The Witchy Storyteller

Sunday, December 31, 2023

Round up of 2023 Reads and Introduction to the 2024 Challenge

Hello!

It’s time for a wrap-up post of my 2023 reading year. This one is not as elaborate as the previous one, but it does have twenty worthy books from different genres. I did spend a lot of time on Goodreads, which gave results and put me consistently among the top ten reviewers from India. The platform also said I belong to its top 25% readers. What makes me the happiest is the increase in the number of Indian books in my top reads. I hope to continue the trend and read more Indian authors.

Without boring you further with needless rambling, here’s the list, divided into two sections (in no particular order).

10 Best Reads of 2023

Orphaned by S.L Bhyrappa, translated by Sandeep Balakrishna

Genre: Indian Drama
Publication: 2019 (first published in 1968)
One-Liner: A must-read
Full Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4810056408

Her Deadly Game by Robert Dugoni

Genre: Legal Thriller
Publication: 2023
One-Liner: Entertaining, intriguing, and fun to read
Full Review: https://sri-lovenature.blogspot.com/2023/03/her-deadly-game-by-robert-dugoni-book.html

Mad Sisters of Esi by Tashan Mehta

Genre: Fantasy
Publication: 2023
One-Liner: A fever dream that makes sense
Full Review: https://sri-lovenature.blogspot.com/2023/10/mad-sisters-of-esi-by-tashan-mehta-book.html

Nandi’s Charge: Battle of Vatapi (Book One)

Genre: Indian Historical Thriller
Publication: 2023 (first published in 2021)
One-Liner: A fast-paced entertainer with twists and actions
Full Review: https://sri-lovenature.blogspot.com/2023/12/nandis-charge-by-arun-krishnan-book.html

Nightjar by Katya Balan

Genre: Middle-Grade Novella
Publication: 2023
One-Liner: A tender little story
Full Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5544243529

Animal Tales from India by Nikita Gill

Genre: Children’s Fiction, Retelling, Illustrations
Publication: 2023
One-Liner: Grab it for the illustrations
Full Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5794240381

The Tamarind Tree by Sundara Ramaswamy, translated by Aniruddhan Vasudevan

Genre: Indian Drama,
Publication: 2022 (first published in 1966)
One-Liner: Enjoyable but will work only for a specific audience
Full Review: https://sri-lovenature.blogspot.com/2023/02/the-tamarind-tree-by-sundara-ramaswamy.html

Minor Disturbances at Grand Life Apartments by Hema Sukumar

Genre: Indian Drama
Publication: 2023
One-Liner: Character-driven and a slice-of-life novel
Full Review: https://sri-lovenature.blogspot.com/2023/07/minor-disturbances-at-grand-life.html

A Broken People's Playlist by Chimeka Garricks

Genre: Anthology. African Literature
Publication: 2023
One-Liner: A bitter-sweet and heart-touching collection
Full Review: https://sri-lovenature.blogspot.com/2023/03/a-broken-peoples-playlist-by-chimeka.html

So Late in the Day: Stories of Men and Women by Claire Keegan

Genre: Anthology
Publication: 2023 (reprints)
One-Liner: Poignant (my new favorite short story writer)
Full Review: https://sri-lovenature.blogspot.com/2023/11/so-late-in-day-by-claire-keegan-book.html

***

Time for 2024 Reading Resolutions

I would like to add that I'm participating in the #TBRChallenge by Blogchatter for the third consecutive year. I received two books from the top 10 list through the platform, and one of those is something I wouldn't have picked otherwise. That's why, I want to do their monthly prompts for the challenge this time. Wish me luck!

I do like trying a challenge or two if they are easy enough. ;) Recommendations tend to enter my ‘later TBR’, which I will tackle someday in the distant future.

Have you planned your reads, or are you a mood reader? Do you prefer prompts and challenges or stick to trusted recommendations? And is there any book you cannot wait to read this year?

I confess I have many such books (Sartha and Parva by Byyrappa, Mahabharata Unrevealed I & II and Ramayana Unrevealed by Ami Gantara, Sita by Bhanumathi Narasimhan, etc.). Only time will tell if I can read at least a few of these or if I will get distracted by shiny new books.

Hoping for a fruitful and rewarding 2024 for me and you!

Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett - Book Review

Series: Emily Wilde #2 (Not a Standalone)

Publication Date: 18th Jan 2024

Genre: Historical Fantasy, Romance

4.2 Stars

One Liner: Entertaining

Emily Wilde is back in action and determined to find a door to the fae realm for Wendell Bambleby. She has been avoiding his marriage proposal, though she knows she feels a tingling sensation when with him.

However, the duo has a major task ahead, with Wendell’s evil stepmother sending assassins to murder him. The fae king’s life in the mortal world is in danger, and so is Emily’s life. They go to explore the Austrian Alps with interesting company, but the path home is filled with dangers. And, of course, can Emily decide what her heart wants?

The story comes in Emily’s first-person POV (in a journal).

My Thoughts:

After enjoying book one, I was excited to read this and meet the adorable Wendell again. I think I like both books equally.

There are quite many interactions with different fae creatures, most of them belonging to the dangerous kind. This time, we visit Austria in winter, so it is super chilly and foggy, adding to the risk levels.

The book has a few new side characters. While it takes time to warm up to Rose, Ariadne impresses almost immediately. She is Emily’s nineteen-year-old niece, a student at Cambridge, where Emily and Wendell are professors. I hope book three has this bubbly young girl.

Wendell is not his usual self (for certain reasons), but that doesn’t dim his charm. His obsession with cleanliness, love for food, and offhanded magic (which sometimes gives hilarious results) are lovely to read.

Emily is cool but can be so dense sometimes that it’s infuriating. She uses her brain cells only for research and studies, so even basic common sense can evade her at times. But that is her character arc and not something I complain about.

The pacing is an issue, though. While the first book was slow throughout, this one is uneven. The beginning went faster as if we were reading only a first-person POV and not Emily’s journal. That was more than fine for me. But the middle is slow and heavy. Many events seem to occur, though the story goes in circles, and the % doesn’t move. Finally, things get better in the last section.

The locals don’t have the same role or charm as the ones in the previous book. Shadow is his best, and we meet Poe again! There’s Snowbell, too, an addition to Emily’s fae friends. Then, we meet a few important characters who will play vital roles in the next book.

And oh, the banter between Emily and Wendell isn’t that great, but there is good progress in their ‘not a relationship’. Maybe a wee bit of romance, too, though this is Emily’s journal, and you will not get any details.

The last quarter of the book is really good. It ends right where it should, setting the stage for the (hopefully) last in the series. I have high expectations for the next one, given the high stakes.

To summarize, Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands is an entertaining read with magic, faes, and danger. However, its main purpose is to connect the first and last books.

Thank you, NetGalley and Little Brown Group (Orbit), for the eARC.

#NetGalley #EmilyWildesMapOfTheOtherlands

***

My last read of 2023.

Thursday, December 28, 2023

Murder at Merewood Hospital by Michelle Salter - Book Review

Publication Date: 14th Jan 2024

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery

3.7 Stars

One Liner: A darkish cozy mystery

1916, Merwood Farm, Hampshire

Sister Helen Hopgood is a nurse at the temporary military hospital at the Merwood Farm. It has only a handful of patients left after the rush of the war.

The owner, Joseph Wintringham, wants to sell the farm but can’t find buyers due to the rumors that the place has been cursed. Some time ago, a beautiful young nurse, Isabel Taplin, was murdered. No one knows who the killer is. Rumors say that her ghost is haunting the place. With more deaths occurring, it’s up to Helen to find the killer(s).

The story comes in the third-person POV of Helen, Dr Samuel, and Richard.

My Thoughts:

I wanted to try this since I enjoy the author’s Iris Woodmore Series. Right now, this book is a standalone. I’d prefer it that way since the ending suits the book (though the publishers might turn it into a series).

Set after WWI, the book deals with the aftermath of war and what it did to the soldiers. The make-shift hospital has only a few patients who have almost recovered physically but have psychological scars.

The setting (based on a real place, as mentioned in the author’s note) is bleak, grim, and part sinister. Though we get some lovely descriptions of the moon, lake, and birds, it’s hard to shrug off the dark tone. However, this suits the plot.

The characters are flawed and hard to like in some cases. It took me a while to warm up to Helen despite being impressed by her efficiency. In the end, I was more than happy to support her decision, so she won me over.

