The Boy Who Cried Bear by Kelley Armstrong - Book Review

Series: Haven’s Rock #2

Publication Date: 20th Feb 2024

Genre: Mystery 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Nice mystery 

Haven’s Rock is a well-hidden town for anyone who wants to disappear. Detective Casey and her husband, Sheriff Eric, are happy with their new town. They set strict rules to prevent accidents in the forest. No one should wander off alone into the woods. 

One day, Max, the town’s youngest resident, fears that a bear with human eyes is stalking their hiking party. Naturally, Casey and Eric are taking it seriously. However, too many odd occurrences cause confusion, and soon there’s a dead body. The couple has to sort out the issue and keep the residents safe. 

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

My Thoughts: 

Haven’s Rock is fully functional and has residents. Unlike Rockton, they decide to take in kids too, so Dana is here with her sons Carson (teenager) and Max (ten yo). It is an interesting place and has small-town vibes (which it is). I like how the idealistic thought behind the town clashes with the judgmental attitude of its citizens. It creates a nice contrast to show that ‘victims’ aren’t always empathetic to other victims’ pain. 

Max gets a few chapters in the third-person POV, and I liked his voice much more than Cassie’s. His character arc comes out so well in his chapters. (Rounded the rating to 4 stars only for Max)

Unfortunately, I’m still struggling to connect with Casey and Eric. They are good people – smart, competent, capable, determined, and kind-hearted. Yet, I don’t feel the pull. Moreover, there’s a development I’m not ready for. 

That aside, I think my issue is with the repetition. We are told many times that April is not rude and loves her sister. Makes sense to say it once or twice per book since readers need to know the backstory. We don’t need a reminder each time Casey and April interact. Who is Casey assuring? Us or herself? 

The mystery is twisted and good. There’s repetition here, too, and a lot of back-and-forth dialogue (some of which can be edited). Still, the suspense sustains well. I’m not too happy with the reveal, but since there’s a huge lead for book #3, I’ll wait and see where it goes. 

Lilith and Nero make an appearance again, which makes me happy. I wouldn’t mind if they got extra page space. They are more interesting than some other characters. The mining neighbors have a bigger role, though. 

The forest setting is yet again my favorite. Storm is a darling dog, and his almost constant presence makes the story more interesting. I sure wouldn’t mind if we got his POV. Heck, I’d love that! 

To summarize, The Boy Who Cried Bear gives me the same vibes as the book one in the series, which means it is a decent read but nothing great. I might read book #3 as it could have answers to some questions in this one. 

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin (Minotaur Books), for the eARC.  

#NetGalley 

Lady Charlotte Always Gets Her Man by Violet Marsh - Book Review

Publication Date: 05th March 2024

Genre: Historical Romance (Georgian) 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: A decent read 

Lady Charlotte Lovett has no intention of marrying Viscount Hawley, not when rumors say he killed his previous two wives. The only way to get out of the engagement is to prove his crimes. That’s easier said than done. 

Mathew Talbot is Hawley’s younger brother and an odd one out in society with a love for animals. He is a surgeon and prefers to spend time with animals than humans. When Charlotte decides to investigate his brother’s unsavory past, Mathew has to keep her away from danger as well as his own secrets. Moreover, his heart seems to grow fonder of Charlotte, but a future with her is not easy. 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Charlotte and Mathew. 

My Thoughts: 

Well, this isn’t your typical historical romance. It is a blend of adventure, mystery, comedy, and romance. The content is darker, too. 

Random bits of comedy are inserted to keep things light. This may or may not work for everyone. I did like Pan the Parrot and Banshee the Monkey. I needed that light tone. 

We already know who the villain is (the dude is a cardboard cutout with zero personality, but okay!), so we need to see how his villainy will come to light. The parents are one dimensional too, the typical ton who only cares about appearances and titles. 

What saves the book is the friendship/ relationship between Charlotte, Mathew, Alexander, Hannah, and Sophia. Alexander is Charlotte’s twin and someone with great potential. Mathew has his demons to fight but is an endearing character. 

The focus is more on the coffee-room culture and the dynamics between the rich and the not-rich, titled and untitled, etc. There are few liberties taken, but we can get the essence of the setting. 

The found family trope is rather heartwarming to read. I also like how the book discusses colonization, slavery, gender and racial discrimination, etc., without weighing down the plot. It helps that the plot is straightforward (despite the pretense of mystery). 

The prose gets too prose-y (I like purple but not purple prose), and the vibes are modernish. This can be off-putting for some readers. I didn’t mind much as I’ve read such writing. It seems to be a trend anyway. 

