Murder on Monday by Ann Purser

Reviewed by Jeanne

Lois Meade is a cleaner in the English village of Long Farden, doing for several families.  It’s a bit of a step up from Lois’ own Tresham neighborhood where she lives with her electrician husband, Derek, two school-age sons, and daughter Josie, who is going through the teen rebellion stage at the ripe old age of 14.  It’s almost a relief to go and clean for other people, though Lois has a strict set of boundaries and a strong sense of her own worth.  She’s not about to let anyone take advantage of her.

Still, she’s feels she might have more to offer so on impulse she looks into joining the police as a volunteer only to find that the police aren’t quite as enthusiastic. Miffed, Lois resolves to have nothing to do with them.  Besides, it turns out that part of the problem with Josie is that she’s been seeing a bit of a much older (and to Derek’s mind, quite unsuitable) boy named Melvyn.

Then a shocking murder takes place in Long Farden and it seems that some of Lois’ clients might be suspects and suddenly the police are very interested in what Lois might be able to learn as she cleans. On the one hand, Lois is miffed; on the other, it is very exciting to be part of an investigation, and she can’t help but wonder if maybe one of her clients might actually be involved:  surely not Dr. and Mrs. Rix, who are so kind, but maybe the too-full of himself professor?  Or the lady art gallery owner and her husband who have a very odd relationship? What about the vicar, who doesn’t seem to be very effective at his job? It couldn’t be the compassionate village nurse… could it?

While Lois is somewhat agreeable to working with Inspector Cowgill, she knows he isn’t telling her everything he know…which is why Lois isn’t telling him everything either.

This is the first in the Lois Meade series, a cozy from a bit of a different angle.  Lois isn’t an upper class lady who attends teas on a weekly basis, but a scrappy working class mother with rambunctious children and bills to pay.  It’s definitely a different sort of vibe for a British mystery and one which I found refreshing. Lois has her problems and isn’t best buds with her clients; she’s always had to make her own way.  Derek is much the same.  Lois is intelligent but also can be prickly, making her a more realistic heroine than some I’ve encountered.  I also liked that the police are competent and on the job, even though Lois sometimes has her doubts.

I enjoyed the book and will be visiting with Lois again.

Nevermore: Unlikely Thru-Hiker, When the Cranes Fly South, Death on the Lanai

 

Nevermore 7-14-26       Reported by Rita

 

The Unlikely Thru-Hiker: An Appalachian Trail Journey by Derick Lugo

Derick Lugo had never been hiking. He didn't even know if he liked being outside all that much. He certainly couldn't imagine going more than a day without manicuring his goatee. But with a job overseas cut short and no immediate plans, this fixture of the greater New York comedy circuit began to think about what he might do with months of free time and no commitments. He had heard of the Appalachian Trail and knew of its potential for danger and adventure, but he had never seriously considered attempting to hike all 2,190 miles of it. Until that summer left him with a wide-open schedule and a burning curiosity to know: Could he do it? The Unlikely Thru-Hiker is the story of how a young black man from the city, unfamiliar with both the outdoors and thru-hiking culture, sets off with an extremely overweight pack and a willfully can-do attitude to conquer the infamous trail. What follows are lessons on preparation, humility, and nature's wild unpredictability. But this isn't a hard-nosed memoir of discouragement. What sets Lugo apart from the typical walk in the woods is his refusal to let any challenge squash his inner Pollyanna. Through it all, Lugo perseveres with humor, tenacity, and an unshakeable commitment to grooming--earning him the trail name "Mr. Fabulous"--that sees him from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Katahdin in Maine.

I thought this was a wonderful adventure. I really liked it.      -VC       5 stars

 

When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzen

Bo is running out of time. Yet time is one of the few things he’s got left. These days, his quiet existence is broken up only by daily visits from his home care team. Fortunately, he still has his beloved elkhound Sixten to keep him company, though now his son, with whom Bo has had a rocky relationship, insists upon taking the dog away, claiming that Bo has grown too old to properly care for him. The threat of losing Sixten stirs up a whirlwind of emotion, leading Bo to take stock of his life, his relationships, and the imperfect way he’s expressed his love over the years.

