Srivalli Rekha (Semi Hiatus)'s Blog, page 53

The One Who Fell by Kerry Wilkinson - Book Review

Series: The Whitecliff Bay Mystery #1 

Publication Date: 17th April 2023

Genre: Small Town Mystery 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: An intriguing start to a new series 

***

Whitecliff is your typical seaside small town where everyone knows everyone and everything is everybody’s business. Millie Westlake volunteers at the local nursing home as a way to avoid her past and the suspicions that cling to her like a second skin. Her parents died a year ago, and people think she killed them. What’s more, Millie has to deal with personal issues too. 

However, when Ingrid, an old lady from the nursing home, tells Millie that she saw a young girl being pushed off a roof, Millie doesn’t know what to believe. Something urges her to find out more, and soon she comes across a few things that can be counted as evidence. 

This puts Millie in danger, and with most of the town against her, can she find the truth about the young girl on the roof? What about her past that she doesn’t want to think about? Is Millie strong enough to handle the truth? 

The story comes from Millie’s third-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

This is a slow-burn mystery with more focus on the central character. Mille is intriguing and complex, with flaws, vulnerabilities, and secrets. 

Gus is another interesting character. His passion to tell people’s stories and his complicated relationship with Millie and her parents makes him an almost secondary character in the book. 

The small town setting is darker and feels oppressive. It suits the plot and the characters. The underlying tension, the secrets, hints of violence, and the narrow-minded attitudes of people seamlessly oven into the narrative. 

The mystery itself is weak. It starts out strong, but the reveal and reasons aren’t emphatic. It doesn’t help that the characters themselves say things like it was a miracle so and so happened. It feels like taking an easy way out to deal with the mystery. 

However, the mystery also feels like a subplot, something to take the main story ahead and establish the character arcs. It helped to know that this is the first book in the series, and the next two are also available. I could readjust my expectations and read it more as an installment rather than a standalone. (It can be standalone, though my curious nose will never be satisfied unless I know more.)

The supporting characters, especially Jack and Rish, are sweet and just as flawed. The other side characters aren’t fully developed yet but show promise. The pacing is decent; slowish in the first half but medium-to-fast in the second half. 

I like that there aren’t a bunch of suspects or the routine amateur sleuthing. Though Millie does get into trouble for being impulsive, it doesn’t happen until the climax. 

To summarize, The One Who Fell is a good start to a series, and I am curious to know more. It is a cozy mystery, albeit slightly dark. So dark cozy mystery, maybe? 

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC.  

#NetGalley #TheOneWhoFell 

Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto - Book Review

Publication Date: 16th March 2023

Genre: Contemporary Humorous Cozy Mystery 

4 Stars 

One Liner: Read it as women’s fiction with a mystery thrown in 

***

Vera Wong is a sixty-year-old self-proclaimed tea expert. Her tea shop is her pride, never mind that it barely has any customers now. However, Vera stumbles upon a dead body in her shop, and it gives her the best chance to put her detective skills to use. And not to mention, dole out advice to youngsters who may or may not need it. 

Knowing the police are likely to mess up, Vera is determined to get to the bottom of the case. If the man had to die in her tea shop, the least she could do is solve the case, isn’t it? Vera is having a time of her life, listing suspects and ordering them around like school kids. 

The story comes in a limited third-person POV of multiple characters. 

What I Like:

The opening sets the tone for the rest of the book and pretty much sustains it throughout. The humor keeps things from going too deep. While this isn’t always a plus, it is a good move for the book (and the genre). 

Vera is such a delightful character. She is annoying and doesn’t have a sense of boundaries, but she is adorable, loving, and someone you want on your side (even if you plan to commit a murder). She is a mom first, and it is evident in her character arc. As an Asian (Indian), I think Vera has been crafted very well and acts much like a woman of her age.  

