My good friends, you are such great sports. I am sorry I have been so absent online here of late. This week even more than normal. The semester begins next week and work has been hectic as we gear up for the influx of students. Faculty are back and are prepping for their courses so I have been especially busy. On top of that I have just been more fatigued than normal--I blame it on the lingering heat, though it has been relatively mild compared with earlier in the summer. I seem to tolerate the heat less and less it seems. I do have bookish notes to share, but maybe I will catch up on Monday and today will just share a handful of books that are coming out soon. It is always nice to read about new books, right?
The American Agent by Jacqueline Winspear -- I need to read To Die But Once, still, and already there is her new one looming on the early 2019 horizon. Intriguing title, don't you think? "Beloved heroine Maisie Dobbs, “one of the great fictional heroines” (Parade), investigates the mysterious murder of an American war correspondent in London during the Blitz in a page-turning tale of love and war, terror and survival."
The Heavens by Sandra Newman -- "A work of rare literary brilliance and emotional power, The Heavens is a mesmerizing novel of love and dreams that moves between a reimagined New York City and Elizabethan England and asks how our world comes to be."
The Paragon Hotel by Lyndsay Faye -- "The year is 1921, and "Nobody" Alice James is on a cross-country train, carrying a bullet wound and fleeing for her life following an illicit drug and liquor deal gone horribly wrong. Desperate to get as far away as possible from New York City and those who want her dead, she has her sights set on Oregon: a distant frontier that seems the end of the line. Why was "Nobody" Alice James forced to escape Harlem? Why do the Paragon's denizens live in fear--and what other sins are they hiding? Where did the orphaned child who went missing from the hotel, Davy Lee, come from in the first place? And, perhaps most important, why does Blossom Fontaine seem to be at the very center of this tangled web?"
The Night Visitors by Carol Goodman -- "The latest thriller from the internationally bestselling author of The Lake of Dead Languages and The Other Mother, a story of mistaken identities and missed chances, forgiveness, and vengeance."
The Orphan of Salt Winds by Elizabeth Brooks -- "England, 1939. Ten-year-old Virginia Wrathmell arrives at Salt Winds, a secluded house on the edge of a marsh, to meet her adoptive parents—practical, dependable Clem and glamorous, mercurial Lorna. The marsh, with its deceptive tides, is a beautiful but threatening place. Virginia’s new parents’ marriage is full of secrets and tensions
she doesn’t quite understand, and their wealthy neighbor, Max Deering, drops by too often, taking an unwholesome interest in the family’s affairs. Only Clem offers a true sense of home. War feels far away among the birds and shifting sands—until the day a German fighter plane crashes into the marsh, and Clem ventures out to rescue the airman. What happens next sets into motion a crime so devastating it will haunt Virginia for the rest of her life. Seventy-five years later, she finds herself drawn back to the marsh, and to a teenage girl who appears there, nearly frozen and burdened by her own secrets. In her, Virginia might have a chance at retribution and a way to right a grave mistake she made as a child."
The Psychology of Time Travel by Kate Mascarenhas -- "n 1967, four female scientists worked together to build the world’s first time machine. But just as they are about to debut their creation, one of them suffers a breakdown, putting the whole project―and future of time travel―in jeopardy. To protect their invention, one member is exiled from the team―erasing her contributions from history. Fifty years later, time travel is a big business. Twenty-something Ruby Rebello knows her beloved grandmother, Granny Bee, was one of the pioneers, though no one will tell her more. But when Bee receives a mysterious newspaper clipping from the future reporting the murder of an unidentified woman, Ruby becomes obsessed: could it be Bee? Who would want her dead? And most importantly of all: can her murder be stopped?"
The Poison Bed by Elizabeth Fremantle -- "A spellbinding thriller set in the Jacobean Court of 1615 surrounding a famed couple imprisoned on suspicion of murder―but was it Lord Robert or Lady Frances who committed the crime?"
Paris Echo by Sebastian Faulks -- "A story of resistance, complicity, and an unlikely, transformative friendship, set in Paris, from internationally bestselling novelist Sebastian Faulks. From the sweltering streets of Tangier to deep beneath Paris via the Metro,
from the affecting recorded accounts of women in German-occupied France and into the future through our hopes for these characters, Paris Echo offers a tough and poignant story of injustices and dreams."
