Echoes of Ballard House by E. Denise Billups - Book Review - Blog Tour

Series: Simone Doucet #3 (Standalone) 

Genre: Paranormal Suspense

Publication Date: 07th Nov 2023

Purchase link: https://mybook.to/echoesballardhouse

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201772827-echoes-of-ballard-house 

Print length: 280 pages

Age range: This is an adult book, but would be suitable for mature teens aged 16+

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: Intriguing

About Echoes of Ballard House

Hidden secrets. Unearthed truths. Simone Doucet returns to uncover the sinister truth behind a series of murders within an opulent mansion in the heart of New Orleans’ Garden District.

Yearning to escape the confines of her New York City brownstone, Simone jumps at the opportunity to house-sit a gorgeous Queen Anne Victorian home in her cherished New Orleans Garden District. Upon her arrival, the walls whisper ancient voices, the owner’s parrot mimics an eerie nightly tune, and elusive footsteps echo through the floorboards. Simone quickly discovers she is not alone in this majestic house.

Tackling the afterlife alone, Simone becomes entangled in the stories of three tormented souls caught in a web of greed, hatred, and infidelity. Their deadly secrets converge in a bone-chilling tale of murder. Yet, within the grandeur of Ballard House, Simone is far from alone.

The peril she faces extends beyond the spectral world, and she will soon confront evil from both the living and the dead. What dark secret lies hidden within the walls of Ballard House?

***

My Review

The story comes in the first-person POV of Colin (prologue), Jensen, Simone, Corinne, Rebecca, Joseph, and Gisele, and a third-person POV of the ghosts. (Yeah, that’s a lot, but except for Jensen and Simone, others get only a chapter each) 

The book is the third in the series but works as a standalone. I haven’t read the previous two books and could understand the plot without any difficulty. However, I can see that it would work better for readers following the series since there’s a prominent thread that continues from book two. 

Despite so many first-person POVs, we don’t find it confusing due to the chapter titles, which may reveal mild spoilers but are essential. However, I wish only Simone’s POV was in the first-person, and the others were in the limited third-person. That’s because this series belongs to Simone and should prioritize her. (It doesn’t help that we get two different POVs before she makes an entry). 

The snippets with ghosts’ voices (POV) were a great addition and added another layer to the suspense and tension. 

For a paranormal suspense mystery that borders on horror, the setting has to come alive on the pages. The book scores high in this aspect. The ghosts, the sounds, the violence, and everything related to the Ballard House is wonderful. I love the creepy and chilly vibes it gives. 

The pacing is slow, very much so (took me 3 days to read a 280-page book). However, I wasn’t bored at any point. 

Simone starts great. Though I didn’t know her character, I could empathize with her reluctance to use her ‘gifts’ to talk to the dead. However, as the story progressed, I was torn about her actions. Her instincts are spot on, which makes her repeated dismissal of them strange. It seemed more like a way to extend the reveal (there are better ways of doing this without affecting character development). 

Can’t speak for others, but if I were to live alone in a huge mansion with ghosts and suspect more than the other-worldly presence (which needs to be figured out for my safety), I wouldn’t touch a drop of alcohol. Things can get dangerous even otherwise, why add muddle-headedness to the mix? 

The present timeline is set during covid (2020) and has many references to it. It is not a trigger for me, but it can upset some readers (check other TWs). 

The climax and ending felt a little underwhelming despite the seriousness of the situation. I think this is more due to my expectations (I hoped the MC would have an active role throughout). No issues with the reveal or conclusion since everything aligns with the foreshadowing and other details provided. I just wasn’t wowed by it. 

To summarize, Echoes of Ballard House is an intriguing suspense read with a strong gothic touch and a spooky setting. 

My thanks to the author and Coffee and Thorn for the digital ARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

***

Trigger Warnings: Murders (gore, on-page), historic racism, Covid, assault, weapon violence (axe, knife), incest, child death 

***

About the Author - E. Denise Billups

E. Denise Billups was born in Monroeville, Alabama, and raised in New York City, where she currently resides. She’s a former Financial Analyst turned writer. A multi-genre fiction author, she’s published six novels and several supernatural short stories. A skilled artist, she trained as a dancer (ballet, modern, and jazz dance) in her younger years and dabbled in writing, which she would not pursue until much later.

As an avid reader of many genres, she was greatly influenced by magical realism, mystery, suspense, and supernatural novels. When she’s not reading or writing, she’s running miles in the park, finding her inner calm with yoga, experimenting with vegan dishes, and enjoying time with family and friends.

Follow Her: 

• Website: https://edenisebillups.com/ 

• Next Chapter Publishing: https://www.nextchapter.pub 

• Facebook: @E. Denise Billups

• Twitter: @DeniseBillups

• Goodreads: @E. Denise Billups

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/e.denisebillups/ 

***

This has been a pitstop on the blog tour by Coffee and Thorn (Instagram). Thank you for stopping by! 

The Lighthouse Secret by Carmel Harrington - Book Review

Publication Date: 28th March 2024

Genre: Dual Timeline, Women’s Fiction 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: Love the setting; the story doesn't have to be this complicated 

1951 Ballycotton Coast 

Four women wait and watch for their husbands to return from duty. They swear to keep the secret buried forever, no matter what. As the wives of lighthouse keepers, they have much to take care of. 

2023 Maine 

Mollie is in her father’s place, recovering from certain issues. As the granddaughter of one of these women, she gets a threatening note about buried secrets. However, Mollie’s grandmother (one of the four women) isn’t in a position to share the details due to health concerns. 

However, there’s someone out there intent on revealing it all. What is the secret? How can it affect Mollie and her family after all these years? 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Mollie (contemporary track), Beth, Katheleen, Mary, and Ellen, with a couple of short chapters in the first-person POV from the stalker/ blackmailer. 

My Thoughts: 

The book starts with a prologue from the past and moves on to the present timeline to establish the story. Then, we go back and forth with more chapters in the past. Thankfully, there isn’t much repetition, except for the prologue (which also could have been avoided). 

The setting is beautiful, with a dose of darkness to suit the circumstances. However, the lighthouse doesn’t play a central role in the story. It is in the background and a presence that cannot be forgotten. Still, there is no scene in the lighthouse. Moreover, the title should have been The Keepers’ Wives or The Secret of the Lighthouse Keepers’ Wives. The story is about these women and not the lighthouse. 

The lives of the lighthouse keepers’ wives can be hard, and this comes across clearly as we see Kathleen, Ellen, and Mary adjust to the absence of their husbands for weeks at a time and how they also have social responsibilities in the village. 

All characters are flawed, some more than others. They also have redeeming qualities, some more than others. This creates a mixed blend of realistic characters. However, it also makes it hard to root for a single character. Still, I liked Kathleen’s arc more than others. 

Beth’s character is a teenager (17+) in the historical timeline. Her actions and reactions don’t always make her endearing, but readers can see her point to an extent. 

Since this is women’s fiction, the male characters are not as developed as the women. However, not all of them are bad, so that’s a relief. I think I liked Albie (Mollie’s dad) the most. 

My issue with the book comes with the complicated plotline. Even though everything ties up at the end and comes together well, there’s no ignoring the numerous elements to track. This weighs down the plot and the pacing, making it seem longer than a 384-page book. Keeping it simple would have maintained the focus on the core theme(s). 

Moreover, there’s a conflict in the present timeline for Mollie, which pales compared to the past track. I’d have preferred if this wasn’t complex, allowing readers to explore the past secrets and stuff. I couldn’t connect with this track, which meant the ending didn’t work for me. 

To summarize, The Lighthouse Secret would make a good book club read and offer a lot for discussion. It will work well for those who like drama and complex plots in women’s fiction. 

Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, for eARC.  

#NetGalley #TheLighthouseSecret

***

TW: Infidelity, cheating, partner death, parental death, grief, sexual assault, infertility 

The Missing Maid by Holly Hepburn - Book Review

Series: The Baker Street Mysteries #1 

Publication Date: 27 March 2024

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery 

3 Stars 

One Liner: A fluffy read 

1932, London 

When Harry (Harriet White) rebuffs the advances of her superior, she is demoted to the postal department beneath the bank (where she worked in a clerical position). Turns out, she has to respond to the endless letters people have written to Sherlock Holmes (221B Baker Street, where the offices are located). 

Harry sends a standard response to each letter until one grabs her attention. What if she can solve the case or at least try? After all, she is now Holmes’ secretary, managing his correspondence as he enjoys a quiet country life. 

And thus begins Harry’s new journey. But can she solve the case? 

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

My Thoughts: 

The premise is interesting and immediately got my attention. It’s not surprising that people thought Holmes was real and continued to write him letters, requesting him to take up a case. 

The book is short (220 pages or so) and a fairly fast read. It is a light cozy mystery with abundant touches of family drama and some humor. Still, the book manages to touch upon a few issues like workplace harassment, class differences, privilege, etc. 

Harry is easy to like. She is a friendly person and a little too curious. From the blurb, you can guess that she has a strong spine and is no pushover. She has traces of Enola Holmes, though she is used to a comfortable life with her family. Her relationship with her brothers is cute to read. 

The mystery starts out well but fizzles out despite the promising elements. The execution leaves a lot to be desired. Missing information and patchy resolution will not help a book in this genre. Don’t want to say more, as it’ll be a spoiler. 

We have a love interest who doesn’t appear until around 40%. The chemistry isn’t there yet, but it could get better in the coming books. The situation suits the backstory, so that’s not a complaint. 

To summarize, The Missing Maid is a decent start to a new series, even if it doesn’t set high expectations. It will work well as a palate cleanser after an intense read and can be finished in a single sitting. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC.  

#NetGalley #TheMissingMaid 

A to Z Challenge 2024 – Theme Reveal – Mahabharata Mashup

Hello and Namaskar! 

Welcome to the theme-reveal post of my A to Z challenge this year. After taking a two-year break, I decided to jump into the whirlpool of a month-long blogging, reading, commenting, and having fun. Naturally, I’m participating in #BlogchatterA2Z to earn the super cute stickers they reward after we complete the challenge. 

My theme for the year is Mahabharata Mashup – a blend of tidbits, stories, snippets, and pieces from the magnum opus. The intention is to keep the posts short yet informative, with a touch of personal commentary. I’ve picked known and lesser-known topics to make things interesting. I'm using Bing to generate images for the blogs. All posts will have a disclaimer for the same. 

Some of you won’t be surprised by the theme since you know I have been reading The Complete Mahabharata (all volumes) transcreated by Prof. Purushottama Lal. However, this series will also include a few bits from retellings (mostly Telugu movies). The posts will be in a semi-collab with Draupadi Parashakti. 

Hope you enjoy the posts!

***

(I'll update the titles and links below once every 2-3 days)

Day 1: A for Ashta Vasus

Day 2: B for Brahma's Sabha 

Day 3: C for Chitrasena, the Gandharva

Day 4: D for Dwaraka’s Description 

Day 5: E for A Year as Eunuch: The Story of Brihannala

Day 6: F for Forest Life of the Pandavas

Day 7: Sunday - Break 

Day 8: G for Gangavataranam

Day 9: H for Hidimba's Son, Ghatotkacha

Day 10: I for Indra's Sabha

Day 11: J for Janamejaya's Snake Sacrifice

Day 12: K for Kubera's Sabha 

Day 13: L for Love Stories in Mahabharata

Day 14: Sunday - Break 

Day 15: M for Matali, The Charioteer of Indra

Day 16: N for Nahusha

Day 17: O for Omens in Mahabharata 

Day 18: P for Pasupata Astra: The Battle Between Shiva and Arjuna 

Day 19: Q for Queens in Mahabharata

Day 20: R for Ravana's Family History

Day 21: Sunday - Break 

Day 22: S for Samudra Manthan

Day 23: T for Takshaka, the Naga King

Day 24: U for Usinara's Test

Day 25: V for Varuna's Sabha

Day 26: W for Why the Vindhya Mountains Swelled

Day 27: X for X Marks the Spot: Jayadratha's Vadha 

Day 28: Sunday - Break 

Day 29: Y for Yamadharmaraja's Sabha

Day 30: Z for Zodiac and Mahabharata

***

P.S.: April is a month for multi-taking with NaPoWriMo, A to Z challenge, work, and other commitments. So, I will not encourage any comments that drain my energy.

***

The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill - Book Review

Publication Date: 19th March 2024

Genre: Contemporary Mystery 

2 Stars 

One Liner: Eek… what happened! 

Theodosia Benton drops out of law studies in Australia and travels to Lawrence in the US to stay with her older brother Gus (a lawyer). She wants to become a writer and aspires to publish a book. Gus encourages her to go ahead, and soon, Theo is not only writing her debut novel but also getting deeper into the literary world. 

However, when a famous author is killed, Theo and Gus end up in a bigger mess. As more deaths occur and the police have no clue, the brother-sister duo, with some help, have to get to the bottom of things. This is easier said than done since those behind the screens will do anything to keep the secrets safe. 

The story comes in Theo and Caleb’s third-person POV with snippets of online chat conversations at the beginning of each chapter and a few chapters from other third-person POVs. 

My Thoughts: 

An advantage of reading the book late is that I have no fear of being an outliner. In fact, I could start the book with zero expectations and knew it would be slow-paced. 

• 0 to 33% - decent (even if I couldn’t ignore some things) 

• 34 to 70% - umm okay (but it is spiraling out of control) 

• 71 to 100% - a dinosaur could appear, and I wouldn’t blink an eye 

Theo starts okay but soon ends up melodramatic. Though I felt sad that she could be so easily groomed, I couldn’t empathize with her as the story progressed. She went from being vulnerable to an idiot in quick time. Some of her actions and decisions were incredibly stupid. Dropping out of law school was one good thing she did. Imagine having someone like that to represent you! *shudder*

Thankfully, Gus and Mac were much better. I liked them a lot more and enjoyed their scenes. Gus is adorable and the kind of big brother anyone would want to have. Wish we got his POV, too. And oh, he has a dog named Horse, who is a big softy. 

Mac’s family is eccentric and what you’d call the doomsday preppers. Still, I quite liked the mother and some brothers despite the limited presence.  

Now, the blurb makes it clear that conspiracy theories play a vital role in the plot. That’s true. We get this track in snippets, which add to the intrigue (to an extent). I admit I was curious to see how it would come together. Well, let’s say it wasn’t worth it. Also, makes me wonder if the last section was rewritten after feedback to make it OTT. If yes, it’s the worst move ever. Think of Ekta Kapoor’s daily soaps to guess the mess (IYKYK).

I knew the last section of the book was the weakest, but didn’t expect it to go kaput to this extent. And to think Gus at one point said Theo wasn’t an idiot to make stupid decisions. Dude, you have no idea how much you underestimate her stupidity. Moreover, the patterns in Theo’s life are worrying. 

Despite everything, I can see the potential in the original premise. If only it was properly structured!

To summarize, The Mystery Writer has too much going on with a weak main character and fails to bring it all together cohesively. It may work for readers who like ‘shocking’ twists, but I’d still recommend you to go with low expectations. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheMysteryWriter 

***

TW: Mentions of sexual assault 

A Body at the Dance Hall by Marty Wingate - Book Review

Series: The London Ladies’ Murder Club #3 

Publication Date: 08th April 2024

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery 

4 Stars 

One Liner: Some laughs, a touch of danger, and a list of suspects 

1922 London 

Mabel Canning has settled into her job at the Useful Women Agency. She takes up a range of tasks, though murders haven’t been included for a while. When Mabel is tasked with accompanying Roxy, a fun American heiress, she knows it won’t be an easy job. However, she doesn’t expect to end up in a murder investigation. 

Mabel, with help from Park (her beau) and the other two members of the unofficial club, starts to investigate the case. There seem to be too many suspects as she digs deeper. Soon, Roxy is in danger, and Mabel has to find the killer before it is too late. 

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

My Thoughts: 

The book works as a standalone, though you can read book one and jump to this if you want. 

The pacing is decent, neither fast nor slow (better than book #2, which was slow). This works well to keep the reader hooked on the plot. It also helps that the prologue has murder, and the first couple of chapters are kind of like flashbacks. 

The setting is well done as with the previous books, be it the period, the lifestyle, the restrictions, social aspects, etc. All these add to the narrative and make it better. 

The mystery starts out well and becomes intricate as new information is revealed. There are enough suspects and secrets to keep guessing the reasons and the killer's identity. However, the reader won’t feel cheated because the character and the reader get to know the information at the same time. The reveal does make sense (since my instinct zoned on that character even if I couldn’t understand why), though I wouldn’t mind if we got a wee bit more detail. 

Roxy is an entertaining character. She is eighteen and has all the drama of a teen. However, she is also sweet and can make friends with anyone. I like her resilience (even if it’s lucky that she is safe) and easy acceptance of tough situations. 

MaryLou, Roxy’s mother, is almost impossible to like. The more we get to know her, the more we admire Roxy. The other characters are also easy to read. Little Augustus doesn’t make an entry in this one, but Gladys (Park’s doggy) has plentiful space. 

The book ends on a humorous and hopeful note, so we can be sure that Mabel will have many more adventures (personal and professional). 

To summarize, A Body at the Dance Hall is an entertaining and light-hearted read with some emotional scenes. Looking forward to the next! 

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #ABodyAtTheDanceHall

***

PS: Based on cozy mysteries I read, taking a dog with you will make even the toughest of people more amicable and helpful (don’t blame me if it doesn’t work in real life).

All Our Yesterdays: A Novel of Lady Macbeth by Joel H. Morris - Book Review

Publication Date: 12th March 2024

Genre: Historical Fiction, Retelling  

3 Stars 

One Liner: Nice... but not enough 

11th century Scotland 

She is the granddaughter of a forgotten Scottish king. As a young girl of fifteen, she is married off to the Mormaer of Moray, a man known for his violence, something she experiences in person. His death sets her free, but she is determined to safeguard her son. So what if the witch’s prophecy was terrifying? She would do everything to prevent it from coming true. 

He has been a mamma’s boy since a child. But that didn’t stop him from being impressed by his father’s brutality. He watches his mother fall in love with Thane Macbeth and become Lady Macbeth. She is no longer just his mother. She is the Lady of the castle. 

As the coronation of King Duncan nears, it sets in motion a chain of events that would alter her and the boy’s lives forever. 

The story comes in the first-person POV of the Lady and the third-person POV of the Boy. 

My Thoughts: 

I was quite impressed by Lady Macbeth when I first read the play Macbeth as a young girl. There was something compelling about her presence. However, I never read any retelling with her. This seemed like a good way to give it a try, especially since it is not a direct retelling but a supposed prequel to Macbeth with events from a decade earlier. 

The narrative is divided into five parts – the four seasons and the title. The chapters alternate between the Lady and the Boy. They are not named throughout the book. Lady= Lady Macbeth, and Boy= her son. This is an advantage and a disadvantage. It works to distance the reader from the violence on the page. However, it also prevents the reader from fully connecting with the characters. 

The chapters are uneven in length. While I don’t usually mind this, here, some chapters are way too long. This makes it hard to take a break (I don’t like to stop unless there’s a scene break or the chapter ends). 

The pacing is also uneven. It moves fast in some places and goes on and on in others. That means some scenes are great, while others are bland. The beginning is actually strong but hasn’t been sustained. 

There’s a touch of paranormal (or an attempt) with the talk of witches, ghosts, specters, superstition, etc. Not all of it adds to the atmosphere when it should have elevated the setting and the brooding mood of the characters. 

Lady Macbeth’s character is well-etched. She is not flawless or perfect. She is vulnerable but learns to become strong. She is opinionated and loses her cool but can be kind and considerate. She is not Shakespeare’s character, though. This Lady loves her son too much, even if she doesn’t show it in a way he would understand. 

The Boy has promise but ends up underwhelming. I can’t call his character sensitive since he has an evil streak (even if he doesn’t understand it himself). I could call him weak; not in the masculine sense but character-wise. I thought there would be something dramatic from him that would establish the Boy’s character, but nope. 

The last section saved the book. I had pretty much given up on it and was reading just to reach the end. Thankfully, everything comes together just enough to lead to the major events in the original play. But that I had to wait until the last 15% - 18% for this is not a good sign. 

The book deals with many themes; some went over my head (no idea about Kings being God-touched or something like that). Do check for triggers. It has quite a few. 

To summarize, All Our Yesterdays is a worthy attempt at presenting a backstory to a popular play, even if it doesn’t make the desired impact (at least for me). 

Thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Group (G.P. Putnam's Sons), for the eARC.  

#NetGalley #AllOurYesterdays 

***

TW: Domestic abuse, violence, beheading, miscarriage, sexual abuse, death during childbirth, child abuse, starvation, classism, animal violence, and death

***

PS: After reading the book, I feel the cover doesn’t quite suit the contents or the tone. 

Finding Friends at the Cornish Country Hospital by Jo Bartlett - Book Review

Series: Cornish Country Hospital #2 

Publication Date: 26th March 2024 

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction 

3 Stars 

One Liner: Couldn’t vibe with it 

Esther Hamilton is getting her life back together after splitting with a horrible ex. She works as a nurse at the Cornish Country Hospital, where her best friend Danni is a doctor. She loves her new job and new life and has no intention of falling in love. Danni’s brother Joe Carter is newly single and arrives in the town. He is a friend Esther wouldn’t want to lose. But with Joe being there for her at the hospital and when navigating her parent’s troubled marriage, Esther has to make some tough decisions. 

Caroline, Esther’s mom, is going through a difficult phase. She wants to make the most of her life, but her reliable and rock-solid husband has other ideas. Moreover, Caroline can’t help but think their marriage has fizzled out. Soon, she finds her life and marriage spiraling out of control. 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Esther and Caroline. 

My Thoughts: 

Here’s another new author I wanted to tick off my list. The premise (the official blurb doesn’t mention Caroline’s POV) felt like a feel-good novel with romance, so I gave it a shot. 

I didn’t expect the book to have two full-fledged stories and the mother and daughter’s tracks in parallel. Though it could be off-guard, I managed to adjust my expectations and see where it would lead. 

The info dump on Caroline’s POV (second chapter) didn’t help either. And the very instant the other (third-party) character was introduced, my brain screamed a red flag. It only got worse. Moreover, there’s too much repetition (about her thoughts, her wants, her desires, etc.). I empathized more with her situation when I wasn’t reading her POV. Go figure! 

Esther’s track also has repetition. Still, it involves other characters and has some decent banter. Esther’s friendship with Danni is really well done. Oh, this book possibly has spoilers for the first in the series. I didn’t read that, so can’t say for sure. 

There really isn’t much romance in this one. I would classify it as contemporary fiction. Esther and Joe’s relationship doesn’t come alive on the page. There is too much focus on Caroline, and each time I get a little into Esther’s track, there’s a POV shift, taking me back to what Caroline wants. Not that I support Patrick (I don’t agree with it). His arc wasn’t compelling, either. 

Another issue was how the other character pretty much vanished after the crucial incident. We never know their intentions or how the whole thing affected that person (if it did). I don’t want to wait for another book to know that (if it will even be tackled). The same goes for Lucas, though at least there’s a single-line brush-off to justify his sudden absence. 

The major good thing about the book is how Esther cared for her patients. That also got into her trouble, but she refused to treat them as mere patients. She’s the kind of nurse one would want to have if they went into a hospital in an emergency. 

The book also deals with dementia, personal loss, misunderstandings, mental health issues, taking chances, aspects of infidelity, second chances, etc. And oh, there is a mention of suicide. 

To summarize, Finding Friends at the Cornish Country Hospital has its moments, though it didn’t work for me. It should have, but somehow, it didn’t. Do check the other reviews before you decide. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC.  

#NetGalley #FindingFriendsattheCornishCountryHospital

A Country Wedding Murder by Katie Gayle - Book Review - Blog Tour

Series: Julia Bird Mysteries #5

Buy Link on Amazon: https://geni.us/B0CLL1T12Qsocial

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201910596-a-country-wedding-murder 

Publication Date: 13th March 2024 

Genre: Cozy Mystery 

4.2 Stars 

One Liner: Such a fun read! 

Book Description:

The joyous crowd applauds as the happy couple strides down the aisle. This Cotswolds country wedding has everything – friends and family, beautiful flowers, and… murder?

When Julia Bird’s ex-husband Peter and his lovely partner Christopher decide to get married in Berrywick, Julia is delighted – after all, who doesn't love a country wedding? Little does Julia know that normally calm and collected Christopher will turn into a full-on Groomzilla – and that by the end of the night, someone will end up dead.

The morning after the big day, the jolly nuptial mood turns grim when Julia discovers the lifeless body of the caterer, Desmond. Someone locked him in the cold truck, and the poor man froze to death. Now looking for a murderer, all eyes are on Christopher who, mid-tantrum, had publicly threatened to kill him. Convinced that Christopher is innocent, Julia vows to find the real culprit.

Julia soon discovers Desmond has a long list of enemies as she races against the clock to clear Christopher’s name. Could his death be the work of the respected wedding planner who was heard exchanging choice words with the victim? Or perhaps it was his wife – ‘til death do them part – who didn’t shed a single tear at his funeral?

But just when Julia thinks she’s cracked the case, her prime suspect is found dead with a knife in their back. Can Julia find the murderer before they strike again?

An utterly gripping, charming cosy mystery set in the English countryside. Fans of M.C. Beaton, Faith Martin, and Betty Rowlands will love the Julia Bird Mysteries.

***

My Thoughts: 

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

The book should work as a standalone, but I recommend reading book #1 to get a better idea. It will also help you see the character growth in Julia and understand her relationship and dynamic with her ex-husband. It is refreshing to read non-toxic relationships between exes. 

Christopher is a typical groom-zilla but still comes across as a sweetie. The poor guy wants his wedding to be perfect. Who can say no? 

Jess, Julia’s daughter, is visiting for the first time since Julia moved to Berrywick. Must say that I like Jess very much. She is the right mix of fun and serious, childish and mature, which makes her easy to connect with. 

Now, Jake, our adorable chocolate lab, should get a special mention. He is turning out to be a lover boy! In the last book, Jake gives all his attention to Henny Penny, the boss chicken. Now, he is mesmerized by Jess and can’t take his eyes off her. And with Jess pampering her Jakey boy, there’s no stopping him! 

Little Sebastian also makes a guest entry. I love this tail-less monkey who asks Jake if he is a good boy, lol. Leave the two alone for a few minutes, and there will be loads of cleaning up to do!

Julia and Hayley are becoming closer friends, even if Hayley wouldn’t admit it. Sean is a perfect partner, as always, being there for Julia without crowding her space and offering support without being loud. 

The mystery is solid. I like that Julia and the readers get the clues at the same time. This does make it tough when Julia takes time to connect the dots, but hey, readers have more sleuthing experience. The reveal, when it comes, seems a natural progression of the case and not something that appears out of nowhere. 

To summarize, A Country Wedding Murder is an entertaining and delightful mystery with dead bodies, food, sleuthing, suspects, laughter, and a touch of contemplation. The pacing is steady, which makes this a breezy read. Can’t wait for the next one! 

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC.  

#NetGalley #ACountryWeddingMurder

***

Author Bio:

Katie Gayle is the writing partnership of best-selling South African writers Kate Sidley and Gail Schimmel. Kate and Gail have, between them, written over ten books of various genres, but with Katie Gayle, they both make their debut in the cozy mystery genre. Both Gail and Kate live in Johannesburg with their husbands, children, dogs, and cats. 

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

X: https://twitter.com/KatieGayleBooks

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Katie Gayle here: https://www.bookouture.com/katie-gayle

***

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

Kill for Me, Kill for You by Steve Cavanagh - Book Review

Publication Date: 19 March 2024 (first published 20th July 2023)

Genre: Thriller, Suspense 

3 Stars 

One Liner: Okay… not impressed (kinda outliner) 

New York City

When two strangers, Amanda and Wendy, meet by chance, they discover they have a lot in common. Their lives have been ruined by men who escaped justice in the hands of law. Soon, they make a pact – one kills for the other, and neither gets caught. 

In another part of the city, Ruth and her husband Scott have a routine life until that night when an intruder with startling blue eyes changes it forever. Can Ruth ever feel safe and get back to her life with the intruder still running free? 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Amanda and Ruth, with a couple of chapters from Scott and Farrow. 

My Thoughts: 

It’s been a while since I read a thriller, and this book has great reviews. Seemed like a good idea to read it. Well, the results are mixed. 

Using a popular premise requires additional twists and shocks to keep the readers hooked. While some of it works here, the rest feels a bit too unbelievable. Yeah this is fiction, but you can’t leave those gaps open. 

There’s no timeline for both tracks, which is a way to retain suspense. Of course, readers can still figure it out. But there’s a ‘reveal’ that negates the theory, which makes readers wonder what’s going on. I was fooled for a minute but decided to stick to my original theory. 

Things start to come together after 70%, followed by some action and more reveals and twists. Again, some of it worked, but the rest didn’t make me go wow! I was still hopeful, only to realize that some questions would not be answered. I should accept what’s being told and move on. Not done! 

The pacing is uneven due to the filler content. It gets better in the last quarter, where things need to happen fast. The filler should have helped in relating to the main characters. Yet, that doesn’t happen. No matter how much I tried, I couldn’t connect with any of them. I did feel sad for Amanda and Ruth, but I wasn’t able to empathize with their situation (I blame it on the writing). 

The detective pair has some character development, which is surprising in a standalone. Maybe this will become a series (what’s the point in all that back pain if it goes nowhere). 

Still, the book highlights important themes like injustice, moral dilemmas, victim trauma, etc. It would offer quite a bit for book club discussions. 

To summarize, Kill for Me, Kill for You is an average thriller with some moments. How you like it will depend on what kind of thrillers you prefer. This will work great for some readers, so check out other reviews before you decide. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #KillForMeKillForYou 

***

TW: Mention of pedophilia, suicide, depression, trauma, assault, bullying (mentioned)

Varaha's Vengeance by Arun Krishnan - Book Review

Series: The Battle of Vathapi #2 (Not a Standalone) 

Publication Date: 16th Feb 2024 

Genre: Indian Historical Fiction 

4.5 Stars 

One Liner: Sustains the thrills of book one 

07th Century Bharat

The three Pallava captains have completed the first stage of their missions, driven by King Narasimhavaraman’s vow. The Chalukya King Pulikeshi, with his brother’s help, launches a counterattack. 

The Chalukyas will stop at nothing to destroy the Pallava army. Things just got a lot worse for people and the soldiers. Can the Pallava army survive and fight back, or will the dynasty succumb to the Chalukya force? 

The story comes in the omnipresent third-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

This book takes off where Nandi’s Charge ended (a few weeks later). It is not a standalone and should not be read out of order. 

NGL, I was excited and wary of reading this one. What if it wasn’t as good as the previous book? Fortunately, I could set my worries aside once the story began. 

The book has a steady pace and sustains the momentum throughout. At no point will you feel bored, not even when different batches of soldiers from different kingdoms sit and wait for action. There’s action even when there’s no action. 

As the title suggests, this one has the Chalukya kingdom out for revenge. Given its extensive army and near-unlimited supply of resources, you can guess how tense the situation would be. 

Apart from pure warcraft and statecraft, we also see betrayal, backstabbing, moral dilemmas, ethical debates, and much more. What does one do when the lines blur? 

