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theoverbookedbibliophile's reviews
1376 reviews
The Lost Boy of Santa Chionia by Juliet Grames
Set in the remote South Calabrian village of Santa Chionia in 1960, The Lost Boy of Santa Chionia by Juliet Grames. follows twenty-seven-year-old American (of Calabrian and Norwegian descent), Francesca Loftfield, and the time she spent in the village in her efforts to open a nursery school funded by an international charity. Francesca estranged from her husband after a personal loss, is an educated, idealistic young woman who, despite having led a sheltered life, is motivated to take the assignment in the remote rustic village. Her job entails opening a nursery school and enrolling thirty-six pupils while also recruiting suitable candidates as teachers from the local community - not an easy task, trying to have her voice heard among those in a tight-knit community with their set ways. Complicating matters further is the fact that a human skeleton was recently discovered under the rubble of the old post office after flooding and Francesca is approached by two women, each of whom believes that the bones belong to one of their own. Francesca, in her pursuit of the identity of the deceased, finds herself getting more deeply involved in the affairs of the community than she had anticipated, ultimately risking the completion of her original mission and her very own survival.
There is a lot about The Lost Boy of Santa Chionia by Juliet Grames that is praiseworthy. The author writes beautifully, with a keen sense of time and place. The narrative is presented from the perspective of loving the atmospheric setting of Santa Chionia and the vivid descriptions of the landscape and depiction of the community and their way of life. I appreciated the complex plot and found the premise of this novel truly intriguing. The obstacles Francesca faces in her quest for the truth are convincing and evidenced thoroughly through how the author describes the power dynamics within the community, local political rivalry, deep-buried secrets and their own code of justice and how the community chooses to resolve conflict. The mystery angle was well - crafted and the tension was palpable as the narrative progressed.
However, the novel is unnecessarily lengthy and the pacing is uneven, with too many characters in the mix. Halfway through, I was struggling to remember how each of the characters was related to the other. Several secondary characters are well thought out, but I found it difficult to connect with Francesca. Francesca’s past is revealed through flashbacks and the narrative is shared through her first-person POV, giving us a glimpse into her innermost thoughts and emotions. However, I felt that her character could have been explored in more depth, especially in light of her reaction to the plight of the women and children in the Santa Chionia community and her personal choices. Though I was concerned for her well-being, I did find her a tad too gullible and trusting and thought that she would have made smarter choices, especially in the latter half of the story. The romance track felt contrived and I was left with a few unanswered questions at the end.
Overall, though I didn't dislike this novel in its entirety, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I had expected.
Many thanks to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
dark
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
Set in the remote South Calabrian village of Santa Chionia in 1960, The Lost Boy of Santa Chionia by Juliet Grames. follows twenty-seven-year-old American (of Calabrian and Norwegian descent), Francesca Loftfield, and the time she spent in the village in her efforts to open a nursery school funded by an international charity. Francesca estranged from her husband after a personal loss, is an educated, idealistic young woman who, despite having led a sheltered life, is motivated to take the assignment in the remote rustic village. Her job entails opening a nursery school and enrolling thirty-six pupils while also recruiting suitable candidates as teachers from the local community - not an easy task, trying to have her voice heard among those in a tight-knit community with their set ways. Complicating matters further is the fact that a human skeleton was recently discovered under the rubble of the old post office after flooding and Francesca is approached by two women, each of whom believes that the bones belong to one of their own. Francesca, in her pursuit of the identity of the deceased, finds herself getting more deeply involved in the affairs of the community than she had anticipated, ultimately risking the completion of her original mission and her very own survival.
There is a lot about The Lost Boy of Santa Chionia by Juliet Grames that is praiseworthy. The author writes beautifully, with a keen sense of time and place. The narrative is presented from the perspective of loving the atmospheric setting of Santa Chionia and the vivid descriptions of the landscape and depiction of the community and their way of life. I appreciated the complex plot and found the premise of this novel truly intriguing. The obstacles Francesca faces in her quest for the truth are convincing and evidenced thoroughly through how the author describes the power dynamics within the community, local political rivalry, deep-buried secrets and their own code of justice and how the community chooses to resolve conflict. The mystery angle was well - crafted and the tension was palpable as the narrative progressed.
However, the novel is unnecessarily lengthy and the pacing is uneven, with too many characters in the mix. Halfway through, I was struggling to remember how each of the characters was related to the other. Several secondary characters are well thought out, but I found it difficult to connect with Francesca. Francesca’s past is revealed through flashbacks and the narrative is shared through her first-person POV, giving us a glimpse into her innermost thoughts and emotions. However, I felt that her character could have been explored in more depth, especially in light of her reaction to the plight of the women and children in the Santa Chionia community and her personal choices. Though I was concerned for her well-being, I did find her a tad too gullible and trusting and thought that she would have made smarter choices, especially in the latter half of the story. The romance track felt contrived and I was left with a few unanswered questions at the end.
Overall, though I didn't dislike this novel in its entirety, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I had expected.
Many thanks to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Witness 8 by Steve Cavanagh
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
A new installment in author Steve Cavanagh’s Eddie Flynn series is always among my most anticipated reads, so much so that I don’t mind ordering a copy from the UK so as not to wait for the book to become available in the US ( Thank you, Blackwell’s for the getting the book to me a day before UK publication day!).
