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theoverbookedbibliophile's reviews
1376 reviews
The Last Thing She Saw by Nina Laurin
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
In 2017, flood damage in a small Quebec town lead to the discovery of a child’s body that appears to be decades old. Locals suspect that the remains are that of Michelle Fortier, the nine-year-old daughter of an affluent family who disappeared in 1979.
Stephanie O’Malley returns to her hometown of Marly, Quebec, after her career hits a downward spiral as a result of her failed podcast, which was based on Michelle’s case. Fifteen years ago, she had left Marly with hopes for a better future, leaving her mother Laura and high-school sweetheart Luc behind. Her relationship with her mother is strained and Luc has moved on. Stephanie keenly follows the renewed interest and investigation into the cold case in hopes of reviving her podcast. As the narrative progresses, Stephanie finds herself drawn into a complex web of lies, secrets and cover-ups.
I found the premise of The Last Thing She Saw by Nina Laurin intriguing and appreciated the suspenseful vibe, the atmospheric setting and the depiction of small-town life and the dynamics within the community. The narrative is structured in dual timelines. In the present timeline (2017), we follow Stephanie as she pursues her own investigation into Michelle’s disappearance while navigating her relationship with her mother and her dynamic with Luc. The 1979 timeline is presented from Laura’s perspective and focuses on Laura’s life as a teenager in Marly, while the events that led to Michelle’s disappearance are gradually revealed. Stephanie wasn’t a particularly interesting protagonist, and I wasn’t a fan of how the author chose to develop her story. Laura was a more complex character, but I felt the present timeline didn’t do her justice. The writing was stilted, resulting in a somewhat disjointed narrative that lacked cohesiveness. I also thought a few plot points were unnecessary (a few of the more common tropes no longer work for me ) and of no consequence to the story. The final reveal wasn’t entirely unpredictable (I do have a few questions, though) but was well-executed.
While I didn’t dislike this book in its entirety, I also didn’t find it to be the tightly woven, gripping thriller that I was expecting.
Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Stephanie O’Malley returns to her hometown of Marly, Quebec, after her career hits a downward spiral as a result of her failed podcast, which was based on Michelle’s case. Fifteen years ago, she had left Marly with hopes for a better future, leaving her mother Laura and high-school sweetheart Luc behind. Her relationship with her mother is strained and Luc has moved on. Stephanie keenly follows the renewed interest and investigation into the cold case in hopes of reviving her podcast. As the narrative progresses, Stephanie finds herself drawn into a complex web of lies, secrets and cover-ups.
I found the premise of The Last Thing She Saw by Nina Laurin intriguing and appreciated the suspenseful vibe, the atmospheric setting and the depiction of small-town life and the dynamics within the community. The narrative is structured in dual timelines. In the present timeline (2017), we follow Stephanie as she pursues her own investigation into Michelle’s disappearance while navigating her relationship with her mother and her dynamic with Luc. The 1979 timeline is presented from Laura’s perspective and focuses on Laura’s life as a teenager in Marly, while the events that led to Michelle’s disappearance are gradually revealed. Stephanie wasn’t a particularly interesting protagonist, and I wasn’t a fan of how the author chose to develop her story. Laura was a more complex character, but I felt the present timeline didn’t do her justice. The writing was stilted, resulting in a somewhat disjointed narrative that lacked cohesiveness. I also thought a few plot points were unnecessary (a few of the more common tropes no longer work for me ) and of no consequence to the story. The final reveal wasn’t entirely unpredictable (I do have a few questions, though) but was well-executed.
While I didn’t dislike this book in its entirety, I also didn’t find it to be the tightly woven, gripping thriller that I was expecting.
Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The Story Collector by Evie Woods
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
With elements of historical fiction, folklore magical realism and contemporary love story, The Story Collector by Evie Woods is a beautifully written novel.
Christmas Day, NYC, 2010: While waiting to board a flight to Boston to spend the holidays with her sister’s family, Sarah Harper is intrigued by a newspaper article on the ‘lore of a beautiful hawthorn tree in County Clare, Ireland. On an impulse, she decides to hop on a flight to Ireland and eventually ends up renting a cottage, Butler’s Cottage, in the same vicinity as the tree. Sarah is dealing with the collapse of her marriage and grieving a personal loss and hopes to find solace in the quiet setting of the cottage amid the beautiful surroundings. While exploring the area, she comes upon an old diary from 1910, belonging to Anne Butler. From Anne’s diary, Sarah not only learns about Anna’s family and her dreams and the history of Thornwood House, the ruins of which are still standing, and local folklore but she also gets to know about American researcher Harold Griffin-Krauss, who engaged Anna’s assistance to interact with locals for his thesis on the fairy faith in Celtic countries. As the narrative progresses, Sarah finds herself motivated to find out more about Anne and is inspired by her story to take stock of her own life and embark on a cathartic journey of healing and hope.
The prose is elegant and the author writes with compassion and emotional emotional depth and a keen sense of time and place, deftly weaving past and present timelines into an engaging narrative. I loved the vivid setting and appreciated how folklore and stories of na Daoine Maithe were incorporated into the narrative.
