The Stalker- Book Review

The Stalker by Sarah Alderson

Publication Date: 8^th July 2021
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Drama

 3.5 Stars 

Liam and Laura go to a remote island in Scotland for their honeymoon. It’s supposed to be only the two of them for a week. But soon, they discover that the island is haunted by a tragic past. Add to it, there seems to be another person sharing the island with them.

Who is this person? What do they want, and why are they stalking the couple? When did their perfect honeymoon turn into a deadly nightmare?

The book starts with Laura and Liam going to a local Scottish pub before heading off to the Island of Shura. The weather is gloomy and matches Laura’s mood. We come to know that she’s fighting the depression of losing her mother.

As the story progresses, Laura tells us her story as the couple explores the island’s ruined castle, chapel, burrows, beaches, and more. She feels someone stalking them, and soon enough, the evidence is visible as a craving on the window glass.

The narration is fast-paced though nothing much happens during the first few pages. The setting makes it easy to create an atmosphere of tension and fear. As a fan of Scotland-based stories, I was looking forward to reading this book. The cover added to the vibe, and I had quite a few expectations.

The author does tick a few boxes for a heady thriller. The plot had merit, and her narration was good enough to carry the story. However, towards the end, the plot losses steam. Of course, there needs to be a sort of closure, but it fell a little flat.

There’s a twist in the second half that explains the red flags I noticed in the first half. I can’t go into details because even the tiniest hint would be a spoiler. Suffice to say, I re-adjusted my guesses based on the hints the writer scattered around. 

I did find a few inconsistencies, though I’m not sure if they were deliberate or if the author missed them. If it’s the former, readers (thriller fans) would know the storyline before the twist is revealed.

I didn’t relate to the character, but that’s not uncommon. I don’t relate to a lot of them. And this one felt like I was watching a show on the screen. For a thriller, that’s not a bad thing. It just didn’t involve me as much as I would’ve liked.

Overall, the author did a decent job of creating a suspense thriller with the right atmosphere and good narration. 

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Avon Books UK and am voluntarily leaving a review.

#NetGalley

The Aftermath- Book Review

The Aftermath by Gail Schimmel

Genre: Women’s Fiction, Family Drama 
4.3 Stars 

The Aftermath is about three women- Helen (mother), Julia (daughter), and Claire (friend). 

Helen had been in an accident twenty-six years ago and has been barely present for her daughter, Julia. Julia grew up with bare minimum affection and spent more time with her therapist as she grew older. 

Claire comes as a breath of fresh air into Julia’s life, bringing laughter and mindless fun. She has a loving family, understanding parents, a nice husband, and a cute 6yo daughter. She’s ever-ready to help others, even if it puts her under immense strain. 

One rash decision by Julia changes everything. She can’t rely on Claire to make her laugh. Her mother is beginning to act different, and Julia isn’t sure if she likes it or not. 

Things get further complicated, and the lives of the three women are entwined more than ever. What happens next? Can they find peace and happiness one way or another? 

The book has multiple POVs, with Helen, Julia, and Claire sharing their version of the story. Another character, Daniel, also gets to share his side of things, and let’s just say that he’s someone who needs to be hit on the head with a hot frying pan to knock some sense into it. 

I love how the author has presented four different POVs (three of which are women) and still maintained their voices true to their characters. There is no confusion or mix-up in the narration. The character arcs are steady, and so are the voices as the story progresses. 

Despite being a 350-page book, the short chapters and free-flowing narrative style make the book an easy read. The characters do their thing, muddle through life, make a few wrong decisions, make the right ones, try to get life back on track, and well… just live.

Though I don’t identify with any of the characters, I could understand their decisions and motives. The characters are real and flawed. Yet, they aren’t weak. They carry the story from start to finish with apparent ease. As a reader, I know they’ll handle whatever comes in the way, and they do. 

The story deals with multiple themes of life, love, loss, friendships, and so on. It’s a contemporary drama without seeming to be one. The side characters are well-etched within their scope and add more depth to the story. 

