THE DEPARTMENT OF RARE BOOKS AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (2022) - Review

The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections by Eva Jurczyk
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
January 25, 2022

How could a retired librarian choose not to read a mystery called "The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections"?

FIRST SENTENCE: "From the first spin of the lock, she knew she wouldn't be able to open the safe."

THE STORY: When the revered head of the university library suffered a stroke, Liesel Weiss, barely days into her sabbatical year, was called back to be Interim Director. Uncomfortable in this new role, her first shock is that a set of extremely valuable books has disappeared. Are they misplaced or stolen?

Dealing with higher ups, colleagues, detectives, her family, and solving mysteries, Liesel pursues doing what she thinks is right and ultimately learns who she is, what she wants, and who dunnit.

WHAT I THOUGHT: A very literate mystery, the engaging writing style drew me in to this slower paced story. There's more depth to it though touching on a myriad of issues including mental illness, feminism,and alcoholism. The author has created clever, interesting characters for Liesel to deal with and I loved the fact that the rare books mentioned actually exist!

BOTTOM LINE: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Especially for librarians. Others might not be as enthralled.

DISCLAIMER: Thank you to NetGalley / Poisoned Pen Press, and the author for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

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WHO IS MAUD DIXON? (2021)

Who Is Maud Dixon? by Alexandra Andrews
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Apparently "imposters" is one of my favorite plot themes so when Who is Maud Dixon? was compared to Highsmith's The Talented Mr. Ripley, it went right to the top of my huge TBR pile. Alexandra Andrew's first novel is guaranteed to be a best-seller.

FIRST LINE: "Madame Weel-cock?" Her left eyelid wrenched open, and warm yellow light flooded into the crack. Her vision was crossed by a blurred figure in white. She shut her eye."

THE STORY: Maud Dixon, the anonymous best-selling author of  "Mississippi Foxtrot" needs a new assistant. She chooses Florence Darrow, a young woman who escaped to New York to make something of herself but has been stuck in a low level publishing job. One of the perks of the job is the chance to travel to Morocco to research a new book.  

WHAT I THOUGHT: I haven't devoured a book in a long time. When I finished this one, I felt like I had just gotten off a roller coaster ride. The first half is like an anxiety inducing slow climb to the top and then a free fall followed by unexpected twists and turns first right and then left all the way to the ending.

None of the characters are particularly likeable, but they are unpredictable and interesting. The writing is crisp and clever. Descriptions give the reader a real feel for locations.

BOTTOM LINE: Don't read the reviews. It will spoil the fun. Just get a copy and read it. You will not be disappointed. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

DISCLAIMER: A copy of was provided to me by Little Brown and Company/Net Galley for an honest review.

Publisher : Little, Brown and Company (March 2, 2021)
Language : English
Hardcover : 336 pages
ISBN-10 : 0316500313
ISBN-13 : 978-0316500319

THE AUTHOR: Alexandra Andrews has worked as a journalist, editor, and copywriter in New York and Paris. Who Is Maud Dixon? is her first novel. She lives in New York with her husband and daughter.

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MY NAME IS VENUS BLACK (2018) by Heather Lloyd

My Name Is Venus Black by Heather Lloyd
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A surprisingly engrossing first novel told from several points of view with characters you come to care about and root for throughout the book. Highly recommended.

FIRST SENTENCE: "My name is Venus Black because my dad was Joseph Black, and because on March 4, 1966, my very pregnant mother, Inez, just so happened to be watching a TV special about the Space Race when her water broke."

THE STORY  The problem with reviews is that too many details spoil the magical discovery of a wonderful story so I am going to keep this brief.

Before, Venus was a A+ student who loved the stars. After, her life would never be the same.

Separated from her autistic beloved brother Leo and furious with her mother, Venus embarks on a new life. She is resourceful but scared and angry. 

WHAT I THOUGHT: After reading some other reviews I was surprised to learn that My Name is Venus Black is considered for young adults. One person even suggested it was more appropriate for middle school students. I disagree. I'm 72 and adored this book. Judging the level of a book based on the age of the characters seems wrong to me. Certainly this is a coming of age story. The characters, although sometimes difficult, are (mostly) lovable and redeemable.The various threads cross and weave together to make a satisfying ending. I often say that I am looking for something different and special in a book. My Name is Venus drew me right in. And in the end, healing happens, family happens, love happens.

The writing is crisp and clean and the reader can easily follow the various points of view.

BOTTOM LINE: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Reminded me a bit of The Language of Flowers and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime.

Disclaimer: An electronic copy of this book was provided to me by NetGalley/The Dial Press/Random House for a fair review.

Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: The Dial Press (February 27, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0399592180
ISBN-13: 978-0399592188

HEATHER LLOYD, who has spent many years working as an editor and writing coach, lives with her husband in New York City. My Name Is Venus Black is her first novel. (From her website.)

MURDER AT BARCLAY MEADOW (2015)

Murder at Barclay Meadow by Wendy Sand Eckel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I get excited when an unexpected book shows up in my mailbox. Last week it was a new cozy mystery from Minotaur. Since I am drowning in books, I, of course, immediately read a few lines with the idea of setting the book aside. Instead I found myself drawn into the story immediately.

THE STORY: Rosalie Hart thinks she has the perfect marriage until she discovers her husband Ed is having an affair and wants a divorce just as their daughter Annie heads off to college.