The present-day story is told from Sarah’s perspective, with Anne’s story revealed through her journal entries interspersed throughout the narrative. Both Sarah and Anne are well-fleshed-out characters and I enjoyed getting to know Harold (whose character was inspired by American anthropologist and writer W. Y. Evans-Wentz). I wish the narrative had included more stories from his research. The secondary characters were also well thought out and I loved how the author depicted life in a quiet Irish village one hundred years apart. I’ll admit that I enjoyed the past timeline more than Sarah’s story. The romantic track in the present timeline felt unnecessary and wasn’t entirely convincing. I wish we had gotten to know more about both Anne and Harold (I prefer showing to telling). The past timeline was rushed toward the end and left me with a few unanswered questions. However, I did like how the author brought everything together and the ending, though bittersweet, was satisfying.
This is my second Evie Woods novel (I also enjoyed The Lost Bookshop) and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.
Many thanks to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Christmas Day, NYC, 2010: While waiting to board a flight to Boston to spend the holidays with her sister’s family, Sarah Harper is intrigued by a newspaper article on the ‘lore of a beautiful hawthorn tree in County Clare, Ireland. On an impulse, she decides to hop on a flight to Ireland and eventually ends up renting a cottage, Butler’s Cottage, in the same vicinity as the tree. Sarah is dealing with the collapse of her marriage and grieving a personal loss and hopes to find solace in the quiet setting of the cottage amid the beautiful surroundings. While exploring the area, she comes upon an old diary from 1910, belonging to Anne Butler. From Anne’s diary, Sarah not only learns about Anna’s family and her dreams and the history of Thornwood House, the ruins of which are still standing, and local folklore but she also gets to know about American researcher Harold Griffin-Krauss, who engaged Anna’s assistance to interact with locals for his thesis on the fairy faith in Celtic countries. As the narrative progresses, Sarah finds herself motivated to find out more about Anne and is inspired by her story to take stock of her own life and embark on a cathartic journey of healing and hope.
The prose is elegant and the author writes with compassion and emotional emotional depth and a keen sense of time and place, deftly weaving past and present timelines into an engaging narrative. I loved the vivid setting and appreciated how folklore and stories of na Daoine Maithe were incorporated into the narrative.
The present-day story is told from Sarah’s perspective, with Anne’s story revealed through her journal entries interspersed throughout the narrative. Both Sarah and Anne are well-fleshed-out characters and I enjoyed getting to know Harold (whose character was inspired by American anthropologist and writer W. Y. Evans-Wentz). I wish the narrative had included more stories from his research. The secondary characters were also well thought out and I loved how the author depicted life in a quiet Irish village one hundred years apart. I’ll admit that I enjoyed the past timeline more than Sarah’s story. The romantic track in the present timeline felt unnecessary and wasn’t entirely convincing. I wish we had gotten to know more about both Anne and Harold (I prefer showing to telling). The past timeline was rushed toward the end and left me with a few unanswered questions. However, I did like how the author brought everything together and the ending, though bittersweet, was satisfying.
This is my second Evie Woods novel (I also enjoyed The Lost Bookshop) and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.
Many thanks to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley
June 2025 – Francesca Meadows is thrilled that her dream project “The Manor “-an exclusive wellness resort- is finally open. The Solstice celebration and the midnight revelries are in full swing, her affluent guests are in attendance being catered to by her carefully selected staff, a few of whom are local including Eddie whose family owns and operates a farm close by. Among the guests is Bella, who has a history with Francesca (who is initially unaware of Bella's presence) and whose decision to book a stay was based on an article sent by an unknown sender, who definitely knows their history. The resort was built on the Dorset coastline the premises Francesca inherited from her grandparents, and her husband, architect Owen Dacre was tasked with designing the luxurious resort. The resort is adjacent to a forest that holds special significance to the locals, who aren't too happy with the development and the fact that the owners have no respect for the ‘lore and beliefs of the locals only complicates matters further.
Unbeknownst to most guests, the land, the forests, the small town of Tome and Francesca herself harbor dark secrets. So when the fishermen discover the body of a woman floating in the water the very next day and the cliffside retreat goes up in flames, unraveling the mystery behind the murder and the fate of The Manor might be more complicated than the investigating officer, Detective Inspector Walker and his team would have thought.
I haven’t had much luck with the author's previous novels, all of which were average reads for me. I won’t say that The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley is an exception but overall, I did enjoy the novel ( I think the full-cast audio narration had a large role to play). Well-thought-out characters ( even the unlikeable ones), a vividly described atmospheric setting, an intriguing premise dual timelines and multiple perspectives woven into a cohesive narrative made for an engaging read. I loved the intensity of the present-day narrative, the folklore and the dark myth associated with the land which added to the tension. I always appreciate it when my theories are proved wrong and I’m glad to say that a few of the final twists and revelations were truly shocking.
However, the story takes a long time to pick up the pace which is why it felt longer than it actually was. The past timeline is presented through journal entries from 2009 and though past events were integral to the plot, these slower-paced sections (with a tad too much teenage drama) hindered the flow of the narrative. The final 25% definitely made up for the slow build-up, uneven pacing and what I thought were some unnecessary fillers, in particular one of the character’s perspectives which was not necessarily required to carry the story forward.
