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theoverbookedbibliophile's reviews
1267 reviews
The Book of Witty Women: 15 New Laugh-out-loud Stories by Women Writers by Annemarie Cancienne, Kimberley Adams, Paula Lennon, Kathy Lette, Sadia Azmat, Josie Long, Lucy Vine, Kim Clayden, Jean Ende
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
With varied themes and interesting characters, The Book of Witty Women features an interesting mix of fifteen short stories written by women writers.
Given the title and description of this anthology, I was hoping for a light-hearted read, but unfortunately, “laugh-out-loud” funny or “witty” it was not. I won’t be sharing individual ratings for the fifteen stories in this anthology like I usually do in my other reviews, simply because I have mixed feelings about most of them (arising from my preconceived notions for which I blame the title and the description, once again) and had I not been expecting a stronger element of wit or humor, this anthology would have garnered a higher rating.
As with most anthologies, I did like some more than others. Double Date by Lucy Vine, Care Home Capers by Wendy Hood and Go Your Own Way by Kimberley Adams were entertaining reads and I was mildly amused by a few others (Jenny Bean, Calamity Queen by Julia Wood, Glue by Clare Shaw and Hapless by R. Malik). Shopping For England by Kim Clayden, The Art of Genital Persuasion by Kathy Lette and Sorry, Delivery by Paula Lennon featured interesting premises but needed to be explored further.
Two of these stories surprised me in that they just broke my heart, which I’m quite sure wasn’t the intent of this book. I’m sorry, but I can't be that person who finds any kind of humor/amusement in certain themes. [ A story that features a woman being fat-shamed and blamed for her childlessness by her mother-in-law ( Ways With Mince by Kathryn Simmonds) or one about a woman on a cathartic and emotionally draining journey as she coming to terms with her role in the dissolution of her friendship with her childhood best friend (Nothing Compared To You by Annemarie Cancienne) ]. Unbound by Jean Ende was a moving read, but You Can't Get There From Here by J.Y. Saville, Fake It Till You Hate It by Sadia Azmat and Poets Rise Again by Josie Long failed to make an impact.
Though I did like several of the stories in this anthology, I can't help feeling a tad disappointed. I respect the fact that the same book/story might evoke different reactions from its readers, and while I wouldn't discourage anyone from exploring this anthology, in my humble opinion it would be wise to approach it keeping in mind that it might not be as entertaining as the description suggests.
Many thanks to Farrago for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This book was published on April 25, 2024.
Given the title and description of this anthology, I was hoping for a light-hearted read, but unfortunately, “laugh-out-loud” funny or “witty” it was not. I won’t be sharing individual ratings for the fifteen stories in this anthology like I usually do in my other reviews, simply because I have mixed feelings about most of them (arising from my preconceived notions for which I blame the title and the description, once again) and had I not been expecting a stronger element of wit or humor, this anthology would have garnered a higher rating.
As with most anthologies, I did like some more than others. Double Date by Lucy Vine, Care Home Capers by Wendy Hood and Go Your Own Way by Kimberley Adams were entertaining reads and I was mildly amused by a few others (Jenny Bean, Calamity Queen by Julia Wood, Glue by Clare Shaw and Hapless by R. Malik). Shopping For England by Kim Clayden, The Art of Genital Persuasion by Kathy Lette and Sorry, Delivery by Paula Lennon featured interesting premises but needed to be explored further.
Two of these stories surprised me in that they just broke my heart, which I’m quite sure wasn’t the intent of this book. I’m sorry, but I can't be that person who finds any kind of humor/amusement in certain themes. [ A story that features a woman being fat-shamed and blamed for her childlessness by her mother-in-law ( Ways With Mince by Kathryn Simmonds) or one about a woman on a cathartic and emotionally draining journey as she coming to terms with her role in the dissolution of her friendship with her childhood best friend (Nothing Compared To You by Annemarie Cancienne) ]. Unbound by Jean Ende was a moving read, but You Can't Get There From Here by J.Y. Saville, Fake It Till You Hate It by Sadia Azmat and Poets Rise Again by Josie Long failed to make an impact.
Though I did like several of the stories in this anthology, I can't help feeling a tad disappointed. I respect the fact that the same book/story might evoke different reactions from its readers, and while I wouldn't discourage anyone from exploring this anthology, in my humble opinion it would be wise to approach it keeping in mind that it might not be as entertaining as the description suggests.
Many thanks to Farrago for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This book was published on April 25, 2024.
Murder Road by Simone St. James
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.0
As the novel begins, we meet newlyweds April & Eddie in 1995 en route to their honeymoon destination near Lake Michigan. They realize they have lost their way when they find themselves on a deserted stretch of road where they encounter a grievously injured hitchhiker, Rhonda Jean, whom they rush to the nearest hospital. Tragically, the young woman succumbs to her injuries and the police deem them persons of interest. It is revealed that Rhonda Jean’s death was not an isolated incident and several hitchhikers had been killed on Atticus Line in separate incidents over the last twenty years. Forced to stay back in Coldlake Falls as the local authorities investigate, Eddie and April embark on their own investigation into the town and the murders in an effort to clear their name.