The book shows the lives of first-gen and second-gen immigrants with a light touch. The setting reminded me of Joy Luck Club, but this one is more lighthearted and easy on the reader. The pacing is steady in this one, so that’s another plus. 

There’s an Indian character and an Indonesian character, and both have solid roles in the plot. Finally, a book where I know the character is Indian but not way too stereotypical. Another bonus is that the book handles the Asian aspects well. 

There’s loads of food. Though I’m a vegetarian, and most dishes are meat-based, I do love it when food plays an integral part in the plot. It brings people together in different ways. 

The ending ties up things well. There may or may not be a sequel, though I won’t say no to one. Vera Wong is too big a character to be limited to a single book. 

What Could Have Been Better for Me:

The mystery, as such, is a little weak. This is too cozy even for a cozy mystery. Of course, we have a dead body and Vera actively interfering with the lives of potential suspects. But the mystery is more of a tool to bring the characters together. Once I adjusted my expectations, I could enjoy the book a lot more. 

The reveal is a bit weak. It may or may not work, depending on what the readers prefer. For me, it is okay. I see the reasoning, but I want something a little more intense. 

Emma is an adorable two-year-old. However, sometimes, she seems more like a four-year-old. I’m not sure (haven’t been around kids of that age), but her character arc doesn’t seem smooth. The kid is a darling, though. 

To summarize, Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers is a fun book with plenty of laugh-out-loud and eye-roll moments. It is a lighthearted yet heartwarming read with a mystery thrown in. 

Thank you, NetGalley and HQ, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #VeraWongsUnsolicitedAdviceforMurderers

***

P.S.: I saw a few reviewers wondering why Vera is called old when she is only sixty. Age is subjective and has different classifications in different cultures. 

Death at Castle Cove by Mary Grand - Book Review

Publication Date: 08th March 2023

Genre: Contemporary Cozy Mystery

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: A decent mystery 

***

Susan loves living on the Isle of Wight with her darling dog, Rocco. She is a part of the local dog walkers group, a bunch of people who are different from each other but share a common love for dogs. Colette is a young girl and a new addition to the group. Susan takes her under her wing and into her home. 

However, when she digs into her gran’s past on the island, she creates unrest and uncertainties in their lives. When Colette dies under suspicious circumstances at Castle Cover, Susan is determined to get to the bottom of the truth, no matter how uncomfortable the situation is. 

With danger taking over her peaceful existence, can Susan fight for justice? 

The story comes from Susan’s third-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

I like mysteries set in small towns and islands with picturesque settings. This one has a beautiful backdrop used well throughout the book. 

Dog lovers are in for a treat as the book has many fur babies. All of them are darlings and hardly cause any trouble. 

The characters are all different and easy to identify and track. This makes it easier with the constant interactions between them. There’s no confusion about who is who. 

The case is well done. There are enough twists and develops to keep the pointer moving from one suspect to another. It drags a bit in the middle but manages to pull back in the last third. 

Susan is already going through a rough phase in her personal life but is determined to find out what happened to Colette. However, she is annoying at times. In the first half, she is reluctant to believe that someone she knows is the killer. Once she accepts it, she repeatedly puts herself in danger in the second half. 

Though I know Susan is no sleuth, she is supposed to be a smart and capable 62-year-old woman. Not someone jumping to conclusions and accusing/ confronting potential murderers. I was half-afraid she would end up with a broken neck.

That said, I like how she puts her foot down when her people try to make decisions for her or pressurize her to do something she doesn’t want to. I like how she doesn’t hesitate to draw lines when necessary. If only she does the same when sharing information with others! 

Alice is an interesting character, and I hoped she would have a bigger role in the book. A little disappointed that she doesn’t appear often, but the scenes with her are vital and nudge Susan in the right direction. 

The epilogue ties up the loose ends and provides a satisfactory ending. The book is standalone, though I won’t be surprised if there’s a sequel. In fact, I would look forward to one as it appears that Susan will be in a better position to handle a case without risking her neck or making the same mistakes (or so I hope). 