The romance begins in the last quarter and has kissy-kissy scenes. However, it is low on steam. I found that it suits the storyline and characters. It may not be enough for some readers. 

There’s no miscommunication, though people keep secrets from each other for a long time. It makes sense in a way, so can’t complain much.

We also get an epilogue with a lead for the next book in the series. Naturally, I will read it. Despite the excessive prose, the pacing is decent enough to finish the book in a couple of days. 

To summarize, Lady Charlotte Always Gets Her Man is an entertaining book if you want a mash of genres and a light read that doesn’t tax your brain (only if you don’t think too much about some elements). The author’s note is informative. Don’t miss it. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for the eARC.  

#NetGalley #LadyCharlotteAlwaysGetsHerMan

***

TW: Bullying

The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown - Book Review

Publication Date: 13th Feb 2024

Genre: Mystery, Time Travel, Urban Fantasy 

3 Stars 

One Liner: Great premise, uninteresting characters 

New York City

Cassie Andrews works in a cozy café-cum-bookstore and has a routine life. One evening, she is gifted a unique book by an old customer. Taking it home, Cassie and her friend Izzy discover that the book is magical and can take them to any place through the door. Cassie is delighted to own the Book of Doors, enjoying the prospect of traveling at a whim. 

However, she doesn’t acknowledge the danger the book attracts until faced with violence and danger. There’s a mysterious man who can help her. However, Drummond Fox is battling his demons and hiding from enemies. Out there is someone so evil that nothing will stop them from getting what they want. 

The story comes in multiple POVs of Cassie, Drummond, Lund, The Woman, Lottie, and a few others. 

My Thoughts: 

How can I resist a premise like that? I don’t bother with comparisons (unless they involve a book I hate), but I do have the mentioned titles in my TBR, so it counts (maybe). 

The concept of books as magical objects, not just a door to places and different times, but with an ability to do good or evil, is fascinating. 

Time as a cyclic (and wheel-like) entity aligns with the Indic theory, so it was easy enough to go with the flow despite the lack of explanation. 

Characters are important for any book. What can a reader do if she doesn’t connect with the MC? I wasn’t impressed with Cassie, and my opinion didn’t change even at the end. Izzy was better (if we ignore how physical attributes are important for most women in the book). 

Drummond could have been ‘the MMC’, but he was uninspiring. A bookish male lead is a great idea. Having him act as a ‘coward’ instead of a fighter is also a nice touch. He can still be interesting, given the potential in his backstory. 

The Woman- I loved her intro. Imagine an antagonist who is evil personified and will destroy the world with nonchalance. My kinda lady! However, she has no character development. That’s all she is, which makes her as solid as a torn page. And the reason for her evilness is… I don’t know. I like the concept but not the execution. It feels so anticlimactic. 

The uneven pacing and multiple POVs didn’t help either. Though we get the story from different perspectives, none of them are compelling narrators. The magic system was okay, but nothing wow. I also have some questions. 

I appreciate the gory parts being matter-of-fact (or maybe they weren’t, but I couldn’t connect). Either way, nothing moved me- not Cassie's grief or the Woman’s evil. 

There’s a hint of what could be called romance, but thankfully, we don’t explore it. The best decision made in the book. I rounded the rating up to 3 stars just for this.

To summarize, The Book of Doors has an intriguing premise but is underwhelming as a whole. Of course, if you connect with the FMC, you will enjoy the book a lot more. 

Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheBookofDoors 

Roses for the Dead by Jenny O'Brien - Book Review

Series: Detective Alana Mack #2

Publication Date: 14th Feb 2024 

Genre: Police Procedural, Contemporary  

4 Stars 

One Liner: Better than book one and enjoyable 

Detective Alana Mack is worried when a woman goes missing from the same train where another one has died. It appears that a killer is targeting women and leaving their bodies along Dublin’s Dart train line. As bodies pile up, Alana knows she has to solve the case as soon as possible. 

Things get even more complex when she receives a threatening message. Can Alana use the clues to find the killer and prevent more deaths? 

The story comes in third-person POVs from Alana (more), Paddy, Lorrie, and the killer. 

My Thoughts: 

The second book in the series reads well as a standalone. It is also better than the first book in many ways. The POV jumps are not random but are limited to four characters and come in different chapters. There’s no excessive dwelling on the past except for a couple of references for new readers. 

