Review: Missing In The Dark

 Missing In The Dark

Bernadette Calonego

Detective Sergeant Calista Gates is headed back to Vancouver, her hometown. She's planning to participate in a clinical research program about brain damage. But she's also keen to look into a cold case involving Becca, a childhood friend and neighbor who died some twenty years ago. She's been haunted by her death for years but hasn't been able to do much about it. But the disappearance of Tilly Falon from a remote cabin in British Columbia, near where Becca's body was found, and an aspiring author who claims to be writing a true crime novel, hinting that she might know something about Becca, leaves Calista thinking the killer may still be in the area. Will she be able to draw the killer out without endangering herself? She will need all the skills she has to find out what happened to the two women.

Missing In The Dark is the fourth book in the Calista Gate Series, and I have loved them all. This one is no exception. There are enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing what will happen next. I love the element of adventure this series provides where nature looms large, and the characters and plot are well-developed. I loved having Vancouver and British Columbia as a setting in this novel. The author makes readers feel like they are in the forests or the gritty streets with Calista. I also loved learning about Calista's family and their background in this installment. It gave more depth to her character and made me feel much more connected to her. And without providing any spoilers, I appreciate how some of the storylines from the previous books were drawn together in this one. I feel so invested in this series that I can't wait to see what happens next. I can't recommend this one enough. If you have yet to read it, you are definitely missing out on a good read full of drama, adventure, mystery, and wonderful characters, all set in marvelous Canadian scenery.

Review: The Insect Crisis

The Insect Crisis

Oliver Milman

Oliver Milman presents a fascinating look at what might happen if the insects we depend on to pollinate our food supply disappear. Scientists have sounded the alarm about increasing concerns that insect populations are declining rapidly. The honeybee's plight is probably well known, but what about other insects like moths, dragonflies, and beetles that we tend to think about less often. These and other insects may also be on the decline thanks to a host of environmental issues, for which we humans are mostly to blame. The increased use of pesticides, mono-cropping, habitat degradation, and climate change has played a significant role in these environmental changes. And even though, as Milman points out, insects have primarily been able to survive every other mass extinction the planet has seen, this may be changing.

The Insect Crisis should be required reading for anyone concerned about environmental issues and our future. It's well researched, not to mention engagingly written. But most of all, it's informative and shows the complex issues and challenges we face in the future in a world that may have fewer species.

This review was originally written by me for City Book Review.

 

Review: A Trillion Trees

 A Trillion Trees

Fred Pearce

A Trillion Trees presents a fascinating look at the state of the world's forests. And while Pearce highlights the increasing destruction we have seen in the past, he also shows how and why he thinks things may not be all gloom and doom. Especially as he points out that forests have a way of regenerating themselves if they are left to their own devices. He also presents a host of case studies that show how much the forest creates weather patterns by creating "flying rivers" that move rain to areas far beyond the forests.

What may come as a surprise to many readers is the fact that forests like those in the Amazon or deep in the Congo are not as old or pristine as we often think. Instead, they are regrowth forests from previous civilizations. Pearce argues that indigenous communities today are still at the forefront regarding caring for and protecting some of these forests. Throughout the book, he recounts his fascinating journeys and the interviews he's had with scientists, farmers, and others interested in the health and welfare of our forests. And while all might not be doom and gloom, there is still the continued threat of destruction, especially in developing areas where there is a continued focus on expanding cattle ranching and the mono-cropping of soybeans, palm oil, and other cash crops. But, Pearce argues that simply planting more trees to offset those lost may not be the best answer. Instead, he believes that, if allowed, the forests will heal and regrow on their own.

I think this book is a must-read for anyone interested in not just trees and forests but the wonderful world of nature that we inhabit.

Thanks to LibraryThing and Greystone Books for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Review: The Joy and Light Bus Company

 The Joy and Light Bus Company

Alexander McCall Smith

Mma Ramotswe is confronted with several dilemmas in this installment of The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency. Firstly, her husband, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, is off to a business course where he gets the opportunity to invest in a bus company with a former friend from school. But it would require raising capital which would need a bank loan; something Mma Ramotswe is firmly against. While worrying about her husband's risky adventure, she takes on a client concerned that his elderly father is being manipulated by his nurse to inherit his land. Plus, she has heard from her friend Mma Potokwane about a possible case of domestic slavery, and she simply cannot let it go without further investigation.

