Women Widening Worlds With Words.

Book Review for “The Temple of the Muses” by Jane Davis. Summary: "London, 1780. As the city smoulders in the aftermath of the Gordon Riots, booksellers James and Dorcas Lackington resolve to fight despair not with charity, but with books. Convinced that reading is the surest path out of poverty, they launch a daring experiment … Continue reading Women Widening Worlds With Words. →

The Last Battle Mystery!

Book Review for “Towards Zero” by Agatha Christie. Summary: "What is the connection among a failed suicide attempt, a wrongful accusation of theft against a schoolgirl, and the romantic life of a famous tennis player? To the casual observer, apparently nothing. But when a house party gathers at Gull’s Point, the seaside home of an … Continue reading The Last Battle Mystery! →

A Tartan Taste for Murder.

Book Review for “Mayhem on the Marzipan Express” (Claire Walker #2) by Rebecca Connolly. Summary: "Amateur baker and part-time sleuth Claire Walker is looking forward to a vacation with her boyfriend, Jonathan Ainsley. The happy couple boards the famed Scottish train, the Mallaig Steam Express—temporarily renamed “The Marzipan Express” in honor of chef Alan Gables, … Continue reading A Tartan Taste for Murder. →

Flavored For Deception.

Book Review for “May Contain Murder” (AKA "Murder Below Deck") by Orlando Murrin (Chef Paul Delamare Mystery #2). Summary: "Worse things happen at sea. Paul Delamare has been roped into accompanying his old friend on a luxury cruise aboard the magnificent superyacht Mal de Mer. It’s all plain sailing until his friend’s priceless necklace is … Continue reading Flavored For Deception. →

A Golden English & Irish Mashup.

Book Review for “Golden Girls on the Run” by Judy Leigh. Summary: "When octogenarian sisters-in-law Sadie and Bronagh find themselves at the centre of a scandalous (and slightly explosive) bake-off fiasco, there’s only one thing to do – steal Sadie’s grandson’s gleaming red Ferrari and make a run for it. Sadie is the practical one, … Continue reading A Golden English & Irish Mashup. →

Australian Neapolitan Intrigue.

Book Review for “The Italian Secret” (Billie Walker #3) by Tara Moss. Summary: "Naples, 1943. Deep within a secret network of underground tunnels, a woman takes shelter from a wartime air raid and prays her husband will return home safe. Pacific Ocean, 1907. A girl embarks on a lonely journey to begin a new life … Continue reading Australian Neapolitan Intrigue. →

Cruising on Denial.

Book Review for “Death on the Nile” by Agatha Christie. Summary: "The tranquillity of a cruise along the Nile was shattered by the discovery that Linnet Ridgeway had been shot through the head. She was young, stylish and beautiful. A girl who had everything…until she lost her life. Hercule Poirot recalled an earlier outburst by … Continue reading Cruising on Denial. →

To Spy, or Not to Spy…

Book Review for “The Predicament” (Gabriel Dax #2) by William Boyd. Summary: "1963, Guatemala. The country is in turmoil, with a presidential election looming and a charismatic, left-wing ex-priest and trade union leader predicted to win. United Fruits, a giant American corporation responsible for a large percentage of the country’s GNP, meanwhile, is not pleased … Continue reading To Spy, or Not to Spy… →

Welcome Tastes from the Past.

Book Review for “Menu of Happiness” (Kamogawa Food Detectives #3) by Hisashi Kashiwai, Jesse Kirkwood (Translator). Summary: "Tucked away down a Kyoto backstreet lies the extraordinary Kamogawa Diner, run by Chef Nagare and his daughter, Koishi. The father-daughter duo have reinvented themselves as “food detectives,” offering a service that goes beyond cooking mouthwatering meals. Through their … Continue reading Welcome Tastes from the Past. →

A Battle for the Twist.

Book Review for “Murder is Easy” by Agatha Christie. Summary: "Luke Fitzwilliam could not believe Miss Pinkerton’s wild allegation that a multiple murderer was at work in the quiet English village of Wychwood – or her speculation that the local doctor was next in line. But within hours, Miss Pinkerton had been killed in a hit-and-run … Continue reading A Battle for the Twist. →