Multiple cases soon converge into a single/ dual track. The circumstances are such that the police are trying hard for a breakthrough. This means they go through the same information a few times. However, something new turns up each time to prevent monotony. 

Alana is also better in this one. Yeah, she is still abrupt and a touch rude. But it doesn’t put the reader off. We can see her stress and the calculated risks she has to take. Moreover, her thoughts and emotions are centered on the cases most of the time, so it is easier to empathize with her. Her disability is seamlessly woven into the plotline to keep it real and is aligned with her arc. 

We get the killer’s POV quite early, which means it is easy to guess who it is. I did guess who it was in the first third itself, but that didn’t make the story any less intriguing. There are a couple of twists, though nothing major. Yet, the plotline keeps you hooked to see if you’re right. 

The pacing is slow, as I assumed. This will be a slowish series, and that’s okay. The story doesn’t drag. Moreover, things take time when the police and forensics are involved. 

Alana and Paddy make a great team. The non-romantic relationship between them is a great plus. Paddy has a side track, which adds a layer to his character. They are both complex people, so the series should be interesting as we proceed. 

The Dublin setting doesn’t come alive in this one, but there’s enough to follow the case. The setting has changed from book one to two (it was a seaside place last time), so that could also be the reason. 

The ending has a touch of hope for Alana’s personal track, though she and I are in no hurry to take the leap. Let’s go slow and steady. 

To summarize, Roses for the Dead is a compact police procedural with some intriguing characters and an absorbing plot. Looking forward to the next in the series. 

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

#NetGalley #RosesForTheDead

***

TW: Descriptions of injuries after bullying and physical abuse. 

The Library Murders by Merryn Allingham - Book review Blog Tour

Series: Flora Steele Mystery #8

Publisher: Bookouture

Amazon: https://geni.us/B0CLRWF1ZXsocial

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/200663367-the-library-murders 

Publication Date: 20th Feb 2024

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery 

4 Stars 

One Liner: A good mystery 

Blurb: 

Bookshop owner and amateur detective Flora Steele and her fiancé, crime writer Jack Carrington, discover words can kill as they solve their most puzzling case yet…

It’s a sunny morning in Abbeymead as Flora cycles through the village and knocks on the door of the local library, planning to deliver a gift to librarian Maud Frobisher to mark her retirement. But Flora is shocked when she finds Maud slumped in the corner, and even more startled when she recognizes the man holding the murder weapon – an enormous hardback book.

Flora’s known Lowell Gracey since her college days, but what is he doing working for Maud and now the main suspect in her murder? Suspicion mounts when Flora and Jack discover that Lowell is heavily in debt and that a priceless rare first edition has recently gone missing, but Lowell is adamant that he’s innocent, and Flora believes him.

The pair are once more drawn into an investigation, but who would kill a beloved librarian? Perhaps Rose Lawson, a mysterious newcomer to Abbeymead, is known to be in dire financial straits? Or pompous bestselling author Felix Wingrave, who rumors say would do anything to get his hands on a valuable book for his collection?

Then, the village is rocked by the discovery of a second body. Flora and Jack realize a vital clue lies in the pages of a novel – but the plot is thickening, and the killer is closing in…

Flora and Jack are determined to solve this fiendish case by the book – but will this be the end of their story?

A completely page-turning and addictive cozy crime mystery. Fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin, and Joy Ellis will adore this unputdownable series!

My Thoughts: 

Flora Steele and Jack Carrington are back in action to solve yet another crime in Abbeymead. 

Flora and Jack are busy helping Basil Webb to organize a crime Conference in the village. Despite their apprehensions, they hope the conference will bring enough people and sales. However, the last thing they expect is the death of Maud Frobisher, the retirement-ready librarian. 

When Inspector Alan Ridley makes an immediate arrest, the sleuthing duo is not convinced. They decide to investigate on the side and soon find out that almost everyone seems to have a motive for murder. When another death rocks the village, Flora and Jack know they should act fast and catch the killer (without getting killed). 

The story comes in Flora and Jack’s third-person POVs. 

How did we reach the eighth book already? Flora and Jack are delightful characters, and you can’t help but root for them when they go sleuthing. 

While the book still works as a standalone, it’ll be more enjoyable if you read at least the previous 2-3 books. The dynamics in their relationship will be easier to understand with some background knowledge. 

The mystery is independent and decently done. The reveal makes sense, and we take a logical path to uncovering the secrets. Flora and Jack have some differences of opinion, but both have the same goal –dig up the truth and find the killer. 

