Srivalli Rekha (Semi Hiatus)'s Blog, page 38

Til Death Do Us Bard by Rose Black - Book Review

Publication Date: 21st Nov 2023

Genre: Queer Medieval Fantasy 

3 Stars 

One Liner: A mixed bag 

Logan Theakar, the Bear, is now a retired monster hunter living with Pie (Magie), his beautiful bard husband, in the Stowatt village. The year had been great, making him enjoy domesticity for the first time in 42 years. Never mind that he still itched to use his axe and hunt some monsters.  

One night, Pie disappears, and Logan soon finds he has been kidnapped and blackmailed into helping the evil king retrieve a precious object that could lead to devastation. With help from an old Countess, a necromancer, and some unlikely support, Logan sets out to find Pie and save the day. But what does it mean for him and his marriage with his darling husband? 

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

My Thoughts: 

With a title, cover, and premise (mentioning unicorns, necromancers, and magic), how can I resist the book? The results, as you can see, are mixed. 

I like that we have a 40+ lead M/M couple, even though they act as if they are in their early 20s. It’s an opposite attract plus grumpy vs. sunshine trope. Logan is the grumpy guy (no points for guessing). 

Well, Pie-Magpie (Bond, James Bond, ugh) is beautiful and wonderful, according to Logan. He is a decent character who could have been better if given a chance. 

Logan is like the grumpiest of the grumps. I know I should sympathize considering his backstory and fears, et al, but for the majority of the book, he is annoying. His ‘I’m the only one who is capable and can save you all while you go around partying’ attitude and actions grated on my nerves. Glad that he redeems himself in the last section to a good extent. 

Ophelia, Gary, and a couple of others do what’s expected of them. However, the Countess, oh well! She starts out as someone quirky and funny without a filter. Since such women are now a thing, I could see her make some of those comments. That said, things got a bit too much, especially with her touching the men and making them uncomfortable (it borders on sexual harassment). I don’t see why this has to be her character trait when she is a powerful necromancer. 

While the story blends mystery, fantasy, romance, drama, and magic, none of the elements actually shine. Everything is there but not in enough quantity to take the book to the next level. The world-building could have been better. The romance is sweet but with a lot of (unnecessary) angst, thanks to Logan. It doesn’t have much steam and is mostly fade-to-black, which helps. 

Providing the past between Logan and Pie in installments (interludes) works great and prevents info dumping. Nevertheless, the relationship between the two reads toxic in some places. Of course, they do realize their mistakes, especially Logan. Having at least a few chapters from Pie’s POV might have helped me see things from another perspective. 

The ending is good, all sorted and nice, with a good dose of hope. However, the last section (65-95%) is slow-paced and feels as if the story won’t end. I speed-read at one point to get to the crucial part. 

To summarize, Til Death Do Us Bard has its moments but remains an average read throughout. The premise and setting have great potential, though the execution could have been better. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Hodderscape (Hodder & Stoughton), for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #TilDeathDoUsBard

The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird by Louisa Morgan - Book Review

Publication Date: 21st Nov 2023

Genre: Paranormal Drama 

4 Stars 

One Liner: A poignant and atmospheric read 

Beatrice Bird has had a gift since she was a child. She can see ghosts or rather physical manifestations that get stronger as she grows. Unable to handle the pressure, she leaves her home and partner to live on a remote island in a secluded cottage. 

Soon, Anne Iredale arrives at the island, bringing her share of ghosts. She has lost everything that matters to her and doesn’t know what to do. Despite her hesitation, Beatrice begins to talk to Anne and thinks she might help her. Maybe both women can heal themselves if they can take the much-needed steps. 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Beatrice and Anne, with a few chapters from Benjamin. 

My Thoughts: 

The story, though majorly set in 1977, has a few chapters from different years to show Beatrice and Anne’s pasts. The progression is non-linear but is easy to track and follow. This is done to provide the necessary information at the right time. 

Even though the setting is atmospheric, the story is mostly ‘told’. It suits the content as things are dark and could have gotten unnecessarily graphic. Right now, there is enough information to understand the characters and empathize with them. 

