Murder at the Foundling Hospital by Irina Shapiro - Book Review

Series: Tate and Bell Mystery #3

Publication Date: 21st Oct 2024

Genre: Historical Mystery 

4.2 Stars 

One Liner: A good mystery 

1858

Nurse Gemma Tate is heartbroken to realize that one of her wards in the Foundling Hospital has been killed. Though she trusts Inspector Sebastian Bell to solve the case, Gemma knows there are things he might never find out. She is in a position to access the gossip and secret whispers since she works in the same place. 

As new clues emerge, Sebastian and Gemma realize there’s more to the case than a random murder. They need to find the truth soon or the victim may not get justice. 

The story comes in Sebastian and Gemma’s third-person POVs. 

My Thoughts: 

The victim is a young girl (a teen). The official blurb makes it clear but I’m highlighting it again just to be sure. We do get a semi-detailed description as it is necessary for the plot. 

Finally, in book three, this becomes a Tate and Bell Mystery with Gemma playing a crucial part in the investigation. The book should work as a standalone. 

Since this is a dark mystery (still borderline cozy), the setting has a life of its own. The story takes place between Christmas and New Year; a handful of days, but filled with a lot of investigation. The cold weather, the rigid rules of the Foundling Hospital, the uncertain future of the children, and the bleakness of the murder make the plot atmospheric. 

The mystery is revealed in stages, with new information coming out, and most of it does not make sense for the characters since they have yet to connect the dots. Even I couldn’t guess until the characters almost did. The reveal did make sense in a way. 

Quite a few leads are pursued to solve the case, and these provide a glimpse into the lives of the unfortunate, the social conditions, and other aspects. Nothing preachy; just showcasing how things were back then. 

The ‘romance’ track doesn’t have any progress here due to the time span and the intensity of the case. However, the characters spend some time acknowledging their feelings (to themselves). 

The pacing is on the slower side, which cannot be helped. The book demands a steady-paced narrative to let the readers think and explore the details. 

There’s a development in the overarching plot which takes the story forward in a new direction. Without revealing spoilers, I’ll say that this could make Gemma play a more active role in future investigations. I’d like that (even if she tends to get dramatic and reckless at times).

To summarize, Murder at the Foundling Hospital is a worthy read for historical mystery fans. Set in Victorian London, it takes us into the dark corners of the city where danger is a constant companion. 

I found the blurb for the next one on Amazon and saw that this book has set the foundation for it. Excited to read it! 

Thank you, NetGalley, and Storm Publishing, for eARC. 

#NetGalley #MurderAtTheFoundlingHospital

Murder of a Suffragette by Marty Wingate - Book Review

Series: London Ladies' Murder Club #4

Publication Date: 28th Oct 2024

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery 

4 Stars  

One Liner: Entertaining; with a little happy surprise! 

1922

Mabel Canning is the acting secretary of Lady Fellbridge and is organizing the suffragette meeting on the estate. Many women who had been in the movement attended the event. Everything seems well until Annie Hatkins, Lady Fellbridge’s best friend and a leading suffragette is murdered in her bed. 

As Mabel (with help from her beau Park and her friends, Cora and Skeff) starts to investigate the crime, she realizes the truth lies somewhere in the past during the peak of the suffragette movement. Can Mabel find out what happened and expose the killer before more lives are lost? 

The story comes in Mabel’s third-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

The fourth book of the series should work as a standalone read but I’d recommend reading at least the previous book if not all. The story takes place in the FMC’s hometown (village) with local characters and her friends from the city. 

After reading a few books that have the suffragette background, I found that there was still more to learn about the movement. There are two types of protestors – Suffragettes and Suffragists. While the former was actively engaged in the movement (marches, protests, and even being jailed), the latter chose peaceful methods (lobbying, NGOs, etc.) to get what they wanted. Both worked for the same cause but in different ways. 

Lady Fellbridge’s estate is where the major events take place. The Hall has a history and the design is quite complicated. We do get enough to have a vague idea but I felt a rough map (the one mentioned in the story) would have helped. 

Inspector Tolly seems to have finally given up. Likely that he realized it’s easier to let Mabel do her sleuthing. It saves him work, after all! I’m glad that Constable Wardle (Hildy) gets a bigger role. Being a woman constable is not a small thing.

The mystery is actually good. It took me a while to figure out who the killer was. Though I still didn’t know the reason, but suspected a little (overactive imagination and all that). The reveal did make sense and tried up with the rest of the details. 