All of it sounds great, but there are teeny things I wished the book had. As someone who likes complete endings, I was a bit disappointed with the ending. I wanted to hear all the women say goodbye to the readers. 

The secret isn’t something devastating or major. Yeah, it is important. But it doesn’t define or change things per se. And it comes towards the end. That part of the blurb makes the book sound more like a family thriller, but it isn’t. 

Apart from these, the setting is both an advantage and a disadvantage. The story is set in a suburb of Johannesburg, SA. Now, when you read the book, you hardly find anything related to the region. People want the setting to be an inherent part of the story; this could disappoint them a little. This book could be set just about anywhere, and it would more or less be the same. While the universal factor is a plus, and I like it (that’s how I write too), not every reader sees it that way. 

Overall, The Aftermath is a very well-written, steady-paced book with strong characters and a definite storyline. There aren’t many twists or confusing changes of directions. We can guess how things will proceed, and most of the time, they go the same way. If you enjoy such books, The Aftermath is for you.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing.

#NetGalley #TheAftermath 

The Lily Garden- Book Review

The Lily Garden by Barbara Josselsohn

Expected Publication: 2nd July 2021
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Contemporary 

3.5 Stars 

The Lily Garden was created by Caroline’s mother more than thirty years ago. After her mother’s death, followed by her father’s accident, Caroline leaves Lake Summers and goes to live with her aunt in Chicago. 

The story starts with Caroline working in her aunt’s successful business empire. Her daughter Lee is ready to graduate and has her future decided for her as the heiress of the business. Caroline and Lee have a two-week summer break to look at other options and travel to Boston. 

A message from Maxine, the woman who cared for Caroline like a mother, forces her to change her plans. The Lily Garden would be demolished, and they need to find a way to stop it somehow. 

Then we have Aaron, a historian and a professor who moves to the town for a year. He has his own past to deal with. When paths cross, Caroline has to decide if she wants to play it safe or take a plunge and see where things go. She also has to face her past, and things are not what she thought them to be. 

The premise is great, and I love the cover. After reading The Bluebell Girls last year, I had high expectations from this one. 

A young widow with a teenage daughter going back to her childhood town to fight for the last memory of her mother was enough to make me pick this book as soon as I could. The writing was easy to read, and the setting was wonderful. The author can create vivid imagery of the landscape and its people. The side characters are well-etched and added a lot to the book. 

So what made me give it just 3.5 stars? 

I was looking for the ‘terrible secret’ that was supposed to be revealed in the book. The ending of the blurb goes- 

“But then Caroline learns a terrible secret about the day her mother died. If she continues fighting to save the garden, she may uncover more painful truths that will affect her whole family. But if she leaves now, she will have to give up a future with Aaron and the beautiful town that has always been in her heart…”  

But the secret doesn’t get revealed until almost 82-85% of the book. And when it’s done, it’s underwhelming because the scenes rush by one after another. Things get sorted in the last 15% of the novel, though we still don’t know the answer to some questions. There’s a hint, and guess we’ll have to make do with that. 

For someone with so many lovely memories of the place, it seems odd that Caroline didn’t want to go back even once. Yeah, she has created her own version of some of the past incidents. However, it doesn’t really change the story. 

Caroline is pretty much a hesitant and tentative character, prone to panics for the slightest of issues. It does make her real, but it also makes her a weak character to carry the weight of the story. 

I felt Lee was better etched for her age, and Caroline’s character shadows her in many places. I think it’s the limited third-person narrative that resulted in this. 

There are a few chapters from Aaron’s perspective (limited third person), but they leave us with more questions than answers. We get a gist of what would happen soon to tie up the loose ends, but it left me dissatisfied. I wanted more from the book. The relationship between Aaron and Caroline was okay. It wasn’t explored enough for me to root for them. 

The side characters are the strength of this book. They bring color and life and make the story more interesting. The relationship between Caroline and Maxine was great. It was one of the positives of the book. 

