This week's round-up of beautiful book mail!
I'm excited to begin sharing a roundup of the book mail I've received recently. I can't wait to delve into these books and share my thoughts through reviews!
As always, a huge thank you to all the authors and publishers for sending these out to me! 🫶🏻
No Comment by Jess McDonald:
In response to staffing shortages, the British Metropolitan Police Service introduced the Direct Entry Detective Scheme in 2017. Jess McDonald, among 4,500 applicants, underwent rigorous vetting to join. Initially envisioning a book bridging true crime fascination with detective work, Jess's experience proved more profound.
In her thirties, Jess was drawn to the program by her love of true crime podcasts and a passion for justice, ignited by a civil case against her former employer. This book recounts her journey from selection to training in 2018 and her challenges as a probationary detective in London's CSU, particularly in handling domestic violence cases.
Jess faced criticism from traditionalist colleagues and, despite initial determination, succumbed to depression and workplace bullying, resigning within a year. She reflects candidly, highlighting the toll of police work on individuals. No Comment offers a concise yet insightful portrayal of modern detective work and its ramifications.
Thank you so much to the author - Jess McDonald as well as Cristiana at Bloomsbury Books for sending out this book!
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The Men Who Were Sherlock Holmes by Daniel Smith:
Daniel Smith delves into the pivotal roles of the two men who inspired Arthur Conan Doyle's powers of deduction, uncovering the real-life origins of Sherlock Holmes. He does this through the lens of a mystery as captivating as any case tackled by the Great Detective.
In 1893, the murder of young army officer Cecil Hambrough at the expansive Ardlamont estate in Scotland ignited one of Victorian Britain's most riveting court cases. This case notably brought together two pioneering forensic experts, Joseph Bell and Henry Littlejohn, who served as the inspirations for Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes. Their involvement in the Ardlamont affair sheds light on the creation of the world's most famous detective, marking a dramatic convergence of crime fiction and crime fact.
Thank you so much to the author - Daniel Smith and the team at Tandem Collective and Michael O'Mara Books for sending out the book for promotion!
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A Good Life by Virginie Grimaldi:
A Good Life tells the story of two sisters, Emma and Agathe, who are five years apart. Emma, the older sister, is organised, settled, and seemingly has everything together. In contrast, Agathe has always been reckless, experiencing many ups and downs, frequently changing jobs and projects, navigating through various relationships, and constantly on the move.
Following the death of their beloved grandmother, the two adult sisters decide to spend a week together in their grandmother's house before it is sold.
The novel unfolds through flashbacks, spanning from the sisters' early years to the present. It explores themes of family dysfunction, mental health, and grief. Despite misunderstandings, the sisters' bond remains strong, and they come to appreciate how fortunate they are to have each other.
Thank you so much to the author - Virginie Grimaldi as well as Daniela and the team at Europa Editions for sending out a review copy!
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A Black Girl in the Middle: Essays on (Allegedly) Figuring It All Out by Shenequa Golding:
A Black Girl in the Middle celebrates the complexity and pride of not always fitting in, providing a validation of Black girlhood and womanhood in all its forms.
Shenequa Golding doesn’t aim to speak for all Black women, recognizing their vastness, vibrancy, and complexity. As an adult, Golding embraces her boldness, but growing up, she often found herself "kind of in the middle," neither the coolest kid nor the overachiever.
Black Girl in the Middle, captures life's wins and losses, representing the middle ground for Black girls and women. This blazingly honest collection from a refreshing new voice explores the in-between moments for Black women and girls, and what it means to simply exist.
Thank you so much to the author - Shenequa Golding as well as the team at Beacon Press for sending out this copy to be reviewed!
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