Book Reviews

How to Solve Your Own Murder

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How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin

Annie Adams has been summoned to a meeting with her Great Aunt Frances in the English village of Castle Knoll. Frances is found dead when Annie arrives for the meeting in her home, Gravesdown Hall. Annie suspects murder. Because of a fortuneteller’s prediction when she was a teen, Frances has always feared being a murder victim, and has prepared files on many of the villagers of Castle Knoll. The will gives her stepson and Annie one week to solve her murder before the police in order to inherit her fortune, Gravesdown Hall, a nearby farm, and the house in Chelsea where Annie lives with her mother Laura, an artist. Otherwise, everything goes to the Crown and a developer gets to build on the land.

Alternate chapters feature Frances’ diary from 1965, when Frances, Emily, and Rose are best friends with secrets, especially mean girl Emily. Frances’ diary and journals help Annie, a mystery writer, to try solving the case, which may be very dangerous. I liked the contemporary mystery better than the timeline set in 1965.

Annie is clever and appealing, as is Detective Crane. Frances isn’t as likable a character as Annie. I didn’t love this book, especially as some of the secrets are rather dark for a cozy, but I did find this mystery to be hard to put down. A sequel is expected next March, How to Seal Your Own Fate.

Brenda

Big Time

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Big Time by Ben Winters

This is a thrilling, scary, mind-bending page turner, set in the present. Grace Berney review applications for medical devices. Her mother, Kathy, increasingly needs more help at home. Grace’s teen, River, who uses they/them pronouns, is a typically challenging teen. Grace gets caught up in an adventure after a young woman, Allie, is kidnapped. Allie escapes after a car crash and runs away. She is injured and ends up in an emergency room. The hospital asks Grace’s department for information on a medical port on Allie’s chest. Grace sees the photos of Allie on her manager’s desk and reaches out to the hospital with the information. Allie has gone, running again.

Allie can remember her baby daughter Rachel, but also has memories of a completely differently life as Ana. Allie/Ana seeks help from her old friend, who is shocked to see her. River helps their mother find more information on Allie and the maker of her medical device. Grace tracks down a scientist who has found the durational element in blood. Time can be extracted and used for someone else, but how? Allie’s kidnapper is still intent on retrieving her, at all costs, and the future is uncertain, even after a big showdown. I don’t read many thrillers, but have read the author’s The Last Policeman trilogy, and knew that his creativity and plotting are excellent. Readalike authors include Black Crouch and Mike Chen.

Brenda

Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea

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Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne

This mostly cozy fantasy is patterned after Travis Baldree’s novels Legends & Lattes and Bookshops & Bonedust. Reyna is a palace guard to ruthless young Queen Tilaine, as her mother was a guard for Queen Tilaine’s mother. At court, Reyna meets powerful mage Kianthe, and her griffin Visk. Reyna loves Kianthe’s idea of moving to a quiet village where they can open a bookshop that serves tea and is decorated with tropical plants. They find the village of Tawney, near the mountains, and a likely site for their shop.

One problem to settling down together in Tawney is that Kianthe is the Arcandor, the chief mage, and must respond to problems like dragons. Also, Reyna isn’t allowed to resign from the palace guard. And the dragons are searching for three stolen dragon eggs that may be somewhere near the village. Characters in Tawney include young Gossley, a wannabe bandit, midwife Matild, and two town leaders who each claim oversight of the village.

I enjoyed the charming small town setting and the book and tea shop. There is plenty of danger from outside the village, and this certainly has more action than Baldree’s books. I liked Baldree’s writing better, but this is a good read, and I look forward to Reyna, Kianthe, and Visk’s return in A Pirate’s Life for Tea, to be published in October. The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst, a July release, may be a good readalike.

Brenda

The Guncle Abroad

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The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley

I loved reading The Guncle, and looked forward to reading more about Gay Uncle Patrick and his niece Maisie and nephew Grant, but sequels aren’t always as satisfying. This one is a winner. The settings are different, and the story is set five years later. It’s a vivid, bittersweet, joyous, funny, and engaging read.

Patrick takes his niece and nephew to Europe for a vacation before their father Greg’s upcoming marriage to Livia, an Italian marchesa. Maisie and Grant are now 14 and 11, and not as adoring of Uncle Patrick. They meet him in London, where Patrick is finishing up filming a movie. The kids get to visit the movie set, which they enjoy. Then they visit Paris, Austria for scenes from The Sound of Music, and then Venice, before traveling to a fancy hotel overlooking Italy’s Lake Como for the wedding festivities. The children want Patrick to talk his brother out of getting married, while Patrick tries to show them different aspects of love. He is jealous of the children’s connection to Palmina, Livia’s sister.