We finally get to meet Reg Canning and Mrs. Chandekar in this book. She is an absolute darling! (Apparently, her first name is Moti. So, Moti with a hard t sound would mean fat; Moti with a soft t sound, Mothi, would mean a pearl. I presume it’s the latter but I did wonder the first time I saw the name. Unfortunately, some people write Moti even for pearl, so that might have led to that spelling in the book.)

The surprise element is the little mischievous kid from the previous books. He is very much present in at least 30-40% of the book and brings a lot of smiles and chuckles. 

The way the book ended makes me wonder if this will be the last in the series. We are at the brink now. It could end and would make sense, or it could continue and offer more cases I’m okay with either, though I would like to read at least another three books to see how Mabel handles the new responsibilities. 

To summarize, Murder of a Suffragette is a steady-paced entertainer with some danger, mischief, and drama. It is a lighthearted read that tackles a few important topics. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for eARC. 

#NetGalley #MurderOfASuffragette

A Little Place in Prague by Julie Caplin - Book Review - Blog Tour

Series: Romantic Escapes #12 (Standalone)

Publication Date: 23rd Oct 2024  

Purchase Link (UK): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Place-Prague-swoon-worthy-must-read-ebook/dp/B0CW1F5HX8

Purchase Link (US):https://www.amazon.com/Little-Place-Prague-swoon-worthy-must-read-ebook/dp/B0CW1F5HX8

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/209353069-a-little-place-in-prague

Genre: Contemporary Romance

4 Stars

One Liner: Heartwarming and a great virtual tour!

Book Blurb:

It's been years since Anna has seen Leo Knight. And of all the apartments in all the cities in all the world, he just happens to walk into her cozy new attic home – as her new housemate.

As the two walk the cobbled streets of Prague, taking in the sights and sounds from Wenceslas Square, frosted with snow, to the soft glow of candlelit Charles Bridge, the enchantment of the City of a Hundred Spires soon starts to work its magic on them…

***

My Thoughts:

The story comes in Leo and Anna’s third-person POVs.

Firstly, kudos to whoever wrote the official blurb for the book. It is short, sweet, and shares only the bare minimum details. That means, right from the beginning, we get a series of surprises unspoiled by a lengthy blurb. This makes a lot of difference in how we perceive the characters and their backstories. No presumptions or assumptions!

Since I mainly got the book to enjoy a virtual tour of Prague, I can say it delivers in that aspect. The city’s charming old buildings, the historical sites (and relevant snippets), the warmth of the locals, etc., are beautifully presented. The writing is easy to read. It flows well without being overly descriptive or dramatic.

Quite a few Czech words have been used but mainly for the food items (with descriptions) and common terms like please, thank you, cheers, etc! This adds to the local flavor and provides an immersive reading experience.

I do wish the beer brewery track was given a bit more space. While we get introduced to different types of beer, the learning and working part takes a back seat since the focus is mostly on the personal track.

We cannot immediately take sides here, though we want to. I did naturally side with one character but could see the flaws as well. The details are revealed in stages as the plot advances, thus keeping us wondering about the whats, whys, and what next.

Some of the side characters are adorable! A few of them are 2D, but they do what’s required of them. The sudden change of one character didn’t really fit, but she was the only one available for that scene, I guess. (There are 5 characters whose names start with J. It seems author Julie Caplin loves the letter J.)

The book was an almost 5-star read despite a few niggles. However, an important aspect hadn’t been dealt the way I hoped it would be. Let’s just say that internal acknowledgment is not enough. It had to be said out loud, followed by an apology for being an idiot and wanting to get away with it. This is too important for me to ignore. All I needed was a two-line dialogue!

To summarize, A Little Place in Prague is almost like an ode to the beautiful city with a heartwarming second-chances love story thrown into the mix. There’s an epilogue, but I would have loved an extended epilogue as well.

Either way, I’m going to check out the previous books in the series. They have gorgeous covers!

Thank you, Rachel’s Random Resources and One More Chapter (HarperCollins), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley

***

About the Author – Julie Caplin

Julie Caplin, formerly a PR director, swanned around Europe for many years, taking top food and drink writers on press trips (junkets), sampling the gastronomic delights of various cities in Italy, France, Belgium, Spain, Copenhagen, and Switzerland. It was a tough job, but someone had to do it.

