Srivalli Rekha (Semi Hiatus)'s Blog, page 52

The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth - Book Review

Publication Date: 04th April 2023

Genre: Domestic Psychological Thriller

2.5 Stars 

One Liner: Hmm... I finished it in two days 

***

Gabe and Pippa live in a cottage on the cliff (with two 4yo girls!) near the famous Drop, where people come to jump off more than to enjoy the scenic beauty. Gabe has convinced seven such people to live until one night, the eighth person jumps (or falls or gets pushed). 

Soon, Pipa finds out who the dead woman is. Gabe knew the woman (and so did she). But what happened that night? Did Pippa see Gabe trying to save the woman, or was he pushing her off the cliff? As the story unravels, we see the secrets and cracks in their married life. 

The story comes in the first-person POV of Pippa and Amanda in ‘then’ and ‘now’ timelines. 

My Thoughts: 

I went into the book with minimum expectations (just to be on the safe side), and this helped me enjoy it a little more. 

Characters-wise, it is hard to like Pippa or Gabe. In fact, Amanda and Max are better than the leading couple. I understand the core of the book is about dysfunctional families and red flags in marriage, but the lead couple is a danger to themselves and everyone around them. 

The book also deals with mental health issues, past trauma, people from broken families, etc. While it does handle a few things well, the mental health bit goes for a toss. It doesn’t help that I wanted to shake sense into Pippa throughout the book. 

At least, Amanda’s POV is better. I could see and understand her better than other characters. Never mind that after ‘after’ POV is super convenient to provide all the necessary information to the readers. It’s good to have ghosts that can move around and keep you updated. 

Pippa is a lawyer, well she does wills and stuff, but a lawyer nevertheless. Seeing how she handled her personal life, I still wonder how and why she chose a career like that. Here is someone in a highly toxic codependent relationship who would rather let things become a mess than face the truth. Oh, did I mention she is an idiot (what kind of lawyer lies about something like that just to get even and not even worry about the consequences?)  

Don’t even get me started about Gabe. I’m not sure if reading his POV would have helped. Maybe yes. Pippa sounds hysterical, and it wasn’t until I began to speed-read that I could enjoy the plot without feeling suffocated and annoyed. 

The core of the plot is also weak. The more you think about it, the greater the plot holes. Unless, of course, you are willing to accept that the whole thing rests on people who make stupid decisions (more than once) and pay the price for it (actually, some don’t). 

The little kids, Freya and Asha, add much-needed relief to the story. I like reading about their antics and what kids say and get away with. They did make the book better. 

The climax is bland, almost anti-climatic, and cheesy in a way. It almost feels like the plot is adjusted to do whatever it takes to keep the lead couple in the focus. Given my utter dislike for them, I would have enjoyed it if things went the other way. 

To summarize, The Soulmate is a book about marriage, loyalty, fidelity, mental illness, red flags, etc. It could have been better, though it is decent if you speed-read and don’t think too much about the whole thing. 

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

#NetGalley 

***

P.S.: There’s a character called detective Tamil in the book. From what I know and confirmed with another Tamilian, Tamil is used as a first name but not as a last name. Aren’t detectives and officials usually known by their last names? 

Molly Molloy and the Angel of Death by Maria Vale - Book Review

Publication Date: 04th April 2023

Genre: Urban Fantasy (Romance)

2.7 Stars 

One Liner: A commendable attempt 

***

Azrael, aka The Death Agent, Grim Reaper, et al., has made a mistake. He was supposed to take Molly Molloy’s soul but ended up saving her from death due to chicken wings. Of course, the boss up there isn’t pleased and ordered him to set things right. 

Molly may have had a hard life, but she isn’t going to let a bumbling Agent of Death take her life. Now that she can see and talk to him, she is determined to stay alive for as long as possible. 

Interacting with Molly makes Azrael question a lot of assumptions… and he is falling in love with a human! But how will it end for them? 