Patrick is 49, acting again, and single after a five-year relationship. He tries to share his wisdom with the kids, and strives to always be witty, funny, and the center of attention. The European setting is amazing, and the kids are great characters. There are a few cringey moments among the bittersweet and funny ones, with a surprise ending. If you liked The Guncle, this is a fine follow-up.

Brenda

Everyone On This Train is a Suspect

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Everyone On This Train is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson

The narrator, Ernest Cunningham, has published a true crime memoir and has been invited to participate in an Australian Mystery Writers’ Festival. The festival will be held on the luxury Ghan train, traveling from Australia’s north coast to the south coast. Not everyone will make it to the south coast, as Ernest tells the readers that there is a murderer on board. Described as “Murder on the Orient Express” meets “Clue,” or a combination of Richard Osman, Agatha Christie, and Sherlock Holmes, this mystery novel is sure to be popular. The Australian author had a hit with Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, which I haven’t read. Anthony Horowitz is a good readalike, and Nita Prose and Jane Harper recommend Stevenson’s work.

Ernest is traveling with his girlfriend Juliette, who has also written a book about what happened when they were stranded at a ski resort. Ern is now writing a mystery, but has writer’s block. As he had a large advance for his second book, Ern is hoping for inspiration at the festival. One of his favorite writers, Guest of Honor Henry McTavish, is aboard. He turns out to have a big secret, as does everyone else. This is not the type of mystery I usually read, preferring cozies or historical mysteries, but I found this to be a compelling, slightly funny read, and not scary at all, even knowing the journey will be treacherous for some.

The setting is Australian, but there isn’t a lot of local color, as they’re mostly on the train. There are seven writers on board, a publisher, an agent, and many mystery fans. The other characters are described, although we don’t hear much about Juliette, and practically nothing about her book, just that her innocence is guaranteed. Ernest tells the reader the outline of a typical mystery novel and outlines the rules about what he’ll share to help the reader guess the culprit’s identity. He also promises to play fair and be a reliable narrator. Hmm. There are two grand reveal scenes, one of which is funny, and two action adventure scenes. Clever, with well-written dialogue. Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret will be published this October.

Brenda

The Greenwild

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Greenwild by Pari Thomson

This is a portal fantasy for children with crossover appeal, set in London’s Kew Gardens and the Greenwild. Daisy Thistledown, 11, is the daughter of an investigative reporter. They travel the world together until Daisy’s mother has a new, dangerous, assignment in the Amazon. Daisy is sent to a boarding school in London until her mother’s return. She runs away and finds herself in the Greenwild with magical botanists. Commander Artemis White brings her to the Roost, and the Greenwild kids Prof, Indigo, and Acorn welcome her to the 5 O’Clock club. There’s also a secret garden Daisy visits at night where she meets Hal.

The is a high stakes adventure, and Daisy has no magic. There are allies, enemies, a cat, more new friends, and a magical market on the river every full moon. Magical plants are everywhere! A sequel, Greenwild: The City Beyond the Sea, has just been published and a third volume is planned. Readalikes include Greenglass House, A Wrinkle in Time, The Secret Garden, and the Morrigan Crow books beginning with Nevermoor. I’m looking forward to reading The City Beyond the Sea.

Brenda

The Downloaded

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The Downloaded by Robert J. Sawyer

I enjoyed downloading this short science fiction novel by the multiple award-winning Sawyer to my e-reader. Readalikes include The Last Policeman trilogy by Ben Winters and Cryoburn by Lois McMaster Bujold. Characters include a robot who dislikes Isaac Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics, which amused me.

Astronauts headed on a sublight journey to Proxima Centauri upload their consciousness to a quantum computer, where they enjoy what seems like four years of their preferred virtual reality simulations. Only Captain Letitia Garvey can visit their virtual silos, if needed.

Another group of characters are prisoners with 20-year prison terms who have agreed to an upload which will feel like 20 years but last only 10 months in the real world. Roscoe Koudoulian regrets his crime, and is eager to not miss his daughter’s whole childhood. His experience is much less pleasant, as he is in a virtual prison and must regularly revisit his crime scene, with only short videos of his daughter to keep him going during what feels like 24 years, not 20.

Both groups are downloaded at almost the same time to their cryopreserved bodies, where the astronauts learn that they’re still on earth, in Waterloo, Ontario. They also learn that way more than 20 years have elapsed, and the city is deserted, with only peaceful farmers living nearby. The groups elect a mayor, surprisingly not Captain Garvey, and explore their surroundings, trying to decide how they shall live. Also, how many of the former prisoners are dangerous? And who is interviewing the groups via holographic image? This thought-provoking novel was a quick, compelling read. It’s available as an Audible audiobook narrated by Brendan Fraser, and as a print book.

