Srivalli Rekha (Semi Hiatus)'s Blog, page 33

Varaha's Vengeance by Arun Krishnan - Book Review

Series: The Battle of Vathapi #2 (Not aStandalone) 

Publication Date: 16th Feb 2024 

Genre: Indian Historical Fiction 

4.5 Stars 

One Liner: Sustains the thrills of book one 

07th Century Bharat

The three Pallava captains have completed the firststage of their missions, driven by King Narasimhavaraman’s vow. The ChalukyaKing Pulikeshi, with his brother’s help, launches a counterattack. 

The Chalukyas will stop at nothing to destroy thePallava army. Things just got a lot worse for people and the soldiers. Can thePallava army survive and fight back, or will the dynasty succumb to theChalukya force? 

The story comes in the omnipresent third-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

This book takes off where Nandi’s Charge ended (afew weeks later). It is not a standalone and should not be read out oforder. 

NGL, I was excited and wary of reading this one.What if it wasn’t as good as the previous book? Fortunately, I could set myworries aside once the story began. 

The book has a steady pace and sustains the momentumthroughout. At no point will you feel bored, not even when different batches ofsoldiers from different kingdoms sit and wait for action. There’s action evenwhen there’s no action. 

As the title suggests, this one has the Chalukyakingdom out for revenge. Given its extensive army and near-unlimited supply ofresources, you can guess how tense the situation would be. 

Apart from pure warcraft and statecraft, we also seebetrayal, backstabbing, moral dilemmas, ethical debates, and much more. Whatdoes one do when the lines blur? 

Like book one, there’s a list ofcharacters at the beginning neatly categorized according to their kingdoms androles. Apart from the basic map, we also get two little illustrations detailingthe tricky settings. Of course, the descriptions are clear enough to visualizethe events, even without the illustrations. 

My favorite captains – Elango, Kanan, and Muthuvelare right in the middle of the action and danger. The ladies (love) do theirbit (Indumati’s arc is terrific) and stand out strong. I’m not happy with thestereotypical portrayal of the queens (pampered dramatic women), but since theyhave very minor roles, I wasn’t too annoyed. 

We have some new characters like Thaamarai (she is afirebrand), Venkata, Anjeneya, Jabali, etc. Each of them asserts their presencewith definite characterizations. Of course, we see incompetence, arrogance, andslimness in some. That makes the characters quite realistic. 

I really want to see the author’s murder board…oops, storyboard. Keeping so many tracks straight is not easy! It needs a dozencolor-coded threads and a huge bunch of sticky notes. Still, once you get intothe flow, nothing matters. You keep turning the pages to see whathappens. 

The chapter titles are mild spoilers, which I don’tmind. Those are necessary to keep the details straight. 

We have more battle scenes in this one (book #3might have a lot more). I like how they felt similar to the scenes fromMahabharata. I’ve been reading the Yudha (war) Parvas for the last few months,so the whole thing feels familiar and just as exciting. However, what I lovethe most are the scenes where captains follow the rules of yudha dharma andteach their soldiers the importance of abiding by these. 

One teeny thing that struck me as odd was thepresence of tomatoes in the 7th-century Bharat. From what I know, tomatoesdidn’t arrive on the land until after the 15th century, and even then, theseweren’t a favorite. Many people from my grandparents’ generation don’t usetomatoes much, and some don’t eat them at all. Anyhoo, that’s a minor issue andhas nothing to do with the major plot. 

The book ends on a serious cliffhanger. Gasp! I hopebook #3 doesn’t take too much time. The title is mentioned, so hopefully, itwon’t take a year. On that note, I hope the last book has an orange or browncover. It would go well with the title. 

To summarize, Varaha's Vengeance is a fast-paced andworthy continuation of the previous book. It has action, humor, romance, drama,and a bit of everything to keep you hooked from the first page. 

Thank you, Blogchatter, author Arun Krishnan, andpublisher HarperCollins India, for a copy of the book. This review is poweredby theBlogchatter Book Review Program and contains my honest opinion aboutthe book. 

You can buy the paperback of Varaha'sVengeance: Battle of Vatapi Book 2 on Amazon. 

