Murder Takes a Vacation, by Laura Lippman. William Morrow, 2025. 269 pages.
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for an advance readers copy of this book.
This light, entertaining mystery introduces us to Muriel Blossom, 68 year-old widow from Baltimore, who is using her lottery winnings to take a river cruise on the Seine with her childhood friend, Elinor.
Lippman takes this opportunity to address, through Muriel, issues around women’s aging and being more than the ideal weight in our culture. Self-understanding and self-acceptance all play a part in enjoyable first read for the summer.
The Road to Tender Hearts, by Annie Hartnett. Penguin-Random House, 2025. 363 pages.
Thank you to Penguin-Random House and NetGalley for an advance readers copy of this book.
This quirky, dark comedy about a makeshift family is both funny and poignant, and I’m glad I could be with them for their road trip from Massachusetts to Arizona.
The family relationships are complicated, some of the situations are absurd, some are touching, but in either case, along their journey, love and understanding builds.
6/7/25