I paired my reading with the brilliant full-cast audio narration featuring Joe Eyre, Sarah Slimani, Roly Botha, Laurence Dobiesz and Tuppence Middleton, which enhanced my overall experience.
Given a choice, I would recommend the audio over reading the book.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
3.5
June 2025 – Francesca Meadows is thrilled that her dream project “The Manor “-an exclusive wellness resort- is finally open. The Solstice celebration and the midnight revelries are in full swing, her affluent guests are in attendance being catered to by her carefully selected staff, a few of whom are local including Eddie whose family owns and operates a farm close by. Among the guests is Bella, who has a history with Francesca (who is initially unaware of Bella's presence) and whose decision to book a stay was based on an article sent by an unknown sender, who definitely knows their history. The resort was built on the Dorset coastline the premises Francesca inherited from her grandparents, and her husband, architect Owen Dacre was tasked with designing the luxurious resort. The resort is adjacent to a forest that holds special significance to the locals, who aren't too happy with the development and the fact that the owners have no respect for the ‘lore and beliefs of the locals only complicates matters further.
Unbeknownst to most guests, the land, the forests, the small town of Tome and Francesca herself harbor dark secrets. So when the fishermen discover the body of a woman floating in the water the very next day and the cliffside retreat goes up in flames, unraveling the mystery behind the murder and the fate of The Manor might be more complicated than the investigating officer, Detective Inspector Walker and his team would have thought.
I haven’t had much luck with the author's previous novels, all of which were average reads for me. I won’t say that The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley is an exception but overall, I did enjoy the novel ( I think the full-cast audio narration had a large role to play). Well-thought-out characters ( even the unlikeable ones), a vividly described atmospheric setting, an intriguing premise dual timelines and multiple perspectives woven into a cohesive narrative made for an engaging read. I loved the intensity of the present-day narrative, the folklore and the dark myth associated with the land which added to the tension. I always appreciate it when my theories are proved wrong and I’m glad to say that a few of the final twists and revelations were truly shocking.
However, the story takes a long time to pick up the pace which is why it felt longer than it actually was. The past timeline is presented through journal entries from 2009 and though past events were integral to the plot, these slower-paced sections (with a tad too much teenage drama) hindered the flow of the narrative. The final 25% definitely made up for the slow build-up, uneven pacing and what I thought were some unnecessary fillers, in particular one of the character’s perspectives which was not necessarily required to carry the story forward.
I paired my reading with the brilliant full-cast audio narration featuring Joe Eyre, Sarah Slimani, Roly Botha, Laurence Dobiesz and Tuppence Middleton, which enhanced my overall experience.
Given a choice, I would recommend the audio over reading the book.
The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
4.0
“All books are magic. An object that can take you to another world without even leaving your room? A story written by a stranger and yet it seems they wrote it just for you or to you? Loving and hating people made out of ink and paper, not flesh and blood? Yes, books are magic. Maybe even the strongest magic there is.”
Last year The Wishing Game was one of my favorite reads and I’m glad to say that with The Lost Story, author Meg Shaffer does not disappoint.
Set in the (fictional) Red Crow State Forest of West Virginia, the story follows our three protagonists Emilie Wendell, Jeremy Cox and Ralph "Rafe" Howell as they embark on a quest to find out what happened to Emilie’s long-lost sister Shannon, who, when thirteen, went missing from the area decades ago. Jeremy and Rafe are no strangers to the forest, having been found six months after disappearing while on a school trip fifteen years ago. What happened to them remains a mystery to everyone except Jeremy. Jeremy and Rafe, once close friends, have been estranged since the incident. Jeremy makes finding missing girls his life’s calling and when Emilie approaches him for help in finding Shannon, he eventually agrees. Rafe is a loner, traumatized by the incident, but with no memories of the six months they were missing. Jeremy convinces Rafe to join the quest with promises that everything will be revealed in the course of their journey.
“Nobody wants to admit they’re lost.”
Inspired by C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia, this “fairy tale for grown-ups”, is a beautifully written story with endearing characters (human and mythical), vividly descriptive with superb worldbuilding, that transported me to Shanandoah with Emilie, Jeremy and Rafe.
A story of friendship, found family, love, sacrifice and courage with adventure and intrigue, emotion and humor, magical kingdoms, enchanted forests and mythical beings – sounds just perfect, doesn’t it? If you agree, this book is a must-read. I should mention that this story is much deeper than a fanciful tale for children, with several dark and sensitive themes, including abandonment, homophobia, child abuse, PTSD and mental health woven into the narrative. I enjoyed the dynamic between the three main characters and thought that the supporting characters (even the unlikeable ones) were also well thought out. The pacing is a tad uneven, but this did not detract from my overall experience. I did feel, however, that there was a tad too much going on. With so many subplots, it is to be expected that not all of them would be explored in equal depth.
Overall, I found this to be a charming and incredibly moving story that I would not hesitate to recommend. Read this one with your heart and you won’t be disappointed!
Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Last year The Wishing Game was one of my favorite reads and I’m glad to say that with The Lost Story, author Meg Shaffer does not disappoint.
