First Frost

Title: First Frost
Author: Craig Johnson
Published: May 28, 2024 by Viking
Format: Kindle, 333 pages
Genre: Police Procedural
Series: Longmire #20

First Sentence: “You’re too big to surf.”

Blurb: It’s the summer of 1964, and recent college graduates Walt Longmire and Henry Standing Bear read the writing on the wall and enlist to serve in the Vietnam War. As they catch a few final waves in California before reporting for duty, a sudden storm assaults the shores and capsizes a nearby cargo boat. Walt and Henry jump to action, but it’s soon revealed by the police who greet them ashore that the sunken boat carried valuable contraband from underground sources.

The boys, in their early twenties and in the peak of their physical prowess from playing college football for the last four years, head out on Route 66. The question, of course, is how far they will get before the consequences of their actions catch up to them—the answer being, not very.

Back in the present day, Walt is forced to speak before a Judge following the fatal events of The Longmire Defense. With powerful enemies lurking behind the scenes, the sheriff of Absaroka County must consider his options if he wishes to finish the fight he started.

Going back and forth between 1964 and the present day, Craig Johnson brings us a propulsive dual timeline as Walt Longmire stands between the crossfire of good and evil, law and anarchy, and compassion and cruelty at two pivotal stages in his life.

My Opinion Maybe I am the last to do the math. But if Walt was 22 in 1964, that would make him 82 in present day. Nope. That is not consistent with the physical demands each book puts him through or his relationship with Vic the Holy Terror.

When a novel is written as a dual timeline, I feel guilty when I enjoy one timeline better than the other. The writing is the same, it’s just that one always captures my attention more than the other. The narrative shifts between two timelines: the present and the summer of 1964. In the present, continuing on from The Longmire Defense, Sheriff Walt Longmire faces an investigation after a fatal shooting involving a member of a powerful family, bringing intense scrutiny. In the past, Walt, and his friend Henry Standing Bear, fresh from college and about to enlist for the Vietnam War, find themselves stranded in the eerie town of Bone Valley, Arizona.

Highlighting Walt’s early days and showcases bravery and determination beyond his years, he uncovers dark secrets in Bone Valley, including a sinister plot involving drug smugglers and a former judge who controls the town. The story also touches on the historical context of World War II internment camps for Japanese Americans, adding depth and a history lesson to the plot.

The way this book ended, the reader wonders if a character, that first appeared in The Longmire Defense and made a small appearance in this book, will be at the forefront of Walt seeking out justice. Then again, it’s not the first time an author left a dangly part and never addressed it again. It looks like we will have to wait until spring of next year to find out what Walt is up to.

Peking Duck and Cover

Title: Peking Duck and Cover
Author: Vivien Chien
Published: July 23, 2024 by Minotaur Books
Format: Kindle, 282 Pages
Genre: Amateur Sleuth
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Noodle Shop Mystery #10

First Sentence: New year, new me. Isn’t that the phrase?

Blurb: Lana Lee and friends return for a fiery Chinese New Year celebration that rattles their quaint community. After all, an Asia Village party wouldn’t be complete without an explosive finale.

Chinese New Year is supposed to be a time of fresh beginnings and celebrations of good fortune to come. Naturally, the shop owners of Asia Village jump at the chance to support property manager Ian Sung when he suggests creating a memorable holiday event that will bring positive light to the plaza, and prosperity for all those involved.

With Lana Lee as his right-hand woman and head event planner, Ian orchestrates an extravagant evening filled with music, live entertainment, and generous giveaways. But at the end of the night, during an elaborate firework show in the parking lot, a member of the lion dance performance team is found dead backstage with a single bullet hole through the heart and a red envelope in their pocket containing four one-dollar bills―an omen of death.

Ian Sung takes it upon himself, again enlisting Lana’s help, to find out who could have killed the talented dancer right under their nose.