Overall, the story is sweet and heartwarming, but it needed better treatment to shine. The author did a better job with other book(s), and I hope to read that kind of magic from her again. 

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bookouture. 

#TheLilyGarden #NetGalley 

The Long Game- Book Review

The Long Game by Simon Rowell

Expected Publication: 3rd August 2021
Genre: Mystery, Crime, Police Detective

4.3 Stars

Detective Sergeant Zoe Meyers is back in action after a recovery break of 4 months. Her first day at work takes her to a crime scene in the sweltering heat of Melbourne. Accompanied by her loyal service dog, Harry, Zeo, works with her team to find the killer.

A small meeting with an investigative journalist leads her to examine a couple of past cases. And when her current case follows the same pattern, Zoe knows it’s all too neat. The killer isn’t the one the evidence points to. Her team is hesitant and doubtful. After all, Zoe is back from a break, and the case isn’t meaty enough for her.

But instincts are never wrong, and when Zoe starts digging for the truth, things become clear (or maybe not). Zoe isn’t the one to give up, and she’s vowed to get the killer behind the bars.

The Long Game sounds like a perfect police mystery, and in many ways, it is. The writing is neat, crisp, and steady. The plot flows well, though it seemed a little too easily tied up at the end. Zoe is assertive, methodical, and smart. She knows to trust her instincts and connect the dots. She’s also brave and capable.

However, Zoe is still recovering and gets panic attacks (hence the service dog) because of the previous case. Don’t worry, though. The details of the case are shared as flashbacks in the book. The last flashback is longer with all the information and comes at a crucial time. I skipped it, completed the book, and went back to read the flashback. Since it has no relation to the current case, this method worked great for me.

The book is standalone but has all elements of becoming a successful series. The relationship between Zoe and her dog is naturally woven into the story. We also see her dynamics with other police personnel. (There should be a mandatory nasty guy in the office, and we do have one here).

The case unfolds without too much drama. I enjoyed that my thoughts were almost always in sync with Zoe’s. I didn’t have to mutter about her not seeing what’s right in front of her. Zoe reminded me of Eve Dallas from the In Death Series by JD Robb. Eve has been here for a long time, and it’s natural to compare. Zoe can stand on her own and assert her identity if the author decides to turn this into a series.

Since I could finish it in two days, I added the extra 0.3 stars.

Overall, this is a good crime thriller to enjoy without stressing the grey cells. The Australian setting and police procedural were fun to read. I haven't read any until this book.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Text Publishing.

#TheLongGame #NetGalley

Her Tuscan Summer- Book Review

Her Tuscan Summer by Vanessa Carnevale

Expected Publication: 3rd June 2021
Genre: Contemporary romance

3.5 Stars

Mia Moretti travels from Melbourne to Florence to heal from the psychological and emotional scars left by a life-threatening condition. She also wants to get back her art and paint again.

She meets a local mechanic, Luca, who sweeps her away across the country, making her smile, help her face her fears, and paint again. But when a tragedy strikes them, can they let love keep them together, or will it tear them apart?

I picked the book for its setting more than anything else. The story started out great, and that was a plus. The writing is easy to follow, and I finished the book in two days. The imagery is beautiful (obviously, it’s Italy!), and I could picture it with ease. More so because I’m a fan of David Rocco and watched his Dolce Vita series set in Florence, Sicily, Amalfi, and Napoli.

After a light 2/3 of the book, the last 1/3 went totally out of balance. Though the book talks about Mia’s recovery from cancer, it doesn’t get too intense until after 65% or so. And then, it almost gets overwhelming, pushing one heavy emotion after another on the reader.

There’s little breathing space, and that too is shadowed by intense agony and grief. This unexpected shift didn’t work for me. The tone was set by then, and I knew there would be some conflict. But based on what flowed until then, I wasn’t expecting something this forceful. It does have a decent happy ending, but I only heaved a sigh of relief that the book was over.