There’s a sub-track, which I thought would be complex. However, I like how it is sorted. This is a cozy mystery, after all. No point in complicating things more than necessary. 

Young Charlie is fifteen now! Can you believe it? I miss his younger days, though I hope he’ll one day play a bigger role in solving a crime (pretty please). 

The books in the series are small, compact, and steady-paced. This one is no different. I’d have liked it better if we got a little more detail about the crime conference and the authors who attended. While one of them gets space, there is no chance of character development. 

As always, I love historical settings in my cozy mysteries. Abbeymead village in 1958 is old-school but with more touches of modernity than the locals would like to accept. Yet, we see a balanced narrative where the side characters are good but with some flaws, and the grumpy ones have some redeeming qualities. 

To summarize, The Library Murders is a solid addition to the series and an entertaining read. There are a couple of leads for the next book, so I’m curious to see where it goes (and hopefully, no more delays for the wedding). 

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #TheLibraryMurders

***

Author Bio – Merryn Allingham

Merryn taught university literature for many years, and it took a while to pluck up the courage to begin writing herself. Bringing the past to life is a passion, and her historical fiction includes Regency romances, wartime sagas, and timeslip novels, all of which have a mystery at their heart. As the books have grown darker, it was only a matter of time before she plunged into crime with a cozy crime series set in rural Sussex against the fascinating backdrop of the 1950s.

Merryn lives in a beautiful old town in Sussex with her husband. When she’s not writing, she tries to keep fit with adult ballet classes and plenty of walking.

https://merrynallingham.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/MerrynWrites  

https://twitter.com/merrynwrites

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Merryn Allingham here: https://www.bookouture.com/merryn-allingham

***

This has been a pitstop on the blog tour by Bookouture (@bookouture). Thank you for stopping by! 

The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden - Book Review

Publication Date: 13th Feb 2024

Genre: Historical Fiction, WWI, Paranormal 

2.7 stars 

One Liner: Umm… tries too hard 

Jan 1918: Laura Iven is an efficient field nurse even after an explosion left her wounded. Back home in Halifax, Canada, she continues to volunteer at a local hospital. However, the news of her brother’s death in war results in too many questions and not enough answers. Laura decides to travel to Belgium as a volunteer at a hospital to find out the truth. 

Nov 1917: Freddie Iven thinks he is dead until he realizes he is alive, but the clock is ticking fast. He and a German soldier (the enemy), Hans Winter, have survived. However, life is uncertain and dangerous with the war around them. What happens when the new acquaintances have to decide their next step?  

With the brother and sister haunted by the ghosts of the past and present, can they find a way to save others and themselves? 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Laura and Freddie (Wilfred) in alternate timelines (1918 and 1917). 

My Thoughts: 

After many recommendations for the author’s famous trilogy, I was delighted to see a standalone work by her. It’s easier to read a single book than three (that too, big ones). Alas, the result is disappointing. 

The bare bones are intriguing- World War 1, PTSD, soldiers, nurses, healing, hope, and a touch of paranormal. What’s not to like? But why is the book like this? 

Laura should have been a terrific character. She is an efficient nurse, someone capable, assertive, decisive, and determined. The character is exactly the kind I like to read. Yet, there wasn’t a single instance I could empathize with her. 

Freddie gets more of my support. He also has some intense emotions to display. His vulnerability has the pull to connect with the readers. Winter is decent, too, in a grumpy, wounded hero kind of way (he is not a hero here). 

The desolate and bleak side of war comes across very well and is the highlight of the book. Can’t say it’s something new, but still, the desired impact is achieved.  

Now, I love paranormal touches in books. But this one almost went over my head. I’m not a Christian, nor do I know much about the theories like ‘end of the world’ or the Book of Revelation. I could guess who the fiddler was, but there’s nothing new/ unique about the concept. (Moreover, my go-to expert on the topic has yet to read the book, so I couldn’t ask and spoil it for her.)

There’s some love inserted in the last section. Not sure whose idea it was, but the book would have been better without it. Or, the concept could have been explored in detail. Healing is different from trauma bonding. And can we please respect platonic friendships for what they are without forcefully turning them into romantic tracks? Also, given the period, the lack of self-exploration on certain aspects is unrealistic. 

The ending is hopeful. But then, everything so easily falls into place! In fact, the same happens almost throughout for Laura. She puts in 1x effort, and others clear the path for the rest. 

The author’s note helped me understand a few things. It reminded me of when I spent extra time and care on a project in college because the topic was a favorite. However, the final result was an average piece and not something I could call my best in any manner. I gave it a lot more than what was necessary. 