At the Stroke of Midnight by Jenni Keer - Book Review

Publication Date: 12th March 2024

Genre: Historical Drama, Mystery, Groundhog Day 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Entertaining; drags a bit in the middle 

1923

Pearl Glenham and her father are invited to a party in the Highcliffe House on the Dorset Coast. Though her father claims he doesn’t know any of the invitees and this is a business trip, Pearl knows it is not true. 

As an introvert with an emotionless and strict father, Pearl finds solace in water. She escapes to the sky and nearby cove, feeling intimidated by everyone at the party. However, she accidentally handles a mysterious clock that somehow tinkers with time and leaves Pearl in a loop, forcing her to live the last few hours of her life again and again. 

There’s something she needs to do to change the outcome and get on with her life. But what? Can Pearl figure it out? 

The story comes in Pearl’s third-person POV (sometimes blurs the lines with third-person omnipresent). 

My Thoughts: 

This is my third book with the Groundhog Day trope. It doesn’t seem boring since the executions are different. Here, the setting is historical and has a mystery with a touch of romance. 

Pearl’s introduction is well done. It establishes her character and takes things from there, allowing her to grow and change throughout the book. 

The other characters are not necessarily developed, but some have surprises up their sleeves. 

There’s a mystery within a mystery; solve one, and you can solve the other. I guessed the other one, which helped me figure out the bigger mystery. 

The time loop starts before 20%, which is good and not good. Good, because you don’t have to wait long for it. Not so good because there’s over 80% of the book left. Moreover, the initial couple of loops pass quickly. 

That’s where we get a nice development to make things interesting. It is necessary since Pearl being Pearl, needs an incentive to come out of her shell. 

Humor and light-hearted scenes are scattered here and there to keep the mood light. However, mystery takes a back seat in the middle and slows down the pacing. Lucky that it doesn’t happen for long. 

The mystery is decent. With so many secrets and no one willing to reveal them, it gets difficult for our amateur sleuth to connect the dots. The repetition dims the impact of the climax a bit. Of course, new information is revealed, so that makes up for it. 

I like the concept behind the time loop in this one. It is an integral part of the plot and has an explanation. There should be some logic to it, after all! 

There’s romance, too (clean), and it is believable. A sort of third-act breakup as well, though I guessed it would happen. 

A few questions remain unanswered despite the epilogue of sorts. I’d have liked a little more detail and another proper epilogue for a more rounded ending. 

To summarize, At the Stroke of Midnight is an enjoyable and light read despite the uneven pacing. The setting is beautiful and enhances the narrative. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Holiday House, for the eARC.  

#NetGalley #AtTheStrokeOfMidnight

Eliza Mace by Sarah Burton and Jem Poster - Book Review

Series: Eliza Mace Mysteries #1

Publication Date: 07th March 2024

Genre: YA Historical Mystery 

2.5 Stars 

One Liner: Ugh! 

1870s, Welsh Borders

Eliza, aka Elizabeth Mace, is sixteen+, an age her mother says is when she becomes a woman and is no longer a child. Her parents’ marriage and the crumbling house stifle Eliza. She longs to free herself and become independent. However, her father goes missing (and is drowning in debt), and Eliza decides to dig deeper to find out what happened. She works with her new friend, a police constable, Dafydd Pritchard, and realizes that the truth could have devastating consequences. 

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

My Thoughts: 

Well, this is exactly why I do not consider the book comparisons in the blurb. However, I have a thing for historical mysteries, and when I saw ‘Enola Holmes’ mentioned, I decided to try this book. Sadly, this is nothing like Enola. 

I am okay with dark cozy mysteries, but there has to be something to keep me hooked on the plot. Here, almost every character feels off. While I appreciate the attempt to make them layered, the characters end up even more superficial and unlikeable. 

We have a toxic dysfunctional family, which should make me care for poor Eliza. Yet, I couldn’t feel for any of them. The side characters aren’t better either (except for little Jevan, maybe). 

There is no humor (zero) or a lighthearted scene. That’s okay. Not mandatory for me. However, the mystery isn’t great either. I did expect it to start late, so I wasn’t too annoyed. The investigation is okay, but nothing to elevate the book or cover up the flaws. 

Somehow, all characters call each other using their first names (irrespective of the status/ position). Also, we have a constable acting like an FBI (or UK equivalent) in disguise while the Sergeant is happy to let him handle the case. 

Though I like the friendship between the constable and Eliza, I can’t help but feel something off. For one, he is nine years older and has policing experience in the city. His approach and dedication cannot be faulted, but would a constable constantly seek a young girl (no matter how smart she is) to help solve the crime? Moreover, he shares his entire past with her on the second meeting. Huh… why?

I understand Eliza’s need for independence and her frustration with adults who want her to act like a grownup but treat her like a child. That part comes out clearly, which is a plus (thank god). 

After the initial slowness, the book picks up speed. A few scenes with the investigation are well done and kept me interested enough to finish the book. The ending is a sort of cliffhanger (with the mystery fully solved), but I say goodbye here. 

To summarize, Eliza Mace reads like a below-average play where I had the front-row seats. That’s sad because the plot had the potential to be an intense mystery (if not a cozy). 

Thank you, NetGalley and Duckworth Books, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #ElizaMace 

The Highgate Cemetery Murder by Irina Shapiro - Book Review

Series: Tate and Bell Mystery #1

Publication Date: 29th Feb 2024

Genre: Historical Mystery (Darkish)

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: Got potential 

1858, London 

Gemma Tate, a nurse, is shocked to hear of her twin brother’s death in an accident. Soon, she realizes he could have been murdered based on his last-minute notes in the pocketbook. 

Inspector Sebastian Bell is assigned to handle the murder of a young woman in the Highgate Cemetery. It doesn’t take him long to realize that the stakes are high. 

Gemma and Sebastian find a common point in the cases. However, Sebastian is worried that Gemma wants to investigate. After all, it could put her life in grave danger. But the case needs to be solved and the killer caught. 

The story comes in Gemma Tate and Sebastian Bell’s third-person POVs. 

My Thoughts: 

I like Victorian mysteries dealing with the darker side of London. This one belongs to the same category. Geema is a twenty-seven-year-old nurse who previously worked with Florence Nightingale in the Crimea. Her twin brother, Victor, is a writer and a journalist. 

Inspector Sebastian Bell isn’t who he was before tragedy struck. Now, he relies too much on alcohol and opium to numb the pain. This case could make or break it for him. Despite the not-so-appealing introduction, it is easy to like Sebastian. He is dedicated to solving the crime without taking shortcuts. 

Since this is the first book in the series, we are introduced to characters likely to feature in the coming books. Even otherwise, the cast is quite large. We can follow the case without confusion. However, talking multiple times about a character that isn’t active anywhere in the book doesn’t help. Not likely that all readers will remember him for the next one. 

The content is dark and deals with triggering topics (check TW). There’s some fluff in the middle, which leads to a rushed ending and sudden confessions. Spacing this would have helped. 

I was rather surprised by the direction the case took. While it does show the ugly side of things, I wasn’t sure if the connection was realistic. The conclusion is decent, though I’m not impressed.  

Gemma and Sebastian don’t meet until we cross the first third of the book. However, that is a natural progression of the plot. Of course, it’s clear that Gemma has a good brain and uses it. She is also someone who can put people in place and stand firm despite her grief. 

Given the setting and the period, the case is mainly handled by Sebastian. I did expect this. However, halfway through, the book feels more like the MMCs while the FMC becomes a side character. If the series is named Tate and Bell, the Tate lady has to have an equal role! 

Moreover, the chemistry between the two is non-existent at this point. That’s okay since both have different immediate concerns. But there seems to be a slight progress that happened off-page and is casually mentioned in a line. That can be an issue if the trend continues. 

There’s a lead for the next book, so I will read it and then decide. I like the easy writing style, so despite the hard topics, the book doesn’t feel overwhelming. 

To summarize, The Highgate Cemetery Murder is an intriguing mystery and a decent series starter. I had greater expectations and felt the book could be better. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Storm Publishing, for the eARC.  

#NetGalley #TheHighgateCemeteryMurder

***

TW: Gang r*pe, drug abuse, death, grief, mourning, addiction, m*rder of a pregnant woman and her unborn baby. 

The Boy Who Cried Bear by Kelley Armstrong - Book Review

Series: Haven’s Rock #2

Publication Date: 20th Feb 2024

Genre: Mystery 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Nice mystery 

Haven’s Rock is a well-hidden town for anyone who wants to disappear. Detective Casey and her husband, Sheriff Eric, are happy with their new town. They set strict rules to prevent accidents in the forest. No one should wander off alone into the woods. 