To summarize, Death at Castle Cove is an intriguing cozy mystery set on a beautiful yet dangerous island. With past secrets and flawed characters, it is worth a read on a lazy afternoon. 

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

#NetGalley #DeathatCastleCove  

Mr. & Mrs. Witch by Gwenda Bond - Book Review

Publication Date: 7th March 2023

Genre: Contemporary Romantic Fantasy 

3 Stars 

One Liner: Entertaining but could have been a lot better 

***

Savvy (Savannah) Wilde is a powerful witch working with the CRONE organization. Griffin is a top agent at the HUNTER organization that obviously works against CRONE. Since their identities are supposed to be secret, Savvy and Hunter end up in love. 

Their wedding day ends up as a disaster when the truth comes out. But things have just gotten worse. Savvy and Griffin soon have a bounty on their heads, and maybe working together is the only way to stay alive. 

The story comes from the MCs' limited third-person POVs. The narration moves back and forth between the present and the past. 

If you haven’t guessed already, this is a witchy retelling of the movie Mr. & Mrs. Smith. 

What I Like: 

It’s a light read, and I mean really light; the kind of book you read with the grey cells turned off and go with the flow. 

The writing is easy to read and has a decent pace. It is also easy to speed-read the book. 

There are enough laughs and some roll-your-eyes kind of jokes that may or may not be funny. This depends on what the reader enjoys. 

The premise is rather good as it tries a different take on the centuries-old war between witches and hunters. Having different animals and birds as familiars is a cool touch. 

What Could Have Been Better for Me: 

Well, I know rom-coms are supposed to be lighthearted and fun, but this one is a little too easy. 

Insta-lust turned love isn’t explored. The world-building is sketchy. The climax is simple. The ending feels effortless (not in a good way). 

The conflict is presented but never worked out in detail. The bits and pieces of the past (not MCs' past but the fights and deaths) mentioned aren’t talked about. Generational trauma, baggage, and hatred are solved with such ease, I wish for the same in real life. 

World-building is a crucial part of fantasy work. It is necessary even in rom-com. This one sets the base but doesn’t explore it. 

The characters are uni-dimensional. Some of the supporting characters show hints of being more but are underutilized. Even the main characters are more about their physical appearances. Calling the guy nerdy a dozen times isn’t going to be enough if we can’t see how he qualifies to be one (and no, a professor with fake glasses doesn’t automatically become a nerd). 

I don’t mind steam in books. In fact, I do like reading well-written steamy scenes. But it shouldn’t come at the cost of character development. A good rom-com should do justice to both elements. 

The villains are boring. Yeah, yeah, rom-com and all. But come on, at least give me villains I can despise. Give them some attitude, if nothing else. 

To summarize, Mr. & Mrs. Witch is a decent entertainer that could have been a great book with a little more of everything (except steam). But it ends up as a time pass book. Read, review, and forget. 

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

#NetGalley 

SINISTER SPRING: Murder and Mystery from the Queen of Crime by Agatha Christie

Publication Date: 2nd March 2023

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery, Short Stories 

4 Stars 

One Liner: It’s Christie, guys! 

*****

The book is a collection of twelve short stories with mysteries and adventures that occur during springtime or in the gardens. Since it is a Christie collection, I’m not too bothered about the theme. I only want to read and reread her works. 

The book brings together the cases solved by Miss Marple, Poirot, Mr. Quin, Tommy & Tuppence, and a few regular stories with no special detectives. I list them all below (without ratings). Some of them aren’t that good (which is fine too). 

However, I’m glad to see that the stories seem to be mostly from earlier publications and are without modern-day rewrites to suit certain sensibilities. Some of the terms can make people uncomfortable, but it is important to realize that the words had different meanings back then, and people used terms that are now deemed offensive. Not their fault if the authors can’t time travel. 

