Srivalli Rekha (Semi Hiatus)'s Blog, page 41

One Last Kill by Robert Dugoni - Book Review

Series: Tracy Crosswhite #10

Publication Date: 03rd Oct 2023

Genre: Contemporary Police Procedural, Mystery 

4 Stars 

One Liner: A solid read 

Chief Webber asks Tracy Crosswhite to reopen the Seattle’s Route 99 serial killer case. Tracy is expected to bring closure to the thirteen victims’ families almost twenty-five years later. When she has to work with Johnny Nolasco, Tracy knows it will be an uphill battle. 

Nolasco was the lead detective working on the case back then, and somehow, he and Tracy manage to work together in the present time. However, Tracy follows her intuition, which yet again leads her to high-level corruption, cover-ups, and people in power who will do anything to prevent the news from coming out. Still, Tracy will not give up without a fight, especially when the killer strikes again. 

The story comes in Tracy’s third-person POV, with a few chapters in the past timeline from Nolasco’s POV. 

My Thoughts: 

I haven’t read books 1 to 8 in the series but enjoyed the ninth installment. I even read #8.5, The Last Line (short story), which ties up with #9. This helped get a better picture of the context, as there are quite a few references to both in this one.

Tracy solves cold cases (by reopening the investigation and through DNA comparison). After being successful in three such cases, Chief Webber assigns her to another serial killer case. Tracy is a smart, capable, and efficient detective. She is thorough and knows when to follow her hunches. 

Though this one doesn’t have much of Del and Faz, they do appear from time to time. Nolasco has a major role, given he was the chief of the investigation back then. I don’t know much about his animosity with Tracy, though there are enough hints to get an idea. Providing his POV from the past helped me consider things from his perspective. This made it easier to understand his actions and motivations. 

The pacing is steady, neither slow nor fast. It may seem like not much happens in the first 50-60%, but that’s the thing with reopening cold cases. There is already enough information to go through before finding more. I like how Tracy uses different bits of information and various perspectives to bring everything together. Be it DNA advancement and profiling, she doesn’t ignore things that don’t align with her ideas. Instead, she thinks about how these perspectives can help her solve the case. 

I’m waiting for Webber to get her due. Looks like I need to wait longer, and more names are being added to this list. Realistic endings are good, but I don’t mind if a touch of it is compromised to make the readers happy (we know it is not likely to happen in the real world; why not give us the satisfaction on-page). Still, I’m hopeful that justice will be served, one way or another. There will be more books in the series, so we’ll get to it (hopefully). 

This should read well as a standalone. However, it will work better if you read at least the previous installment. Even the author calls books 8.5, 9, and 10 a sort of trilogy within the series. 

To summarize, One Last Kill is a solid police procedural with relatively less action but a lot of problem-solving. There are enough twists to engage the reader. Looking forward to the next case! 

Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer, for the eARC.  

#NetGalley #OneLastKill 

Under Ground by E.S. Thomson - Book Review

Series: Jem Flockhart #6  

Publication Date: 05th Oct 2023

Genre: Historical Mystery 

4 Stars 

One Liner: Darkish mystery 

***

1854, London 

The dreaded cholera, aka blue death, is hounding London again. The city is in panic, but that doesn’t stop Jem Flockhart and Will Quartermain from pursuing a murder case. 

An unknown man was murdered in a brothel, and its guard has been arrested for the crime. Jem and Will know he is not the killer but have only a few days to find out more about the victim and trace the killer. Their investigation takes them to the powerful, rich, and mysterious Mortmain family. 

 With the clocking ticker faster, can Jem and Will save an innocent’s life and bring justice to the dead? 

The story comes in Jem’s first-person POV and journal entries by Will.

My Thoughts: 

So, first things first. I didn’t realize this was a part of a series until a day before I started reading the book. I came across a review mentioning this and went on Amazon to find out. Well, I was surprised this was book #6. Lucky that I’m not particular about reading a series in an order. I think there are a few spoilers for the main characters in this one, though I cannot say how much or what. 

The setting is bleak, foul, smelly, and oppressive like the underground sewers polluting the River Thames. With fog, cold, smell, cholera, and death, there isn’t anything breezy or light about the book. Though some of it is uncomfortable to read, it’s necessary to keep the reader immersed in the setting. 