Along with her trusted assistant Mma Makutsi and a good cup of bush tea, Mma Ramotswe will investigate the issues as they arrive, hoping that she will bring justice, compassion, calm, and happiness back to her beloved corner of Botswana. As always, McCall Smith has written a lively, heartwarming story full of wit, humor, and wisdom. The Joy and Light Bus Company is an enormously pleasurable read.

This review was originally written for City Book Review.

Review: Black Lion

 Black Lion

Sicelo Mbatha

Black Lion tells the story of Sicelo Mbatha's life growing up in rural South Africa and his long career as a Wilderness guide. From an early age, he felt a deep connection to nature and the wildlife surrounding his community, setting him on a path to help conserve and celebrate all the beauty he saw. His ultimate goal would be to create a company that could help others, especially those from his own community, experience nature's healing powers.

It's not just the story of Sicelo's life and the many hardships he had to overcome to reach his dream that makes this book fascinating. It's also his refreshing view of nature and the wonders she has to offer all of us, whether in faraway places or just in our backyards. As Sicelo suggests, we need to open our senses and appreciate the other living things around us to understand that we can find deep connections and spiritual peace by immersing ourselves in this world.

I loved getting to know more about his Zulu culture, the vital role his kinsmen played in his journey, and how they could share so much knowledge acquired over generations but not always appreciated by others. Thankfully, there are people, like Sicelo, who do not want to see their traditions disappear over time. In Black Lion, he conveys his love for his heritage and community with honesty, humility, and vast knowledge of nature.

Frankly, this book is like a balm for the soul. And maybe the next best thing to stepping out into nature itself. No doubt, like everyone else who reads this, I suspect I'll be dreaming of a day when I can join a guide like Sicelo in discovering the African wilderness. But, until then, I'll be trying to appreciate all the nature in my area.

Thanks to LibraryThing for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Review: A Margin For Murder

 A Margin For Murder

Lauren Elliott

When Addie Greyborne, owner of Beyond the Page bookstore, and her assistant Paige head over to the neighboring town of Pen Hollow to buy books from a library forced to close, they never imagined the trouble they would find. They intended to purchase books for the store, but the town's mayor, Luella, presented them with an opportunity to buy a bookmobile. An opportunity they couldn't refuse. But while the mayor was trying to deliver the bus for a photo-op, she was killed. According to the autopsy, she was poisoned.

Addie and Paige, as outsiders in the small town, are considered prime suspects and are not allowed to leave town. So ex-boyfriend Marc, head of police in Greyborne Harbor, and current boyfriend Simon, the local coroner, arrive to help find out what happened and persuade the local sheriff that Addie and Paige are innocent. They will all have to put their heads together if they want to find the real killer. The suspect list is long, and no one wants to accuse a neighbor or relative in this small town.

A Margin for Murder is a fun cozy mystery with a strong plot and engaging characters. This is the first book I've read in this series, but I'm hoping to read more in the future.

Thanks to Kensington Books for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Review The Paris Apartment

The Paris Apartment

Lucy Foley

Jess needs to get away from England for a while, and she decides to head to Paris to visit her brother Ben. He's expecting her, but when she arrives, he's nowhere to be found. Slowly she realizes something isn't right. The inhabitants of the posh building where Ben has an apartment are holding back when she tries to find answers to her brother's disappearance. All is not what it seems in the elite world of money and wine that Ben has infiltrated. But Jess is determined to find her brother even if she has to peel back layers of secrets to get the answers she needs.

The Paris Apartment is another riveting read by Foley that I couldn't put down. It's wonderfully plotted with lots of twists and turns and layered with enough secrets and intrigue to keep discerning readers turning the page in anticipation of the next event. I almost hated for this one to end; it was so enthralling.