Since I don’t believe in editing older writings in the name of whatever, I applaud the publisher’s decision to use the original (or older) text in the book. If you can’t discuss different periods when reading books, you aren’t likely to discuss the dark web, which is more harmful, IMO. 

Anyway, back to the decidedly sinister spring. ;) 

The Market Basing Mystery 

Captain Hastings, Poirot, and Inspector Japp visit Market Basing village for a small holiday. However, the case of the not-a-suicide of Walter Protheroe interrupts their plans. It’s up to Poirot to determine if it is suicide or murder and the reason behind the death. A short and simple case solved by Poirot without his usual dramatics. Easy to guess if you pay attention to the subtle clues. 

The Case of the Missing Lady 

When an explorer returns home to London and finds his fiancée missing, he goes to a detective agency by Tommy & Tuppence. Now, it’s up to the couple to find out what happened to the missing lady. It’s a quirky case with a twist at the end. As with most T&T stories, this one offers a few chuckles and smirks. 

The Herb of Death 

It’s Mrs. Bantry’s turn to tell a story for others to guess the crime/ criminal. Miss Marple is right there, listening to how a group of people fell ill after eating foxglove leaves (being mistaken for sage). Was it accidental or intentional? When you have little Miss Marple, you know the case will be solved in her style by comparing human nature and oddities and deducing the reasons. 

How Does Your Garden Grow? 

Hercule Poirot gets a vague and mysterious letter from an old lady asking for help. He responds only to find out that she has passed away. Intrigued, he sets out to find the truth. Like many other cases, Poirot gets to the root of the matter using his love for order and logic. This one has Miss Lemon in an active role, something I enjoy much. 

Swan Song 

This is the story of a famous soprano singer with a bit of mystery thrown in. It is one of the weaker stories in the collection with a straightforward plot. The hints are easy enough to guess. It doesn’t have any of the famous detectives, so pretty much something you can read and forget. 

Miss Marple Tells a Story 

As the title goes, Miss Marple shares how her lawyer brought his client to her for advice about the case of his murdered wife. Miss Marple listens to their story, asks a couple of questions, and presents the solution. This is a neat little story in the dear ol’ bird’s voice. ;) 

Have You Got Everything You Want? 

How does Mr. Parker Pyne help a young woman on a train journey from England to Istanbul? Mr. Pyne is no doubt successful after a small hiccup. However, being a man who solves the issues of the heart, he goes the extra mile to tie up the loose ends. Some readers may find his opinions stereotypical and offensive. So remember that the books weren’t written for contemporary readers.  

The Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan 

Hercule Poirot and Captain Hastings visit Grand Metropolitan for a weekend trip. They meet Mr. and Mrs. Opalsen after dinner, and soon, there’s news of the theft and an appeal from Mrs. Opalsen to find her pearls. How does Poirot solve the case? It’s a fun story with loads of dramatic characters. A satisfactory solution, which isn’t that apparent until towards the end. 

Ingots of Gold 

Raymond shares his experience about a mini adventure in Cornwall, which is, of course, solved easily by Miss Marple. How is the criminal? Where is the gold? What had happened? Raymond, being a writer, adds some dramatic flair to the story, and Miss Marple sweetly bursts his bubble. 

The Soul of the Croupier  

And finally, we have a story with the mysterious Mr. Quin and dear old Mr. Satterthwaite. Mr. Satterthwaite is on a holiday in Monte Carlo, thinking about the changing society. He notices Countess Czarnova has taken up a new pet, a young American, already impressed by her charm. But Mr. Satterthwaite sees something isn’t right and wonders how to set it right when Mr. Quin enters to help him. The story is more of a study of characters than a mystery. I love stories with Mr. Quin, and this is no exception.  