One day, Max, the town’s youngest resident, fears that a bear with human eyes is stalking their hiking party. Naturally, Casey and Eric are taking it seriously. However, too many odd occurrences cause confusion, and soon there’s a dead body. The couple has to sort out the issue and keep the residents safe. 

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

My Thoughts: 

Haven’s Rock is fully functional and has residents. Unlike Rockton, they decide to take in kids too, so Dana is here with her sons Carson (teenager) and Max (ten yo). It is an interesting place and has small-town vibes (which it is). I like how the idealistic thought behind the town clashes with the judgmental attitude of its citizens. It creates a nice contrast to show that ‘victims’ aren’t always empathetic to other victims’ pain. 

Max gets a few chapters in the third-person POV, and I liked his voice much more than Cassie’s. His character arc comes out so well in his chapters. (Rounded the rating to 4 stars only for Max)

Unfortunately, I’m still struggling to connect with Casey and Eric. They are good people – smart, competent, capable, determined, and kind-hearted. Yet, I don’t feel the pull. Moreover, there’s a development I’m not ready for. 

That aside, I think my issue is with the repetition. We are told many times that April is not rude and loves her sister. Makes sense to say it once or twice per book since readers need to know the backstory. We don’t need a reminder each time Casey and April interact. Who is Casey assuring? Us or herself? 

The mystery is twisted and good. There’s repetition here, too, and a lot of back-and-forth dialogue (some of which can be edited). Still, the suspense sustains well. I’m not too happy with the reveal, but since there’s a huge lead for book #3, I’ll wait and see where it goes. 

Lilith and Nero make an appearance again, which makes me happy. I wouldn’t mind if they got extra page space. They are more interesting than some other characters. The mining neighbors have a bigger role, though. 

The forest setting is yet again my favorite. Storm is a darling dog, and his almost constant presence makes the story more interesting. I sure wouldn’t mind if we got his POV. Heck, I’d love that! 

To summarize, The Boy Who Cried Bear gives me the same vibes as the book one in the series, which means it is a decent read but nothing great. I might read book #3 as it could have answers to some questions in this one. 

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin (Minotaur Books), for the eARC.  

#NetGalley 

Lady Charlotte Always Gets Her Man by Violet Marsh - Book Review

Publication Date: 05th March 2024

Genre: Historical Romance (Georgian) 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: A decent read 

Lady Charlotte Lovett has no intention of marrying Viscount Hawley, not when rumors say he killed his previous two wives. The only way to get out of the engagement is to prove his crimes. That’s easier said than done. 

Mathew Talbot is Hawley’s younger brother and an odd one out in society with a love for animals. He is a surgeon and prefers to spend time with animals than humans. When Charlotte decides to investigate his brother’s unsavory past, Mathew has to keep her away from danger as well as his own secrets. Moreover, his heart seems to grow fonder of Charlotte, but a future with her is not easy. 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Charlotte and Mathew. 

My Thoughts: 

Well, this isn’t your typical historical romance. It is a blend of adventure, mystery, comedy, and romance. The content is darker, too. 

Random bits of comedy are inserted to keep things light. This may or may not work for everyone. I did like Pan the Parrot and Banshee the Monkey. I needed that light tone. 

We already know who the villain is (the dude is a cardboard cutout with zero personality, but okay!), so we need to see how his villainy will come to light. The parents are one dimensional too, the typical ton who only cares about appearances and titles. 

What saves the book is the friendship/ relationship between Charlotte, Mathew, Alexander, Hannah, and Sophia. Alexander is Charlotte’s twin and someone with great potential. Mathew has his demons to fight but is an endearing character. 

The focus is more on the coffee-room culture and the dynamics between the rich and the not-rich, titled and untitled, etc. There are few liberties taken, but we can get the essence of the setting. 

The found family trope is rather heartwarming to read. I also like how the book discusses colonization, slavery, gender and racial discrimination, etc., without weighing down the plot. It helps that the plot is straightforward (despite the pretense of mystery). 

The prose gets too prose-y (I like purple but not purple prose), and the vibes are modernish. This can be off-putting for some readers. I didn’t mind much as I’ve read such writing. It seems to be a trend anyway. 

The romance begins in the last quarter and has kissy-kissy scenes. However, it is low on steam. I found that it suits the storyline and characters. It may not be enough for some readers. 

There’s no miscommunication, though people keep secrets from each other for a long time. It makes sense in a way, so can’t complain much.