The story comes in the third person POV of the two main characters (with an occasional insight by another character). 

What I Like: 

The premise is intriguing, and so is the cover. In fact, I requested the book for the cover. So good!

Death, aka Azreal, is quite a delightful character. Not someone confident and rude but more like an enthusiastic young kid who needs constant supervision. This is rather fun to read, even if it gets exasperating in the second half. 

Molly is a strong-willed character with a tragic past. She still retains her cheerfulness and loves bossing around Dee (Death). There are a few things I didn’t like about her, though these make her more ‘real’, I suppose. 

The first 40% of the book is super cool. Yeah, the writing is a bit different (complex). Still, it has some laughs and weird stuff going on. Entertaining too. 

The setting isn’t explained, but that shouldn’t be a problem if you go with the flow. Sometimes, it’s easier to not wait for explanations and let the story go where it wants to. Yet… 

The book sure has some introspective points about life, choices, changes, etc. However… (more in the next section). 

What Could Have Been Better for Me: 

Though a majority of the story is set in NYC, the setting up there and the role of other people (so many have names, but only a couple of them are recurring characters) isn’t fully explored. As someone who likes world-building, I couldn’t help but feel disappointed by the lack of details.

The last 30% of the book is boring. It takes the story forward at 8x speed to cover a huge timeline. However, I couldn’t stay invested in the plot and stop bothering. I just wanted the book to end.  

The climax should have been powerful. It is set up to be. Though, for me, it ended up confusing. I read it twice to understand what happens. Somehow, the impact isn’t there. 

In a way, the book should have been a novella. I didn’t like the preggs trope and the subsequent track. That’s where my interest started to dip. Since the concept isn’t explained much, this would have been more entertaining as a novella. 

I like dark humor. I enjoy it in most books. Here too, I like it in some places. Yet, some of it (again in the second half) gets stressful. I sure don’t want to laugh when a woman literally has to run the household because her partner is not suited for pretty much anything. The said guy being ‘Dee’ doesn’t change things. Not really. 

To summarize, Molly Molloy and the Angel of Death has an entertaining first half and a heavier second half with some weird stuff and dark humor thrown in. It has a bit of steam. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Wild and Ashe, LLC, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #MollyMolloyandtheAngelofDeath

***

TW: A reference to child rape and death. It can be triggering even if the incident isn’t detailed at all. 

Her Deadly Game by Robert Dugoni - Book Review

Publication Date: 28th March 2023

Genre: Contemporary Legal Thriller 

4.5 Stars One Liner: Super entertaining; Love it 

Keera Duggan, the daughter of the reputed defenseattorney Patsy Duggan, is making a name for herself as a prosecution lawyer inSeattle. However, she is back at her father’s law firm after ending a toxic relationshipwith her former boss. Things aren’t great with her family either, and Keerafinds comfort in playing anonymous online chess and sharpening herskills. 

Vince LaRussa, an investment advisor, hires Keera’sfamily law firm when he is suspected of his wealthy wife’s murder. Keera seesthis as a chance to establish herself but soon realizes she has to use all herchess strategies to stay one step ahead and win the case. What’s more, Keeramay have to make some tough decisions that could affect her family, the lawfirm, and her career. 

With her former boss and lover as the prosecutionattorney, Keera knows the stakes are higher than ever, and there may not be asecond chance. 

What I Like: 

The book takes time to set the stage but does itvery well. We already know how Keera’s mind works by the time the actual caseis introduced. This makes it easy to read fast and enjoy the developmentstoo. 

As a legal thriller, the focus is on courtroomscenes and the backend work lawyers do. The police work complements the caseinstead of overshadowing it. And I got strong Adaalat vibes (one of thecrime shows I binged on telly). Am I right or am I right? ;)

I really like how the author writes women. I wasimpressed by Tracy Crosswhite’s character though I read only one book in theseries. Keera Duggan is also etched to be real and relatable. 

The family dynamics also get some importance in thebook. Given how the law firm is run by Patsy and his daughter, this move topresent them as a dysfunctional yet loving family enriches the plot andcharacterization. 

Chess is an integral part of the book (I skimmed thescenes as my knowledge of the game is the bare minimum) and shows theimportance of using one’s mind and wits to fight a case in court. Turns out theauthor doesn’t even play chess. Very impressive! 

Patsy’s alcoholism, its impact on the family, andthe subsequent changes in the family dynamics during the case have a naturalarc. Patsy isn’t just an alcoholic lawyer. He is a father who loves hischildren. Never did I expect to like an alcoholic character this much. He mademe root for him. 

Despite being a legal thriller, it doesn’t get heavyon the jargon. Only the necessary terminology is used, and some of them areexplained in a natural flow. There’s even a Powerpoint presentation in one ofthe scenes. Nothing more fun than reading about a systematic approach to things(I love lists). 

Miller Ambrose may seem like a stereotype, but henails it on the head. He’s a character readers would love to hate. I wish Keerabeats him in more cases. 

I could guess the murder case and the connectionhalfway through. However, I enjoy the process of logically revealing theinformation to readers. I also think the author didn’t try to prevent thereader from connecting the dots b deliberately misleading them or ‘pulling therug’.  

What Could Have Been Better for Me:

Well… nothing much for me to rant about. But I stillgot a couple of issues to talk about… 

While repetition is expected in courtroom scenes,the same seems unnecessary during the climax reveal. The conversation gets abit too long, with one character repeating information that has been alreadypresented multiple times. Since I figured out almost all of it, I just wantedto get to the ‘how’ and ‘what next’ part of the story.

A certain diagnosis (for the lack of a better word)doesn’t seem to be necessary. The character has already been established. Thisdidn’t add anything to it. In fact, I like it when characters can be who theyare without some sort of medical diagnosis to support it (trying hard not toreveal spoilers). 

To summarize, Her Deadly Game is easily one of thebest legal thrillers. It is entertaining, intriguing, and fun to read. I hopethe author turns this into a series. All main characters have the potential tostar in multiple books, especially Keera, Rossi, and Patsy. 

Oh, the author’s note is one of my favorites. It’s aletter from the author to the readers, and that’s how it is written.Beautiful! 

Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer, forthe eARC. 

#NetGalley #HerDeadlyGame 

The Amethyst Dusk

Not a flutter or a ripple in sightNeither a bird’s song nor a frog’s callNo rustling leaves and no gushing winds
A thin spread of grey cloudsMild and gentle, unmoving; suspended in motion 
Is there anything more tranquil than an amethyst dusk?

PC: Cleverpix/ Pixabay Deep violet, blending with soft lavender The purple shades easing into soothing golds As the line between the earth and heaven blurs into nothingness
A lone tree stands proud, with its scattered branches and onyx leaves A broken piece of its former self lay beside, resting in peace 
Oh, the glory! Who else but nature can make the end feel soulful and complete? 
***
This post is a part of Blogchatter Blog Hop. 
#BlogchatterBlogHop 

Down the Hatch by Lina Hansen - Book Review

Series: Magical Misfits Mystery #2

Publication Date: 01st April 2023

Genre: Contemporary Small Town Cozy Mystery 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: Slow start but gets better in the second half 

***

Myrtle has her hands full with the Witch’s Retreat B&B, unpredictable magic, and constant pressure to lead a new-found coven with (over) enthusiastic members. She doesn’t even have the time to indulge in her budding romance with Chris, a software developer and witch hunter. 

As if things aren’t hard enough, a body turns up in the local pub, followed by another death. Sergeant Sarah Widdlethorpe is trying hard to structure the cases as her pig-headed boss complicates matters. Myrtle is happy to help, of course. 

However, it’s not long before Myrtle realizes something is terribly wrong, and magic is way too involved in the process. Can she get to the bottom of the truth without risking her neck? 

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

My Thoughts: 

I read the first book in the series some 2.5 years ago. It was one of my first NetGalley ARCs. I lost track and worried I missed the subsequent books but turns out that the second book is here and releasing next month. 

Though I hardly remember anything, I could recollect a few bits and pieces as I continued with this one. It helped get into the plot. This one can still be read as a standalone, but only if you want to go with the flow instead of wondering what terms like skyelles mean. You’ll figure it out soon. 

The beginning is super slow, and the first-person narration doesn’t help. Myrtle’s POV takes time to get used to (I remember struggling with it even in the first book). She is still not happy being a witch and having magic (duh, give it to me!). 

The second half is where many things happen, so the story does get better once we settle in. In fact, there’s some noteworthy character development in the climax, which makes me hopeful about book three (I’m sure there will be one, given how this ends). 

As a typical small-town cozy mystery, the book has enough characters that come and go. That’s not an issue. The problem lies with the lack of depth in the main characters. We don’t get much to connect with either of them (and Chris should have had a better role given his background). 

So what made the book better for me? Petty, of course! 

Petty is a magical primula (Primrose) Myrtle creates (or brings to life in book one). And guess what? Petty is a familiar… yep, we have cats, rabbits, and animals as familiars, but a plant is something new and super cool. Moreover, Petty is a treat to read about. I so wish she has a POV of her own. I loved all scenes involving this darling plant. There’s a pet cat, too, but almost overshadowed by Petty (can’t say I object). 

To summarize, Down the Hatch is a decent cozy mystery with some magic, murder, and mayhem during the summer solstice. Pick it up if want to meet an adorable plant familiar. There are bits of humor that keep the story lighthearted most of the time.

Thank you, NetGalley and Literary Wanderlust, for the eARC.  

#DowntheHatch #NetGalley

***

P.S.: Myrtle has a vast collection of shower gels in multiple scents. She chooses a different scent each time to go with her mood. I’m so envious of her! 

The cover is well-done without feeling crowded. Each element in it is significant in the book. 

The London Séance Society by Sarah Penner - Book Review

Publication Date: 22nd March 2023

Genre: Historical Paranormal Mystery, Romance

3.3 Stars 

One Liner: An entertainer; atmospheric but nothing deep 

***

1873, Paris and London 

Vaudeline D’Allaire is an acclaimed spiritualist known to conduct séances for murder victims and help find their killers. She is in Paris after escaping London due to unknown reasons.

Lenna Wickes is her apprentice intent on learning more about the process to find her sister’s killer. She is also struggling to accept the existence of the paranormal since her logical mind refuses to believe in anything she cannot see. However, Evie, her sister, was a firm believer, and Lenna is willing to try anything to discover the truth. 

When Vaudeline is requested to visit London and help solve the crime of the founder of The London Séance Society, things turn dangerous quickly. Soon, the two ladies may have only each other and the paranormal to rely on if they want to stay alive. 

The story comes in the limited third-person POV of Lenna and the first-person POV of Mr. Morley. 

What I Like: 

The beginning is a little slow but picks up pace in the second half (after a weak middle part). It’s easy to read and doesn’t require your grey cells to function. In fact, don’t let them be active. 

The séances are atmospheric. The book almost carries a dark moody vibe throughout. However, it doesn’t get heavy at any point. 

The seven-step process to conduct a séance is among the highlights of the book. I always enjoy such information. You never know when it may come in handy (shh!). 

The Victorian setting enhances the plot. The common bias against women and a man’s role in society comes across clearly. I have to mention the author’s notes at the end. Informative, interesting, and useful (it has recipes!). 

The climax begins on shaky ground but ends well. I like how it’s done. The epilogue is also well done. 

What Could Have Been Better for Me: 

Well, I don’t think the combination of Lenna’s and Morley’s POVs did anything to enhance the plot. Morley is a weak character with a wobbly arc. I’m not sure if it is deliberate (makes sense in a way), but it should have been better established. 

Lenna… well… she started strong until she turned whiny, stupid, and silly as the story progressed. It’s only in the climax that she redeems herself. I can see the allure of having a logical character ace paranormal interaction. It could have been better, though. A character jumping to conclusions is hard to empathize with. 

Vaudeline is probably the steadiest character in the book. However, not having her POV didn’t help the story. She should have been one of the narrators. In fact, if you think about it, Evie and other women are also intriguing (too bad they don’t get enough space). 

The dual POV also means that information is repeated in consecutive chapters. This makes the plot boring and slow. We don’t need to know the same thing from both POVs and go around in circles. 

A few developments don’t make sense, especially when they should. This is where you have to turn off your logical side and consider it an entertainer (or a Bwood film). If the issues were handled better, I think the plot would have been enriched with more drama and tension. A wasted chance, TBH.

I don’t know if I should call this a romance. It’s supposed to be slow-burn (maybe) but doesn’t get enough space to grow organically. While I like the darkish touch to the track, I’m not happy with the overall development. It could have been achieved with some care. Removing the repeated content would have created space for this track. 

To summarize, The London Séance Society is an atmospheric entertainer and a light mystery with some good and not-so good points. Read it for fun and don't worry about things that don't make sense.

Thank you, NetGalley, Harlequin Australia, and HQ (Fiction, Non-Fiction, YA) & MIRA, for the eARC. 

#TheLondonSéanceSociety #NetGalley

***

Confession: I rated the book 3.7 stars immediately after finishing it. After drafting the review, I brought it down to 3.3 stars. Somehow, I had more things I disliked despite enjoying the book. Sigh! 

A Broken People’s Playlist by Chimeka Garricks - Book Review

Publication Date: 21st March 2023

Genre: Short Story Anthology, Music

4.3 Stars

One Liner: A wonderful collection of short stories

A Broken People’s Playlist is a collection of twelve short stories set in Port Harcourt. The stories deal with various life stages, situations, moments, memories, and more. The characters are varied (though a few appear in more than one story, which doesn’t affect the readability) in personalities, professions, and age groups.

The common theme is that the stories are inspired by songs. I don’t know a single song mentioned in the book, but it didn’t make any difference. The stories are independent. Some have music as the central theme, while others don’t.

An interesting point is that many stories come in the second-person POV and read very well (not an easy thing to achieve). That said, an anthology cannot have all hits, and this one is no exception. However, the quality of writing and execution is top-class. The character arcs are subtle yet perfect. It’s not common to have such layered characters in short stories.

The setting is an integral part of all stories and just enough to visualize everything. There are a few native words that can make it a little difficult, but it’s easy to go with the flow (as always, I winged it).

Here’s a list of stories in the book:

Lost Stars – 4.5 stars

Oh, my! The story starts out quite casually, but soon we see the layers peeling off, revealing the depth of emotions. The climax and the ending made me teary-eyed (not an easy task). The writing is almost off-handed and distanced, which is a perfect choice for the plotline. A solid start to the collection.

Music – 4 stars

A story about a boy growing up in a broken family and the role of music in his life. The story looks like it is limited to one phase of his life, but gives us the entire picture of the past and the future. The characterization is top-class. It’s not often that short stories have such strong characters.

Hurt – 4.5 stars

A dying man decides to arrange his funeral when he’s alive. The story isn’t about the funeral, though. It is about people, their actions, flaws, regrets, repentance, and more. The second-person POV is impactful in this one and hits the reader with strong emotions when you least expect it. Wonderful!

Song for Someone – 4.5 stars

Another story in the second person POV, and just as impactful as the previous one. How does a woman break the toxic cycles in her life? Can she even do it? The story goes back and forth, giving snippets of information to build her character arc. I love that this one has the kind of endings I enjoy.

In the City – 3.5 stars

A policeman fighting demons, a drug peddler, and an innocent young man looking for a chance to get a decent job. How does a chase gone wrong change their lives? This theme is familiar to me (we have enough movies with it). The story is structured to continue the suspense, and the ending is blunt. However, I knew what would happen and didn’t feel as emotional as I thought I would.

I Put a Spell on You – 4.5 stars

The title says it all! The lives of three friends are changing, and they can’t stop it. Given the tone of the stories until now, I didn’t expect something lighthearted and funny. This steals deals with toxic relationships, but the overall tone is a touch humorous and teasing.

I’d Die Without You – 4 stars

What breaks a broken man who can’t cry even though he wants to? The story is written in the second person POV and has a distanced narration to suit the character. It is compact and contained with just enough ease at the end. The ending rounds up the theme and offers a different perspective.

Beautiful War – 4 stars

What happens when a husband confesses to cheating on his wife, especially when he was considered the faithful kind? The story comes in the second-person POV of the husband and the first-person POV of the wife. Knowing both sides makes the ending even better.

River – 3 stars

This is a story about an unlikely but strong friendship between two young boys and how their lives change when they join confra (something like a local rowdy gang). I can see why this is an important story, but somehow I couldn’t connect with the main character despite the story being in the second person POV. The ending is good, though.

Love’s Divine – 3.5 stars

What happens when a young teenage boy with dreams about becoming a football star gets a chance of a lifetime? This one has great potential and almost hits the mark. However, the main plot is predictable, which dims the overall impact. Like the previous story, the ending is very good, in fact, just right for the main character.

Desperado – 4 stars

A womanizer tries to get his wife back and finds something more precious. Yet another story in the second person POV. It starts almost like every other piece, but the writing and character development are strong. The ending is half hopeful, though the readers can guess it could go either way. The relationship between the two is beautifully presented.

You Suppose Know – 4.5 Stars

Oh, my heart! This is such a tender and touching story. I don’t want to say anything except that it is the best of the collection. Stories with loving and bickering older couples are a favorite of mine. This one does full justice to the theme.

To summarize, A Broken People’s Playlist is a bitter-sweet and heart-touching collection of stories about people we find around us.

Don’t forget to read the author’s note. It’s heartfelt and informative. As a writer, I can understand the struggle with novels (one reason I prefer to write short stories). Nevertheless, I hope the author will not give up and finish his second novel. I sure want to read it.

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

#NetGalley #ABrokenPeoplesPlaylist

The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore - Book Review

Publication Date: 28th March 2023

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction 

3 Stars 

One Liner: Good premise but slow (and needs better execution towards the end) 

***
Sloane Parker is a librarian in a small town and lives a simple life. She doesn’t have many friends despite being a friendly and kindhearted person. When Sloane meets Arthur McLachlan, an old and rude patron of the library, their sparing becomes the highlight of her day (and maybe even his).

One day Arthur doesn’t turn up as usual. Days pass on, but he doesn’t visit the library. Sloane is worried and decides to visit him (ignoring her boss’ warnings). When she finds him ill but grudgingly happy to see her, Sloane knows she needs to help him. Maybe it’s her chance to help herself too. Arthur’s neighbor is only too delighted to pitch in. 

Soon, they start an odd book club that grows bigger, as more people with different personalities come together. Each of them needs to heal, and, as a group, they might make it happen. 

The story comes in the first person POV of the main characters- Sloane, Maisey, Mateo, Greg, and Arthur. 

What I Like:

The premise is heartwarming. Imagine good-hearted people who suffer from loneliness due to various reasons come together to help and support each other. It’s a novel concept. 

Given the characters, there are enough references to other books and quotes from these. Though I’m not much of a highlighter myself, I know people who love to highlight bits that touch their hearts (or mind). 

Using the first-person POV for each of the main characters works to a good extent. I could get a glimpse into who they are and what holds them back. However… (more in the next section)

The book also blends everyday issues and major life decisions to add depth to the characters. Some of it works well. 

There are bits and pieces of lighthearted scenes that make the book a little easy to read. Maisey sure brightens up the book club. 

What Could Have Been Better for Me: 

The pacing is super slow. Moreover, this is the kind of book one cannot speed-read. A few things are stretched too much, and the ending is compressed. There isn’t an epilogue either (I deserve it after reading about so much heartache!).

Maisey’s POV is probably the best. It’s not perfect, but I could feel for her and understand the situation with her teen daughter Bella. Greg’s POV is the second best. I thought Mateo’s would be just as great, but somehow, ended up liking Lincoln more. 

Now, Brett is Sloane’s fiancé and chiropractor. Going by the standard trope, he is initially presented as a snobbish guy with an overbearing family. And we have Sloane, who thinks they can give her the kind of comfort she wants. However, towards the end, Brett really isn’t a jerk. He is just another guy with some flaws. In fact, the climax puts him in a better light than Sloane. He handles it far better than she does. I’m not sure that’s what is supposed to happen.  

I went to skim through a few reviews after drafting mine and saw references to Ove. Well, for me, this is a half-successful attempt to create an Ove-like character in Arthur. With Arthur’s POV towards the end of the book, I expected something truly emotional. But let’s just say it was disappointing. The POV started strong, but soon I lost interest and wanted the book to be over. 

To summarize, The Lonely Hearts Book Club is a decent book dealing with topics like grief, loneliness, friendships, and finding your tribe. It could have been a lot better but ends up more as an average read. 

Thank you, NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley

***

P.S.: Would a book lover use precious copies as a makeshift step to hold rotting stairs at home? Wouldn't the books get damaged? Though books are considered god in my culture, I know it's not the same everywhere. But book lovers are supposed to take better care of their copies irrespective of the rest.

Murder at Waldenmere Lake by Michelle Salter - Book Review

Series: An Iris Woodmore Mystery #2 

Publication Date: 21st March 2023

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery 

3.8 Stars 

One Liner: Enjoyable 

***

1921, Walden 

Local reporter Iris Woodmore is back in action, and this time she is intent on saving the beloved Waldenmare Lake from being destroyed in the name of progress. 

The war is over, and the British Army can no longer afford to maintain the convalescent home or the lake. The Walden City Council wants to buy it for rehabilitation, while the railway company wants to convert the location into a tourist spot. 

However, the old mansion on the site belongs to General Cheverton, who is determined not to leave him home. But when the General is found dead in his home, it becomes quite impossible for Iris to save the lake. But as new developments occur, Iris realizes that her fight isn’t limited to the land. There’s a lot more to uncover, and she needs to get to the bottom of it, come what may. 

The story comes in the limited third-person POV of Iris. 

My Thoughts:

Though this is the second book in the series, it works well as a standalone. At the same time, series readers will enjoy the new developments for the main character Iris. 

The beginning is a little slow, but soon, the book picks up pace. It drags in the middle and goes in circles before finally moving ahead to the climax and reveal.

I like Iris more in this one. Her character arc is growing steadily while also keeping things realistic to a good extent. George is an interesting character, and I wish there’s more of him in the coming books.

The mystery is tied up well but takes time to unfold. Two tracks need to converge at a common point (the Waldenmere Lake), which meant the pacing is sacrificed. Some information is repeated multiple times in different conversations, further weighing down the narration. 

However, the mystery here has a greater emotional connection to the characters than we normally see in this genre. This makes the plot more personal instead of something that needs to be solved and settled. 

Though I like how Iris connects the dots, I wish the actual reveal was a little more detailed and came a bit sooner. That said, the red herrings were well done without going overboard. 

The setting and treatment of women from that era are seamlessly woven into the plot. The observations, the changes, the resistance, etc., become a part of the story rather than taking the focus away from it. 

I must admit that the author does endings very well. She somehow makes me enjoy the kind of endings I usually dislike. The same happened in book one too. I’m impressed! 

To summarize, Murder at Waldenmere Lake is a strong continuation of the series with interesting characters and an attractive setting. I’m excited about book three (the cover has been revealed). 

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

#NetGalley #MurderatWaldenmereLake

Hotel of Secrets by Diana Biller - Book Review

Publication Date: 28th March 2023

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Romance

3.8 Stars 

One Liner: Read it as a light mystery and romance novel 

1878, Vienna, Austria 

Maria Wallner has only one goal- to revive the lost glory of Hotel Wallner and make it the most successful establishment in Vienna once again. She is determined to not let anything come in the way of her plans, be it her dysfunctional family dynamics, the sudden attacks on her, and a handsome American agent with secrets of his own. 

Eli Whittaker doesn’t have time for anything except his job. He is in Vienna to find out who is selling the American codes. He just wants to uncover the truth and go back to Washington, DC. Of course, life has other plans for him. Eli may be annoyed by the night-long waltzes and dazzling attractions. But when he sees that Maria Wallner is somehow in the middle of chaos, he is determined to keep her safe and also find the culprit selling American codes, no matter what it takes. 

The story comes from the third-person POV of Maria and Eli. 

What I Like: 

The book is set in Vienna, and though it doesn’t exactly explore the region, it gives enough details about the local culture, the people, etc. I could picturize the hotel, the waltzes, those lovely gowns, and yummy cakes. 

Maria is an interesting character, even if she needs Eli’s help a little too much. She is competent enough to handle her hotel (after all, she isn’t trained to deal with assassins) and knows when to put her foot down. 

Hannah is one of my favorite side characters. Her love for baking and creativity comes across very well throughout the book. I sure wouldn’t mind tasting her cakes and cookies. The almond cake seems to be a general favorite. 

The writing is easy to read once you get into the grove. It is lighthearted, a bit funny, quirky, and a touch sarcastic. Not something I expect in a historical mystery. But this one is a blend of genres (more in the next section), so the writing style keeps the plot light instead of weighing it down. It works for me as I don’t look for heavy plots. 

A few scenes are quite delightful and entertaining. Some of it is a little cringe, but it somehow fits the narration and makes it funny. I’m not sure if it was intended or if I’m the only one who found some steamy scenes a bit humorous. A little weird but fun too. 

I really like the reversal in how the FMC and MMC are portrayed. Let’s just say Maria has a lot more experience than Eli. ;) 

The other side characters have varying roles. Some, like Mac, have an extra space to grow while a few waltz in and out whenever required. 

What Could Have Been Better for Me: 

I’m not sure how to categorize this book. It starts out as a spy-ish thriller with international mystery. The romance appears slow burn until around 50%. Then, the plot shifts genres, and we have romance at the forefront with steamy scenes. The mystery part weakens in the second half. 

Eli is supposed to be a grumpy and standoffish brooding hero with a tragic past. He is okay and has good qualities, but his career isn’t fully explored. This is disappointing, given the strong start. An epilogue set a year later would have sorted this and given a more rounded ending to the plot. 

Josephine, Maria’s grandmother, was a formidable character. I would have loved it with her in a greater role. Also, maybe more about her past would have been icing on the cake. The same goes for Adelaide. She has a limited role but aces it. I could visualize her with ease. 

The reveal and climax are dramatic but more in the family drama genre rather than that of a spy thriller. The tension and suspense aren’t enough. The ending also feels a little abrupt after reading 400-odd pages. 

To summarize, Hotel of Secrets is an entertaining historical novel that reads best as a drama with open-door romance and a bit of mystery. It’s lighthearted despite the heavy themes. 

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

#NetGalley

***

P.S.: I love the cover!