Maybe if the story has a non-linear narration to space out things, it would have been easier to handle. Also, the insta-love would have had a better chance of convincing the readers.

What surprised me was the age of the characters, which slipped my mind after the initial chapter or two. Mia is 19 years old. Yeah, she’s quite mature for her age (not always, mind you), but the book is a typical romance and reads like the one with 25+ characters. Though 19 is not terribly young, she is still a teen and acts like one only when the author needs some ripples or touches of conflict.

The talk of art was lovely to read. There was nothing technical, and the focus is on how Mia lets go and starts to embrace her talent. The side characters are well-etched and do their bit to bring some cheer into the book.

If not for the 1/3rd of the book, where Mia’s character is developed, and Luca is almost messed up, this one would have been a four-star for me.

Overall, it’s an enjoyable read with a wonderful setting, but be prepared for an extra-emotional last section and some heavy drama.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bookouture. 

#HerTuscanSummer #NetGalley

Never Saw You Coming- Book Review

Never Saw You Coming by Erin Hahn

Publication Date: 7th Sep 2021
Genre: YA, romance, family drama, religion

3.8 Stars 

Meg Hennessey, an 18yo, finds out a secret that changes her in every way. She takes a gap year to come to terms with the truth and to come out of the conservative, orthodox upbringing she’s used to all her life.

The trip leads her to Micah, a 19 yo, battling demons of his own. Being a former pastor’s kid with the father in jail leaves him with only a couple of friends. Meg and Micah gravitate towards each other, struggling with things around them, things between them, and the conflicting thoughts and emotions from the past and present.

How can the two find faith and find themselves in the process?

The book is based on (and dedicated to) church kids. Though I have no in-depth idea about the intricacies, I know enough to understand their upbringing and the conflicting emotions they go through.

The story has two POVs- Meg and Micah in alternating chapters. I almost missed this the first time and wondered by there was a sudden change in tone. Then I realized I was supposed to read the chapter names (yeah, that’s me).

The author was successful in keeping both the voices distinct to a great extent. That’s a definite plus in books with dual POV. The characters are well-etched, and despite all the rambling (it’s YA after all), Meg and Micah are more mature than the adults in the book (maybe except Betty).

Rating this one was quite hard. I liked how it was going until it got too heavy with preaching God. Yeah, I’m a believer (though my God is different). Still, if the reader starts to skim through the paragraphs each time Meg or Micah gets into one of those phases, it’s not a good sign. That did push the rating down. But the author’s note at the end shed more light on why she was so insistent about separating God from church and the rigid rules. I don’t like the way she overemphasized, but I understand her intentions.

The overall love story is cute with real angst. And that worked quite well since there was enough of it already. The two don’t fight or have a misunderstanding for the sake of fitting a trope. That’s another plus.

The book also includes LGBT+ characters. While some of it was natural, one seemed forced. It sort of makes sense but shouldn’t have been presented better. Since the reader is restricted to the POV of Meg or Micah, we need enough foreshadowing to make something believable.

There was one character that started out great but slipped towards the end. Guess the author wanted to show how tough it is to be objective when rules are drilled into us. Of course, the character redeems it, but I felt Meg was a little too forgiving.

Overall, I rather liked the character development of Meg and Micah and enjoyed the book for not being a typical YA romance. Just wish it was crisper and toned down a little on the faith part.

I received an ARC from NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Wednesday Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.

#NetGalley #NeverSawComing

Rukmini: Krishna's Wife- Book Review

Rukmini: Krishna’s Wife by Saiswaroopa Iyer 

Genre: Mythological Retelling, Indian Historical Fiction

4 Stars

The title says it all, doesn’t it? The book is about Rukmini, Krishna’s wife. She is the first woman he married and the queen of Dwarka. When we look at our ancient scriptures, we realize there is little about her life as Krishna’s wife. Sure, we know she is devoted, poised, and none other than the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, who married her consort Prabhu Vishnu in his Krishna avatar. 