I was intrigued by the premise Murder Road by Simone St. James. Atmospheric and suspenseful, this novel had a lot to offer. The paranormal element was interesting ( I don’t dabble much in this genre, but I do like the author’s way of incorporating the surreal elements into her plotlines!) and the sub-plots were well woven into the narrative which flows well. But after a strong start, I found aspects of the plot a tad too contrived to fully enjoy. While I can’t say that I disliked this novel in its entirety, guessing a large part of the “mystery” midway (it was rather obvious) left me less than engaged as the narrative progressed. I also found the outcome of one of the crucial plot points more than a tad underwhelming. I did enjoy the nineties' references, but somehow didn’t find the same integral to the story in any way. I have to admit that I found the supporting characters (The Snell sisters and Rose) more interesting than the main characters.
I paired my reading with the audiobook and I have to say that Brittany Pressley’s narration rendered this an entertaining immersion reading experience even though I wasn’t too taken with the execution of the novel overall.
However, I have enjoyed the author’s work in the past and hope to do so again in the future.
I was intrigued by the premise Murder Road by Simone St. James. Atmospheric and suspenseful, this novel had a lot to offer. The paranormal element was interesting ( I don’t dabble much in this genre, but I do like the author’s way of incorporating the surreal elements into her plotlines!) and the sub-plots were well woven into the narrative which flows well. But after a strong start, I found aspects of the plot a tad too contrived to fully enjoy. While I can’t say that I disliked this novel in its entirety, guessing a large part of the “mystery” midway (it was rather obvious) left me less than engaged as the narrative progressed. I also found the outcome of one of the crucial plot points more than a tad underwhelming. I did enjoy the nineties' references, but somehow didn’t find the same integral to the story in any way. I have to admit that I found the supporting characters (The Snell sisters and Rose) more interesting than the main characters.
I paired my reading with the audiobook and I have to say that Brittany Pressley’s narration rendered this an entertaining immersion reading experience even though I wasn’t too taken with the execution of the novel overall.
However, I have enjoyed the author’s work in the past and hope to do so again in the future.
A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
Set in 1968 Freeman County, Virginia A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci revolves around a racially charged murder case and the lawyers representing the young Black man, a Vietnam War veteran, accused of murdering the affluent white couple who were his employers.
Representing Jerome Washington is criminal defense attorney, thirty-three-year-old John Robert “Jack” Lee, a White man and resident of Freeman County. Jack, despite being brought up to be respectful of everyone irrespective of the color of their skin or social class, has never done anything to raise his voice against racial discrimination and believes that this would be his chance to do the right thing – not an easy decision given the instant backlash he faces from his own community- both on the professional and personal front- and the threats directed toward him and his family members. Despite having Jerome’s best interests at heart, he is clearly out of his depth. He is approached by Desiree DuBose, an experienced Black lawyer from Chicago whose reputation precedes her. Desiree provides Jack with a much-needed reality check, helping him navigate the machinations of the prosecution who resort to every trick in the book to prevent Jerome from getting a fair trial. The narrative follows Jack and Desiree as they fight for justice for Jerome in the face of much adversity including personal threats from a racially divided community, political bigwigs who want to send a strong message to further their own agenda, and a corrupt criminal justice system that would readily convict an innocent Black man instead of searching for the real killer.
A long time in the making and a departure from his fast-paced action-packed thrillers, A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci is a brilliantly crafted, deeply thought-provoking novel that combines elements of literary fiction, legal and family drama, historical fiction and suspense. Though the premise might not strike you as completely new or original, the strength of this novel lies in its execution – the rich historical context, realistic characters, and intriguing murder mystery with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing until the final reveal. The author does a commendable job of establishing the setting – the racial tension in years after the passing of the Civil Rights Act, the volatile socio-political landscape and a legal system conveniently manipulated by those wielding political and judicial power. Several sub-plots featuring Jack and his family members are seamlessly woven into the narrative, allowing us to get to know Jack as a person and follow his personal journey throughout the events described in this novel. Both Jack and Desiree are well-defined characters, as are the supporting characters, each of whom has a significant role to play. Jack and Desiree’s partnership isn’t necessarily an easy one. They are from diverse backgrounds and despite being motivated to do the right thing it is expected that they would be wary of one another initially and I loved how the author addresses the differences in their convictions and life experiences and as they gradually grow to respect the other’s perspective even though they might not always agree with one another.
Please note that this is not light reading. The author captures a time and place where racial tensions are high and needless to say, which features several nasty characters, racially motivated violence and upsetting dialogue, heavy with racial slurs. Some moments will break your heart and some will leave you seething with anger. Despite the length of the novel and the large cast of characters, at no point does the narrative become repetitive or difficult to follow. Relatively slower paced but intense and immersive, this is an exceptionally well-written novel.
David Baldacci is a master storyteller and this novel will definitely be considered among his best works - the kind of story that stays with you long after you turn the last page. I promptly ordered a personal copy for my collection as soon as I finished reading the ARC.
Do read the Author’s Note where he discusses his inspiration for this novel and the autobiographical elements that he incorporated into the narrative.
Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing for the gifted ARC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Representing Jerome Washington is criminal defense attorney, thirty-three-year-old John Robert “Jack” Lee, a White man and resident of Freeman County. Jack, despite being brought up to be respectful of everyone irrespective of the color of their skin or social class, has never done anything to raise his voice against racial discrimination and believes that this would be his chance to do the right thing – not an easy decision given the instant backlash he faces from his own community- both on the professional and personal front- and the threats directed toward him and his family members. Despite having Jerome’s best interests at heart, he is clearly out of his depth. He is approached by Desiree DuBose, an experienced Black lawyer from Chicago whose reputation precedes her. Desiree provides Jack with a much-needed reality check, helping him navigate the machinations of the prosecution who resort to every trick in the book to prevent Jerome from getting a fair trial. The narrative follows Jack and Desiree as they fight for justice for Jerome in the face of much adversity including personal threats from a racially divided community, political bigwigs who want to send a strong message to further their own agenda, and a corrupt criminal justice system that would readily convict an innocent Black man instead of searching for the real killer.
A long time in the making and a departure from his fast-paced action-packed thrillers, A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci is a brilliantly crafted, deeply thought-provoking novel that combines elements of literary fiction, legal and family drama, historical fiction and suspense. Though the premise might not strike you as completely new or original, the strength of this novel lies in its execution – the rich historical context, realistic characters, and intriguing murder mystery with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing until the final reveal. The author does a commendable job of establishing the setting – the racial tension in years after the passing of the Civil Rights Act, the volatile socio-political landscape and a legal system conveniently manipulated by those wielding political and judicial power. Several sub-plots featuring Jack and his family members are seamlessly woven into the narrative, allowing us to get to know Jack as a person and follow his personal journey throughout the events described in this novel. Both Jack and Desiree are well-defined characters, as are the supporting characters, each of whom has a significant role to play. Jack and Desiree’s partnership isn’t necessarily an easy one. They are from diverse backgrounds and despite being motivated to do the right thing it is expected that they would be wary of one another initially and I loved how the author addresses the differences in their convictions and life experiences and as they gradually grow to respect the other’s perspective even though they might not always agree with one another.
Please note that this is not light reading. The author captures a time and place where racial tensions are high and needless to say, which features several nasty characters, racially motivated violence and upsetting dialogue, heavy with racial slurs. Some moments will break your heart and some will leave you seething with anger. Despite the length of the novel and the large cast of characters, at no point does the narrative become repetitive or difficult to follow. Relatively slower paced but intense and immersive, this is an exceptionally well-written novel.
David Baldacci is a master storyteller and this novel will definitely be considered among his best works - the kind of story that stays with you long after you turn the last page. I promptly ordered a personal copy for my collection as soon as I finished reading the ARC.
Do read the Author’s Note where he discusses his inspiration for this novel and the autobiographical elements that he incorporated into the narrative.
Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing for the gifted ARC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The Rocks Will Echo Our Sorrow: The Forced Displacement of the Northern Sámi by Elin Anna Labba, Fiona Graham
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
5.0
Meticulously researched, vividly descriptive and beautifully written, The Rocks Will Echo Our Sorrow: The Forced Displacement of the Northern Sámi by Elin Anna Labba (translated by Fiona Graham) is a powerful read.
The award-winning author, whose grandparents were among the sirdolaččat (“the displaced”) paints an intimate portrait of the Bággojohtin,-the forced displacement of the Indigenous Sámi community between 1919 to the 1930s. The author states that approximately three hundred people were displaced during this period and the displacements continued even until the 1950s in Sweden as people were moved from one herding community to another.
“One of the most frequently quoted Sámi proverbs says that the downy birch doesn't break in two; It merely bends. You bear your hurt alone, for breaking down want to make your daily life any easier. Your tears should fall unseen on your shawl. The philosophy of life revolves around the word birget- surviving and coping. Each year the reindeer must survive the winter: that is what matters not people's feelings.”
Traditionally, the Sámi reindeer herding community divided their time between the Norwegian coast in the summers and then migrated inland to their winter pastures in Sweden. The Reindeer Grazing Conventions of 1919 signed between Sweden and Norway restricted the number of reindeer crossing the border, which marked the beginning of the displacement of the community for whom reindeer herding was their way of life. The Norwegian government wanted the land for agriculture and more importantly, wanted a country for Norwegian citizens and they viewed the Sámi as “a red rag to the Norwegian state” whom they believed didn’t belong despite having lived there for generations.
Considered a “burden on the country” and “a race on its way to extinction”, the community not only lost their land and homes, many were continuously displaced for years on end, forcibly separated from their extended families and those they left behind and their herd and made to settle on land where they had to struggle for their livelihood and were subjected to discrimination and humiliating “racial- biology examinations”. Children were stripped of their names, language and heritage, and sent to boarding schools where the main goal was assimilation. With the Lapp Bailiffs appointed to oversee the deportations, the Sami had no say in the matter, their appeals falling on deaf ears. Though financial incentives were offered, they were barely enough to sustain families who lost loved ones and large numbers of their herds en route to their appointed destinations. Those unwilling to move were coerced, fined, forcibly removed and threatened with slaughter of their herd if they did not comply.
The author not only shares her experiences from her travels to the land that was once home to her ancestors but also explores her own connection to the same and how a history of displacement and loss impacts the generations that follow. The author draws from several sources - through personal accounts from families and their descendants, pictures, joiks (traditional songs) and poetry as well as archival documents, and newspaper articles, in giving a voice to her people and sharing their history with readers across the globe. This is an insightful, emotional and heart-wrenching book that sends a strong message, emphasizing how important it is to preserve and share the stories of those who came before us and have been ignored and deliberately erased from history books, so that they are not forgotten.
“For many, recounting the tale is a way to heal. In the language I love best, to remember and to tell a story are almost the same word: muitit means to remember, and to tell or to recount is muitalit. We remember those whose story we retell.”
Many thanks to the University of Minnesota Press for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The award-winning author, whose grandparents were among the sirdolaččat (“the displaced”) paints an intimate portrait of the Bággojohtin,-the forced displacement of the Indigenous Sámi community between 1919 to the 1930s. The author states that approximately three hundred people were displaced during this period and the displacements continued even until the 1950s in Sweden as people were moved from one herding community to another.