We also get an epilogue with a lead for the next book in the series. Naturally, I will read it. Despite the excessive prose, the pacing is decent enough to finish the book in a couple of days. 

To summarize, Lady Charlotte Always Gets Her Man is an entertaining book if you want a mash of genres and a light read that doesn’t tax your brain (only if you don’t think too much about some elements). The author’s note is informative. Don’t miss it. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for the eARC.  

#NetGalley #LadyCharlotteAlwaysGetsHerMan

***

TW: Bullying

The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown - Book Review

Publication Date: 13th Feb 2024

Genre: Mystery, Time Travel, Urban Fantasy 

3 Stars 

One Liner: Great premise, uninteresting characters 

New York City

Cassie Andrews works in a cozy café-cum-bookstore and has a routine life. One evening, she is gifted a unique book by an old customer. Taking it home, Cassie and her friend Izzy discover that the book is magical and can take them to any place through the door. Cassie is delighted to own the Book of Doors, enjoying the prospect of traveling at a whim. 

However, she doesn’t acknowledge the danger the book attracts until faced with violence and danger. There’s a mysterious man who can help her. However, Drummond Fox is battling his demons and hiding from enemies. Out there is someone so evil that nothing will stop them from getting what they want. 

The story comes in multiple POVs of Cassie, Drummond, Lund, The Woman, Lottie, and a few others. 

My Thoughts: 

How can I resist a premise like that? I don’t bother with comparisons (unless they involve a book I hate), but I do have the mentioned titles in my TBR, so it counts (maybe). 

The concept of books as magical objects, not just a door to places and different times, but with an ability to do good or evil, is fascinating. 

Time as a cyclic (and wheel-like) entity aligns with the Indic theory, so it was easy enough to go with the flow despite the lack of explanation. 

Characters are important for any book. What can a reader do if she doesn’t connect with the MC? I wasn’t impressed with Cassie, and my opinion didn’t change even at the end. Izzy was better (if we ignore how physical attributes are important for most women in the book). 

Drummond could have been ‘the MMC’, but he was uninspiring. A bookish male lead is a great idea. Having him act as a ‘coward’ instead of a fighter is also a nice touch. He can still be interesting, given the potential in his backstory. 

The Woman- I loved her intro. Imagine an antagonist who is evil personified and will destroy the world with nonchalance. My kinda lady! However, she has no character development. That’s all she is, which makes her as solid as a torn page. And the reason for her evilness is… I don’t know. I like the concept but not the execution. It feels so anticlimactic. 

The uneven pacing and multiple POVs didn’t help either. Though we get the story from different perspectives, none of them are compelling narrators. The magic system was okay, but nothing wow. I also have some questions. 

I appreciate the gory parts being matter-of-fact (or maybe they weren’t, but I couldn’t connect). Either way, nothing moved me- not Cassie's grief or the Woman’s evil. 

There’s a hint of what could be called romance, but thankfully, we don’t explore it. The best decision made in the book. I rounded the rating up to 3 stars just for this.

To summarize, The Book of Doors has an intriguing premise but is underwhelming as a whole. Of course, if you connect with the FMC, you will enjoy the book a lot more. 

Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheBookofDoors 

Roses for the Dead by Jenny O'Brien - Book Review

Series: Detective Alana Mack #2

Publication Date: 14th Feb 2024 

Genre: Police Procedural, Contemporary  

4 Stars 

One Liner: Better than book one and enjoyable 

Detective Alana Mack is worried when a woman goes missing from the same train where another one has died. It appears that a killer is targeting women and leaving their bodies along Dublin’s Dart train line. As bodies pile up, Alana knows she has to solve the case as soon as possible. 

Things get even more complex when she receives a threatening message. Can Alana use the clues to find the killer and prevent more deaths? 

The story comes in third-person POVs from Alana (more), Paddy, Lorrie, and the killer. 

My Thoughts: 

The second book in the series reads well as a standalone. It is also better than the first book in many ways. The POV jumps are not random but are limited to four characters and come in different chapters. There’s no excessive dwelling on the past except for a couple of references for new readers. 

Multiple cases soon converge into a single/ dual track. The circumstances are such that the police are trying hard for a breakthrough. This means they go through the same information a few times. However, something new turns up each time to prevent monotony. 