Like book one, there’s a list of characters at the beginning neatly categorized according to their kingdoms and roles. Apart from the basic map, we also get two little illustrations detailing the tricky settings. Of course, the descriptions are clear enough to visualize the events, even without the illustrations. 

My favorite captains – Elango, Kanan, and Muthuvel are right in the middle of the action and danger. The ladies (love) do their bit (Indumati’s arc is terrific) and stand out strong. I’m not happy with the stereotypical portrayal of the queens (pampered dramatic women), but since they have very minor roles, I wasn’t too annoyed. 

We have some new characters like Thaamarai (she is a firebrand), Venkata, Anjeneya, Jabali, etc. Each of them asserts their presence with definite characterizations. Of course, we see incompetence, arrogance, and slimness in some. That makes the characters quite realistic. 

I really want to see the author’s murder board… oops, storyboard. Keeping so many tracks straight is not easy! It needs a dozen color-coded threads and a huge bunch of sticky notes. Still, once you get into the flow, nothing matters. You keep turning the pages to see what happens. 

The chapter titles are mild spoilers, which I don’t mind. Those are necessary to keep the details straight. 

We have more battle scenes in this one (book #3 might have a lot more). I like how they felt similar to the scenes from Mahabharata. I’ve been reading the Yudha (war) Parvas for the last few months, so the whole thing feels familiar and just as exciting. However, what I love the most are the scenes where captains follow the rules of yudha dharma and teach their soldiers the importance of abiding by these. 

One teeny thing that struck me as odd was the presence of tomatoes in the 7th-century Bharat. From what I know, tomatoes didn’t arrive on the land until after the 15th century, and even then, these weren’t a favorite. Many people from my grandparents’ generation don’t use tomatoes much, and some don’t eat them at all. Anyhoo, that’s a minor issue and has nothing to do with the major plot. 

The book ends on a serious cliffhanger. Gasp! I hope book #3 doesn’t take too much time. The title is mentioned, so hopefully, it won’t take a year. On that note, I hope the last book has an orange or brown cover. It would go well with the title. 

To summarize, Varaha's Vengeance is a fast-paced and worthy continuation of the previous book. It has action, humor, romance, drama, and a bit of everything to keep you hooked from the first page. 

Thank you, Blogchatter, author Arun Krishnan, and publisher HarperCollins India, for a copy of the book. This review is powered by the Blogchatter Book Review Program and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

You can buy the paperback of Varaha's Vengeance: Battle of Vatapi Book 2 on Amazon. 

At the Stroke of Midnight by Jenni Keer - Book Review

Publication Date: 12th March 2024

Genre: Historical Drama, Mystery, Groundhog Day 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Entertaining; drags a bit in the middle 

1923

Pearl Glenham and her father are invited to a party in the Highcliffe House on the Dorset Coast. Though her father claims he doesn’t know any of the invitees and this is a business trip, Pearl knows it is not true. 

As an introvert with an emotionless and strict father, Pearl finds solace in water. She escapes to the sky and nearby cove, feeling intimidated by everyone at the party. However, she accidentally handles a mysterious clock that somehow tinkers with time and leaves Pearl in a loop, forcing her to live the last few hours of her life again and again. 

There’s something she needs to do to change the outcome and get on with her life. But what? Can Pearl figure it out? 

The story comes in Pearl’s third-person POV (sometimes blurs the lines with third-person omnipresent). 

My Thoughts: 

This is my third book with the Groundhog Day trope. It doesn’t seem boring since the executions are different. Here, the setting is historical and has a mystery with a touch of romance. 

Pearl’s introduction is well done. It establishes her character and takes things from there, allowing her to grow and change throughout the book. 

The other characters are not necessarily developed, but some have surprises up their sleeves. 

There’s a mystery within a mystery; solve one, and you can solve the other. I guessed the other one, which helped me figure out the bigger mystery. 

The time loop starts before 20%, which is good and not good. Good, because you don’t have to wait long for it. Not so good because there’s over 80% of the book left. Moreover, the initial couple of loops pass quickly. 

That’s where we get a nice development to make things interesting. It is necessary since Pearl being Pearl, needs an incentive to come out of her shell. 

Humor and light-hearted scenes are scattered here and there to keep the mood light. However, mystery takes a back seat in the middle and slows down the pacing. Lucky that it doesn’t happen for long. 

The mystery is decent. With so many secrets and no one willing to reveal them, it gets difficult for our amateur sleuth to connect the dots. The repetition dims the impact of the climax a bit. Of course, new information is revealed, so that makes up for it. 

I like the concept behind the time loop in this one. It is an integral part of the plot and has an explanation. There should be some logic to it, after all! 

There’s romance, too (clean), and it is believable. A sort of third-act breakup as well, though I guessed it would happen. 

A few questions remain unanswered despite the epilogue of sorts. I’d have liked a little more detail and another proper epilogue for a more rounded ending. 

To summarize, At the Stroke of Midnight is an enjoyable and light read despite the uneven pacing. The setting is beautiful and enhances the narrative. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC.  

#NetGalley #AtTheStrokeOfMidnight

Eliza Mace by Sarah Burton and Jem Poster - Book Review

Series: Eliza Mace Mysteries #1

Publication Date: 07th March 2024

Genre: YA Historical Mystery 

2.5 Stars 

One Liner: Ugh! 

1870s, Welsh Borders

Eliza, aka Elizabeth Mace, is sixteen+, an age her mother says is when she becomes a woman and is no longer a child. Her parents’ marriage and the crumbling house stifle Eliza. She longs to free herself and become independent. However, her father goes missing (and is drowning in debt), and Eliza decides to dig deeper to find out what happened. She works with her new friend, a police constable, Dafydd Pritchard, and realizes that the truth could have devastating consequences. 

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

My Thoughts: 

Well, this is exactly why I do not consider the book comparisons in the blurb. However, I have a thing for historical mysteries, and when I saw ‘Enola Holmes’ mentioned, I decided to try this book. Sadly, this is nothing like Enola. 

I am okay with dark cozy mysteries, but there has to be something to keep me hooked on the plot. Here, almost every character feels off. While I appreciate the attempt to make them layered, the characters end up even more superficial and unlikeable. 

We have a toxic dysfunctional family, which should make me care for poor Eliza. Yet, I couldn’t feel for any of them. The side characters aren’t better either (except for little Jevan, maybe). 

There is no humor (zero) or a lighthearted scene. That’s okay. Not mandatory for me. However, the mystery isn’t great either. I did expect it to start late, so I wasn’t too annoyed. The investigation is okay, but nothing to elevate the book or cover up the flaws. 

Somehow, all characters call each other using their first names (irrespective of the status/ position). Also, we have a constable acting like an FBI (or UK equivalent) in disguise while the Sergeant is happy to let him handle the case. 

Though I like the friendship between the constable and Eliza, I can’t help but feel something off. For one, he is nine years older and has policing experience in the city. His approach and dedication cannot be faulted, but would a constable constantly seek a young girl (no matter how smart she is) to help solve the crime? Moreover, he shares his entire past with her on the second meeting. Huh… why?

I understand Eliza’s need for independence and her frustration with adults who want her to act like a grownup but treat her like a child. That part comes out clearly, which is a plus (thank god). 

After the initial slowness, the book picks up speed. A few scenes with the investigation are well done and kept me interested enough to finish the book. The ending is a sort of cliffhanger (with the mystery fully solved), but I say goodbye here. 

To summarize, Eliza Mace reads like a below-average play where I had the front-row seats. That’s sad because the plot had the potential to be an intense mystery (if not a cozy). 

Thank you, NetGalley and Duckworth Books, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #ElizaMace 

The Highgate Cemetery Murder by Irina Shapiro - Book Review

Series: Tate and Bell Mystery #1

Publication Date: 29th Feb 2024

Genre: Historical Mystery (Darkish)

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: Got potential 

1858, London 

Gemma Tate, a nurse, is shocked to hear of her twin brother’s death in an accident. Soon, she realizes he could have been murdered based on his last-minute notes in the pocketbook. 

Inspector Sebastian Bell is assigned to handle the murder of a young woman in the Highgate Cemetery. It doesn’t take him long to realize that the stakes are high. 

Gemma and Sebastian find a common point in the cases. However, Sebastian is worried that Gemma wants to investigate. After all, it could put her life in grave danger. But the case needs to be solved and the killer caught. 

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

My Thoughts: 

I like Victorian mysteries dealing with the darker side of London. This one belongs to the same category. Geema is a twenty-seven-year-old nurse who previously worked with Florence Nightingale in the Crimea. Her twin brother, Victor, is a writer and a journalist. 

Inspector Sebastian Bell isn’t who he was before tragedy struck. Now, he relies too much on alcohol and opium to numb the pain. This case could make or break it for him. Despite the not-so-appealing introduction, it is easy to like Sebastian. He is dedicated to solving the crime without taking shortcuts. 

Since this is the first book in the series, we are introduced to characters likely to feature in the coming books. Even otherwise, the cast is quite large. We can follow the case without confusion. However, talking multiple times about a character that isn’t active anywhere in the book doesn’t help. Not likely that all readers will remember him for the next one. 

The content is dark and deals with triggering topics (check TW). There’s some fluff in the middle, which leads to a rushed ending and sudden confessions. Spacing this would have helped. 

I was rather surprised by the direction the case took. While it does show the ugly side of things, I wasn’t sure if the connection was realistic. The conclusion is decent, though I’m not impressed.  

Gemma and Sebastian don’t meet until we cross the first third of the book. However, that is a natural progression of the plot. Of course, it’s clear that Gemma has a good brain and uses it. She is also someone who can put people in place and stand firm despite her grief. 

Given the setting and the period, the case is mainly handled by Sebastian. I did expect this. However, halfway through, the book feels more like the MMCs while the FMC becomes a side character. If the series is named Tate and Bell, the Tate lady has to have an equal role! 

Moreover, the chemistry between the two is non-existent at this point. That’s okay since both have different immediate concerns. But there seems to be a slight progress that happened off-page and is casually mentioned in a line. That can be an issue if the trend continues. 

There’s a lead for the next book, so I will read it and then decide. I like the easy writing style, so despite the hard topics, the book doesn’t feel overwhelming. 

To summarize, The Highgate Cemetery Murder is an intriguing mystery and a decent series starter. I had greater expectations and felt the book could be better. 

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

#NetGalley #TheHighgateCemeteryMurder

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TW: Gang r*pe, drug abuse, death, grief, mourning, addiction, m*rder of a pregnant woman and her unborn baby.