I’ve enjoyed (in varying degrees) all the previous books (including one short story and one novella) in this series and I’m glad to say that the latest installment Witness 8 is a worthy addition to the lot!
Ruby Johnson, a young woman in her twenties, works as a maid and nanny in several houses in an affluent New York neighborhood. Once a resident of the same neighborhood, she is haunted by the events that caused her family’s downfall. She is cunning and perceptive and one night, after witnessing the murder of the wealthy socialite, she decides to use this information and manipulate the truth to further her own agenda. The narrative follows Eddie Flynn and his team as they work on defending the successful surgeon who is accused of murdering his neighbor, based on evidence recovered at his home. Complicating matters further for Eddie is the fact that in the course of one of his previous cases, he has provoked a few very corrupt yet powerful people who have taken out a hit on him. Therefore, now, along with working to prove his client’s innocence, he has to dodge the hitmen and assassins (including a very interesting Mr. Christmas, who has a history with one of Eddie’s team) out to collect the bounty on his head while also trying to figure out how to deal with the friction with the criminal entities in the mix.
Needless to say, a lot is going on and Eddie and his team will have their hands full!
It’s always a pleasure following our con man-turned-lawyer who now works with a very competent team comprising his mentor retired Judge Harry Ford, fellow defense attorney Kate Brooks, investigator Melissa Bloch, former FBI profiler Gabriel Lake and their office manager Denise and never hesitates to rope in help from his friends and associates from his former life as “Eddie Fly” and this time was no exception.
The author deftly weaves the numerous threads of the plot and multiple perspectives into a consistently paced, twisty, tension-filled narrative. I enjoyed the dynamic between Eddie’s team members and thought they made a formidable team. In this context, I should mention that we don’t see as much of Eddie as much as in the previous books, but I do appreciate that each of the characters has a distinct role to play. The author always infuses a healthy dose of humor into these books, and I find these segments-both in the courtroom and, of course, Eddie’s very creative methods of fact-finding and besting opponents- very entertaining. I will admit that there were aspects that were not entirely unpredictable and while the twists were well-executed, overall, this wasn’t as complex as some of the previous books but this in no way makes this one less enjoyable! I found Mr. Christmas to be a very interesting character and hope we do get to see more of him in future books.
However, overall, I did find this to be an absorbing and entertaining read and I eagerly await the next book in the series!
Please note that this book would work well as a standalone, but I definitely recommend reading all the books in series order . You won’t be disappointed!
I’ve enjoyed (in varying degrees) all the previous books (including one short story and one novella) in this series and I’m glad to say that the latest installment Witness 8 is a worthy addition to the lot!
Ruby Johnson, a young woman in her twenties, works as a maid and nanny in several houses in an affluent New York neighborhood. Once a resident of the same neighborhood, she is haunted by the events that caused her family’s downfall. She is cunning and perceptive and one night, after witnessing the murder of the wealthy socialite, she decides to use this information and manipulate the truth to further her own agenda. The narrative follows Eddie Flynn and his team as they work on defending the successful surgeon who is accused of murdering his neighbor, based on evidence recovered at his home. Complicating matters further for Eddie is the fact that in the course of one of his previous cases, he has provoked a few very corrupt yet powerful people who have taken out a hit on him. Therefore, now, along with working to prove his client’s innocence, he has to dodge the hitmen and assassins (including a very interesting Mr. Christmas, who has a history with one of Eddie’s team) out to collect the bounty on his head while also trying to figure out how to deal with the friction with the criminal entities in the mix.
Needless to say, a lot is going on and Eddie and his team will have their hands full!
It’s always a pleasure following our con man-turned-lawyer who now works with a very competent team comprising his mentor retired Judge Harry Ford, fellow defense attorney Kate Brooks, investigator Melissa Bloch, former FBI profiler Gabriel Lake and their office manager Denise and never hesitates to rope in help from his friends and associates from his former life as “Eddie Fly” and this time was no exception.
The author deftly weaves the numerous threads of the plot and multiple perspectives into a consistently paced, twisty, tension-filled narrative. I enjoyed the dynamic between Eddie’s team members and thought they made a formidable team. In this context, I should mention that we don’t see as much of Eddie as much as in the previous books, but I do appreciate that each of the characters has a distinct role to play. The author always infuses a healthy dose of humor into these books, and I find these segments-both in the courtroom and, of course, Eddie’s very creative methods of fact-finding and besting opponents- very entertaining. I will admit that there were aspects that were not entirely unpredictable and while the twists were well-executed, overall, this wasn’t as complex as some of the previous books but this in no way makes this one less enjoyable! I found Mr. Christmas to be a very interesting character and hope we do get to see more of him in future books.
However, overall, I did find this to be an absorbing and entertaining read and I eagerly await the next book in the series!
Please note that this book would work well as a standalone, but I definitely recommend reading all the books in series order . You won’t be disappointed!
Off the Books by Soma Mei Sheng Frazier
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
Off the Books by Soma Mei Sheng Frazier is a compelling read and an impressive debut.
Twenty-four-year-old Mĕi L. Brown dropped out of Dartmouth after a family tragedy and has been working as a private chauffeur offering her services “going karura” or “off the books” on the advice of her eighty-six-year-old Lǎoyé (grandfather) - an American history buff- who helps her find clients and who is her biggest ally, as she has distanced herself from her friends and is currently not speaking to her mother.
Mei’s most recent client is the mysterious Henry Lee who is paying her handsomely for a trip from San Francisco to Syracuse. Henry’s insistence on timed stops and the enormous suitcase he guards diligently never letting it out of his sight strikes Mĕi as suspicious behavior and she turns to Lǎoyé for advice on how to proceed. His reassurance is enough for her to continue on her assignment and as the narrative progresses, she gradually befriends Henry and the mystery behind the suitcase is ultimately revealed. What she discovers and their journey thereon compels Mĕi to reflect on her own life and choices and her family history, as the daughter of a white American father and Chinese American immigrant mother.
The author has deftly woven insightful historical, political and social commentary into a story revolving around a cross-country road trip that evolves into transformative journey will irrevocably change the way our protagonist views her privileged upbringing and her future and alter her worldview.
I enjoyed the road trip segments and liked that the novel is structured in chapters covering each leg of the road trip. The characters are well written and the author depicts complex human emotions with insight and maturity. I found Mĕi to be an interesting protagonist and appreciated how her personal journey is depicted throughout the course of the novel. I loved the bond between Mĕi and her grandfather, who was my favorite character. His wit, insight and wisdom certainly enriched the narrative. His interactions with Mĕi offer an interesting perspective on the issues and events described in the novel while also providing some much-needed lighter moments to balance the heavier themes.
“‘Listen,’ he says, ‘all my life I teach you history. So you can be on the right side of it. But a good life about more than knowing. A good life about doing, too.’”
The novel addresses sensitive themes such as navigating grief and loss and complicated family dynamics realistically and with empathy and compassion. Please note that there are mentions of racism, sexual abuse and suicide.
The author incorporates timely and relevant themes, touching upon contemporary (and historical) world events, into the narrative, with emphasis on the Chinese American immigrant experience, and the plight of Uyghurs in Xinjiang, China and the injustices committed against them. These segments are disturbing, with mentions of genocide, persecution and other atrocities.
The narrative does include segments wherein full sentences are spoken in Mandarin. Though the text that follows gives us a good idea of what is being expressed, perhaps a glossary/footnote/true translation would have made for a smoother read for those of us who do not understand the language. However, this does not detract from my overall experience. There were certain aspects of the story that I felt could have been explored further, but I did like how the author chose to end the story. The romantic track is executed with maturity and is shown to evolve gradually and does not distract from the primary narrative.
Overall, I found this to be a well-crafted, thought-provoking read and I look forward to reading more from this talented new author in the future.
Many thanks to Henry Holt & Company for the gifted ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Twenty-four-year-old Mĕi L. Brown dropped out of Dartmouth after a family tragedy and has been working as a private chauffeur offering her services “going karura” or “off the books” on the advice of her eighty-six-year-old Lǎoyé (grandfather) - an American history buff- who helps her find clients and who is her biggest ally, as she has distanced herself from her friends and is currently not speaking to her mother.
Mei’s most recent client is the mysterious Henry Lee who is paying her handsomely for a trip from San Francisco to Syracuse. Henry’s insistence on timed stops and the enormous suitcase he guards diligently never letting it out of his sight strikes Mĕi as suspicious behavior and she turns to Lǎoyé for advice on how to proceed. His reassurance is enough for her to continue on her assignment and as the narrative progresses, she gradually befriends Henry and the mystery behind the suitcase is ultimately revealed. What she discovers and their journey thereon compels Mĕi to reflect on her own life and choices and her family history, as the daughter of a white American father and Chinese American immigrant mother.
The author has deftly woven insightful historical, political and social commentary into a story revolving around a cross-country road trip that evolves into transformative journey will irrevocably change the way our protagonist views her privileged upbringing and her future and alter her worldview.
I enjoyed the road trip segments and liked that the novel is structured in chapters covering each leg of the road trip. The characters are well written and the author depicts complex human emotions with insight and maturity. I found Mĕi to be an interesting protagonist and appreciated how her personal journey is depicted throughout the course of the novel. I loved the bond between Mĕi and her grandfather, who was my favorite character. His wit, insight and wisdom certainly enriched the narrative. His interactions with Mĕi offer an interesting perspective on the issues and events described in the novel while also providing some much-needed lighter moments to balance the heavier themes.
“‘Listen,’ he says, ‘all my life I teach you history. So you can be on the right side of it. But a good life about more than knowing. A good life about doing, too.’”
The novel addresses sensitive themes such as navigating grief and loss and complicated family dynamics realistically and with empathy and compassion. Please note that there are mentions of racism, sexual abuse and suicide.
The author incorporates timely and relevant themes, touching upon contemporary (and historical) world events, into the narrative, with emphasis on the Chinese American immigrant experience, and the plight of Uyghurs in Xinjiang, China and the injustices committed against them. These segments are disturbing, with mentions of genocide, persecution and other atrocities.
The narrative does include segments wherein full sentences are spoken in Mandarin. Though the text that follows gives us a good idea of what is being expressed, perhaps a glossary/footnote/true translation would have made for a smoother read for those of us who do not understand the language. However, this does not detract from my overall experience. There were certain aspects of the story that I felt could have been explored further, but I did like how the author chose to end the story. The romantic track is executed with maturity and is shown to evolve gradually and does not distract from the primary narrative.