My Opinion: I literally had to take notes with this one. My lines turned into triangles that turned into Ven diagrams. Which woman was which. Which man was which. Who was related to whom? Who was dating whom? Who were siblings, and who were like siblings. Very chaotic without the murderer being obvious too soon – mostly because I couldn’t keep everyone straight.

Set during a Chinese New Year celebration, Lana Lee finds herself entangled in a murder investigation after a member of the lion dance team is found dead. Adding to that the discovery of an ominous red envelope and rumors of a curse all add layers of interest to the plot.

Vivien Chien weaves cultural elements into the narrative, creating a vivid and immersive setting. The characters are familiar, well-developed, and relatable. There is humor sprinkled throughout, providing a nice balance to the suspense, and making for an enjoyable read.

Fans of cozy mysteries will enjoy the plot twists and Chinese cultural elements. Overall, Peking Duck and Cover is a delightful addition to the series and perfect for those who enjoy a good mystery with a little bit more.

Taste: My Life Through Food

Title: Taste: My Life Through Food
Author: Stanley Tucci
Published: October 5, 2021 by Gallery Books
Format: Hardcover, 291 Pages
Genre: Culinary Memoir

First Sentence: An Introduction. I grew up in an Italian family that, that put great import on food.

Blurb: Before Stanley Tucci became a household name with The Devil Wears Prada, The Hunger Games, and the perfect Negroni, he grew up in an Italian American family that spent every night around the table. He shared the magic of those meals with us in The Tucci Cookbook and The Tucci Table, and now he takes us beyond the recipes and into the stories behind them.

Taste is a reflection on the intersection of food and life, filled with anecdotes about growing up in Westchester, New York, preparing for and filming the foodie films Big Night and Julie & Julia, falling in love over dinner, and teaming up with his wife to create conversation-starting meals for their children. Each morsel of this gastronomic journey through good times and bad, five-star meals and burnt dishes, is as heartfelt and delicious as the last.

Written with Stanley's signature wry humour and nostalgia, Taste is a heartwarming read that will be irresistible for anyone who knows the power of a home-cooked meal.(GoodReads)

My Opinion: Part memoir, part travelogue, part cookbook, Stanley Tucci envelopes the love of all things life has to offer. Well, except for acting, it appears that part of his life lost its luster along the way, even though he isn’t beyond namedropping.

In addition to recipes, Tucci shares antidotes from his travels and how food has always been a core part of who he is. There is a small section at the end where he discusses his cancer diagnosis and how the cancer didn’t scare him as much as the idea that he might never be able to taste and enjoy the food that brought him so much happiness and was a reminder of the people and places of his past.

There is humor in this book – how could there not be. But food, family, and fun are at the forefront and that is what makes this book an enjoyable experience.

The Danish Secret to Happy Kids: How the Viking Way of Raising Children Makes Them Happier, Healthier, and More Independent

Title: The Danish Secret to Happy Kids: How the Viking Way of Raising Children Makes Them Happier, Healthier, and More Independent
Author: Helen Russell
Published: July 9, 2024 by Sourcebooks
Format: Paperback 384 Pages
Genre: Child Rearing

First Sentence: Introduction. The Accidental Dane. I knew I’d passed the point of no return when googling “best axe for children” in a coffee shop while my babies slept outside in their carriage.

Blurb: What do Vikings know about raising children? Turns out, quite a bit. After a decade of living in Denmark, and raising her three kids there, Helen Russell noticed that Nordic kids (or mini-Vikings) are different from children raised in other parts of the world. They eat differently. They learn differently. They play, dress, and even sleep differently. They run, jump, climb, fall and get up again, out in nature, for hours a day. It's cold and wet and uncomfortable—often. But they cope. Even though the weather's terrible and it's dark October through March. And then they grow up to be some of the happiest adults on the planet. So her question how?In The Danish Secret to Happy Kids, Russell dives deep into the parenting culture of Denmark and the other Nordic nations, from parental leave policies to school structure to screen time, uncovering surprising strategies and customs that lead to largely happy, well-adjusted humans over the long term. This fascinating peek behind the cultural curtain allows readers to marvel over infants comfortably sleeping outside in chilly temperatures, school-age kids wielding axes in the woods, and teenagers spending a year or two at efterskole, a special boarding school designed to prepare adolescents for independent life in the real world—a concept that is beginning to be adopted in other nations.Refreshingly funny and unfailingly optimistic about the new generation of humans growing up in the world right now, The Danish Secret to Happy Kids is a heart-warming love letter to Russell's adopted homeland, a comforting armchair travel read, and proof that we could all use a bit more Viking in our everyday lives.

