Knave of Diamonds by Laurie R. King

 

 Knave of Diamonds: A Novel of Suspense featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes by Laurie R. King. Bantam Books, an imprint of Random House, 2025. Adult fiction. Mystery.

When Mary Russell's charming uncle, Jake Russell, shows up, Mary and Sherlock become involved in a cold case surrounding long missing Crown Jewels of Ireland. It's a case that Sherlock and his brother Mycroft had investigated with no results. And, now Jake, a man whom Mary has not seen since she was a child and a criminal himself seems to know a great deal about it all. The game's afoot again!

This new book in King's long running series about Russell and Holmes is a rip roaring adventure. Ernest Shackleton's brother, Frank, even makes an appearance! Start with the first book, The Beekeeper's Apprentice, and join the fun!

Finding Grace: A Novel by Loretta Rothschild

 

 Finding Grace: A Novel by Loretta Rothschild. Thorndike Press 2025. (Large Print edition).  Adult fiction.

Honor and Tom seem the perfect couple. Their four year old daughter, Chloe, is darling. They celebrate Christmas every year at The Ritz in Paris. Honor's best friends, Annie and Lauren, are supportive. Yet with all of this, Honor deeply longs for another child. which she medically cannot have. She reads all about egg donations and surrogates. Even though Tom is less enthusiastic, he goes through with the plans that mean so much to Honor and she picks the perfect donor just before Christmas .Everything is put in place. Then, their lives are changed forever. 

This is a debut novel and what a zinger of a book! I defy readers to finish the first chapter and not clamor for more.