The mystery is solid. It has many twists- some predictable, some not. But they make sense in the bigger picture. I didn’t fully figure out the killer(s), so that’s good too. And for a change, the superintendent in charge of the cases is quite sharp and competent. I wouldn’t say Helen is the main sleuth. Others also contribute and make it a team effort.

The book also deals with themes like obsession (different types), PTSD, trauma, anger, secrets, dysfunctional family, financial troubles, rumors, superstition, etc. My favorite is the various types of obsession the characters display and the extent to which they go to achieve what they want.

The pacing is a bit uneven, though. The first quarter is slow, and there isn’t much to like about those we encounter. Also, given the multiple POVs, we don’t really know any of the characters. While it helps maintain the suspense, it’s hard to root for any of them or pick sides.

There’s a minor love track and a touch of what could have been a triangle without all the angst and drama. The focus stays on the mystery most of the time.

To summarize, Murder at Merewood Hospital is a worthy read if you are looking for a post-WWI cozy mystery with some intriguing themes. It is a bit heavy and may not be appropriate if you want a light and humorous read.

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

#NetGalley #MurderAtMerewoodHospital

Tuesday, December 26, 2023

A Body on the Doorstep by Marty Wingate - Book Review

Series: London Ladies’ Murder Club #1

Publication Date: 11th Jan 2024

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery

4 Stars

One Liner: An entertaining read

1921, London

Mabel Canning has moved to London from her village in Sussex to live like an independent woman. Thirty-two and unmarried, she applies to freelance at the Useful Women’s Agency run by Lillian Kerr. No job is strange for the women from this agency. Be it writing letters or cleaning attics, they have to do it all to earn their living.

Mabel’s job takes her to the house of wealthy Rosalind Despard. When a dead man rolls into the house at the event, Mabel can’t help but step in and offer support to the widow. Soon, she becomes involved in the mystery, hoping to find more information. Mabel works with Park Winstone, Rosalind’s brother, and his cutie dog, Gladys, to uncover the mystery.

Soon, she realizes it is not an easy task. With her life at risk, can Mabel solve the crime before it’s too late?

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

My Thoughts:

Well, here’s another historical cozy I couldn’t resist. It helped that book #2 is available for request in case I liked this one.

Mabel is an easy character to like. She loves her father, nanny, and her friends back home. Yet, she has her ambitions and wants to give her best to find a footing in the city. She is open-minded most of the time. It helps that she is naturally inquisitive and can use her brain when necessary.

I like how we meet an array of characters from different backgrounds. They are well-defined without being elaborate. Cora, Skeff, Rosalind, Bridget, and Mr. Chigley make a mark. Though Mrs. Chandrashekar (Mabel’s Indian nanny) doesn’t have an active role, we can see how much she has influenced Mabel.

Park Winstone (former Yard detective) is the grumpy, protective brother (of Rosalind), though we know he can take a joke and be a fun person. His doggie, Gladys, is adorable. A bit of a naughty little thing but brave, too.

Augustus, the eight-year-old, is a mischievous monkey. His mother is a recurring client of Miss Kerr and wants someone to keep her unruly son in check. I wish to see more of him in the series. The poor kid deserves a better mom. He is too smart for his own good.

The mystery starts well. Right away, we have some suspects. The list grows as more information comes out. Of course, the Yard, for all its expertise, seems to miss important clues. The Inspector might not be that bad, though. We’ll know in the coming books. I could guess the criminal and am happy to say I got it right.

To summarize, A Body on the Doorstep is a delightful start to a new cozy mystery series. I’m excited to read the next book and see Mabel solve more crimes.

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC.

#NetGalley #ABodyOnTheDoorstep

Saturday, December 23, 2023

A Story to Strangle For by E.V. Hunter - Book Review

Series: A Hopgood Hall Murder Mystery #4

Publication Date: 06th Jan 2024

Genre: Contemporary Small Town Cozy Mystery

4 Stars

One Liner: A compact and engaging mystery

Alexi is determined to save Hopgood Hall’s reputation and prevent it from being termed a murder center. She uses her journalistic experience and contacts to conduct a five-day course for wannabe journalists. The course begins well, though there’s a minor annoyance.

However, when a murder happens, Alexi is distraught. Her attempts to divert the attention from the Hall backfired. Worse, she is the last person to see the dead person alive. While Alexi is not a prime suspect, she and Jack know things can change at any instant. The duo has no choice but to solve the case and free her name. Cosmos is more than happy to tag along if he can terrorize a few suspects on the way.

The story comes in the third-person POVs of Alexi and Jack.

My Thoughts:

Alexi and Jack are back in the next installment of the series. The book should work as a standalone since there’s enough background information to update you about their pasts. However, there will be many spoilers about their relationship.

Here, we seem to have two issues running in parallel. The mystery is one, and the insecurities in Alexi and Jack’s relationship are the other. Given that the suspect list may include people from their lives, this blend works well to most extent.

The mystery is really good. There are multiple threads and possibilities. We know everything will come together, but the path to this is not straightforward. I enjoyed reading how they uncovered information at every stage and regrouped to adjust the hypothesis. Quite a few red herrings, too.

Cosmo is being himself, alert to Alexi’s changing moods (it’s not easy being a suspect), and flaunting his royal attitude. Of course, this fluffy black cat has an accurate character-assessment meter, which helps Alexi and Jack vet their suspects.

Drew and Cheryl have relatively minor roles in this book compared to the previous ones. They are worried, though they continue to support Alexi. After all, despite their fears, murders attract more crowds and bring extra income.

The title and the cover suit the book. While you can guess how the murder was committed, you can also guess a crucial element of the mystery if you pay attention.

To summarize, A Story to Strangle For is a steady-paced cozy mystery with twists and turns that come together to make sense. The next murder might happen elsewhere, which could bring some relief to the Hopgood Hall’s owners.

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

#NetGalley #AStoryToStrangeFor

Thursday, December 21, 2023

Protecting Her Heart by Nancy Campbell Allen - Book Review

Series: Matchmakers #3 (Standalone)

Publication Date: 02nd Jan 2024

Genre: Historical Mystery, Romance

3.7 Stars

One Liner: Enjoyable despite a few misses

1887, London

Charlotte Duvall is enjoying her newly achieved doctor status in America and working in a hospital as a surgeon when a letter from her father sends her rushing back to London. Her father’s death saddens her, but Charlotte cannot stop thinking about her late mother and her death. Her father hints it was murder, and Charlotte wonders if it’s true.

John Ellis is the director of the London police force and Charlotte’s friend. He missed her a lot during her absence. When she tells him about the letter, they decide to dig deep and find out what happened. However, someone doesn’t want the truth revealed and will do anything. With the growing attraction between the two and mounting danger, Charlotte and John have much to do.

The story comes in Charlotte and John’s third-person POV.

My Thoughts:

I didn’t read the previous two books but had no issue following this plot. The story works as a standalone. The lead characters are friends, and their relationship turns into a sort of slow burn in this one.

The plot combines mystery and romance. There’s quite a bit of action as someone is stalking the heroine. The stakes increase as we enter the last section.

I like that the central premise of finding out about Charlotte’s mother’s death remains prominent. The romance doesn’t shadow the mystery or distract the readers. This can be an issue if you go in expecting romance.

The book also deals with other themes relevant to the period (though the vibes feel the setting crosses to the early 1900s) – misogyny, scandalous gossip, the secrets of the ton, etc. Some of it is done well and adds to the story. A few aspects aren’t developed enough.

The pacing is a bit uneven. With the characters stressing so much on career vs. love drama, the resolution is super easy. Why didn’t you think of this before? I expected something more dramatic, TBH.

The mystery is decent and goes well until the reveal, where it is also fast-tracked with easy confessions. Would the details come out so simply when the stakes are sky-high? Not sure.

The ending is also simplified, with everything neatly tied up. I always love happy endings and even demand for them. But I like it better when the problems are solved properly before we get to happy-ever-afters.

Nevertheless, despite the issues, the book is enjoyable and has strong characters. Charlotte knows when to accept help. Her cousins seem great (I’d be happy to read their stories in the previous books someday). No miscommunication trope, either.

To summarize, Protecting Her Heart is an enjoyable read with a few hits and misses. There are a few laughs, too, so grab it if you want a light read with a mystery and romance.

Thank you, NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing, for the eARC.

#NetGalley #ProtectingHerHeart