My Opinion: The best part of this book was when the author, Helen Russell, referred to Danish children as mini-Vikings. It made me smile every time.

When I first picked up this book, I thought it would be similar to “Bringing Up Bébé: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting” by Pamela Druckerman, but it turned out to be more of a memoir. The author details her experiences navigating Danish customs, their approach to schooling, how broken bones are just part of life and covered by free medical care, and the importance of fresh air—even if it means leaving your infant outside a restaurant while you dine inside. While I can’t disagree with the culture, it doesn’t translate well to American life, where most of what the Danish do would have CPS at your doorstep before sunset.

By the end, I did enjoy the book, though I found some customs mystifying as they were so far from what I’m used to. A few parts took a while to wrap my head around. There are aspects I wish the US would embrace, like more outdoor play regardless of the weather. The quote “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing” really stuck with me. I found that Danish children learn to read and write later than American children because more emphasis is placed on play, allowing them to explore, learn, and make decisions on their own, which develops social skills like empathy and teamwork. Danish children attend daycare from around 10 months old, with their program subsidized (75%) by the state because Danes understand that childcare pays for itself. There are so many things that cultures can learn from each other for the benefit of children.

The Briar Club

Title: The Briar Club
Author: Kate Quinn
Published: July 9, 2024 by William Morrow
Format: Kindle, Harcover 432 Pages
Genre: Historical Thriller
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

First Sentence: Prologue: thanksgiving 1954, Washington, DC. If these walls could talk. Well, they may not be talking, but they are certainly listening. And watching.

Blurb: Washington, D.C., 1950. Everyone keeps to themselves at Briarwood House, a down-at-the-heels all-female boardinghouse in the heart of the nation’s capital, where secrets hide behind white picket fences. But when the lovely, mysterious widow Grace March moves into the attic, she draws her oddball collection of neighbors into unlikely friendship: poised English beauty Fliss whose facade of perfect wife and mother covers gaping inner wounds; police officer’s daughter Nora, who is entangled with a shadowy gangster; frustrated baseball star Bea, whose career has ended along with the women’s baseball league of WWII; and poisonous, gung-ho Arlene, who has thrown herself into McCarthy’s Red Scare.

Grace’s weekly attic-room dinner parties and window-brewed sun tea become a healing balm on all their lives, but she hides a terrible secret of her own. When a shocking act of violence tears apart the house, the Briar Club women must decide once and for all: Who is the true enemy in their midst?

My Opinion: I didn’t make it very far in this book. At the 12% mark, I was bored out of my mind. I switched to the audiobook, hoping it would be more engaging, but I fell asleep while listening.

Having loved The Alice Network, The Diamond Eye, and The Phoenix Crown, I expected much more from this book. The previous novels captivated me with their rich historical details and compelling characters. Unfortunately, this book didn’t deliver the same level of enjoyment or engagement. The pacing felt slow, and I struggled to connect with the story and its characters.

Overall, it was a disappointing experience, especially given my previous positive experiences with Kate Quinn’s work.

Shelterwood

Title: Shelterwood
Author: Lisa Wingate
Published: June 4, 2024 by Ballantine Books
Format: Kindle, Hardcover, 368 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

First Sentence: Possibly the old man made up stores he told as he saton the bench outside the Dairy queen in Ada, Oklahoma.