Thanks to William Morrow Books for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Murder on an Irish Farm

 Murder on an Irish Farm

Carlene O'Connor

It's Siobhán O'Sullivan's wedding day. She and Macdara Flannery are finally ready to tie the knot. But before the ceremony can really get started, it's interrupted by Siobhán's brother James. He's found a body, a skeleton to be more precise, in a barn where he's been working. So, of course, this means the wedding will have to be postponed because Garda O'Sullivan and Detective Sergeant know they will have to investigate.

While at the scene, they are met by an elderly lady Gladys who lives next door to the property. As soon as she gets sight of the skeleton, she knows it's the true love of her life. The man who left her standing at the altar fifty years ago, the man she never forgot, even though she married his best friend. When another body turns up in the same place, O'Sullivan and Flannery know they are not dealing with a cold case. There is a killer still lurking in their midst. Before they can find this killer and get back to their own wedding, they will have to unravel a host of family secrets and decipher old and new clues.

Murder on an Irish Farm is a fun and entertaining story. It's full of twists and turns, comic scenes, and two wonderful main characters who feel like friends. I think the sense of community makes this such a pleasure to read. One feels almost like a village member as we follow O'Sullivan and Flannery in their day-to-day work. O'Connor has created an enticingly cozy atmosphere and a story that is hard to put down. I can't wait to read the next installment.

Thanks to Kensington Books for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Dream First Details Later

Dream First

Details Later

Ellen Marie Bennett

While working in a restaurant in Los Angeles, Ellen Bennett saw an opportunity to make aprons for her boss and colleagues. When she announced she could do the job better than the current supplier she had no idea how to sew or make an apron. As a born go-getter, Ellen wasn't one to let the details of the job slow her down. She moved forward and ultimately created a company known as Hedley&Bennett that focused on quality aprons for chefs. Throughout this book, she describes her journey as she struggled to get her company going, giving the reader tips and suggestions about how and why they should follow an entrepreneurial dream or project, even if they don't know how to implement it.

The critical takeaway from Dream First Details Later is that anyone dreaming of doing something should start where they are with what they have. Always move, no matter what, and don't sweat the details. You will likely find a way to make things work, even if you don't think so at the time. Not only is this book wonderfully presented, you will no doubt feel like you have a personal cheerleader in Ellen after reading it.

This review was originally written for and published by City Book Review.

Review: A Dark Chill

 

A Dark Chill

Bernadette Calonego

Detective Calista Gates of the RMCP is taking on a new job as Police Chief in the small town of St. Anthony in Newfoundland. She hasn't even settled into her new home when she discovers a twelve-year-old boy tied up and abandoned at a campsite. He's too scared to say what happened or who is to blame. The locals think it's all some kind of childish prank, but Gates believes it's something far more dangerous and sinister. Before she can make any headway with the investigation, she's confronted with an incident involving a group of college students trying to prove they can climb an iceberg. Could they have something to do with the incident at the campground? Do they have something to hide? When Owen, a local boy, goes missing, Gates has to act fast to find him. The more she investigates, the more she realizes St. Anthony's is not a quiet backwater. The residents of this small town seem to have a lot of secrets, and she'll have to unravel quite a few of them if she wants to find a killer.

A Dark Chill is another fast-paced, suspenseful mystery from Calonego that I just couldn't put down. It has all the elements that make for a great read: thrilling twists and turns, excellent character development, and enough action to ensure there is never a dull moment in the story. I love how she draws the reader right into Calista's world. She's vulnerable due to her past and the fact that she's still suffering from a traumatic event that happened while she was working in Vancouver. But Calista is determined to be the best detective she can be no matter where she's posted. And while this is a stand-alone book, I love that it not only draws on events from the previous book it also sets the stage for Calista's personal story to continue in another edition. One that I can't wait to read.

Review: Healing Reimagined

Healing Reimagined: Reconnecting Traditional Healing with Modern Medicine

By Karl Ching DDS 

A few days before reading this book, I had an annoying and distressing incident with an elderly relative in the hospital. I felt incredibly let down by the lack of care and attention on the part of the hospital, not to mention empathy because the patient had dementia and couldn't adequately express her needs. But, after reading Healing Reimagined, I felt a sense of hope that there are healthcare workers who are determined to try and not only improve our current state of healthcare but also to change it in ways that lead to a better understanding of a patient's needs.

I appreciated Dr. Ching's focus on finding balance and creating a path to wellness and wholeness. The discussion about indigenous shamanic systems of healthcare that focus on getting to know the individual and, over time, help heal not just an ailment but identify the root issue or issues causing the trouble was especially interesting. Also, I found the indigenous belief that plants communicate fascinating.

Although I am not a healthcare worker, I am sure that this is a book that anyone in the profession will find beneficial. In this day and age, where doctors and nurses have only a few minutes to consult with a patient, Dr. Ching's tips and suggestions for understanding and creating better relationships through enhanced awareness and communication will not only be valuable but, to me, seem long overdue.

Dr. Ching's work and analysis have also made me more aware of the type of patient I tend to be, an aspect that I had never given much thought to in the past. And perhaps more importantly, this book illustrated concrete ways to approach my relationship with a doctor or healthcare provider by being open, transparent, and aware of the needs I'm expressing both consciously and unconsciously. All of which should contribute to better overall care and attention.

I also enjoyed the chapter about how the brain functions and retains knowledge, although a few illustrations would have been welcome. The sections that focus on childhood trauma and how that affects our memory in later life were also illuminating. The examples throughout this well-written book were clear and easy to follow, making it an engaging read. And while I think we can all appreciate how much we have benefited from modern scientific medicine, it seems a shame that we can so readily forget and discount traditional approaches to healing that have served humanity for generations. Hopefully, this book will encourage others to look at both examples and connect them when possible to help find the true meaning of balance, awareness, and healing.

This review was written by me for City Book Review.

Review: The Ambassador Joseph P. Kennedy

 

The Ambassador

Susan Ronald

The Ambassador is a fascinating look at Joseph P. Kennedy's time as Ambassador in London between 1938 and 1940. Appointed by President Roosevelt, it was clear from the start that Kennedy had only his own interests at heart. As WWII approached, he remained overwhelmingly against the United States getting involved. Even when the administration moved closer and closer to helping the Allies, Kennedy railed against the situation's futility. In the end, his inability to support the British government and his continued bluntness and self-interest caused a rift not just between himself and President Roosevelt but also with British politicians who wondered what he was still doing in their country.

As I read this, I was surprised by his pro-fascist tendencies and his tendencies to view everything through the lens of economic advancement. His eldest son Joseph seemed to harbor the same views as his father. His lack of diplomatic skills and unwillingness to support his own administration's policies seemed almost incomprehensible to me. He often made statements on his own without going through the approved channels. In some ways, he reminded me of another recent pseudo-politician who either refused to follow protocols or dispensed with them when not in his own interests.

I especially enjoyed the look back at The Ambassador's early life and that of his wife. Rose seems to have been a distant mother to her nine children, which I hadn't expected to be the case. But perhaps times were different then. I found Kathleen or Kick as she was known to be a fascinating person. She managed to chart her own course, even if it didn't turn out to be as happy as she planned. All in all, this was a well-written and researched book that was enjoyable to read.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder

 Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder

Joanne Fluke

When Mayor Bascomb of Lake Eden, Minnesota, is confronted by Hannah Swensen's sister Andrea about something her husband Bill, the town's Sheriff, did, she loses her temper. The mayor is found dead later the same day, and Andrea is a prime suspect in his murder. Of course, Hannah knows without a doubt that Andrea couldn't kill anyone. Between baking cookies for her cafe, she and friend Norman try to help local police officers, Mike and Lonnie, find out what happened. They will have their hands full considering how many people disliked the mayor.

Fans of this series will be pleased that Fluke has again produced a cozy, culinary delight that brings together family, friends, community, and an emphasis on sisterly love. Hannah is her usual thoughtful self, eager to help protect her family and catch a killer. Plus, there are enough recipes included throughout to keep fans happy. I couldn't help but feel that this book needed more backstory. Particularly regarding the death of Ross and why Hannah moved out of her condo. Without more of a recap or explanation, I almost felt I needed to go back and read a previous book to catch up with the story. Otherwise, this is a fun and light cozy mystery.

This review was written by me and originally published by City Book Review.

Review: A Good Drink

 A Good Drink

Shanna Farrell

Have you ever wondered what's in your cocktail or drink? Or where the ingredients that go into the alcohol are produced or grown? In A Good Drink, Farrell examines the world of distilling and brewing, questioning why customers aren't more interested in the origins of the drinks they are consuming. With the increasingly popular farm-to-table movement and increasing interest in how and where our food is produced, it has become easier to identify the region, state, or actual farm where something is grown. Not so, where beverages are concerned. Partly because the crops that go into making whiskey, rum, and beer, like corn, barley, and cane sugar, are commodity crops often produced on a large scale basis and shipped around the world. So it isn't easy to pinpoint the origin. Also, alcohol and spirits in the U.S. are regulated by the Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau and not the Food and Drug Administration, where rules are different, allowing producers to use color additives more regulated in our food supply. But some producers and consumers want to change the status quo, and Farrell introduces us to a number of them in this book. Providing an interesting and insightful look into the challenges and hurdles they face as they try to change the industry.

A Good Drink made me think a lot about the sustainability of mono-crop production and the environmental issues that create changes in our agricultural system. The next time I have a cocktail or glass of whiskey, I will be more likely to wonder where and how it was produced. Hopefully, this book will make others more aware and interested in the future sustainability of spirits and how awareness may make us all more discerning customers in the future.

Thanks to Island Press for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

A Good Drink will be published on September 16, 2021.

Review: Hot to Trot An Agatha Raisin Mystery

Hot to Trot

MC Beaton

Agatha Raisin doesn't want to admit that the marriage of her friend and once-lover Sir Charles Fraith is getting her down. She might be over him romantically but she can't stand the bride-to-be. An obnoxious upstart as far as she's concerned. After an unsuccessful attempt to crash the wedding, she tries again to attend a masked ball uninvited. The only trouble is, as she's leaving, albeit, after an altercation with the new wife Mary, that very same woman is found dead in the stables. Now both Agatha and Charles are suspected of murder. It will be up to Agatha to get them both out of another mess. But before she can do that, she'll have to confront her feeling about her ex-husband James who's recently returned to the village as well.

I absolutely adore this series. And I loved Hot to Trot. Agatha is her usual cranky self in this installment, but she's also lovable, vulnerable, and loyal to the core where her friends are concerned. Mrs. Beaton had a writing style that brought new meaning to the cozy novel with fun, compelling mysteries full of enticing, charming settings, and a raft of characters you couldn't help but love. Sadly, Mrs. Beaton passed away in 2019.

This review was written by and originally published by City Book Review.

Review: The AOM System: Manifestation Mastery in 30 Days!

The AOM System: Manifestation Mastery in 30 Days!

Sterling Mire

What is the AOM system, you ask? According to Sterling Mire, it's the art of manifestation. If you follow the principles of the law of attraction but feel you have difficulty putting it into practice, Ms. Mire has developed a system to help set you on the path to manifesting your desires. She starts by explaining why it's necessary to clear your past ideas, the ones that have been holding you back. This is done by writing release letters to those who have caused you to see yourself negatively or prevent you from being your authentic self. You are encouraged to develop a twelve-month plan by imagining what you want to experience in your life and an action plan that will nudge you toward your goals. By following her tips for creating your day and reviewing it often, you should see signs of change in thirty days.

The best thing about this book is that Ms. Mire makes this a fun and easy process to follow. She provides excellent tips to help you incorporate her plan into your day. The numerous examples and stories from clients she has helped are inspiring. I plan to take a second look at this one and try implementing her suggestions to see what I can create.

This review was originally written by me for City Book Review. 