The book deals with themes like DV, past trauma, controlling behavior, manipulation, family, relationships, etc. There are very few lighthearted scenes, and even those have a layer of darkness, much like the fog on the cover. (Check the TW list at the end of the review)

There’s quite a lot about God and faith as well. This comes as a surprise since the blurb didn’t hint at it. Thankfully, it’s not preachy, but I still had to get used to repeated references to God and some discussions around the theme (and also get a friend’s help to clarify a couple of doubts. Thanks, Rosh). 

However, the concept of ghosts is quite intriguing in this one. It has literal ghosts but also metaphorical ones with literal manifestations (trying hard to not reveal spoilers). I like how these two blend as the plot progresses. 

The pacing is moderate and dips in the middle. However, the action picks up in the last quarter. It is intense and ups the paranormal element without being spooky (at least to me). Though a few developments are convenient, I don’t mind. The plot needs to come together somehow. 

I like the characterization of the leading women, Beatrice and Anne. One of them has what the other would have considered unconventional. They are flawed but have their share of vulnerabilities and can inspire empathy in the readers. And oh, there are two cute cows, too! 

Benjamin, the five-year-old kid, gets the most love. His POV, though in the third person, is written to suit his age. These chapters are almost heartbreaking in some places. 

The ending is hopeful and ties up the loose ends. Some things are glossed over, but do the job. We knew enough to not have any lingering doubts, though the book does leave us thinking about a lot of things. 

To summarize, The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird is a poignant and atmospheric read about friendship, healing, love, loss, moving on, and starting afresh. Pick it up when you are in the mood for a slightly heavy read. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Orbit (Little Brown Group), for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheGhostsofBeatriceBird

***

TW: Domestic abuse, child abuse (non-sexual), animal abuse (mention), drug abuse (mentions) parental control, toxic cycles. 

Secrets of Starshine Cove by Debbie Johnson - Book Review

Series: Starshine Cove #2 (Standalone) 

Publication Date: 21st Nov 2023

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction 

4 Stars 

One Liner: Heartwarming and sweet 

Cally is stretched thin between caring for her mother and handling her teenage son. She is so used to being needed and having an overflowing schedule that Cally doesn’t know what to do when she has too much time on her hands. 

In the spur of a moment, she decides to take a trip to Starshine Cove, a remote place with no signboard. Cally and Sam arrive at their destination right before Christmas and are pulled into the warmth and beauty of the small town. As Cally meets new people and makes friends, she wonders if this is the change she needs in her life. 

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

My Thoughts: 

I didn’t read book one, but this works more than well as a standalone. Of course, you’ll have ‘spoilers’ for book one, but don’t we all know how a love story ends? ;) 

Cally is a forty-two-year-old single mother to an eighteen-year-old Sam. Her first-person POV, though limiting in perspective, is quite easy and refreshing to read. The writing style is informal and casual, with a good dose of dry humor. This works well and maintains a good balance between lightheartedness and emotional depth. 

I absolutely love Lilly (the fairy-obsessed eight-year-old) and Meg (a dinosaur-obsessed four-year-old). They are such a delight to read. Archie is a wonderful character (even if his Viking hair and beard aren’t my thing). 

Sam sure acts his age, but he is also a sweet young man who really loves his mother and grandmother. His character is just right (apparently, the author has teens of her own, so no surprise it’s spot on). There’s enough talk of social media and TikTok, which is to be expected. 

Starshine Cove is a picturesque location and magical in winter. The locals are just as heartwarming. Since this is a feel-good book, we won’t find villains or nasty people plotting behind the scenes. 

With themes like moving on, finding love again, learning to live for one’s self, taking risks, etc., the book has some worthy discussions deftly handled. 

There’s a third-act breakup, which is very well done and feels necessary for the characters. No misunderstanding, though. They sit, talk, and decide, even if that may not be what they want. 

To summarize, Secrets of Starshine Cove is an absolute comfort read with a cozy setting and some beautiful characters. It’s Christmas-themed, too, so that’s a plus. It is predictable but sweet. 

