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The Adventure of the Demonic Ox

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The Adventure of the Demonic Ox by Lois McMaster Bujold

This is a Penric and Desdemona fantasy novella. The first novella is Penric’s Demon, the most recent title is Penric and the Bandit.

Penric goes on an adventure with his children who are 8, 9, and 12, and are starting to think about their futures. Wyn is spending the summer as an errand boy with an engineer uncle, who’s rebuilding a nearby bridge. Wyn comes home with an incredible story about a white ox, who may have a demon. Penric travels back to the work site with Wynn, Rina, and his adopted daughter Otta while Penric’s wife Nikys and her mother Idrene stay behind, for a very good reason. Rina, 12, knows that she doesn’t want to teach small children. She is already talented at weaving and being a scribe, but is looking for a more exciting career. Otta has a lot of schooling ahead of her, as does her companion Atto. Wynn might want to be an engineer, too.

Penric is a scholar, a sorcerer, and a physician. Desdemona is his demon. There is quite the adventure with the possessed ox, even turning a bit scary, but with a lovey, cozy ending. Some humor and memorable characters make these fantasy novellas a treat to read.

Brenda

The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Association

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The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Association by Caitlin Rozakis

Hard to put down, this contemporary fantasy novel is full of drama, humor, suspense, and guilt. Vivian has felt guilty since she couldn’t prevent her daughter Aria becoming a werewolf. Vivian and Daniel have relocated to a mostly magical town in New England, where Aria is starting kindergarten at a private school. Daniel is still commuting to New York City by train while accountant Vivian is helping Aria adjust to her new surroundings and trying to fit in as a non-magical parent. Of course, Vivian ends up on the PTA board, trying to sort out the accounts from last year’s gala.

While Aria was granted a scholarship for kindergarten, Vivian is dismayed to learn that Aria must participate in three events to determine if she will qualify for first grade: a talent show, a sports day, and a research project. It is rather ridiculous to have a kindergartner be expected to do anything except learn to stay in her human form more often and not to be too hard on her clothes. Vivian is told that a consultant can help, if needed. Then there’s Daniel, who is ready to move the family somewhere more welcoming, if they can find the right place. Oh, and there’s an ominous prophecy that might involve Aria or Vivian. Aria is adorable, the community is quite interesting, and the reader hopes that Vivian will learn which parents can be trusted and welcoming.

An excellent, immersive read. I’m not sure if it would be quite as enjoyable for a PTA parent in a new town, but they might find it hilarious. I haven’t even described the over-the-top kids’ birthday parties, or the magical gala. And why have I never seen a book set at a magical school from the point of view of an ordinary parent, or even a magical parent?

Brenda

Swordheart

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Swordheart by T. Kingfisher

I’ve read a few other books by T. Kingfisher, but Swordheart, first published in 2018 and recently rereleased, was new to me. I listened to the audiobook, with an excellent narration by Jesse Vilinsky. The genre is fantasy, with humor, adventure, and a slow-burn romance.

Halla, a respectable widow, has been taking care of Uncle Silas for years until his recent death. Silas was her husband’s uncle, so it’s quite a surprise when Halla inherits the large house and its contents. Nasty Malva wants Halla to marry her son Alver so they can regain the inheritance, and won’t take no for an answer. Alver has clammy hands and won’t stand up to his mother’s demands, so Halla looks for another way out. When Halla draws a sword that’s been hanging on the wall for years, Sarkis appears. He is an immortal warrior, sworn to protect the sword’s owner.

To claim Halla’s inheritance, Halla and Sarkis travel from Rutger’s Howe to a temple where they employ Zale, a nonbinary lawyer priest. They travel back to the village in a wagon, driven by Brindle, a gnole, and his ox. Along the way, they have many adventures. Sarkis is grumpy and hiding secrets about his lengthy past, the ox is extremely slow, and Halla is very curious and asks innumerable questions. Readers of Kingfisher’s Nettle & Bone are sure to enjoy. Daggerbound, featuring the Dervish mentioned in Swordheart, is expected to be published in 2026.

Brenda

When the Moon Hits Your Eye

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When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi

Another entertaining book in the category of highly improbable plots. If you enjoyed Scalzi’s recent Kaiju Preservation Society or Starter Villain, as did I, this near future novel may be right up your alley. I was lucky enough to hear the author read from Chapter 2 at an author event last fall, which thoroughly entertained the audience.