Alana is also better in this one. Yeah, she is still abrupt and a touch rude. But it doesn’t put the reader off. We can see her stress and the calculated risks she has to take. Moreover, her thoughts and emotions are centered on the cases most of the time, so it is easier to empathize with her. Her disability is seamlessly woven into the plotline to keep it real and is aligned with her arc. 

We get the killer’s POV quite early, which means it is easy to guess who it is. I did guess who it was in the first third itself, but that didn’t make the story any less intriguing. There are a couple of twists, though nothing major. Yet, the plotline keeps you hooked to see if you’re right. 

The pacing is slow, as I assumed. This will be a slowish series, and that’s okay. The story doesn’t drag. Moreover, things take time when the police and forensics are involved. 

Alana and Paddy make a great team. The non-romantic relationship between them is a great plus. Paddy has a side track, which adds a layer to his character. They are both complex people, so the series should be interesting as we proceed. 

The Dublin setting doesn’t come alive in this one, but there’s enough to follow the case. The setting has changed from book one to two (it was a seaside place last time), so that could also be the reason. 

The ending has a touch of hope for Alana’s personal track, though she and I are in no hurry to take the leap. Let’s go slow and steady. 

To summarize, Roses for the Dead is a compact police procedural with some intriguing characters and an absorbing plot. Looking forward to the next in the series. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Storm Publishing, for the eARC.  

#NetGalley #RosesForTheDead

***

TW: Descriptions of injuries after bullying and physical abuse. 

The Library Murders by Merryn Allingham - Book review Blog Tour

Series: Flora Steele Mystery #8

Publisher: Bookouture

Amazon: https://geni.us/B0CLRWF1ZXsocial

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/200663367-the-library-murders 

Publication Date: 20th Feb 2024

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery 

4 Stars 

One Liner: A good mystery 

Blurb: 

Bookshop owner and amateur detective Flora Steele and her fiancé, crime writer Jack Carrington, discover words can kill as they solve their most puzzling case yet…

It’s a sunny morning in Abbeymead as Flora cycles through the village and knocks on the door of the local library, planning to deliver a gift to librarian Maud Frobisher to mark her retirement. But Flora is shocked when she finds Maud slumped in the corner, and even more startled when she recognizes the man holding the murder weapon – an enormous hardback book.

Flora’s known Lowell Gracey since her college days, but what is he doing working for Maud and now the main suspect in her murder? Suspicion mounts when Flora and Jack discover that Lowell is heavily in debt and that a priceless rare first edition has recently gone missing, but Lowell is adamant that he’s innocent, and Flora believes him.

The pair are once more drawn into an investigation, but who would kill a beloved librarian? Perhaps Rose Lawson, a mysterious newcomer to Abbeymead, is known to be in dire financial straits? Or pompous bestselling author Felix Wingrave, who rumors say would do anything to get his hands on a valuable book for his collection?

Then, the village is rocked by the discovery of a second body. Flora and Jack realize a vital clue lies in the pages of a novel – but the plot is thickening, and the killer is closing in…

Flora and Jack are determined to solve this fiendish case by the book – but will this be the end of their story?

A completely page-turning and addictive cozy crime mystery. Fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin, and Joy Ellis will adore this unputdownable series!

My Thoughts: 

Flora Steele and Jack Carrington are back in action to solve yet another crime in Abbeymead. 

Flora and Jack are busy helping Basil Webb to organize a crime Conference in the village. Despite their apprehensions, they hope the conference will bring enough people and sales. However, the last thing they expect is the death of Maud Frobisher, the retirement-ready librarian. 

When Inspector Alan Ridley makes an immediate arrest, the sleuthing duo is not convinced. They decide to investigate on the side and soon find out that almost everyone seems to have a motive for murder. When another death rocks the village, Flora and Jack know they should act fast and catch the killer (without getting killed). 

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

How did we reach the eighth book already? Flora and Jack are delightful characters, and you can’t help but root for them when they go sleuthing. 

While the book still works as a standalone, it’ll be more enjoyable if you read at least the previous 2-3 books. The dynamics in their relationship will be easier to understand with some background knowledge. 

The mystery is independent and decently done. The reveal makes sense, and we take a logical path to uncovering the secrets. Flora and Jack have some differences of opinion, but both have the same goal –dig up the truth and find the killer. 

