Inside the Mind of Sherlock Holmes by Cyril Liéron, Benoît Dahan - Book Review

Series: Dans la tête de Sherlock Holmes (#1-2)

Publication Date: 14th Nov 2023

Genre: Graphic Novel, Mystery 

4 Stars (5 for the artwork and 3 for the story)

One Liner: Terrific illustrations but needs a better storyline 

Ever wondered how it looks inside the mind of one of the world’s greatest (fictional) detectives? This graphic novel attempts to show us the inside of Sherlock Holmes’ mind when he is on a case. Do I need any other reason to grab this book? Of course not! 

The book deals with the Case of the Scandalous Ticket which Holmes and Dr. Watson investigate. 

There are two aspects to consider when reviewing the book – the plotline and the illustrations. 

Plot: 

Well, it starts well but somewhere along the way, it gets diluted. It does align with the tropes used back then, which makes the book dated and can be unappealing to readers who want modern views. Personally, I think it works enough to give the book the old British vibes with all the racism, classicism, etc. 

At the same time, there’s a modern touch where these aspects are ‘questioned’ (sort of), which doesn’t really work. It feels more like an attempt at damage control so that readers won’t be annoyed at the book for using stereotypes that are found in the original anyway. 

The whole thing gives mixed vibes.

Illustrations:

I requested the book for the illustrations, to see the inside of Holmes’ mind. The results are wonderful. The characters have sharp lines (pointed beak noses for many) and look like well-planned caricatures which bring out their traits. The color scheme is dark, and so is the artwork. It is complex, twisty, intricate, and detailed. Sinister is the word for it. Compelling would be another apt description. The detailing is meticulous and enriches the reading experience. 

We get quite a few insights into the workings of Holmes’ mind – the way he ‘stores the clues’, connects the dots, identifies patterns, and so on. All these re-establish just how fascinating Sherlock Holmes is and why he has billions of fans. 

I totally enjoyed lingering over the illustrations by zooming in and out to see the details and also consider the bigger picture. The use of maps, a red thread of thought, a setting within a setting, etc., seem to have been carefully planned. 

I did have a few issues with reading the digital copy (had to alter between single and two-page views) but the zoom allowed me to adjust the font size as needed. Read the book on a computer or grab a physical copy. 

To summarize, Inside the Mind of Sherlock Holmes has stunning artwork even if the story is mediocre. I can see why it is an award-winning book. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Titan Books (Titan Comics), for eARC. 

#NetGalley #InsideTheMindOfSherlockHolmes

The Body in the Bookstore by Ellie Alexander - Book Review

Series: A Secret Bookcase Mystery #1

Publication Date: 19th June 2024 

Genre: Small Town Cozy Mystery 

3.5 stars 

One Liner: Decent series starter 

Annie Murray has made the Secret Bookcase her home for the last eight years. Located in a small town in Northern California, the independent bookstore is struggling to attract enough customers. A chance comment sparks an idea in Annie’s mind. She plans an elaborate Mystery Festival weekend to bring people to her town. This is supposed to help every small business in the town. 

The event starts on a high but Annie is shocked to find a dead body hidden behind the bookshelves in the Secret Bookcase bookstore. Annie knows the victim too! When her professor in criminology arrives as the detective on the case, Annie becomes a part of the investigation. She is back doing what she does best. But can Annie find the killer before it is too late? 

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

My Thoughts: 

A new cozy mystery series for me to try! 

The opening is quite a hook. It starts with the overarching mystery and provides us an insight into the main character’s past. Her being a student of criminology certainly helps the arc. 

There is some repetition, but it helps understand how much the past weighs on the MC’s mind and how it changed her life drastically. 

The setting is beautiful. I love how cozy small towns are (at least in books). The descriptions of the bookstore make me want to go there. Such a lovely place! 

The side characters like Priya, Fletcher, and Hal are also well-etched. Though we don’t get a lot of information about them, there’s enough to imagine their roles in the story. Dr. Caldwell is also likely to be a recurring character. She could be interesting. 

The list of suspects is decent, making it an engaging read to guess who the killer could be. I did guess who it was but not the reason. It makes sense, though I wish we had more detail about the relevant events. 

The investigation could have been stronger. It’s mostly done through conversations where people reveal details without persuasion. Though it makes a little sense given how everyone in the town has a good opinion of Annie, it doesn’t really show us her skills as a criminology student. Mentioning spreadsheets is not enough. She needs to do more brain work. Since this is the first book in the series, I have hopes for some improvements. 

There’s a possibility of a love track with a guy. I know it is bound to happen. Just not sure if the transition will be seamless based on how things are now. I hope it works out well. Let’s see. As long as we don’t have any triangles to make it even more messy! 

To summarize, The Body in the Bookstore is a decent start to a new cozy mystery series. While it is not great, it has the potential to become better. I have a copy of book #2, so reading it right away. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Storm Publishing, for eARC. 

#NetGalley  #TheBodyInTheBookstore

The Riviera House Swap by Gillian Harvey - Book Review - Blog Tour

Publication Date: 11th June 2024

Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/therivierahousesocial

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/208517081-the-riviera-house-swap

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

3 Stars

One Liner: Good concept and themes but…

Book Blurb:

Would you swap houses with a stranger?

Nina has always played it safe. But when her divorce papers come through on her fortieth birthday she decides enough is enough.

She’s always chosen the sensible route, staying in her stable job and marrying her rather boring ex. In fact – she realizes – she’s chosen security over excitement for years. Ever since she refused to elope with her first love: beautiful, poetic, thoughtful Pierre, the man she met aged 17, on her French exchange. The only man who ever made her heart race.

Maybe it’s time to take a few risks?

Impulsively she goes online and finds another kind of French exchange… a house-swap. She can’t imagine what French businessman Jean-Luc wants with her terraced home in rural England, but she can’t wait to stay in his beautiful, spacious, bougainvillea-strewn villa on the French Riviera.

She’s not just there for the house though. She’s decided to find the love she missed all those years ago. But will Pierre still be the man of her dreams after all this time?

As two lives collide, will love bloom on the French Riviera?

***

My Thoughts:

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

I enjoy lighthearted reads with some important themes. This book promises fun with a touch of romance and some introspection. While the premise is attractive, the results are sadly mixed.

What I Like:

The side characters are cool (except for one person). Nina’s best friends are the right mix of support and caution. They know when to let her rant, when to tease her, when to encourage her decisions, and when to remind her to be careful.

Sabine is proper sunshine. She can be overwhelming but gives exactly what Nina needs. Moreover, the humor in scenes with her feels more realistic and natural.

Nina’s pros and cons lists are great. As a list maker, I see the rationality of this approach even if her actions and decisions aren’t great.

Some scenes with Nina’s fears and vulnerabilities are well done. Her confidence has taken a hit, which makes her do some stupid things but she does realize in time.

The hubby is not the bad guy (this is not a spoiler). Given how most ex-husbands are supposed to be jerks, I like that he is a decent human.

What Could Have Been Better:

For a light read, the pacing is a bit on the slower side. While the plot doesn’t drag, it doesn’t sustain the tempo, either. I was easily distracted during the first half.

This is not a romance. It is women’s fiction with barely a touch of romance. While I enjoy both genres, I wish the ‘love’ track was better handled. I couldn’t feel any chemistry despite liking the character.

The track with Pierre was easy to smell from a mile away. While predictability is a thing of the genre, I think the whole part could have had a little more depth. It is not fun when the reader thinks the FMC is not using her brain cells even when we are 70% into the book.

The initial humor feels forced. It doesn’t become seamless until Sabine enters. That makes the FMC a weaker character. In fact, I never laughed or chuckled when she tried to be funny. It was the others who made me smile.

To summarize, The Riviera House Swap is an easy read with some decent themes. I’d say your enjoyment will depend on how well you connect with the main character.

Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley

***

Author Bio – Gillian Harvey

Gillian Harvey is a freelance journalist and the author of two well-reviewed women’s fiction novels published by Orion. She has lived in Limousin, France for the past twelve years, from where she derives the inspiration and settings for her books such as A Year at the French Farmhouse and A Month in Provence.

Follow the Author:  

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GillPlusFive

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

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/GillianHarveyNews

Bookbub Profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/gillian-harvey

***

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

Simha's Roar by Arun Krishnan - Book Review

Series: The Battle of Vathapi #3 (Not a Standalone)

Publication Date: 24th May 2024

Genre: Indian Historical Fiction 

4.5 stars 

One Liner: A fitting finale! 

7th Century, Bharat 

In the final installment of the trilogy, the Pallavas and Chalukyas are heading for a big war with allies supporting them on both sides. This is a game of cat and mouse where luck plays a role. The three Pallava captains are back in action, putting their lives at risk for the king they love. 

What happens when the clash begins? Who wins? Who losses? How many lives will the war take? 

The story comes in third-person omnipresent POV. 

My Thoughts: 

This is NOT a standalone. The trilogy should be read in the same order for it to make sense. 

As with the previous two books, we get a list of the characters and their roles neatly categorized kingdom-wise. There are a couple of illustrations as well. 

The last book of the trilogy is also the smallest in the series and is packed to the brim with action. We jump right into the main plot with the initial chapters continuing the individual threads from before. 

There are many decisions to make, some harder than others but war demands sacrifices and they have to pay. Given how I’m invested in the lives of my favorite three Pallava captains, I admit to getting teary-eyed more than once. 

The narration does slack or dip at any point. We move on from one scene to another and from one setting to another at a steady pace. This keeps the momentum going (with loads of tension) and puts the reader in the right mood to anticipate the war scenes. 

The women don’t have much role in this one, though they do their bit. The leading ladies have to spend a lot of time waiting but that cannot be changed. That’s how it is. Since the aspect is more in the background, we can continue to focus on the plot development. 

The editing doesn’t seem to be at par with the previous books but it is not bad. A random repetition here and there. Nothing that should annoy the readers. 

I’ll be repeating myself but I have to mention how well the fighting scenes are executed. It is easy to visualize the moves and counter moves. The final sword fight between two kings is so, so good! Loved the whole scene. 

The discussions about war ethics – dos and don’ts yet again make the readers think. I cannot help but wonder if following some of these put us at a disadvantage and made the land more vulnerable to invasions. Sigh! 

Also, without revealing spoilers, I’ll say that the ending is bittersweet (more bitter and less sweet). As a writer, I know I’d do the same, but as a reader, I want something else. *sob*

Still, the ending lingers in the mind long after the reader closes the book. It leaves us with a semi-heavy heart. 

To summarize, Simha’s Roar is a satisfying and worthy finale for the trilogy. I heartily recommend the series for fans of Indian historical war fiction. Note that the cast is huge and can be confusing but don’t let that stop you! 

Thank you, HarperCollins India, for eARC. 

A Body by the Henhouse by Kate Wells - Book Review - Blog Tour

Series: Malvern Farm Mystery #3

Publication Date: 12^th June 2024

Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/bodyhenhousesocial

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/205900171-a-body-by-the-henhouse

Genre: Small Town Cozy Mystery

4 stars

One Liner: Well done!

Book Blurb:

The time for celebrations is over…

Jude Gray’s farm is going from strength to strength, and even though her grumpy neighbor has concerns about the new campsite in the lower field, she is undeterred.

When a hen party arrives for a weekend away, she does her best to cater for their celebrations. But with a sheep needing urgent care – an accidental mishap or something more nefarious? – she finds herself consulting the group, which coincidentally contains four vets.

When one of the hens goes missing, it becomes clear there are more sinister forces at play, and someone is targeting her farm. With the help of close friend Detective Inspector Binnie Khatri, Jude once again dons her amateur sleuthing hat.

They uncover a web of deceit, affairs, and rivalries, but will they find the perpetrator before events turn murderous?

***

My Thoughts:

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

Book three of the Malvern Farm Mystery is possibly the best until now. The pacing is steady. There are enough twists to keep the reader guessing about the culprit and the reason.

The ‘murder’ doesn’t happen for a long time. However, one of the characters disappears. This adds to the drama as we see the undercurrents between the women almost from the introduction.

However, the book is not limited to a mystery. It also deals with the difficulties of farm life, be it the rising expenses or crop damage due to various factors. The work is never-ending on a farm.

Lucy and Sebbie are, of course, a part of the book. Little Sebbie is four (already!) and adds the much-needed humor to the mystery. We get a few insights into Jude’s thoughts and uncertainties about the future.

There are five women in the hen party, which can be confusing but doesn’t. Each of them has a distinct personality. They are flawed, some more than others. That means it is easy to take sides (and want certain characters to be bumped off).

DI Binnie has a lot of work to do in this book, which I really like. Though it is Jude who connects the dots, Binnie has an active role and provides some vital information. I love how assertive and steady she is.

Jude’s arc is much better in this one though she still jumps to conclusions at times. However, that makes her real instead of perfect, so no complaints. Seems she did learn her lesson after what happened in book two.

The other side characters like Granny Margot have small but important roles in the plot.

To summarize, A Body by the Henhouse is an enjoyable mystery with enough twists to keep you hooked. The ending offers two surprises, so I’m excited to see where it goes next.

Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley

*

P.S: Some sheep are poisoned but don’t worry. They are all alive and healthy. I appreciate that.

***

Author Bio – Kate Wells

Kate Wells is the author of a number of well-reviewed books for children and is now writing a new cozy crime series set in the Malvern Hills, inspired by the farm where she grew up.

Follow the Author:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KatePoels

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

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/KateWellsNews

Bookbub Profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kate-wells

***

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

 

A Rivalry of Hearts by Tessonja Odette - Book Review

Series: Fae Flings and Corset Strings #1 (Standalone) 

Publication Date: 12th June 2024 

Genre: Historical Fantasy Romance 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Lighthearted but could have been shorter 

Romance author Edwina Danforth needs the book contract from a publisher in Faerwyvae. After all, her books have a greater readership in the fae land than in the human world. However, William Haywood, a handsome fae and poet, popped up as her rival. 

Drunk on a fae substance, Edwina manages to make a bet with William. Whoever loses will have to give up their claim for the publishing contract. Both are determined to win but turns out there’s a lot more at stake. What happens when the rivals fall for each other? 

The story comes in Edwina’s first-person POV with a few chapters from William’s first-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

As the original blurb suggests, this is a steamy romance with enemies-to-lovers trope. It has a historical fantasy setting with a human FMC and a fae MMC. I’d put it somewhere around the Regency and Victorian eras, though the rules in fae land are different. 

The book starts with a short note and a list of content warnings. I appreciate this. The themes have been handled with a light touch, but still, a list would help some readers. 

Now, the first section is solid. I loved the introduction of the characters and the banter between the lead couple. We also get two colored illustrations, which makes it easy to visualize them. They are not perfect and continue to make mistakes. But they also realize and acknowledge the mistakes, so that’s nice. 

The last section is again quite good despite the third-act breakup. There’s one conversation between two women which I liked a lot. It’s evident that the character arcs have been planned with care to not bring sudden and contradictory changes. 

However, I wish the book was tighter in the middle. After the initial 30%, the pacing dips drastically until about 70%. Though we get new insights about the main characters, it feels like the story is going nowhere. There’s only so much banter and sexy talk one can read. 

Still, I like that the characters take time to jump into ‘action’. There is still steamy talk and some scenes (with other characters). Some of it is almost presented in a clinical approach, which is fun to read. 

I like it when the MMC also gets a POV. However, here, it is limited to his feelings for the FMC. The POV could have added more depth to his personality. A lost chance, IMO. 

The side characters are fun. Daphne, Monty, Zane, and Cassie add to the story’s charm. They have distinct personalities and some depth. 

The setting gives mixed vibes. It is not detailed enough to imagine everything but manages to paint a decent picture. Apparently, the setting is from another series (and a couple of characters have been in other books). Kinda standalone with a bit of crossover stuff. This may not work for everyone. 

The ending is cute. There’s a bonus epilogue which is actually a teaser for the next book. For a change, I don’t mind this as I want to read their story. 

To summarize, A Rivalry of Hearts is a fluffy, cute, and spicy romance if you want a low-stakes cozy fantasy. Despite the minor issues, I'm excited to read the next book with D and M.  

Thank you, NetGalley, Crystal Moon Press, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op, for eARC. 

#NetGalley #ARivalryofHearts

Evan Miller Is Waking Down by Jerel Law - Book Review

Publication Date: 28th May 2024

Genre: Older Middle-Grade Dystopian Fantasy 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: A decent entry-level read for the genre 

Evan lives in City 47, a place where uniformity is mandatory and no one should stand out or dare to ask questions. They follow the Primary Code and lead lives the way Elders dictate. The Incident brought this change, and no one talks about the ruins or what happened before. 

Yet, secrets are also forbidden in this land. But Evan’s realistic dreams are a secret he tries to hide from everyone. When he can no longer disguise or hide his supernatural ability, Evan has to flee City 47 and its people. But where does this take him, and what will he do? Can Evan get the answers to his questions and stay alive long enough to do so? 

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

My Thoughts: 

Dystopian is not my preferred genre, but I have to read it for a challenge, so a toned-down version for middle graders seemed like a great choice. I was right,+ too! 

The premise is pretty much what you expect from the genre. A city controlled by a handful of people, everything under surveillance, no access to the outside world, and one person who wants to rebel, finding like-minded people to take down the oppressors. It’s the same here, with a dose of fantasy elements thrown in. 

The book is slow until 15% to 18%. After that, it really picks up pace and keeps the action scenes coming one after another. Since we get the story from Evan’s POV, we have access to limited information as he does. 

The atmosphere is dark, with danger everywhere. This is well done without making it too scary for kids. There’s some violence (hitting, bombing, shooting, fighting, etc.), but not so much that it would terrify young readers (though I’m not sure about how sensitive kids would react). 

That said, the MC is fifteen, and there’s a sort of love track (which wasn’t necessary). There are a couple of mentions of kissing (by MC), so maybe this would work better for tweens and teens than kids. 

However, the main reason for the lower rating is the lack of proper impact. While I could feel the darkness of the setting, I couldn’t entirely connect with Evan or anyone in the book. It felt distant. Dystopia is supposed to make readers uncomfortable. That doesn’t happen here much (or maybe I’m immune to it). Evan’s character needed a little something more to make me care for him. 

The climax and ending are decent. Yet again, the internal conflict doesn’t have the punch it should. The ending is hopeful, which I appreciate considering the target audience age group. 

To summarize, Evan Miller Is Waking Down has an intriguing premise but could have worked better with a little more character depth. Still, this would be a worthy entry-level book into the genre, especially if you are not a fan of dystopian (like me). 

Thank you, NetGalley and Tommy Nelson, for eARC. 

#NetGalley #EvanMillerIsWakingDown

Tasty Tiffin: 40+ Delicious and Healthy Lunch Box Ideas for Kids by Archana Doshi - Book Review

Publication Date: 02nd May 2024

Genre: Nonfiction; Cooking and Food

4 Stars

One Liner: Tasty indeed!

The title, Tasty Tiffin, is self-explanatory. The book is a collection of 40+ recipes for breakfast and tea-time meals for kiddos who go to school. I’m no mom, but I love to cook (not clean).

Moreover, the cover reminded me of my school days when I would plead with my mother to give me something different in the box instead of the same old stuff. But, you see, time constraints made it difficult for her, and back then, there was no social media to give her FOMO about the artsy lunch boxes shared by other parents. Of course, I got hot meals in my lunchboxes during college, and my friends loved it! They would even send their ‘requests’ through me. My mother’s curd rice was a favorite. She would pack two full (stuffed) boxes so that 6+ people would have enough to eat.

Anyhoo, I did get a copy of the book along with a set of meal planner sheets. Oh, boy! Those will be lifesavers for busy parents. I’ve shared a picture to show how neatly it has been formatted.

But hey, a recipe book has to be reviewed based on the recipes. So, naturally, I tried a few of those. I know many of these and so will a lot of parents since the food is familiar to us. However, the recipes vary from one house to another, so having another version is a bonus.

What I like the best about the book is the food combinations. Since parents need to pack a wholesome meal for their kids, they need more than just idli, dosa, or parantha. That’s where the book shines. The author has provided recipes in twos and threes per lunch box. For example, Lemon Rice, Stir-Fry Broccoli, and Curd form one tiffin box recipe. Parents don’t have to pair the recipes or mix-and-match unless they want to. This could save time when planning the meals and gathering the ingredients.

The introduction is short and to the point. The author highlights the need for a balanced diet and hints at ways to include proteins, carbs, fruits, etc., into the child’s diet. There is no fluff anywhere. Each recipe starts with a short note with tips and suggestions. The ingredients are neatly listed, followed by the process in clear, simple steps. The language is easy to understand. You can skim through and start cooking right away (if you are used to it).

Another advantage of the book is that the meals have been carefully put together to provide tasty and nutritious intake for little ones. Humans need many vitamins and minerals, and kids with growing bodies need a wholesome diet to be healthy and active. The book helps parents achieve this through the recipes. It’ll be trial and error based on your kids’ tastes, so start with what they like and take it from there.

Now, before I end the review, here are the recipes I tried at home and enjoyed.

Black Chana Salad (I make this sometimes and pretty much follow the same recipe)

Desi Masala Pasta (my kinda recipe again, but sans the gravy I usually add)

Veggie Uttapam (I mix the veggies into the batter instead of using them as toppings)

Tasty Paniyaram (buy the paniyaram pan if you don’t have one already. It is a useful thing to have in your kitchen.)

Green Moong Dal Pulao (new to me; tasted good)  

Cauliflower Curry (pretty much the recipe we use at home)

To summarize, Tasty Tiffin is a compact little book neatly structured into different sections and with easy recipes. The full-page color pictures are a bonus! This would make a great addition to your kitchen or a good gift to parents. Go grab a copy of Tasty Tiffin on Amazon!

You bet I’m saving the book to experiment on my future kids’ tiffin boxes (this wasn’t supposed to sound threatening!).

Thank you, Blogchatter, author Archana Doshi, 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.