To summarize, The Warm Hands of Ghosts has its moments but fails to impress as a package. The slow pacing doesn't help either. Maybe readers with more knowledge about religious concepts will understand and like it better. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing (Del Ray), for the eARC.  

#NetGalley #TheWarmHandsOfGhosts

***

P.S.: I skimmed a few reviews after drafting mine. Apparently, the chapter titles are biblical quotes from the Book of Revelation. 

Tristan/ Yseult by Harry Bonelle - Book Review - Blog Tour

Published in January 2024

Publisher: ‎ Unicorn Publishing Group

Hardback Price (UK): £15 

ISBN: 9781911397908

Buy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tristan-Yseult-Harry-Bonelle/dp/1911397907/ 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199687414-tristan-yseult

4 Stars 

Blurb: 

A duel on an empty island sets the course for one of the greatest romances ever told. As the lovers of legend meet, something new is born, and something eternal is revealed. Their names will forever be spoken as one. This modern retelling of Tristan and Yseult sheds a stark light on the beauty of the Celtic tale.

My Thoughts: 

There are countless retellings of Tristan and Yseult (Isolde), though I wasn’t aware of the story until I saw the book. This is a poetic retelling with a different focus. 

Based on my quick search on the net, it seems many retellings deal with the forbidden and doomed love between Tristan and Isolde. While this narrative poem also tackles the same topic, it brings a fresh perspective and presents the tale in a unique manner. 

The book begins with a preface by the author where he provides a brief insight into the story, his version, and the inspiration for his poem. The poem, he says, is highly inspired by Richard Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde (opera) - not the content but the music. While I haven’t heard/ seen the opera, the poem indeed emphasizes sound effects through words. 

The narrative verse is neatly divided into three parts, which are further categorized into chapters. The titles hint at the events in the respective sections. 

As the poet said, there is no mention of the word ‘love’ anywhere in the poem. Yet, we cannot help but feel the longing between the two main characters during the brief period they spend together. Yseult is nursing almost dead Tristan back to life in secret. This binds them in an unexplainable bond.

The narrative used enjambment to achieve the disjointed and fragmented rhythm. The rhythm changes often to align with the events. Sometimes, we get broken sentences, sometimes sharp orders, and mellowed longing at other times. There are alliterations and random rhymes, not deliberate but more to suit the context. The same goes for repetition. 

These are my favorite lines from the book - 

For course of days and short short nights

The healer and her haul are bound.

The poem starts on the sea with Tristan on the waves, his duel, and his injury. It progresses to Yseult finding an unconscious Trsitan, healing him, the role of Brangenn, the maid, the interaction between the lead couple, and finally, their separation. There’s even a two-page chapter in Stream of Consciousness, the fever dream of Tristan, written with no punctuation or capitalization. 

It can take a while to get used to the style, but once you understand, the words flow faster and better. It will help if you have a basic idea about the original story since the style doesn’t have space to offer a lot of detail or backstory. 

To summarize, Tristan/ Yseult is a creative and innovative retelling from a different perspective. It is a sound-based poem rather than a lyrical one, so go with the right expectations. 

My thanks to Anna (Random Things Tours) and the author for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

***

About The Author – Henry Bonelle 

Harry Bonelle is a Classics graduate of Homerton College, Cambridge. He later trained in Acting for Screen at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, and now works as an actor. Tristan/Yseult is his first work to be published.

***

This has been a pitstop on the blog tour conducted by Random Things Tours (@RandomTTours on Twitter). Thank you for stopping by! 

The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett - Book Review

Series: Shadow of the Leviathan #1

Publication Date: 06th Feb 2024

Genre: Mystery, Fantasy 

3 stars 

One Liner: Good mystery drowns in a vague setting 

Eccentric investigator Ana Dolabra is asked to solve the case of the mysterious death of an Imperial officer in the Empire. The dead man is now a tree or has a tree growing from his dead body. 

Dinios Kol, Ana’s new assistant and an engraver with ever-lasting memory, goes to the scene to collect information for his superior. As they find more details, it’s clear that the death is not an independent incident. With what seems to be a threat to the Empire itself, Ana and Din have to find the culprit before it’s too late. 

The story comes in the first-person POV of Dinios Kol. 

My Thoughts: 

The premise is wonderful, and the combination of mystery and fantasy made me curious. 

The mystery is the best part of the book. I like how complex and layered it is. Ana (despite everything) has turbo-charged grey cells that work 24*7. Din is solid and balances out the equation well. While some readers may find Din bland, I like that it is his personality. He is supposed to be that way. Imagine him being like Ana. That would be super annoying. Din is good the way he is. 

The revelation also comes in stages. Even though we get lengthy dialogues with explanations, these are followed by fast-paced action scenes to balance the narrative. 

Some secondary characters are promising. I quite liked meeting them. It’ll be nice to see them in the future books. The names are typical fantasy stuff- made up by throwing together random alphabets. Not an issue since I do the same, lol. 

When I read fantasy, I tend to go with the flow and see where the story takes me. However, that approach didn’t help here. I still have little to no idea about the setting. On a side note, shouldn’t this be a dystopian fantasy? That way, I can tick off a reading challenge prompt! 

Man, the pacing is slow. There is a lot of detail about the setting, which sadly doesn’t translate to an imaginable output. I’m someone who finds it easy to visualize settings and scenes. Yet I couldn’t see beyond the outlines. (Translation- it needs better editing) 

Ana tries hard to be Sherlock but doesn’t get close. Maybe the character was just herself, we’d have better luck. There’s potential buried under all that swearing and cursing. Saying the F-word a million times doesn’t make anyone cool or whatever. 

Still, I admit I chuckled a few times, even when danger was looming over. The monsters (which are just as vague but super duper huge) tend to come out at random. 

The first chapter is terrific. The subsequent ones, not as much, make it hard to sustain interest after the initial burst of intrigue. Luckily, the last section is solid, which pushed the rating from 2 to 3 stars. 

A special mention about the cover for this edition. At first glance, I thought the red part was a cracked bowl with some bluish fumes around it. Then I realized I was wrong. The bigger red portion is the sky with a red sun (or whatever the Empire has). The crack is a breach in the sea wall. The haze is detailed, with steps, exotic plants, and the main characters. There’s a cup on the side and a couple of lanterns on the opposite corners. The design is brilliant once you start reading the book. 

To summarize, The Tainted Cup is a layered mystery set in a fantasy world. It would make a great read with some strict editing and clearer world-building. If I read book #2, it’ll be for Din. 

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

#NetGalley #TheTainedCup 

Nonna Maria and the Case of the Lost Treasure by Lorenzo Carcaterra - Book Review

Series: Nonna Maria #3 (Standalone)

Publication Date: 07th May 2024

Genre: Cozy Mystery, Small Town, Italy 

4 Stars 

One Liner: A heartwarming read! 

Nonna Maria’s long-time friend, Captain Murino of the Ischian caribineri, is in danger due to the cases he solved before coming to this tiny island. Nonna Maria is determined to save him, just as he is determined to keep her safe from the ruthless men. 

Meanwhile, Rita, the granddaughter of Nonna Maria’s friend, comes to her for help. Her late grandfather gave her a map of lost treasure in the caves on the other end of the island. She needs help to find the treasure, and Nonna Maria knows many others want to grab the treasure first. 

How will our dear old lady handle the cases while cooking, feeding dear ones, and making new friends? 

The story comes in the omnipresent third-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

Well, it’s not often that a mystery book gets called heartwarming. However, with Nonna Maria as the star lead, this can’t be anything less sweet despite all the action, mystery, and danger. 

The book should work as a standalone. I’m yet to read the first book, but liked the second and enjoyed this (third). It is not a whodunit but more of a howdunit. We are told who the criminal is in advance. Now, the question is how will we get to the confrontation and what happens next. 

The writing is easy to read and flows at a steady pace. The short chapters are highly convenient. There’s more ‘tell’ than ‘show’, but it works for the plot. A good author knows what to show and what to tell. Moreover, there are subtle bits of humor- not where you laugh out loud but smile or chuckle a little. 

Of course, there are plenty of dishes mentioned throughout. While I don’t eat most of them, I still enjoyed the descriptions and the characters having a hearty meal. 

The island of Ischia is easy to visualize. The alleys, the stone walls, the old castle, the caves, and locals with bittersweet history, everything enriches the plot. In fact, it is a core character in the book. 

There are two tracks (as you see in the premise). That means we have two sets of characters to meet. Yet, it doesn’t get the least bit confusing. Even with someone knowing someone or being another relative, it is easy enough to follow the developments. 

There’s no lead for the next book, but I hope the series continues. I’m sure many people will need Nonna Maria’s help. 

The book ends with a sweet author’s note and leaves the reader with a smile. 