Tony's Wife by Adriana Trigiani -- I swear I feel an Adriana Trigiani binge coming on. And I love the cover by the way! "Set in the lush Big Band era of the 1940s and World War II, this spellbinding saga from beloved New York Times bestselling author Adriana Trigiani tells the story of two talented working class kids who marry and become a successful singing act, until time, temptation, and the responsibilities of home and family derail their dreams."
The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths -- "A gripping contemporary Gothic thriller from the bestselling author of the Dr Ruth Galloway mysteries: Susan Hill meets Gone Girl and Disclaimer. Clare Cassidy is no stranger to murder. As a literature teacher specialising in the Gothic writer RM Holland, she teaches a short course on it every year. Then Clare's life and work collide tragically when one of her colleagues is found dead, a line from an RM Holland story by her body. The investigating police detective is convinced the writer's works somehow hold the key to the case."
As always, lots of good stuff coming out. I am still trying to keep my reading pile to a minimum, but I will say there are definitely moments I am ready to fall off the wagon. I have lots of catching up to do still, and thank you for leaving comments--they are always appreciated.
Happy reading everyone!
I am looking forward to the new Maisie Dobbs book. But like you I have not read "To Die But Once".
Posted by: Ed | August 17, 2018 at 06:30 PM
Those new books sound great! I particularly like the sound of The Heavens. Hope you feel less tired as summer gives way to autumn.
Posted by: Andrew Blackman | August 18, 2018 at 03:45 AM
A new Maisie Dobbs book! I was a bit disappointed in “To Die But Once”— but I’m looking forward to the new one. So many tempting books out there, but that (and the new Tana French) are at the top of my list. Hope you have a nice weekend and change of pace.
Posted by: Readerlane | August 18, 2018 at 07:17 AM
Oh, oh, oh . . . these all look sound like such enticing reads. Another Maisie Dobbs AND another Trigiani? What a great list this is. Best wishes as the hustle of the new school year opens up.
Posted by: Penny | August 18, 2018 at 09:36 AM
I must get back to Carol Goodman. I read quite a few of her books years ago but I think I am a bit behind now. I am also behind in the Maisie Dobbs series and with Adriana Trigiani and...and...and...
Posted by: Marg | August 20, 2018 at 07:00 AM
Life is all topsyturvy here as well - I think it must be the modern condition! Don't worry, you won't lose us - I marvel that you have time to do what you do anyway and still manage to read!
What a lovely collection of books! I love Lyndsay Faye's writing especially her series of books set in early 19th century New York so this change of period looks intriguing, and I am a fan of Adriana Trigiani too (I have just read Kiss Carlo set in 50's Philadelphia so I wonder if this follows some of the characters in that book?)
I can tell you that The Poison Bed is very good indeed, I think I have the Elizabeth Brooks book in my library pile but under a different title ( do wish publishers wouldn't do that!) and I am so far behind in the Maisie Dobbs series that I may have to start all over again (but I have a pile of unread ones waiting for me to catch up)
A new Elly Griffiths to look out for is very exciting especially as I have the latest in her series set in 50's Brighton still to read too and I must look out for a new Carol Goodman too although I have to admit finding her a bit of a patchy writer for me - I either thoroughly enjoy her book or am seriously underwhelmed by it!
Posted by: LizF | August 21, 2018 at 04:23 PM
I think it will likely be out in paperback before I get to it, which is not such a bad thing really. It is one of the few mystery series that I am almost all caught up with!
Posted by: Danielle | August 24, 2018 at 12:42 PM
The Heavens is high on my list of books I plan on getting my hands on when it is released!. Thankfully the weather has been much milder (though rather wet) this past week, which has been a really nice respite! Maybe not so very many really hot days left.
Posted by: Danielle | August 24, 2018 at 12:43 PM
What was it about the last Maisie mystery that was disappointing? I was hoping she had hit her stride again. For a while some of the stories were just so dark--I was happy to see Maisie back to regular sleuthing, but then we are getting back into another war era so she might do some interesting things once again? I hope all is well with you--school is back in session so work has been so crazy and I cannot seem to catch up on my own stuff! Have a great weekend and I hope to post this weekend here perhaps!
Posted by: Danielle | August 24, 2018 at 12:45 PM
Lots of goodies and I suspect there are going to be loads more new books that I can't wait to get my hands on!! Yes, school is back in session and this first week has been super crazy busy!
Posted by: Danielle | August 24, 2018 at 12:46 PM
For a while I read all her books just as they were released, but then I think one of them was a little disappointing and I just never got back to them. I really do want to, though. I feel an Adriana Trigiani splurge coming on.... :)
Posted by: Danielle | August 24, 2018 at 12:47 PM
This week has been so crazy with classes back in session and faculty all wanting materials (that they Really should have requested in the summer.....) so I just am ready for a break to catch my breath. I think some of Adriana Trigiani's books follow the same family but not all of them do. And I do like reading books in an orderly manner.... ;) I am in the mood for some Italian-American family drama and she seems the perfect writer for it. Have you read the most recent Claire Fuller novel? I just ordered it after hearing an interview with her. I will look for The Poison Bed--there are so many new books out that I want to read but my reading time lately has been limited and then I am such a Slow reader. Elly Griffiths has been on my mind lately--maybe I need to read her other series set in the 50s--I have that first book. And I want to get back to Commissario Ricciardi, too.... I hope all is well with you, Liz. I miss chatting with all my book friends here, so maybe will try and post something this weekend!
Posted by: Danielle | August 24, 2018 at 12:52 PM
Here’s my two cents via my Goodreads review: While the author deftly sets the scene in the early days of World War II, the many plot lines, events, and large cast of characters overwhelm the emotional impact of the story by constantly hurrying the reader along from storyline to storyline. Still a must read for anyone who enjoys this series and the continuing characters.
Posted by: Readerlane | August 24, 2018 at 01:03 PM
It's been a busy summer, and I haven't been able to keep up with commenting on even a reduced number of posts. I feel like I stay connected with you on Instagram at least.
That last book sounds especially good, and I'd like to get back to Ruth Holloway as well. I've never been able to get into Adriana Trigani for some reason. I think I've only read one of her books, and I remember putting one aside because it wasn't my cup of tea. Ha, finally, one author I don't feel compelled to read from start to finish!
Posted by: Kathy | August 26, 2018 at 08:52 AM
How have I not heard of The Psychology of Time Travel when this summer seems to be all about time travel books for me?! I'll get that one on my list ASAP. :)
Posted by: Kristen M | August 26, 2018 at 01:56 PM
Oh Danielle sounds like you are super busy! The last couple of months have been busy for me too and I am so behind on all things blogging and everything else! Hang in there and hope things calm down. Thanks for the list. Lots of authors I enjoy are coming out with new books - yay!
Posted by: iliana | August 26, 2018 at 03:13 PM
I think I know what you mean--her novels do tend to cover a lot of ground these days. I think I actually like her earlier Maisie novels more, which is why I have not jumped right in to read this one right away. After she lost her baby and her husband things were pretty rocky and the stories just have a different tone to them. Still, I will keep reading as I like Maisie, too, and want to see what happens to her and her family/friends.
Posted by: Danielle | August 31, 2018 at 12:33 PM
I can't keep up either--here I am replying to your comment Days later. I am not managing my time well or something, I guess. I think that is why I like Instagram--it is quick and easy and you don't have to write much so it seems more accessible now. I know what you mean--it can actually be a relief when you know you don't want or need to read an author--lol. And there are still loads more to fill that spot.
Posted by: Danielle | August 31, 2018 at 12:35 PM
Isn't it nice when you come across a book that fits so nicely with what you are in the mood for? Sometimes I come across loads of books with a certain theme but don't jot them down, then I decide those are Just the books I want to read and can't remember what they were!
Posted by: Danielle | August 31, 2018 at 12:36 PM
I seem to not be able to manage my time now like I used to. How did I do so much before and even when I was married. I think I just am taking some things much slower or something and time gets away from me. Anyway, I totally understand your situation and I am hoping things calm down a bit this fall. So many good books to read. I need to stop accumulating (and borrowing) and spend more time with my own books.
Posted by: Danielle | August 31, 2018 at 12:38 PM