These trips have provided the inspiration and settings for the highly successful Romantic Escapes series, which has hit the best-seller charts in Italy, Germany, and the Czech Republic and has sold over two million copies worldwide.

The first book in the nine-strong series, The Little Café in Copenhagen, was shortlisted for a Romantic Novel of the Year Award.

Follow the Author:

Twitter/ X: @JulieCaplin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JulieCaplinAuthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliecaplinauthor/

***

This has been a stop on the #ALittlePlaceInPrague blog tour by Rachel's Random Resources. (@rararesources) Thanks for stopping by!

Beyond Reasonable Doubt by Robert Dugoni - Book Review

Series: Keera Duggan #2

Publication Date: 22nd Oct 2024 

Genre: Contemporary Courtroom Drama, Thriller 

4.5 Stars 

One Liner: Keera does it again! 

Seattle attorney Keera Duggan is back. This time, she is approached by her friend Jenna Bernstein, the CEO of a biotech company, accused of murdering her former partner and lover. This isn’t Jenna’s first touch with trouble. Keera’s father had handled a case for her three years ago and she knows just how manipulative Jenna can get.  

Still, Keera is determined to give a case a shot. As the investigation gets deeper, Keera must determine if her client is innocent or guilty. 

The story comes in the third-person POVs of Keera and Frank. 

My Thoughts: 

After reading the first book, I hoped it would be a series. Keera was too good to be limited to a single book. Imagine my delight when I saw this one! 

While the plot and the courtroom drama are not as intense as in the previous one, there’s enough to keep the reader hooked. That’s why I read the book on a Sunday and finished it in two back-to-back sittings. 

There are also fewer references to chess moves, which worked just fine for me since I don’t know the game. The courtroom scenes, especially in part two, were fab. They were not filled with tension but more like a waiting game to see what she planned. 

The book relies heavily on the FMC. Keers does a great job of carrying the plot. The opening scene followed by how she dealt with the afterward shows her character. There’s a touch of ruthlessness in her which is exactly what one needs to do the job right but within the boundaries of the law.

The family is less present but we get enough to remember how dysfunctional it is. Patsy also has a smaller role which allows the plot to move steadily without unwanted distractions. 

Frank Rossi is the second lead and a detective who gets the other half of the POV. Through him, we see the police procedural parts of the case. He is a reliable, stable, and rational narrator. While Frank and Keera don’t have many scenes together (they work on the opposite sides now), I like how there’s a lot of read-between-the-lines thing going on. The development is almost non-existent but I can see the foundation being laid. It will get interesting in the next books (can’t help it; I love a bit of romance as long as it is organic).

I could connect the dots and guess the way things would turn over sometime in the second half. That didn’t affect my reading experience. For me, knowing I read the clues right implies the author planned well and kept the readers informed instead of wanting to surprise them with a ‘twist’ or by hiding crucial information. 

Did I want a little more exploration of Jenna’s psychology? Yes! A bit more of cat-and-mouse games; yes! Still, no complaints about what I got. 

Also, I love this new trend of introducing new white characters as white. Keep doing it. 

To summarize, Beyond Reasonable Doubt is without doubt a solid continuation of the series and sets the tone for what’s come. I can’t wait to read book #3 and meet Keera (& Frank) again. 

There’s no author’s note in this ARC. Wonder why? The one in the previous book was lovely! 

Thank you, NetGalley, and Thomas & Mercer, for eARC. 

#NetGalley #BeyondReasonableDoubt

Until We Shatter by Kate Dylan - Book Review

Publication Date: 17th Oct 2024

Genre: YA Historical Fantasy, LGBT 

2.5 Stars 

One Liner: Will depend on how you like the FMC 

Cemmy’s life is always under threat. The only safe space for her is the In-Between, the Gray where neither the Council nor the Church can kill her. With her mother’s health failing, Cemmy becomes a thief. However, her latest project lands her and her friends in bigger trouble. 

Cemmy has to work with Chase (and others) to steal an ancient relic hidden by the Church. One wrong step could kill them and the path is filled with twists, landmines, and dead ends. Can she do it? 

The story comes in Cemmy’s first-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

With a cover and premise like that, I couldn’t resist requesting the book knowing it is YA. Serves me right I suppose!

The author’s note is at the beginning, which I appreciate. It helped me understand the story to an extent. We also get a short list of the colors and their magic but a detailed list would have been helpful. This magic system is kinda complex without a reference. 