“One of the most frequently quoted Sámi proverbs says that the downy birch doesn't break in two; It merely bends. You bear your hurt alone, for breaking down want to make your daily life any easier. Your tears should fall unseen on your shawl. The philosophy of life revolves around the word birget- surviving and coping. Each year the reindeer must survive the winter: that is what matters not people's feelings.”
Traditionally, the Sámi reindeer herding community divided their time between the Norwegian coast in the summers and then migrated inland to their winter pastures in Sweden. The Reindeer Grazing Conventions of 1919 signed between Sweden and Norway restricted the number of reindeer crossing the border, which marked the beginning of the displacement of the community for whom reindeer herding was their way of life. The Norwegian government wanted the land for agriculture and more importantly, wanted a country for Norwegian citizens and they viewed the Sámi as “a red rag to the Norwegian state” whom they believed didn’t belong despite having lived there for generations.
Considered a “burden on the country” and “a race on its way to extinction”, the community not only lost their land and homes, many were continuously displaced for years on end, forcibly separated from their extended families and those they left behind and their herd and made to settle on land where they had to struggle for their livelihood and were subjected to discrimination and humiliating “racial- biology examinations”. Children were stripped of their names, language and heritage, and sent to boarding schools where the main goal was assimilation. With the Lapp Bailiffs appointed to oversee the deportations, the Sami had no say in the matter, their appeals falling on deaf ears. Though financial incentives were offered, they were barely enough to sustain families who lost loved ones and large numbers of their herds en route to their appointed destinations. Those unwilling to move were coerced, fined, forcibly removed and threatened with slaughter of their herd if they did not comply.
The author not only shares her experiences from her travels to the land that was once home to her ancestors but also explores her own connection to the same and how a history of displacement and loss impacts the generations that follow. The author draws from several sources - through personal accounts from families and their descendants, pictures, joiks (traditional songs) and poetry as well as archival documents, and newspaper articles, in giving a voice to her people and sharing their history with readers across the globe. This is an insightful, emotional and heart-wrenching book that sends a strong message, emphasizing how important it is to preserve and share the stories of those who came before us and have been ignored and deliberately erased from history books, so that they are not forgotten.
“For many, recounting the tale is a way to heal. In the language I love best, to remember and to tell a story are almost the same word: muitit means to remember, and to tell or to recount is muitalit. We remember those whose story we retell.”
Many thanks to the University of Minnesota Press for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
It has been twenty-five years since Jessica, Norah, and Alicia left Port Agatha and Wild Meadows. the farming estate that had been their home where they lived under the care of their cruel and manipulative foster mother, Miss Fairchild. Their memories of those years are far from happy ones and though they are no longer the scared teenagers they were when they reported Miss Fairchild to the authorities all those years ago, their experiences have left an indelible imprint on their lives. But they had each other and together, they endured and survived their ordeal. Though not related by blood, they consider themselves sisters, and their love and unwavering support for one another has only grown stronger over the years. When a body is discovered under the farmhouse, the ensuing investigation draws the sisters back to Port Agatha, where they are forced to revisit their past and the memories that have haunted them.
I thoroughly enjoyed Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth. The narrative is shared from the perspectives of the three main characters with segments from sessions between a character, whose identity is revealed later on in the story, and a psychiatrist interspersed throughout the narrative. The author does a commendable job of depicting the flaws of the foster care system and the long-lasting effects of childhood trauma. I really liked how the author defines the three main characters and their distinctive personalities – strong women who have survived, complex and flawed yet vulnerable, each battling their own demons. The author deftly weaves between past and present timelines into a consistently paced ( a tad on the slower side), suspenseful narrative with convincing characters (even the unlikable ones) and enough twists and turns that keep you turning the pages till you reach the final revelation, which did surprise me ( I always love that!).
I paired my reading with the audiobook and I have to say that I loved Jessica Clarke’s narration and thought she did a remarkable job of breathing life into this story and the characters.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for the digital review copy via NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the ALC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I thoroughly enjoyed Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth. The narrative is shared from the perspectives of the three main characters with segments from sessions between a character, whose identity is revealed later on in the story, and a psychiatrist interspersed throughout the narrative. The author does a commendable job of depicting the flaws of the foster care system and the long-lasting effects of childhood trauma. I really liked how the author defines the three main characters and their distinctive personalities – strong women who have survived, complex and flawed yet vulnerable, each battling their own demons. The author deftly weaves between past and present timelines into a consistently paced ( a tad on the slower side), suspenseful narrative with convincing characters (even the unlikable ones) and enough twists and turns that keep you turning the pages till you reach the final revelation, which did surprise me ( I always love that!).
I paired my reading with the audiobook and I have to say that I loved Jessica Clarke’s narration and thought she did a remarkable job of breathing life into this story and the characters.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for the digital review copy via NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the ALC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Nothing But the Bones by Brian Panowich
dark
tense
fast-paced
4.5
Nelson “Nails” McKenna has been working as an enforcer for the local crime boss Gareth Burroughs on Bull Mountain, Georgia, for almost a decade ever since he was sixteen years old. His initiation with the Burroughs clan was a result of a particularly violent episode that resulted in the grievous injury of a young man in Burrough’s employ. Loyal to a fault, he follows orders and is trusted by his employer. Despite his apparent toughness, he is a loner with an unhappy childhood behind him. When Nelson encounters Dallas one night at the local pub, he is immediately drawn to her and in a shocking turn of events he ends up killing a man who was abusing her with a room full of witnesses. Nelson’s boss instructs him to go to Jacksonville, Florida, where it is assumed that arrangements are being made for his escape from the law. When Clayton, Nelson’s childhood friend and Gareth's son who is not involved in his father’s criminal dealings, finds out that things aren't as they seem and Nelson could be in danger and decides to go looking for him. But Clayton isn’t the only one looking for Nelson and Dallas, who has partnered up with Nelson and harboring secrets that might get the both of them killed. The narrative follows Nelson and Dallas as they go on the run.
Dark, gritty and atmospheric, Nothing but the Bones by Brian Panowich is a gripping read. The complex characters, the setting, and the propulsive action-packed plot drew me in and kept me hooked till the very end. Perfectly paced with not a boring moment, I could not put this one down! I loved how the author describes the dynamics between the characters – the love, friendship, and family connections – the deep-rooted ties that bind people together as well as those that are fractured when loyalties are tested when push comes to shove. Each of the characters is well defined ( even the immensely unlikable ones) and I was invested in both Nelson’s and Dallas’s storylines and thought the author did a remarkable job of bringing all the threads of the story together in the end with plenty of surprises on the way. Though I haven’t read any of the books in the Bull Mountain series, I had no trouble following the narrative and now I’m eager to read the other books in this series.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Dark, gritty and atmospheric, Nothing but the Bones by Brian Panowich is a gripping read. The complex characters, the setting, and the propulsive action-packed plot drew me in and kept me hooked till the very end. Perfectly paced with not a boring moment, I could not put this one down! I loved how the author describes the dynamics between the characters – the love, friendship, and family connections – the deep-rooted ties that bind people together as well as those that are fractured when loyalties are tested when push comes to shove. Each of the characters is well defined ( even the immensely unlikable ones) and I was invested in both Nelson’s and Dallas’s storylines and thought the author did a remarkable job of bringing all the threads of the story together in the end with plenty of surprises on the way. Though I haven’t read any of the books in the Bull Mountain series, I had no trouble following the narrative and now I’m eager to read the other books in this series.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Close to Death by Anthony Horowitz
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
4.5⭐
The fifth installment of the acclaimed Hawthorne & Horowitz series follows Anthony Horowitz (the fictionalized version of the author) as he revisits one of Hawthorne’s older cases from five years ago – to be featured in his next book.
When one of the residents of Riverview Close, an affluent gated community comprising six houses, is murdered with a crossbow bolt, local law enforcement calls in former Detective Inspector Anthony Hawthorne to assist. The deceased, Giles Kenworthy, who only recently moved into the community with his family was despised by all of his neighbors and it was evident that none of them were particularly grief-stricken by the tragic turn of events. It was also clear to the lead investigator Detective Superintendent Tariq Khan, Hawthorne and his then-partner John Dudley that the residents knew more about the murder than they were letting on and finding the truth was going to be more complicated than any of them had anticipated because all of his neighbors had their own reasons for wanting Giles gone.
Unlike in the previous installments, Horowitz has to rely on case notes, recorded interviews and discussions with Hawthorne, whom Horowitz believes is withholding crucial information. Parallel to researching the closed case, Horowitz also indulges in his personal quest to find out more about Hawthorne, John Dudley and their associates. The narrative switches between past and present timelines – Hawthorne and Dudley’s investigation from five years ago and Horowitz’s pursuit of details from the case and his own investigation into Hawthorne.
With a cast of interesting characters, a fluid narrative and a solid mystery at its core Close to Death by Anthony Horowitz is a cleverly plotted whodunit that is reminiscent of classic locked-room murder mysteries. I thought that this installment was relatively more intense than the preceding books and though I did miss the element of humor that arises from Hawthorne and Horowitz’s usual dynamic, I thoroughly enjoyed following the mystery as it is gradually unraveled. The narrative does suffer from minor repetition, but this does not detract from the overall reading experience. The author skillfully weaves several sub-plots featuring the characters into the primary narrative without distracting the reader from the murder mystery. I was engrossed in the mystery from the get-go and loved the twists and red herrings along the way. Though the primary mystery does not feature Horowitz in his traditional role as Hawthorne’s (bumbling) sidekick, he does have a significant role to play in how several loose ends are tied up in the present day.
I paired my reading with the audio narration by Anthony Horowitz and Rory Kinnear, which made for a thoroughly entertaining immersion reading experience.
I feel that this book would be best enjoyed if you are familiar with the previous installments, especially to grasp the significance of the events in the present timeline and the references to past events.
I'll be eagerly awaiting the next book in this series!
The fifth installment of the acclaimed Hawthorne & Horowitz series follows Anthony Horowitz (the fictionalized version of the author) as he revisits one of Hawthorne’s older cases from five years ago – to be featured in his next book.
When one of the residents of Riverview Close, an affluent gated community comprising six houses, is murdered with a crossbow bolt, local law enforcement calls in former Detective Inspector Anthony Hawthorne to assist. The deceased, Giles Kenworthy, who only recently moved into the community with his family was despised by all of his neighbors and it was evident that none of them were particularly grief-stricken by the tragic turn of events. It was also clear to the lead investigator Detective Superintendent Tariq Khan, Hawthorne and his then-partner John Dudley that the residents knew more about the murder than they were letting on and finding the truth was going to be more complicated than any of them had anticipated because all of his neighbors had their own reasons for wanting Giles gone.
Unlike in the previous installments, Horowitz has to rely on case notes, recorded interviews and discussions with Hawthorne, whom Horowitz believes is withholding crucial information. Parallel to researching the closed case, Horowitz also indulges in his personal quest to find out more about Hawthorne, John Dudley and their associates. The narrative switches between past and present timelines – Hawthorne and Dudley’s investigation from five years ago and Horowitz’s pursuit of details from the case and his own investigation into Hawthorne.
With a cast of interesting characters, a fluid narrative and a solid mystery at its core Close to Death by Anthony Horowitz is a cleverly plotted whodunit that is reminiscent of classic locked-room murder mysteries. I thought that this installment was relatively more intense than the preceding books and though I did miss the element of humor that arises from Hawthorne and Horowitz’s usual dynamic, I thoroughly enjoyed following the mystery as it is gradually unraveled. The narrative does suffer from minor repetition, but this does not detract from the overall reading experience. The author skillfully weaves several sub-plots featuring the characters into the primary narrative without distracting the reader from the murder mystery. I was engrossed in the mystery from the get-go and loved the twists and red herrings along the way. Though the primary mystery does not feature Horowitz in his traditional role as Hawthorne’s (bumbling) sidekick, he does have a significant role to play in how several loose ends are tied up in the present day.
I paired my reading with the audio narration by Anthony Horowitz and Rory Kinnear, which made for a thoroughly entertaining immersion reading experience.
I feel that this book would be best enjoyed if you are familiar with the previous installments, especially to grasp the significance of the events in the present timeline and the references to past events.
I'll be eagerly awaiting the next book in this series!
Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
“Really, who would care about a family like theirs? Theirs were ordinary human failings, tragedies too routine to be of note.”
Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan is an evocative character-driven novel that revolves around an Irish immigrant family in a public housing estate in 1990s London. The novel follows the members of the Green family after ten-year-old Lucy Green is suspected of being responsible for the death of three-year-old Mia Enright. Ten years ago, Lucy’s family – her grandmother Rose who was the only person who displayed any affection toward Lucy and has since passed on; her reclusive grandfather John; her alcoholic uncle Ritchie; and her then pregnant teenage mother Carmel who is distant and never shown any concern for her daughter- relocated to London to avoid scandal. Lucy, who is described as having behavioral issues, is taken into custody and her family is subject to scrutiny from their neighbors, the press and law enforcement. The scrutiny and Lucy’s plight compel each of the family members to reflect on their own lives and the dysfunction within their family. unscrupulous tabloid journalist Tom Hargreaves leaves no stone unturned in his efforts to ingratiate himself with this disgraced working-class family of “bad apples” even resorting to isolating them from other reporters, hoping for exclusive content – their secrets, the scandals and any other juicy detail - that would help further his interest.
“There was darkness beneath or inside everything, and even beautiful things were irredeemable because they only acted to obscure but never to transform.”
Despite the short length, this novel is an immersive and emotionally heavy read. The bulk of the novel is presented through flashbacks from the perspectives of each of the family members - allowing us to explore the characters, their emotions, their personal tragedies and their regrets. Written in powerful prose, the novel explores several dark and sensitive themes with brutal honesty and insight – addiction and alcoholism, parental neglect and complex family dynamics and the death of a minor – to name a few. The characters are flawed and realistic, each with distinct trajectories. The focus of this novel is on the family members in the aftermath of the tragedy and the “mystery” behind Mia’s death and Lucy’s alleged involvement in the same might appear to be relegated to the background as we follow the characters’ individual journeys but the author eventually draws us back to present events and how the same impacts the each of the family members.
Needless to say, this is not an easy read. I did feel that the different threads of the story were not quite cohesively woven and rendered the narrative a tad disjointed but overall, I found this novel to be a compelling read that I would not hesitate to recommend to those who enjoy character- driven fiction.
I paired my reading with the audio narration by Jessica Regan whose outstanding narration enhanced my overall experience with this novel.
“There is no secret, Tom, or else there are hundreds of them, and none of them interesting enough for you. The secret is that we’re a family, we’re just an ordinary family, with ordinary unhappiness like yours.”
Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan is an evocative character-driven novel that revolves around an Irish immigrant family in a public housing estate in 1990s London. The novel follows the members of the Green family after ten-year-old Lucy Green is suspected of being responsible for the death of three-year-old Mia Enright. Ten years ago, Lucy’s family – her grandmother Rose who was the only person who displayed any affection toward Lucy and has since passed on; her reclusive grandfather John; her alcoholic uncle Ritchie; and her then pregnant teenage mother Carmel who is distant and never shown any concern for her daughter- relocated to London to avoid scandal. Lucy, who is described as having behavioral issues, is taken into custody and her family is subject to scrutiny from their neighbors, the press and law enforcement. The scrutiny and Lucy’s plight compel each of the family members to reflect on their own lives and the dysfunction within their family. unscrupulous tabloid journalist Tom Hargreaves leaves no stone unturned in his efforts to ingratiate himself with this disgraced working-class family of “bad apples” even resorting to isolating them from other reporters, hoping for exclusive content – their secrets, the scandals and any other juicy detail - that would help further his interest.
“There was darkness beneath or inside everything, and even beautiful things were irredeemable because they only acted to obscure but never to transform.”
