Welcome to Litsy!

Thank you #StMartinsPress and #NetGalley for providing this #ARC Advance Reading Copy. The expected publication date is February 11, 2025 • 4 Stars

“The Queens of Crime” by Marie Benedict is a historical fiction set in 1930s London, where five renowned women mystery writers secretly form the Queens of Crime to solve an actual murder mystery, inspired by real events. ⬇️

I‘ve never had any strong feelings about Oscar Wilde, so I went into this fictionalized tale in five acts without a lot of expectation. Other than the fancifully modern fifth act, the previous four felt well-researched, though I never really warmed to the opening acts. Constance‘s sections really dragged on for me. But I loved Vyvyan‘s section (with scene stealer Lady Brooke!) & Cyril‘s section was also strong. I wish Constance leapt off the page!

#SchoolSpirit #Bell #Professor

Makeup post for days 2 & 3.

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs

While this was a work of historical fiction, American Duchess has endeared Consuelo to me. I want to know more! I think my Fall Quest will be to read as much as I can about her. What a fascinating woman!

Because, sometimes, you just need something light and entertaining!

Y‘all! This book is so good!

https://reecaspieces.com/2024/08/13/scandalous-women-by-gill-paul-bookreview-wmm...

Not my favourite Benedict but I think the one about the woman I knew the least about going in. It's quite a sad tale, but typical for women of her time.

May‘s #BookSpin, which I did finish in May but am horribly behind on reviews.

This was my #DoubleSpin for July and I managed to finish it before the Olympics arrived to distract me. This book covers Hattie McDaniel‘s life after she won the Oscar for her role in Gone With the Wind. It was well-written and I enjoyed it but it was hard to read about all the racism and backlash she endured. One thing that was fun were all the celebrities and notable people who come into her story.

My lunchtime reading today. I‘m trying to finish it before the Olympics start on Friday! (I don‘t count anything before the Opening Ceremony!)

Although this is one of my favorite authors, I didn‘t buy this immediately when it was released. I was hesitant to read a story about passengers on the Titanic. After all, we know basically what happened. I was wrong. This is a well written, thoroughly researched novel about family dynamics and the choices we make - not only how they affect us, but those around us. Definitely worth reading.