It was short, quick, and sad. I didn't really find the main character relatable.     -MH      4 stars

 

Death on the Lanai by Rachel Ekstrom Courage

Continue the fun that began with Murder by Cheesecake in this an all-new Golden Girls cozy mystery When the Girls accept a very strange invitation to a lavish party on a remote island estate, they find that murder has a way of ruining even the most glamorous of evenings. The invite delivered to 6151 Richmond Street was short on details, only promising to celebrate the greatest artist of the century and accompanied by a jewel-encrusted brooch--the whole package a brand of mysterious opulence that another Saturday night of gin rummy just can't match. Blanche Devereaux's passionate dalliances are as plentiful as hot Southern nights, and surely one can't be expected to remember all of one's suitors. But when the Girls disembark the party's ferry at a small Biscayne Bay island and meet their secretive host, the memories come flooding back: she a Radio City Rockette in her twenties, he the poor artist who could offer her nothing but his love. Fate drove them apart, but Declan, now a famous artist El Toro, professes that Blanche has always been his muse. Featured prominently in his artworks and central to El Toro's return to the apex of the art world, Blanche is thrilled to have been such an inspiring figure to this man. But looking around at a party filled with those who have made their livings off the artist's fame--his assistant, his art dealer, his greatest critic, and more--Dorothy isn't so sure they're welcome on the island after all. When a tropical storm knocks power out across the island, an optimistic Blanche proclaims that everyone looks better by candlelight anyway. But when Declan is found dead the next morning, all eyes are on her, his supposed muse of thirty-plus years. Trapped at the estate with the other guests--suspects all--the Girls must band together to find the true killer and get back to pleasant evenings of card games and cheesecake.

This book was really good - fun and exciting.    -MS     stars

  

Other Books Mentioned

Witch & Wizard (Witch & Wizard, #1) by James Patterson

Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip-Confessions of a Cynical Waiter by Steve Dublanica,

Buzz by Mary Roach

The Housekeeper's Tale - The Women Who Really Ran the English Country House by Tessa Boase

10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People: A Groundbreaking Approach to Leading the Next Generation--And Making Your Own Life Easier by David Yeager

The Bookshop Summer by Stephanie Butland

Marilyn and Her Books: The Literary Life of Marilyn Monroe by Gail Crowther

 

 

New Books

 

The Greatest Sentence Ever Written by Walter Isaacson

Daughters of the Sun and Moon by Lisa See

Disaster Prepping for Dummies by David E. Stevens

1,000 Days in America by Michael Beschloss

The Last Gifts of the Universe by Riley August

 

Reviewed by Jeanne

Scout, brother Kieran, and their cat Pumpkin are trying to save the world.  Their civilization has finally achieved space travel but what awaits is a series of dead worlds, all ravaged by some force or being—and it appears to still be moving.  It’s only a matter of time before the destroyer comes for them.  Scout is an Archivist, one of those who visits these dead worlds, searching for information left behind that might help save the Home worlds.  These data caches are also sought by others, who don’t want to share.  Equipped with only adequate technology, Scout and company forge ahead, trying to use their wits and talents make up the difference.

On one such world, Scout is able to make a partial copy of a cache before it’s taken from them.  On it is a holographic recording from a being who experienced the coming of the deadly entity, bringing Scout face to face with a being from the past.  But will it help Scout save what matters most?

Sunyi Dean’s recommendation for the book included the line, “Come for the cat, stay for the story,” which pretty much sums up why I picked this title up. As advertised, Pumpkin is an absolutely adorable astro-cat with very cat-like behaviors. But as is mentioned several times, space is no place for a cat and there were several times I feared for our furry space cadet but (spoiler alert) he survives.

There’s action for those so inclined and a definite threat of menace, but at its heart this is a thoughtful, warm, and tender book about discovering the meaning of life. While that may sound heavy, it really isn’t. And you don’t have to be a science fiction fan to enjoy it.

A.B.C. Murders by Agatha Christie

 

Reviewed by Jeanne

Famed detective Hercule Poirot is troubled when he receives a note questioning his skills and threatening crimes to come.  The author signs his name A.B.C. and challenges Poirot to stop a crime the writer is going to commit.  While the police and even his friend Hastings chalk the note up to someone playing a prank, Poirot is troubled.

