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theoverbookedbibliophile's reviews
1376 reviews
Pitch Dark by Paul Doiron
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
Book #15 in Paul Doiron’s Mike Bowditch series begins with our protagonist, an investigator with the Maine Warden Service being informed of an armed man inquiring into the whereabouts of a father and daughter residing in the area. Correctly guessing that the father-daughter in question is the reclusive Mark Redmond and his twelve-year-old daughter Cady, who is never seen in public, Mike begins to suspect that there is more to the situation than meets the eye. Mike and his father-in-law, retired chief warden pilot Charley Stevens, approach Josie, a friend of Charley’s, who recently hired Mark to build a cabin near Prentiss Pond, to help establish contact with Mark. Josie, who considers Mark a friend and is protective of Cady, reluctantly agrees to help and takes them to where Redmond and Cady are camped. In a shocking twist, their meeting with Mark and Cady takes a dark turn as it becomes evident that Mark is harboring secrets that he would kill to protect.
We follow Mike as he navigates the Maine wilderness, inclement weather and an adversary who would resort to any means to evade capture. Complicating matters further are a bounty hunter who is also in pursuit of Redmond and Cady and the fact that Redmond has sympathetic neighbors as well as contacts within law enforcement who are aiding him.
I thoroughly enjoyed Pitch Dark by Paul Doiron. The vivid, atmospheric setting and the fast-paced suspenseful narrative drew me in and kept me hooked until the very last page. Mike Bowditch is an interesting protagonist and this time he was up against an equally (if not more) skilled and experienced adversary which made for a tension-filled cat-and-mouse game with some shocking twists and surprises along the way. Sharp writing, convincing characters and superb character development, and plenty of action and adventure make for a thrilling read. My only complaint is that I would have liked for Stacey to have had a more active role in this installment.
Though this is #15 in the series, it would work well as a standalone. The author provides sufficient background information in his books, which allows for a satisfying reading experience even if you jump in mid-series. This is my second book in the series ( I started with #14, Dead Man's Wake) and haven’t had any problem following the narrative in either book. I look forward to exploring more books in this series.
I paired my reading with the audiobook narrated by Henry Leyva, which made for a riveting immersion reading experience.
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.
We follow Mike as he navigates the Maine wilderness, inclement weather and an adversary who would resort to any means to evade capture. Complicating matters further are a bounty hunter who is also in pursuit of Redmond and Cady and the fact that Redmond has sympathetic neighbors as well as contacts within law enforcement who are aiding him.
I thoroughly enjoyed Pitch Dark by Paul Doiron. The vivid, atmospheric setting and the fast-paced suspenseful narrative drew me in and kept me hooked until the very last page. Mike Bowditch is an interesting protagonist and this time he was up against an equally (if not more) skilled and experienced adversary which made for a tension-filled cat-and-mouse game with some shocking twists and surprises along the way. Sharp writing, convincing characters and superb character development, and plenty of action and adventure make for a thrilling read. My only complaint is that I would have liked for Stacey to have had a more active role in this installment.
Though this is #15 in the series, it would work well as a standalone. The author provides sufficient background information in his books, which allows for a satisfying reading experience even if you jump in mid-series. This is my second book in the series ( I started with #14, Dead Man's Wake) and haven’t had any problem following the narrative in either book. I look forward to exploring more books in this series.
I paired my reading with the audiobook narrated by Henry Leyva, which made for a riveting immersion reading experience.
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.
The Book of Purrs by Luís Coelho
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
4.0
“You are the curator of your story in every choice you make “
A compilation of Portuguese illustrator Luis Coelho’s panel drawings featuring his signature adorable ink illustrations of cats and full of positive affirmations, encouraging words of wisdom and loads of wit and humor, The Book of Purrs: Everyday Thoughts from Your Feline Friends is a fun read and a charming ode to how our furry friends can be a source of positive energy in our lives!
I loved the artwork, which was intricate yet simple and soothing. This is a simple book, one that might not inspire deep reflection (no offense to our feline friends!), but irrespective of whether you are a cat person or not, the witty feline wisdom and gentle reminders to be kinder to oneself could be just what you need to put a smile on your face when you are feeling overwhelmed!
Purrfectly delightful, this is a book that I would certainly want to revisit!
My favorite quote: “If your inner critic turns into a bully just let me tell you that you really do not need to be perfect”
Many thanks to Andrews McMeel Publishing for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
A compilation of Portuguese illustrator Luis Coelho’s panel drawings featuring his signature adorable ink illustrations of cats and full of positive affirmations, encouraging words of wisdom and loads of wit and humor, The Book of Purrs: Everyday Thoughts from Your Feline Friends is a fun read and a charming ode to how our furry friends can be a source of positive energy in our lives!
I loved the artwork, which was intricate yet simple and soothing. This is a simple book, one that might not inspire deep reflection (no offense to our feline friends!), but irrespective of whether you are a cat person or not, the witty feline wisdom and gentle reminders to be kinder to oneself could be just what you need to put a smile on your face when you are feeling overwhelmed!
Purrfectly delightful, this is a book that I would certainly want to revisit!
My favorite quote: “If your inner critic turns into a bully just let me tell you that you really do not need to be perfect”
Many thanks to Andrews McMeel Publishing for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The Garden of Memories by Amanda James
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
The Garden of Memories by Amanda James is an uplifting story that revolves around themes of friendship and community, self-discovery and personal growth, new beginnings and the therapeutic power of nature.
Widowed after her husband Glen passed two years ago and with her daughter Bella busy with her own family, sixty-two-year-old Rose Lanyon is trying to figure out how to fill her days after retiring from her nursing career of forty years. Rose finds herself drawn to her garden, which used to be Glen’s pride and joy. As she begins to tend to her garden, she is comforted by happy memories and soon her garden begins to attract the attention of friends, neighbors and new acquaintances – among whom are her childhood friend Daisy, her former colleague Sally and her neighbor Flora, a retired schoolteacher - who share their own memories and/or knowledge of gardening with her. With Rose’s encouragement, they begin to participate in the care of the garden, planting flowers/decorating the garden in ways that they associate with their own significant memories. Soon, her “memory garden” becomes a sanctuary for those looking for friendship, solace, or a safe place to ponder over their own life difficulties.
As the narrative progresses, we follow the characters as they build a supportive community around their memory garden and how the same inspires them to effect positive changes in their lives.
The narrative, shared from multiple perspectives, is slower-paced yet immersive with characters you would want to root for - relatable and well thought out with backstories as distinctive as their personalities. The author addresses several important issues such as loneliness, addiction, dysfunctional family dynamics, infidelity, emotional abuse and mental health, among others, realistically and with compassion. I loved the vivid descriptions of the garden and the stories behind the personal connections between the characters and their favorite flowers. Full of heart and humor with a splash of romance, this is a beautifully penned, evocative story that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend. I also must mention that I loved the cover art!
Many thanks to HarperCollins UK /One More Chapter for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Widowed after her husband Glen passed two years ago and with her daughter Bella busy with her own family, sixty-two-year-old Rose Lanyon is trying to figure out how to fill her days after retiring from her nursing career of forty years. Rose finds herself drawn to her garden, which used to be Glen’s pride and joy. As she begins to tend to her garden, she is comforted by happy memories and soon her garden begins to attract the attention of friends, neighbors and new acquaintances – among whom are her childhood friend Daisy, her former colleague Sally and her neighbor Flora, a retired schoolteacher - who share their own memories and/or knowledge of gardening with her. With Rose’s encouragement, they begin to participate in the care of the garden, planting flowers/decorating the garden in ways that they associate with their own significant memories. Soon, her “memory garden” becomes a sanctuary for those looking for friendship, solace, or a safe place to ponder over their own life difficulties.
As the narrative progresses, we follow the characters as they build a supportive community around their memory garden and how the same inspires them to effect positive changes in their lives.
The narrative, shared from multiple perspectives, is slower-paced yet immersive with characters you would want to root for - relatable and well thought out with backstories as distinctive as their personalities. The author addresses several important issues such as loneliness, addiction, dysfunctional family dynamics, infidelity, emotional abuse and mental health, among others, realistically and with compassion. I loved the vivid descriptions of the garden and the stories behind the personal connections between the characters and their favorite flowers. Full of heart and humor with a splash of romance, this is a beautifully penned, evocative story that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend. I also must mention that I loved the cover art!
Many thanks to HarperCollins UK /One More Chapter for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Devil Is Fine by John Vercher
With exquisite prose, dark humor, complex characters and a gripping narrative that revolves around themes of grief, trauma, fatherhood, racial identity and legacy, I found Devil Is Fine by John Vercher hard to put down.
As the novel begins, we meet our unnamed narrator/protagonist, a biracial author born to a White mother and Black father, grappling with the recent loss of his teenage son Malcolm. When he inherits a plot of land from his estranged maternal grandfather, he wants nothing to do with the property and travels south to initiate all necessary formalities for its sale. However, a routine inspection of the land leads to a shocking discovery. As the dark history of the land and his ancestors is gradually revealed, our protagonist is traumatized by the implications.
Adding to his grief and pain are his strained personal relationships and the stress brought on by the fact that his latest manuscript isn’t generating much interest among publishing houses and that his inability to publish in recent years might make it difficult for him to hold on to his teaching position.
As our narrator slips back into old habits, triggering a downward spiral, what follows is a fever dream-like journey wherein the lines between reality and imagination begin to blur, past and present collapses into a hallucinatory series of events that force our protagonist to confront his complicated feelings about his legacy and explore how the same has impacted the most important aspects of his life.
The narrative is shared from the PoV of our unnamed protagonist in the form of a one-sided conversation with his deceased son. The author has deftly woven an element of magical realism into the narrative, creating a tension-filled almost claustrophobic vibe but also injects enough dry humor into the narrative so as not to overwhelm. The strength of this novel lies in its in-depth exploration of the protagonist's psyche – his beliefs, his motivations, his inner conflict and his worldview - as he wavers between moments of lucidity and phantasmagoria. The supporting characters are well thought out, and from their interactions with our narrator we are provided an insightful look into how he is perceived by those who know him/ come to know him as opposed to his self-perception. We might question our narrator's choices, because at times, his motivations are difficult to understand, but at no point do we stop rooting for him to emerge from his traumatized state and embark on a journey of self-acceptance, forgiveness, healing and redemption.
I appreciated the significance of the cover art - which is indicative of the symbolism of the jellyfish, which is integral to the narrative - more after reading the book. I only wish that we were given a bit more insight into past events and the history of the plantation.
I paired my reading with the incredible audio narration by Dion Graham who brought this story, the setting and the characters to life making for an intense immersion reading experience.
Overall, I thought this was a brilliantly crafted work of literary fiction that I would not hesitate to recommend to those who enjoy character-driven narratives with an element of magical realism.
Many thanks to Celadon Books for the digital review copy and Macmillan Audio for the ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5
With exquisite prose, dark humor, complex characters and a gripping narrative that revolves around themes of grief, trauma, fatherhood, racial identity and legacy, I found Devil Is Fine by John Vercher hard to put down.
As the novel begins, we meet our unnamed narrator/protagonist, a biracial author born to a White mother and Black father, grappling with the recent loss of his teenage son Malcolm. When he inherits a plot of land from his estranged maternal grandfather, he wants nothing to do with the property and travels south to initiate all necessary formalities for its sale. However, a routine inspection of the land leads to a shocking discovery. As the dark history of the land and his ancestors is gradually revealed, our protagonist is traumatized by the implications.
Adding to his grief and pain are his strained personal relationships and the stress brought on by the fact that his latest manuscript isn’t generating much interest among publishing houses and that his inability to publish in recent years might make it difficult for him to hold on to his teaching position.
As our narrator slips back into old habits, triggering a downward spiral, what follows is a fever dream-like journey wherein the lines between reality and imagination begin to blur, past and present collapses into a hallucinatory series of events that force our protagonist to confront his complicated feelings about his legacy and explore how the same has impacted the most important aspects of his life.
The narrative is shared from the PoV of our unnamed protagonist in the form of a one-sided conversation with his deceased son. The author has deftly woven an element of magical realism into the narrative, creating a tension-filled almost claustrophobic vibe but also injects enough dry humor into the narrative so as not to overwhelm. The strength of this novel lies in its in-depth exploration of the protagonist's psyche – his beliefs, his motivations, his inner conflict and his worldview - as he wavers between moments of lucidity and phantasmagoria. The supporting characters are well thought out, and from their interactions with our narrator we are provided an insightful look into how he is perceived by those who know him/ come to know him as opposed to his self-perception. We might question our narrator's choices, because at times, his motivations are difficult to understand, but at no point do we stop rooting for him to emerge from his traumatized state and embark on a journey of self-acceptance, forgiveness, healing and redemption.
I appreciated the significance of the cover art - which is indicative of the symbolism of the jellyfish, which is integral to the narrative - more after reading the book. I only wish that we were given a bit more insight into past events and the history of the plantation.
I paired my reading with the incredible audio narration by Dion Graham who brought this story, the setting and the characters to life making for an intense immersion reading experience.
Overall, I thought this was a brilliantly crafted work of literary fiction that I would not hesitate to recommend to those who enjoy character-driven narratives with an element of magical realism.
Many thanks to Celadon Books for the digital review copy and Macmillan Audio for the ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
What You Leave Behind by Wanda M. Morris
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
Well-written with an intriguing premise and superb characterization, What You Leave Behind by Wanda M. Morris is a gripping read.
The story revolves around thirty-nine-year-old Deena Wood, who recently moved back to her childhood home in Brunswick, Georgia, where she lives with her father and his new wife, Ruth. The move hasn’t been easy for Deena. She is still grieving the loss of her mother and her recent divorce and having to move back home and take up an unfulfilling job after being fired from her position as a litigator in a prestigious law firm in Atlanta hasn’t been a pleasant experience. On a day trip to the south Georgia Coast to clear her mind, she encounters Holcomb Gardner, who looks to be in his seventies living in a trailer, who claims she is trespassing on his property – land that he jointly owned with his sister Delilah. Deena is curious and on looking into the details, discovers that Delilah is recently deceased and when she attempts to meet Holcomb again, she finds him gone -and the land up for sale, which her suspicions as Holcomb had been adamant about protecting what was rightfully his. Deena sets out to find out what happened to the Gardner family and who is behind the realty company that is facilitating the sale of the Gardners' land.
As Deena embarks on her quest to find out what happened to Holcomb, she uncovers a complex web of illegal land grabs targeting low-income communities, political corruption, corporate greed, conspiracy and murder. As Deena gets closer to the truth, it is evident that there are players in the mix who would resort to any means to stop Deena and she will need all the help she can get.
The plot, the writing and the characters grabbed from the very first page and I stayed up all night reading this novel, simply unable to put it down until I reached the end. The story touches upon themes of grief, family, community, inheritance and legacy. The narrative is shared for the most part from Deena’s first-person POV with the other narrators’ perspectives shared in short chapters interspersed throughout the narrative.
I enjoyed following Deena’s character arc and getting to know the people in her support system (Uncle Duke was one of my favorite characters) and thought that the author has done a commendable job of striking a balance between Deena’s home life, personal troubles, family history and the primary plotline, weaving the different threads of the narrative together into a consistently paced, well crafted, suspenseful narrative with enough twists and surprises (with a touch of the supernatural) to keep you turning the pages. The romance track was maturely handled and did not distract from the main plot. I was satisfied with how the author chose to end the novel and enjoyed the climax, which followed a tension-filled build-up.
The elements of Gullah-Geechee culture and beliefs and the historical detail on Igbo Landing at Dunbar Creek on St. Simons Island, Georgia, incorporated into the plot, certainly enriched the narrative.
Do read the informative Afterword where she discusses the issue of heir’s property and the places and people that inspired this novel.
This was my first time reading Wanda Morris and I look forward to exploring more of her work.
Finally, I love that cover!
Many thanks to William Morrow for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The story revolves around thirty-nine-year-old Deena Wood, who recently moved back to her childhood home in Brunswick, Georgia, where she lives with her father and his new wife, Ruth. The move hasn’t been easy for Deena. She is still grieving the loss of her mother and her recent divorce and having to move back home and take up an unfulfilling job after being fired from her position as a litigator in a prestigious law firm in Atlanta hasn’t been a pleasant experience. On a day trip to the south Georgia Coast to clear her mind, she encounters Holcomb Gardner, who looks to be in his seventies living in a trailer, who claims she is trespassing on his property – land that he jointly owned with his sister Delilah. Deena is curious and on looking into the details, discovers that Delilah is recently deceased and when she attempts to meet Holcomb again, she finds him gone -and the land up for sale, which her suspicions as Holcomb had been adamant about protecting what was rightfully his. Deena sets out to find out what happened to the Gardner family and who is behind the realty company that is facilitating the sale of the Gardners' land.
As Deena embarks on her quest to find out what happened to Holcomb, she uncovers a complex web of illegal land grabs targeting low-income communities, political corruption, corporate greed, conspiracy and murder. As Deena gets closer to the truth, it is evident that there are players in the mix who would resort to any means to stop Deena and she will need all the help she can get.
The plot, the writing and the characters grabbed from the very first page and I stayed up all night reading this novel, simply unable to put it down until I reached the end. The story touches upon themes of grief, family, community, inheritance and legacy. The narrative is shared for the most part from Deena’s first-person POV with the other narrators’ perspectives shared in short chapters interspersed throughout the narrative.
I enjoyed following Deena’s character arc and getting to know the people in her support system (Uncle Duke was one of my favorite characters) and thought that the author has done a commendable job of striking a balance between Deena’s home life, personal troubles, family history and the primary plotline, weaving the different threads of the narrative together into a consistently paced, well crafted, suspenseful narrative with enough twists and surprises (with a touch of the supernatural) to keep you turning the pages. The romance track was maturely handled and did not distract from the main plot. I was satisfied with how the author chose to end the novel and enjoyed the climax, which followed a tension-filled build-up.
The elements of Gullah-Geechee culture and beliefs and the historical detail on Igbo Landing at Dunbar Creek on St. Simons Island, Georgia, incorporated into the plot, certainly enriched the narrative.
Do read the informative Afterword where she discusses the issue of heir’s property and the places and people that inspired this novel.
This was my first time reading Wanda Morris and I look forward to exploring more of her work.
Finally, I love that cover!
Many thanks to William Morrow for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller
I loved Kirsten Miller’s The Change and was eager to read her latest offering. Well-crafted, satirical and humorous (with several laugh-out-loud moments), but also hard-hitting, Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller is an engaging read.
“Gather as much knowledge as you can, because information is power. And choosing how to use it is freedom. The more you know, the freer you will be.”
Set in the small town of Troy, Georgia, the novel revolves around tensions that arise from one of the townspeople’s missions to ban books that are deemed inappropriate – a mission she has successfully executed resulting in the removal of said books from the public library. Lula Dean also sets up her own lending library with hopes of circulating what she considers acceptable books among the townspeople. Beverly Underwood, also a lifelong resident of Troy and on the school board, vehemently opposes Lula’s actions. Beverly’s daughter Lindsay takes matters into her own hands and unbeknownst to her mother, replaces the books in Lula’s library with those which have been banned. To avoid detection, she places the banned books inside the dust jackets of acceptable literature. As the narrative progresses, we see how these books impact the lives of the townspeople and the dynamic between Beverly and Lula, both of whom are running for mayor.
“When you have everything, the only luxury left is taking things away from others.”
The novel features a large cast of characters, multiple perspectives and several sub-plots seamlessly woven into the primary narrative. The pacing is consistent and the story flows well. At no point did I lose interest or feel that there was too much going on. I loved how the author emphasizes the transformative power of books and how important it is for people to have the freedom to choose what to read and/or what they want their children to read. I loved that the author incorporates certain books (a few of which are banned in some parts of the US) into the plotlines and shows how those books not only inspire individuals to effect change in their own lives but also enable them to gain perspective and expose those spreading hate in the community.
“I think you’re scared that your children are going to open a book and discover the truth. They’ll realize that the Holocaust happened and that slavery was worse than they ever imagined. They’ll find out that both men and women like sex and that gay and trans folks are just regular people. These seem to be the things that you’re trying to hide from them. Why is that?”
There is a lot to like about this novel. The author injects a healthy dose of humor into the narrative, rendering it an entertaining read while also conveying a strong message. The author tackles several heavy themes and social issues such as censorship and book banning, homophobia, bigotry and racism, antisemitism, sexual abuse, racially motivated violence, misogyny and much more. All the characters are well thought out - even the unlikable ones. Beverly is an admirable character and I appreciated her efforts to do the right thing in the face of much adversity. I adored Wilma and I wish we had more scenes with her. I liked how the author depicts the impact of ideological differences and conflicting views on critical issues on the dynamics within a small town. I particularly liked how the author has portrayed the younger crowd and their efforts (a tad misguided at times, but with best intentions) to bring about change in their community.
I did feel, however, that a few aspects of the novel could have been explored further, but with so many characters and subplots, this is to be expected. I also believe that some might not be entirely comfortable with certain content and the tone of the narrative. The ending is a tad too neatly tied up, but I’m glad that the author ends the novel on a positive note.
Thoroughly enjoyable yet timely and relevant, this is a book that I would not hesitate to recommend.
I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Do read the Author’s Note where she talks about the themes addressed in this novel and much more.
Many thanks to William Morrow for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
I loved Kirsten Miller’s The Change and was eager to read her latest offering. Well-crafted, satirical and humorous (with several laugh-out-loud moments), but also hard-hitting, Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller is an engaging read.
“Gather as much knowledge as you can, because information is power. And choosing how to use it is freedom. The more you know, the freer you will be.”
Set in the small town of Troy, Georgia, the novel revolves around tensions that arise from one of the townspeople’s missions to ban books that are deemed inappropriate – a mission she has successfully executed resulting in the removal of said books from the public library. Lula Dean also sets up her own lending library with hopes of circulating what she considers acceptable books among the townspeople. Beverly Underwood, also a lifelong resident of Troy and on the school board, vehemently opposes Lula’s actions. Beverly’s daughter Lindsay takes matters into her own hands and unbeknownst to her mother, replaces the books in Lula’s library with those which have been banned. To avoid detection, she places the banned books inside the dust jackets of acceptable literature. As the narrative progresses, we see how these books impact the lives of the townspeople and the dynamic between Beverly and Lula, both of whom are running for mayor.
“When you have everything, the only luxury left is taking things away from others.”
The novel features a large cast of characters, multiple perspectives and several sub-plots seamlessly woven into the primary narrative. The pacing is consistent and the story flows well. At no point did I lose interest or feel that there was too much going on. I loved how the author emphasizes the transformative power of books and how important it is for people to have the freedom to choose what to read and/or what they want their children to read. I loved that the author incorporates certain books (a few of which are banned in some parts of the US) into the plotlines and shows how those books not only inspire individuals to effect change in their own lives but also enable them to gain perspective and expose those spreading hate in the community.
“I think you’re scared that your children are going to open a book and discover the truth. They’ll realize that the Holocaust happened and that slavery was worse than they ever imagined. They’ll find out that both men and women like sex and that gay and trans folks are just regular people. These seem to be the things that you’re trying to hide from them. Why is that?”
There is a lot to like about this novel. The author injects a healthy dose of humor into the narrative, rendering it an entertaining read while also conveying a strong message. The author tackles several heavy themes and social issues such as censorship and book banning, homophobia, bigotry and racism, antisemitism, sexual abuse, racially motivated violence, misogyny and much more. All the characters are well thought out - even the unlikable ones. Beverly is an admirable character and I appreciated her efforts to do the right thing in the face of much adversity. I adored Wilma and I wish we had more scenes with her. I liked how the author depicts the impact of ideological differences and conflicting views on critical issues on the dynamics within a small town. I particularly liked how the author has portrayed the younger crowd and their efforts (a tad misguided at times, but with best intentions) to bring about change in their community.
I did feel, however, that a few aspects of the novel could have been explored further, but with so many characters and subplots, this is to be expected. I also believe that some might not be entirely comfortable with certain content and the tone of the narrative. The ending is a tad too neatly tied up, but I’m glad that the author ends the novel on a positive note.
Thoroughly enjoyable yet timely and relevant, this is a book that I would not hesitate to recommend.
I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Do read the Author’s Note where she talks about the themes addressed in this novel and much more.
Many thanks to William Morrow for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Sandwich by Catherine Newman
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Sandwich by Catherine Newman follows fifty-four-year-old Rachel or “Rocky” as is called by those close to her, over the course of her annual family trip to Cape Cod. We meet her husband Nick, her adult children – daughter Willa, son Jamie and his girlfriend Maya and her elderly parents also join them for a few days in their rental cottage. There is a lot to manage and Rocky is the middle of it all. We follow her as she navigates the demands of her family, her own struggles with bouts of melancholy and mood swings (not to mention the hot flashes) brought on by menopause and is often overwhelmed by memories of the years gone by – some happy and some not so much.
The narrative is presented from Rocky’s first-person PoV and spans a week in the characters’ lives, with past events being shared as flashbacks as present-day events evoke nostalgia and Rocky is reminded of past events. The pacing is on the slower side, which suits the nature of the story. This is a story about what it means to be a family-the shifting dynamics within, navigating the ups and downs, growing together and giving each other space for individual growth, making memories, evolving, holding on and learning to let go. The author addresses several sensitive topics, including parenting, sexuality, menopause,motherhood, miscarriage,marriage, aging, family secrets, grief, sacrifice and much more with maturity and insight.
Beautiful prose, relatable characters and realistic situations, plenty of love, laughter and food (and of course, sandwiches) as well as tears and frustrations, and some truly heartfelt conversations and poignant moments make for a quiet yet incredibly thought-provoking read!
Many thanks to Harper for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The narrative is presented from Rocky’s first-person PoV and spans a week in the characters’ lives, with past events being shared as flashbacks as present-day events evoke nostalgia and Rocky is reminded of past events. The pacing is on the slower side, which suits the nature of the story. This is a story about what it means to be a family-the shifting dynamics within, navigating the ups and downs, growing together and giving each other space for individual growth, making memories, evolving, holding on and learning to let go. The author addresses several sensitive topics, including parenting, sexuality, menopause,motherhood, miscarriage,marriage, aging, family secrets, grief, sacrifice and much more with maturity and insight.
Beautiful prose, relatable characters and realistic situations, plenty of love, laughter and food (and of course, sandwiches) as well as tears and frustrations, and some truly heartfelt conversations and poignant moments make for a quiet yet incredibly thought-provoking read!
Many thanks to Harper for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
A Talent for Murder by Peter Swanson
Book: 3.5⭐
Audio Narration: 4.5⭐
When librarian Martha Ratliff, begins to suspect her husband Alan Peralta, a traveling salesman by profession to whom she has been married for a little over a year, of being a serial killer, she reaches out to Lily Kintner, an old friend from graduate school, for help. When they were students, Lily had once helped Martha get out of a difficult situation. Lily, despite having lost touch with Martha after graduation, agrees to help her. The narrative follows Lily and Martha as they dig deeper into Alan’s life. When their “investigation“ takes a dark turn, Lily turns to P.I. Henry Kimball for assistance.
The Kind Worth Killing remains my favorite Peter Swanson novel to date, and I thoroughly enjoyed following Lily Kintner and Henry Kimball in The Kind Worth Saving. Needless to say, I was eager to read the author’s latest offering.
The narrative is presented from the perspectives of Martha, Lily and the killer. The premise is intriguing and the author deftly weaves all past and present threads of the story into a cohesive narrative. I loved the first half of the novel - a strong start and a dark and suspenseful vibe kept me immersed in the story until the midway mark . I was surprised by the twist (which is always a plus point). Lily is a fascinating character – shrewd, twisted and as devious as ever, but I would have liked it if Kimball had a larger role to play. There aren’t any major twists or reveals in the second half of the novel, which suffers from repetitiveness and uneven pacing with more telling than showing. However, the chilling finale more than makes up for the slow second half and I’ll say this much, Lily does not disappoint!
In my opinion, this installment would have made for a more intense read had it been condensed into a novella. Overall, I did enjoy this novel, just not as much as the previous installments in the series. I do look forward to reading more from Peter Swanson in the future.
I paired my reading with the audiobook, which definitely enhanced my overall experience with the novel. The incredible full-cast narration featuring Sophie Amoss, Stephen Graybill, Saskia Maarleveld, Graham Halstead, Kathleen Early and Keith Szarabajka made for an entertaining immersion reading experience.
I don’t think this book would work as a standalone and would recommend reading the previous installments in series order before this one.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
Book: 3.5⭐
Audio Narration: 4.5⭐
When librarian Martha Ratliff, begins to suspect her husband Alan Peralta, a traveling salesman by profession to whom she has been married for a little over a year, of being a serial killer, she reaches out to Lily Kintner, an old friend from graduate school, for help. When they were students, Lily had once helped Martha get out of a difficult situation. Lily, despite having lost touch with Martha after graduation, agrees to help her. The narrative follows Lily and Martha as they dig deeper into Alan’s life. When their “investigation“ takes a dark turn, Lily turns to P.I. Henry Kimball for assistance.
The Kind Worth Killing remains my favorite Peter Swanson novel to date, and I thoroughly enjoyed following Lily Kintner and Henry Kimball in The Kind Worth Saving. Needless to say, I was eager to read the author’s latest offering.
The narrative is presented from the perspectives of Martha, Lily and the killer. The premise is intriguing and the author deftly weaves all past and present threads of the story into a cohesive narrative. I loved the first half of the novel - a strong start and a dark and suspenseful vibe kept me immersed in the story until the midway mark . I was surprised by the twist (which is always a plus point). Lily is a fascinating character – shrewd, twisted and as devious as ever, but I would have liked it if Kimball had a larger role to play. There aren’t any major twists or reveals in the second half of the novel, which suffers from repetitiveness and uneven pacing with more telling than showing. However, the chilling finale more than makes up for the slow second half and I’ll say this much, Lily does not disappoint!
In my opinion, this installment would have made for a more intense read had it been condensed into a novella. Overall, I did enjoy this novel, just not as much as the previous installments in the series. I do look forward to reading more from Peter Swanson in the future.
I paired my reading with the audiobook, which definitely enhanced my overall experience with the novel. The incredible full-cast narration featuring Sophie Amoss, Stephen Graybill, Saskia Maarleveld, Graham Halstead, Kathleen Early and Keith Szarabajka made for an entertaining immersion reading experience.
I don’t think this book would work as a standalone and would recommend reading the previous installments in series order before this one.
The Nature of Disappearing by Kimi Cunningham Grant
Book: 3⭐
Audiobook: 4⭐
As the novel begins, we meet twenty-eight-year-old Emlyn, who makes a living as a hunting and fishing guide in Idaho. She lives a simple life, keeping busy with her work and living alone in her Airstream. Her closest companions are Varden, a Forest Service Ranger and the makeshift reverend “Rev” who took her in after a particularly traumatic episode in her life.
Emlyn is forced to confront a painful episode from her past when her former boyfriend Tyler asks for her help to find Janessa, a #vanlife social media star who was once Emlyn’s closest friend and who has gone missing with her boyfriend, both of whom work with Tyler, while on their latest trip. Her relationship with Tyler had ended three years ago when he had abandoned her, leaving her freezing and fighting for her life, on the side of the road. Janessa had once been Emlyn’s closest friend, but their friendship became strained after Emlyn embarked on a relationship with Tyler, who was Janessa’s childhood friend. Emlyn, unable to reach Janessa, also identifies discrepancies in her most recent social media post. Concerned for Janessa’s well-being, Emlyn agrees to help Tyler and the narrative follows them as they navigate the wilderness in search of their missing friend.
I really enjoyed These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant and was eager to read The Nature of Disappearing. I loved the atmospheric setting and the vivid descriptions that transport you to the Idaho wilderness along with the main characters. The narrative is presented from Emlyn’s perspective and moves between past and present timelines – the past timelines detailing Emlyn’s past, her friendship with Janessa and her relationship with Tyler. Though I could sympathize with Emlyn, I can’t say that she was a particularly interesting character. I wish we had gotten to know more about Rev and Varden. I should mention that the plot focuses on personal relationships and the complicated history between the main characters more than the mystery behind Janessa’s disappearance. The plot progresses slowly and only in the final quarter of the novel is the mystery addressed and even then, I found the “twists” and revelations a tad underwhelming (with more telling than showing) after the long-drawn-out build-up.
Overall, while I didn’t dislike the novel, it wasn’t the gripping suspenseful read that I’d expected. However, many have enjoyed this more and I would request you to read the other reviews before making a decision about reading this one.
I paired my reading with the audiobook narrated by Emily Pike Stewart, which made for an engaging immersion reading experience.
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.
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
Book: 3⭐
Audiobook: 4⭐
As the novel begins, we meet twenty-eight-year-old Emlyn, who makes a living as a hunting and fishing guide in Idaho. She lives a simple life, keeping busy with her work and living alone in her Airstream. Her closest companions are Varden, a Forest Service Ranger and the makeshift reverend “Rev” who took her in after a particularly traumatic episode in her life.
Emlyn is forced to confront a painful episode from her past when her former boyfriend Tyler asks for her help to find Janessa, a #vanlife social media star who was once Emlyn’s closest friend and who has gone missing with her boyfriend, both of whom work with Tyler, while on their latest trip. Her relationship with Tyler had ended three years ago when he had abandoned her, leaving her freezing and fighting for her life, on the side of the road. Janessa had once been Emlyn’s closest friend, but their friendship became strained after Emlyn embarked on a relationship with Tyler, who was Janessa’s childhood friend. Emlyn, unable to reach Janessa, also identifies discrepancies in her most recent social media post. Concerned for Janessa’s well-being, Emlyn agrees to help Tyler and the narrative follows them as they navigate the wilderness in search of their missing friend.
I really enjoyed These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant and was eager to read The Nature of Disappearing. I loved the atmospheric setting and the vivid descriptions that transport you to the Idaho wilderness along with the main characters. The narrative is presented from Emlyn’s perspective and moves between past and present timelines – the past timelines detailing Emlyn’s past, her friendship with Janessa and her relationship with Tyler. Though I could sympathize with Emlyn, I can’t say that she was a particularly interesting character. I wish we had gotten to know more about Rev and Varden. I should mention that the plot focuses on personal relationships and the complicated history between the main characters more than the mystery behind Janessa’s disappearance. The plot progresses slowly and only in the final quarter of the novel is the mystery addressed and even then, I found the “twists” and revelations a tad underwhelming (with more telling than showing) after the long-drawn-out build-up.
Overall, while I didn’t dislike the novel, it wasn’t the gripping suspenseful read that I’d expected. However, many have enjoyed this more and I would request you to read the other reviews before making a decision about reading this one.
I paired my reading with the audiobook narrated by Emily Pike Stewart, which made for an engaging immersion reading experience.
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.
How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley
Laugh-out-loud funny and heartwarming, featuring a diverse cast of characters (including a charming dog named Maggie Thatcher), How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley is a delightful read that will touch a chord in your heart.
As she approaches her seventieth birthday, reclusive Daphne decides to make some changes to the way she leads her life. For starters, she decides to be more sociable, which motivates her to join the Senior Citizens Social Club at the local Community Centre. Daphne isn’t the easiest person to be around – secretive and opinionated – she’s off to a bumpy start but gradually makes friends with the other members - Art (and his friend William who often joins the group activities), Ruby and Anna– a diverse group of people, each of whom is dealing with their own difficulties in life, including fifty-three-year-old Lydia, who runs the group. An empty nester whose husband mostly ignores her has,she just started in her new role and wasn’t prepared for the spirited group of seniors whose idea of fun doesn’t quite translate into quiet group activities. When the city council decides to sell the crumbling building that houses the community centre, the club members join forces with the daycare (also housed in the same building) and Ziggy, the teenage father of one of the toddlers to raise funds to save the building – not an easy task, with Daphne struggling to keep her dark past hidden and each of the members dealing with their own life problems.
The narrative is presented from multiple perspectives that allow us to get to know the characters and their backstories. I loved the characters, enjoyed their banter and loved how they grew to care for one another, banding together not only to save their community centre but also to help one another. Daphne is a fascinating character and I enjoyed following her character arc, not to mention her dynamic with Art. Ziggy is an endearing character. I was rooting for him to get his life sorted. Ruby and Anna were wonderful characters. I sympathized with Lydia but also admired her resolve. I really liked how she was able to emerge out of her shell with the help of her new friends! The author approaches several serious themes such as aging, loneliness, infidelity, emotional abuse, teenage parenthood and complicated family dynamics and much more with heart and insight. You might have to suspend disbelief on occasion, but that does not detract from the overall reading experience.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this uplifting story about unlikely friendships, living life on your own terms and new beginnings. I didn’t want the story to end and would love to meet these characters again!
Many thanks to PENGUIN GROUP Viking for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
Laugh-out-loud funny and heartwarming, featuring a diverse cast of characters (including a charming dog named Maggie Thatcher), How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley is a delightful read that will touch a chord in your heart.
As she approaches her seventieth birthday, reclusive Daphne decides to make some changes to the way she leads her life. For starters, she decides to be more sociable, which motivates her to join the Senior Citizens Social Club at the local Community Centre. Daphne isn’t the easiest person to be around – secretive and opinionated – she’s off to a bumpy start but gradually makes friends with the other members - Art (and his friend William who often joins the group activities), Ruby and Anna– a diverse group of people, each of whom is dealing with their own difficulties in life, including fifty-three-year-old Lydia, who runs the group. An empty nester whose husband mostly ignores her has,she just started in her new role and wasn’t prepared for the spirited group of seniors whose idea of fun doesn’t quite translate into quiet group activities. When the city council decides to sell the crumbling building that houses the community centre, the club members join forces with the daycare (also housed in the same building) and Ziggy, the teenage father of one of the toddlers to raise funds to save the building – not an easy task, with Daphne struggling to keep her dark past hidden and each of the members dealing with their own life problems.
The narrative is presented from multiple perspectives that allow us to get to know the characters and their backstories. I loved the characters, enjoyed their banter and loved how they grew to care for one another, banding together not only to save their community centre but also to help one another. Daphne is a fascinating character and I enjoyed following her character arc, not to mention her dynamic with Art. Ziggy is an endearing character. I was rooting for him to get his life sorted. Ruby and Anna were wonderful characters. I sympathized with Lydia but also admired her resolve. I really liked how she was able to emerge out of her shell with the help of her new friends! The author approaches several serious themes such as aging, loneliness, infidelity, emotional abuse, teenage parenthood and complicated family dynamics and much more with heart and insight. You might have to suspend disbelief on occasion, but that does not detract from the overall reading experience.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this uplifting story about unlikely friendships, living life on your own terms and new beginnings. I didn’t want the story to end and would love to meet these characters again!
Many thanks to PENGUIN GROUP Viking for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.