Overall, I found this to be a well-crafted, thought-provoking read and I look forward to reading more from this talented new author in the future.
Many thanks to Henry Holt & Company for the gifted ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The Which Way Tree by Elizabeth Crook
The narrative is presented in epistolary format through letters written by seventeen-year-old Benjamin in 1866, addressed to Judge E. Carlton, as a part of his testimony against one Clarence Hanlin, believed to be responsible for the murder of eight travelers.
Overall, with the author's masterful storytelling, exquisite writing and superb characterizations, I found this novel to be an immensely satisfying read. I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.
I paired my reading with the audiobook narrated by Will Collyer, whose expert narration breathed life into the characters and the story, making for an enjoyable immersion-reading experience.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.25
Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of reading Elizabeth Crook’s The Madstone, which features then nineteen-year-old Benjamin Shreve as he recounts the sixteen-day odyssey across Reconstuction-era Texas and the perils he faces in his efforts to assist a stranded traveler and a pregnant woman and her young son. I found Benjamin to be an endearing character and was thrilled to find out that the author had previously penned a novel featuring Benjamin and his half-sister. I was eager to read The Which Way Tree and I’m glad to say that I was not disappointed!
The narrative is presented in epistolary format through letters written by seventeen-year-old Benjamin in 1866, addressed to Judge E. Carlton, as a part of his testimony against one Clarence Hanlin, believed to be responsible for the murder of eight travelers.
In the course of his testimony on his several encounters with Hanlin, Benjamin, excited to be able to share his story, drafts a series of long letters detailing the story of his family and the tragedies that befell them. Of particular significance was how three years ago was his then twelve-year-old half-sister Samantha “Sam” ’s quest to exact revenge on a panther (referred to as El Demonio de Dos Dedos“The Demon of Two Toes” by the locals) that killed her mother Juda (Benjamin’s stepmother) and left Sam disfigured, when she was six years old child, resulted in several encounters between Hanlin and themselves.
Well-paced with vivid descriptions and a cast of interesting characters, this is an engaging read that had me glued to the pages. Elizabeth Crook is a master storyteller who writes with a keen sense of time and place. The depiction of the hardships of life in Civil War-era Texas, the rustic landscape and the wilderness, and the dangers of the wild compounded further by roaming murderers, highway robbers and outlaws will transport you to Texas Hill Country with our characters. Though a tad far-fetched, this is an immensely enjoyable story of family, friendship, adventure, bravery and vengeance. Benjamin is an endearing character and I thoroughly enjoyed following him, Samantha and their friends Preacher Dob and his aging yet alert tracker dog Zechariah and Mexican outlaw Lorenzo Pacheco on their adventures through the wilderness of Texas Hill Country.
Benjamin’s narrative voice draws you in, his enthusiasm and excitement in being able to pen his story is palpable and despite his tendency to go into minute detail, there is not a boring moment in this tightly-woven novel. I loved how the author depicted Benjamin’s bond with Sam, his frustration with her utter disregard for his admonishments but always concerned for her well-being. Sam is a fascinating character – brave, obsessed with revenge and willing to take on the panther irrespective of whether anyone comes with her. The author’s portrayal of an enraged and traumatized twelve-year-old who lives with a constant reminder of a violent episode that forever changed her life in more ways than anyone could imagine is convincing and though she might appear stubborn and reckless, you will want to root for her. The secondary characters are also well fleshed out and the author infuses the narrative with a healthy dose of humor into the narrative to balance the hardships, loss, grief and violence.
Overall, with the author's masterful storytelling, exquisite writing and superb characterizations, I found this novel to be an immensely satisfying read. I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.
I paired my reading with the audiobook narrated by Will Collyer, whose expert narration breathed life into the characters and the story, making for an enjoyable immersion-reading experience.
Though this novel predates The Madstone, I am glad to have read it after, as the novel also gives us a glimpse into Benjamin's life decades after the incidents described in both books. However, Sam’s story remains a mystery (a few hints are dropped in this novel) and I would love to know what became of the young girl I admired for her bravery and determination.
In the Lonely Hours by Shannon Morgan
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
Edwina “Edie” Nunn is surprised to discover that she has inherited an old castle on a remote Scottish island as the only living descendent of the Maundrell family. Now in her late forties, Edwina, recently widowed, has never known her biological family, having been left at an orphanage as a baby. Her teenage daughter, Neve, is excited at the prospect of inheriting a castle and Edwina is eager to know more about her real family. Neither of them could have been prepared for the ghostly inhabitants (not all of whom are particularly friendly), the deep-buried secrets of the island and the tragic history of the Maundrell family, most of which occurred on Samhain. Nor were they prepared for the mystery behind the Maundrell Red – a diamond that went missing decades ago and, as legend has it, is responsible for the tragedy that befell the family. With Samhain quickly approaching, and the eerie occurrences intensifying, Edie and Neve soon discover that evil lurks in various manifestations in and around the castle and there are forces at play that would keep them from discovering the truth.