The Girl in the Train 

George Rowland is on the streets after his uncle kicks him out one morning. He decides on a whim to travel to a remote place called Rowland castle. The train journey proves to be more eventful than George could have ever guessed. After all, it’s not every day that a beautiful young girl runs into a stranger's first-class cabin. This is a humorous cozy mystery with a touch of romance. A lighthearted story with some laughs, drama, and a few social observations woven into the plot. 

Greenshaw’s Folly 

The last story in the collection has Miss Marple helping her nephew Raymond solve yet another case. Miss Greenshaw of Greenshaw Folly is an eccentric character but someone in grave danger. Though the danger isn’t Miss Marple leads the police to criminals. An interesting story with a good deal of dramatics. 

To summarize, Sinister Spring is a delightful collection of different types of mysteries written by the Queen of Crime over the years. Pick it up if you want something light and entertaining. 

Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley

The Protégé by Jody Gehrman - Book Review

Publication Date: 07th March 2023

Genre: Academic Psychological Thriller 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Good pace and premise; not really dark or twisted 

***

Dr. Hannah Bryers is an anthropology professor and a forensic expert at Mad River University. She is most comfortable with dead and rotten bodies than living people. Socializing terrifies her. 

Winter Jones is Hannah’s student and TA. However, she is out to seek revenge and destroy Hannah one step at a time. She seems to be successful too, and Hannah still has no clue who is targeting her. Of course, Hannah won’t give up without a fight. 

Who will win this war? Why is Winter intent on destroying Hannah? 

The story comes in the first-person POV of the main characters, Hannah and Winter. 

My Thoughts: 

This one has dark academia vibes sans paranormal elements though it doesn’t explore the elements. The setting feels heavy (even if it isn’t). This works well to sustain momentum and mood. 

The main characters have alternating POVs (mostly), which means that the reader knows what’s going on, while the characters don’t yet have a clue. I enjoy this style of narration as it focuses on when and how the characters figure out things and what happens afterward. 

The book sets the tone from the very first page. Characters are established right away, and they continue to be who they are. This can be an advantage or a disadvantage, depending on what the reader prefers. 

The beginning is a little slow. The first chapter by Hannah has a lot of technical jargon. Though I like to learn new things, I almost zoned out because of the dry narration and too much technicality. Luckily, Winter’s POV set things back on track. 

The second half is fast-paced as things happen one after another. I could finish the book in two days (less than 3 hours), which is always a plus. Another reason I rounded up to 4 stars. 

The characters aren’t entirely likable, of course. But I couldn’t feel anything for them either. Winter is definitely more interesting, so sadly, her past and the things that affect her aren’t presented in detail. This is a kind of book that limits things to the surface level. 

The climax and end are predictable but enjoyable. The steady pace keeps the reader going despite the lack of depth. This isn’t a book to read if you want something dark or twisted. It’s a Lite version of a dark psychological thriller. What you see is what you get; pretty much. 

To summarize, The Protégé is a decent thriller if you want something light and fast-paced. The forensic and anthropologic details are cool to read (even if some terms are hard to understand). There are a few queasy descriptions of dead and rotten bodies, so be prepared. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books, for the eARC.  

#NetGalley #TheProtege

The Magician’s Daughter by H.G. Parry - Book Review

Publication Date: 2nd March 2023

Genre: Historical Fantasy, YA (older teens)

3.8 Stars 

One Liner: Entertaining if you read it as a YA book 

1912, Hy-Basil & London 

Orphaned Biddy grows up on Hy-Basil Island with Rowan and Hutch as guardians. Magic is a part of her life, though she doesn’t have it. As Biddy grows older, she has too many questions about things that were never explained to her. And then, one day, Rowan is hurt, and Biddy comes to know a little about his enemies and stuff from outside of Hy-Basil. 

However, there isn’t time for her to learn. Biddy is thrust right into the middle of a power clash. It seems that she holds the key to save magic and restore it from being lost forever. Of course, it comes with grave consequences, and Biddy has to decide what she would do. 