Despite the short length, this novel is an immersive and emotionally heavy read. The bulk of the novel is presented through flashbacks from the perspectives of each of the family members - allowing us to explore the characters, their emotions, their personal tragedies and their regrets. Written in powerful prose, the novel explores several dark and sensitive themes with brutal honesty and insight – addiction and alcoholism, parental neglect and complex family dynamics and the death of a minor – to name a few. The characters are flawed and realistic, each with distinct trajectories. The focus of this novel is on the family members in the aftermath of the tragedy and the “mystery” behind Mia’s death and Lucy’s alleged involvement in the same might appear to be relegated to the background as we follow the characters’ individual journeys but the author eventually draws us back to present events and how the same impacts the each of the family members.
Needless to say, this is not an easy read. I did feel that the different threads of the story were not quite cohesively woven and rendered the narrative a tad disjointed but overall, I found this novel to be a compelling read that I would not hesitate to recommend to those who enjoy character- driven fiction.
I paired my reading with the audio narration by Jessica Regan whose outstanding narration enhanced my overall experience with this novel.
“There is no secret, Tom, or else there are hundreds of them, and none of them interesting enough for you. The secret is that we’re a family, we’re just an ordinary family, with ordinary unhappiness like yours.”
The Women by Kristin Hannah
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
“The women had a story to tell, even if the world wasn’t quite yet ready to hear it, and their story began with three simple words. We were there.”
The Women by Kristin Hannah follows twenty-one-year-old Frances “Frankie” Grace McGrath, a sheltered young woman from an affluent family, who enlisted as a nurse during the Vietnam War. The narrative follows Frankie through the years of the war and the decades that follow.
There is a lot to like about this novel. The author writes with compassion and the narrative flows well. The fact that the author wanted to tell the story of the women who served in the Vietnam War, giving those whose contributions have been ignored a voice, renders this novel remarkable in its scope and intention. I loved how the author describes the camaraderie between friends and colleagues, their support for one another, the resilience, compassion and bravery of the women who served and the sacrifices they made. I also liked how the author incorporated the public outcry and protests back home - the mixed feelings about the war and those who served and the politics of the time - into the narrative. The author’s unflinching depiction of PTSD and how so many people could not find the help they needed to cope with the trauma they carried back home was heartbreaking as were the descriptions of the horrors of war (some of which were more than a little difficult to read) was realistic and thought-provoking and despite the story being set in years of the Vietnam War and its aftermath, the issues that she has raised are both crucial and relevant even in today’s world.
Unfortunately, there are a few issues that prevent me from giving this novel a higher rating. I was invested in Frankie’s journey and was eager to see how she evolved from a privileged young woman whose sheltered upbringing could not have prepared her for what she would have to endure. The weak character development, the focus on her love life, and the stereotypical and slightly disrespectful representation of the men (with whom she gets romantically involved) who serve their country did not make for pleasant reading and detracted from the overall experience. The ending was poignant, but again, the author’s choice to provide a “happy” (melodramatic) ending lessened the overall impact.
Both Ethel and Barb were well thought out characters ( in fact, I found them more interesting than Frankie). Though we do get to know their stories in segments interspersed throughout the novel, mostly through Frankie’s interactions with them, I feel the author has missed an opportunity to further enrich the narrative. In my humble opinion, focusing on one woman’s perspective and relegating the other characters to supporting roles, defeats the purpose of this novel. All three women, each with their distinct convictions and motivations, deserved to have their voices woven into the narrative. The perspectives of all three of these women from diverse backgrounds, each of whom embark on their respective journeys facing their own set of challenges, would have provided much-needed depth to the narrative.
Given the strong historical context and the premise of the novel, I’d expected to enjoy this novel more than I actually did. Overall, while l did not dislike The Women, I can’t help feeling a tad disappointed with certain aspects of the story. However, many have enjoyed this novel more and I would request you to read those reviews before deciding on whether to read this one.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The Women by Kristin Hannah follows twenty-one-year-old Frances “Frankie” Grace McGrath, a sheltered young woman from an affluent family, who enlisted as a nurse during the Vietnam War. The narrative follows Frankie through the years of the war and the decades that follow.
There is a lot to like about this novel. The author writes with compassion and the narrative flows well. The fact that the author wanted to tell the story of the women who served in the Vietnam War, giving those whose contributions have been ignored a voice, renders this novel remarkable in its scope and intention. I loved how the author describes the camaraderie between friends and colleagues, their support for one another, the resilience, compassion and bravery of the women who served and the sacrifices they made. I also liked how the author incorporated the public outcry and protests back home - the mixed feelings about the war and those who served and the politics of the time - into the narrative. The author’s unflinching depiction of PTSD and how so many people could not find the help they needed to cope with the trauma they carried back home was heartbreaking as were the descriptions of the horrors of war (some of which were more than a little difficult to read) was realistic and thought-provoking and despite the story being set in years of the Vietnam War and its aftermath, the issues that she has raised are both crucial and relevant even in today’s world.
Unfortunately, there are a few issues that prevent me from giving this novel a higher rating. I was invested in Frankie’s journey and was eager to see how she evolved from a privileged young woman whose sheltered upbringing could not have prepared her for what she would have to endure. The weak character development, the focus on her love life, and the stereotypical and slightly disrespectful representation of the men (with whom she gets romantically involved) who serve their country did not make for pleasant reading and detracted from the overall experience. The ending was poignant, but again, the author’s choice to provide a “happy” (melodramatic) ending lessened the overall impact.
Both Ethel and Barb were well thought out characters ( in fact, I found them more interesting than Frankie). Though we do get to know their stories in segments interspersed throughout the novel, mostly through Frankie’s interactions with them, I feel the author has missed an opportunity to further enrich the narrative. In my humble opinion, focusing on one woman’s perspective and relegating the other characters to supporting roles, defeats the purpose of this novel. All three women, each with their distinct convictions and motivations, deserved to have their voices woven into the narrative. The perspectives of all three of these women from diverse backgrounds, each of whom embark on their respective journeys facing their own set of challenges, would have provided much-needed depth to the narrative.