With its atmospheric setting and intricate plotting, In the Lonely Hours by Shannon Morgan is a riveting read that combines elements of historical fiction, family drama, supernatural suspense and Gothic mystery. I loved the descriptions of the island, the haunted castle and Loch na Scáthanna, the Lake of Shadows. I appreciated how the author wove an element of folklore into the narrative. Presented in dual timelines (the 1960s where we meet the matriarch Elizabeth “Bitsie” Maundrell, who is pure evil, immediate family and the present-day wherein we follow Edie and Neve), the story initially unfolds at a relatively slow pace but picks up as the narrative progresses. I loved how the past was gradually revealed through old journals, local lore and ghostly visitations and thought the twists were well – executed. The novel touches upon themes of complicated mother-daughter relationships, dysfunctional family dynamics, mental health, neurodivergence, child abandonment, generational trauma, abuse and homophobia. Needless to say, some moments are dark and disturbing, but we also have moments of kindness, empathy and love. The bond between Lottie and Mungo was beautifully depicted and I particularly enjoyed how Neve connects with one other ghostly visitors after getting off to a bumpy start. I enjoyed following the mystery as it is slowly unraveled and was satisfied with the ending, but I did think that certain aspects of the present timeline could have been explored further. I’m not a fan of the horror genre and I was glad that the novel did not venture into territory that would have made it difficult for me to read.
This isn’t a genre I dabble in much, but having read and enjoyed the author’s previous novel, Her Little Flowers, I was eager to read her latest offering. Overall, I enjoyed this well-crafted novel and look forward to reading more from her in the future.
Many thanks to Kensington Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on July 23, 2023.
With its atmospheric setting and intricate plotting, In the Lonely Hours by Shannon Morgan is a riveting read that combines elements of historical fiction, family drama, supernatural suspense and Gothic mystery. I loved the descriptions of the island, the haunted castle and Loch na Scáthanna, the Lake of Shadows. I appreciated how the author wove an element of folklore into the narrative. Presented in dual timelines (the 1960s where we meet the matriarch Elizabeth “Bitsie” Maundrell, who is pure evil, immediate family and the present-day wherein we follow Edie and Neve), the story initially unfolds at a relatively slow pace but picks up as the narrative progresses. I loved how the past was gradually revealed through old journals, local lore and ghostly visitations and thought the twists were well – executed. The novel touches upon themes of complicated mother-daughter relationships, dysfunctional family dynamics, mental health, neurodivergence, child abandonment, generational trauma, abuse and homophobia. Needless to say, some moments are dark and disturbing, but we also have moments of kindness, empathy and love. The bond between Lottie and Mungo was beautifully depicted and I particularly enjoyed how Neve connects with one other ghostly visitors after getting off to a bumpy start. I enjoyed following the mystery as it is slowly unraveled and was satisfied with the ending, but I did think that certain aspects of the present timeline could have been explored further. I’m not a fan of the horror genre and I was glad that the novel did not venture into territory that would have made it difficult for me to read.
This isn’t a genre I dabble in much, but having read and enjoyed the author’s previous novel, Her Little Flowers, I was eager to read her latest offering. Overall, I enjoyed this well-crafted novel and look forward to reading more from her in the future.
Many thanks to Kensington Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on July 23, 2023.
The New Yorker Encyclopedia of Cartoons: A Semi-Serious A-To-Z Archive by
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
An entertaining compilation of almost 3000 The New Yorker cartoons (1925-2017) organized according to theme! I enjoyed reading both the Foreword by David Remnick and the Introduction by Bob Mankoff.
Perfect for light reading or as a palate cleanser or simply when you need a laugh! I read this one over a period of almost 3 years (1500+ pages) in between my other reads and enjoyed every minute of it!
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
“The first lie has to be the strongest. The most important. The one that has to be told”
I found the premise of First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston to be truly intriguing. Evie Porter, a con artist who works for the mysterious “Mr. Smith” finds herself trapped in a complex web of manipulation as she works on her current mark, Ryan Sumner. Posing as Ryan’s girlfriend while passing on information about Ryan’s business to her boss should have been easy for her, given she has almost perfected her game over the years in Mr. Smith’s employ. However, her growing feelings for Ryan, her feelings of guilt for her deception and her desire for a different life than she has chosen (or the life that has chosen her?) and the added pressure that she is being closely monitored and failing her current task would result in dire consequences, complicate matters further and the situation begins to spiral out of Evie’s control.
The beginning of the book drew me in and had me hooked, but as the plot progressed, my enthusiasm dampened. The author’s writing shows promise and I thought most of the twists were well executed (the entry of “Lucca Marino” was a genius plot point). However, too much of the narrative was devoted to telling rather than showing, which detracted from my overall experience. Evie is an interesting protagonist but the oversharing (in excruciatingly minute detail) about both past events and how events unfold in the present timeline not only messed with the pacing and but also made me forget that I was reading what was supposed to be a suspenseful “thriller.” Though not entirely unpredictable, there were a few aspects of the mystery that were well-crafted. However, I wasn’t a fan of how the author chose to end the story and found a few developments/revelations toward the end utterly unconvincing and contrived.
After a very long wait for my library copies, I can’t help but feel more than a tad disappointed with this one. Had I not approached this novel expecting a fast-paced, complex, edge of your set thriller, I would have enjoyed it more.
