tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10450473875419591472024-03-29T18:47:21.641+05:30The Witchy StorytellerA collection of poems, musings, micro/ flash fiction, and book reviewsSrivalli Rekhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102719458284096665noreply@blogger.comBlogger739125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045047387541959147.post-28727737314751988422024-03-29T18:46:00.004+05:302024-03-29T18:46:33.109+05:30The Missing Maid by Holly Hepburn - Book Review<p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">Series: The Baker Street Mysteries #1 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">Publication Date: 27 March 2024</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;"><b>3 Stars </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">One Liner: A fluffy read </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDWLDNZriWRKGAh04ZS3XkXTgL8EYX2DRxseWNau8JdmdEDtddsRwJzuBxejKnwYZhVK678kzl3btde7_8y1ue0BnzC9sMIaoe2ipbUv5onc1_icIShsr3DbwZWx8N1cXFGOE_TlgCbpWQ68m3Rmh8T101kDLaSMFlFbb7UbR350Mz0dE2rlz2I8IWqI1g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Alegreya;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="983" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDWLDNZriWRKGAh04ZS3XkXTgL8EYX2DRxseWNau8JdmdEDtddsRwJzuBxejKnwYZhVK678kzl3btde7_8y1ue0BnzC9sMIaoe2ipbUv5onc1_icIShsr3DbwZWx8N1cXFGOE_TlgCbpWQ68m3Rmh8T101kDLaSMFlFbb7UbR350Mz0dE2rlz2I8IWqI1g" width="157" /></span></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;"><i>1932, London </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">And thus begins Harry’s new journey. But can she solve the case? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">The story comes in Harry’s third-person POV. </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">My Thoughts: </span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">#NetGalley #TheMissingMaid </span></p><div><br /></div>Srivalli Rekhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102719458284096665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045047387541959147.post-18622212710200256732024-03-27T17:19:00.001+05:302024-03-27T17:19:13.504+05:30A to Z Challenge 2024 – Theme Reveal – Mahabharata Mashup <p><span style="font-family: Akaya Telivigala;">Hello and Namaskar! </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Akaya Telivigala;">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, <a href="https://www.theblogchatter.com/" target="_blank">I’m
participating in #BlogchatterA2Z</a> to earn the super cute stickers they
reward after we complete the challenge. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Akaya Telivigala;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Akaya Telivigala;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJUwdbx6EG6BCrFieN4X57-1lFUbCAL9c5jHHb5zHBY-5qOPdggw0DvnW4Mxat7g8t4FLD4crWfdfXToT0VNMbMcRkuArEZR3OCya4AkvyVPXAi1xLbdUq5HZVALbAzarKwV7RN26v8MinDN5DQlnHNfP4TLL1CTTDmb1RjGoqwV-goY3C5stTlHPRt9MS" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJUwdbx6EG6BCrFieN4X57-1lFUbCAL9c5jHHb5zHBY-5qOPdggw0DvnW4Mxat7g8t4FLD4crWfdfXToT0VNMbMcRkuArEZR3OCya4AkvyVPXAi1xLbdUq5HZVALbAzarKwV7RN26v8MinDN5DQlnHNfP4TLL1CTTDmb1RjGoqwV-goY3C5stTlHPRt9MS" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Akaya Telivigala;"><br />My theme for the year is <b><i>Mahabharata Mashup</i></b> – 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. </span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Akaya Telivigala;">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 <a href="https://draupadiparashakti.com/" target="_blank">Draupadi
Parashakti</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Akaya Telivigala;">Hope you enjoy the posts!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Akaya Telivigala;">***<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Akaya Telivigala;"><i>(I'll update the titles and links below once every 2-3 days)</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Akaya Telivigala;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;">Day 1:</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Akaya Telivigala;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;">Day 2: </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Akaya Telivigala;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;">Day 3: </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Akaya Telivigala;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;">Day 4:</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Akaya Telivigala;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;">Day 5:</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Akaya Telivigala;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;">Day 6:</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Akaya Telivigala;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;">Day 7: Sunday </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Akaya Telivigala;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;">Day 8: </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Akaya Telivigala;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;">Day 9: </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Akaya Telivigala;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;">Day 10:</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Akaya Telivigala;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;">Day 11:</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Akaya Telivigala;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;">Day 12:</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Akaya Telivigala"; font-size: 16px;">Day 13: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Akaya Telivigala"; font-size: 16px;">Day 14: Sunday </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Akaya Telivigala"; font-size: 16px;">Day 15: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Akaya Telivigala"; font-size: 16px;">Day 16:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Akaya Telivigala"; font-size: 16px;">Day 17: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Akaya Telivigala"; font-size: 16px;">Day 18: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Akaya Telivigala"; font-size: 16px;">Day 19: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Akaya Telivigala"; font-size: 16px;">Day 20: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Akaya Telivigala"; font-size: 16px;">Day 21: </span><span style="font-family: "Akaya Telivigala"; font-size: 16px;">Sunday </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Akaya Telivigala"; font-size: 16px;">Day 22: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Akaya Telivigala"; font-size: 16px;">Day 23: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Akaya Telivigala"; font-size: 16px;">Day 24: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Akaya Telivigala"; font-size: 16px;">Day 25: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Akaya Telivigala"; font-size: 16px;">Day 26: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Akaya Telivigala"; font-size: 16px;">Day 27: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Akaya Telivigala"; font-size: 16px;">Day 28: </span><span style="font-family: "Akaya Telivigala"; font-size: 16px;">Sunday </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Akaya Telivigala"; font-size: 16px;">Day 29: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Akaya Telivigala"; font-size: 16px;">Day 30: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Akaya Telivigala"; font-size: 16px;">***</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Akaya Telivigala;"><b><span style="line-height: 20.7px;">P.S.:</span></b><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"> 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.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Akaya Telivigala"; font-size: 16px;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Akaya Telivigala;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18.4px;">***</span></span></p>Srivalli Rekhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102719458284096665noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045047387541959147.post-44834795124855393502024-03-24T12:13:00.006+05:302024-03-27T17:46:55.797+05:30The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill - Book Review<p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">Publication Date: 19th March 2024</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">Genre: Contemporary Mystery </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;"><b>2 Stars </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">One Liner: Eek… what happened! </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGMLUw5uqsqGA3jyln1J_ZEvblVExb_uSe7qe60TZjrD5R2MvrSnuie1RfJcZJoTFR7JdHuDWYrJj_07nW1NIMdUWMD7dixXHI02G63jQuSz6MwtdTL0M-E_ELk187xRBZe0DxOaDP7iIDTRYn0YXII5N7QALiALM4LBMaEZUdrBCNjXjlWpbx6VScYsSA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Alegreya;"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGMLUw5uqsqGA3jyln1J_ZEvblVExb_uSe7qe60TZjrD5R2MvrSnuie1RfJcZJoTFR7JdHuDWYrJj_07nW1NIMdUWMD7dixXHI02G63jQuSz6MwtdTL0M-E_ELk187xRBZe0DxOaDP7iIDTRYn0YXII5N7QALiALM4LBMaEZUdrBCNjXjlWpbx6VScYsSA" width="160" /></span></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Walter Turncoat;">My Thoughts: </span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>0 to 33% - decent (even if I couldn’t ignore some things) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>34 to 70% - umm okay (but it is spiraling out of control) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>71 to 100% - a dinosaur could appear, and I wouldn’t blink an eye </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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*</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">Despite everything, I can see the potential in the original premise. If only it was properly structured!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">Thank you, NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press, for the eARC. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">#NetGalley #TheMysteryWriter </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">***</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;"><b>TW: </b><i>Mentions of sexual assault </i></span></p><div><br /></div>Srivalli Rekhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102719458284096665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045047387541959147.post-45478551244712063522024-03-21T18:27:00.002+05:302024-03-21T18:27:26.524+05:30A Body at the Dance Hall by Marty Wingate - Book Review<p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">Series: The London Ladies’ Murder Club #3 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">Publication Date: 08th April 2024</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;"><b>4 Stars </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">One Liner: Some laughs, a touch of danger, and a list of suspects </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2RthiVnichgcrWEORp4z02dVB4RHgvDI0Rpwd0BCln3-1M_wc8Qz-XVuB-LVcUkIQUoNzTqRPSM9XxJyXjeRUoNb112bRmAxzufC9ThiYENr8wB_3h486o-IXv7UI4oSpA6iZT1BULRTTjp36FAbpcqtBKs5sGIEIXz7ftW0Amun-085Gvunip9dguxPq" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="326" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2RthiVnichgcrWEORp4z02dVB4RHgvDI0Rpwd0BCln3-1M_wc8Qz-XVuB-LVcUkIQUoNzTqRPSM9XxJyXjeRUoNb112bRmAxzufC9ThiYENr8wB_3h486o-IXv7UI4oSpA6iZT1BULRTTjp36FAbpcqtBKs5sGIEIXz7ftW0Amun-085Gvunip9dguxPq" width="156" /></span></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">1922 London </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">The story comes in Mabel’s third-person POV. </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">My Thoughts: </span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">The book works as a standalone, though you can read book one and jump to this if you want. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">The book ends on a humorous and hopeful note, so we can be sure that Mabel will have many more adventures (personal and professional). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">To summarize, A Body at the Dance Hall is an entertaining and light-hearted read with some emotional scenes. Looking forward to the next! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">#NetGalley #ABodyAtTheDanceHall</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">***</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;"><b>PS:</b> Based on cozy mysteries I read, taking a dog with you will make even the toughest of people more amicable and helpful (<i>don’t blame me if it doesn’t work in real life</i>).</span></p><div><br /></div>Srivalli Rekhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102719458284096665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045047387541959147.post-6408272137672363102024-03-19T17:45:00.004+05:302024-03-19T17:45:31.637+05:30All Our Yesterdays: A Novel of Lady Macbeth by Joel H. Morris - Book Review <p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">Publication Date: 12th March 2024</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">Genre: Historical Fiction, Retelling </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;"><b>3 Stars </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;"><i>One Liner: Nice... but not enough </i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjY62CnpvaYVgOQcTw3mjFq2gUo-wfHhE2NSOLCwXyo05Y-IN9_no7p9YB_bAeh4_f07e2AWdw9IhjYatVuuy9mxvZY3W3qLoRXntklixddEsz5GpltLrCrbaHxR6kFhs8zOnYCFLvLLeE5AqCdUXy45MGUB_avFZtZfXxE8vDJ69u0Qh3pGtAZlWSu_yVk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Alegreya;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjY62CnpvaYVgOQcTw3mjFq2gUo-wfHhE2NSOLCwXyo05Y-IN9_no7p9YB_bAeh4_f07e2AWdw9IhjYatVuuy9mxvZY3W3qLoRXntklixddEsz5GpltLrCrbaHxR6kFhs8zOnYCFLvLLeE5AqCdUXy45MGUB_avFZtZfXxE8vDJ69u0Qh3pGtAZlWSu_yVk" width="159" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">11th century Scotland <br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">The story comes in the first-person POV of the Lady and the third-person POV of the Boy. </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">My Thoughts: </span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">Thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Group (G.P. Putnam's Sons), for the eARC. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">#NetGalley #AllOurYesterdays </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">***</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;"><b>TW:</b> Domestic abuse, violence, beheading, miscarriage, sexual abuse, death during childbirth, child abuse, starvation, classism, animal violence, and death</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">***</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;"><b>PS:</b> After reading the book, I feel the cover doesn’t quite suit the contents or the tone. </span></p><div><br /></div>Srivalli Rekhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102719458284096665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045047387541959147.post-58673052466432545052024-03-17T12:46:00.000+05:302024-03-17T12:46:29.696+05:30Finding Friends at the Cornish Country Hospital by Jo Bartlett - Book Review<p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">Series: Cornish Country Hospital #2 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">Publication Date: 26th March 2024 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;"><b>3 Stars </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">One Liner: Couldn’t vibe with it </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFfO0A8Ng7TU3gv_XEzyNueBZ3tQWvKDTIMerH_NX2bvLICb4-aOGJsQgLNWpG47dOXwuf27G6bN05Av0IDcoGMUEvCG-uyJJpYr3V9ey5f4kGgCSAyFr4r357rAb4Uaucyfr4wWL8of9FRJetmKNVUwbLsONOlPBJlmtKmhv4pDNhnSdHKC1rv8u1Ynf0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2339" data-original-width="1521" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFfO0A8Ng7TU3gv_XEzyNueBZ3tQWvKDTIMerH_NX2bvLICb4-aOGJsQgLNWpG47dOXwuf27G6bN05Av0IDcoGMUEvCG-uyJJpYr3V9ey5f4kGgCSAyFr4r357rAb4Uaucyfr4wWL8of9FRJetmKNVUwbLsONOlPBJlmtKmhv4pDNhnSdHKC1rv8u1Ynf0" width="156" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Solitreo;"><br />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. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">The story comes in the third-person POV of Esther and Caroline. </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">My Thoughts: </span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">#NetGalley #FindingFriendsattheCornishCountryHospital</span></p>Srivalli Rekhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102719458284096665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045047387541959147.post-77063933393980305302024-03-16T18:48:00.001+05:302024-03-17T10:00:04.784+05:30A Country Wedding Murder by Katie Gayle - Book Review - Blog Tour <p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">Series: Julia Bird Mysteries #5</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">Buy Link on Amazon: <a href="https://geni.us/B0CLL1T12Qsocial" target="_blank">https://geni.us/B0CLL1T12Qsocial</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">Goodreads Book Page: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201910596-a-country-wedding-murder" target="_blank">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201910596-a-country-wedding-murder</a> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">Publication Date: 13th March 2024 <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">Genre: Cozy Mystery <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;"><b>4.2 Stars </b><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">One Liner: Such a fun read! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5m9Z1ZTsNVpoZ8E2JX4nyDZN3TPk3u4eqCY9WyV6gzFRGue4h_CXbycgDZ9j2GWhkjyuFZyNlA9P1RSsF7shcPGu3LYQvfeo1hyiTOPwfYbm8gCm4RZOpULG8Dx5qLLEexzERF13ZlYbth3aH2SVidcmbfVuTH_dftxwx7jPYHUVrxHniwdupGCr1gI3U" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5m9Z1ZTsNVpoZ8E2JX4nyDZN3TPk3u4eqCY9WyV6gzFRGue4h_CXbycgDZ9j2GWhkjyuFZyNlA9P1RSsF7shcPGu3LYQvfeo1hyiTOPwfYbm8gCm4RZOpULG8Dx5qLLEexzERF13ZlYbth3aH2SVidcmbfVuTH_dftxwx7jPYHUVrxHniwdupGCr1gI3U" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Solitreo;"><br /></span><b style="font-family: Solitreo;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Book Description:</span></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">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?</span></i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">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.</span></i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">***<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">My Thoughts: </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">The story comes in Julia’s third-person POV. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-_tldqtuDwKmMIcpp02AfI72_yaRFTHI6m0N2MmmnYNxBSXsq576-VFL2U7Ib0T9mpDCjffAYqr_F2XYV9xl8bif7LaMrU8M4FJPWI-wNuiOUPpBs97wv1AiEHzOLyfU-iVkC2iqdrVZ4_IA-spjp1c72rVhm6897WRbrA9sgC9sThdfvx0LblzBoWXki" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2338" data-original-width="1526" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-_tldqtuDwKmMIcpp02AfI72_yaRFTHI6m0N2MmmnYNxBSXsq576-VFL2U7Ib0T9mpDCjffAYqr_F2XYV9xl8bif7LaMrU8M4FJPWI-wNuiOUPpBs97wv1AiEHzOLyfU-iVkC2iqdrVZ4_IA-spjp1c72rVhm6897WRbrA9sgC9sThdfvx0LblzBoWXki" width="157" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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? <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">#NetGalley #ACountryWeddingMurder<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">***<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Author Bio:</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBgJdzq7oMZRajsRRVvjf0gUuQsyiwEglmcVqLEjsjC9bhkwxJgXxUbTNy2h1F1iV6Hmna-Tl91xD23McOZJqvb43CsLgDjKRsyN3R1ruGBqulfSR4DR0Xo5LjVnq9gMJ2Q8_u0LvMyeujSDufo08I_ocg5VFyph2cz0RYfugr0ItqLc10LmaI4gB_0A9e" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="5818" data-original-width="3879" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBgJdzq7oMZRajsRRVvjf0gUuQsyiwEglmcVqLEjsjC9bhkwxJgXxUbTNy2h1F1iV6Hmna-Tl91xD23McOZJqvb43CsLgDjKRsyN3R1ruGBqulfSR4DR0Xo5LjVnq9gMJ2Q8_u0LvMyeujSDufo08I_ocg5VFyph2cz0RYfugr0ItqLc10LmaI4gB_0A9e" width="160" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KatieGayleWriter" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/KatieGayleWriter</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">X: <a href="https://twitter.com/KatieGayleBooks" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/KatieGayleBooks</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases
from Katie Gayle here: <a href="https://www.bookouture.com/katie-gayle" target="_blank">https://www.bookouture.com/katie-gayle</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">***<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">This has been a pitstop on the blog tour by
Bookouture (@bookouture). Thank you for stopping by! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<a href="https://www.theblogchatter.com/blogrolls/the-witchy-storyteller-a-country-wedding-murder-by-katie-gayle-book-review-blog-tour" title="The Witchy Storyteller: A Country Wedding Murder by Katie Gayle - Book Review - Blog Tour"><img src="https://www.theblogchatter.com/public/top_bloggers.png" width="150" border="0" alt="Top post on Blogchatter" style="display: block;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;border:none;"></a>Srivalli Rekhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102719458284096665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045047387541959147.post-75482682804296715952024-03-15T17:46:00.002+05:302024-03-15T17:46:41.203+05:30Kill for Me, Kill for You by Steve Cavanagh - Book Review<p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">Publication Date: 19 March 2024 (first published 20th July 2023)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">Genre: Thriller, Suspense </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">3 Stars </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">One Liner: Okay… not impressed (kinda outliner) </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLxmwUZypKMdM_y06D_Q_SWmXOHXnq9ETZlsWL7NkecCdIbvVBJ2TKuwCHWUvwb11qOhWP0hfv9rE7SgpUp6CSzK_9gp3ADF66TJCkWb4T8KTyOwkfQEHp3DTNwzhS64-S1Wx5iLJMlRXa9RHCE1s-PHscm0iaNsLr2Voz4CfcY63g-XxiRjtpclDbFVWw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Kalam;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2113" data-original-width="1400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLxmwUZypKMdM_y06D_Q_SWmXOHXnq9ETZlsWL7NkecCdIbvVBJ2TKuwCHWUvwb11qOhWP0hfv9rE7SgpUp6CSzK_9gp3ADF66TJCkWb4T8KTyOwkfQEHp3DTNwzhS64-S1Wx5iLJMlRXa9RHCE1s-PHscm0iaNsLr2Voz4CfcY63g-XxiRjtpclDbFVWw" width="159" /></span></a></div><p></p><p><i><span style="font-family: Kalam;">New York City</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">The story comes in the third-person POV of Amanda and Ruth, with a couple of chapters from Scott and Farrow. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">My Thoughts: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">Still, the book highlights important themes like injustice, moral dilemmas, victim trauma, etc. It would offer quite a bit for book club discussions. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books, for the eARC. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">#NetGalley #KillForMeKillForYou </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">***</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;"><b>TW: </b>Mention of pedophilia, suicide, depression, trauma, assault, bullying (mentioned)</span></p><div><br /></div>Srivalli Rekhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102719458284096665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045047387541959147.post-58049855148255750952024-03-13T18:21:00.002+05:302024-03-13T18:29:28.684+05:30Varaha's Vengeance by Arun Krishnan - Book Review<p><span style="font-family: Mali;">Series: The Battle of Vathapi #2 (Not a
Standalone) </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Mali;">Publication Date: 16th Feb 2024 <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Mali;">Genre: Indian Historical Fiction <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Mali;"><b>4.5 Stars </b><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Mali;">One Liner: Sustains the thrills of book one <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Mali;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Mali;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkStA3Nh_AomCXFKHJTSt3FgzC8xgBQIRHBOVN0XF4xxuUO59iLxu_R2eH93oEln1u_jN8gjbJ8F4ARrRVnA3M7gRBkrScUYKpMY24hJTZyPCuZJsYArN-JPU2ftydUoBL-EQH73Vogta48EG2fVJ6etsR2gNugV-dLWk4Wux7pVp0XwN_Ubh_pL0lW9Mq" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkStA3Nh_AomCXFKHJTSt3FgzC8xgBQIRHBOVN0XF4xxuUO59iLxu_R2eH93oEln1u_jN8gjbJ8F4ARrRVnA3M7gRBkrScUYKpMY24hJTZyPCuZJsYArN-JPU2ftydUoBL-EQH73Vogta48EG2fVJ6etsR2gNugV-dLWk4Wux7pVp0XwN_Ubh_pL0lW9Mq" width="180" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Mali;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Mali;">07th Century Bharat</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Mali;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Mali;">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? <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Mali;">The story comes in the omnipresent third-person POV. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Mali;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">My Thoughts: </span></b></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Mali;">This book takes off where <a href="https://sri-lovenature.blogspot.com/2023/12/nandis-charge-by-arun-krishnan-book.html " target="_blank">Nandi’s Charge</a> ended (a
few weeks later). It is not a standalone and should not be read out of
order. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Mali;">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. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Mali;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Mali;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Mali;">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? <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Mali;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Mali;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Mali;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Mali;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Mali;">The chapter titles are mild spoilers, which I don’t
mind. Those are necessary to keep the details straight. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Mali;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Mali;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Mali;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Mali;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Mali;">Thank you, Blogchatter, author Arun Krishnan, and
publisher HarperCollins India, for a copy of the book. This review is powered
by <a href="https://www.theblogchatter.com/" target="_blank">the
Blogchatter Book Review Program</a> and contains my honest opinion about
the book. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Mali;">You can buy the paperback of <a href="https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/9356999856" target="_blank">Varaha's
Vengeance: Battle of Vatapi Book 2 on Amazon</a>. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Mali;"><br /></span></span></p>Srivalli Rekhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102719458284096665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045047387541959147.post-23786459554281643182024-03-10T11:25:00.002+05:302024-03-13T16:10:05.780+05:30At the Stroke of Midnight by Jenni Keer - Book Review<p><span style="font-family: Alkatra;">Publication Date: 12th March 2024</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alkatra;">Genre: Historical Drama, Mystery, Groundhog Day </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alkatra;">3.7 Stars </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alkatra;">One Liner: Entertaining; drags a bit in the middle </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHxLZO7VSRUKVWzCpUiNyPG8nIhZFpZHYCUTEL8WueEd3uwIunwVHoWlHFpwO4_5kHNgKgznqGy_PP8W3vl5V9htoohb8-jt7n-nuZrc0WLZKfSaUCxjbvoGVQSpSV7QvhVg3U2Uvr0Ih5IX8R3NUwQYLPH9GydWC948LQ3HzKorFfM7Uc4tEUn1sk0BjO" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Alkatra;"><img alt="" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="255" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHxLZO7VSRUKVWzCpUiNyPG8nIhZFpZHYCUTEL8WueEd3uwIunwVHoWlHFpwO4_5kHNgKgznqGy_PP8W3vl5V9htoohb8-jt7n-nuZrc0WLZKfSaUCxjbvoGVQSpSV7QvhVg3U2Uvr0Ih5IX8R3NUwQYLPH9GydWC948LQ3HzKorFfM7Uc4tEUn1sk0BjO" width="157" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Alkatra;">1923</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Alkatra;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alkatra;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alkatra;">There’s something she needs to do to change the outcome and get on with her life. But what? Can Pearl figure it out? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alkatra;">The story comes in Pearl’s third-person POV (sometimes blurs the lines with third-person omnipresent). </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Macondo Swash Caps;">My Thoughts: </span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Alkatra;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alkatra;">Pearl’s introduction is well done. It establishes her character and takes things from there, allowing her to grow and change throughout the book. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alkatra;">The other characters are not necessarily developed, but some have surprises up their sleeves. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alkatra;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alkatra;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alkatra;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alkatra;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alkatra;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alkatra;">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! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alkatra;">There’s romance, too (clean), and it is believable. A sort of third-act breakup as well, though I guessed it would happen. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alkatra;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alkatra;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alkatra;">Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alkatra;">#NetGalley #AtTheStrokeOfMidnight</span></p><div><br /></div>Srivalli Rekhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102719458284096665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045047387541959147.post-71325490971882301592024-03-06T18:52:00.003+05:302024-03-06T18:52:27.934+05:30Eliza Mace by Sarah Burton and Jem Poster - Book Review<p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">Series: Eliza Mace Mysteries #1</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">Publication Date: 07th March 2024</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">Genre: YA Historical Mystery </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;"><b>2.5 Stars </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">One Liner: Ugh! </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtoRa21GDQ7t2xukZIm8dgwPgZ8pskoDfCofKyJgmpMbXONq_B3WllVEZU1ztwg6l6riCpaD5Hxp0hLitWqcfHhiv0US68V8YSw4BJx1G_XVSVLz7lqQoInyC1mkXuFdXTf-RTxFkZPiSVXuxqRrHB-06hDjYTHvy5MqJT-zhsm4bCjLg3AMJmpiU5CP22" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Alegreya;"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="311" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtoRa21GDQ7t2xukZIm8dgwPgZ8pskoDfCofKyJgmpMbXONq_B3WllVEZU1ztwg6l6riCpaD5Hxp0hLitWqcfHhiv0US68V8YSw4BJx1G_XVSVLz7lqQoInyC1mkXuFdXTf-RTxFkZPiSVXuxqRrHB-06hDjYTHvy5MqJT-zhsm4bCjLg3AMJmpiU5CP22" width="149" /></span></a></div><p></p><p><i><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">1870s, Welsh Borders</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">The story comes in Eliza’s third-person POV. </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">My Thoughts: </span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">Thank you, NetGalley and Duckworth Books, for the eARC. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">#NetGalley #ElizaMace </span></p><div><br /></div>Srivalli Rekhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102719458284096665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045047387541959147.post-42076286615477390982024-03-04T18:30:00.007+05:302024-03-04T18:36:04.648+05:30The Highgate Cemetery Murder by Irina Shapiro - Book Review<p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">Series: Tate and Bell Mystery #1</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">Publication Date: 29th Feb 2024</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">Genre: Historical Mystery (Darkish)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;"><b>3.5 Stars </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">One Liner: Got potential </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUKp-zD8WQI0WWUHP_mlDwSp214RevxcumA28J8Q6-PUGfhzhF3NKovtNldWF3R59EhJTmZh-PIwCmYGB0Mr7Daxq4_OeXEvOmRgYNU_8_eulhFPgEB9ce39lS4XB3CLyxo_ZV308TbBH6PoqHkCLZHQSCJohx8Ibx3p9tn8Y1GoMqG9TRrGCRjc-zIrVu" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Kalam;"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="329" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUKp-zD8WQI0WWUHP_mlDwSp214RevxcumA28J8Q6-PUGfhzhF3NKovtNldWF3R59EhJTmZh-PIwCmYGB0Mr7Daxq4_OeXEvOmRgYNU_8_eulhFPgEB9ce39lS4XB3CLyxo_ZV308TbBH6PoqHkCLZHQSCJohx8Ibx3p9tn8Y1GoMqG9TRrGCRjc-zIrVu" width="158" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Kalam;">1858, London </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">The story comes in Gemma Tate and Sebastian Bell’s third-person POVs. </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Kalam;">My Thoughts: </span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">Thank you, NetGalley and Storm Publishing, for the eARC. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">#NetGalley #TheHighgateCemeteryMurder</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">***</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;"><b>TW: </b>Gang r*pe, drug abuse, death, grief, mourning, addiction, m*rder of a pregnant woman and her unborn baby. </span></p>Srivalli Rekhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102719458284096665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045047387541959147.post-19433717703034461022024-02-28T18:00:00.008+05:302024-02-28T18:04:00.270+05:30The Boy Who Cried Bear by Kelley Armstrong - Book Review<p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">Series: Haven’s Rock #2</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">Publication Date: 20th Feb 2024</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">Genre: Mystery </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;"><b>3.7 Stars </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">One Liner: Nice mystery </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgntps1pcl39vFXdTeHphE73GT10xm7a5my8Nau9w-O6kjXhVyIlDXhu3s7GjRVF5uVnJUq1OInfharbTE81Jgs7vOptokjLM6kxhH6p91JhRfqkVNATrrJx8ueNr94Or92Im-glyJ3AAk0qjAgsZSnnD1HWBSxMGiukyoDCZAfcCps_f5iDR9ZUCfJc1r5" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;"><img alt="" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="329" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgntps1pcl39vFXdTeHphE73GT10xm7a5my8Nau9w-O6kjXhVyIlDXhu3s7GjRVF5uVnJUq1OInfharbTE81Jgs7vOptokjLM6kxhH6p91JhRfqkVNATrrJx8ueNr94Or92Im-glyJ3AAk0qjAgsZSnnD1HWBSxMGiukyoDCZAfcCps_f5iDR9ZUCfJc1r5" width="158" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;"><br />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. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">The story comes in Casey’s first-person POV. </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">My Thoughts: </span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin (Minotaur Books), for the eARC. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">#NetGalley </span></p><div><br /></div>Srivalli Rekhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102719458284096665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045047387541959147.post-56477440352410311332024-02-27T18:07:00.000+05:302024-02-27T18:07:10.658+05:30Lady Charlotte Always Gets Her Man by Violet Marsh - Book Review<p><span style="font-family: Shantell Sans;">Publication Date: 05th March 2024</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Shantell Sans;">Genre: Historical Romance (Georgian) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Shantell Sans;"><b>3.7 Stars </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Shantell Sans;">One Liner: A decent read </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQlufo02GiHUeP2yjRStIX41zYyj42kjc9aK9oZTvg0VUFWvpAarjzqdD2q45IZ4wtAW9WEL8Do1gdMr22n9qcaIMeIkfG4YVYtWtQkwAdB-cB17HGq5cB0VDayDJhOVY1rqVpsg5_ys34eeC2CIg4HeI-LtIv3O_TeYh2Xfd7UPfnceOvbtVYYslOlH4Y" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Shantell Sans;"><img alt="" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="255" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQlufo02GiHUeP2yjRStIX41zYyj42kjc9aK9oZTvg0VUFWvpAarjzqdD2q45IZ4wtAW9WEL8Do1gdMr22n9qcaIMeIkfG4YVYtWtQkwAdB-cB17HGq5cB0VDayDJhOVY1rqVpsg5_ys34eeC2CIg4HeI-LtIv3O_TeYh2Xfd7UPfnceOvbtVYYslOlH4Y" width="158" /></span></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Shantell Sans;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Shantell Sans;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Shantell Sans;">The story comes in the third-person POV of Charlotte and Mathew. </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Shantell Sans;">My Thoughts: </span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Shantell Sans;">Well, this isn’t your typical historical romance. It is a blend of adventure, mystery, comedy, and romance. The content is darker, too. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Shantell Sans;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Shantell Sans;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Shantell Sans;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Shantell Sans;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Shantell Sans;">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). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Shantell Sans;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Shantell Sans;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Shantell Sans;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Shantell Sans;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Shantell Sans;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Shantell Sans;">Thank you, NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for the eARC. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Shantell Sans;">#NetGalley #LadyCharlotteAlwaysGetsHerMan</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Shantell Sans;">***</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Shantell Sans;"><b>TW: </b>Bullying</span></p><div><br /></div>Srivalli Rekhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102719458284096665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045047387541959147.post-61299596606467094042024-02-22T18:22:00.003+05:302024-02-22T18:25:48.581+05:30The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown - Book Review <p><span style="font-family: Sansita Swashed;">Publication Date: 13th Feb 2024</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Sansita Swashed;">Genre: Mystery, Time Travel, Urban Fantasy </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Sansita Swashed;">3 Stars </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Sansita Swashed;">One Liner: Great premise, uninteresting characters </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4WZmnpEauDTWyY8Tj0vWL1KsZL-BkK3pDQaJYaqUWCJWLf7V42zWRGfgeROmbM3jIlFn3SeKb6v3xMPk2LzCo5agn9XQ4OxAvcQWEzoK_H41KK4_dGk9wOiriQEedVoBRZjNW88fC5iC9YvXcXF3n6_HKO0_sLoXcAmh065YBKLDChdM4p3k_cWvhU27b" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Sansita Swashed;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3237" data-original-width="2133" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4WZmnpEauDTWyY8Tj0vWL1KsZL-BkK3pDQaJYaqUWCJWLf7V42zWRGfgeROmbM3jIlFn3SeKb6v3xMPk2LzCo5agn9XQ4OxAvcQWEzoK_H41KK4_dGk9wOiriQEedVoBRZjNW88fC5iC9YvXcXF3n6_HKO0_sLoXcAmh065YBKLDChdM4p3k_cWvhU27b" width="158" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Sansita Swashed;"><br /><i>New York City</i></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Sansita Swashed;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Sansita Swashed;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Sansita Swashed;">The story comes in multiple POVs of Cassie, Drummond, Lund, The Woman, Lottie, and a few others. </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Oleo Script; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">My Thoughts: </span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Sansita Swashed;">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). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Sansita Swashed;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Sansita Swashed;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Sansita Swashed;">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). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Sansita Swashed;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Sansita Swashed;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Sansita Swashed;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Sansita Swashed;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Sansita Swashed;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Sansita Swashed;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Sansita Swashed;">Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow, for the eARC. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Sansita Swashed;">#NetGalley #TheBookofDoors </span></p><div><br /></div>Srivalli Rekhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102719458284096665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045047387541959147.post-72591816220866878492024-02-19T19:02:00.003+05:302024-02-19T19:02:25.270+05:30Roses for the Dead by Jenny O'Brien - Book Review <p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">Series: Detective Alana Mack #2</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">Publication Date: 14th Feb 2024 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">Genre: Police Procedural, Contemporary </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;"><b>4 Stars </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">One Liner: Better than book one and enjoyable </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOZra-WfPlDq8yVa8mYHt-vud7VSToidKRj2LG6yhYz6plDUf1_RAMDi6HS0afmS8QeFS55yKl_5G5RVaT7WS5ZB8D561fPPdBoStw_thk8zdaXdmL6wxxK71Kn9N3XA_HW44oqIi2Kt0yDm_fUpUFjxmw6dkDBuOrsdDTf873FmbYTLKLm2lwBKyraEDh" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="978" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOZra-WfPlDq8yVa8mYHt-vud7VSToidKRj2LG6yhYz6plDUf1_RAMDi6HS0afmS8QeFS55yKl_5G5RVaT7WS5ZB8D561fPPdBoStw_thk8zdaXdmL6wxxK71Kn9N3XA_HW44oqIi2Kt0yDm_fUpUFjxmw6dkDBuOrsdDTf873FmbYTLKLm2lwBKyraEDh" width="156" /></span></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">Things get even more complex when she receives a threatening message. Can Alana use the clues to find the killer and prevent more deaths? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">The story comes in third-person POVs from Alana (more), Paddy, Lorrie, and the killer. </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">My Thoughts: </span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">Thank you, NetGalley and Storm Publishing, for the eARC. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">#NetGalley #RosesForTheDead</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">***</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;"><b>TW:</b> Descriptions of injuries after bullying and physical abuse. </span></p><div><br /></div>Srivalli Rekhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102719458284096665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045047387541959147.post-15647831388027639842024-02-17T18:55:00.002+05:302024-02-24T18:33:47.022+05:30The Library Murders by Merryn Allingham - Book review Blog Tour <p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">Series: Flora Steele Mystery #8</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">Publisher: Bookouture</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">Amazon: <a href="https://geni.us/B0CLRWF1ZXsocial">https://geni.us/B0CLRWF1ZXsocial</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/200663367-the-library-murders " target="_blank">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/200663367-the-library-murders </a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">Publication Date: 20th Feb 2024</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;"><b>4 Stars </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">One Liner: A good mystery </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgs8lxZ1osQUI6qoQhs0xjVZ26Fd1R8u48lbeMGY64yfYJsX53KdKHeDNjU4nv2uJX5JiTZzpoJQAQGHTOkaXgXgKZUOHwpNoenMi8KG7pcOOe2-yaLx0XjReFwJpC4x91NB94G0YAD_ognjBBAkZ2gpnuM14GiKdfmVICf-ufxWfvEHyD4ginutxT7PtIm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Kalam;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgs8lxZ1osQUI6qoQhs0xjVZ26Fd1R8u48lbeMGY64yfYJsX53KdKHeDNjU4nv2uJX5JiTZzpoJQAQGHTOkaXgXgKZUOHwpNoenMi8KG7pcOOe2-yaLx0XjReFwJpC4x91NB94G0YAD_ognjBBAkZ2gpnuM14GiKdfmVICf-ufxWfvEHyD4ginutxT7PtIm" width="240" /></span></a></div><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Alkatra; font-weight: normal;">Blurb: </span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;"><i>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…</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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…</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;"><i>Flora and Jack are determined to solve this fiendish case by the book – but will this be the end of their story?</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;"><i>A completely page-turning and addictive cozy crime mystery. Fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin, and Joy Ellis will adore this unputdownable series!</i></span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Alkatra; font-weight: normal;">My Thoughts: </span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">Flora Steele and Jack Carrington are back in action to solve yet another crime in Abbeymead. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">The story comes in Flora and Jack’s third-person POVs. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibpeF9Bk3-oVXgwIXy8SnEm66RS2w3gEqakihI3IcA-YZFxW7r-_VXw5nCNgi_Pz8cspzgU-Q_ch3Li9wK4N6nYsIHCxV6ClwEvaaeMGbrfzWjX_I6--ro9m_TOENZimsy_xA-WUTso2t7k8cFwrU2oy0D_eRjivYopcPNQTciVfOJrfojNZno1ImLEY3e" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Kalam;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2339" data-original-width="1524" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibpeF9Bk3-oVXgwIXy8SnEm66RS2w3gEqakihI3IcA-YZFxW7r-_VXw5nCNgi_Pz8cspzgU-Q_ch3Li9wK4N6nYsIHCxV6ClwEvaaeMGbrfzWjX_I6--ro9m_TOENZimsy_xA-WUTso2t7k8cFwrU2oy0D_eRjivYopcPNQTciVfOJrfojNZno1ImLEY3e" width="156" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Kalam;"><br />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. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">#NetGalley #TheLibraryMurders</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">***</span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Alkatra; font-weight: normal;">Author Bio – Merryn Allingham</span></h3><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJ8wQZIDoP04gT25g8PDkpn5iREZrAW3DGcpDBEtUyuV8idUe1JlVNMq3lbT17D2xzkND8mUvDmJyy9Gj9g3mQ48qQ2alVBgVpDvLiGo6BFz2r9GXmyr0OkvsFWPUyUdV7koX92PCdZx0f5XCMf3myWh3gCkqBVB7HuM-Uc9X8parFD356uPNmQ8mIxC3G" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Kalam;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="300" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJ8wQZIDoP04gT25g8PDkpn5iREZrAW3DGcpDBEtUyuV8idUe1JlVNMq3lbT17D2xzkND8mUvDmJyy9Gj9g3mQ48qQ2alVBgVpDvLiGo6BFz2r9GXmyr0OkvsFWPUyUdV7koX92PCdZx0f5XCMf3myWh3gCkqBVB7HuM-Uc9X8parFD356uPNmQ8mIxC3G" width="180" /></span></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;"><a href="https://merrynallingham.com/ " rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://merrynallingham.com/ </a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MerrynWrites">https://www.facebook.com/MerrynWrites</a> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;"><a href="https://twitter.com/merrynwrites">https://twitter.com/merrynwrites</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Merryn Allingham here: <a href="https://www.bookouture.com/merryn-allingham">https://www.bookouture.com/merryn-allingham</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">***</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">This has been a pitstop on the blog tour by Bookouture (@bookouture). Thank you for stopping by! </span></p><p><br /></p>Srivalli Rekhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102719458284096665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045047387541959147.post-50281075684681613692024-02-15T18:54:00.003+05:302024-02-19T19:03:10.704+05:30The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden - Book Review<p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">Publication Date: 13th Feb 2024</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">Genre: Historical Fiction, WWI, Paranormal </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;"><b>2.7 stars </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">One Liner: Umm… tries too hard </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Kalam;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6VFCzqlDJGoGg4dP8WCsvSqkNTJ_wuaK_aamlUGVXFCOnHgTIdwKPqOBtXPpcdEpngw3u7qGTaDPC2Us9-mqxY5K7vi6a9IUECHdEFVg4LSi8fLGMDmG5u4KaITndcSYc-Ius8CYQmi2MuA0a70uxYSR4vGuVIPqPsTBW0ST1xlM_OT7ebGVuL2HmalW3" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1684" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6VFCzqlDJGoGg4dP8WCsvSqkNTJ_wuaK_aamlUGVXFCOnHgTIdwKPqOBtXPpcdEpngw3u7qGTaDPC2Us9-mqxY5K7vi6a9IUECHdEFVg4LSi8fLGMDmG5u4KaITndcSYc-Ius8CYQmi2MuA0a70uxYSR4vGuVIPqPsTBW0ST1xlM_OT7ebGVuL2HmalW3" width="158" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;"><b>Jan 1918:</b> 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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;"><b>Nov 1917:</b> 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? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">With the brother and sister haunted by the ghosts of the past and present, can they find a way to save others and themselves? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">The story comes in the third-person POV of Laura and Freddie (Wilfred) in alternate timelines (1918 and 1917). </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Kalam; font-size: medium;">My Thoughts: </span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing (Del Ray), for the eARC. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">#NetGalley #TheWarmHandsOfGhosts</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;">***</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Kalam;"><b>P.S.: </b>I skimmed a few reviews after drafting mine. Apparently, the chapter titles are biblical quotes from the Book of Revelation. </span></p><div><br /></div>Srivalli Rekhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102719458284096665noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045047387541959147.post-19335032374413019892024-02-14T18:26:00.002+05:302024-02-14T18:30:00.927+05:30Tristan/ Yseult by Harry Bonelle - Book Review - Blog Tour <p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">Published in January 2024</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">Publisher: Unicorn Publishing Group</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">Hardback Price (UK): £15 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">ISBN: 9781911397908</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">Buy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tristan-Yseult-Harry-Bonelle/dp/1911397907/ </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199687414-tristan-yseult</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;"><b>4 Stars </b></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrjl2hiyQJLHbLYUsmCjwqPmK3Miq6XatEGhxFtqgYWX82N5cvQC4JXaDIia4bFhFWIUN7baHd65xTH1pDxFaYB_NTISB1XFsw8oSdkUcYoLv5Dy89yNopOHFLwqJN8Um9zZTp3fuCManx52tuRaxWGUS1KsKk0ULa1B0p6DxqoNeQvOVODvFyr_MuVHS2" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2173" data-original-width="1382" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrjl2hiyQJLHbLYUsmCjwqPmK3Miq6XatEGhxFtqgYWX82N5cvQC4JXaDIia4bFhFWIUN7baHd65xTH1pDxFaYB_NTISB1XFsw8oSdkUcYoLv5Dy89yNopOHFLwqJN8Um9zZTp3fuCManx52tuRaxWGUS1KsKk0ULa1B0p6DxqoNeQvOVODvFyr_MuVHS2" width="153" /></span></a></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Macondo;">Blurb: </span></h3><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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.</span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Macondo;">My Thoughts: </span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhx2rDwwGxOTxBK1TjzKB_sCVQAX-YWZ0sW_608bL8bsNTknWSz6KyvSS3nBbwtZS3QZp-KLrigvbXR4xSYhbkrsjI1kZrGAOZmY8MU_qF_Gve5L97hA9ZSkK7Orc7xfQ12SfGNsFBcXBzWh1yBLjMY9jm4fYAD8yhYsZFlfvG2fCSGdBy7Gz2hoMXp5Piq" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1920" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhx2rDwwGxOTxBK1TjzKB_sCVQAX-YWZ0sW_608bL8bsNTknWSz6KyvSS3nBbwtZS3QZp-KLrigvbXR4xSYhbkrsjI1kZrGAOZmY8MU_qF_Gve5L97hA9ZSkK7Orc7xfQ12SfGNsFBcXBzWh1yBLjMY9jm4fYAD8yhYsZFlfvG2fCSGdBy7Gz2hoMXp5Piq" width="240" /></a></div></div><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">These are my favorite lines from the book - </span></p><p></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Solitreo;"></span></i></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">For course of days and short short nights</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">The healer and her haul are bound.