It soon seems his fear is well founded as a woman with the initials A. A. is found murdered in a village whose name also starts with A. The police begin questioning her family, friends, and associates, but why an elderly shopkeeper would have been murdered and nothing stolen remains a puzzle.

When a second note arrives, followed by a second murder with location and victim having names that start with B, Poirot redoubles his efforts.  If he can’t find the murderer soon, there may be a whole alphabet of murders to contend with.

Classic fair play mysteries are my jam.  I discovered Agatha Christie in sixth or seventh grade and worked my way through most of her works. I especially loved Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot, and the one book of Harley Quin stories (no, not the one from the comics!)

Later when I moved into more contemporary mysteries, I found that many just dismissed Agatha Christie.  She wasn’t literate enough or hard boiled enough or violent enough.  Other writers were held in much higher esteem.  Several decades on, many of those esteemed writers have all but vanished from the general public’s consciousness, but Dame Agatha still looms large. Why?

There are many theories but I think it’s because her  books are very entertaining and have held up well.  True, the books are now historical because of the time that has elapsed, bringing changes to attitudes, customs, and especially technology, but the clever plots, deft character sketches, and inviting the reader to follow the clues still makes for pleasurable reading.

Reading the books as an adult, I find many things that went over my head as a child but now have new meaning.  I find the era in which she wrote to be very intriguing. Things that were ordinary and common at the time are now exotic.  For example, I remember that Miss Marple knew the meanings of flowers and often decoded a message from a bouquet, which baffled me at the time but now delights me.  I may have read a book or two on Victorian flower language because of this.

Most of all, I appreciate Dame Agatha’s skill at plotting and leaving clues for the reader.  In this book, I was able to pick up some of them but I didn’t have the full picture.  I cared about what happened to some of her characters while being a tad suspicious of them at the same time. The plots themselves are inventive, intriguing, and most of all, memorable. 

I’m happy to note that more of her titles are being reprinted and, I hope, are attracting new readers to the Queen of Crime.

Nevermore: ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Life Below Stairs, Sooley

Nevermore 7-7-26      Reported by Rita

 

ADHD for Smart Ass Women: How to Fall in Love with Your Neurodivergent Brain – A Coach's Mental Health Guide with Proven Strategies by Tracy Otsuka

ADHD is one of the most common neurological disorders in the United States--yet a staggering 75 percent of girls and women remain undiagnosed. Due to the gender gap in medical research, which does not account for symptoms manifesting differently in women [and leads] to increased problems with anxiety, depression, working memory, sleep, energy, and concentration. many ADHD women are left to navigate a society that fails to understand their struggles and gifts. But what if every woman had the resources and support to uncover the hidden wonders of her neurodivergent brain?

I love that this is told from personal experiences and focuses on strengths instead of the negative aspects of ADHD. Very informational.      -HM       5 stars

 

 

Life Below Stairs by Alison Maloney

UPSTAIRS, an Edwardian home would have been a picture of elegance and calm, adorned with social gatherings and extravagantly envisioned dinner parties. DOWNSTAIRS, it was a hive of domestic activity, supported by a body of staff painstakingly devoted to ensuring the smooth running of the household. Brimming with family secrets, society scandal, and of course elaborate parties, dresses, and social customs, the world of an aristocratic Edwardian household as depicted on the hit show Downton Abbey has captivated millions. But what was life really like for the people who kept such a household running: the servants? 

It was eye-opening; I really enjoyed it.     -CD     5 stars 

 

Sooley by  John Grisham

After seventeen-year-old Samuel "Sooley" Sooleymon receives a college scholarship to play basketball for North Carolina Central, he moves to Durham from his native, war-torn South Sudan, enrolls in classes, joins the team, and prepares to sit out his freshman season, but Sooley has a fierce determination to succeed so he can bring his family to America, working tirelessly on his game until he dominates everyone in practice, and when Sooley is called off the bench, the legend begins. 