I paired my reading with the audiobook narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, who has done a commendable job of breathing life into this story.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
2.5
“The first lie has to be the strongest. The most important. The one that has to be told”
I found the premise of First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston to be truly intriguing. Evie Porter, a con artist who works for the mysterious “Mr. Smith” finds herself trapped in a complex web of manipulation as she works on her current mark, Ryan Sumner. Posing as Ryan’s girlfriend while passing on information about Ryan’s business to her boss should have been easy for her, given she has almost perfected her game over the years in Mr. Smith’s employ. However, her growing feelings for Ryan, her feelings of guilt for her deception and her desire for a different life than she has chosen (or the life that has chosen her?) and the added pressure that she is being closely monitored and failing her current task would result in dire consequences, complicate matters further and the situation begins to spiral out of Evie’s control.
The beginning of the book drew me in and had me hooked, but as the plot progressed, my enthusiasm dampened. The author’s writing shows promise and I thought most of the twists were well executed (the entry of “Lucca Marino” was a genius plot point). However, too much of the narrative was devoted to telling rather than showing, which detracted from my overall experience. Evie is an interesting protagonist but the oversharing (in excruciatingly minute detail) about both past events and how events unfold in the present timeline not only messed with the pacing and but also made me forget that I was reading what was supposed to be a suspenseful “thriller.” Though not entirely unpredictable, there were a few aspects of the mystery that were well-crafted. However, I wasn’t a fan of how the author chose to end the story and found a few developments/revelations toward the end utterly unconvincing and contrived.
After a very long wait for my library copies, I can’t help but feel more than a tad disappointed with this one. Had I not approached this novel expecting a fast-paced, complex, edge of your set thriller, I would have enjoyed it more.
I paired my reading with the audiobook narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, who has done a commendable job of breathing life into this story.
A Certain Kind of Starlight by Heather Webber
“For the women in our family, the ability to see a bright side and all that came with it was a near constant in our lives, first appearing almost two hundred years ago after a star fell from the sky onto family land. Legend was that somehow the fallen star with its special glow had given us the gift, and we felt honor bound to use it to bring light and hope and brightness to others.”
Set in the small town of Starlight, Alabama, A Certain Kind of Starlight by Heather Webber is a charming story that revolves around themes of family, sisterhood, friendship and starting over.
At the center of the story is sixty-four-year-old Verbena Fullbright, Aunt “Bean” to her nieces, half-sisters twenty-nine-year-old Addison “Addie” Fullbright and twenty-four-year-old Tessa Jane Cobb Wingrove Fullbright. Aunt Bean owns and runs the Starling Cake Company famous for its delectable treats that are believed to have special qualities that flood the taster with positive feelings. Starlight Field, which also belongs to the family, is of special significance to the family on account of a crater formed from a fallen star and the special lightened path where those in need found clarity of thought and direction. Addie, who moved away from Starlight years ago after the death of her best friend and is a famous voice artist and Tessa is nursing a broken heart after a broken engagement are called back to Starlight to take care of the bakery after Aunt Bean is diagnosed with a heart condition. The sisters have a complicated relationship and have never been close, but now things just might change. But the sisters have a lot to contend with – their personal problems, the stress of running the bakery, their concern over Aunt Bean’s health, long-buried family secrets, and the greedy intentions of Tessa’s maternal grandfather – before old wounds can be healed.
The narrative is presented from the perspectives of Addie and Tessa Jane in alternating chapters. I loved the small-town setting and adored Aunt Bean. I liked how each chapter started with Aunt Bean’s words of wisdom thoughtfully embedded in her baking tips! I loved how the author depicted the growing bond between the sisters and found both Addie and Tessa to be endearing characters. I have to mention the pets who made life for our characters very interesting, leading to several heartfelt and entertaining moments! I appreciated the underlying message of the novel – the importance of family and community and how crucial it is to try to look for the positive in one another and ourselves and allow positive energy into our lives. The author addresses sensitive topics such as domestic abuse, animal cruelty and abandonment with compassion.
There is a lot to like about this novel – the humor, the relationships, the well-thought-out characters and the element of magical realism , to name just a few. However, the narrative does feature a very large cast of characters and I found it difficult to follow how everyone was related/connected beyond a point. The author also weaves a tad too many subplots into the narrative, resulting in a slow-paced, unnecessarily complicated and convoluted story with overly dramatic moments (soap-opera vibes). The element of magical realism was interesting as a concept, but I wish it had been more deeply embedded into the narrative.
This is my second Heather Webber novel and though I didn’t love this one as much as At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities, I did find it to be a heartwarming story. I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.
I paired my reading with the audiobook expertly narrated by Hallie Ricardo and Stephanie Willis making for an engaging immersion reading experience.
Many thanks to Tor Publishing Group/Forge Books for the gifted hardcover and the digital review copy via NetGalley. I’d also like to thank Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
“For the women in our family, the ability to see a bright side and all that came with it was a near constant in our lives, first appearing almost two hundred years ago after a star fell from the sky onto family land. Legend was that somehow the fallen star with its special glow had given us the gift, and we felt honor bound to use it to bring light and hope and brightness to others.”
Set in the small town of Starlight, Alabama, A Certain Kind of Starlight by Heather Webber is a charming story that revolves around themes of family, sisterhood, friendship and starting over.