To summarize, Nonna Maria and the Case of the Lost Treasure is a sweet cozy mystery set on a beautiful island and has some memorable characters. Pick it up if you want a relaxing mystery and have a couple of hours of free time. 

Thank you, NetGallet and Random House Publishing Group- Bantam, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #NonnaMariaAndTheCaseOfTheLostTreasure

The Arsenic Eater's Wife by Tonya Mitchell - Book Review

Publication Date: 08th Feb 2024

Genre: Historical Drama, Inspired by True Story 

3.8 Stars 

One Liner: Dark and stark but a worthy read 

1889, Liverpool 

Constance Sullivan is a twenty-six-year-old widow of William Sullivan. She is brought to trial for poisoning her husband. As her lawyer tries to prove her innocence, we see what happened between the closed doors and the changing relationships between the couple and other family members. 

Is Constance innocent or guilty? What will the jury decide? What’s the truth? 

The story comes in Constance Sullivan’s third-person POV in the present tense. 

My Thoughts: 

The book starts with Constance being arrested for her husband’s death and goes back and forth between the trial and the past events that led to this situation. Despite the non-linear narration, there is no confusion anywhere. 

The writing is strong and flows well. I wasn’t expecting this, so it took me a while to get into the mood. Once I did, I liked it better. The pacing is a little uneven, but works. 

The court scenes are my favorite, and I wish we had more of those. Apparently, back then, the accused wasn’t allowed to talk, so we don’t see Constance speaking. Sir Charles, her lawyer, makes a strong impression. 

That said, there is no gothic house. While the place is called oppressive, it has no role in the plot. They could be living in any rich house, and the story would have been the same. At the most, the Gothic elements would be the constant gloom and twisted nature of the characters. 

Constance is, of course, a flawed character. We are told she is too naïve and trusts the wrong people, which destroys her life. While some of it may be true, I wouldn’t call her innocent. Instead, her actions, thoughts, decisions, etc., show she is the center of her world. She is self-absorbed and has a narrow perspective that starts and ends with her. Anything beyond that is an inconvenience that is to be ignored. Even after all the years, the changed version of her is not that different from the original. She still makes the same mistakes in a roundabout way. Let me emphasize that this doesn’t make it okay for the injustice she faced. Also, the author makes us root for her despite these flaws, which is quality writing. 

The ending becomes a bit OTT, which isn’t great. However, I do like the intentions behind this. It does provide a sort of closure and a sense of hope for the MC, which is something I want from the books I read. 

There’s a detailed author’s note at the end, providing insights into the actual case and the areas that have been fictionalized. This is useful in understanding and comparing both versions. A list of references is provided. We also get book club questions for discussions. 

This is a dark book with almost zero light-hearted moments. It’s not something to relax with and has triggers for domestic abuse, infidelity, self-harm (multiple scenes), and animal death. 

To summarize, The Arsenic Eater's Wife is a well-written story inspired by real events. It holds a mirror to the injustices and inequalities women faced (and continue to face) in society. Do check the triggers (listed above) before you read. 

Thank you, Bloodhound Books, for the eARC. 

Check this report for a brief insight into the actual case. 

Secrets of the Snakestone by Piu DasGupta - Book Review

Publication Date: 14th March 2024 

Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy Adventure 

3.5 stars 

One Liner: Fast-paced and entertaining

1895, Paris 

Zelie Dutta is not a witch, even if she is accused of being one. However, a chance encounter brings her face-to-face with Jules, a sewer cleaner boy who found a gold locket. This locket once held the (in)famous Snakestone, the one Zelie needs to find her father. 

However, the quest is far from easy, with a dangerous brother society wanting the same magical stone. Time is running out, and Zelie has to use all their talents to stay alive and find her father. Can she do it? 

The story comes in Zelie (mostly) and Jules’ third-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

How can I resist a book that has Indian characters? And, of course, the vibrant cover grabbed my attention. This one connects colonial India and France (Paris) with magic, science, mystery, adventure, steampunk, and loads of danger.

The narration is fast-paced, so much so that we don’t get time to breathe before Zelie is off on another adventure. This suits her character, as she is a bundle of energy, ready to jump, leap, and rush (for different reasons). However, there isn’t much time for anything else, be it character development or detailed world-building. 

The book starts with Zelie being called a witch. We see how the fellow maids in the house are wary of her for belonging to another race and most importantly, because her eyes are of a different color. Zelie has heterochromia, where the color of each eye is different. 