The narration is easy to follow but slow. The story moves at a languid pace to suit the overall atmosphere of gloom, treachery, and violence. It’s a good change from reading about only the best side of London. This one is realistic and brutal. 

The main characters take some to get used to. Jem is easier to follow than Will, who seems to have a rather delicate disposition. There’s some backstory I’m missing (obviously), but that doesn’t affect the core plot, so I could read it for what it is without worrying too much. 

Since Jem is an apothecary doctor, we get insights into treatments, salves, and stuff. This is quite interesting (and I always like to read about natural medicine). Also, kind of scary that leeches are placed on the neck to drain some blood and provide relief from migraines. *shudder* 

The central mystery slowly unravels as Jem and Will find more information and try to connect the dots. A few clues and red herrings are scattered for readers to guess. There’s a bit of wordplay, too - some for dark humor and some as clues. 

Given the time period, the book also mentions the Golconda diamonds (still in the possession of the British). There are a couple of references to the Indian colonies, and a bit of racism, which was natural back then. 

The side characters are interesting. Thimble has great potential. I hope this lad becomes a recurring character like Jenny. Among those involved in the case, Caroline and Charlotte stand out from the rest. I like how the book shows the other side of privileged activism, where the saviors will do anything to ensure the unfortunate will continue to be needy. After all, if people have better lives, they won’t need saviors. Gasp! 

Another point I like is how women found ways to have a career and achieve their ambitions despite the stifling limitations. They still had to give up certain things, but they were willing to do it. (Not saying more to avoid spoilers). 

The book ends on a hopeful note. I’m curious to see how Jem and Will will solve more cases that come their way. I’ve also added the previous ones to my list. 

To summarize, Under Ground is a dark, stinky, and murderous mystery that works as a standalone, though you might enjoy it more if you read at least one book in the series. I still liked this.  

Thank you, NetGalley, Little, Brown Book Group UK, and Constable, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #UnderGround

***

TW: Suicides 

When We Were Friends by Samantha Tonge - Book Review

Publication Date: 04th Oct 2023

Genre: Women’s Fiction 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Got many positives but somehow doesn’t hit the mark 

***

Morgan is living a life contrary to what she wanted as a teen. Being a single parent to a nineteen-year-old is exhausting. Things get worse when her son, Olly, is determined to find his father. Morgan hasn’t even revealed his name. Olly continues to persist, and Morgan has no choice but to reach out to her three friends and ask for help, even if they have been estranged for years. 

Paige, Emily, and Tiff are leading their own lives, happy yet unhappy. They have different reactions to Morgan’s request. After all, the best friends hurt each other and broke apart. Will this be their chance to reveal the secrets, apologize, and heal? However, the four friends have to deal with many truths before they can move on. 

The story comes in the third-person POV of the four main characters in neatly marked chapters. 

My Thoughts: 

The four friends, Morgan, Paige, Emily, and Tiff, are well-etched. They have their strengths and weaknesses and are flawed people. Even their interactions feel genuine. None of them is perfect, making it easy to root for all of them. Olly makes a strong impression despite having limited coverage. 

Though the focus is on Morgan, we get enough details into others’ lives too. The presentation is neat and clearly structured. We know whose POV (all in the third-person) we are reading at all times. However, quite a bit of it is ‘told’ to the readers, which dilutes the impact. 

Friendships and relationships are messy, and this book reflects it well without making it too dramatic. It also has many lessons about boundaries, forgiveness, healing, acceptance, moving on, etc. They blend well most of the time. 

The writing is easy enough to read but tends to get repetitive. More than once, I got tired of the supposed secrets that almost came out, but something happened to prevent the reveal. This method should not be overused. The same goes for how Emily makes people share information. That was overkill.

My issue is with how the second half is structured. There’s a major reveal at 50%, with hints about the whats and whys. However, the actual story isn’t shared until after 90%. Moreover, there are many clues to guess everything. Either the clues should be fewer, or the reason should be out sooner. I’d go with the latter, given the plotline. 

The main characters are 35-36 years old. Somehow, they sound a decade older. They are weary, I get that. But the vibes don’t feel like I’m reading about people closer to my age. 

The book would work on screen. It has the elements to become a nice TV drama (the bittersweet kind). The ending is hopeful, though I wouldn’t have said no to more details. In fact, I’d have liked it if there was another chapter exclusively for Olly. I think he deserves it. 

To summarize, When We Were Friends is a good read about school friendships, teenage mistakes, and attempts to reconnect as adults. Despite the heavy themes, the book doesn’t get too intense or stressful. It’ll make a decent one-time read. 

(Rounding up to 4 stars after much thought. 3 stars do seem a little less.) 

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

#NetGalley #WhenWeWereFriends

The Witches of Bone Hill by Ava Morgyn - Book Review

Publication Date: 26th Sep 2023

Genre: Gothic Women’s Fiction, Paranormal 

3 Stars 

One Liner: Great atmosphere but gets burdened by unwanted elements 

Cordelia Bone’s life is now a mess. Her husband’s affair and debts push her to the brink of ruin. With loan sharks threatening dire consequences, she doesn’t know what to do. A sudden call from her sister, Eustace, gives a ray of hope. Aunt Augusta may be estranged, but since she named them in her will, the sisters can sell her house and make money. 

They fly to a remote town in Connecticut to realize that the house is in proper Victorian Gothic style. Cordelia knows her experience as a real estate agent will come in handy. However, the lawyer informs them about the additional stipulations. Also, Cordelia’s extra-sensory talents are back in action. 

The house has too many secrets to unearth (including the dark past of the sexy tattooed groundskeeper). Digging into it may offer some answers about their dead mother and Cordelia’s skills. However, there’s danger everywhere. 

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

What I Like: 

Aunt Augusta’s estate and the setting is wow. The house is a character of its own (though this gets diluted due to extra elements) and is quite creepy. I love every bit of the description of the estate. It’s dark, brooding, sinister, and tangible. 

Cordelia’s initial struggle in using vs. suppressing her talents is well done. Her desire to lead a ‘normal’ life and the consequences of her decisions align with the creepiness of the house. 

Eustace is my favorite character in the book. It’s too bad she doesn’t get her own POV and still manages to shine bright. She is the one who keeps things going when Cordelia sulks around. 

The ghosts are great, though. I like that each has a definite personality and is easy to track. They have unfinished business but are also protective of their family. 

The concepts of runes, coded writing (recipe books), secret rituals, etc., are interesting to read. There are some eww moments, which cannot be helped when you get into a dark basement with weird tools and scattered bones. 

The pacing gets better in the last quarter where things move faster. But this means the atmosphere doesn’t hold steady. Still, I’m glad I could sit for a few minutes extra and finish the book instead of slogging through the second half. 

The last chapter serves as an epilogue. It fills the gaps and provides a satisfactory ending. 

What Could Have Been Better for Me: 

The entire story comes in Cordelia’s POV (thank god for the third-person narration). However, she is hard to connect with. Though initially I empathized with her, as the story progressed, I found her voice uneven and erratic. She also sounds whiny and immature in some places. 

Moreover, Eustace is a great character despite not getting an in-depth arc. I like her a lot more and couldn’t help but wish at least half the chapters come in her POV. It would have balanced the narrative. Though Cordelia is the MC and gets to save the day, I wouldn’t mind if it was otherwise. 

The pacing is super slow. While this is necessary in the beginning to establish the setting and atmosphere, the story gets bogged down by too many elements. There’s a mysterious stalker, a creepy lawyer, Gordon (the love interest with a romantic track we could do without), a mafia lender (he wasn’t necessary since Cordelia had enough troubles to handle), a useless ex who gets a full chapter, and Cordelia going back and forth. Yep, it’s quite exhaustive and distracting from the central plot. 

It’s a good thing this book is not marketed as a mystery (or is it?) since the clues are way too obvious and in the face. I’m sure everyone except the main characters figured out the danger and attacker. 

I knew there would be a love track with Gordon in the picture. I wish it was believable or at least a real slow burn. This one doesn’t feel organic, and the third-act breakup is so stupid. It may seem like a way to advance the plot, but man, it’s horribly done. I can’t sugarcoat this. 

To summarize, The Witches of Bone Hill has terrific potential but manages to deliver in bits and pieces. It would have worked better if the focus was limited to the house, family history, and the sisters instead of trying to force-fit too many threads.  

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press (Griffin), for the eARC. 

***

TW: Animal harm and death. 

Last Word to the Wise by Ann Claire - Book Review

Series: Christie Bookshop #2 

Publication Date: 03rd Oct 2023

Genre: Small Town Cozy Mystery, Contemporary 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Fun and entertaining (needs some serious fine-tuning) 

Meg and Ellie Christie are sisters running their family bookshop, Book Chalet, in the Last Word town. Apart from the love for books and mysteries, the sisters also have a bad dating history as a common factor. However, they end up agreeing to be test dummies for a double blind date set up as a part of her latest entrepreneurial venture by Cousin Lorna.  

Ellie’s date ends up as boring as she expected it. Meg, however, has a good time and makes plans to meet her date the next day. Of course, they soon find out that the man has been murdered. Meg is the prime suspect, and the sisters have no choice but to become active investigators. It doesn’t help that Meg’s scumbag ex is back in town, acting too sweet and trying to manipulate their fourteen-year-old daughter Rosie. The sisters need to sort out the issues before they can breathe easy! 

The story comes in the first-person POV of Ellie Christie. 

My Thoughts: 

I enjoyed the first book and was excited to read this one. Luckily, I could get the ARC and enjoy it before the release. 

The beginning is slow, like the previous one, but picks up pace after 30%. Though the book should work as a standalone, it might be better to read the first as well. Last Word has some eccentric and loud characters that may seem overwhelming without a proper introduction. 

This one combines mystery and subplot (the sisters’ lives) quite well. There’s a potential love track for Ellie and the police officer. Though cliché, it might work for the duo. Let’s see where it goes. 

Agatha C (cat) Christie, the Siamese cat, makes her presence felt just by being who she is. After all, Agatha is a celebrity with more followers than the bookshop. And as expected, the book has plenty of references to Christie’s mysteries.

Gram and Rosie also have some space, though I wish they were around for more. Rosie’s vulnerability comes out well, though I wish Ellie would have helped the girl understand a few things. The issue with Meg’s ex (Rosie’s dad) could have been better handled. Just one dialogue from Ellie would have done the job and showed that she is a capable aunt (loving isn’t enough; she ought to guide her niece too). 

Lorna contributed to the comic factor initially but soon became infuriating. I hope the sisters can stop being emotionally manipulated and set healthy boundaries. 

The mystery is decent, with enough suspects, red herrings, and clues. However, I am disappointed by the reveal. The killer was a surprise, but made me curious to see how and why (it’s not often that I get this wrong). That said, the motive is weak and doesn’t feel logical. It can still make sense if a few more details are added to iron out the wrinkles. (This is an uncorrected proof, so maybe they’ll do the needful). 

The setting is beautiful. It’s wintertime, with snow, cold, and frost. The gondola is mentioned a few times but is not a part of the story (like in the first one). We also meet a couple of mules (again). I love how the cover incorporates the various elements from the setting and the plot. 

To summarize, Last Word to the Wise is an entertainer with good doses of banter, gossip, drama, and sleuthing. The cozy bookshop is a definite bonus. 

Thank you, Ms. Diaz, from Random House Publishing Group – Bantam and NetGalley, for the eARC on my request.  

#NetGalley #LastWordtotheWise

The Cottage at Whisper Lake by Phillipa Nefri Clark - Book Review

Series: Temple River #1 

Publication Date: 25th Sep 2023

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction, Dual Timeline 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Heartwarming 

***

Sadie Forest is back in River End after fifteen years. She wouldn’t have been here if not for her mother’s call to sort out the family business and house after her father’s death. Back in the town, Sadie feels familiar yet different. She is still haunted by the bittersweet and painful memories of her childhood. 

One day, Sadie chances upon a lovely cottage near Whisper Lake. She also meets the reclusive owner, Rebecca Meyers. The old lady is intriguing and has a troubled past of her own. When she asks for help, Sadie knows she will do what she can. Maybe this could be her chance to finally lay her demons to rest. 