Set in the (fictional) Red Crow State Forest of West Virginia, the story follows our three protagonists Emilie Wendell, Jeremy Cox and Ralph "Rafe" Howell as they embark on a quest to find out what happened to Emilie’s long-lost sister Shannon, who, when thirteen, went missing from the area decades ago. Jeremy and Rafe are no strangers to the forest, having been found six months after disappearing while on a school trip fifteen years ago. What happened to them remains a mystery to everyone except Jeremy. Jeremy and Rafe, once close friends, have been estranged since the incident. Jeremy makes finding missing girls his life’s calling and when Emilie approaches him for help in finding Shannon, he eventually agrees. Rafe is a loner, traumatized by the incident, but with no memories of the six months they were missing. Jeremy convinces Rafe to join the quest with promises that everything will be revealed in the course of their journey.
“Nobody wants to admit they’re lost.”
Inspired by C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia, this “fairy tale for grown-ups”, is a beautifully written story with endearing characters (human and mythical), vividly descriptive with superb worldbuilding, that transported me to Shanandoah with Emilie, Jeremy and Rafe.
A story of friendship, found family, love, sacrifice and courage with adventure and intrigue, emotion and humor, magical kingdoms, enchanted forests and mythical beings – sounds just perfect, doesn’t it? If you agree, this book is a must-read. I should mention that this story is much deeper than a fanciful tale for children, with several dark and sensitive themes, including abandonment, homophobia, child abuse, PTSD and mental health woven into the narrative. I enjoyed the dynamic between the three main characters and thought that the supporting characters (even the unlikeable ones) were also well thought out. The pacing is a tad uneven, but this did not detract from my overall experience. I did feel, however, that there was a tad too much going on. With so many subplots, it is to be expected that not all of them would be explored in equal depth.
Overall, I found this to be a charming and incredibly moving story that I would not hesitate to recommend. Read this one with your heart and you won’t be disappointed!
Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5
The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024 and I'm glad to say that I was not disappointed.
“Shir zan. Lionesses. Us. Can’t you just see it, Ellie? Someday, you and me—we’ll do great things. We’ll live life for ourselves. And we will help others. We are cubs now, maybe. But we will grow to be lionesses. Strong women who make things happen.”
Written in beautiful prose, this evocative story spans the 1950s through the 70s and 80s to the present day and follows Elaheh “Ellie” Soltani and Homa Roozbeh – girls from completely different backgrounds who meet in Tehran as seven-year-olds who become fast friends but drift apart - a cycle that continues as their lives intersect time and time again and their fates intertwine against the volatile backdrop of the Iranian Revolution and the decades that follow. The author addresses several important themes, including social class, feminism, women’s rights and political activism, and the immigrant experience, while also giving us a glimpse into Iranian life and culture. The story is set in Tehran for most of the 50s and 60s and both the United States and Tehran for the remainder of the novel.
The narrative is presented predominantly from Ellie’s perspective, though we do get a few segments from Homa’s perspective. Both main characters are well fleshed out and their dynamic as it evolves over decades is realistically depicted, but I wish we could have explored a few of the crucial secondary characters in more depth. I also wish Homa’s perspective had been in more detail and that her story had been told with less telling and more showing particularly toward the end of the novel.
The themes in Marjan Kamali’s latest novel are realistic, relatable and most importantly, timely and relevant. The author’s portrayal of the changing socio-political landscape of Iran during the Iranian revolution and its aftermath with emphasis on women’s rights will inspire reflection. We can’t help but ponder over the fact that many of us have been afforded freedoms that others do not enjoy - freedoms that we often take for granted and rights that women all over the world have fought for in their own time and continue to do so today.
“That’s how losses of rights build. They start small. And then soon, the rights are stripped in droves.”
Overall, I found this to be an immersive and thought-provoking story about friendship, courage, healing, empathy and acceptance, forgiveness and redemption, with characters who will stay with you long after you have turned the last page.
I paired my reading with the audiobook brilliantly narrated by Mozhan Navabi and Nikki Massoud.
“In my women’s organization and our activism, one thing that we're trying to uphold is that feminism comes in many shapes. We should not shame women who choose to take care of home and family. As long as it’s the woman’s choice. I don’t mean to imply that your job now, or even if you chose in the past or later choose to stay home, is in any way antifeminist. Because all of it has a place in true feminism. A woman has a right to live a life of intense career ambition or one of more mellow ambition or what have you. As I say, whatever she chooses.”
I couldn’t agree more. What could be more important to a woman than her right to choose?
“Shir zan. Lionesses. Us. Can’t you just see it, Ellie? Someday, you and me—we’ll do great things. We’ll live life for ourselves. And we will help others. We are cubs now, maybe. But we will grow to be lionesses. Strong women who make things happen.”
Written in beautiful prose, this evocative story spans the 1950s through the 70s and 80s to the present day and follows Elaheh “Ellie” Soltani and Homa Roozbeh – girls from completely different backgrounds who meet in Tehran as seven-year-olds who become fast friends but drift apart - a cycle that continues as their lives intersect time and time again and their fates intertwine against the volatile backdrop of the Iranian Revolution and the decades that follow. The author addresses several important themes, including social class, feminism, women’s rights and political activism, and the immigrant experience, while also giving us a glimpse into Iranian life and culture. The story is set in Tehran for most of the 50s and 60s and both the United States and Tehran for the remainder of the novel.
The narrative is presented predominantly from Ellie’s perspective, though we do get a few segments from Homa’s perspective. Both main characters are well fleshed out and their dynamic as it evolves over decades is realistically depicted, but I wish we could have explored a few of the crucial secondary characters in more depth. I also wish Homa’s perspective had been in more detail and that her story had been told with less telling and more showing particularly toward the end of the novel.
The themes in Marjan Kamali’s latest novel are realistic, relatable and most importantly, timely and relevant. The author’s portrayal of the changing socio-political landscape of Iran during the Iranian revolution and its aftermath with emphasis on women’s rights will inspire reflection. We can’t help but ponder over the fact that many of us have been afforded freedoms that others do not enjoy - freedoms that we often take for granted and rights that women all over the world have fought for in their own time and continue to do so today.
“That’s how losses of rights build. They start small. And then soon, the rights are stripped in droves.”
Overall, I found this to be an immersive and thought-provoking story about friendship, courage, healing, empathy and acceptance, forgiveness and redemption, with characters who will stay with you long after you have turned the last page.
I paired my reading with the audiobook brilliantly narrated by Mozhan Navabi and Nikki Massoud.
“In my women’s organization and our activism, one thing that we're trying to uphold is that feminism comes in many shapes. We should not shame women who choose to take care of home and family. As long as it’s the woman’s choice. I don’t mean to imply that your job now, or even if you chose in the past or later choose to stay home, is in any way antifeminist. Because all of it has a place in true feminism. A woman has a right to live a life of intense career ambition or one of more mellow ambition or what have you. As I say, whatever she chooses.”
I couldn’t agree more. What could be more important to a woman than her right to choose?
The Astrology House by Carinn Jade
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.5
“This weekend there will be surprises, even for those who don’t believe. You can’t control the people around you. These readings will conjure unexpected emotions, unforeseen actions, and even more shocking reactions. This is a normal result of that which is buried rising to the surface. Some of you will feel blindsided, while others will feel vindicated. This is your fate.”
Eight wealthy Manhattanites, each dealing with their problems and harboring secrets, hope to unwind, disconnect, reconnect and find some peace of mind with the help of Rini, resident astrologist and owner of Stars Harbor Astrological Retreat in Long Island, over a weekend. The four couples are known to one another, but little did they expect that the idyllic weekend would not only expose the dysfunctional relationships and secrets between spouses, siblings and trusted friends but also lead to revelations that could potentially fracture these relationships beyond repair. Was the weekend deliberately designed to wreak havoc in their lives? What is Rini’s agenda? Are they being manipulated or is someone among them responsible for the strange events? Chaos ensues as the group is trapped due to inclement weather.
“You get what you get and you don’t get upset.”
I was intrigued by the premise of The Astrology House by Carinn Jade, I found the concept of an astrology-guided retreat really interesting and loved how the author incorporated the astrology aspect into the narrative. I also enjoyed the suspenseful, claustrophobic vibe, the setting and the description of the old Victorian house and the rooms. The novel features a large cast of characters but is skillfully structured such that it is not difficult to follow who is who and how they are connected. The narrative, which flows well, is shared from multiple first-person POVs, which gives us a well-rounded picture of the events that gradually unfold. Though the pacing is a tad uneven, the author injects enough twists and surprises to keep you engaged. The climax is truly shocking.
Barring Rini, I didn’t find any of the characters particularly interesting, though each of the characters was well-fleshed out, complex and flawed, which definitely contributed to the drama. However, the drama did get a tad too soapy for my liking, and I thought the author piled on more than was required in this aspect, especially for a novel in the mystery/thriller genre.
However, overall, I did find this to be a promising debut novel and I look forward to reading more from this promising new author in the future.
Many thanks to Atria Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Eight wealthy Manhattanites, each dealing with their problems and harboring secrets, hope to unwind, disconnect, reconnect and find some peace of mind with the help of Rini, resident astrologist and owner of Stars Harbor Astrological Retreat in Long Island, over a weekend. The four couples are known to one another, but little did they expect that the idyllic weekend would not only expose the dysfunctional relationships and secrets between spouses, siblings and trusted friends but also lead to revelations that could potentially fracture these relationships beyond repair. Was the weekend deliberately designed to wreak havoc in their lives? What is Rini’s agenda? Are they being manipulated or is someone among them responsible for the strange events? Chaos ensues as the group is trapped due to inclement weather.
“You get what you get and you don’t get upset.”
I was intrigued by the premise of The Astrology House by Carinn Jade, I found the concept of an astrology-guided retreat really interesting and loved how the author incorporated the astrology aspect into the narrative. I also enjoyed the suspenseful, claustrophobic vibe, the setting and the description of the old Victorian house and the rooms. The novel features a large cast of characters but is skillfully structured such that it is not difficult to follow who is who and how they are connected. The narrative, which flows well, is shared from multiple first-person POVs, which gives us a well-rounded picture of the events that gradually unfold. Though the pacing is a tad uneven, the author injects enough twists and surprises to keep you engaged. The climax is truly shocking.
Barring Rini, I didn’t find any of the characters particularly interesting, though each of the characters was well-fleshed out, complex and flawed, which definitely contributed to the drama. However, the drama did get a tad too soapy for my liking, and I thought the author piled on more than was required in this aspect, especially for a novel in the mystery/thriller genre.
However, overall, I did find this to be a promising debut novel and I look forward to reading more from this promising new author in the future.
Many thanks to Atria Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The Melancholy of Untold History by Minsoo Kang
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
“You said that when a civilization tells stories about itself, it starts with myths, dealing with gods and monsters. Then, when that civilization develops, it moves on to history, telling stories of important personages who achieved great things. When it moves into the modern era, it becomes increasingly interested in the lives of regular people, their thoughts and feelings. You described it as the movement from myth to history to life.”
The Melancholy of Untold History by Minsoo Kang is a unique and creative work of fiction and an ode to storytelling that revolves around how the interpretation of myth and history define a civilization and its beliefs.
An ancient storyteller who realizes that his gift is the only thing that is keeping him from being executed by his captors; four divine deities who from their perch in the mountains shape the fate of the realm below as a consequence of their actions; a prolific historian who accomplished the unimaginable feat of disproving the history of a prolific dynasty as was written in history books; and the historian’s protegee in whose arms he finds solace as he grieves for his deceased wife, and who also a researcher studying the interplay between history and fiction while on a personal journey of self-acceptance - the author weaves multiple threads and voices, spanning over three thousand years into a complex, yet absorbing narrative.
The narrative is divided into segments named Myth, History and Life – with chapters arranged in no specific chronological order, frequently jumping timelines, which can at times overwhelm the reader. As with most narratives with multiple timelines, not all the timelines were equally impactful, but this did not detract from my overall experience. The author employs an embedded storytelling format, rich with symbolism and vividly described settings. The Epilogue is clever ( though a tad pretentious) and I loved how all the threads of the story converged and appreciated how the author incorporates certain philosophical/spiritual concepts into the narrative to bring all the threads of the story together.
I will admit that this book is a challenging read and will garner mixed reactions. Though only 240 pages, the narrative is dense, occasionally disjointed and there is a lot to absorb. The novel explores themes of history, legacy, grief, loss, atonement, survival, and most importantly, the power of stories and the importance of authenticity, transparency and honesty in preserving and sharing of the history of those who came before us.
“The world was filled with effective stories in the forms of myths, rumors, propaganda, and conspiracy theories that were used to distort reality, manipulate people, and, in some cases, commit atrocities.”
The story/history of a civilization and/or its people is incomplete without its darkest phases, but the author balances these aspects with a healthy dose of humor infused into the narrative. As the story nears its conclusion, the author relies on our interpretation of the cyclical events described in the narrative. which is not surprising given the nature of the story and the underlying themes.
“‘We may not be able to change our fates,’ the storyteller said. ‘Our imagination may not be able to break open this cangue or relieve you of your sorrow, but we could create a more fortunate ending for others, perhaps even a brand-new start.’”
Overall, I found this novel to be a promising debut and I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.
Many thanks to William Morrow for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The Melancholy of Untold History by Minsoo Kang is a unique and creative work of fiction and an ode to storytelling that revolves around how the interpretation of myth and history define a civilization and its beliefs.
An ancient storyteller who realizes that his gift is the only thing that is keeping him from being executed by his captors; four divine deities who from their perch in the mountains shape the fate of the realm below as a consequence of their actions; a prolific historian who accomplished the unimaginable feat of disproving the history of a prolific dynasty as was written in history books; and the historian’s protegee in whose arms he finds solace as he grieves for his deceased wife, and who also a researcher studying the interplay between history and fiction while on a personal journey of self-acceptance - the author weaves multiple threads and voices, spanning over three thousand years into a complex, yet absorbing narrative.
The narrative is divided into segments named Myth, History and Life – with chapters arranged in no specific chronological order, frequently jumping timelines, which can at times overwhelm the reader. As with most narratives with multiple timelines, not all the timelines were equally impactful, but this did not detract from my overall experience. The author employs an embedded storytelling format, rich with symbolism and vividly described settings. The Epilogue is clever ( though a tad pretentious) and I loved how all the threads of the story converged and appreciated how the author incorporates certain philosophical/spiritual concepts into the narrative to bring all the threads of the story together.
I will admit that this book is a challenging read and will garner mixed reactions. Though only 240 pages, the narrative is dense, occasionally disjointed and there is a lot to absorb. The novel explores themes of history, legacy, grief, loss, atonement, survival, and most importantly, the power of stories and the importance of authenticity, transparency and honesty in preserving and sharing of the history of those who came before us.
“The world was filled with effective stories in the forms of myths, rumors, propaganda, and conspiracy theories that were used to distort reality, manipulate people, and, in some cases, commit atrocities.”
The story/history of a civilization and/or its people is incomplete without its darkest phases, but the author balances these aspects with a healthy dose of humor infused into the narrative. As the story nears its conclusion, the author relies on our interpretation of the cyclical events described in the narrative. which is not surprising given the nature of the story and the underlying themes.
“‘We may not be able to change our fates,’ the storyteller said. ‘Our imagination may not be able to break open this cangue or relieve you of your sorrow, but we could create a more fortunate ending for others, perhaps even a brand-new start.’”
Overall, I found this novel to be a promising debut and I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.
Many thanks to William Morrow for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Trouble in Queenstown by Delia Pitts
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
Forty-seven-year-old Evander “Vandy” Myrick returns to her hometown of Queenstown, New Jersey, after her career in law enforcement ends after a personal tragedy. Now a private investigator, she has a lot on her plate - concerned for the well-being of her ailing father, a retired police officer suffering from dementia and now in a care facility, dealing with her own trauma and trying to do the best for her clients.
Her latest client is Leo Hannah, the Mayor’s nephew, who engages her services to track his wife’s movements. What appears to be a routine surveillance assignment soon evolves into a racially charged murder case. Vandy is convinced that there is more to this case than meets the eye. Complicating matters further is the influential Hannah family’s connection to the case - powerful people with secrets they would do anything to protect. Vandy is determined to get to the truth, even if that means ruffling more than a few feathers and risking her own life in the process.
Trouble in Queenstown by Delia Pitts is a riveting murder mystery. The narrative is presented from Vandy’s first-person POV. I really liked how the novel was structured in keeping with the different threads of the plot. The depiction of small-town dynamics, socioeconomic differences, and power politics made for an intriguing setting. The mystery was complex and well-crafted, with a healthy dose of humor infused into the narrative. I thought that the author expertly wove the different subplots into a consistently paced narrative that kept me engaged until the very end. Vandy is a strong female protagonist, smart and dedicated to her profession, but also with a vulnerable side. I enjoyed getting to know her and I appreciated that at no point did the segments on Vandy’s personal struggles and her backstory distract attention from the primary murder mystery. The supporting characters were well thought out and I especially enjoyed Vandy’s dynamic with Ingrid.
There are a few moments that require suspension of disbelief, but that did not detract from my overall experience. Certain aspects of the final reveal did take me by surprise (perhaps I missed something in between?) and did feel a tad contrived, but I did enjoy the build-up and the twists and turns and thought the author did a great job of dialing up the tension as the narrative progressed.
This was my first time reading this author and I look forward to reading more of her work.
I paired my reading with the audiobook expertly narrated by Bahni Turpin, who breathed life into Vandy’s character, making for an engrossing and entertaining immersion reading experience. I would definitely recommend the audiobook!
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the digital review copy and Macmillan Audio for the ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Her latest client is Leo Hannah, the Mayor’s nephew, who engages her services to track his wife’s movements. What appears to be a routine surveillance assignment soon evolves into a racially charged murder case. Vandy is convinced that there is more to this case than meets the eye. Complicating matters further is the influential Hannah family’s connection to the case - powerful people with secrets they would do anything to protect. Vandy is determined to get to the truth, even if that means ruffling more than a few feathers and risking her own life in the process.
Trouble in Queenstown by Delia Pitts is a riveting murder mystery. The narrative is presented from Vandy’s first-person POV. I really liked how the novel was structured in keeping with the different threads of the plot. The depiction of small-town dynamics, socioeconomic differences, and power politics made for an intriguing setting. The mystery was complex and well-crafted, with a healthy dose of humor infused into the narrative. I thought that the author expertly wove the different subplots into a consistently paced narrative that kept me engaged until the very end. Vandy is a strong female protagonist, smart and dedicated to her profession, but also with a vulnerable side. I enjoyed getting to know her and I appreciated that at no point did the segments on Vandy’s personal struggles and her backstory distract attention from the primary murder mystery. The supporting characters were well thought out and I especially enjoyed Vandy’s dynamic with Ingrid.
There are a few moments that require suspension of disbelief, but that did not detract from my overall experience. Certain aspects of the final reveal did take me by surprise (perhaps I missed something in between?) and did feel a tad contrived, but I did enjoy the build-up and the twists and turns and thought the author did a great job of dialing up the tension as the narrative progressed.
This was my first time reading this author and I look forward to reading more of her work.
I paired my reading with the audiobook expertly narrated by Bahni Turpin, who breathed life into Vandy’s character, making for an engrossing and entertaining immersion reading experience. I would definitely recommend the audiobook!
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the digital review copy and Macmillan Audio for the ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Shades of Mercy by Bruce Borgos
A worthy addition to the author’s Porter Beck series, Shades of Mercy by Bruce Borgos is a thrilling novel!
Drug smugglers responsible for the supply of lethal fentanyl-laced drugs; a computer hacker who takes control of a military drone to wreak havoc on an affluent (and shady) rancher’s operations; a mysterious operative searching for Mercy Vaughn, a brilliant teenager with a criminal background who is being held in a juvenile detention facility, government agents with their own agendas and much more - Lincoln Country, Nevada Sheriff Porter Beck and his twelve member department have a lot on their plate. Though Porter is struggling with eyesight, he is determined not to let his limited night vision deter him from fulfilling his duties. He is joined in his efforts to protect Mercy by Detective Charlie Blue Horse from the Department of Public Safety. The narrative follows Porter, his team and Charlie as they try to unravel a complex web of crime, deception and secrets.
The plot is complex, but the author deftly weaves all the threads of the story together into a well-paced, suspenseful narrative that kept me hooked until the very last page. I enjoyed getting to know more about Porter and his family and loved that Brinley had a larger role to play in this installment. I hope future stories see the brother-sister duo teaming up again. Mercy Vaughn was a fascinating character and I’d love to see her pop up in future installments and of course, how can you not love Beck’s new partner, a fox-red English Lab named Frank Columbo, “Bo”? The intricate plot with plenty of twists and turns and a healthy dose of humor added to the mix, the vividly described setting and well-developed characters make for an absorbing read.
Overall, I found this to be a well-crafted crime thriller and I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
Though this is the second book in the series, it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Press for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
A worthy addition to the author’s Porter Beck series, Shades of Mercy by Bruce Borgos is a thrilling novel!
Drug smugglers responsible for the supply of lethal fentanyl-laced drugs; a computer hacker who takes control of a military drone to wreak havoc on an affluent (and shady) rancher’s operations; a mysterious operative searching for Mercy Vaughn, a brilliant teenager with a criminal background who is being held in a juvenile detention facility, government agents with their own agendas and much more - Lincoln Country, Nevada Sheriff Porter Beck and his twelve member department have a lot on their plate. Though Porter is struggling with eyesight, he is determined not to let his limited night vision deter him from fulfilling his duties. He is joined in his efforts to protect Mercy by Detective Charlie Blue Horse from the Department of Public Safety. The narrative follows Porter, his team and Charlie as they try to unravel a complex web of crime, deception and secrets.
The plot is complex, but the author deftly weaves all the threads of the story together into a well-paced, suspenseful narrative that kept me hooked until the very last page. I enjoyed getting to know more about Porter and his family and loved that Brinley had a larger role to play in this installment. I hope future stories see the brother-sister duo teaming up again. Mercy Vaughn was a fascinating character and I’d love to see her pop up in future installments and of course, how can you not love Beck’s new partner, a fox-red English Lab named Frank Columbo, “Bo”? The intricate plot with plenty of twists and turns and a healthy dose of humor added to the mix, the vividly described setting and well-developed characters make for an absorbing read.
Overall, I found this to be a well-crafted crime thriller and I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
Though this is the second book in the series, it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Press for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The Bitter Past by Bruce Borgos
When a retired FBI Agent is found tortured to death in his home in Lincoln County Nevada, Sheriff Porter Beck finds himself roped in on an FBI investigation headed by Agent Sana Locke, into an information leak that may have triggered the current chain reaction of events. Beck is ex-Army, having served as a foreign area officer for a large part of his career, so he is well aware of the danger that is looming when evidence indicates a connection between the present-day murders and a 1950s covert operation linked to a nuclear testing site in the region. When the bodies begin to pile up, Porter and his department team up with Locke to find the killer. Complicating matters further is the disappearance of a teenage bride from a neighboring community. Are the cases connected?
The Bitter Past by Bruce Borgos is a riveting thriller that combines elements of murder mystery, crime procedural, and international espionage thriller. The novel is well-structured and consistently paced. The suspenseful narrative is presented in dual timelines – present-day and 1950s Nevada - both of which are well-developed. The present-day narrative is shared from the first-person POV of Porter and the past timeline is shared from the perspective of another character whose role is crucial to the plot. The novel does feature a large cast of characters, but at no point do the threads of the story become too convoluted or difficult to follow. Porter Beck is an interesting protagonist and I would love to see how the author continues his arc as the series continues.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and am eager to read the next book in the series.
I paired my reading with the audiobook narrated by James Babson, which made for an engaging immersion read.
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
When a retired FBI Agent is found tortured to death in his home in Lincoln County Nevada, Sheriff Porter Beck finds himself roped in on an FBI investigation headed by Agent Sana Locke, into an information leak that may have triggered the current chain reaction of events. Beck is ex-Army, having served as a foreign area officer for a large part of his career, so he is well aware of the danger that is looming when evidence indicates a connection between the present-day murders and a 1950s covert operation linked to a nuclear testing site in the region. When the bodies begin to pile up, Porter and his department team up with Locke to find the killer. Complicating matters further is the disappearance of a teenage bride from a neighboring community. Are the cases connected?
The Bitter Past by Bruce Borgos is a riveting thriller that combines elements of murder mystery, crime procedural, and international espionage thriller. The novel is well-structured and consistently paced. The suspenseful narrative is presented in dual timelines – present-day and 1950s Nevada - both of which are well-developed. The present-day narrative is shared from the first-person POV of Porter and the past timeline is shared from the perspective of another character whose role is crucial to the plot. The novel does feature a large cast of characters, but at no point do the threads of the story become too convoluted or difficult to follow. Porter Beck is an interesting protagonist and I would love to see how the author continues his arc as the series continues.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and am eager to read the next book in the series.
I paired my reading with the audiobook narrated by James Babson, which made for an engaging immersion read.