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

#NetGalley #SecretsofStarshineCove

***

P.S.: Not a critique per se, but I ended up with two back-to-back books that talk about Bangladesh. The previous one is quite understandable since the Liberation War (1971) was going on. Here, it rather seems odd that a remote small town that doesn’t even have a signboard on the highway and works with donors to support the community is collecting funds to send to Bangladesh. Savior much? Maybe focus closer home and fund the poor nearby. England isn’t exactly a thriving economy, is it? 

Murder at the Matterhorn by T.A. Williams - Book Review

Series: An Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mystery #5 (Standalone) 

Publication Date: 24th Nov 2023

Genre: Cozy Mystery, Italy

4 Stars 

One Liner: A compact cozy mystery 

Dan Armstrong gets a call from his former colleague asking for help. It seems a team of ufologists (UFO enthusiasts) are camping on an isolated mountain cap. There’s been a death, which looks much like murder. Dan agrees to help and joins the group as a fellow enthusiast. 

Even though they think aliens are involved, Dan is sure the murder is the handiwork of a human and someone from the group or in the region. With Oscar by his side, Dan now has to play the interpreter and solve the crime with the local police. Can they find the killer before more deaths occur? 

The story comes in Dan Armstrong’s first-person POV and works as a standalone. 

My Thoughts: 

As a reader of the series, I enjoyed this book as much as the previous ones. I’m also a believer in UFOs, though not like the characters here. 

Being a cozy mystery, the focus is more on the crime and suspects rather than the technicalities of UFOs and science. Most of the content tends to be of a nonbeliever since it comes from Dan’s POV. However, he does his best to keep an open mind, which proves to be helpful. 

Of course, a book set in Italy has to have a lovely setting and good food. This time, we tour the snow-capped mountains, the surrounding forest, and the autonomous village in the foothills. There is enough tea to satisfy a British reader and enough wine and food for the Italian reader. 

The mystery is just right- neither simple nor complicated. One part is easy to solve, the other needs a bit of work but has a logical conclusion. We can guess who the killer is despite not knowing the reason. 

Anna (Dan’s girlfriend), Virgilio and his wife, etc., have very minor roles. Dan and Oscar work with a different police team. And as Dan says, this one is indeed teamwork. Many people contribute, creating a more balanced approach. Inspector Costey is impressive. I hope we get to meet again. 

Oscar does what he always does – makes puppy eyes at everyone, becomes popular with ladies, eats as much as he can get, and helps solve the case in his own way. No one can resist a cute lab, right? 

The pacing is on the slower side, as it is with the series. However, the chapters are of moderate length and provide some sort of progress to keep the plot moving. 

To summarize, Murder at the Matterhorn is an entertaining mystery and a good continuation of the series. Does it have aliens? Well, read the book to find out. ;)

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

#NetGalley #MurderattheMatterhorn

Murder at Bunting Manor by Greg Mosse - Book Review

Series: Maisie Cooper Mystery #2

Publication Date: 09th Nov 2023

Genre: Cozy Mystery 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: Decent cozy mystery 

Maisie Cooper has to stay back in Sussex to attend the trial of her brother’s murder. Solving the case seems to have made her popular. Maisie gets an offer to investigate the unsettling events in and around Bunting Manor. Turns out the place is owned by Mrs. Pascal, none other than Aunt Phyllis, the estranged aunt Maisie knew as a child. 

It seems that someone has a grudge against Aunt Phyllis and is out to kill her. However, Maisie learns there are a lot more secrets being kept from her, and the only way to get to the bottom of the truth might be to keep asking questions. With help from Sergeant (and childhood friend) Jack Wingard, Maisie needs to find the culprit before there are more dead bodies. 

The story comes in the third-person POV of different characters. 

My Thoughts: 

Though second in the series, the book works well as a standalone. I’m glad to report that it mentions the date right at the beginning. It’s provided in the prologue and the first chapter, making it easy to understand the setting and track the case. 