Unwilling to stay in the home they shared, Rosalie escapes to the farmhouse left her by her late aunt on Maryland's Eastern Shore. But Barclay Meadows doesn't turn out to be a safe sanctuary when Rosalie discovers a body floating in the marsh.

Everyone insists that the death was accidental, but Rosalie senses something is wrong and begins to ask questions.

WHAT I THOUGHT: This debut novel by Wendy Sand Eckel uses social media in a clever and totally integrated way. She also makes cultural references that connect with the reader's experiences. And, what might be the best part for some readers, there are recipes! Do I have to confess that I read this book in just a couple of days? It's well-written, has enough scary moments (but not too many), and lots of interesting quirky characters. The small town setting is charming and you'll want to join me in a road trip to visit the area. I will be watching for the next entry in what has all the ingredients to be a popular new series.

FIRST LINE: "Before my only child left for her first year of college, she suggested I create my own Facebook profile."

BOTTOM LINE: A most worthy entry to world of cozy mysteries. The book will be released on July 28, 2015.

Title: Murder at Barclay Meadow

Author: Wendy Sand Eckel

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Minotaur

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

No. of Pages: 320

Copyright: July 28, 2015

ISBN-10: 1250058600

ISBN-13: 978-1250058607

Disclaimer: An advanced reading copy (ARC) of this book was provided to me by the publisher Minotaur for an honest review.

"WENDY SAND ECKEL is a psychotherapist who lives in Annapolis, Maryland, where she enjoys her family, multiple pets, and life on the water. Murder at Barclay Meadow is her first novel." (AMAZON)

Descent (2015)

Descent by Tim Johnston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tim Johnston's novel is very disturbing. I realized it shortly after beginning, but I kept reading.

OPENING LINE: "Her name was Caitlin, she was eighteen, and her own heart would sometimes wake her - flying away in that dream-race where finish lines grew farther away not nearer, where knees turned to taffy, or feet to stones." 

Visiting Colorado on vacation, Caitlin, with her younger brother Sean tagging along, goes for a run leaving her sleeping parents behind. What happens then is every parents' worst nightmare. Only Sean returns.

The story explores the aspect of each person's life as it is affected by the disappearance, not just the immediate family but others in the community as well. The author brings the Colorado mountains to life. As a matter of fact, his descriptions would easily transfer to a visual story telling medium.

For most of the story I was totally anxious about what was going to happen and it only got worse as the end approached.

Don't misunderstand. This is an excellent story beautifully told. Almost like a impressionist watercolor painting, details and feelings are only suggested in beautiful and emotional language. And the reader doesn't see everything all at once. Instead bits and pieces are revealed over time.

This haunting thriller will stay with you for a long time.

BOTTOM LINE: Well written, plotted, and with incredibly real characters, this book is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Title: Descent

Author: Tim Johnston

Genre: Literate Thriller

Publisher:  Algonquin Books

No. of Pages: 384

Copyright: January 6, 2015

ISBN-10: 1616203048

ISBN-13: 978-1616203047

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Source: Net Galley

Disclaimer: An advanced copy of Descent was provided to me by Algonquin/Net Galley for review purposes.

Tim Johnston , a graduate of the University of Iowa and the University of Massachusetts Amherst, has done a lot of writing and won awards for it, but Descent is his debut novel. He currently teaches in the Creative Writing Program at the University of Memphis.

A.S.A. Harrison Has Died

I have been trying to get a pre-pub copy of A.S.A. Harrison's debut psychological thriller The Secret Wife because it has received praise from authors of books I love like Kate Atkinson, S. J. Watson, and Tess Gerritson.

Author Susan Harrison died on Sunday, April 14th at the age of 65. Her book will go on sale June 25th. She was scheduled to be part of a mystery writer's panel at the American Library Association Conference the end of June.

Orange Prize Winner Madeline Miller On Why The Classics Deserve Their Revival

"Last night a new star of fiction was born out of an ancient story."

Author Madeline Miller

You might want to read this article from the Huffington Post UK to see what Madeline Miller has to say after winning the 2012 Orange Prize for her debut novel The Song of Achilles. (It's the fourth time in a row that the British prize has gone to an American.)

The Language of Flowers (2011)

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Being aware that professional reviewers are not as enthralled with Vanessa Diffenbaugh's debut novel The Language of Flowers as readers are, I had to see what the fuss was about. And it is not a perfect book. More allegorical than gritty reality, we meet Victoria as she is being emancipated from the unattractive world of foster care. She makes terrible choices and is terrified that she is not worthy of love. But she was taught about flowers and their meanings and that provides the enchantment that will ultimately free her.

Victoria's story is told in alternating chapters describing her relationship with Elizabeth, who taught her about flowers, and her current life as she tries to make her way in the world.

The back of the book includes a dictionary of the meanings of flowers and that whole concept brought back from Victorian times is absolutely enchanting. And apparently the author is publishing a second volume that is simply about 'floriography'.

It is frustrating later in the book, when Victoria continues to make 'bad' decisions which seem unnecessary. And there is some repetition the author felt would create a frantic need for those decisions but I didn't always buy it and sometimes found Victoria very annoying. There's also a bit of 'then a miracle' happened feel, which is why I use the term allegorical. Some have said 'fairy tale' and that works too.

Read it anyway. The professional reviewers are probably right in whatever it is they are saying, but Vanessa Diffenbaugh has struck a cord with her readers and brings us a story we haven't heard before.

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