Can Biddy save magic as well as her and her guardians’ lives, or will she have to sacrifice one for another?

The story comes in Biddy’s limited-third person POV. 

My Thoughts:

The writing is descriptive and paints a vivid picture of the settings, be it the wild island or the castle dungeons. It is easy to visualize the story and the characters. 

Once I realized this would be more of a YA book, I adjusted my expectations and enjoyed it a lot more. The book has some dark elements and scenes, but it should work easily for older teens. Since Biddy is 16 or 17, readers of the same age group might relate to her. Adult readers, do note that Biddy can be annoying and dramatic sometimes. 

The beginning is a little slow, as expected. Once the basic premise is established, the story picks up pace. The scenes in the poorhouses of Whitechapel somehow didn’t fully blend in. I understand Biddy’s conflicting emotions and vulnerabilities and how the place ties up with the rest of the plot, but it somehow feels less effective than it should have been. 

The other main characters are well-etched. I like how Rowan is caring and affectionate when it comes to Biddy but can resort to violence to handle his opponents. He has his faults, some of which are the reason for this trouble in their heads. Though he is one of those characters the readers may or may not like. 

Hutch is Rowan’s familiar rabbit, and it is fun having a rabbit instead of a cat. This could be the author’s partiality (she has pet rabbits), but I like this change. A soft and furry rabbit with strong opinions makes for an entertaining read. (Please don’t tell me rabbits aren’t new to magic books. I want to continue living under my little rock.) 

Morgana is another interesting character. Is she good or evil? Does she want to help Rowan or Vaughan? Vaughan is pretty much the charming bad guy with evil in his heart and more than enough manipulative powers to get what he wants. 

The second half is much more engaging than the first, mainly because we see Biddy grow and make her own decisions. These come with consequences but set the stage for her to become independent instead of being the sheltered bookish kid she was when the story begins.

The writing is a little long-winded at times. You can speed-read at such places. There are a couple of long conversations, too, so gets a bit tiring. The ‘magic’ part is well-established, and I like the concept behind it. 

The ending is apt for the book. It ties up the ends while also leaving enough opportunities for a sequel. I wouldn’t mind one if it is set in Hy-Basil and explores the magical island in greater detail. 

To summarize, The Magician’s Daughter is an entertaining read with good world-building and a strong second half. I think it would be more appropriate to tag it as YA (darkish) fantasy. The content is clean. 

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

#TheMagiciansDaughter #NetGalley

***

P.S.: The cover is perfect for the book. 

Devi For Millennials by Bibek Debroy - Book Review

Publication Date: 5th Oct 2022

Genre: Non-Fiction, Spiritual, Hinduism 

4.5 Stars 

One Liner: The first step to understanding Devi (meant for young readers)

It’s hard to review a book like this one. Devi for Millennials is exactly what the title says. It is a book about Devi for contemporary readers with little or no knowledge about Hindu scriptures. It deals with the history of Devi worship in Puranas and Devi Gita. It also has slokas from tantra worship.

The book simplifies the content without diluting its essence. The author clearly states that the translations of the Samskritam slokas are his interpretations. Though the language is simple, it has a soft melody that makes the translations sound beautiful in some places. There are clear tables that describe how Devi was formed (which parts belonged to which devas) and the Shakti Peethas. 

The author also provides interesting insights into language and its limitations. For example, Durgaa is feminine, but Durga is masculine. Imagine how difficult it would have to correctly translate the slokas into other languages without confusing the gender dynamics. 

Small stories from the Puranas are also shared to provide the backstory or context for different avatars of Devi. The book is divided into neat sections, with some information and explanation, followed by the translations of a selected few stanzas from the suktams and stotrams. (There is also a short explanation of the difference between the two). 

The book deals with Sati Kanda from Shiva Purana and lists the 108 Shakti Peethas mentioned in various texts. The author also highlights the variations in the texts and how some of them tend to contradict each other. However, the bottom line remains the same- the places mentioned have a strong history of Devi worship. 