Brenda

Earls Trip

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Earls Trip by Jenny Holiday

In this Regency era rom-com, two earls and a viscount who have been friends since their days at school take a fortnight’s holiday together every summer. Archie, Simon, and Effie are on their way to a ruined castle in Cumbria in North West England, although it’s been a challenge to get them all together this year. A messenger on horseback finds their carriage and tells them that Sir Albert Morgan needs their help. The Morgans are neighbors of Archie, and Clementine and Olive were his childhood friends. Apparently, Olive is eloping to Scotland with Mr. Bull and Clementine, dressed in men’s clothing, has gone after them. Clementine had recently called off her engagement to Mr. Bull.

The humorous adventure is on, as Archie, Simon, and Effie track down Clementine, Olive, and Mr. Bull at an inn. The rescue does not go smoothly, and Clementine and Olive end up travelling with the three friends to their rented castle. Once there, the sisters keep different hours and take their meals separately from the men, especially as Clementine has become a vegetarian. Of course, Archie finds that he wants to spend more time with Clementine, and there are definite sparks, though Clementine doesn’t want to ever marry. This is a funny and charming romance with an unlikely plot and quirky characters. There is also a racing turtle named Hermes. A sequel is planned for next year: Manic Pixie Dream Earl.

Brenda

The Air Raid Book Club

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The Air Raid Book Club by Annie Lyons

This is a heartwarming historical novel, set during World War II, on the Home Front in England. My sister suggested the book to me, and her book club is planning to discuss it later this year. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Jilly Bond. I took three weeks to savor the audiobook, and found myself thinking about the characters and the story at other times. It is very British, and often funny, even though it’s set during the war.

Gertie Bingham misses her late husband Harry so much that she is thinking of retiring and moving to a beach side town with her dog, Hemingway. She wants to sell Bingham Books, on the outskirts of London, to another bookseller, but her realtor hasn’t found the right buyer. Gertie’s assistant Betty is continuing to run their longtime book club, but Gertie’s stopped participating. Gertie’s Uncle Thomas, who owns a bookstore in London, is dismayed at her plans, as is her longtime friend Charles. Instead, Charles wants Gertie to consider fostering one of the Jewish children he is helping rescue from Germany. Reluctantly, she agrees, but only if the child is a girl who can already read. Enter Hedy Fisher, a serious young teen. First there’s the language barrier, and Hedy’s homesickness for her parents and brother Arno. Hemingway the dog and Betty become Hedy’s friends. Gertie and Elsa, Hedy’s mother, correspond, and gradually Hedy and Gertie learn to understand each other. When war is declared between Germany and Great Britain, all Hedy’s family can send are 25-word telegrams. Then the air raids begin in England.

The community comes together in the war effort, and they discuss books in the bookstore’s air raid shelter. A few women in the neighborhood are prickly types, but have soft hearts underneath. There are some romances and a few wartime marriages, and the book club extends its reach by mail all over Europe. While there are dark days in plenty here, the war violence is off screen. I won’t share more of the plot as it might take away from the experience of reading this deeply satisfying and engaging story. Gertie and Hedy, along with Hemingway, should win the hearts of many readers.

Brenda

The Great Divide

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The Great Divide by Cristina Henríquez

This historical novel is set in 1907 in Panama and Barbados, during the building of the Panama Canal. It takes a while for the varied characters to have their stories connect, but individually they are interesting and the connections are intriguing. Fisherman Francisco Aquino sells the fish he catches to Joaquín. Francisco’s son Omar doesn’t like being out on the water. His mother apparently drowned many years ago. Omar goes to work on the canal, to the disapproval of his father. They don’t speak anymore, just eat dinner together then go to sleep. When Omar doesn’t come home for a few weeks, Francisco worries, but isn’t sure what to do.

Joaquín resells the fish she buys from the fisherman. His wife Valentina and her sister grew up in the town of Gatún, which is to be moved for the canal. Valentia takes Joaquín to Gatún for a visit, and wants him to start a protest.

The working conditions on the canal are terrible, though the men are made to take quinine to try to prevent malaria. Omar gets malaria anyway, and collapses. He is helped by Ada and a doctor. Ada Bunting, 16, comes from Barbados. She is looking for work in Panama because her sister needs expensive medical treatment. They grew up in a house that her mother had moved when she was a baby. Ada’s mother is a seamstress and dress designer. The doctor, John Oswald, is impressed by Ada, and hires her to tend his wife Marian, who is ill.

Eventually Omar returns home to his silent but very relieved father. There are more characters and plot twists, but the focus is on the canal and how it is affecting the workers and the villagers. I really enjoyed Henríquez’s contemporary novel The Book of Unknown Americans. The Great Divide is a compelling read, but not as memorable as I’d hoped. This is a Read with Jenna selection.

Brenda