</span></i></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Solitreo;"></span></i></p></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">***</span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Macondo;">About The Author – Henry Bonelle </span></h3><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgELGdtM8dXZSrLwGLAtBOgRV9dQtUTHwRqEgFvbi02y1sa2bykf-9wdr7yF3--LbnU29aItOSQzka78MaUrSNAfhMPUdgADrobhxX-WFZtEKhpv6psFqsnUQUwte85iP681VFkG-pURvjwNXMqEkh6IPvjh7Tb8dfwnue-cX9mwOcroBeCqfwazmYe0X_d" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgELGdtM8dXZSrLwGLAtBOgRV9dQtUTHwRqEgFvbi02y1sa2bykf-9wdr7yF3--LbnU29aItOSQzka78MaUrSNAfhMPUdgADrobhxX-WFZtEKhpv6psFqsnUQUwte85iP681VFkG-pURvjwNXMqEkh6IPvjh7Tb8dfwnue-cX9mwOcroBeCqfwazmYe0X_d" width="192" /></span></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">***</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">This has been a pitstop on the blog tour conducted by Random Things Tours (@RandomTTours on Twitter). Thank you for stopping by! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxV5rtSHi3GjfjPQnb353f4OYEPBl8MMkxwOgPdDtAVwaRk0Qpq3RxOLCnAGMwdtgJSqXSgABoWyTtYtAmb8WcPncu6Fmh62IF4fSYPcyPe56p0_NibR5pTp_2QdW7zUrpWCCiJNsDUR0km_cjEACczqsWJc5ABV4elHYn2QIvvaDozvQuc5TelcD7VB0X" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;"><img alt="" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxV5rtSHi3GjfjPQnb353f4OYEPBl8MMkxwOgPdDtAVwaRk0Qpq3RxOLCnAGMwdtgJSqXSgABoWyTtYtAmb8WcPncu6Fmh62IF4fSYPcyPe56p0_NibR5pTp_2QdW7zUrpWCCiJNsDUR0km_cjEACczqsWJc5ABV4elHYn2QIvvaDozvQuc5TelcD7VB0X" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Solitreo;"><br /></span><p></p>Srivalli Rekhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102719458284096665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045047387541959147.post-33072465684008987202024-02-13T17:25:00.005+05:302024-02-13T17:31:34.151+05:30The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett - Book Review<p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">Series: Shadow of the Leviathan #1</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">Publication Date: 06th Feb 2024</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">Genre: Mystery, Fantasy </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;"><b>3 stars </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">One Liner: Good mystery drowns in a vague setting </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXoXNFSWj_ojnr13weJF5TAfHgVyB1SrOPQJyMD6VzJ4k-hmt38fHhTPGnjSdhOn8yJtzyJq668FHH2Kx1hmc6nlt_iVL3OCwnM3HN35O1jVwk27M9D35i6UlURKqR3nGyW4nxUQeQ-OVdw-BxEXil3S0wjYqAp88LzWKu_JB2TkKAxfr_lfehz8BghHOa" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2042" data-original-width="1400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXoXNFSWj_ojnr13weJF5TAfHgVyB1SrOPQJyMD6VzJ4k-hmt38fHhTPGnjSdhOn8yJtzyJq668FHH2Kx1hmc6nlt_iVL3OCwnM3HN35O1jVwk27M9D35i6UlURKqR3nGyW4nxUQeQ-OVdw-BxEXil3S0wjYqAp88LzWKu_JB2TkKAxfr_lfehz8BghHOa" width="165" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;"><br />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. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">The story comes in the first-person POV of Dinios Kol. </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Salsa; font-weight: normal;">My Thoughts: </span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">The premise is wonderful, and the combination of mystery and fantasy made me curious. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">Thank you, NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton (Hodderscape), for the eARC. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">#NetGalley #TheTainedCup </span></p><div><br /></div>Srivalli Rekhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102719458284096665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045047387541959147.post-54387873097481421922024-02-09T19:15:00.002+05:302024-02-09T19:15:19.784+05:30Nonna Maria and the Case of the Lost Treasure by Lorenzo Carcaterra - Book Review<p><span style="font-family: Charm;">Series: Nonna Maria #3 (Standalone)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Charm;">Publication Date: 07th May 2024</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Charm;">Genre: Cozy Mystery, Small Town, Italy </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Charm;"><b>4 Stars </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Charm;">One Liner: A heartwarming read! </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXY5YfT4QSlghgRKWmVxLSbiRnvdugqZX5DjKwQTo7hpu0VeYZzXSD5RRl9CjsRZmu9-z3Cb59Ci_YdtJZP5H_JtNjUVES--_gOX2eXrUudEEpMDaOuLU49A-i1eLcW6U7kAmNtI74kj5jawaqDNcrKgPfxD51GbgVv0yYX5csi6LDPocAo1mr7CmK-MrM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Charm;"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXY5YfT4QSlghgRKWmVxLSbiRnvdugqZX5DjKwQTo7hpu0VeYZzXSD5RRl9CjsRZmu9-z3Cb59Ci_YdtJZP5H_JtNjUVES--_gOX2eXrUudEEpMDaOuLU49A-i1eLcW6U7kAmNtI74kj5jawaqDNcrKgPfxD51GbgVv0yYX5csi6LDPocAo1mr7CmK-MrM" width="158" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Charm;"><br />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. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Charm;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Charm;">How will our dear old lady handle the cases while cooking, feeding dear ones, and making new friends? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Charm;">The story comes in the omnipresent third-person POV. </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Akaya Kanadaka; font-weight: normal;">My Thoughts: </span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Charm;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Charm;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Charm;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Charm;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Charm;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Charm;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Charm;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Charm;">The book ends with a sweet author’s note and leaves the reader with a smile. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Charm;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Charm;">Thank you, NetGallet and Random House Publishing Group- Bantam, for the eARC. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Charm;">#NetGalley #NonnaMariaAndTheCaseOfTheLostTreasure</span></p><div><br /></div>Srivalli Rekhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102719458284096665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045047387541959147.post-64811343153439898062024-02-08T18:48:00.001+05:302024-02-08T18:48:14.713+05:30The Arsenic Eater's Wife by Tonya Mitchell - Book Review<p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">Publication Date: 08th Feb 2024</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">Genre: Historical Drama, Inspired by True Story </span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">3.8 Stars </span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">One Liner: Dark and stark but a worthy read </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjApU9jHzpF1suUkrcdr1sJbHITvF5Fzkj9__QG2yGdFgoXB6u79PAamIQVCP4yvkXZXqTVOPn0em_DqBGt1Xq9B4M2NrvIkt3Se6Wv_vlHCls9PnHYvRUEMqtRJYPydaGD6NSVS4M4MsmwgN1DZGlUQB-WkjuQBL4JudDNfQfnhaxthU9znQ5Wg2BHOFyp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Alegreya;"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="328" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjApU9jHzpF1suUkrcdr1sJbHITvF5Fzkj9__QG2yGdFgoXB6u79PAamIQVCP4yvkXZXqTVOPn0em_DqBGt1Xq9B4M2NrvIkt3Se6Wv_vlHCls9PnHYvRUEMqtRJYPydaGD6NSVS4M4MsmwgN1DZGlUQB-WkjuQBL4JudDNfQfnhaxthU9znQ5Wg2BHOFyp" width="157" /></span></a></div><p></p><p><i><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">1889, Liverpool </span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">Is Constance innocent or guilty? What will the jury decide? What’s the truth? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">The story comes in Constance Sullivan’s third-person POV in the present tense. </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">My Thoughts: </span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">Thank you, Bloodhound Books, for the eARC. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Alegreya;">Check this <a href="https://thecrimewire.com/multifarious/Florence-Maybrick-Murderer-or-Victim-of-Victorian-Prejudice" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">report for a brief insight</a> into the actual case. </span></p>Srivalli Rekhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102719458284096665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045047387541959147.post-79976577566730342512024-02-05T17:11:00.000+05:302024-02-05T17:11:02.180+05:30Secrets of the Snakestone by Piu DasGupta - Book Review <p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">Publication Date: 14th March 2024 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy Adventure </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;"><b>3.5 stars </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">One Liner: Fast-paced and entertaining</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjt2mGKsNFu_6lEUHRm7TyQyy59wD_naF9Y1IEGT01sbgjMmqUSMxpmXkDUmF7chc3IMB59NC5xNdQXQLThMQE50pRlqKR6FXcegSBhnmsPt7LDEFlMYfRuWQMnKYIZsBkZzwCPTshb-lNfl8l66ZQHU3nXn_TV5RLzv-4O57IhIHbcSysOk-YnR9peZF_O" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="261" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjt2mGKsNFu_6lEUHRm7TyQyy59wD_naF9Y1IEGT01sbgjMmqUSMxpmXkDUmF7chc3IMB59NC5xNdQXQLThMQE50pRlqKR6FXcegSBhnmsPt7LDEFlMYfRuWQMnKYIZsBkZzwCPTshb-lNfl8l66ZQHU3nXn_TV5RLzv-4O57IhIHbcSysOk-YnR9peZF_O" width="157" /></span></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">1895, Paris </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">The story comes in Zelie (mostly) and Jules’ third-person POV. </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">My Thoughts: </span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">The Kindle version is okay, but the formatting is the best in the PDF. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">Thank you, NetGalley and Nosy Crow, for the eARC. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">#NetGalley #SecretsOfTheSnakestone</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;">**</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Solitreo;"><b>P.S.: </b>The author’s website has an <a href="https://www.piudasgupta.com/ " target="_blank">animated version of the book’s cover</a>. It is so cool! </span></p>Srivalli Rekhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102719458284096665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045047387541959147.post-17664403334235614222024-02-04T12:15:00.000+05:302024-02-04T12:15:36.077+05:30A Most Murderous Wedding by Bianca Blythe - Book Review<p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">Series: Murder Most Gilded Age Mystery #1 (Standalone)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">Publication Date: 30 Jan 2024</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;"><b>2.5 Stars</b> (outliner) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">One Liner: Good premise, not-so-good execution </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsF0Pg7DTUPJMHT6kzfglTMQPsVmyA0sCCfN13CEouAi4v2mWx5_GGMTlwKjHDPZ1it6dgsZilq342BbDs9x17-fqtDbY0O9kwcNe2aIQ39BMB4zIZl61l0bX4igNnw35tm7wqSwWrtjsUIYffR21QmnNojy7x2zFRJo5abxXbPBqhY50MpO1Nei5R40qy" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsF0Pg7DTUPJMHT6kzfglTMQPsVmyA0sCCfN13CEouAi4v2mWx5_GGMTlwKjHDPZ1it6dgsZilq342BbDs9x17-fqtDbY0O9kwcNe2aIQ39BMB4zIZl61l0bX4igNnw35tm7wqSwWrtjsUIYffR21QmnNojy7x2zFRJo5abxXbPBqhY50MpO1Nei5R40qy" width="160" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;"><br /><i>1892, Boston </i></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">The story comes from Ruby’s first-person POV. </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">My Thoughts: </span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">What I Like: </span></h4><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">The story starts with the wedding and the groom refusing to say ‘I do’. Even the death occurs soon afterward. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">Ruby starts out well. Her parents are rather endearing. I like the scenes where she is proud of them, as she should be. </span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">What Didn’t Work for Me: </span></h4><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">I’m an outliner here, so check out other reviews before you decide. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">Thank you, NetGalley and Somerset Park Press, for the eARC. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">#NetGalley #AMostMurderousWedding</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;">***</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Patrick Hand;"><b>P.S.: </b><i>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. </i></span></p><p><br /></p>Srivalli Rekhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102719458284096665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045047387541959147.post-79686460340193958512024-01-30T17:54:00.006+05:302024-01-30T17:54:54.301+05:30Murder at the Leaning Tower by T.A. Williams - Book Review<p><span style="font-family: Quintessential;">Series: Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mysteries #6</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quintessential;">Publication Date: 06th Feb 2024</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quintessential;">Genre: Cozy Mystery, Italy </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quintessential;"><b>4 Stars </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quintessential;">One Liner: Entertaining as always </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quintessential;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Quintessential;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZb2Y3DE_I3Fgz_Q3lt-8LdnlwJMs7sDeQJiVGKeJIEkEJaowvuxYvYLA-bLa2soG49CazAldLf-n8jxi99_gB-Gq9bedaQfMC6W8Z-zclUQqSJJTM7eRvIRU5KtgwPQ5w9XkymTHOJ5J8RlYEyPQIScsjXRiykj14_aTgESirbsilK9RiNzrlGyYQJZbt" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="988" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZb2Y3DE_I3Fgz_Q3lt-8LdnlwJMs7sDeQJiVGKeJIEkEJaowvuxYvYLA-bLa2soG49CazAldLf-n8jxi99_gB-Gq9bedaQfMC6W8Z-zclUQqSJJTM7eRvIRU5KtgwPQ5w9XkymTHOJ5J8RlYEyPQIScsjXRiykj14_aTgESirbsilK9RiNzrlGyYQJZbt" width="158" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Quintessential;">Dan Armstrong is asked to provide security for a private villa on the outskirts of Pisa. Villa Gregory is beautiful and large. Still, Dan thinks it should be easy enough to handle the situation. What could go wrong when the ultra-rich meet? </span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: Quintessential;">Everything. </span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: Quintessential;">His girlfriend’s daughter works for one of the guests and isn’t too keen about Dan. Moreover, one of the guests is murdered. With pressure mounting, Dan (and Oscar) need to solve the case and try to prevent more murders while staying alive. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quintessential;">The story comes in Dan’s first-person POV. </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Quintessential;">My Thoughts: </span></h3><p><span style="font-family: Quintessential;">This is one of my comfort-read cozy mystery series. This time, Dan and Oscar go to a villa on the outskirts of Pisa. While the tower makes an appearance only once, the setting is beautiful enough to make me happy. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quintessential;">Despite being the sixth book in the series, it works as a standalone. There is a necessary backstory without too much info dump. The connections between characters are mentioned in a couple of lines without distracting the reader from the plot. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quintessential;">Ocsar is his best again. This cute black Lab dons many hats. He has to impress people, explore the surroundings, comfort people when they feel sad, and save lives if necessary. He manages it all and more while doing more than full justice to his love for food. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quintessential;">The mystery is compact. While I could guess the killer, it was fun to know how the reveal would happen. There are enough clues and a couple of red herrings, along with a list of suspects, to keep guessing. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quintessential;">The pacing is better, too! This one is slightly faster than the previous books. I won’t call it fast, but it is steady and not slow. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quintessential;">Virginia, Anna’s daughter, is an interesting character. I hope we get to meet her occasionally in the coming books. I missed Trisha in this one. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quintessential;">Naturally, we are introduced to new police characters in this one. The one in charge of the case is a specimen, but the other is smart, sweet, and efficient. Of course, justice is served, so all ends well! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quintessential;">To summarize, Murder at the Leaning Tower is entertaining. It ensures the series continues its momentum. Enjoy the setting, food, and the mystery! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quintessential;">Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quintessential;">#NetGalley #MurderAtTheLeaningTower</span></p><div><br /></div>Srivalli Rekhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102719458284096665noreply@blogger.com0