The book pretty much takes off where the previous one ended. Maisie is getting ready to attend the trial and wondering about her job, housing, and earnings (or the lack of it). 

The pacing is slow, similar to the previous one, and Maisie spends a lot of time trying to get people to talk and share something useful. 

There are distinct characters like Aunt Phyllis, Zoe (16yo orphan), Archie, etc., However, the dialogue between characters is a bit strange. I understand this is done to highlight their eccentricities. Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen. They stand out only in a couple of instances. The rest of the time, the characters seem as if they are on a stage. 

One secret is stretched a bit too much. I can see why, but it is easy to figure out the secret. Though I can see why, the reveal somehow doesn’t deliver. 

The mystery is decent. Easy to guess, but not right away. There are no last-minute twists. Even with some information being withheld (common in mysteries), there is enough to connect the dots and arrive at a conclusion. The rest is supplied by the characters later on. 

Maisie and Jack’s friendship is okay, but I’m not convinced by how much she thinks about him in this book. That connection just isn’t there yet. The chemistry feels forced despite it being a super slow burn.  

To summarize, Murder at Bunting Manor is a good continuation of the first book and has its merits. It makes a decent cozy mystery. However, I am unable to connect with the characters and enjoy the book as I should. My journey with the series ends here. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #MurderatBuntingManor

Never Met a Duke Like You by Amalie Howard - Book Review

Series: Taming of the Dukes #2 (Standalone) 

Publication Date: 14th Nov 2023

Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Romance 

3.7 stars 

One Liner: Quite good 

Lady Vesper Lyndhurst considers herself an excellent matchmaker. After all, didn’t her nudges lead three (or is it four) couples to the altar? As a duke’s daughter, Vesper has everything she wants and fills her days with activities. She’s too busy arranging things to have time for her own marriage or love. 

Aspen Drake, the Duke of Greydon, had to return to England to save his estate and deal with his mother. The last thing he wants is to spend time with the ton but has no choice even if nothing has changed, and people are as petty as ever. 

It doesn’t take long for Vesper and Aspen to meet again. The childhood friends-turned-enemies cannot help but snap at each other. But there’s more to their bickering than either would like to admit. Nevertheless, the two can find a way forward only if they sort through the past. 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Vesper and Aspen. 

My Thoughts: 

This is a Regency friends-to-enemies-to-lovers (frenemies to lovers) book with some enjoyable moments and some not-so-good ones. It has a quite lot of tropes, which again give mixed results. It’s the second book in the series, but works as a standalone. 

The book begins with a quick note, explaining that the content can be darkish and talk of asylums, torture, medical mistreatment, etc. It’s all told and not shown. 

Since Vesper and Aspen are childhood friends (estranged for a few years), we can see they know each other enough to deliberately rile up the other for fun. A few barbs were too sharp, but there's a reason behind them (both were hurt and had some preconceived notions). However, this is balanced out by genuine concern and growing attraction. 

The pacing is decent, and I like the slow-burning steamy romance (2.5ish) between the lead couple. Aspen has ADHD, which is shown through her restlessness and the need to always do something. 

Misunderstandings and miscommunication are galore in this one. Some of it is annoying. The constant humor (with a good dose of sexual innuendos that are somehow well done) made it bearable. 

The side characters are sweet and entertaining. Judith shines in her limited space. There’s a strong hint about the next book, and knowing what little I saw of that character, I am excited to see how it goes. 

There’s a kitten, too, not-so-lovingly named Cat by Vesper (she is allergic to animal hair). You can see this little fluff ball on the book cover. 

There’s a third-act breakup, too, but Aspen saves the day. Though, I do blame both of them for not sharing complete information with the other. At least, it’s sorted in a rather …. way, so we move on to the last scene. 

What I totally dislike about the book is the resolution (or the lack of it) about the villain. People ought to face the consequences of their actions, at least in books. And what that character did is evil. Maybe in book #3? 

There’s a detailed epilogue, making me happy enough to round up the rating to 4 stars (I brought it down to 3 after the confrontation scene). There’s an author’s note at the end without more information and inspiration about real-life people who worked for the said causes (better lunatic asylum rights and schools for poor kids). 

To summarize, Never Met a Duke Like You is a fun and entertaining book that touches upon some dark themes without getting graphic or depressing. The only graphic part is the steam, so go with the right expectations. ;) 

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

#NetGalley

***

P.S.: The book is compared to the movie Clueless, but since I haven't watched it, I can't say how true this is. 

A Wish for Christmas by Courtney Cole - Book Review

Publication Date: 14th Nov 2023

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas 

4.2 Stars 

One Liner: Beautiful and heartwarming 

Nora and Jack are drifting apart after a decade of marriage. Even their 205-pound mastiff, Elliot, doesn’t seem to keep them together. With busy careers and no time for anything else, the couple finds it hard to remember why they have been in love with each other since their school days. 

A chance meeting with a mysterious old man (kinda like Santa), all thanks to Elliot’s escapades, gives them something to think about. When the man asks them to wish on a snow globe, the couple’s lives may change in a way no one expected. 

Nora and Jack are now Noel and Jonah, still successful in their careers but leading single and separate lives. However, they continue to come face to face, and as their friendship grows into something more, they have to decide what to do with their lives. 

The story comes in the first-person POV of Noel and Jonah, with the first chapter in the third-person POV about Nora and Jack. 

My Thoughts: 

This is about second chances, love, family, relationships, and healing. The story starts in the city (NYC) but moves to a cute small town, Winter Falls. 

Set in December, we see quite a bit of snow, cold, dampness, chill, festive decorations, cooking, baking, food, etc. The city and the town are easy to visualize.

The pacing is wonderful. It doesn’t even feel like reading 360+ pages. The story continues to move and has bits of chat messages and emails inserted to add to the mix. This is pretty much a Hallmark-type book, so don’t expect any intense drama or complex situations. 

Despite dealing with some heavy themes like dementia, death of loved ones, etc., the book achieves the right intensity and has many light moments between different characters.

 Elliot is such a darling, you’d want to take him home (never mind that he drools all over). Moxie is another highlight of the book. I could have read an entire book with just these two. 

Jace and his mother, Izzy, Noel’s parents, and a few other characters like Avery, Emily, etc., add more flavors to the plot and are good supporting characters. Not all of them get the same space, but they shine in their roles. 

There seem to be minor discrepancies in the timeline, but nothing major to distract from the central plot (however, you should go with the flow). 

The ending is, of course, HEA, but a bit different from what I expected. I like it enough, but there isn’t that crucial moment that should have been there based on the blurb. 

To summarize, A Wish for Christmas is a heartwarming and cozy Christmas read with a super adorable dog. Read the book for Elliot! 

And oh, this is a clean romance. 

Thank you, NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #AWishforChristmas

So Late in the Day by Claire Keegan - Book Review

Publication Date: 14th Nov 2023

Genre: Short Stories 

4 Stars 

One Liner: Beautiful! 

Claire Keegan could be the only author whose vague and open-ended short stories are my favorite. I love how she writes, be it the setting, emotions, or the inherent intricacies of human nature – good, bad, and ugly. Almost every detail is significant, even when it seems inconsequential. 

The writing is poetic, beautiful, and immersive. She knows how to weave magic even with unlikeable characters. The stories are layered and have much to offer to readers. It’s up to us to take what we want and how much we want. 

So Late in the Day – 4 Stars 

Cathal seems to be having a routine day at the office. However, we see that it is far from an everyday occurrence. As Cathal thinks about the past, Sabine enters, bringing affection, warmth, and love, all of which are missing from his present day. So what happened and why? 

The entire story comes from the man’s perspective, providing insight into his upbringing, his flaws, patterns, parallels, and what they did to him. Of course, knowing the author, I knew this wouldn’t have a resolution. But it ends on the right note, confirming what the reader has already guessed. We also see what is likely to happen based on Cathal’s responses to his thoughts or the lack of them. 

The story deals with themes like family, relationships, marriage, toxic cycles, love, compromise, priorities, expectations, etc. The subtle and distant tone perfectly presents the characters, leaving the rest for the reader to decide.  

The Long and Painful Death – 4 Stars

An unnamed woman, a 39-year-old writer, gets to stay at a popular writing residency for two weeks. She has plans, which have to be adjusted when a German professor wants to see the residence before he leaves. This visit by him ignites a tiny spark, leading to a long and painful death (of a character) but with great satisfaction. 

The story is dreamy, languid, and meanders aimlessly, just like the woman. However, none of it goes to waste. She may be a random explorer with half-written ideas for her book, but there’s more to her than hope. Deep inside is her determination, one that runs in parallel to the heroine of a book she’s reading. And when the right trigger flips the switch, she knows to make the most of it. 

NGL, I could be missing something deeper (or maybe not). There is loneliness, yearning, determination, judgment, resentment, and much more. 

Antarctica – 4 Stars 

Bored with her routine life, a married woman and mother of two wonders how it would be to sleep with another man. That December, she decides to find out before it’s too late. Her trip to the city begins well. She even meets a man interested in her. However, she realizes that everything comes at a price, and this one may not leave her with anything. 

The story begins with speculation, which soon becomes action. There’s excitement, danger, recklessness, and a sense of freedom. However, the unspoken unease lingers in the background. It becomes more powerful, but not until it is too late to act or react. 

The setting suits the theme, Christmasy yet uncomfortable and threatening. The ending is more definite in this story, though it is still open and left to the reader’s interpretation. 

To summarize, So Late in the Day is a collection of three short stories dealing with several themes but with a central thread of loneliness, one that you feel so late in the day, left alone with nothing but uncomfortable thoughts for company. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Grove Press, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #SoLateintheDay

Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord by Celeste Connally - Book Review

Series: Lady Petra Inquires #1 

Publication Date: 14th Nov 2023 

Genre: Historical Drama 

2 Stars 

One Liner: Ugh! 

Lady Petra Forsyth has decided to lead a spinster’s life when her fiancé dies a few weeks before the wedding. With her inheritance to provide for her expenses, Lady Petra has no need for a man or marriage. 

When she gets to know that a longtime friend has passed away due to melancholia and a certain questionable physician seems to be involved, Petra wonders if there’s more to it. After all, not many people were informed or even invited to the funeral. Her quest for truth triggers a series of events and puts her life at risk. 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Lady Petra. 

My Thoughts: 

I’m always ready to read a historical mystery or romance. The premise promised some fun and sleuthing, so I was excited to read this one. Unfortunately, the results were below average. 

The book does have a few good points, like little Teddy, the street urchin, and Annie, the maid. The Duchess is also cool. Someone you’d want on your side. 

However, the not-so-good points outweigh by a large margin. 

First, the opening has to be strong enough to hook the reader. Here, we get a bunch of names and lengthy conversations that ‘bring us up to date’ about the FMC. 

Second, it’s hard to enjoy a book when the heroine doesn’t appeal to you. That’s my problem here. I could not like Lady Petra despite her being a feminist, LGBT+ ally, and whatever. She’s judgmental, jumps to conclusions, and acts like a typical privileged woman of the ton. 

Third, the so-called potential love interest Duncan sounds great in theory. However, he is limited to being a cardboard cutout with zero personality. The chemistry is minus ten. It isn’t even there. Things happen because well... checklist, possibly. 

Fourth, the writing is chaotic. I know this is still in the editing stages and is an uncorrected proof, but the book will need major structuring to get rid of the filler content. I also know the book is the first in the series, and some of it is necessary for world-building. However, we don’t need to be introduced to many characters who serve no purpose. 

Fifth, the mystery is boring, too. The concept is very good. But once again, the execution doesn’t have it appealing. It’s neither surface level nor detailed, leaving it hanging nowhere. Even the villain doesn’t get more than a couple of scenes to show his villainous side. 

Sixth, there’s no denying that the book tries to achieve too much – racism, homophobia, women’s rights, misogyny, sexism, abuse, institutionalization, classism, etc., and a heroine who wants to fight it all. It could have still worked. This doesn’t. 

