Don’t Upstage the Body by Naomi Stephens

 

What is the weather like by you?  We’ve been hit by a heat wave in Northeast Wisconsin with temps hovering near 100 degrees Fahrenheit.  I am not a fan of this type of weather and would rather be in the cool foggy weather of England.

Hippolyta Halfpenny and her family are professional mourners.  They show up to a funeral with disguises and characters to make sure the deceased is properly mourned.  When Hippolyta discovers the undertaker’s body in the library, she inadvertently becomes an investigator as the estate is cut off from the world by a washed out road.  With the help of the new Lord Montfort, Crispin, will Hippolyta be able to solve the crime before the murderer strikes again?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This novel is set in 1957 England and has a unique and fun story.

·       This is a cozy mystery, historical mystery, and historical romance.

·       I loved the characters, especially Hippolyta and Crispin.  They had great chemistry and fun and witty banter.

·       The side characters were great as well.  I particularly liked Tula, Crispin’s sassy and eccentric American aunt.

·       This was the book I needed last week to escape from the stresses of the world.

·       This is a Christian book with light faith elements.

·       I need to read more mysteries by this author.  I loved how it was an Agatha Christie type mystery.

·       It was a satisfying mystery – I did not guess the ending!

Overall, Don’t Upstage the Body by Naomi Stephens was a very engaging novel, and I did not want to put it down. I haven’t felt this invested in a story in a long time!

Book Source:  Thank-you to @authornaomistephens @bethanyhousefiction @greatreadsbookpromo for a review copy of the novel as part of the Great Reads Promo Book Tour.

Ladies in Waiting by Adriana Trigiani, Sarah MacLean, Eloisa James, Elinor Lipman, Audrey Bellezza, Karen Dukess, Emily Harding, Nikki Payne, Diana Quincy

Title:  Ladies in Waiting

Author:  Adriana Trigiani, Sarah MacLean, Eloisa James, Elinor Lipman, Audrey Bellezza, Karen Dukess, Emily Harding, Nikki Payne, Diana Quincy

Narrated by:  Shiromi Arserio, Billie Fulford-Brown, Fiona Hardingham, Angel Pean

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Length: Approximately 11 hour and 14 minutes

Source: Audiobook Review copy from Simon & Schuster.  Thank-you!

What secondary character in fiction would you like to see get a happy ending?

Ladies in Waiting is a short story anthology celebrating Jane Austen and her classic novels. Written by a variety of best-selling authors, it was put together to honor her for her 250th birthday.

My thoughts on this book:

• I read this in June for a selection for the JASNA Northwoods book club.  Sadly, I missed the club due to an illness.

• This was a great collection of stories featuring Austen’s secondary characters finally getting their chance in the sunlight.  

• This is a perfect read for those that loved the Other Miss Bennett and are looking for something new.

• Characters such as Margaret Dashwood from Sense & Sensibility, Lydia Bennet from Pride & Prejudice, Miss Bates from Emma, and Caroline Bingley from Pride and Prejudice get second changes.

• I loved the story of the widowed Lydia finding a chance for love and redemption with a local clergyman.

• I also enjoyed the story of Margaret Dashwood realizing her childhood friend Hugh may be more than a friend.

• Another favorite story was about Miss Hetty Bates and learning about her scandalous past and one true love.

• The worst part was that I wanted more stories, especially secondary characters Jane Austen’s other novels.

• I liked how it focused on lesser-known characters in the stories, but wish it would have included characters from all six Austen books rather than just Pride & Prejudice, Sense & Sensibility, and Emma.

• Why were there two stories on Miss Bates?  I enjoyed the second Miss Bates story much more than the first story.

• The stories were sometimes set in different time period and places.

• Each story started with a quotes from the original novel, a brief description of the character and a preview of the short story from the author.

• I thought the last half of the stories were the best of the bunch!

• This was great on audiobook.  I enjoyed the narrators and music between each stories.

Overall, Ladies in Waiting was an entertaining mix of stories on intriguing Jane Austen characters who deserve their own day in the spotlight.

The Hapless Milliner by Jessica Bull

 

What fictional or real-life person do you think would make a great detective?  I don’t know why, but I would love to see a book with Eleanor Roosevelt solving crimes.

Young Jane Austen is enjoying a ball when a milliner’s dead body is found locked inside a cupboard during the middle of the ball.  Jane instantly becomes a part of the case as she identifies the victim.  When her brother George becomes the prime suspect, Jane works tirelessly to solve the case and free her brother.

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This was the June pick for the JASNA Northwoods book club.  I finished it before book club, but unfortunately had to miss the meeting due to a lingering illness.