There are bits and pieces of information about Rukmini in her married home. She has been shown as a docile spouse, while Satyabhama is the feisty and outspoken one. The famous Thulabaram emphasizes the difference between Rukmini and Satya and how they express their love for Krishna. 

It does seem surprising to see her so mellow, especially since her marriage to Krishna was an elopement. Rukmini, the Princess of Vidharba, sends a letter to Krishna asking him to take her away right before her forced marriage with Sisupala, the prince of Chedi. 

What if Rukmini is the same fiery woman who chose her own fate? What if she held the fort in Dwaraka when Krishna was away saving the world? Someone had to manage the kingdom. Maybe it was Rukmini who did it all.

This book by Saiswaroopa Iyer is based on this wonderful premise. It starts right at the end when Dwaraka is drowning and moves straight to the time when Rukmini first hears about Krishna. 

We see Rukmini as a determined and carefree teenager. We see her asserting her opinions and values and fighting Rukma, her brother, who was no more than a pawn of evil. We see her as Krishna’s lover and wife, a girl growing into a woman. Her journey is not easy. Neither does the political scenario make it simpler, nor does Krishna’s enigmatic personality. Rukmini, in her transition phase, is vulnerable, confused, scared, and still determined. She can be cold and aloof if the need arose. 

In short, Rukmini is human. She’s not a Goddess who makes no mistakes. Krishna, for all his elusiveness, is also a vulnerable man, a King doing his best for his people and still being questioned and humiliated for his actions. 

Growing up in a traditional Telugu household, I know the story of Rukmini Kalyanam, Thulabaram, and Mahabharatam almost by heart. The knowledge comes from books, picture books, movies (Oh, who can forget the great NTR as Krishna in not one but 17 movies!), and TV shows. Reading this book was like watching the scenes play on screen. 

My favorite show was Sri Bhagavatam on ETV by Bapu garu and Ramana garu. There are very few people who can do justice to these epics, and this duo is one of them. I was a kid, probably a pre-teen, when the show was aired every Sunday. I would wake up just before the show started and have milk watching it. This book brought forth memories from those days. Though the faces are still blurry in my mind, I could see the scenes of Rukmini Kalyanam from the show as I read the first part of the book. 

This episode introduces Rukmini, and we see how she falls in love with Krishna. Of course, we see Rukmini in more tears than necessary, but then, that’s how most movies and shows portrayed our great women. 

https://www.etvwin.com/serials/sri-bhagavatam-1/season-1/epi-92 

Back to the book, the subsequent parts show how Rukmini becomes a part of Dwaraka and the Yadava clan. With Krishna’s increase absence and marriages (& kids), Rukmini becomes the center point of holding things in place. While I love how the author worked with Rukmini’s character, I wanted more from the storyline. 

The book covers a lot, and understandably, some of it had to be edited. I’m curious why the author chose to leave out incidents involving the Semantaka mani (the Vinakaya Chaviti story), Krishna’s marriage to Satyabhama and Jambhavati, Narakasura vadha, and Thulabaram. My guess is that she didn’t want these incidents to take the focus away from Rukmini. Still, a passing reference would have been enough. 

 Satyabhama is portrayed as a chirpy and smart girl and then a co-wife. The subtle waves of power conflict between Rukmini and Satya are not even hinted at. It seemed rather odd how Satya was willing to give Rukmini full control. Maybe it’s just that we grew up watching Satyabhama as a headstrong, courteous, and firebrand queen, and this almost reverse of roles was a little hard to get used to. 

Veteran actress Jamuna aced her character as Satyabhama to such an extent that the public cannot see the queen as anything less impactful. 

I was also surprised that Narada muni was nowhere in the book. He was the catalyst who ensured that the acts on Earth were in accordance with the plan of destiny. Was it because the author wanted to keep the characters real, as humans and not as an incarnation of God? I’d love to know her viewpoint on this. 