Of course, there’s Dan, the builder, a handsome and kind man liked by many. Sadie needs to make a lot of decisions! 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Sadie Forest and the first-person POV of young Becky (past timeline). 

My Thoughts: 

This is an Australian small-town book set around the fictitious Temple River, in the coastal Victoria state. The setting is beautiful, with cliffs, jetty, lake, hill slopes, and open lands. Though there isn’t much about the town, we get to see a few local stores and briefly meet their owners. 

Sadie is a documentary producer who tackles serious topics like the impact of finances on seniors, etc. Though she claims to have gotten over her past issues with her father, we see that’s not the case. All those years of therapy didn’t help for sure. 

It takes a while to get used to the interactions between Sadie and her mother, Pam. That’s because Sadie hasn’t really kept in touch with her. Both women have changed, and this makes things a bit tentative. I like how they continue to support each other despite the uncertainty. Their relationship strengthens as they start to heal. 

Sadie is easy enough to like, though she willingly does/ says a few things that put her in a not-so-good light. The narrative keeps things clear, so it is easy to see her thoughts and the reason for her actions, even if we don’t always agree with them. 

Rebecca, aka Becky, is another complex character. Her older self is different yet the same as her younger version. I admit to being confused about her age in the past timeline. The first-person narrative doesn’t reveal her age (we get a clue after a couple of chapters) for a long time. And given how Becky is literally cooking and cleaning like a grownup, I had a little tough time picturing her age. (Thanks for your help when I tried to figure it out, Rosh.)

The book is heavy on emotions, acceptance, forgiveness, and healing. While this doesn’t make it a light read, it also doesn’t get too overwhelming. We get some lighter and gentler moments, too. Percy, the black cat, helps a lot. Little Charles, too, is an adorable young boy. 

The love track between Sadie and Dan is well done. It’s there but not too evident. The connection feels realistic enough, mainly because Dan is composed, assertive, and stable. He has already healed himself, so he is patient with Sadie as she tries to sort through her issues. And this is a clean romance. 

A crucial element relies on a minor character we aren’t familiar with. This makes it hard to understand their motivations and actions. It’s almost like we need to accept certain things at face value and go with the flow. I wish this was better handled. 

However, Sadie’s inquisitive nature plays a role in connecting the dots. We do see a hopeful ending (or a new beginning) for the main characters. There isn’t an epilogue, but we have an HFN. Since this is a standalone series, I’m hopeful Sadie and Dan will be recurring characters. 

To summarize, The Cottage at Whisper Lake is a heartwarming story on the heavier side. It deals with various themes, though they are all centered around family and relationships. 

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

#NetGalley #TheCottageatWhisperLake

The A&A Detective Agency: The Fairfleet Affair by K.H. Saxton - Book review

Publication Date: 19 September 2023

Genre: Middle-Grade Cozy Mystery 

4.3 Stars 

One Liner: Aww… adorable (but a little slow-paced) 

Dr. Alistair Fairfleet, the eccentric chairman of the museums of the Fairfleet Institute, has disappeared without a sign. Everyone is worried about him. Fifteen days later, four people associated with the museums get letters from him. The fifth letter goes to the A&A Detective Agency run by Alex and Asha, two smart twelve-year-olds. 

Dr. Alistair invites all of them to use his clues and uncover the mystery behind his disappearance. The young detectives are eager to prove themselves. They solve puzzles and riddles dealing with art and archeology. But can they reach Dr. Alistair on time, or are they too young to handle the unseen risks? 

The story comes in the omnipresent third-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

Who can resist a good detective mystery with two young detectives? Not me, for sure! This book has Asha Singh and Alex Foster running the A&A Detective Agency in Alex’s tree house. The kids are smart, intelligent, witty, and super cute. They do have ‘professional disagreements’ but learn to work through their differences. 

The kids have different personalities, highlighted in many scenes. Asha is particular about rules (though she understands some rules should be flexible when you are a detective). Alex is a rule-breaker with a flair for dramatics and a little guy who does like to give in to his emotions (he sure doesn’t like his favorite people being on the suspect list). This makes them real and easy to relate to. 

It’s been a long time since I read a book in the third-person omnipresent POV. This brings the narrator's voice into the picture and elevates the book. The voice is cheeky, witty, and has a touch of light humor. I chuckled quite a few times when reading the book. The pacing is slow, though. 

The mystery combines brainy puzzles and some action. I like how the investigation doesn’t put the kids at risk (except in one instance, which is more of an architectural problem). There’s no ‘bad guy’ either, so the children are safe biking around in their small town. Since the story is set during the summer holidays, they don’t miss school. 

Despite being middle-grade fiction, the adults in the book are quite good. Though they aren’t elaborate, we know enough of them to understand their character arcs. And every adult is distinct, bringing a nice flavor to the plot. 

There’s a cat, Captain Nemo, who sadly doesn’t get much space except in a couple of scenes. We also see an old doggie, Don Quixote (aka Donkey), who belongs to Alex’s family. Even the parents are pretty much absent. While they are mentioned, none of them have an actual dialogue. 

The book is set in Northbrook and has the feel of a larger small town. There isn’t much to visualize the location but the campus, museums, etc., are easy to imagine. 

My favorite part is the acknowledgment that the ‘artifacts’ in the museums have dubious backgrounds and the ethical dilemma it brings. It’s no secret that many pieces from other cultures have either been stolen or forcefully taken from their lands to be displayed in the US, UK, and European museums. To see a children’s book deal with this topic makes me happy. Kids need to understand that the cultural heritage belonging to other lands is not for entertainment in foreign museums. Our gods are not to be kept in glass boxes. They belong to our lands and our people. They belong to us. 

Recently, the New York Metropolitan Museum agreed to return 15 idols belonging to India. Over the last few years, we have received about 150 ancient artifacts that should have never left our land. The Cambodian idols are also still in the US museums, denying people to worship their gods the way they should be. A couple of months ago, Sophiline Cheam-Shapiro wrote about her experience at The Met where she was asked to leave for performing the Cambodian traditional dance of prayer with permission. 

To summarize, The Fairfleet Affair is a witty and smart detective mystery with two intelligent kids working together and independently to solve their special case. Both our detectives get equal importance and prove themselves. This book is standalone from what I know but would be a wonderful short series.

Thank you, NetGalley and Union Square Kids (a subsidiary of Sterling Publishing), for the eARC.  

#NetGalley 

***

The cover is cute enough and details the agency’s office. However, it doesn’t exactly catch the eye. I zeroed in on the book based on the title and genre. The blurb (and Asha) was my reason for requesting the book. I wouldn’t say no to a brighter cover. 

Murder in the Blitz by F.L. Everett - Book Review

Series: An Edie York Mystery #1 (Standalone)

Publication Date: 21st Sep 2023

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery, WWII 

3 Stars 

One Liner: Decent but slow and long 

Manchester, 1940 

Edie York joined the newspaper office hoping to become a stylish and real wartime reporter. However, she ends up as a secretary, multitasking throughout the day but bored out of her wits. A certain development leads her to the soldier training site and makes her a witness to the death of a Home Guard soldier. 

Edie is excited, knowing the case is her ticket to prove her abilities as a crime reporter. However, she soon realizes it’s harder than it looks, and the stakes are high. 

DI Louis Brennan is arrogant and infuriating. He doesn’t even take Edie seriously. But when things get dangerous, he agrees to help her. Yet, it won’t be easy for Edie to find the truth. Can she solve her first case without getting killed? 

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

My Thoughts: 

As the first in the series, the book sets the stage by introducing Edie York and the setting. We meet various characters, though only a few are important for the plot. The WWII backdrop is well done. There are recurring instances of rations, air raids, volunteering work, etc. 

The newspaper office and its employees are also easy to visualize. We see the difference in how men and women are treated at work and in general. This was when times were changing, and women were actively doing ‘men’s work’ but still got overlooked. 

The plot, as such, is simple enough to follow. The mystery has interesting elements, too. However, the MC is a major letdown. While I understand her motivations and some of her actions, she fails to make a good impression for the majority of the book. 

I’ve tried to excuse a lot since this is Edie’s first case (she is bound to stumble). Sure, she is talented at writing obituaries, and the unexpected promotion gives her a chance to investigate a crime. However, for someone who devours so many mysteries, she doesn’t seem to have a basic understanding of how to handle a case. Just about everything is a mess. It’s as if the MC doesn’t bother using her brain much (not until it’s too late). Surely, a wannabe crime reporter wouldn't say something like he’s my boyfriend (that too a very recent development), so he can’t be a suspect (despite the red flags). Ridiculous! 

The writing is heavy and slow. The first-person narration results in a lot of blabbering and excessive descriptions. This makes the book feel 100 pages longer than its actual 300-page count. Also, I dislike long chapters. The first chapter was long and ended at 10%. (This is an uncorrected proof, so I’m hoping it will read better in the final version. It’ll need helluva edits). 

Despite everything, I am interested in the second book. Edie did seem like she learned her lessons. I can only hope she will display a better sense of judgment and balance in the coming book. Fingers crossed! 

To summarize, Murder in the Blitz does offer a good setting and portrayal of the Blitz and how it affected ordinary people. As a mystery, it is yet to step up and deliver. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #MurderintheBlitz 

Christmas at the Cat Café by Jessica Redland - Book Review

Publication Date: 15th Sep 2023

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction 

3 Stars 

One Liner: Nice, but that’s it 

Tabby is an ailurophile (cat lover). She has always wanted to own a cat café to combine her love for cats and baking. The inheritance from her Nanna makes her dream come true. However, days before the opening, Tabby’s boyfriend Leon decides he’s not up for it and breaks off. Tabby is heartbroken but knows she can’t let him shatter her dreams. 

However, with her medical condition (still a secret from her family) and business hurdles, it will take a Christmas miracle to save her business from loss even before it has opened. Also, someone out there could be sabotaging her café. 

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

What I Like: 

The setting is beautiful, be it the small town with friendly business owners or the interiors of the cat café with murals. It’s easy to visualize most of it. 

The book has fifteen cats! Each has a name and is described (color, breed, etc.). I didn’t note it all, but I’m sure it would have been a fun exercise. They have distinct personalities, too. I have a friend with around 18+ cats (adopted strays), so I thought of her immediately. 

Tabby’s family is wonderful (even if her brother annoyed me at one point). They are supportive, caring, and ready to step in and help whenever necessary. Tom is a sweetheart, of course. I wouldn’t have minded if he had more depth. It would have helped his arc more. 

Tabby has fibromyalgia, a chronic medical condition that causes varying degrees of body pains, fatigue, and brain fog. I love how this aspect is seamlessly incorporated into the plot. While it may seem a little excessive, it is not. This condition is life-altering and can affect a person (and their family) any day. So, every day they wake up pain-free is a win. It makes sense to include this (especially since the book is in the first person). I learned a lot about fibromyalgia and how to handle it positively, which is a definite plus. 

The traffic lights and spoon theory used to measure her pain/ fatigue levels is a great addition. I really liked this concept. 

There’s HEA and an epilogue, so another yay! 

What Could Have Been Better for Me: 

With Christmas in the title, I expected it to have a bigger role in the book. However, the story starts in November. We get to the first week of December in the last quarter. Not much of Christmas in this one, except for the Spirit part, which, TBH, can be used any time of the year. People helping others isn’t seasonal. 

The cover makes the book appear to be a warm and cozy romance. However, romance is secondary and not so well done. While it does have warm moments, the love/ romance angle doesn’t hit the mark. 

Despite the first-person narration, I couldn’t see Tabby in love with the guy. But I could see his love for her almost from the beginning. It works to an extent as the FMC is in another relationship at the beginning, gets dumped, and has to recover. Even then, when the shift happens, it doesn’t seem convincing from her side but is spot on from his side. Go figure! 

The narration is long-winded and slow. It drones on in some places, and there’s quite a bit of repetition. Moreover, I’m not that into dubbing for cats (or animals) and having a two-way conversation with myself. I do talk to animals and non-living objects, but I don’t put words into their mouth and make them talk back to me in different voices. This is a little weird. 

I could spot the culprit for sabotage right away. Not an issue since this is not a mystery. It was supposed to be obvious. However, that track didn’t have to be so long. No need to give so much importance to a fourth-party character, even if there’s a sort of lesson in there. 

Reading the author’s note was enlightening and informative. I didn’t like a certain plot development and wondered about the reason behind it. The author wanted to write about a character with fibromyalgia (a great choice) and a cat café (another good choice), so she decided to combine both. However, the subsequent developments weren't that good.  

To summarize, Christmas at the Cat Café is nice enough but didn’t charm me as I hoped it would. It’s a one-time read and might be better suited for the series/ author’s fans. 

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

#NetGalley #ChristmasattheCatCafé

***

TW: Animal death (accident) 

The League of Lady Poisoners by Lisa Perrin - Book Review

The League of Lady Poisoners: Illustrated True Stories of Dangerous Women by Lisa Perrin, Maria Trimarchi (Foreword), Holly Frey (Foreword)

Publication Date: 19th Sep 2023

Genre: Nonfiction 

4.5 Stars 

One Liner: Poison-licious ;) 

Poison has been declared as a woman’s weapon of choice for murder. But is it really true? We know about some famous women who poisoned several people (for various reasons). Do we know why? How did poisoning become such a convenient way to get rid of someone? Which plants are toxic, and why do they also heal when taken in the right quantities? 

This book discusses the answers to these questions and more. Whether you are a mystery lover, history buff, or true crime fan, The League of Lady Poisoners is sure to give you some interesting insights. 

The book starts with a foreword and introduction. I love how the author explores the theme while pointing out many stereotypical issues that have become ‘facts’. Misogyny, gender restrictions, social constraints, oppression, witch hunts, media and historian bias, etc., play a role in how women ended up becoming famous for using poison to murder. 

The author mentions that the book mainly deals with white women as she couldn’t find records for a more diverse and inclusive collection. After a brief timeline about poisons, we read about different poisonous plants around us (my favorite section), followed by venomous animals, and poisonous elements (with lots of data about arsenic, the most famous poison of all time).  

There are bits and pieces about how these minerals were in wallpapers, cosmetics, gowns, etc., leading to millions of deaths over time. Then, we finally get to the core theme of the book- lady poisoners from history and glimpses into their lives. The list is categorized into sections based on what could be the possible motive for the murders.

The list starts with Locusta from Rome, the lady assassin with a vast knowledge of plants. She was a healer and a killer. The ladies mostly come from humble backgrounds with little or no means to survive and had to find ways to make a living. 

The famous Vishakanyas from India are also on the list. This trope is still famous in our daily soaps (sigh!). Of course, Chanakya’s role has to be discussed (and how he fed small amounts of poison to Chandragupta Maurya to promote natural resistance in his body against poisonous attacks from enemies). 

Then there’s Sally from the Caribbean, who took matters into her hands in Bermuda to fight slavery. Since she was a mixed-race woman, there isn’t enough about her earlier days, but we do know how she was sentenced to death by a jury of white men. The government of Bermuda has erected a 10-foot statue in 2008 to honor her. 

We also find Cleopatra, Marie Lafarge, Mary Ann Cotton, Viva Murano, Lucrezia Borgia, Wu Zetian (the only woman ruler in China), Queen Ranavalona (the first female monarch in Madagascar who also fought French colonizers and Christian missionaries), Tillie Klimek, Frances Howard Carr, Christiana Edmunds, etc. 

I love the bibliography at the end. It’s extensive but also neatly structured with headings and references, making it easy to look up more information for individual segments and people. 

How can I end my review without talking about the illustrations? The art is exotic, dark, and bold, tinged with humor. It elevates the content and perfectly aligns with the writing style (which has good doses of dry and sarcastic one-liners). And why not? The author is also an award-winning illustrator, and it shows in her artwork. 

To summarize, The League of Lady Poisoners is a comprehensive collection of all things poison, with a major focus on women branded as lady poisoners. This book is best enjoyed in smaller doses. ;)  

Thank you, NetGalley and Chronicle Books LLC, for the eARC.  

#NetGalley #TheLeagueofLadyPoisoners

***

P.S.: I can’t help but wonder if the author would want to create a tarot/ oracle deck on this theme. I sure will buy it even if the currency exchange rate burns my pocket.