This is a great book for basketball fans. I enjoyed it.     -NH      4 stars

 

 

Other Books Mentioned

 

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins

A Cute Little Murder by Molly Harper

Cherokee Medicine Man: The Life and Work of a Modern-Day Healer by Robert J. Conley

A Fabulous Thru-Hike: 3,100 Miles on the Continental Divide Trail by Derick Lugo

Sweet Water by Christina Baker Kline

The Way Life Should Be by Christina Baker Kline

How to ADHD: An Insider's Guide to Working with Your Brain (Not Against It) by Jessica McCabe

The White Album by Joan Didion

American Rambler: Walking the Trail of Johnny Appleseed by Isaac Fitzgerald

Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure by Rhys Bowen

A Very Novel Murder by Ellie Alexander

 

Reviewed by Jeanne

Annie Murray along with her friend and business partner Fletcher Hughes run the Secret Bookcase Book Store, but recently have added “private investigators” to their resumes.  Annie has already solved a number of mysteries in a private capacity. As The Novel Detectives, she and Fletcher are ready for their first paying client, who turns out to be an elderly woman who believes her neighbor Kelly was murdered.  The police, on the other hand, believe the woman was the victim of an accidental drowning in her bathtub.

If so, it would be most ironic as Kelly was an accomplished surfer, an up and coming star with a big endorsement on the horizon.  She also had a number of complicated relationships, including with her roommate, a creepy landlord, and another surfer.  The more they learn, the more Annie and Fletcher believe that Kelly’s death was no accident.

Ellie Alexander knows her way around a cozy mystery.  The Bakeshop Mystery series has run for over a decade, and she’s also the author of the Sloan Krause and Meg Reed Investigates series.  Her books feature relatable characters, interesting settings (the Secret Bookcase Bookstore is an homage to Agatha Christie, created by the original owner who believes he is Dame Agatha’s secret grandson), and entertaining plots.  I found this entry to be quite memorable—which, given the number of mysteries I read, says something.

The previous six book series, The Secret Bookcase Mysteries, followed Annie as she finally decided to look into the death of her college friend. Along the way over a six book series, she solved a number of unrelated mysteries and honed her detective skills with the encouragement of her former mentor, now chief of police.  You need not have read those books to enjoy this one, however.

And as with The Secret Bookcase, it appears that there is going to be an ongoing mystery that will appear as a subplot in this series.

The second book in the Novel Detectives series is A Death in the Dark.

Secret Bookcase series

The Body in the Bookstore

A Murder at the Movies

Death at the Dinner Party

A Holiday Homicide

A Victim at Valentine’s

A Body at the Book Fair

Puck by Samantha Allen

Reviewed by Kristin 

Puck is a queer non-binary thirty-year-old who has made great strides in their career as the producer of “Homewreckers.” Puck is good at their job, and that includes being able to manipulate people. A reality dating show wouldn’t be nearly as much entertainment if the contestants were allowed to find and stay with their true loves, right? Enter the exes, ideally placed to disrupt and blow up relationships. 

Taking a rare break from the show, Puck is attending the wedding of their old best friend and roommate, Mia, to another of their college friend group, Damon. But Mia used to date Zander, Damon’s best friend, and Lena used to have a huge crush on Damon, and Puck takes it upon themself to stop Mia and Damon’s wedding, thus saving Mia from a lifetime of misery. As mentioned before, Puck likes pulling the marionette strings and interfering in others’ lives. 

Impeding Puck’s theatrics is Robyn, the rigidly scheduled maid of honor who is absolutely determined that this wedding will happen. Puck is intrigued by Robyn, despite the obvious problems the attraction creates. 

I absolutely loved this new release from the author of Patricia Wants to Cuddle  and Roland Rogers Isn’t Dead Yet. The characters feel like real people who are trying to find their place in the adult world with relationships, careers, and societal expectations. Mia is trying to fit into Damon’s family’s wealth and status. Zander is newly sober, and making a name for himself as a chef. Puck is Puck, with all the Shakespearean drama their chosen name evokes. 

Puck may start out as a planner and master manipulator, but they learn much during the course of this episode, I mean, book. They grow as a person, and as they say, all’s well that ends well.