Most of the conflict in the book is either internal or between Krishna and Rukmini. While the entire backdrop is conflict-ridden, the focus on the disturbances in the relationship of the couple. I rather liked it. But I did wish that the co-wives weren’t so ready to agree with whatever Rukmini decided. A bit of conflict there would have highlighted Rukmini even more. Clearly, the author can show conflict without dramatizing it. I’m sure she’d have presented the dynamic between the co-wives without turning the book into a Bollywood set. 

Also, a few sentences felt odd to read in part one of the book. Not a big deal, just that I had to reread a couple of sentences to make sure what was said and what I understood were the same. 

All my minor complaints aside, this book is a lovely read. With limited experience with mythological retellings made me wary of the genre. But the author managed to balance between creative freedom and staying true to the original. I’d say her love and devotion for Krishna and Rukmini helped her achieve it. I’ll go back and pick up Draupadi now that I’ve read this one and feel assured enough. 

To conclude, the Rukmini in this book is as vibrant and full of life as the beautiful yellow cover. 

This review is posted as a part of the Thousand Reviewers Club. Thank you, Indic Academy and Indic Book Club, for the review copy. 

Leaving you with the title track of the Sri Bhagavatam serial. 

Reflections- A to Z Challenge 2021- Temple Trail

Hello everyone, 

Thank you for being a part of my A to Z journey this year. Compared to the previous two years, this one took a lot of work, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The theme, Temple Trail, a tour across India to discover various ancient (& not-so-ancient) Hindu temples, has been satisfying in ways I cannot explain. 

I was apprehensive when I began and wondered if I’d be able to do justice to the theme. I’m still doubtful. But I do know that my posts have thrown fresh light on some of the most amazing structures in the country. 

From temples dating back the first century to recent temples built exclusively on donation money, my virtual travel made me appreciate the beauty of my land even more. 

How can I not mention my friends who read my posts, shared their experiences, and supported me throughout the month? Also, the new friends I’ve made kept cheering for me and encouraging me all the way. 

Some of them have shared their pictures with me, while a couple of them have shared their personal experiences. I treasure them all in my heart and will share a few in this post. I met Ira Mishra during last year A to Z Challenge and fell in love with her poems. This year was no different, though I can say each of her poems is a masterpiece on its own. The flow, the tone, the mood, and the subtle message blend perfectly in her works. 

Ira also happens to be the only reader who has visited several places on my list. I could give her a trophy for being at the top of the list. This dear girl has shared a couple of pictures from her trip to the Konark Temple in Odisha. 

*****

There is another person I had met last year, and her posts have a permanent place in my heart. This year, we graduated further, and she has become my di (elder sister). Arti di writes prose and poetry with the same flair and warmth. Her words are full of emotions, straight from the heart. 

Di is close behind Ira and has written about her experiences in a couple of the places I mentioned in my blogs. You must read about her Brihadeeswara visit and her musings from the Modhera trip. Do you know Arti di has a special connection with the Shore temple in Mahabalipuram? Her visit to the place includes a life-changing, enriching moment she treasures deep inside her heart. That she shared the details with me (and a couple of pictures) means so much to me!

*****

Last year, I’ve met another Arti; Arti Punjabi, who writes flash fiction on social topics. She does it with such finesse, you'd wonder when the story ended and left you reeling. She doesn’t preach. She doesn’t need to. Her pieces hit you right in the gut without taking the moral high ground. 

*****

After gawking at Frederique’s quilts last year, I was more than curious to see what she’d share this time around. Her series to recycle and reuse items we usually throw away made me determined to try at least a couple of them (and not mess up). 

This year, I met Meena, who from her Balcony where the early morning sun shines warm and loving, joined me on the virtual tour now and then. And guess what? Her last year’s A to Z Challenge was about a religious trip to one of the places I’ve written. This year, she took us all to her childhood and ours, bringing back the memories of times when playing in the mud was bliss and running around barefoot was the only thing we ever wanted. 

