PATRICK D. JOYCE BOOKS

This is a gripping read with a satisfying ending, set during the 1968 Prague Spring and the brutal Soviet crackdown. I’ve never been to Prague but I felt like I was there; the details and atmosphere create a strong sense of place. Two young journalists, Josie and Laurent, chase clues and solve puzzles to figure out if a traitor is in their midst. The pace is brisk—I read it in one sitting. Strawberry Fields is an entertaining (and historically informative!) prequel to Back in the USSR. Both books cleverly integrate Beatles’ songs and literary references against a backdrop of Cold War intrigue. I look forward to more books in this series.

Very much enjoyed this novel of international historical action and intrigue. I found myself rooting for the two young protagonists as they maneuvered their way through the Soviet invasion of Prague, 1968. The Beatles are only a minor part of the historical backdrop; it’s Prague itself that is really the main setting, and the shocking rapidity in which it fell to treachery. The real history here is well researched and impeccably presented. It adds to the suspense, gives the story texture, and, maybe best of all, gives the reader a chance to relive and learn about this important world-historical turning point in a way that feels as if one actually lived through it along with the characters. Strawberry Fields is a quick, easy, lively read, a well-written and beautifully paced thriller that is a page-turning tour de force.

The events surrounding Prague Spring in Czechoslovakia in 1968 have always fascinated me, but I never had an up-close and personal look at them until I started reading Patrick Joyce’s Strawberry Fields. The story is told from the perspective of two reporters—one with family ties to the country—and kept me hooked from start to finish. Readers will learn an enormous amount about the Russian invasion, but never in a didactic way, as the author sticks closely to personal stories and details. Yet, the parallels with Ukraine are definitely present if you care to see them. I, for one, rooted throughout the book for those who resisted Russian rule, and also loved the references to the Beatles. For me, Strawberry Fields ended far too soon—but happily, there is a new book by the same author—and I’m starting to read it now.

I am notorious for not finishing books that don't hold my interest. I couldn't put this one down and read it in two days. I would have read it in one if I didn't need to work! Intriguing plot, rich historical context, great characters, with Beatles music/themes woven in; it has all the ingredients of a very entertaining read. Looking forward to more from this author.

In 1968, I was a bookwormish fourteen-year-old whose biggest worry was finishing my math homework. In those insular, pre-internet times in peaceful suburbia, I was oblivious to the events taking place in Czechoslovakia during what would be called The Prague Spring. As I grew older, and the world grew smaller, I learned about those events, but they still felt a bit textbook-dusty. I needed Patrick Joyce's Strawberry Fields to thoroughly brush away the cobwebs of time and drop me smack into the middle of Prague just as the Russian tanks came rolling into the city.

The pace refuses to let up, start to finish. I felt as if I were witnessing this adventure playing out in real time. I skipped lunch and read till dinnertime. I dove right back into the story after the dishes were washed and read till bedtime. What a pleasure it was to be fully in the thrall of a good story!

I closed the book feeling slightly exhausted and very satisfied. It's a well-told story, written by an author that's no stranger to European countries and their politics. Reading Strawberry Fields not only entertained me, it left me with a heightened empathy for the people who experienced the real-life events that inspired this thrilling adventure.

I love historical books and mysteries, but I’ve never really read both in one book! This book is more than I can imagine, with twists and turns all keeping me hooked! It was a little hard to get into until the second chapter, which is what kept me hooked on Strawberry Fields!!

This is a prequel to the first in the Sing and Shout series. 'Back in the USSR' is a gripping historical thriller set in Moscow. It featured political repression, action, musical references, and the much-desired intrigue to obtain the illegal Beatle's White Album. Rock music was considered decadent, and the Beatle's music symbolized freedom. Both books were well-researched and informative, with appealing characters. There is a vibrant sense of place.

This story is set in Czechoslovakia more than a decade earlier. Josie, a young rookie reporter, arrived in Prague in 1968. She was sent by the Toronto Post because of her ability to speak the language. She learned the Czech language from her grandmother, who now lived in Canada, but told Josie stories about life in the old country. She recounted running through fields of strawberries outside of Prague as a child.

No sooner does Josie arrive in Prague when Russian tanks thunder into the city. This begins a tense, exciting story that is fast-paced and breathtaking.

I wish to thank the author, Patrick D Joyce, for this thrilling historical book. I will look forward to more of his compelling political stories enhanced with references to Beatles music.

Page-turning thriller that captures the spirit and danger of the Prague Spring. If you like breathless chases, cryptic clues, a heroine with grit, and a little romance — and want to explore Prague from your couch — this is a fun way to do it.

What a fun read! Especially delightful for Beatles fans, but a lot here for non-fans to enjoy, too (and a treasure trove of music for them to discover.) The author did such a great job describing the wide cast of characters that you never lost track of who was who. The plot was sometimes manic, sometimes fantastical, and always engaging. Loved the authentic glimpse into day-to-day life in Russia in the last days of the cold war. Highly recommend!

Light reading. Well written. Good story

This was an amazing and very exiting book about friendship and trust! This book was very adventurous and I couldn’t put it down! I would highly recommend!

"Back in the USSR" was riveting from start to finish. Between the setting (Moscow), the era (the 1980s), the theme (The Beatles), and the teenage characters, I seriously couldn't put this book down. With lots of intrigue and excitement, I kept thinking to myself, "I'd love to see this made into a movie!". Seriously.
Cleverly written, well-paced, maybe a bit fantastical in places, this book is geared for adults and young adult readers who're a bit more sophisticated, I think.

Excellent read that drew me in and kept me entertained. Highly recommend it!

I'm not usually drawn to thrillers but I really enjoyed reading Back in the USSR. The author does a nice job of weaving a young adult perspective, diplomatic life, and Beatles song lyrics to create a fast-moving plot that I found hard to put down.

Exciting story with lots of twists and turns. Whole family enjoyed this book!