At the center of the story is sixty-four-year-old Verbena Fullbright, Aunt “Bean” to her nieces, half-sisters twenty-nine-year-old Addison “Addie” Fullbright and twenty-four-year-old Tessa Jane Cobb Wingrove Fullbright. Aunt Bean owns and runs the Starling Cake Company famous for its delectable treats that are believed to have special qualities that flood the taster with positive feelings. Starlight Field, which also belongs to the family, is of special significance to the family on account of a crater formed from a fallen star and the special lightened path where those in need found clarity of thought and direction. Addie, who moved away from Starlight years ago after the death of her best friend and is a famous voice artist and Tessa is nursing a broken heart after a broken engagement are called back to Starlight to take care of the bakery after Aunt Bean is diagnosed with a heart condition. The sisters have a complicated relationship and have never been close, but now things just might change. But the sisters have a lot to contend with – their personal problems, the stress of running the bakery, their concern over Aunt Bean’s health, long-buried family secrets, and the greedy intentions of Tessa’s maternal grandfather – before old wounds can be healed.
The narrative is presented from the perspectives of Addie and Tessa Jane in alternating chapters. I loved the small-town setting and adored Aunt Bean. I liked how each chapter started with Aunt Bean’s words of wisdom thoughtfully embedded in her baking tips! I loved how the author depicted the growing bond between the sisters and found both Addie and Tessa to be endearing characters. I have to mention the pets who made life for our characters very interesting, leading to several heartfelt and entertaining moments! I appreciated the underlying message of the novel – the importance of family and community and how crucial it is to try to look for the positive in one another and ourselves and allow positive energy into our lives. The author addresses sensitive topics such as domestic abuse, animal cruelty and abandonment with compassion.
There is a lot to like about this novel – the humor, the relationships, the well-thought-out characters and the element of magical realism , to name just a few. However, the narrative does feature a very large cast of characters and I found it difficult to follow how everyone was related/connected beyond a point. The author also weaves a tad too many subplots into the narrative, resulting in a slow-paced, unnecessarily complicated and convoluted story with overly dramatic moments (soap-opera vibes). The element of magical realism was interesting as a concept, but I wish it had been more deeply embedded into the narrative.
This is my second Heather Webber novel and though I didn’t love this one as much as At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities, I did find it to be a heartwarming story. I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.
I paired my reading with the audiobook expertly narrated by Hallie Ricardo and Stephanie Willis making for an engaging immersion reading experience.
Many thanks to Tor Publishing Group/Forge Books for the gifted hardcover and the digital review copy via NetGalley. I’d also like to thank Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The Faculty Lounge: A Novel by Jennifer Mathieu
An exceptionally well-crafted tribute to educators, The Faculty Lounge by Jennifer Mathieu follows an ensemble cast of characters, members of faculty and staff of (fictional) Baldwin High School in Houston, Texas, through the school year in the aftermath of the sudden death of Mr. Bob Lehrer, retired English teacher, in the teacher's lounge. Mr. Lehrer devoted his life to his profession, even choosing to work as a substitute teacher post- retirement, and the school authorities agree to honor his wish that his ashes be scattered on the school grounds. Unfortunately, on the day of the ceremony, everything doesn’t quite go as planned, resulting in a mishap, the consequences of which will be felt throughout the school year.
Structured as a series of interconnected stories (each from the perspective of a different character) through the drama in the aftermath of “Ashgate” and their lives and challenges inside and outside of the classroom. Woven into these stories of empathy, kindness and human connection, is also the story of Bob Lehrer, whose life revolved around the classroom and about whom we get to know more from the recollections of those who interacted and worked with him during his tenure.
We meet the faculty and staff of the school – a diverse group of characters – those new to the profession as well as those on the brink of retirement - teachers, the school counselor, the school nurse and the janitor. I loved getting to know the characters, their personal struggles, their dreams and hopes and their reflections on their own respective careers and much more. The author writes with heart and humor but also touches upon several sensitive themes such as the immigrant experience alcoholism, loneliness, grief and teenage pregnancy, with sensitivity and compassion. We also get a glimpse into several timely and relevant issues such as internal politics, underfunding, parental interference and censorship and how these impact operations within the public school system.
This is the kind of book that you want to keep on reading. This book will resonate with those who have been a part of the teaching profession or have worked in educational institutions in any capacity. However, irrespective of whether you have a similar experience, this book will strike a chord with you. Overall, I found this to be a thoroughly enjoyable, poignant and thought-provoking read that I would not hesitate to recommend to those who enjoy character-driven fiction.
Many thanks to PENGUIN GROUP Dutton for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5
An exceptionally well-crafted tribute to educators, The Faculty Lounge by Jennifer Mathieu follows an ensemble cast of characters, members of faculty and staff of (fictional) Baldwin High School in Houston, Texas, through the school year in the aftermath of the sudden death of Mr. Bob Lehrer, retired English teacher, in the teacher's lounge. Mr. Lehrer devoted his life to his profession, even choosing to work as a substitute teacher post- retirement, and the school authorities agree to honor his wish that his ashes be scattered on the school grounds. Unfortunately, on the day of the ceremony, everything doesn’t quite go as planned, resulting in a mishap, the consequences of which will be felt throughout the school year.
Structured as a series of interconnected stories (each from the perspective of a different character) through the drama in the aftermath of “Ashgate” and their lives and challenges inside and outside of the classroom. Woven into these stories of empathy, kindness and human connection, is also the story of Bob Lehrer, whose life revolved around the classroom and about whom we get to know more from the recollections of those who interacted and worked with him during his tenure.
We meet the faculty and staff of the school – a diverse group of characters – those new to the profession as well as those on the brink of retirement - teachers, the school counselor, the school nurse and the janitor. I loved getting to know the characters, their personal struggles, their dreams and hopes and their reflections on their own respective careers and much more. The author writes with heart and humor but also touches upon several sensitive themes such as the immigrant experience alcoholism, loneliness, grief and teenage pregnancy, with sensitivity and compassion. We also get a glimpse into several timely and relevant issues such as internal politics, underfunding, parental interference and censorship and how these impact operations within the public school system.
This is the kind of book that you want to keep on reading. This book will resonate with those who have been a part of the teaching profession or have worked in educational institutions in any capacity. However, irrespective of whether you have a similar experience, this book will strike a chord with you. Overall, I found this to be a thoroughly enjoyable, poignant and thought-provoking read that I would not hesitate to recommend to those who enjoy character-driven fiction.
Many thanks to PENGUIN GROUP Dutton for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish by Paula Brackston
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
Hereford, 1881: Hecate Cavendish is excited to have secured a position as librarian’s assistant at Hereford Cathedral. Though her mother would prefer she direct her efforts toward finding a suitor, her father Edward Cavendish, an archaeologist by profession, is encouraging of his daughter's endeavors. Unbeknownst to Hecate she possesses a special gift – an ability to see and interact with the spirit world with a strong sense of paranormal activity – a gift she only becomes aware of when she encounters the friendly spirits roaming about in the cathedral. But much evil also lurks within those walls, spirits with sinister motives being unleashed into the community. As chaos ensues, Hecate will have to learn how to use her gift to protect everything and everyone she holds dear.
With its intriguing premise, atmospheric setting and gothic vibes The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish by Paula Brackston is an engaging read. The author combines elements of paranormal and murder mystery, historical fiction, magical realism and mythology and romance into an immersive narrative that kept me glued to the pages. The novel gets off to a slow start but picks up as the narrative progresses. The author writes beautifully with keen attention to detail which is evidenced in the way she vividly describes the atmospheric setting and the cathedral, the library and its collections and the Mappa Mundi, which I found particularly interesting!
( I looked up the actual The Hereford Mappa Mundi, created around 1300, which is the largest medieval map known to exist.)
Hecate is an endearing protagonist and I absolutely loved getting to know her and those in her circle of family and friends . Her dynamic with her loving father, who is an ally and who believes in her abilities, and their interactions were a joy to read as was her relationship with her ailing younger brother. The author balances the darkness of the plot with splashes of humor and lighter moments. I enjoyed the way both she and her father strive to appease as well as work their way around her mother. The characters (good and sinister) were well developed and I enjoyed following Hecate in her search for the truth behind the sinister occurrences. Despite the uneven pacing, the narrative flows well, dialing up the tension as we progress and at no point did I lose interest in the plot.
I did find the ending a tad underwhelming after such an intense build-up, more so because we did not get all the answers to our questions. This is a lengthy read and I can’t help but feel disappointed that the author chose to leave certain aspects of the mystery unresolved.
However, since this is the first in a new series, I suppose we will have to wait for the next installment for our answers.
Overall, I thought there was much about this novel that is praiseworthy and I will be eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.
I paired my reading with the audiobook expertly narrated by Marisa Calin. I couldn’t recommend the audiobook enough!
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for the digital review copy and Macmillan Audio for the ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
With its intriguing premise, atmospheric setting and gothic vibes The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish by Paula Brackston is an engaging read. The author combines elements of paranormal and murder mystery, historical fiction, magical realism and mythology and romance into an immersive narrative that kept me glued to the pages. The novel gets off to a slow start but picks up as the narrative progresses. The author writes beautifully with keen attention to detail which is evidenced in the way she vividly describes the atmospheric setting and the cathedral, the library and its collections and the Mappa Mundi, which I found particularly interesting!
( I looked up the actual The Hereford Mappa Mundi, created around 1300, which is the largest medieval map known to exist.)
Hecate is an endearing protagonist and I absolutely loved getting to know her and those in her circle of family and friends . Her dynamic with her loving father, who is an ally and who believes in her abilities, and their interactions were a joy to read as was her relationship with her ailing younger brother. The author balances the darkness of the plot with splashes of humor and lighter moments. I enjoyed the way both she and her father strive to appease as well as work their way around her mother. The characters (good and sinister) were well developed and I enjoyed following Hecate in her search for the truth behind the sinister occurrences. Despite the uneven pacing, the narrative flows well, dialing up the tension as we progress and at no point did I lose interest in the plot.
I did find the ending a tad underwhelming after such an intense build-up, more so because we did not get all the answers to our questions. This is a lengthy read and I can’t help but feel disappointed that the author chose to leave certain aspects of the mystery unresolved.
However, since this is the first in a new series, I suppose we will have to wait for the next installment for our answers.
Overall, I thought there was much about this novel that is praiseworthy and I will be eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.
I paired my reading with the audiobook expertly narrated by Marisa Calin. I couldn’t recommend the audiobook enough!
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for the digital review copy and Macmillan Audio for the ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.