*****

I also met Jayashree, who chose Harry Potter as her theme! I'm the farthest thing from a Potterhead and was worried about what I’d say on her posts. But there was no reason to worry. Jayashree wove multiple threads and brought HP and life experiences together in a delightful series. 

*****

Prakash (or P, as I like to call him) and I met sometime during our NaNoWriMo mad month in 2017(?). He was one of the municipal liaisons who cheered us newbie writers to finish the draft of our novels. He specializes in crisp and poignant poetic pieces, which you can find on his blog. This year, he went on an international trip (virtually, of course) while I took the Indian route. 

*****

The Sunday Visitor, SG, Pradeep Nair, Pooja Priyamvada, and a few others were occasional guests who left an impression or two during the month. 

*****

 I long the post is already too long, but I have to mention my friends who cheered on Facebook. I also got a few pictures from a couple of them. 

Alipi Das, thank you for being my constant support during the month. 

Vaiju Panchal, Ruchita Jain, Anitha Padanattil, Jaya Pillai, Tanima (my Trumpy girl), Anushu, Moonmoon… ladies, your love and support means a lot to me. 

This cutie here is Anshu, on a family trip to Jwalamukhi and the nearby hill station. The instant I saw this picture, I knew I had to share it. A writer, blogger, and chef, she makes drool-worthy cookies, cakes, and jams using natural ingredients in her Soul Kitchen. She's also my teammate and a beekeeper at The Hive Publishers, a non-traditional publishing collective for short story anthologies. 

*****

Ruchita, a lovely poetess with a beautiful heart, has shared pictures from a family trip to Jwalamukhi. 

*****

Lakshmi mam, my school teacher, called me when the challenge began and encouraged me to keep going. I sent her an SOS for the letter Z, and if you’ve read the post, you’ll know how much talking to her helped me. Your teacher will always have your back, right? 

*****

Before I go on and on and on, I’m going to end my post with a big, big thank you to everyone who were with me during the journey. 

***** 

I would like to end my post with a link to a post about another ancient temple. I read Ruchi Pritam's post in Indic Book Club and knew I had to mention it here. She wrote about a small town called Uttiramerur in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, where the temple walls were carved with detailed instructions about the democratic electing practices followed by the Cholas and Pallavas. 

 Let’s meet again soon. <3 

Stay safe and take care of your health. 

Mask on, readers.  

Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche- Book Review

Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche by Nancy Springer

Publication Date: 31st August 2021
Genre: Historical Mystery, Young Adult, Holmes Fan Fiction

4.3 Stars

It sure feels like I’m living under a rock when I didn’t even know about the existence of Enola Holmes and the past 6 cases she solved. Nor was I aware of the movie released last year that led to another book in the series after more than 10 years.

But I’m glad to have redeemed my mistake. All the previous books are in my TBR now. I may watch the movie, though I’ll read the book first.

Thankfully, this book starts with a brief recap covering the series. It’s narrated by none other than Sherlock. The author had done justice to his character and retained most of his grumpiness and dry humor.

Enola is now fifteen and ready to take on a case again. Her banter with Sherlock is fun to read. Enola steps in and takes over the case when Letitia Glover goes to Sherlock for help.

What else can she do when her brother is having one of his bouts again, and the poor Miss Glover was worried for her twin sister? The case doesn’t have too many twists and turns and comes to a satisfactory ending. Enola does her share of sleuthing, going undercover, getting caught, escaping, and finally working with her experienced brother to solve the case together. Viscount Tewky and Dr. Watson are roped in to play their roles.

Written for the YA audience, the book is mostly lighthearted. But it does have a couple of disturbing scenes. The author presented them well, so that shouldn’t really be a problem.

To conclude, I totally enjoyed reading this book. If you are a fan of mysteries, the Victorian era, resourceful heroines, and the YA genre, this one is for you. And hey, it’s got Sherlock too!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/ Wednesday Books. 

#NetGalley #EnolaHolmes