Blurb: Oklahoma, 1909. Eleven-year-old Olive Augusta Radley knows that her stepfather doesn’t have good intentions toward the two Choctaw girls boarded in their home as wards. When the older girl disappears, Ollie flees to the woods, taking six-year-old Nessa with her. Together they begin a perilous journey to the rugged Winding Stair Mountains, the notorious territory of outlaws, treasure hunters, and desperate men. Along the way, Ollie and Nessa form an unlikely band with others like themselves, struggling to stay one step ahead of those who seek to exploit them . . . or worse.

Oklahoma, 1990. Law Enforcement Ranger Valerie Boren O’dell arrives at Horsethief Trail National Park seeking a quiet place to balance a career and single parenthood. But no sooner has Valerie reported for duty than she’s faced with local controversy over the park’s opening, a teenage hiker gone missing from one of the trails, and the long-hidden burial site of three children deep in a cave. Val’s quest to uncover the truth wins an ally among the neighboring Choctaw Tribal Police but soon collides with old secrets and the tragic and deadly history of the land itself.

In this emotional and enveloping novel, Lisa Wingate traces the story of children abandoned by the law and the battle to see justice done. Amid times of deep conflict over who owns the land and its riches, Ollie and Val traverse the wild and beautiful terrain, each leaving behind one life in search of another.

My Opinion: Lisa Wingate’s novels are either a hit or miss for me. Shelterwood, for the most part, was a miss. Set in the Winding Stair Mountains of Oklahoma, the story blends historical and modern narratives: 1909 and 1990. The historical plot follows eleven-year-old Olive Augusta Radley and a young Choctaw girl named Nessa as they flee from exploitation, showcasing their resilience and determination amidst threats from land barons and outlaws.

In the 1990 timeline, law enforcement ranger Valerie Boren-Odell contends with the demands of her career and single parenthood while uncovering hidden secrets in Horsethief Trail National Park. The discovery of a burial site and the mysterious disappearance of a teenage hiker added layers to this otherwise monotonous narrative.

What began well, fell into a slow and droning middle, only to end with the best part of the book. I suggest you read the first twenty percent, know that the middle seventy percent is about the horrible things greedy people did to native children and the resilience they had to muster, then read the last ten percent to learn how their lives played out.

Bad River

Title: Bad River
Author: Marc Cameron
Published: July 23, 2024 by Kensington
Format: Kindle, Hardcover 368 Pages
Genre: Police Procedural
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Arliss Cutter #6

First Sentence: Prologue. The first bullet zipped through the fireweed just inches from Arliss Cutter’s ear.

Blurb: From a remote village perched on Arctic permafrost to the Badlands of South Dakota, searching for answers about his brother sets Arliss Cutter on an icy trail of murder and madness into the darkest heart of the Alaskan wilderness.

In the Inupiaq village of Wainwright on the Arctic Ocean, two teenagers discover a frozen body in the permafrost wall of their family’s cellar. They recognize the face through the ice. It is the face of a young woman who went missing—two years ago.

In South Dakota, Arliss Cutter searches for answers surrounding his brother’s mysterious death. But his visit only raises more questions without any leads. Until he returns to Alaska—and learns that his brother had something in common with the frozen body in the ice cellar.

Inside the young woman’s pocket is a fossilized animal tooth—similar to the one Arliss’s brother picked up on a trip to South Dakota. A bizarre coincidence? Or are the two connected somehow? Before Arliss can figure it out, his brother’s widow and children become the targets of a brutal home invasion. Arliss arrives on the scene in time to save them—but his actions trigger a larger investigation that puts his own neck on the line. From South Dakota to Anchorage to the Inupiaq villages of the Arctic, Arliss follows this bloodstained trail of clues to a remote lodge on the banks of the Kobuk River. Here, in this unforgiving wilderness, he will find the answers he seeks. Here, in this untamed, often violent land, he will come face to face with the terrible truth—and the man behind his brother’s murder. (GoodReads)

My Opinion: “Bad River” starts off slowly but soon ramps up with the intense action that readers have come to expect from Marc Cameron. While this installment may not delve as deeply into the “Grumpy Rules” as previous books, it still showcases the extensive array of weapons and tactical gear that Arliss and Lola are known for. The narrative is packed with villains who need to be taken down and heroes who are willing to sacrifice everything to protect their loved ones, and community, from the dangers lurking around every corner. I feel sorry for anyone who dares to threaten someone Arliss cares about or who has touched Lola’s last nerve.

As Arliss and Mim navigate the complexities of redefining their relationship, a new emotional challenge arises in the reappearance of Ursula. Arliss may be adept at handling any adversary, but this emotional hurdle might be his toughest yet. The reappearance of Ursula adds a new layer of emotional depth for Aliss, making “Bad River” not only a thrilling adventure but also a touching exploration of love, loyalty, and what is around the next corner.

The Seven Year Slip

Title: The Seven Year Slip
Author: Ashley Poston
Published: June 27, 2023 by Berkley
Format: Paperback, 352 Pages
Genre: Women's Fiction

First Sentence: “This apartment is magical,” Aunt Analea once said, sitting in her wingback chair the color of robin’s egg, her hair twisted up with a silver dagger hairpin.

Blurb: Sometimes, the worst day of your life happens, and you have to figure out how to live after it.

So Clementine forms a plan to keep her heart safe: work hard, find someone decent to love, and try to remember to chase the moon. The last one is silly and obviously metaphorical, but her aunt always told her that you needed at least one big dream to keep going. And for the last year, that plan has gone off without a hitch. Mostly. The love part is hard because she doesn’t want to get too close to anyone—she isn’t sure her heart can take it.

And then she finds a strange man standing in the kitchen of her late aunt’s apartment. A man with kind eyes and a Southern drawl and a taste for lemon pies. The kind of man that, before it all, she would’ve fallen head-over-heels for. And she might again.

Except, he exists in the past. Seven years ago, to be exact. And she, quite literally, lives seven years in his future.

Her aunt always said the apartment was a pinch in time, a place where moments blended together like watercolors. And Clementine knows that if she lets her heart fall, she’ll be doomed.

After all, love is never a matter of time—but a matter of timing.

My Opinion: I almost gave up on this book. It began slowly and failed to capture my interest. About a third of the way through, I questioned if the issue was my reading pace. Perhaps I was reading too slowly. I decided to speed up, found my rhythm, and then I couldn’t put it down.

There are moments that take your breath away and bring tears when you realize that the seemingly insignificant details were essential to the story. As these elements came together, I bonded with the characters and their tales of being out of sync with time.

Time travel isn’t for everyone; I’ve said that many times. However, this book goes beyond the notion of who will be waiting on the other side of the door. It delves into grief, longing, waiting, acceptance, tears, anger, and ultimately understanding that there is a process, a time and place, that we must all navigate, even if it’s through reading a book that resonates deeply at the right moment.

Will this book appeal to everyone? No, not to the person they are at the moment they read it, but perhaps later, or they may have already missed their time. For the person in the right place and time, it will evoke smiles, tears, and a profound exhale as they wonder if their person is still searching for them.

I Need You to Read This

Title: I Need You to Read This
Author: Jessa Maxwell
Published: August 13, 2024 by Atria Books
Format: Kindle, Hardcover, 304 Pages
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

First Sentence: Dear Constance, He will be back at any moment.

Blurb: Alex Marks’s move to New York City is supposed to be a fresh start. She plans to lay low with her mundane copywriting job but the news of the murder of her childhood hero, Francis Keen, throws her for a loop. Beloved staff writer and the woman behind the famous advice column, Dear Constance , Keen’s death is a shock to her countless fans and readers.

When Alex sees an advertisement searching for her replacement, she impulsively applies, never expecting to actually get the job. But almost immediately, she begins to receive strange letters at the office and soon, Alex wonders why the murderer has never been found. Worse, she can’t help but question if her new boss and editor-in-chief, Howard Dimitri, was involved with Keen’s death.