Jules is a sewer boy, twelve years or so. He is not eager to help Zelie but agrees eventually. There were instances when I liked Jules more than our MC. He is balanced and not prone to impulses like her. However, I didn’t find any mention of Zelie’s age. She should be around the same or a year younger, based on my calculation. It’s hard to imagine the characters in such instances. 

In a way, I like that Zelie is not perfect. She is judgmental, stubborn, reckless, and not someone who will listen to good advice. Despite that, I feel many young readers will connect to her determination to find her father and the risks she takes in the process. Her love for her family comes across very clearly. She is kind, which works in her favor. 

The overall content is darkish but nothing too scary. There’s no time to feel scared with the girl racing off to a bigger danger. Sigh! 

The book deals with themes like trust, friendships, family, greed (for fame and money), privilege, differences between rich and poor, the lack of pockets in women’s wear, etc. And oh, it puts forward an important question - why do men’s dresses have buttons in the front and when women have to deal with buttons at the back? So unfair, right? 

Each chapter comes with a title, hinting at what’s to come. Some of these are spoilers, too. It won’t be a problem for all, but some readers won’t like it. 

To summarize, Secrets of the Snakestone is an entertaining adventure set in the dark side of Paris. Despite the flaws, the book is a good read and should keep young ones hooked. 

The Kindle version is okay, but the formatting is the best in the PDF. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Nosy Crow, for the eARC.  

#NetGalley #SecretsOfTheSnakestone

**

P.S.: The author’s website has an animated version of the book’s cover. It is so cool! 

A Most Murderous Wedding by Bianca Blythe - Book Review

Series: Murder Most Gilded Age Mystery #1 (Standalone)

Publication Date: 30 Jan 2024

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery 

2.5 Stars (outliner) 

One Liner: Good premise, not-so-good execution 

1892, Boston 

Ruby Irving is the daughter of a Nevada tycoon, a rich man with new money. Despite her education and money, not many like her or her family. After all, she doesn’t belong to the English aristocracy. Ruby doesn’t seem to mind. 

However, when her groom jilts her on the wedding day and refuses to say his vows, Ruby is in the limelight for the wrong reason. As if that’s not enough, George, the ex-groom, is found dead (murdered). Ruby’s Pa is the prime suspect since he was heard threatening to kill the man. 

With the police making up their minds and not doing the needful, Ruby decides to investigate and save her Pa from being framed for murder. 

The story comes from Ruby’s first-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

I’m always up for a cozy mystery, so when this was available for request, I didn’t think much. Also, it would have been my first mystery series set in the Gilded Age. Unfortunately, the results are not great. 

Given the page count and that this is still the first in the series, there isn’t much character development for anyone, including Ruby. I’m okay with it to an extent since we get an idea of what they are. That’s enough for the plot. 

What I Like: 

This is a small book with 199 pages and has a steady pace. You can finish it in a single sitting (1.30 to 2 hours max). 

The story starts with the wedding and the groom refusing to say ‘I do’. Even the death occurs soon afterward. 

We get the backstory and information in bits and pieces to prevent an info dump. This helps sustain the pace and keep the readers interested. 

Ruby starts out well. Her parents are rather endearing. I like the scenes where she is proud of them, as she should be. 

What Didn’t Work for Me: 

Well, the mystery has potential but has not been explored. Ruby starts sleuthing, which becomes half-baked in the second half. The resolution is not a result of her efforts but a chance plot development. 

We are told Ruby is a smart girl, a math-loving, practical person who doesn’t believe in romance and stuff. However, somewhere along the way, she ends up with tingling(s) for more than one person. The shift from being a no-nonsense heiress to this for the sake of sustaining the mystery messes up her arc. 

Ruby isn’t that different from the snobs she claims to dislike. While this can be a deliberate character flaw, it doesn’t reflect well on a girl who tends to feel ashamed of her parents when they so clearly love her and give her what she wants. 

With the narrative in the first-person, the story could have been real good, especially the climax. However, the readers are left to assume that everything has been sorted when we jump to the epilogue after the killer is revealed (to us). This works in short stories, not in novels. We don’t need detailed explanations, but a paragraph or two is necessary. 

To summarize, A Most Murderous Wedding is a quick cozy mystery with some lighthearted moments and depicts the social situations and flaws well. However, it is pretty much an average read. 

I’m an outliner here, so check out other reviews before you decide. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Somerset Park Press, for the eARC.  

#NetGalley #AMostMurderousWedding

***

P.S.: I think I’m more annoyed due to my high expectations. The author has written many books and has a decent average rating. Maybe this one isn’t her best. I’ll read something from her previous works to get a better idea.