An entire chapter explains Navaratri, the pooja, and the nava durgaas worshipped during this period. He describes the avatar of each durgaa while emphasizing the importance of iconography. The topic is not explored in detail but provides enough material to get a basic idea. 

The next chapter deals with the thousand names of Devi mentioned in Lalitaa Sharasranama and ends with three versions of how Sankaracharya composed Soundaryalahari. The final section is dedicated to Devi Gita. Here, the author reminds us that he has merely translated the slokas and not interpreted them. 

There is a recurring mention of nature’s elements (fire, water, air, earth, and spirit) and their role in Devi worship. There are also references to triple elements (we can find parallels with other pagan cultures that worship triple goddesses in different forms). In fact, the yantra designs are similar to the symbolism in ancient pagan cultures (the triangle being the most prominent and common symbol). However, don’t expect a detailed analysis of symbols in this book. This work is the first step to understanding Devi and becoming comfortable with her iconography. 

To summarize, Devi for Millennials isn’t a book we display on the shelf or read and move on. It is to be treasured and referred to each time you want to know about Devi and her presence in this universe. 

I won a copy of the book in the giveaway contest organized by Indica. 

#IndicReads 

White Cat, Black Dog: Stories by Kelly Link - Book Review

Publication Date: 28th March 2023

Genre: Fairytale Retellings, Short Story Anthology 

3.8 Stars 

One Liner: An interesting collection of weird fairytale retellings (may not work for everyone) 

The title of the original fairytale is mentioned with the story’s title. However, I don’t remember most of these and decided not to look them up. This allowed me to read each story as a standalone piece rather than a retelling. I feel this enhanced my reading experience for most stories. 

The plots of most stories reveal gradually and ease the reader into the settings. While all of them are not atmospheric, some sure make an impact. Even the characters are diverse, and a few of them are quite unlikeable. Yet, the package delivers satisfactory results. 

I rate the stories individually, so here it goes: 

The White Cat's Divorce: An aging billionaire sends his three sons on a wild goose chase, promising them to name an heir. This one starts with a light, sarcastic touch and grows into a heartwarming tale (with some action and drama thrown into the mix). It is creative, cute in certain places, and ends up as a satisfying read. 4.5 stars 

Prince Hat Underground: What does Gary do when his long-time partner and husband, the enigmatic Prince Hat, walks away? It’s the journey of a man into the otherworld, intent on getting his love back. Will he succeed? This story is long and detailed. I love the changing settings and Gary’s varying emotions. 4.5 stars 

The White Road: Umm… this is the story of a man from a traveling company and his recollections of how the white road has taken over regions. The narration starts with a little rambling but establishes the narrator’s voice and character arc. The plot is a little too vague to understand the setting. It seems like a mix of dystopian and historical. I’d have liked it more if there was some additional information about the inhabitants of the white road. The atmosphere was spot-on, though. 3 stars

The Girl Who Did Not Know Fear: A professor returning home from an official trip is stranded at an airport hotel for days. She needs to go home to her wife and little kid and be there in time for an appointment. Her mental health issues make the trip much hard, and the return journey has something in store for her. I have mixed feeling about this one. It kind of deals with some issues, but the ending doesn’t offer much. I’m left wondering what the purpose of the story is. 2.5 stars 

The Game of Smash and Recovery: A brother cares for his little sister and brings her up in the absence of their parents. They live with the Handmaids and vampires. Soon it’s time for the sister to complete the game and find out the truth. I knew the original but had a hard time relating it with the retellings. However, this one is imaginative and creative, even when I felt detached and bored most of the time. This is probably the weakest story in the collection (for me). 2 stars 