Seventh, there’s a cliffhanger in this one about the FMC’s personal life. Let’s say I couldn’t care less by that point. I tried and failed. 

To summarize, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord might appeal to some readers, but it definitely didn’t work for me. Moreover, it even gave me a headache on both days I read it. That doesn’t happen often, so I find it hard to be lenient. Sorry! 

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

#NetGalley

Pass The Cyanide by Karmen Špiljak - Book Review

Series: Cooking With Cyanide #2

Publication Date: 05th Nov 2023

Genre: Cooking Noir, Short Story Anthology 

3.8 Stars 

One Liner: Deliciously murderous 

Pass the Cyanide is a second collection of food-based cozy (murder) mysteries with eight stories and a bonus un-themed story at the end. 

The collection starts with an author’s note detailing how she wrote book one and why book two came into existence. The quirky and humorous note sets the tone, and I did enjoy most of the stories in the collection. 

A selected list of recipes (created and tested by the author) is also provided after the stories. I might try a couple someday in the distant future. 

As always, I rate each story individually. 

Ernest's Choice – 4 Stars 

Told from four third-person POVs, this is the story of Chef Ernest’s rise, fall, and rise before the finale. The story comes in stages, revealing the mystery toward the end. It’s a solid start to the collection. 

A Little Revenge – 4 Stars 

Detective Inspector Clark looks at the messy kitchen with two dead bodies covered in blood and wonders just how much went wrong. The dead man is Maurice Miller, and his wife is missing. What had happened? Well, the story comes in multiple third-person POVs, providing the necessary answers but not all. All I can say is that someone made a wise decision. 

A Stroke of Luck – 3.5 Stars 

A mobster story with some cocktails and food! It comes in the first-person narration by Andrew, a journalist. The plot, setting, and delivery are well done. Just that, I’m not much into mobster and mafia stories. 

Seventeen Minutes – 4 Stars 

Joyce and her husband George go to the Amazon rainforest for a holiday. Joyce is unhappy about her marriage, though she’s not sure what to do. The trip gives her an idea, though. The story comes in Joyce’s third-person POV. This was quite interesting and uses food differently. 

The Feast – 4.5 Stars 

Dee and Finn have been having dinner at Eric Strutter’s remote mansion in the woods. Erin is Finn’s childhood friend, calling out of nowhere after 15 years. Both suspect something wrong, but do they have the chance to find out and escape? Oh, this is such an intriguing theme. I won’t reveal anything. Easily the best in the collection. 

The Secret Sauce – 4 Stars 

Chef Jeffrey’s publisher hires celebrity food writer Desdemona to work on his new recipe book. They are making his final recipe, the most famous mushroom sauce. But Jeffrey has a secret ingredient he doesn’t want to share. So, how does he protect his recipe? This one has the right amount of tension and anticipation. The ending stretches a bit but is necessary for his character arc. 

Sweet Darkness – 4 Stars 

Ginny is upset that Iris, the new mom in town, takes over the parents’ committee. She has a plan ready for revenge during their meeting. However, as people and food come together, things may not be the way they seem. This is a steady-paced story with increasing tension towards the end. What happened? What will happen? 

Marcel – 3.5 Stars 

Nora goes to a remote countryside village to meet her friend Dani and her new house, Marcel. What’s it about the house that Dani is willing to stay in it forever? While the story is intriguing, the ending is quite open. I’m also not sure about the food connection. 

Library of Emotions 

(Bonus Short Story, unthemed)

This is a dystopian story where people can request to experience a single emotion for 30 minutes in a library. A lovely story. Short and poignant. (4.5 stars) 

As you can see, except for 2 stories, the rest touch 4, and one of them really stands out. All the stories are of decent size and easy to read in a few minutes. Stick to one per day for maximum enjoyment. 

To summarize, Pass The Cyanide is a worthy collection of food mysteries that brings a diversity of sub-themes and seamlessly blends them with the central thread. Grab this book and enjoy it with a dozen Gulab Jamuns or more! 

My thanks to BookSirens and the author for the electronic ARC.