·       This was a fun story and is the first book in the new series, “Miss Austen Investigates.”  I enjoyed the second book in the series, which I read before the first.

·       It felt like Jane Austen as a character was flightier or more apt to go against convention (secretly meeting with Tom LeFroy) than I always imagined.  It might be because I was an avid reader of the “Being A Jane Austen Mystery” series by Stephanie Barron for twenty years and I loved the characterization of a more serious Jane in that series.

·       I did love that it felt like the book was firmly set in Jane Austen’s world with her family and neighbors as fully formed characters.  I did miss some of Barron’s characterizations.

·       This was a cozy mystery that also included romance.

·       Jane had a bad habit of gossiping and speculation.

·       I did enjoy the final resolution of the mystery even thought I had guessed the ending earlier.

Overall, The Hapless Milliner by Jessica Bull is a fun new cozy mystery series for lovers of historical mystery and Jane Austen.

Book Source:  Purchased at Barnes & Noble

Miss Bates: Emma Revisited by Catherine Cliff

 

What is your favorite flower?  One of my favorites is the peony.  Mine just finished blooming for the year, or have they?  I still see a few buds left out there.

Happy Release Week and #bookbirthday for Miss Bates: Emma Revisited by Catherine Cliff.  I just finished this book today and am posting my review today a well.

Henrietta “Henrie” Bates is known from the book Emma by Jane Austen as a very boring elderly and poor spinster.  What was her life before this that brought her to a spot in life to be looked down upon by Emma?  This book tells the story of her life from her early childhood until after the events of Emma.

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This novel did a great job of really delving into what life would be like for a woman of limited means during the late 18^th century and early 19^th century.  It was disheartening to see how Henrie was reduced as she grew older as her means kept decreasing.  When your father does not save money to leave to his female heirs, they are left in dire straits.

·       It really made me think about what life would be like for such women in that time period and thankful for the rights we have today.  This is the life that Jane Austen lived and feared.  Luckily, she was never reduced as much as Henrie, but it could have happened if things had turned out differently.  This is what Mrs. Bennet feared for her daughters in Pride and Prejudice.

·       I liked how Henrie was a sharp person who was well aware of everything that was happening around her.  She put on a mask of happiness and silly prattle in order to survive in her world.  She needed extreme gratitude to help people to remember her as their gifts were often the only food she had.

·       Her love for Jane and having to give her up to ensure that she could have a better life was heartbreaking.

·       This is a well written literary novel and a good character story.

·       This is a dark take on the story of Emma and best for those that really hate the character of Emma.  While it was dark and I like Emma, I couldn’t put the book down and wanted to see what would happen next.

·       The very last couple of pages were the perfect ending for this book.

Favorite Quote: 

“But we, we undistinguished and unmarried women – we are like imaginary beings to the rest of the world.  We only have substance when we are before them.  What is it to forget someone imaginary?  - there can be no consequence. While to use it is the difference between living and dying.  The humiliation!”

Overall, Miss Bates:  Emma Revisited by Catherine Cliff is an intriguing and literary character study of Miss Bates and the plight of a poor single woman trying to make it in the past.

Book Source:  Thank-you to @catherinecliffwrites @pegasus_books @greatreadsbookpromofor a review copy of the novel as part of the Great Reads Promo Book Tour.

Shattered by Dr. David Jeremiah and Sam O’Neal

 

Title:  Shattered

Author:  Dr. David Jeremiah and Sam O’Neal

Narrated by:  Roger Wayne

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Length: Approximately 10 hours and 58 minutes

Source: Purchased from Audible.com with a physical book review copy from @drdavidjeremiah @thomasnelsonfiction @TLCBookTours.  Thank-you!

What is the last action-adventure book that you’ve read or one that you would recommend?

Shattered starts right where book one, Vanished, ended and tells the story of what happens for the first three year after the rapture. The story continues to follow Dr. John Haggerty as he seeks vengeance for the loss of his wife and daughter.  It also follows Abigail who recognizes her own failures and has turned to Christianity. She is gathering the Christian believers still left that are now turning to God.  As the Antichrist takes over, will Abigail and John be able to stay true to God?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This book was an action-packed thriller.

·       The book contained a lot of Biblical prophecy and interpretation of the prophecies.

·       It has a different take on the rapture and prophesies than the popular Left Behind series and is worth reading to see this different story.

·       This is Book #2 is the Vanished series.  I enjoyed Book #1, Vanished.  You should read this series in order to know what is going on.

·       It was interesting to ponder in this book after the rapture when so many have disappeared, how will the world react?

·       It was an interesting look into misinformation and how evil can use misinformation to tell people that it was not the rapture.  People are already conditioned to listen to false information and believe it.  It’s a sad, but true commentary on our current state of affairs in the world and how it can be used for evil.

·       It was an intense story and not a happy one.

·       It was an exciting audiobook to listen to.  I liked the narrator’s voice.

·       This book ends on a cliffhanger.

Overall, Shattered by Dr. David Jeremiah and Sam O’Neal was an exciting end of the world thriller.

 

Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley

 

Title:  Lily and the Octopus

Author:  Steven Rowley

Narrated by:  Michae Urie

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Length: Approximately 8 hours and 4 minutes

Source: Checked out in Libby from the Kewaunee Public Library.  Thank-you!

What is the last book that you read that left you with conflicted feelings?

Ted Flask has a special dog, a dachshund name Lily.  She has reached the end of her life and is struggling with a brain tumor.  This is the story of how Ted struggles with his life, the love for his dog, and the end of her life.

My thoughts on this book:

·       I read this book in June for the Page-turners’ Book Club at the Kewaunee Public Library.  This book received a mix reaction from the club.

·       It was a unique book with the storytelling.  Basically, a man is trying to deal with the struggles of his life and his dog dying of cancer.  The octopus is Lily’s brain cancer.  Ted gives voice to the tumor, his dog, and has imaginary adventures.  It is hard to explain.

·       This book was a rough one for me.  My cat had just died the month before and I had just lived this experience with my own beloved cat.  It’s hard being an adult and having to see your beloved pets at the end of their lives.  There are hard decisions to make.  The book did shine at this point and really described how you feel at the very end of your beloved pet’s life.

·       At book club we thought this book should be classified as a mix of autobiographical fiction and magical realism.

·       The audiobook had a fantastic narrator who was the best part of the book.  I loved all of the voices he used and his great enthusiasm reading the story.

Overall, Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley had some strong points such a great audiobook narrator, and capturing the emotions of a beloved pet’s death, but I had a hard time reading this one.

With Enduring Tides by Jane Kirkpatrick

 

Title:  With Enduring Tides

Author:  Jane Kirkpatrick

Narrated by:  Christina Moore

Publisher: Recorded Books

Length: Approximately 8 hours and 21 minutes

Source: Purchased from Audible.com with a physical book review copy from  @jane.kirkpatrick.3 @revellfiction @greatreadsbookpromo.  Thank-you!

What is your favorite book that features friendship?

With Enduring Tides by Jane Kirkpatrick is a character driven story featuring many different complicated characters with interesting stories that is set in a beautiful location on the Oregon Coast.  It is based on real-life historical figures.  The story is mainly focused on Mary Gerritse, a woman trying to keep her family together while also searching for her own identity.  She delivers mail on horseback and has let her oldest daughter, Belle, stay with her grandparents.  When death and disaster hits the family, how will they make it through?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       There was an entire community of complicated characters that supported Mary and her family that had their own interesting stories.  I loved the friendships between these characters.

·       Who are you when you find out your parents lied to you your entire life?

·       Who stands by you when hard times hit?

·       This was a great story of women living on the frontier and how they make it work through a variety of tragedies.

·       Trigger warning:  R%^e.

·       The story was set in a beautiful location on the Oregon coast.

·       This is the second in the series, The Women of Cannon Beach, but it works as a standalone.

·       This book is set in the early 1900s.

·       It is based on real life historical figures that have been meticulously researched.  Mary Gerritse was a real-life woman who did deliver mail on horseback.

·       I like how the story showed both the highs and the lows of living on the frontier.

·       It includes indigenous people who lived in the area when the settlers arrived.

·       I read the first half of the physical book and listened to the second half on audiobook.  I enjoyed reading it both ways. 

Overall, With Enduring Tides by Jane Kirkpatrick is an interesting historical fiction novel with great complicated characters, interesting stories, and a beautiful Oregon coast setting.  With the 250^th anniversary of the United States around the corner, this is a perfect read to celebrate our history!

 

The Cloak and Dagger Club by Jackie McMahon

 

Are you in any clubs or organizations?  I am in the local Lions club which is a fun organization and makes a difference in our community. 

A group of Golden Age mystery writers meet routinely at the Marie Antoinette Suite at the Ritz.  They are called the Cloak and Dagger Club.  A new member named Lucy has just joined.  She recently published a new mystery novel, but she also has a history with another member, Frank.  They mysteriously broke off their secret engagement three years ago.  When one of the group is found murdered and another member is accused of the crime, will Lucy and Frank be able to solve the crime?

My thoughts on this book:

·       This book will be out July 14^th.