Review: Creativity: A Short and Cheerful Guide

 Creativity

A Short and Cheerful Guide

John Cleese

According to John Cleese, creativity is something one can learn. In this short, fun, and yes, very cheerful guide, he provides tips for encouraging and practicing creativity. The first tip is to let your unconscious mind do most, if not all, of the work for you. Use it to play with ideas and thoughts, just like children do when playing or daydreaming. Secondly, he gives some more specific tips and tasks, such as writing what you already know about or thinking about how your mood will affect the creative project or endeavor you are working on because it will likely affect the outcome. And perhaps most importantly, don't worry about making mistakes or about the result. Just start something creative and see what happens. You might be surprised.

This well-written, little gem of a book would make a wonderful gift for anyone hoping to boost their creativity. It's one of those things you can turn to when you need a little pick me up. It's short, in fact, almost a bit too short for me. By the end, I found myself wishing for more tips and anecdotes from this talented author. Nevertheless, it covered an engaging theme, offering sage advice.

This review was written by me for City Book Review.

Review: Shelter in Place

 Shelter in Place

Nora Roberts

One summer evening in Portland, Maine, the unthinkable happened. Gunmen opened fire in a shopping mall. In an instant, many were dead, and those who survived were traumatized and haunted by the incident. Some of the survivors connected with each other and attempted to go on with their lives, but others felt they had a mission to find out more. Why did it happen, and who was really behind the violence. Essie McVee is one of them. She was the first police officer on the scene, and she can't put the event behind her. Reed Quartermaine is a young man who helped others, and this would lead him, with the help of Essie, to become a police officer. After losing a friend in the incident, Simone Knox struggles to find her identity until she takes up art and sculpting. The survivors are getting their lives back together when someone starts killing them off one by one. To find the killer and learn more about how the incidents are related to the mall shooting, Reed and Essie will have to work overtime. But they are determined to put a stop to all the violence.

Shelter in Place is a page-turner, delving deep into the characters' lives and actions as they try to process traumatic events and move forward. This one is well-written with a bit of mystery, romance, and enough action to keep fans turning pages right up until the end.

Review: True Raiders

 

True Raiders

Brad Ricca

1n 1909, a group of men, including Captain Montague Parker and Cyril Foley set out on a secret adventure. With the aid of a cipher developed by a Finnish Professor Valter Juvelius, they intended

to discover the ark of the covenant. Their plans included digging and clearing the Hezekiah tunnels in Jerusalem and any other areas that might yield treasure. Previous work had been conducted in the same place some twenty years before by Charles Warren but, the new explorers thought they now had more information thanks to Dr. Juvelius. And Mr. Ricca tells the story behind the story of their search and the mysteries, adventures, and misadventures that ensued. He also includes the stories of characters who helped aid the group during their quest to find forgotten treasure.

Overall, this is a good look back into the past showing how myths become legends and rumors can cause unexpected events. And while I thought the book rambled a bit in parts and included characters who seemed to play a minor or passing role in the expedition, it was still interesting and well-written. I think the end of the book was particularly interesting as it explained to some extent what happened to the central characters after the expedition ended.

Thanks to St. Martins Press for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Growing Big Dreams

Growing Big Dreams

Robert Moss

If you are interested in using your dreams and imagination to become more creative and in tune with your inner self, then Growing Big Dreams is a book for you. The author reveals twelve ways for readers to have more lucid dreams, connect with those dreams, heal the past through dreams, and create a future by finding a story within.

Every chapter is devoted in some way to helping you develop and understand your dreams. Even if you are in what he terms a dream drought, you will see that you can dream more vividly and recall more about your dreams by following his tips and exercises. He also seeks to help you understand recurring dreams and what they may be telling you about your life. I especially enjoyed chapter nine, where the author covers how we can use our dreams to manifest our desires and wishes for the present and future.

Before trying some of the exercises he suggests, I was a little skeptical that I would be able to have more lucid dreams or that I could recall them. But, I was pleasantly surprised by the results. Throughout the book, the author combines stories from his travels, seminars, and course participants, as well as enough exercises to encourage anyone to dream big.

This review was written by me originally for City Book Review.