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theoverbookedbibliophile's reviews
1376 reviews
Middletide by Sarah Crouch
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
With complex characters and an immersive setting, Middletide by Sarah Crouch is an interesting character-driven novel with an intriguing mystery at its core.
Set in the small town of Point Orchards, Washington, the novel begins in 1994 with the discovery of the body of Dr. Erin Landry hanging from a tree on the property of Elijah Leith. Elijah had been living alone in his late parents’ cabin after returning to his hometown in 1988, after his first novel failed to launch his literary career. Elijah hopes to rekindle his relationship with his former high school sweetheart, Nakita, whom he had left to pursue his dreams of becoming an author, breaking his promise to return after four years. Nakita, grieving the recent loss of her husband, isn’t quite ready to move on. Elijah was also friends with Dr. Landry, whose marriage collapsed after the death of her young daughter in a road accident. Erin’s death is initially ruled a suicide, but when Sheriff Jim Godbout discovers that the details from the crime scene are uncannily similar to the plot of Elijah’s novel, Elijah soon becomes the prime suspect. It is up to him and the few people who believe in his innocence to find the truth behind Erin’s death.
I loved the premise of this novel. The prose is sparse yet elegant and the narrative, presented through past and present timelines, flows well. After a slow start, the narrative gains momentum in the second half of the story. I was invested in the characters and the mystery did hold my interest till the end. The characters were well thought out, but I thought certain aspects of the story could have been explored in more depth, with less telling and more showing.
I did feel, however, that certain components of the story were of no consequence to the plot. The procedural aspect had its moments, but some details weren’t entirely convincing and the courtroom scenes weren’t particularly intense. The ending felt a tad rushed, but I did like how the mystery was unraveled despite the predictability.
Though I won’t call this an entirely satisfying read, there is a lot to like about this 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.
Set in the small town of Point Orchards, Washington, the novel begins in 1994 with the discovery of the body of Dr. Erin Landry hanging from a tree on the property of Elijah Leith. Elijah had been living alone in his late parents’ cabin after returning to his hometown in 1988, after his first novel failed to launch his literary career. Elijah hopes to rekindle his relationship with his former high school sweetheart, Nakita, whom he had left to pursue his dreams of becoming an author, breaking his promise to return after four years. Nakita, grieving the recent loss of her husband, isn’t quite ready to move on. Elijah was also friends with Dr. Landry, whose marriage collapsed after the death of her young daughter in a road accident. Erin’s death is initially ruled a suicide, but when Sheriff Jim Godbout discovers that the details from the crime scene are uncannily similar to the plot of Elijah’s novel, Elijah soon becomes the prime suspect. It is up to him and the few people who believe in his innocence to find the truth behind Erin’s death.
I loved the premise of this novel. The prose is sparse yet elegant and the narrative, presented through past and present timelines, flows well. After a slow start, the narrative gains momentum in the second half of the story. I was invested in the characters and the mystery did hold my interest till the end. The characters were well thought out, but I thought certain aspects of the story could have been explored in more depth, with less telling and more showing.
I did feel, however, that certain components of the story were of no consequence to the plot. The procedural aspect had its moments, but some details weren’t entirely convincing and the courtroom scenes weren’t particularly intense. The ending felt a tad rushed, but I did like how the mystery was unraveled despite the predictability.
Though I won’t call this an entirely satisfying read, there is a lot to like about this 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.
City of Books: A Novel by Nicole Meier
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
*Audiobook*
Fifty-year-old Jo Waterstone has been working at Bruebaker’s Books for over two decades. Suffice to say that Jo’s life revolves around her work. Bruebaker’s Books has been a fixture in the community for decades and Jo takes pride in her position managing the bookstore and is confident of her ability to help people find the right book for themselves. Managing the bookstore has its fair share of challenges, but Jo takes it all in her stride.
When the news of the owner Mr. Bruebaker’s stroke and subsequent hospitalization reaches her, needless to say, she is distressed. Not only does she share a close friendship with Mr. Bruebaker, but her immediate boss informs her that Mr. Bruebaker’s daughters want to shut down operations and sell the store as soon as possible. Jo believes that Mr. Bruebaker would not agree to the sale, but his family isn’t allowing anyone to contact him. To save the store, Jo devises a plan to barricade herself within the premises, keeping the doors closed but fulfilling all online orders until she can contact Mr. Bruebaker. She is joined in her endeavor by a small group of employees. Jo finds herself navigating her responsibilities of managing a small group in a closed space with both positive and negative group dynamics at play and the upkeep of the store, public support and the influx of online orders and the protests and the obvious displeasure of her boss and her employer’s family, all the while hoping for good news from Mr. Brubaker’s end. The narrative follows these characters over the next few weeks as they make themselves at home among the stacks in their own “city of books.”
An ode to independent bookstores, City of Books by Nicole Meier is a heartwarming story that revolves around teamwork, friendship, community and of course, how our love for books can bring people together. As an avid reader and bibliophile, it would be a dream come true for me to actually live in a bookstore! Naturally, I was intrigued by the premise of this novel and I was not disappointed.
The narrative is presented from Jo’s perspective and flows well. Jo is an endearing protagonist and I admired her resolve, her dedication and her loyalty to the bookstore and her employer. I loved the vivid descriptions of the bookstore and enjoyed getting to know the characters. I thought that the author has done a great job of capturing how the dynamics shifted between the characters over the course of their stay and how their experiences allowed them to not only get to know one another better but also allowed for moments of introspection and self-discovery. Though I did feel that a few of her actions might have been impulsive (and a tad misguided, but that’s more me than the book), there was no reason to doubt her intentions or the fact that heart was in the right place. There was one sub-plot that I felt was unnecessary, but overall, this did not detract from my overall experience. I also liked how the author chose to end this story on a bittersweet yet hopeful note.
I thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook (8 Hours, 46 Minutes at 1x speed), narrated by Cindy Kay, who has done a wonderful job of breathing life into these characters and this story.
Many thanks to Dreamscape Media for the ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Fifty-year-old Jo Waterstone has been working at Bruebaker’s Books for over two decades. Suffice to say that Jo’s life revolves around her work. Bruebaker’s Books has been a fixture in the community for decades and Jo takes pride in her position managing the bookstore and is confident of her ability to help people find the right book for themselves. Managing the bookstore has its fair share of challenges, but Jo takes it all in her stride.
When the news of the owner Mr. Bruebaker’s stroke and subsequent hospitalization reaches her, needless to say, she is distressed. Not only does she share a close friendship with Mr. Bruebaker, but her immediate boss informs her that Mr. Bruebaker’s daughters want to shut down operations and sell the store as soon as possible. Jo believes that Mr. Bruebaker would not agree to the sale, but his family isn’t allowing anyone to contact him. To save the store, Jo devises a plan to barricade herself within the premises, keeping the doors closed but fulfilling all online orders until she can contact Mr. Bruebaker. She is joined in her endeavor by a small group of employees. Jo finds herself navigating her responsibilities of managing a small group in a closed space with both positive and negative group dynamics at play and the upkeep of the store, public support and the influx of online orders and the protests and the obvious displeasure of her boss and her employer’s family, all the while hoping for good news from Mr. Brubaker’s end. The narrative follows these characters over the next few weeks as they make themselves at home among the stacks in their own “city of books.”
An ode to independent bookstores, City of Books by Nicole Meier is a heartwarming story that revolves around teamwork, friendship, community and of course, how our love for books can bring people together. As an avid reader and bibliophile, it would be a dream come true for me to actually live in a bookstore! Naturally, I was intrigued by the premise of this novel and I was not disappointed.
The narrative is presented from Jo’s perspective and flows well. Jo is an endearing protagonist and I admired her resolve, her dedication and her loyalty to the bookstore and her employer. I loved the vivid descriptions of the bookstore and enjoyed getting to know the characters. I thought that the author has done a great job of capturing how the dynamics shifted between the characters over the course of their stay and how their experiences allowed them to not only get to know one another better but also allowed for moments of introspection and self-discovery. Though I did feel that a few of her actions might have been impulsive (and a tad misguided, but that’s more me than the book), there was no reason to doubt her intentions or the fact that heart was in the right place. There was one sub-plot that I felt was unnecessary, but overall, this did not detract from my overall experience. I also liked how the author chose to end this story on a bittersweet yet hopeful note.
I thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook (8 Hours, 46 Minutes at 1x speed), narrated by Cindy Kay, who has done a wonderful job of breathing life into these characters and this story.
Many thanks to Dreamscape Media for the ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Forgotten on Sunday by Valérie Perrin
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
“I feel nostalgic, nostalgic for what I’ve not yet lived.”
Set in the small town of Milly, France, Forgotten on Sunday by Valérie Perrin (translated by Hildegarde Serle) revolves around twenty-one-year-old Justine Neige, a nursing assistant working at a retirement home named The Hydrangeas. Justine is an orphan, raised by her grandparents with her cousin Jules, after their parents perished in a road accident when they were children. She is close to Jules, whom she considers more her brother than cousin. In terms of personal relationships, she chooses to indulge in casual flings and consciously shies away from deeper romantic relationships. She genuinely enjoys her job caring for the elderly and spends much of her time listening to their stories. She is particularly close to ninety-six-year-old Hélène Hel. Encouraged by Hélène’s grandson, Justine begins to write Hélène’s story – her love for Lucien, the WWII years, and the events and choices that shaped Hélène and Lucien’s lives. Hélène’s revelations inspire Justine to reflect on her own life and seek answers to questions about her family history and the tragedy that upended their lives. As the narrative progresses, we follow Justine as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and Hélène as she relives her memories. The retirement home also faces a trying situation when an anonymous caller devises a creative strategy of ensuring that its residents are not “forgotten on Sunday” by relatives who are reluctant to visit them.
“You know, when you've lost the person you loved most in the world, you lose her every day.”
This is my third time reading Valérie Perrin. I loved both Fresh Water for Flowers and Three and was eager to read Forgotten on Sunday, which was her debut novel only recently translated into English and I’m glad to say I was not disappointed!
Revolving around themes of friendship, family, love, loss, remembrance, and healing, this is a beautifully penned, profoundly moving story that inspires thought and reflection. Valérie Perrin’s characters are always well thought out - complex, flawed and thus, realistic and relatable. The author seamlessly weaves multiple timelines into a compelling narrative. I was invested in Justine’s journey and found Hélène’s story captivating and loved how the author brings all the threads of the story together. The tone of this novel leans toward melancholic, though there are splashes of humor to be found in the story. I loved the symbolism of the seagull and how the author depicts the significance of the same in both past and present timelines. This is a relatively short novel, but the author takes no shortcuts and allows us the opportunity to explore these characters – their motivations, their dreams, triumphs and regrets - with much depth and insight. The author addresses several sensitive topics -aging, loneliness, the horrors of war, trauma, grief, self-acceptance and the importance of human connection – with maturity and compassion.
This is the kind of story that stays with you long after you have turned the last page.
"Life takes away and gives back at the same time."
I paired my reading with the audiobook narrated by Elisabeth Lagelée who does a remarkable job of breathing life into the story. Many thanks to Dreamscape Media for the ALC via NetGalley.
All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Set in the small town of Milly, France, Forgotten on Sunday by Valérie Perrin (translated by Hildegarde Serle) revolves around twenty-one-year-old Justine Neige, a nursing assistant working at a retirement home named The Hydrangeas. Justine is an orphan, raised by her grandparents with her cousin Jules, after their parents perished in a road accident when they were children. She is close to Jules, whom she considers more her brother than cousin. In terms of personal relationships, she chooses to indulge in casual flings and consciously shies away from deeper romantic relationships. She genuinely enjoys her job caring for the elderly and spends much of her time listening to their stories. She is particularly close to ninety-six-year-old Hélène Hel. Encouraged by Hélène’s grandson, Justine begins to write Hélène’s story – her love for Lucien, the WWII years, and the events and choices that shaped Hélène and Lucien’s lives. Hélène’s revelations inspire Justine to reflect on her own life and seek answers to questions about her family history and the tragedy that upended their lives. As the narrative progresses, we follow Justine as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and Hélène as she relives her memories. The retirement home also faces a trying situation when an anonymous caller devises a creative strategy of ensuring that its residents are not “forgotten on Sunday” by relatives who are reluctant to visit them.
“You know, when you've lost the person you loved most in the world, you lose her every day.”
This is my third time reading Valérie Perrin. I loved both Fresh Water for Flowers and Three and was eager to read Forgotten on Sunday, which was her debut novel only recently translated into English and I’m glad to say I was not disappointed!
Revolving around themes of friendship, family, love, loss, remembrance, and healing, this is a beautifully penned, profoundly moving story that inspires thought and reflection. Valérie Perrin’s characters are always well thought out - complex, flawed and thus, realistic and relatable. The author seamlessly weaves multiple timelines into a compelling narrative. I was invested in Justine’s journey and found Hélène’s story captivating and loved how the author brings all the threads of the story together. The tone of this novel leans toward melancholic, though there are splashes of humor to be found in the story. I loved the symbolism of the seagull and how the author depicts the significance of the same in both past and present timelines. This is a relatively short novel, but the author takes no shortcuts and allows us the opportunity to explore these characters – their motivations, their dreams, triumphs and regrets - with much depth and insight. The author addresses several sensitive topics -aging, loneliness, the horrors of war, trauma, grief, self-acceptance and the importance of human connection – with maturity and compassion.
This is the kind of story that stays with you long after you have turned the last page.
"Life takes away and gives back at the same time."
I paired my reading with the audiobook narrated by Elisabeth Lagelée who does a remarkable job of breathing life into the story. Many thanks to Dreamscape Media for the ALC via NetGalley.
All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Dear Dotty by Jaclyn Westlake
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Twenty-four-year-old Rosie Benson is still figuring out what she wants from life. Stuck in an unfulfilling job, she doesn’t want to disappoint her parents or her best friend/roommate whose career is thriving. The only person she can share her insecurities with is great-aunt Dotty, who has always lived life on her own terms and who encourages Rosie to pursue her own dreams. When she is fired from her job, Dotty is the only person Rosie confides in, especially after her parents announce their divorce after thirty years of marriage leaving the whole family in shock and she has a falling out with her best friend. Rosie does manage to find another job and embarks on a new relationship, but remains conflicted over the choices she is making. When Dotty suddenly dies, Rosie loses the only person she believed had been in her corner and who understood her. Rosie, alone and grieving, conveys the news of Dotty’s passing to everyone in her great-aunt’s contact list and requests them to share their memories of Dotty. The stories shared by Dotty’s friends and acquaintances not only shed light on aspects of Dotty’s life she never knew but also inspires Rosie to take stock of her life, rethink her priorities and follow her heart.
Revolving around themes of family, friendship, grief and healing, self-acceptance and hope,Dear Dotty by Jaclyn Westlake will touch a chord in your heart. Rosie is an endearing protagonist – a tad immature at times and though we might not agree with all of her choices, let’s admit that most of us learn from the mistakes we make, as does Rosie. I was invested in her journey – I laughed with her and cried for her - and didn’t want to put the book down until I was sure she would be okay. I adored Dotty and loved getting to know more about her through the stories shared by those who knew her. The characters were well thought out - flawed, realistic and relatable. I appreciated the maturity, insight and humor with which the author depicts adult relationships and how our dynamic with the people close to us can change and evolve – be it family, romantic relationships, lifelong friendships or professional relationships – how important it is to give one another the space to grow and to know when to let go. I loved the segments with the animals at the sanctuary. I wish we had more scenes with them!
Beautifully written and full of heart, wisdom and humor, this is the kind of story that leaves you with a smile on your face and hope in your heart.
Many thanks to William Morrow for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on June 4, 2024.
Revolving around themes of family, friendship, grief and healing, self-acceptance and hope,Dear Dotty by Jaclyn Westlake will touch a chord in your heart. Rosie is an endearing protagonist – a tad immature at times and though we might not agree with all of her choices, let’s admit that most of us learn from the mistakes we make, as does Rosie. I was invested in her journey – I laughed with her and cried for her - and didn’t want to put the book down until I was sure she would be okay. I adored Dotty and loved getting to know more about her through the stories shared by those who knew her. The characters were well thought out - flawed, realistic and relatable. I appreciated the maturity, insight and humor with which the author depicts adult relationships and how our dynamic with the people close to us can change and evolve – be it family, romantic relationships, lifelong friendships or professional relationships – how important it is to give one another the space to grow and to know when to let go. I loved the segments with the animals at the sanctuary. I wish we had more scenes with them!
Beautifully written and full of heart, wisdom and humor, this is the kind of story that leaves you with a smile on your face and hope in your heart.
Many thanks to William Morrow for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on June 4, 2024.
She Serves the Realm by Lee Swanson
As the novel begins, we find Christina and her lady love, the widowed Lady Cecily Baldewyne, who is a member of Queen Isabella’s court planning to ask for permission to marry. They are hopeful given they enjoy the favor of the King and Queen. However, the King, troubled by the rising civil unrest in his kingdom, requires the services of his trusted “Sir Frederick”, so their wedding plans will need to be put on hold. We follow Christina as she embarks on a series of tasks including defending a castle under threat of being occupied by the Barons and being entrusted with the safety of Piers Gaveston who the King is trying to protect from the Lords Ordainers who have demanded his banishment. Aided by Sir Giles, Reinikin, Alan and Jost, Christina will encounter much danger and face formidable opponents all the while trying to keep her true identity, which only a few close to her know of, a secret. Complicating matters further for Christina are the tensions brewing within the Hanseatic merchant community back home, which puts Christina back in the path of the wife of the alderman, Katharine Volker who bears an old grudge against her.
I thoroughly enjoyed She Serves the Realm by Lee Swanson. The first half of the novel is relatively slower-paced, picking up momentum as the narrative progresses. The medieval setting, superb characterizations and the enticing combination of intrigue, adventure and romance render this novel an engaging read. Christina is a fascinating protagonist and its a joy following her adventures. The author pays great attention to detail, which is a testimonial to the meticulous research that went into crafting this series. The supporting characters (old and new) are well thought out (even those we might not particularly favor). The story does feature a large cast of characters, but at no point does the narrative become too difficult to follow (The List of Characters proved to be a very helpful resource in this regard). Overall, I found this to be a satisfying read that I would not hesitate to recommend.
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Set in 1311 England, Book #4 in Lee Swanson ‘s No Man Is Her Master series follows the adventures of Christina Kohl (who has assumed the identity of her brother Frederick), a Hanseatic merchant who has earned the favor of King Edward II for her valor.
As the novel begins, we find Christina and her lady love, the widowed Lady Cecily Baldewyne, who is a member of Queen Isabella’s court planning to ask for permission to marry. They are hopeful given they enjoy the favor of the King and Queen. However, the King, troubled by the rising civil unrest in his kingdom, requires the services of his trusted “Sir Frederick”, so their wedding plans will need to be put on hold. We follow Christina as she embarks on a series of tasks including defending a castle under threat of being occupied by the Barons and being entrusted with the safety of Piers Gaveston who the King is trying to protect from the Lords Ordainers who have demanded his banishment. Aided by Sir Giles, Reinikin, Alan and Jost, Christina will encounter much danger and face formidable opponents all the while trying to keep her true identity, which only a few close to her know of, a secret. Complicating matters further for Christina are the tensions brewing within the Hanseatic merchant community back home, which puts Christina back in the path of the wife of the alderman, Katharine Volker who bears an old grudge against her.
I thoroughly enjoyed She Serves the Realm by Lee Swanson. The first half of the novel is relatively slower-paced, picking up momentum as the narrative progresses. The medieval setting, superb characterizations and the enticing combination of intrigue, adventure and romance render this novel an engaging read. Christina is a fascinating protagonist and its a joy following her adventures. The author pays great attention to detail, which is a testimonial to the meticulous research that went into crafting this series. The supporting characters (old and new) are well thought out (even those we might not particularly favor). The story does feature a large cast of characters, but at no point does the narrative become too difficult to follow (The List of Characters proved to be a very helpful resource in this regard). Overall, I found this to be a satisfying read that I would not hesitate to recommend.
I always appreciate a well-penned Author’s Note, especially while reading historical fiction as I feel it enriches the overall reading experience. Do read the informative Historical Note that discusses the contextual framework within which the story is set and the real events and characters that are referred to in this work of fiction.
Many thanks to Merchant's Largesse Books and Stephanie Barko for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
That Night in the Library by Eva Jurczyk
The narrative is shared from multiple perspectives and moves quickly enough, but none of the characters were particularly interesting and I soon got tired of their bickering, bouts of self-pity, and overall immature behavior. The final reveal was underwhelming, to say the least, and everything in between was bizarre. I don’t mind OTT (it is expected in this genre), but in this case, the plot was simply too messy (literally and figuratively) and absurd, to take seriously.
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
2.0
A group of seven decide to spend the night before graduation in the basement of William E. Woodend Rare Books Library in Vermont to participate in a ritual that they believe will set them free from the fear of death. Of the seven, three of them are students working as assistants in the library each hoping to secure the one permanent position being offered after graduation; another is a PhD student/TA who frequents the library for his research and also convinces one of his students to bring along a friend who would supply the drugs they would need for the ritual; and the other is a socially awkward scientist who is involved in a project for the library. After the library closes for the day, they lock themselves in the basement and commence with the ritual. In a shocking turn of events, one of them suddenly dies and the other, unable to exit the building with scheduled routine maintenance rendering them unable to communicate with anyone on the outside, are left to fend for themselves with a killer in their midst.
I was intrigued by the premise of That Night in the Library by Eva Jurczyk. A locked room mystery set in a library, that too a rare books library, and a ritual rooted in Greek myths – this one checked all the boxes for this bibliophile who loves Greek mythology.
The narrative is shared from multiple perspectives and moves quickly enough, but none of the characters were particularly interesting and I soon got tired of their bickering, bouts of self-pity, and overall immature behavior. The final reveal was underwhelming, to say the least, and everything in between was bizarre. I don’t mind OTT (it is expected in this genre), but in this case, the plot was simply too messy (literally and figuratively) and absurd, to take seriously.
I struggled to finish this one and in hindsight, I should have followed my instincts and abandoned it mid-read but I didn’t in hopes that maybe, just maybe…..but sadly, I couldn’t find anything that appealed to me other than the premise and the element of Greek mythology. Perhaps I wasn’t the right audience for this one.
Overall, I can’t say that I enjoyed this novel. However, I would request you to read other reviews before making a decision about reading this one.
Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Butter: A Novel of Food and Murder by Asako Yuzuki
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
I found the premise of Butter: A Novel of Food and Murder by Asako Yuzuki (translated by Polly Barton) to be truly intriguing. The plot revolves around Rika Machida, a thirty-three-year-old journalist who pursues a story on the suspected serial killer, Manako Kajii who enticed men she met on dating sites with her lavish cooking and extracted huge sums of money from them. After three of her suitors were found dead under mysterious circumstances, the now thirty-five-year-old Kajii was found guilty and is currently awaiting her second trial after appeal while being held in a detention facility. Initially reluctant to talk to Rika, she agrees to meet her after Rika expresses her interest in Kajii’s cooking. Though Kajii refuses to talk about the case, she is more than eager to share her views on food (butter being an integral ingredient in her recipes) and as the narrative progresses, we follow how Rika’s approach to life, her worldview, and of course, her relationship with food changes and beliefs about body image change as she is drawn into Kajii’s world.
Inspired by true events (the 2012 case of the 'Konkatsu Killer' Kanae Kijima), this is a slow-moving lengthy character-driven novel that touches upon themes of friendship, food and culture, family, misogyny, societal expectations, feminism, body image and self-acceptance.
The story primarily revolves around how Rika’s life is impacted as a result of her association with Kajii and her obsession with Kajii as a person which often derails her from her investigative intentions before she begins to see Kajii for exactly who she is. Kajii is an interesting character- straightforward, unapologetic and shrewdly manipulative. All the characters are well thought out and the descriptions of the food and Kajii’s recipes make for interesting reading. I particularly enjoyed how the author incorporates folklore into the narrative and found how the parallels between the same and the events in the novel are drawn fascinating.
Please note that the “murder” element is not a central theme of this novel, which I did find a bit disappointing. Several sub-plots are woven into the story and I did feel that the narrative digressed often and lost momentum as it progressed. The author has touched upon several relevant themes in this novel and the author is brutally honest in her depiction of the unpleasantness that women have to deal with in terms of body image and how the same affects one's sense of self-worth. Despite the slow pace and digressions, the story is engaging and kept me invested as details from both Rika’s and Kajii’s lives were gradually revealed with several twists and surprises along the way. Though I didn’t enjoy the novel as much as I had hoped (which I believe was partly because I expected a bit more focus on the criminal aspect), I certainly found it to be an interesting read.
Many thanks to Ecco for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The Borrowed Hills by Scott Preston
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5
Dark, gritty and certainly not for the faint of heart, The Borrowed Hills by Scott Preston is a stunning debut.
The novel opens in the Cumbrian fells in 2001 and revolves around the lives of the sheep farmers whose fortunes take a turn for the worse when their flocks are afflicted by foot and mouth disease. Among the farms affected is a smallholding belonging to Steve Elliman’s father. Steve, our narrator, had left his family home in search of other opportunities but returned to help his elderly father. But when his flock is afflicted by the deadly disease, he is forced to conform to government regulations. He meets William Herne, the owner of a larger farm. William managed to separate his sick sheep from his healthy flock by hiding them away. Steve tries to help him, but they are unable to save the flock. Steve leaves but returns after he receives news of the death of his father. William is now embroiled with a shady character by the name of Colin Tinley, with whom he is planning a heist to steal the flock from a thriving farm. Steve accepts William’s offer to join him in the heist and stay on with him and his wife Helen, whom he has known since his school days, to help with the farm. The narrative follows Steve as his association with William and Colin leads him down a dark and twisted path.
Sparse yet lyrical prose and the vividly described setting transport you to the Cumbrian fells amid the beauty of hills and the struggling farming community. The author is brutal in his depiction of the fate of the diseased flock and does not hold back while describing the anguish, bleakness and violence from which Steve is unable (and somewhat unwilling) to walk away. What is found particularly compelling about Steve is that he is not portrayed as clueless is he unsuspecting of what might befall him as a consequence of his choices – be it his association with Colin, the growing tensions between him and William or his complicated feelings for Helen – but he chooses to stay, seemingly content in his solitude. The author explores the relationship between these characters and their relationship with the land they call home, the risks they would take and the limits they would cross to protect and preserve their way of life. Superb characterizations and a gripping narrative render this an immersive and powerful read.
I read a DRC of the novel and do not know whether the finished copy includes a glossary for the Cumbrian dialect interspersed throughout the novel (including the names of the chapters). Having a glossary ready to hand would have been useful.
Many thanks to Scribner for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
Meticulously researched and immersive Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate is a heart-wrenching and immensely thought-provoking read.
Set in and around the Winding Stairs Mountains region, the story is rooted in the history of Oklahoma and the division of natural resource-rich Native American lands into allotment parcels assigned to individual members in the late 1800s. Orphaned Indigenous children were exploited and cheated of their rights, abandoned and forced to fend for themselves by “guardians” who were responsible for their welfare. The story also sheds light on the efforts of women pioneers who fought for the rights of these children - namely the Oklahoma Federation of Women’s Clubs and Kate Barnard, the first woman to be elected as a state official in Oklahoma.
The narrative is presented in dual timelines in alternating chapters. In 1909, Pushmataha County, Oklahoma, we meet eleven-year-old Olive “Ollie” Augusta Peele, who flees from her abusive stepfather. With her is Nessa, a Choctaw child whom her deceased father had sheltered in their home along with Nessa's older sister Hazel. Olive is sure that her stepfather was responsible for Hazel’s disappearance and running is the only way she believes she can protect them both from meeting the same fate. Along her way to her family’s old home in the mountains, she meets other runaways and orphans who inhabit the woods and form their own community – a community she names “Shelterwood”. The narrative follows Ollie, Nessa and their friends as they fight for survival amid much adversity.
The current timeline (Talihina, Oklahoma, 1990) is presented from the perspective of Valerie Boren-Odell, the new park law enforcement Ranger at Horsethief Trail National Park who has only recently moved to the area with her young son. On her first day on the job, she is informed of the recent discovery of the remains of three children in a cave. However, before Valerie can pursue her investigation, her superiors see to it that the bones are removed and the crime scene is closed off. Valerie is also approached by twelve-year-old Sydney for help locating her missing older brother Braden and her ailing grandmother, former state representative Budgie Blackwell. Sydney often frustrates Valerie, withholding information and manipulating the truth, but Valerie can’t deny that there is more to the disappearances than meets the eye.
As the narrative progresses, we follow Valerie’s investigation, which takes into the dark history of the area a story of exploitation, greed and corruption that is far from over.
Both timelines are well-developed and the narrative flows well. The pacing is slightly uneven, but I liked how the author brings all the threads of the story together. Ollie is a memorable character and I admired her courage and resourcefulness. The rich historical context, vivid settings and well-thought-out characters render this novel a compelling read.
Please read the informative Author’s Note where she discusses the history, people and events that inspired this novel.
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 Unwedding by Ally Condie
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
After a painful divorce, Ellery Wainwright decides to vacation alone at the luxurious Resort at Broken Point in Big Sur, California, for what was supposed to be her twentieth-anniversary trip with her now ex-husband. Ellery is yet to come to terms with the end of her marriage and a wedding being held at the resort doesn’t make it any easier. In a shocking turn of events, Ellery discovers the body of the groom in the hotel pool after it was assumed that he had absconded leaving his fiancée at the altar. With inclement weather trapping them inside the resort, the wedding guests and other travelers are cut -off from any help from the outside and after another member of the wedding party is found dead under mysterious circumstances, Ellery and her new friends Nina and Ravi join the search for the killer - not an easy task with a hotel full of guests among whom are people with secrets they would kill to protect. Complicating matters further are rumors of missing items from the resort’s renowned art collection indicating the presence of a thief as well as a murderer. Ellery is desperate to get go home to her children, but with no way out of the resort and with a killer in their midst, she struggles to keep it together as she is drawn into a complex web of lies, secrets, murder and deception.
I’m a fan of Agatha Christie mysteries and I loved The White Lotus, so when a book is described as “The White Lotus meets Agatha Christie”, you can’t blame this reader for going in with high expectations.
Let me begin by saying that I loved the premise, the atmospheric setting and the suspenseful vibe and liked that the author wove Ellery’s personal journey into the murder mystery narrative. The novel is well-structured and I thought that beginning each chapter with a brief description of a card left for the guests daily featuring a quote, a brief weather forecast and details about one piece of artwork featured in the in-house collection was a nice touch. I could sympathize with Ellery and did like how the author addressed themes of loss, family, trust, grief and healing. I enjoyed the first half of the novel but was more than a tad disappointed as the narrative progressed. Firstly, I didn’t find any of the main characters particularly interesting (in fact I liked a few of the supporting characters more) and one particular detail (or omission, to be precise) annoyed me to no end. Moreover, plot development in the second half of the novel left a lot to be desired. As far as the “mystery” goes, the plot became convoluted and long drawn out, the twists felt contrived for the most part, and the ending was overall unsatisfying. I couldn’t wait for the book to end, eventually losing interest long before the final reveal.
Though there were aspects of the story I did like, I had hoped for a more engaging mystery and that’s where The Unwedding by Ally Condie fell short for me. However, many have enjoyed this novel more than I did and I would request you to read other reviews before making a decision about reading this one.
Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.