dead dumped in a park. Rupert is a serial flirt, designer skirt chaser and not used to being stood up by his girlfriend at his birthday party. When Clemmie's body is discovered Rupert is considered suspect #1 (aghast!) as are the other friends, some with benefits. A well matched trio of police detectives step in to solve the murder without ruffling too many feathers which they do with dignity and much patience. The wit is classically British, the story is classically Dame Agatha and the characters are classic examples of too much, too soon with no boundaries. Filled with femme fatales, uncouth rogues and name dropping of classic literature - murder was never so much fun. This will resonate with readers of some of the lighter Agatha Christie tales, Richard Osman and Anthony Horowitz. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy. 3 1/2 stars  Set sail on a true adventure and the unusual life of a young woman who escapes the drudgery of service and some cutthroats by masquerading as a cabin boy on a pirate ship. Hannah will need to keep her wits about her just to keep her head above the deep blue sea now that she is part of the crew to the infamous pirate Ned Low. Her adventures lead her from sea battle to storm to treasure hunt which are all immortalized in a journal. The second part of the story takes place in 1930 with the discovery of the journal and proposed hunt for the missing treasure by an enterprising undergrad to her college professor whose father is a famous adventurer. We follow these women all trying to think outside the box and wanting to follow a path that is different from what society thinks they should follow. The absolute best part is that much of this story is based in the life of the author's third great aunt giving it authenticity seasoned with the colorful writing style of the author. Set sail for the perfect blend of riveting sea adventure mixed with the story of three very different women who aren't afraid to forge new paths. Fans of THE ADVENTURES OF AMINA AL-SIRAFI will love this. 4 1/2 stars  Happy book birthday to UNDERBURN by Bill Gaythwaite An elderly film star now realtor takes in her son and his young boyfriend after their home is destroyed by a wildfire. Iris is used to being on her own but she makes adjustments. When she gets a summons from the sister she hasn't spoken to in decades, Iris packs up the trio and they travel to Maine for her mother's funeral. With Frank and Logan in tow they descend into Iris's childhood where all of the buried resentments, misunderstandings and emotions surface. It takes some time to understand the family dynamic and mend fences and not without a lot of sadness along the way. Happy go lucky Logan is a wise and uplifting diversion. 3 stars  Lady Petra is a young widow who is financially independent and has decided not to remarry - aghast! This being Regency England, the lords, with the exception of her father, are beside themselves. Imagine a mere woman handling an estate herself and making decisions other than menu planning and ball gowns! When several wives begin to have strange episodes of hysteria or go missing Petra starts asking questions which lead her to a dangerous path - one where she may disappear as well. The cheeky wit of BRIDGERTON mixed with the all too frightening and real demise of independent thinking women at the hands of self important men many of whom were locked up and stripped of their inheritance and power. I listened to the audiobook of this and it was delightful and eye opening. 4 stars  Happy book birthday to NAKED IN THE RIDESHARE by Rebecca Shaw and Ben Kronengold A collection of essays and comedic whatnot from a pair of late night laughanados. While I missed some of what others will find hysterical due to my age I must admit that I was on the floor laughing reading an ode to Dr. Seuss teaching Sex Ed and how to tell if you are a former gifted child. The sections are divided up by milestones from childhood and beyond and offer a comical look at life of the GenZ generation. The perfect book to giggle while waiting for life to happen or if you need a break from true crime and reality tv. 3 stars  A family struggles with stagnant relationships of all sorts as well as broken communication and lost dreams. Dan and Isabel depend on Robbie as a sounding board, caring uncle to their two kids and buddy. He has lived with them and it is time to move out and move on but when Robbie heads on a solo trip to Iceland and is trapped there by the pandemic everyone's world will be tossed into the wind. A deep dive into what we look for in a life partner and how relationships change over time as well as the fears of not mattering. While this story does cover the pandemic and feelings of isolation and too much togetherness that we can all relate to it is much more than just a pandemic story. DAY covers a variety of ages and viewpoints in beautifully written prose that explore every angle of human frailty. This book will resonate with readers of Ann Patchett and quiet family dramas. 4 stars  A lighthearted fantasy on what it means to care - about someone, some thing or a group (not necessarily human). Viv didn't plan on getting stabbed and left to recuperate in a tiny town by the sea but here she is. She is used to slashing horrible creatures and spending weeks camping rough with her mercenary team searching for necromancers up to no good. Now, she spends her days hanging out at a dusty dysfunctional bookshop, nibbling incredible baked goods from the cute baker and trying to avoid a temperamental griffin and an eager warrior apprentice gnome. Viv lets down her guard and broadsword and begins to care which scares her more than the very scary necromancer that is headed their way. The audiobook was a fabulous cozy fantasy escape narrated to perfection. A host of authentic characters with a healthy dose of humor (especially from the bookseller and her choice of books for the locals) that will have you happily escaping the grind of everyday life. 4 stars  In a small Texas town a man who tries to stay away from danger and drama gets pulled into a family feud. He undertakes a journey to help a pregnant woman and her son flee an abusive husband and family. In doing so he himself finds purpose, friendship, love and family. This is the morality of Don Quixote meets great characters of NEWS OF THE WORLD. Written in authentic language with a clear balance of chivalry and violence of post Civil War Texas this makes Elizabeth Crook one of the Western.greats. 4 stars  |
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