Given the strong historical context and the premise of the novel, I’d expected to enjoy this novel more than I actually did. Overall, while l did not dislike The Women, I can’t help feeling a tad disappointed with certain aspects of the story. However, many have enjoyed this novel more and I would request you to read those reviews before deciding on whether to read this one.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
All We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.25
“As the self-proclaimed cradle of liberty, Philadelphia was already a city of broken promises, with accommodationists straining to silence antislavery speech and Southerners shuttling their very much not-at-liberty slaves in and out of the city’s borders. Where abolitionists were concerned, it was fast becoming a city of broken contracts as well.”
Set in 1837 All We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore is a captivating novel that sheds light on the activism, the politics, and the socio-economic and racial divide in the pre-Civil War Philadelphia. Though Pennsylvania was a “free state” with an active free Black community, racial tensions were high, bigotry and rioting prevalent, with laws that protected Southern slave owners passing through. A combination of fact and fiction, the immersive narrative features several prominent activists and abolitionists from that era and references true events like the burning of Pennsylvania Hall ( 1938) by an anti-abolitionist mob. The author is unflinching in her depiction of bigotry, cruelty and racially motivated violence.
The narrative is shared from the perspectives of three women :
Charlotte is a housemaid and former runaway who is forced to hide her truth – a secret that could upend the lives her father has built for himself, though her life is not what would have hoped for in a “free state”. Nell is the daughter of an affluent Black family who is motivated to do more for those in need of assistance. She is disillusioned when she faces resistance while appealing to the Philadelphia Female Antislavery Society to approve a committee that would play a more active role in aiding runaway slaves. Nell and Charlotte are friends but she is unaware of Charlotte’s past. They frequently attend Antislavery Society meetings together– a secret Charlotte keeps from her father, fully aware that he would rather she stay within the confines of their home.
Charlotte is forced to confront her past when she sees Evie, an enslaved sixteen-year-old in Philadelphia with her mistress Kate, in the market. Kate was the wife of the man who owned Charlotte and her father and Evie took Charlotte’s place after they ran away. Evie knows the kind of life that awaits her and is desperate to escape, She approaches Charlotte for help and Charlotte agrees. But Charlotte knows that she alone would not be able to help Evie and enlists Nell’s help to formulate a plan.
Revolving around themes of friendship, sacrifice and courage, this is a thought-provoking story with well-written characters (even the unlikable ones). The romantic track was subtle and skillfully woven into the primary narrative. The author brilliantly captures Nell’s idealism, Charlotte’s vulnerability and Evie’s desperation - three young women from different circumstances with stories that intersect – shared experiences that enable them to gain perspective, face harsh realities and find their own voices. As they embark on their individual journeys, it is evident that the road ahead will not be easy, but we will want them to succeed. I did feel that certain aspects of the story could have been explored further, but, overall I thought this was a promising debut and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
The Author’s Note is well-written and informative and definitely enriches the overall reading experience.
Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Set in 1837 All We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore is a captivating novel that sheds light on the activism, the politics, and the socio-economic and racial divide in the pre-Civil War Philadelphia. Though Pennsylvania was a “free state” with an active free Black community, racial tensions were high, bigotry and rioting prevalent, with laws that protected Southern slave owners passing through. A combination of fact and fiction, the immersive narrative features several prominent activists and abolitionists from that era and references true events like the burning of Pennsylvania Hall ( 1938) by an anti-abolitionist mob. The author is unflinching in her depiction of bigotry, cruelty and racially motivated violence.
The narrative is shared from the perspectives of three women :
Charlotte is a housemaid and former runaway who is forced to hide her truth – a secret that could upend the lives her father has built for himself, though her life is not what would have hoped for in a “free state”. Nell is the daughter of an affluent Black family who is motivated to do more for those in need of assistance. She is disillusioned when she faces resistance while appealing to the Philadelphia Female Antislavery Society to approve a committee that would play a more active role in aiding runaway slaves. Nell and Charlotte are friends but she is unaware of Charlotte’s past. They frequently attend Antislavery Society meetings together– a secret Charlotte keeps from her father, fully aware that he would rather she stay within the confines of their home.
Charlotte is forced to confront her past when she sees Evie, an enslaved sixteen-year-old in Philadelphia with her mistress Kate, in the market. Kate was the wife of the man who owned Charlotte and her father and Evie took Charlotte’s place after they ran away. Evie knows the kind of life that awaits her and is desperate to escape, She approaches Charlotte for help and Charlotte agrees. But Charlotte knows that she alone would not be able to help Evie and enlists Nell’s help to formulate a plan.
Revolving around themes of friendship, sacrifice and courage, this is a thought-provoking story with well-written characters (even the unlikable ones). The romantic track was subtle and skillfully woven into the primary narrative. The author brilliantly captures Nell’s idealism, Charlotte’s vulnerability and Evie’s desperation - three young women from different circumstances with stories that intersect – shared experiences that enable them to gain perspective, face harsh realities and find their own voices. As they embark on their individual journeys, it is evident that the road ahead will not be easy, but we will want them to succeed. I did feel that certain aspects of the story could have been explored further, but, overall I thought this was a promising debut and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
The Author’s Note is well-written and informative and definitely enriches the overall reading experience.
Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.