The premise is that the Moon has suddenly turned to cheese, but is the same mass as our familiar cratered, rocky satellite. Moon rocks in museums have also transformed. At first, it just seems like a great opportunity for silly jokes. Then it gets a little more serious. A moon landing is planned, and how will that go? The Moon is now brighter, and a few other aspects are different; and so…? How did this happen, and how will the people of Earth react? And just what kind of cheese is it??

Told from several points of view, including a museum director, an astronaut, and a government staffer, this is a fast-paced read that has some science, a little bit of philosophy, but is mostly very funny. Enjoy.

Brenda

Every Tom, Dick & Harry

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Every Tom, Dick & Harry by Elinor Lipman

Humorous and witty, this contemporary novel has the zaniest plot of any book I’ve read since The Husbands by Holly Gramazio. Every Tom, Dick & Harry is set in small-town Harrow, Massachusetts, with a large ensemble cast like Amy Poeppel’s novel The Sweet Spot.

Emma Lewis has been involved with her parents’ estate sale visit for years, but is startled to have their business, and her childhood home, left to her when they retire to Cape Cod. Also, Emma gets a boarder to help with expenses, her dad’s recently widowed friend, Frank. Frank was also Emma’s algebra teacher.

Frank and Emma both start dating, but not each other. Emma is quietly seeing the new chief of police, Luke, while Frank is dating Luke’s widowed mother, Connie. Frank also adopts a cute dog, Ivy, and helps out with the estate sales. Emma is trying to get a contract to hold an estate sale at Quail’s Nest, a mansion and former B and B in town. The house is chock full of classic estate sale items, from an espresso machine to Persian rugs to bikes, a lawn mower, and lots of silver. Then she learns that an escort service was run out of the mansion’s attic, and the family is not at all shy about their former business.

Emma’s parents come back to help with the sale, which definitely does not go as planned. Emma and Luke, meanwhile, are helping plan their 15th high school reunion, while still pretending they’re not dating. Add in some stolen art, a very ugly statue, and Frank’s stepdaughters to round out the wild plot. I’ve read Lipman’s books On Turpentine Lane and Ms. Demeanor, and there are many more titles for those looking for quirky, upbeat, and witty reads.

Brenda

Back After This

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Back After This by Linda Holmes

Cecily Foster lives in Washington, D.C., and produces podcasts. When offered the chance to host a show that her friend Julie would produce, she’s excited. Her boss Toby even agrees to let her tape a pilot of a podcast she will write. But the new podcast turns out to be Twenty Dates. Eliza Cassidy, an influencer turned life coach, will set up dates for Cecily with 20 suitable men, including a practice date, then arrange follow up dates.

Cecily does get some awesome meals, advice, and men who are okay, but they aren’t her meet-cute guy, Will. Cecily and Will meet four times by accident in her neighborhood, and the first time she helps him catch a large runaway dog, who isn’t even Will’s dog. Eliza does not think Will would be a good match, and discourages her from dating him. Layoffs are threatened at work, and the advertising revenue for Twenty Dates would really help her company. Cecily’s sister Molly is her lifeline when life gets too hectic.

A third of the way through the book I knew who Cecily would choose and wasn’t looking forward to the bumps in the road the author would be sure to put in her way. But Cecily and her podcasting work are quite interesting and there’s enough humor that I happily read through to the triumphant end, which has as much to do with Cecily’s work as it does her love life.

A feel-good read for fans of Emily Henry, Abbi Waxman, Jennifer Crusie and for readers of Evvie Drake Starts Over and Flying Solo, also by Holmes.

Brenda

Rockin’ Around the Chickadee

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Rockin’ Around the Chickadee by Donna Andrews

Every fall, I look for the latest cozy holiday mystery by Andrews. They are always a delight to read, or to listen to. Meg Langslow and her husband Michael have a very large extended family. Her mother decorates Meg and Michael’s large house to the utmost every Christmas, and someone in the family is usually involved in a Christmas production. Michael often does a one-man Christmas Carol and twins Josh and Jamie, now about 13, have appeared in many Christmas pageants. Meg herself often organizes holiday events in their town of Caerphilly, Virginia, where downtown traffic slows to a crawl as visitors enjoy the holiday decorations and carolers.