As she starts her own investigation, the dark secrets of her own past rise to the surface and soon, Alex finds herself trapped in a dangerous and potentially deadly mystery. Will she solve the murder and save her own skin? Or will Alex face a similar fate?

My Opinion: The story begins slowly with Alex Marks relocating to New York City for a fresh start, only to land a mundane copywriting job. On a whim, she applies to take over the “Dear Constance” advice column from her idol, Francis Keen. However, 30% into the book, the plot hasn’t progressed much. The column snippets are frequent, and the identity of “Lost Girl” is apparent from the second letter.

The narrative then shifts to an investigation into the murder of Francis Keen, the original “Dear Constance.” Alex embarks on a new meet-cute relationship, and the past of her friend from the diner is revealed, leading to a convoluted exploration of Alex’s troubled history. The plot feels scattered and unfocused.

Despite being marketed as a captivating mystery with elements of suspense and thriller, I found these aspects lacking. There is a twist at the end, but it wasn’t compelling enough to justify reading the entire book. The sudden revelation of a character’s identity felt obvious and out of place.

I was lukewarm about Jessa Maxwell’s first book, The Golden Spoon, and this latest work has confirmed that her writing style doesn’t resonate with me.

The Lost and Found Bookshop

Title: The Lost and Found Bookshop
Author: Susan Wiggs
Published: July 7, 2020 by William Morrow
Format: Hardcover, 386
Genre: Women's Fiction
Series: Bella Vista Chronicles #3

First Sentence: Standing before the gathering at her mother’s memorial service, Natalie Harper glanced down at the podium.

Blurb: Somewhere in the vast Library of the Universe, as Natalie thought of it, there was a book that embodied exactly the things she was worrying about.

In the wake of a shocking tragedy, Natalie Harper inherits her mother’s charming but financially strapped bookshop in San Francisco. She also becomes caretaker for her ailing grandfather Andrew, her only living relative—not counting her scoundrel father.

But the gruff, deeply kind Andrew has begun displaying signs of decline. Natalie thinks it’s best to move him to an assisted living facility to ensure the care he needs. To pay for it, she plans to close the bookstore and sell the derelict but valuable building on historic Perdita Street, which is in need of constant fixing. There’s only one problem–Grandpa Andrew owns the building and refuses to sell. Natalie adores her grandfather; she’ll do whatever it takes to make his final years happy. Besides, she loves the store and its books provide welcome solace for her overwhelming grief.

After she moves into the small studio apartment above the shop, Natalie carries out her grandfather’s request and hires contractor Peach Gallagher to do the necessary and ongoing repairs. His young daughter, Dorothy, also becomes a regular at the store, and she and Natalie begin reading together while Peach works.

To Natalie’s surprise, her sorrow begins to dissipate as her life becomes an unexpected journey of new connections, discoveries and revelations, from unearthing artifacts hidden in the bookshop’s walls, to discovering the truth about her family, her future, and her own heart.

My Opinion: A standalone series is a term I was not familiar with, but apparently, The Lost and Found Bookshop falls into this category.

The Lost and Found Bookshop by Susan Wiggs is a touching story about Natalie Harper, who inherits her mother’s quaint bookstore in San Francisco after a personal tragedy. Juggling the responsibilities of running the shop and caring for her elderly grandfather, Andrew, Natalie embarks on a journey of discovery.

The bookstore, filled with its history and secrets, becomes a sanctuary for Natalie. As she uncovers hidden aspects of her family’s past, she finds strength and solace in the place her mother cherished. The narrative skillfully weaves past and present, highlighting how lives are influenced by their histories.

Wiggs’ storytelling is immersive, drawing readers into the cozy, book-filled environment of the Lost and Found Bookshop. The characters are richly developed and relatable, each facing challenges and growth. A blossoming romance adds warmth and hope to the story.

In essence, The Lost and Found Bookshop is a heartwarming read that celebrates the magic of books, the significance of family, and the journey of self-discovery. It’s an ideal pick for a feel-good story with emotional depth and charm.