·       The Cloak and Dagger Club is a cozy historical mystery.

·       I liked how each member in the group was investigated, and the reader was able to learn more about the character and their secrets.

·       I was surprised to learn that this was a debut novel – it was a great debut!

·       I enjoyed the romance between Lucy and Frank which was forced proximity and second chance.  Their romance the first time around was friends to lovers.

·       Lucy was my favorite character.  She had written one mystery novel and used her skills to solve this crime.  She was plucky and relatable.

·       This novel seemed written for those that love books and writing books.

·       It was set in 1930 England.

·       There was no spice, but some swearing.

·       The mystery was predictable, but I enjoyed the journey to get to the conclusion.

Overall, The Cloak and Dagger Club by Jackie McMahon was an entertaining historical mystery.

Book Source:  Thank-you to @jackiereadsandwrites for the review copy of The Cloak and Dagger Club by Jackie McMahon.

The Book of Gutsy Women: Favorite Stories of Courage and Resilience by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Chelsea Clinton

 

Who is your favorite woman in history?

Hillary Rodham Clinton and Chelsea Clinton put together a collection of short biographies of inspirational women that includes pictures and personal thoughts.  I love history and have enjoyed reading about women in history since I first learned how to read.  One of my favorite women in history is Sojourner Truth as she made her final home in Battle Creek Michigan near where I grew up and I am inspired by her “Ain’t I a Woman” speech.  I appreciate her contributions to both the suffrage and anti-slavery movements in the 19^th century.  She is included in this collection.

My thoughts on this nonfiction book:

·       I loved this book.  It had biographies of some of my heroes in history (examples – Helen Keller, Marie Curie, etc.) and a lot of new heroes that I didn’t know about before.  I learned about a lot of new interesting women!

·       This was a hardcover book that is large and beautiful with glossy pages.  It was great to look at, but hard to read in bed at nights because of its size.

·       For each woman, Chelsea and Hillary took turns writing the biography of each women and including personal touches of why they thought the women were important from personal experiences such as being inspired by them growing up or meeting them in person.

·       The book included a nice diverse group of women with very different contributions to society and lived experiences.  It was very interesting.

Overall, The Book of Gutsy Women: Favorite Stories of Courage and Resilience by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Chelsea Clinton was an inspirational and interesting book.  It’s a great book to pick up and learn about a lot of different important women in history.  It’s also a beautiful book that can serve as a coffee table book or conversation starter.

Book Source:  Thank-you to #HistoryBuffsBookClub @History_In_Five and Simon & Schuster for the review copy.

The Dogwalkers’ Detective Agency by Michael Hogan

 

Title:  The Dogwalkers’ Detective Agency

Author:  Michael Hogan

Narrated by:  Will Close

Publisher: Dreamscape Media

Length: Approximately 12 hours and 14 minutes

Source: Purchased from Audible.com with a physical book review copy from @michaelhogan100 @pegasus_books @greatreadsbookpromo.  Thank-you!

Do you have a favorite type of dog?  I love all dogs.  As an adult, my family and I have had a keeshond, beagle, and two mutts.  We have a pure breed and a rescue mutt usually at the same time.  I heartily approve of the addition of dogs to any story.

Charlie Boardman is walking his beloved dog, Ruby, in the small English town of Framstone, when they stumble across a corpse.  Charlie and his group of fellow dogwalkers investigate this case.  When a second body shows up and Charlie begins to receive threats, things get much more serious.  Will Charlie and the dogwalkers be able to solve this mystery?

My thoughts on this book:

·       There were nice short chapters which were easy to read. 

·       I started by reading the physical book, but I switched to the audiobook as I didn’t have much time this month to read the physical book at night.  I enjoyed the narrator and the book equally as a physical book or audiobook.

·       I liked the Hercule Poirot references in the story.

·       I enjoyed the concept, and it makes sense to me that dogwalkers would discover murder victims and would be in tune with the happenings in their village.

·       There was a great climax and conclusion in this story and a surprise twist at the end.

·       Charlie Boardman was a great main character.  He was a nice guy that can’t keep his nose out of solving this mystery.  I love his Staffordshire bull terrier, Ruby, who helps him with his investigation.

·       This was a debut novel.  I loved the world of the coastal English town and the great characters and would enjoy reading another novel in this series.  I looked it up and was excited to see there will be a second book called Death at a Dog Hotel.  I can’t wait to read it!

·       I loved the puns and jokes throughout the novel.  This was a fun book.

Overall, The Dogwalkers’ Detective Agency by Michael Hogan was a very enjoyable cozy mystery with great characters, setting, story, and dogs.  I can’t wait for the next book!