The Lady and the Fox: Miranda is eleven when she sees a stranger outside the Honeywell home on a Christmas night. She is intrigued by his jacket and the embroidery of a trapped fox. Years fly by, and Christmas becomes synonymous with the stranger for Miranda. Where does this lead her? This is a heartwarming story in the typical fairytale style. While it doesn’t provide answers to certain questions, it ends on a positive note. I like Miranda’s arc the best. 4 stars 

Skinder's Veil: Andy needs to complete his dissertation but is finding it hard to focus when his friend offers him a chance to be a home-sitter in the middle of a remote place. This comes with rules, which Andy discovers only after he goes there. However, learns a lot more that helps in the most unexpected ways. This one takes time to settle but is an intriguing and complex story. It reads as if someone half-bored with life has written it. However, the reason for this style reveals itself towards the end. Another favorite story in the collection. I know the original tale, though I think, I’m more likely to remember this weird retelling. 4.5 stars 

To summarize, White Cat, Black Dog is an entertaining collection of stories, which, IMHO, should be read as standalone and not retellings. Pick it up if you like strange stories. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #WhiteCatBlackDog

***

P.S: Which cover do you like? I like the ornate version. ;) 

The Secret of Matterdale Hall by Marianne Ratcliffe - Book Review

Publication Date: 15th Nov 2022

Genre: Historical Gothic Fiction, Sapphic Romance, Mystery 

4 Stars 

One Liner: An entertaining and steady-paced novel 

***

1863, Victorian England

Susan Mottram has a happy life with her parents and sister, Florence, until the untimely death of her father (a kind vicar) leaves them in deep debt. Desperate to keep her family afloat, she accepts the job of a teacher at Matterdale Hall. Susan soon learns that all is not well and things aren’t what they seem. Her life begins to change when she meets the mysterious Cassandra, but Susan has to first uncover the secrets around her before thinking about herself. 

The story comes in the limited third-person POV of Susan (with a couple of chapters from Cassandra’s viewpoint). 

My Thoughts:

Gothic novels in historical settings have their own charm. This one pretty much hits the mark and reminded me of Jane Eyre at times. Secrets, rude employers, noises at night, excess chill, locked doors, etc., are nicely woven into the plot. It is not spooky but is atmospheric enough to keep the readers engaged.

LGBT (lesbian), disability (deafness) rep, and mixed-race are wonderfully presented. In fact, the themes are integral to the main plot. The book also deals with mental issues and society’s reactions towards people they perceive as ‘different’. To include these elements in historical fiction and balance them isn’t easy, but the book does it effortlessly. 

Most characters are defined and established early on. Though they seem to have a façade, this is also evident to the readers. In a way, it works to maintain the classic style where everyone except the heroine seems to be what’s good and what’s not. 

Susan’s character is well-etched. She is too good, too compassionate, and a little too ready to jump and support people she likes. There are times when I wanted to knock sense into her (though I know her actions are exactly how they should be for a well-loved and protected vicar’s daughter). 

Cassandra, Mary, and Isabel stand out for being who they are. In a way, Anne’s presence also aligns with her characterization. 

There were a little too many references to Susan’s height or the lack of it. I didn’t particularly like it, being short myself. 

The last part of the novel has quite a lot of action, which ends in a detailed epilogue. Of course, we have HEA, but it is still realistic enough to suit the period. 

The romance is also old-school type, so it is quite clean and sweet. There are some dramatic scenes and reactions. But these are limited to keep the story moving. 

The mystery wasn’t much to worry about (I figured it out soon enough) as it gets prominence only towards the end. However, it serves its purpose well, so no complaints. 

I read the Prequel (free for author’s newsletter subscribers) after finishing the book and found it decent. It does provide a glimpse into the vicar’s character, though the book works very well even if you don’t read it. 

To summarize, The Secret of Matterdale Hall is an entertaining historical with a good atmosphere and well-crafted characters (flawed as humans). This easily graces the list of well-written #ownvoices #indie books. 

My thanks to author Marianne Ratcliffe for providing me with an eRC upon my request. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.