There’s a sub-track, which I thought would be complex. However, I like how it is sorted. This is a cozy mystery, after all. No point in complicating things more than necessary. 

Young Charlie is fifteen now! Can you believe it? I miss his younger days, though I hope he’ll one day play a bigger role in solving a crime (pretty please). 

The books in the series are small, compact, and steady-paced. This one is no different. I’d have liked it better if we got a little more detail about the crime conference and the authors who attended. While one of them gets space, there is no chance of character development. 

As always, I love historical settings in my cozy mysteries. Abbeymead village in 1958 is old-school but with more touches of modernity than the locals would like to accept. Yet, we see a balanced narrative where the side characters are good but with some flaws, and the grumpy ones have some redeeming qualities. 

To summarize, The Library Murders is a solid addition to the series and an entertaining read. There are a couple of leads for the next book, so I’m curious to see where it goes (and hopefully, no more delays for the wedding). 

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

#NetGalley #TheLibraryMurders

***

Author Bio – Merryn Allingham

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

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

https://merrynallingham.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/MerrynWrites  

https://twitter.com/merrynwrites

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

***

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

The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden - Book Review

Publication Date: 13th Feb 2024

Genre: Historical Fiction, WWI, Paranormal 

2.7 stars 

One Liner: Umm… tries too hard 

Jan 1918: Laura Iven is an efficient field nurse even after an explosion left her wounded. Back home in Halifax, Canada, she continues to volunteer at a local hospital. However, the news of her brother’s death in war results in too many questions and not enough answers. Laura decides to travel to Belgium as a volunteer at a hospital to find out the truth. 

Nov 1917: Freddie Iven thinks he is dead until he realizes he is alive, but the clock is ticking fast. He and a German soldier (the enemy), Hans Winter, have survived. However, life is uncertain and dangerous with the war around them. What happens when the new acquaintances have to decide their next step?  

With the brother and sister haunted by the ghosts of the past and present, can they find a way to save others and themselves? 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Laura and Freddie (Wilfred) in alternate timelines (1918 and 1917). 

My Thoughts: 

After many recommendations for the author’s famous trilogy, I was delighted to see a standalone work by her. It’s easier to read a single book than three (that too, big ones). Alas, the result is disappointing. 

The bare bones are intriguing- World War 1, PTSD, soldiers, nurses, healing, hope, and a touch of paranormal. What’s not to like? But why is the book like this? 

Laura should have been a terrific character. She is an efficient nurse, someone capable, assertive, decisive, and determined. The character is exactly the kind I like to read. Yet, there wasn’t a single instance I could empathize with her. 

Freddie gets more of my support. He also has some intense emotions to display. His vulnerability has the pull to connect with the readers. Winter is decent, too, in a grumpy, wounded hero kind of way (he is not a hero here). 

The desolate and bleak side of war comes across very well and is the highlight of the book. Can’t say it’s something new, but still, the desired impact is achieved.  

Now, I love paranormal touches in books. But this one almost went over my head. I’m not a Christian, nor do I know much about the theories like ‘end of the world’ or the Book of Revelation. I could guess who the fiddler was, but there’s nothing new/ unique about the concept. (Moreover, my go-to expert on the topic has yet to read the book, so I couldn’t ask and spoil it for her.)

There’s some love inserted in the last section. Not sure whose idea it was, but the book would have been better without it. Or, the concept could have been explored in detail. Healing is different from trauma bonding. And can we please respect platonic friendships for what they are without forcefully turning them into romantic tracks? Also, given the period, the lack of self-exploration on certain aspects is unrealistic. 

The ending is hopeful. But then, everything so easily falls into place! In fact, the same happens almost throughout for Laura. She puts in 1x effort, and others clear the path for the rest. 

The author’s note helped me understand a few things. It reminded me of when I spent extra time and care on a project in college because the topic was a favorite. However, the final result was an average piece and not something I could call my best in any manner. I gave it a lot more than what was necessary. 

To summarize, The Warm Hands of Ghosts has its moments but fails to impress as a package. The slow pacing doesn't help either. Maybe readers with more knowledge about religious concepts will understand and like it better. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing (Del Ray), for the eARC.  

#NetGalley #TheWarmHandsOfGhosts

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P.S.: I skimmed a few reviews after drafting mine. Apparently, the chapter titles are biblical quotes from the Book of Revelation.