This mystery is largely set at the luxurious Caerphilly Inn, where a relative is hosting the Presumed Innocent conference, with presenters giving information on how to exonerate wrongly convicted people. Meg and Michael have a very pregnant relative staying with them, tended to by herbalist cousin Rose Noire, and Meg’s dad, Dr. Langslow. Meg, with the assistance of relatives and town residents, is a skilled amateur sleuth, and is soon asked to investigate the death of someone involved with the conference. While not as funny as some of her other holiday mysteries, Josh and Jamie, along with their friend Adam, provide comic relief as they help Meg and Chief Burke by attempting to exit the Inn unseen by security cameras. Meg and Michael’s family continue to charm, as does the town of Caerphilly. More, please! Earlier holiday mysteries include Duck the Halls, The Nightingale Before Christmas, Owl be Home for Christmas, and several more. Enjoy!

Brenda

We Solve Murders

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We Solve Murders by Richard Osman

Sometimes I need a fun crime thriller or caper for escapist reading. This first book in a new series by Osman is just the ticket. While different from his Thursday Murder Club mysteries, fans of one series may enjoy the other. To begin with, Amy Wheeler and her father-in-law Steve are the good guys. Steve is a widowed ex-cop with a cat named Trouble. He lives in the English town of Axley where he walks to a favorite park bench every day to talk with Debbie, his late wife. Then there is lunch at the pub, where Tony can diagnose the problems with his car’s clutch, and quiz night once a week. He has just located a missing dog. There are frequent texts and regular chats with Amy, a bodyguard, and less frequent texts with his son Adam, currently en route to Dubai.

Amy is guarding longtime bestselling writer Rosie D’Antonio on her private island off the coast of South Carolina. Recently, three couriers have died, all with ties to Maximum Impact, the security company owned by Jeff, Amy’s boss, and to a small public relations firm in England. One of the deaths happened off the coast of South Carolina, and Amy learns that she’s a suspect. When she’s not sure who to trust, she asks Steve for help. At first reluctant to travel, Steve finds that he enjoys private plane rides, and the action moves to St. Lucia, Dublin, Dubai, and the New Forest in England. Pubs, posh restaurants, airports, golf courses and spas are all featured here. Steve and Amy make connections, ask questions, are occasionally in danger, and along with Rosie, are vastly entertaining. A movie actor, another security guard, and a caddy all help them figure out who’s responsible for the crime wave. Adam also gets to help, but is a minor character here. In the end, loose ends are tied up and the reader finally emerges back into the real world, refreshed.

Steve and Amy decide they will work together to solve mysteries, and Rosie may have located a missing cat. The Marseille Caper and The Corsican Caper by Peter Mayle are readalikes.

Brenda

Funny Story

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Funny Story by Emily Henry

This is a big, funny, contemporary romance with lots of ups and downs. Daphne has moved to northern Michigan with her fiancé, Peter. She’s a children’s librarian and loves her work, but her salary is rather small. After his bachelor party Peter dumps Daphne for his best friend since childhood, Petra. Also, they want Daphne to please move out of Peter’s house in one week! Where to move on short notice? Conveniently, Petra’s ex-boyfriend, Miles, has a spare bedroom.

A friendship forms and they take fake romantic photos for social media to get back at Peter and Petra. Daphne also makes friends with her coworker Ashleigh, a single mom. About the time Miles’ sister Julia comes to town, sparks flame up between Miles and Daphne. Both have major family issues, Peter with his mom and Daphne with her dad. Then Daphne’s dad comes to visit, with Starfire. Daphne blows off Ashleigh’s birthday and an online interview with a library in Maryland near her mother goes very well. Then it’s time for Daphne’s big library fundraiser for the children’s department, months in the planning, an all-night readathon. In the end, all is well, with almost everyone fairly happy. A compelling read; readalikes include novels by Abbi Waxman, Kate Clayborn, and Sarah Dubb. I enjoyed the northern Michigan setting, including Traverse City, which I just re-visited on vacation.

Brenda

Penric and the Bandit

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Penric and the Bandit by Lois McMaster Bujold

In this fun fantasy/adventure novella, Penric kin Jurald is on vacation, searching for an abandoned temple where there might be hidden treasure. Horse thief Roz decides to tag along with Penric to get a share of the treasure, if any. He is trying to escape from his former gang of thieves. Thievery is fine with Roz, but he doesn’t have a stomach for violence.

When Roz’s gang catches up, Penric turns out to be a tougher mark than expected, as he is a sorcerer with a demon, and also a religious scholar. The temple is extremely hard to reach and Roz has plenty of time to consider what his priorities are during a long standoff. Everyone but Penric and his demon Desdemona are disappointed with the treasure, when it’s uncovered.

I enjoyed the journey and how Penric did his best to get out of a very tricky situation. The Penric and Desdemona novellas begins with Penric’s Demon, which is also in a collection called Penric’s Progress.

Brenda