We know how important the beginning is for any book. This one has a great first page until the MC starts to talk to herself too often and provides too many details at once. The first two chapters were heavy, slow, and annoying. Instead of making me feel for Cemmy, I ended up being irritated by her. Easing some weight off these chapters should provide a smoother reading experience. 

Too much data about the magic system (especially when the initial chart isn’t enough) made it a laborious read in the first quarter. I was constantly pairing up colors to determine where the Hues fit and all that. I’m a go-with-the-flow kind of reader. Still, it wasn’t easy. 

The Council and Church part was a little easier. It is similar to religion vs. politicians, church vs. nonbelievers, etc., thingy. Think of something set in ancient Europe. That should give you an idea. 

Some of the side characters are cool. I like Novi; she is spunky, sassy, and a no-nonsense person. Eve and Ezzo are nice. The other girl is also nice. Though we are told there’s a found family trope, the dynamics aren’t really there. Also, lies, secrets, and repetitive wrong decisions are used to advance the plot. 

Chase, is well, supposed to be the hero. He tried. I have to admit that the poor guy tried to be the kind of hero readers would appreciate – morally gray with hidden secrets, a sad past, powerful, handsome, etc. I did like him okay. 

If you haven’t guessed by now, my issue is with the narrator and heroine, Cemmy. Thank god, her self-talk reduced considerably as the story progressed but it was too much in the beginning. I can see why it was necessary but, honestly, that girl cannot carry this plot on her whiny shoulders. Girl’s bi, so that’s the queer angle. For more than half the book, she has a thing for someone but suddenly feels attracted to the MMC. However, this ‘romance’ didn’t feel organic nor did they have much chemistry. 

There are dark elements here. Some of it can make you squeamish. That said, older teens should be able to read it. The ‘romance’ is not detailed either. 

There are a few plot holes, which raise some questions about the whole thing. I wish there was more detail about the world-building, the magic system, and the hierarchy in general. The ending is more HFN, which does align with the overall vibe. 

To summarize, Until We Shatter has an ambitious plot that rests on an angsty teenager and a group of ‘misfits’. You will like it better if you connect with the FMC. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton (Hodderscape), for eARC. 

#NetGalley #UntilWeShatter

The Marigold Mind Laundry by Jungeun Yun, Shanna Tan (Translator) - Book Review

Publication Date: 01st Oct 2024 

Genre: Magic Realism, Cozy Contemporary 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: Soothing 

When a young Jieun accidentally makes her family vanish, she is determined to find them no matter how long it takes. Yet, the process takes a toll on her. One night, she creates the Marigold Mind Laundry, where people can convert their painful memories into stains on clothes and wash them away. It’s a chance to find some peace and happiness as Jieun helps them by listening to their stories. Somewhere along the way, Jieun realizes there are some lessons she too needs to learn! 

The story comes in the third-person POV of multiple characters. 

My Thoughts: 

It certainly helps to have the right expectations when starting a book. With the current GR rating at ~3.4 stars, picking this up after two 2-star books was a gamble. However, I needed something soothing, mellow, and gentle. 

In a way, the book is a bit similar to The Full Moon Coffee Shop. While I liked that one better, this did the job and eased my mind. 

There are many sayings in the book; too many of them, in fact, and all of them make this read like self-help. However, the magic realism and the undercurrent melancholy prevent it from becoming a boring book.

The POV jumps are sometimes awkward, so I had to reread a sentence at a few places to follow the thoughts. Also, some dialogues are weird. Not sure if it’s due to translation or if the original was similarly written. 

The episodic style (yet with a bit of interconnectedness) ensures the narrative changes often. The overarching plot doesn’t have much progress, though there are many subtle hints (which I couldn’t always decipher). Every change in the episode/ story is clearly marked with the relevant character’s name and a B&W illustration (this was a surprise).

While the book was almost 4 stars up to 85% or so, the last bit didn’t appeal much. I did guess two elements correctly but somehow the shift felt too abrupt. Though I like that the approach is realistic for the overarching plot, the other aspects lost the charm due to sudden change. Still, it does end on a hopeful note. 

The found family theme is quite strong in the second half and sustains until the last page, which is a bonus. 

To summarize, The Marigold Mind Laundry is a mood read that almost borders on self-help philosophical musings. While it won’t work for everyone, sometimes this is exactly what you might need. 

Thank you, Jordan Forney, NetGalley, and Random House (The Dial Press), for eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheMarigoldMindLaundry