Srivalli Rekha (Semi Hiatus)'s Blog, page 23

Her Lonely Soul by S.A. Dunphy - Book Review

Series: Detective Tessa Burns #3 (Standalone)

Publication Date: 19th August 2024 

Genre: Police Procedural 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: Mixed feelings 

A twelve-year-old Ellie O’Farrell walks into the police station to report a crime that is yet to occur. The police don’t take it seriously until the murder happens, and suddenly Ellie has become a suspect along with her parents. 

Detective Tessa and her team are sent to Cork to take care of Ellie and solve the case but they face a block at every turn. Time is running out, and Ellie’s life is at risk. Even the team is at risk with someone from the past trying to hunt them down. 

What will happen? 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Tessa, Danny, Maggie, Ellie, and The Watcher. 

My Thoughts: 

I’ve wanted to try this series after a friend was impressed by the first book. I decided to grab book three since one and two were released together. This worked as a standalone though I’m not sure how much of character development I missed by not yet reading the previous books. 

The premise is intriguing, and the concept of Ellie’s abilities has been handled well. The trope used for the reveal is too common but that’s okay. 

Pavlov is a fab dog. Caring when necessary, alert at all times, and ferocious when he should be. Perfect! (I thought Pavlov was short for Pavlova at first)

The book starts slowly with different POVs but picks up pace after the first quarter. Then it goes steadily until the end. 

I like Danny and Maggie (yay for the rep) a lot more than Tessa. There lies my biggest issue. The MC is smart and capable but I cannot help but wonder about certain decisions. Also, given her background, I’m surprised she didn’t connect the dots or at least get suspicious about the tattoo. It should have made her act (which would have changed the plot, so maybe she needed to be a little messy for the book to follow its plotline).

As with most police procedurals we have corruption in the department but I am impressed by Commissioner Dawson. She is the kind of superior one could report to. 

There’s quite a bit of violence in this one. Not an issue as I can handle it. What surprised me was the misplaced sense of right and wrong in some decisions (Tessa again). Does she like to contradict herself? No idea! It will appeal to social media warriors of justice though! 

I’m not sure about the plot progress either. Some of it is a bit too convenient. Not really a fan of criminals sharing the details so easily. Makes one wonder how they even got to that position with such stupidity. Sigh! 

The author’s note is wonderful. I enjoyed it a lot more than some parts of the book. 

To summarize, Her Lonely Soul has good thrills and is decently paced. The reading experience will depend on how much you like the main character (Tessa). I wasn’t a fan, so the result was average.

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #HerLonelySoul

The Antique Store Detective by Clare Chase - Book Review

Series: A Bella Winter Mystery #1 

Publication Date: 07th August 2024 

Genre: Contemporary Cozy Mystery 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: Good but too slow 

Bella Winter moved to Hope Eaton after quitting her job in London. She starts an antique store, using her expertise to make a living. 

When Bella finds Professor Oliver Barton dead in the ruins of Raven Hall, she doesn’t think it is murder. However, her assistant, John, asks her to look into the matter due to his suspicions. Soon, Bella realizes something is going on. When another historian’s life ends, it’s up to her to solve the case and avoid becoming the next target. 

The story comes in Bella’s third-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

As the first book in a new series, this one establishes the setting, introduces the characters, and solves a mystery. That means we have many new side characters (some are related) to track along with the suspects who pop up from time to time. 

The narration is slow-paced, something I did not expect from this book. It feels as if the plot drags, which doesn’t make the story as appealing as it should be. 

The premise is actually good. The case kind of overlaps with the MC’s area of expertise (or is adjacent to it). The writing is good too. I wasn’t bored much since there was some new development or information shared regularly. However, it felt like the % wouldn’t move no matter how much I read. 

Having a 40 single FMC is nice. She does seem to act her age so far. I do love her fashion sense. She loves wearing smart clothes from the bygone eras, and the descriptions are super cool. She’s got a backstory too. We get snippets here and there to get an idea about her arc. 

The setting is cozy but with a touch of darkness. Suits the season as well! The antique shop adds to the layers. We see the MC in her stores and listen to her observations of customers and how she gets them right most of the time. (It is nice when the sleuth also follows her original profession in cozy mysteries) 

There are more than enough suspects to keep the reader engaged. Each of them seems likely to have a motive. The reveal is logical and brings everything together. Though we get a lengthy explanation, it occurs before the action which leads to a final conclusion. 

John could be Bella’s brainy Watson but needs some personality. Right now, their conversations are bland. I think it was supposed to be dry humor but it didn’t come across that way. I’m willing to give it a chance, so let’s see. 

To summarize, The Antique Store Detective is not a bad cozy mystery. It is a good book with likable characters and a well-planned plot. However, the too-slow pacing and a long list of characters don’t help. Still, I will read the next book to see how it goes. 

This is the author’s genre, so I’m hoping the subsequent books will get better. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheAntiqueStoreDetective

Hot Earl Summer by Erica Ridley - Book Review

Series: The Wild Wynchesters #5 (Standalone)

Publication Date: 06th August 2024 

Genre: Historical Romance 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: A bit silly and OTT but entertaining 

Elizabeth Wynchester loves nothing more than an opportunity to stab the guilty with her sword. She is bold, beautiful, smart, and competent despite the unknown reason for her joints to jam at random. When Elizabeth’s mission takes her to the castle of Earl of Densmore, she realizes she needs more than a sword to complete the mission. 

Stephen Lennox loves tinkering with machinations. He has invented too many of them and continues to do so. After all, machines are more reliable than humans. However, when he agrees to take the place of his cousin, the Earl of Densmore, for a while, Stephen comes face to face with a woman who truly understands him. 

Elizabeth and Stephen are similar yet different. However, before they explore their feelings, they need to sort out the case of the hidden/ missing will and put a criminal in his place. 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Elizabeth and Stephen. 

My Thoughts: 

After enjoying the previous book in the series and loving Elizabeth in that one, I knew I had to read this. I understand her urge to stab anything/ anyone that annoys her. Naturally, people don’t let us act on it, but one can dream! 

The dual POV does what it should and gives us the backstories of the main characters. Both of them present a façade to the public to hide their vulnerabilities. While Elizabeth is kinda sunshine, she is also grumpy (with loads of delightful bloodlust). She loves that the MMC builds murder machines (even if not all are meant to… you know… pop off a person). 

There is insta-lust (obv) but there is also some friendship, banter, and the case, which keeps things interesting. I enjoyed the puzzle parts. 

The villain is pretty much a 2D cartoonish man though we can see glimpses of his cunningness and evilness. Not sure if he’ll appear again but in this one, he is more like a comic villain than a real one. 

The FMC is curvy and has Fibromyalgia. This is my second book where the FMC has this condition. However, this book is historical, so no one knows what her condition is called and why it affects people. I like how the whole aspect is incorporated into the plot and her character arc. 

Stephen is well-written, and there were instances when I liked him more than Elizabeth. Somehow, his vulnerability comes out more clearly. I empathized with his loneliness and sense of wanting to belong. 

There’s some filler which at times results in uneven pacing. There’s a 3rd act breakup, but no miscommunication. This one was bound to happen, so I was okay with it. 

The battle scenes are nice but lighthearted. This aligns with the book’s overall tone but it may not work for everyone. 

The Wynchester family scenes are always fun to read. I missed Tickletums, the hedgehog. He barely got any space. Ugh! So not fair as I was hoping to meet the cutie again. The book ends with a teeny lead to the next one. I know Jacob’s book will be lovely with all those animals and… Tickletums! 

To summarize, Hot Earl Summer is a lighthearted and fun read that also deals with some important themes like acceptance, found family, loneliness, finding love, etc. It is moderately paced and enjoyable if you like historical romances with a modern touch. 

Thank you, NetGalley, and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #HotEarlSummer

Murder in Portofino by T.A. Williams - Blog Tour - Book Review

Series: Dan and Oscar Mysteries #8

Publication Date: 01st August 2024

Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/murderportofinosocial

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/210708006-murder-in-portofino

Genre: Cozy Mystery

3.8 Stars

One Liner: A quick and easy read

Book Blurb:

A much-needed holiday…

Dan Armstrong hasn’t done much retiring since movingto Tuscany, and with his new career as a successful private investigator takingoff, it seems murder seems to follow him. He’s hoping a much-needed trip tobeautiful Portofino will give him the break he needs and quality time with hisgirlfriend Anna.

A gathering of celebrities…

Portofino is a celebrity paradise, and holidaying ona nearby superyacht is a group of British media stars, all famous for beinginfamous. Dan isn't impressed by their status or wealth, but when he overhearsan argument between two of the group, he suspects something fishy could begoing on…

A cold-blooded killer?

And then a body is washed up on shore and Dan’shopes for a holiday go overboard. Could this simply be a tragic accident or isthere a killer amidst the assembled celebrity cast? Dan and Oscar have theirwork cut out before the tide turns…

It's another gripping case for Dan andOscar - it's murder in paradise!

***

My Thoughts:

The story comes in Dan’s first-person POV. 

Who doesn’t live a virtual tour of Italy for free ofcost? That’s what I enjoy with this series. And of course, there’s food andmurder. We visit the tiny but busy port village of Portofino and meet someBritish TV celebs with a never-ending supply of alcohol.

Dan is certainly more mindful about not letting hisdetective instincts take over his life and affect his relationship with Anna.But then, it is a part of who he is, so how long can he really stay away fromsolving a crime?

Oscar (black Labrador) does what he always does –eat, sleep, get pampered by ladies, and help Dan in unlikely ways. Anna hasmore presence in this one. Her mixed feelings about the cases come across well,and she is quite mature (or so it seems so far).

The mystery is intriguing. In fact, we have threethreads (maybe even four). Two of them connect at a certain point, thoughyou’ll have to read and find out whether they affect the other two or not.

We meet yet another police officer in this book.They have a different department for crimes in the waters. Dan sure manages tofind friendly investigating officers most of the time (with exceptions, ofcourse). It sure makes things easier if not always realistic. However, onecan’t help but wonder how much better it would be if this happened often inreal life.

There’s quite a bit of questioning and discussingabout motives and secrets. However, the case is straightforward. The reveal islogical but felt a little too easy even for a cozy mystery. But since the entiremystery is solved in less than three days, I’m not complaining.

To summarize, Murder in Portofino is a quick andlight read with beautiful destinations, great food, some sleuthing, and Oscar’santics. It should work well as a standalone.

Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources andBoldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honestopinion about the book. 

#NetGalley

***

About the Author – T.A. Williams

T. A. Williams is the author of over twentybestselling romances. Trevor studied languages at University and lived andworked in Italy for eight years, returning to England with his wife in 1972.Trevor and his wife now live in Devon.

Follow the Author –

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrevorWilliamsBooks/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TAWilliamsBooks

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/TAWilliamsNews

Bookbub Profile:@trevorwilliams3

***

This has been a stop on the ##MurderinPortofino blogtour by Rachel's Random Resources. (@rararesources)Thanks for stopping by!

The Empress of Indraprastha: Nadir by Sonali Raje - Book Review

Series: The Empress of Indraprastha #3 (Not a standalone) 

Publication Date: 24th May 2024 

Genre: Historical Fiction, Retelling 

3.8 Stars 

One Liner: A good one 

Yudhistira loses the game of dice, which leads to gut-wrenching consequences for the Pandavas. Draupadi bears the brunt of the situation more than once. However, she does what needs to be done and spends the thirteen-year exile with her husbands. 

The third book in the series deals with events from the second half of Sabha Parva, Aranyaka (Vana) Parva, and Virata Parva of the Mahabharata.  

The story comes in Draupadi’s first-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

Like the previous book, this too starts with a note stating that the story is a fanfiction retelling of the Mahabharata and has elements from various versions, including the creativity of the author. 

The book covers a large period by keeping the events brief and maintaining a steady pace. At the same time, we meet new characters and come across scenes that linger with us for a long time afterward.

I particularly like Ashwinkarni (a ten-year-old tribal girl) and Draupadi’s interaction with Hidimbi (Bhima’s rakshasi wife). I’ve always wanted a scene with these two women meeting and enjoyed how this is handled. 

As someone who is not a fan of Yudhistira, I was happy to see him get a good lashing for his strange (restricted) perspective of dharma. Krishna too has a more serious role given the circumstances, but he manages to bring some lighthearted moments. 

What I like so far about the series is that it doesn’t strip the main characters of their layers and turn them into mouthpieces to shout the author’s words. It balances sensitive topics while retaining the essence of the original. Moreover, some characters like Uttarā get an extra spark, which enhances their presence in the overall narrative. 

I admit I love the portrayal of Draupadi and Arjuna’s relationship. The extra flavor added by the author makes it heartwarming. 

The order of the events has been changed to suit the narrative. Not a major concern since the main ones are covered; some in brief and some in detail. 

While I like the inclusion of specific social themes in each book (and this one deals with a very important topic), it feels a bit preachy the way the dialogues are worded. I’d have liked it more if some of it was a bit subtle and showed us the impact rather than relying on lengthy dialogues.

There’s heavy foreshadowing about Karna (as it seems to be a thing with the series), which could go either way. I wasn’t a fan of it but those who haven’t read the original might like those hints. 

To summarize, Nadir is the third book in the five-part series that presents a fictional retelling of the Mahabharata from Draupadi’s POV. The book is an easy read despite the dark topics it handles and manages to be respectful toward the epic while highlighting the flaws of the characters.

I hope the next book details the wedding of Abhimanyu and Uttarā. It would be entertaining to read. Also, I’m curious to see how the author will present the war scenes from Draupadi’s first-person POV. 

Read my reviews of book one and book two. 

A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher - Book Review

Publication Date: 06th August 2024 

Genre: Fantasy (Historical) 

2.7 Stars (outliner) 

One Liner: Kinda underwhelming 

Cordelia, a fourteen-year-old, knows her mother is different. Why else would she insist Cordelia keep no secret from her and make her obedient for hours? Why else would Cordelia have no friends and live in a house with no doors closed? 

Hester is a fifty-plus spinster living with her brother Samuel, a Squire. However, when deliberate planning brings Cordelia and her mother to Hester’s doorstep, the old woman knows she needs to do something.

But facing someone like Cordelia’s mother is not easy. Can Hester save her brother and Cordelia from a sorceress? 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Cordelia and Hester. 

My Thoughts: 

The book is marketed as the reimagining of The Goose Girl, a dark fairytale by the Grimms brothers. However, due to my lack of familiarity with the original, I read this as a standalone. 

This is my first book by the author. I can see that she writes well. Some scenes are compelling and atmospheric. However, the whole thing needs more work. The book works on the presumption that readers would fill the gaps based on what is provided. While we can do that to an extent, other elements need to be detailed. 

I don’t mind vague settings as I write such stuff myself. But then I write short stories. A full-length novel can do with a little more information. The descriptions could have been a wee bit elaborate. 

The dual POV of Cordelia and Hester (two totally different characters) is a good idea. However, adding 3-4 short bits from the mother’s (Evangeline) POV would have elevated the book. Right now, we get to know her plans because she reveals everything to her daughter. This weakens her characterization. 

The magic elements are interesting but with no detail. The how, what, where, etc., are not answered. Are we supposed to gather this information from those bookish snippets included? No idea! 

The pacing is slow; not because there’s detail but because things don’t seem to happen quickly. I don’t deny that some of it is necessary for the plot. That doesn’t mean all those repeated dinners couldn’t have been helpful in another way too. 

The last quarter is where things happen. I’m in two minds about this. While I like that the haphazard attempts align with the plotline developed until then, I do wish the young girl could have done more. 

There is more talk (monologues and dialogues) and less action, which isn’t a good thing in this genre. It makes the story feel flat and surface-level. 

The ending is nice and works for HEA fans like me. 

To summarize, A Sorceress Comes to Call has a great premise but only seems to skim the surface without delving deep into the dark elements. Can’t help but feel it could have been a lot better. 

I did read Goose Girl after finishing the book. This one is almost nothing like the fairytale. Falada, the horse, and the geese are the only common elements.

Thank you, NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group (Tor Books), for the eARC. 

#NetGalley 

The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer - Book Review

Publication Date: 16th July 2024 

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Magic Realism 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Heartwarming and a tad whimsical 

Young boys and best friends, Jeremy Cox and Rafe Howell, disappeared in the Red Crow Forest and were found six months later. One of them knows what happened, while the other wants answers he cannot be given. Fifteen years later, Jeremy is a missing persons investigator and Rafe is a recluse. 

Emilie wants to find her missing sister and contacts Jeremy. He knows where she is but it would mean going back to where they were during those six special months. As the trio embarks on a new adventure, they hope to find more than answers. 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Emilie and Rafe with one chapter from Jeremy and occasional snippets from the ‘storyteller’. 

My Thoughts: 

After loving The Wishing Game, I was excited to this book. It is supposed to have a good dose of magic realism, which is my favorite. 

The book started great. I liked the characters though the men seemed they didn’t always act their age. That could be explained by their mysterious disappearance (or so I told myself). Fritz was a cute addition too! 

The bits by the storyteller were cute, though not all readers will enjoy such interruptions to the plot. I liked those, though. 

The pacing is a bit uneven. The blurb reveals 50% of the plot. Or, it would be more accurate to say that the event mentioned in the blurb occurs at the midpoint of the story. Quite a long wait if you ask me. 

The second half of the book is a lot different given the change in the setting. I initially enjoyed the setting despite the weird phrases that popped up from time to time. It sounded like teens wanting to appear cool by using ‘adult’ language (mostly for the guys). The conversation between the girls was good. 

I hoped there wouldn’t be a love triangle, so to see the romance track develop differently made me very happy. While it was sweet, the vibes were off at times. That said, I can’t deny it was rather sweet in some scenes. 

The last quarter felt like it dragged on a little. I was ready for a HEA when we got a new development. Can see why it had to happen but I wouldn’t have minded a shorter and easier resolution. The ending is hopeful (HFN types). I did wonder if there would be a sequel though I think that won’t be necessary. 

The world-building is patchy but provides enough details for the readers to imagine the setting. Considering the book’s length, I’m okay with what we get. I would have loved more of it (obviously). 

The author’s note is charming, cute, and funny. Don’t miss it. 

To summarize, The Lost Story is a bittersweet tale about second chances, healing, found family, love, and the power of magic (writing). While it didn’t wow me, I can’t deny that it made me smile many times. 

(If you loved The Wishing Game, maybe go into this with lesser expectations). 

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group (Ballantine), for eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheLostStory

The Red House Mystery by A.A. Milne - Book Review

Publication Date: 03rd Sep 2024 (first published in 1922) 

Genre: Classic Cozy Mystery 

3.2 Stars 

One Liner: Fun but with limitations 

Mark Ablett had a spacious estate in the quaint English countryside. He had been hosting some guests when the news of his estranged brother, Robert, arrived. Robert was shipped to Australia and was arriving for a visit after fifteen years. However, things turn bad when Robert is found dead in a locked room and Mark is nowhere to be seen. 

Enter Anthony Gillingham, a friend of Bill Beverly (one of the guests) at the crime scene. Anthony does this and that, and decides that he could very well start a new profession and become a detective. Bill is too happy to help him. 

Now, it’s up to Anthony and Bill to solve the mystery. Can they do it?  

The story comes from an omnipresent third-person narrator (with frequent breaking of the fourth wall). 

My Thoughts: 

The book starts with a quirky author’s note (added in 1926) and sets the stage for the story. We know what kind of mystery to expect (after all, the author is very particular about it). 

Given what Milne is known for, it is no surprise that the narrative is sprinkled with a liberal dose of humor, irony, and chuckle-worthy observations. The narrative style may not work for everyone but once I realized how it would be, I could go with the flow and enjoy it. 

I knew what the case was at around 20% or less. For a contemporary cozy mystery lover, it is familiar and tackled by hundreds of books. However, remember that the book was first published in 1922. This will also help in understanding that some of the content (comments) will be outdated. That’s bound to happen, so no big deal. 

The book will work well if you don’t think (at all) and read it for the sake of some light chuckles. Start thinking, and you will dislike many elements. Another way to enjoy the book is to consider it a satirical take on mysteries. It is like a farce, be it the characters, the dialogue, or the actions. The repeated references to Sherlocky and Watsony can go either way and will sound funny only when this book is read as a farce. 

I can see why this is the only mystery by the author. A smart decision! It was fun while it lasted, though. 

I was still willing to rate it high but the method of reveal ruined it for me. Why, oh, why did it have to be that way? I would rather read the amateur detective spell it out in a monologue than this. Sigh! 

To summarize, The Red House Mystery is indeed a fun read if you go with the right expectations (as a farcical take on mysteries) and do not look too closely at the details. Read it on a cozy noon with some hot chocolate. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Pushkin Vertigo, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheRedHouseMystery

Murder at Cleve College by Merryn Allingham - Book Review - Blog Tour

Series: Flora Steele Mystery #9

Publication Date: 24th July 2024

Purchase Link: https://geni.us/B0CW1J7W8Jsocial

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/208955165-murder-at-cleve-college

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery

4 Stars

One Liner: The series is still on a high!

Book Blurb:

Bookshop owner Flora Steele and writerJack Carrington fell in love solving mysteries. Now they’re taking their firststeps as husband and wife… straight into their most perplexing case yet.

Sussex, 1958: A radiant Flora is being twirledacross the dancefloor by her dashing new husband, Jack. It’s theperfect wedding in Abbeymead until a mysterious stranger is founddead just outside the village.

But when Flora finds an envelope tucked into the man’s silver cigarette case,the address is key to discovering the poor chap’s name – Russell Farr.He isn’t known to any of the villagers, so at first, all signs point to a tragicaccident. That is until they discover Farr previously worked at the esteemed CleveCollege, where Jack is now a writer-in-residence.

The college has made Jack feel uneasy ever since he learned his predecessordrowned in its lake, and now it appears a second suspicious death is connectedto it. But who would want two mild-mannered academics dead?

Could it be Jocelyn, the ambitious young teacher with her sightsset on the top? Joe, the sly porter living beyond his means? Orperhaps Maurice, the college dean who seems far more interested inpower than educating students?

Just when it looks like no amount of studying will crack this case, a chanceencounter brings Flora closer to the truth. But when Jack goes missing, it seemssomeone is determined to teach them both a lesson.

Can Flora and Jack outwit the killer before they graduate to becoming thenext victims? Or will their first case as husband and wife be their last?

An absolutely page-turning cosy mystery, packed with unforgettable charactersand sensational twists! Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin, andJoy Ellis.

***

My Thoughts:

The story comes in Flora and Jack’s third-personPOVs.

They are married! I’m glad that we get a short scenewith the wedding and reception. Given the book’s size, it works well andcontinues to keep the focus on the mystery. The book should work as astandalone but will be better when you know at least some backstory of thecharacters.

Ordinary couples may hate starting their new journeywith a dead body, but not Flora and Jack. Jack is understandably a bit reluctantto divert his attention to sleuthing since he is already multi-tasking butFlora is as curious as ever to solve the crime.

The mystery is intriguing and has many threads.Quite a few suspects too, though I had my target on someone the sleuthing coupledidn’t focus on (should I specify I was right?). The case is intricate withenough red herrings and reaches a logical conclusion.

The pacing felt a little off or maybe it was coz mytimetable went for a toss, leaving me with less time to read! Either way, Icould finish it as per the plan, so all good.

Jack has relocated to Flora’s cottage, so it is sometime for adjustments for both. They manage to create a schedule that suitstheir career commitments and gives them some time to spend together. There isn’tany extra lovey-dovey which I like. After all, their character arcs don’tchange.

There are a few more developments in the village,some of which are definitely annoying our dear Alice. I like how even the sidecharacters have meaningful character arcs. Charlie is growing up too fast, andwe don’t get enough of him now!

To summarize, Murder at Cleve College easilysustains the momentum of the series while also keeping it fresh with newchanges. The danger levels are a bit high in this one, adding to the intrigueand entertainment.

Can’t wait for the next book. I guessed where thenext case is likely to be. Now, I wait until the blurb is out to confirm.

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC.This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #MurderAtCleveCollege

***

About the Author – Merryn Allingham

Merryn taught university literature for many years,and it took a while to pluck up the courage to begin writing herself. Bringingthe past to life is a passion, and her historical fiction includes Regencyromances, wartime sagas, and timeslip novels, all of which have a mystery attheir heart. As the books have grown darker, it was only a matter of timebefore she plunged into crime with a cozy crime series set in rural Sussexagainst the fascinating backdrop of the 1950s.

Merryn lives in a beautiful old town in Sussex withher husband. When she’s not writing, she tries to keep fit with adult balletclasses and plenty of walking.

Follow the Author –

Website:https://merrynallingham.com/ 

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/MerrynWrites  

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/merrynwrites

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releasesfrom Merryn Allingham here: https://www.bookouture.com/merryn-allingham

***

This has been a pitstop on the blog tour byBookouture (@bookouture). Thank you for stopping by! 

Sign up for all the best Bookouture deals: http://ow.ly/Fkiz30lnzdo

The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki, Jesse Kirkwood (Translator) - Book Review

Series: The Full Moon Coffee Shop #1 

Publication: 20th August 2024 

Genre: Contemporary Magic Realism 

4 stars 

One Liner: Beautiful! (but not for everyone) 

Cats are a symbol of good luck in Japan and might even help a person figure out their lives! The Full Moon Coffee Shop is a celestial enterprise with no fixed location. It finds people who need help and appears with food and advice. 

In this book, a school teacher-turned-screenwriter, an ambitious manager, an actress, and a shy young man find guidance from an unexpected source. How do the cats of the coffee shop help their beloved customers? 

The story comes in the first-person POV of Mizuki Serikawa and Akari Nayakama and the third-person POV of Takashi, each divided into neat sections. 

My Thoughts: 

Firstly, thanks to Lady Clem and Jayme for their reviews. I requested the book knowing what to expect. It has cats, astrology, and magic realism. My favorites!

This is a set of interconnected stories where each character gets the limelight in each section (but also has a teeny role in others). It's a short book too. I finished it in a single sitting. 

The narrative is mellow and soothing almost throughout. The first-person POV makes this more of ‘telling’ than ‘showing’ but I still enjoyed it. 

The descriptions of the food (not your regular kind) are magical. I would love to taste those teas, coffees, and desserts. 

Astrology is the core element of the book (even the section titles are based on it). A bit strange that the book uses Western astrology when the setting and characters are Japanese. Maybe it was done to make it easier for readers to understand the concepts. 

What I love the most is how various threads were connected as the story progressed. The stakes are low, so you won’t find any angst here. But what you will find is enough food for thought to introspect about ourselves, perspectives, actions, and decisions. Quite a few takeaways from the book if we want to. 

Classical music is another theme in the book. But my lack of familiarity with it meant I couldn’t fully benefit from how cleverly the songs were selected for different situations. 

The epilogue neatly ties up the loose ends and manages to surprise with another little story. I wish there was an author’s note. 

The bits with mercury retrograde got me chuckling. Guess what, we are in the shadow phase for another one now after starting the year with it. Haha… though it’s Mercury who will be laughing! 

To summarize, The Full Moon Coffee Shop is a sweet, heartwarming, and lovely read about second chances, understanding ourselves, and hoping for a better and happier future. This is the first book in the series, so I’ll be waiting for the next ones to be translated! 

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group (Ballantine), for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheFullMoonCoffeeShop