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3.8 Stars
The leading lady, Sarah Bain, a crime scene photographer for Daily World, is getting married to Detective Sergeant Thomas Barrett, her beloved. Right after the wedding, the dead body of a ‘spirit’ photographer Charles Firth is found in the crypt. Who committed the crime? Will Sarah and Barrett uncover the mystery? This forms the main plot of the story.
Being a series, we also see a strong subplot of Sarah and Sally’s (half-sister) father Benjamin Bain and the crime he is supposed to have committed, the murder of a young girl Ellen. Sarah and Sally are determined to prove his innocence even if it means they’ll have to wake up the dead ghosts of the past.
Of course, we see only the main plot coming to a conclusion while the subplot moves ahead just enough to keep us interested and eager for the next book.
This is the fifth book in the series and my first. Did it affect my reading? No. The references to the previous cases don't bother much. The main plot doesn’t depend on those. We have recurring characters, the homosexual friend Lord Hugh, his faithful valet, and Mick, the 15-year-old orphaned photographer, all of whom are Sarah’s friends and support system.
We also have Inspector Reid, the typical villain within the police department who doesn’t like Sarah and Barrett. He waltzes in and out of the story whenever Sarah needs to add another problem to her overflowing list.
The main plot has a lot of characters, from spiritualists to professors to models to an heiress, who is determined to expose mediums and fake ghosts. The suspect list grows, and we go from one clue to another, one piece of information to another.
Sarah talks, thinks, and rambles (at times) in the present tense (yes, first-person, present-tense narration) about the murder, her mother, her past, and how her life was hard. While I needed to know the details as a new reader, I did find it becoming repetitive towards the end. I’m not sure how the readers of the series would take it, considering they’d have been reading about it in the previous four books.
But there’s quite a bit of action in the cold and foggy London streets and houses. It was refreshing to read a story with characters who do not belong to the elite London society. This is definitely more real and grounded.
There are predictable scenes between Barrett’s mother, Sarah, and Barrett. Our leading lady is an independent woman with fears and insecurities. There was drama, but nothing over the top. That’s was a plus.
I did have an inkling about who the killer(s) would be, so the revelation wasn’t much of a surprise. But I am glad that the writer did not throw in an unexpected twist to give the story an extra punch. It’s good to see the ideas and hints connect well and come out as a proper piece.
Overall, this is an engaging read and picks up pace after the first 70 pages or so. I noticed that my reading speed increased in parallel. If you like Victorian mysteries that are set in the middle class and lower-middle-class sections of London and a heroine with spunk, you’ll enjoy this book.
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books.
The leading lady, Sarah Bain, a crime scene photographer for Daily World, is getting married to Detective Sergeant Thomas Barrett, her beloved. Right after the wedding, the dead body of a ‘spirit’ photographer Charles Firth is found in the crypt. Who committed the crime? Will Sarah and Barrett uncover the mystery? This forms the main plot of the story.
Being a series, we also see a strong subplot of Sarah and Sally’s (half-sister) father Benjamin Bain and the crime he is supposed to have committed, the murder of a young girl Ellen. Sarah and Sally are determined to prove his innocence even if it means they’ll have to wake up the dead ghosts of the past.
Of course, we see only the main plot coming to a conclusion while the subplot moves ahead just enough to keep us interested and eager for the next book.
This is the fifth book in the series and my first. Did it affect my reading? No. The references to the previous cases don't bother much. The main plot doesn’t depend on those. We have recurring characters, the homosexual friend Lord Hugh, his faithful valet, and Mick, the 15-year-old orphaned photographer, all of whom are Sarah’s friends and support system.
We also have Inspector Reid, the typical villain within the police department who doesn’t like Sarah and Barrett. He waltzes in and out of the story whenever Sarah needs to add another problem to her overflowing list.
The main plot has a lot of characters, from spiritualists to professors to models to an heiress, who is determined to expose mediums and fake ghosts. The suspect list grows, and we go from one clue to another, one piece of information to another.
Sarah talks, thinks, and rambles (at times) in the present tense (yes, first-person, present-tense narration) about the murder, her mother, her past, and how her life was hard. While I needed to know the details as a new reader, I did find it becoming repetitive towards the end. I’m not sure how the readers of the series would take it, considering they’d have been reading about it in the previous four books.
But there’s quite a bit of action in the cold and foggy London streets and houses. It was refreshing to read a story with characters who do not belong to the elite London society. This is definitely more real and grounded.
There are predictable scenes between Barrett’s mother, Sarah, and Barrett. Our leading lady is an independent woman with fears and insecurities. There was drama, but nothing over the top. That’s was a plus.
I did have an inkling about who the killer(s) would be, so the revelation wasn’t much of a surprise. But I am glad that the writer did not throw in an unexpected twist to give the story an extra punch. It’s good to see the ideas and hints connect well and come out as a proper piece.
Overall, this is an engaging read and picks up pace after the first 70 pages or so. I noticed that my reading speed increased in parallel. If you like Victorian mysteries that are set in the middle class and lower-middle-class sections of London and a heroine with spunk, you’ll enjoy this book.
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books.
3.5 stars
The blurb talks about the open house event (an attempt by the heroine, Amber) to sell the house our heroine, Amber, and her two kids live in. She is separating from Nick, her husband, and plans to relocate to another city to live with her boyfriend, Richard.
So thirteen people enter the house during the event, and only 12 go out. What happens to the 13th person? Are they responsible for the strange occurrences in the house? Are they the same person who will do anything to make sure that the house doesn’t get sold?
Isn’t that an interesting premise? Coupled with the cover picture, I requested the ARC of the book immediately.
Three people narrate the story, with Amber having the maximum share. The other is Barb, her MIL, and the third person is a stranger/ killer(?).
What I like:
The character development is good. Even if I don’t relate to any of them, I can visualize the characters enact their roles. The author sets up layer after layer of suspense, building it high and high. The narration is steady (even if not seems to be happening at times). There are too many characters. But somehow, all of them contribute in one way or another. I could deduce some and was surprised by others, so that’s balanced.
The chapters are short, which made it a relatively easy read. It’s 384 pages, after all (and no, I wasn’t aware of the page count until later). For me, to touch 100 pages in 70-80 minutes means that the book is a fast-read.
What I Felt Lacking:
The climax wasn’t as impactful as it should be. It ended up more as an info-dump about the past rather than create any lasting effect on the reader. Too much was withheld until the last 20%, where it was unleashed on the reader in rapid succession.
Amber blabbers quite a lot. Yes, she is stressed and under a lot of pressure, but we could do with a little less rambling.
There are a lot of subplots. They are solved and interlinked, but not in a satisfactory manner. The biggest issue is, of course, the ending. It fell flat after all the high hopes. Talking more about it would reveal the story, so no more.
Overall, this is a decent thriller that could have been paced better (in terms of sharing information with the readers). A must-read? Nope.
I got an ARC from NetGalley and Avon Books UK and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#NetGalley #TheOpenHouse
The blurb talks about the open house event (an attempt by the heroine, Amber) to sell the house our heroine, Amber, and her two kids live in. She is separating from Nick, her husband, and plans to relocate to another city to live with her boyfriend, Richard.
So thirteen people enter the house during the event, and only 12 go out. What happens to the 13th person? Are they responsible for the strange occurrences in the house? Are they the same person who will do anything to make sure that the house doesn’t get sold?
Isn’t that an interesting premise? Coupled with the cover picture, I requested the ARC of the book immediately.
Three people narrate the story, with Amber having the maximum share. The other is Barb, her MIL, and the third person is a stranger/ killer(?).
What I like:
The character development is good. Even if I don’t relate to any of them, I can visualize the characters enact their roles. The author sets up layer after layer of suspense, building it high and high. The narration is steady (even if not seems to be happening at times). There are too many characters. But somehow, all of them contribute in one way or another. I could deduce some and was surprised by others, so that’s balanced.
The chapters are short, which made it a relatively easy read. It’s 384 pages, after all (and no, I wasn’t aware of the page count until later). For me, to touch 100 pages in 70-80 minutes means that the book is a fast-read.
What I Felt Lacking:
The climax wasn’t as impactful as it should be. It ended up more as an info-dump about the past rather than create any lasting effect on the reader. Too much was withheld until the last 20%, where it was unleashed on the reader in rapid succession.
Amber blabbers quite a lot. Yes, she is stressed and under a lot of pressure, but we could do with a little less rambling.
There are a lot of subplots. They are solved and interlinked, but not in a satisfactory manner. The biggest issue is, of course, the ending. It fell flat after all the high hopes. Talking more about it would reveal the story, so no more.
Overall, this is a decent thriller that could have been paced better (in terms of sharing information with the readers). A must-read? Nope.
I got an ARC from NetGalley and Avon Books UK and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#NetGalley #TheOpenHouse
3.7 stars (Rounding off to 4 as 3 seemed to less)
The book is a sweet Christmas romance between Rosie Anderson and Mitchell Fitzpatrick, the Irish manager at The Old Bell Inn in Cornwall. Rosie is sent undercover to the place to investigate the manager and the sudden reason for the bad reviews about the inn.
Rosie and her almost 8yo son Danny, go to the inn where the story takes place. From meeting the staff to noticing that something is not right, falling for the Irishman, and dealing with the father of her son, Rosie has to find a way to set things right, even as Susan the Sacker, her boss, is hell-bent on firing Mitchell.
The premise was cute, and the setting was a definite bonus. I’ve always been a fan of Christmas stories, especially the ones set in the countryside.
Rosie is our narrator, who takes us through the book in the present tense. She’s what I call a rambler who can go on and on about her feelings, doubts, insecurities, and whatnot. This gets annoying when she is, in reality, doing a great job of bringing up her kid in the circumstances.
While she has every reason to be wary, how many times does the reader want to know the same things about her stupid ex? Her thoughts aside, she is someone who knows how to do her job and is very good at it. Even if she doesn’t stand up to Susan, she stays true to her cause of helping the staff and Mitchell while trying to find out the root cause of the issue.
The romance part is predictable but sweet. The kid is damn cute. The secondary characters are engaging and warm (except Susan, of course). The ends tie-up quite well, as the story picks up pace after 75% of the book. We also get to see Mark, the father of her son, and well, he isn’t interesting or engaging (I don’t think he was supposed to be).
I’ve skimmed through at times and didn’t miss any important details. Rosie just needed to be a little less rambling, and I’d have liked the book even more. I also wished the Christmas celebrations were more detailed, but that’s fine. Not everyone likes to read descriptions.
Overall, it is a sweet and light romance to pick up on a cozy afternoon. Don’t have too many expectations, and you’ll enjoy this one.
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and Aria & Aries.
#LittleCornishInn #NetGalley
The book is a sweet Christmas romance between Rosie Anderson and Mitchell Fitzpatrick, the Irish manager at The Old Bell Inn in Cornwall. Rosie is sent undercover to the place to investigate the manager and the sudden reason for the bad reviews about the inn.
Rosie and her almost 8yo son Danny, go to the inn where the story takes place. From meeting the staff to noticing that something is not right, falling for the Irishman, and dealing with the father of her son, Rosie has to find a way to set things right, even as Susan the Sacker, her boss, is hell-bent on firing Mitchell.
The premise was cute, and the setting was a definite bonus. I’ve always been a fan of Christmas stories, especially the ones set in the countryside.
Rosie is our narrator, who takes us through the book in the present tense. She’s what I call a rambler who can go on and on about her feelings, doubts, insecurities, and whatnot. This gets annoying when she is, in reality, doing a great job of bringing up her kid in the circumstances.
While she has every reason to be wary, how many times does the reader want to know the same things about her stupid ex? Her thoughts aside, she is someone who knows how to do her job and is very good at it. Even if she doesn’t stand up to Susan, she stays true to her cause of helping the staff and Mitchell while trying to find out the root cause of the issue.
The romance part is predictable but sweet. The kid is damn cute. The secondary characters are engaging and warm (except Susan, of course). The ends tie-up quite well, as the story picks up pace after 75% of the book. We also get to see Mark, the father of her son, and well, he isn’t interesting or engaging (I don’t think he was supposed to be).
I’ve skimmed through at times and didn’t miss any important details. Rosie just needed to be a little less rambling, and I’d have liked the book even more. I also wished the Christmas celebrations were more detailed, but that’s fine. Not everyone likes to read descriptions.
Overall, it is a sweet and light romance to pick up on a cozy afternoon. Don’t have too many expectations, and you’ll enjoy this one.
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and Aria & Aries.
#LittleCornishInn #NetGalley
3.8 stars
In Victorian England, Beatrix Greene has a reputation for being a trustworthy spiritual medium. She doesn’t believe in theatrics and keeps a low profile to avoid too much attention. James Walker, a scientist who’s been exposing fraud mediums, manages to get her attention. He offers her a proposal- stay with him (and two others) in the Ashbury Manor for a night to prove whether ghosts are real or not.
Beatrix, being a non-believer, feel wary of taking up James’s offer but goes ahead with it. She goes to the Manor with her childhood friend Harry, a smalltime actor, who’s acting services she uses from time to time for extra effect. She gets tiny bits of information about the terrible past of the Manor and the evil that resides in it. James has his own dark past and is desperate for answers.
What happens in the manor? Are ghosts real? Does evil have the power to control a person and their thoughts? What will happen to the blooming romance between James and Beatrix? Can James be rid of the weight of his past? Does Beatrix really have spiritual powers?
The book answers all these questions and more. I was quite torn when it came to deciding the rating. A part of me wanted to give it 4, and another wanted to keep it at 3.5. I found a midpoint and settled at 3.8 stars.
Reading a book written by three authors that has the narration from two points of view (J&B) in alternating chapters can be a mess. But this book makes it effortless. If not for the headings mentioning who wrote what, it would have been almost impossible to identify the parts written by different writers.
The POV shifts are smooth. There are hardly any jerks in the tone or the narration. I truly appreciate the authors and the editors who worked on this piece. I do wish they cut down a few adverbs.
Coming to the story, it’s quite predictable but still manages to hold interest. How will I know if my prediction is right or wrong unless I read it? The gore quotient is higher in the second half of the book. It is justified too, considering the storyline.
The descriptions are vivid (if you have a habit of imaging the scene, you might be a bit uncomfortable). The story reaches the end in stages, and that keeps us hooked. The climax is very well written, and I love the development of Beatrix’s character.
The ending (epilogue of sorts) hints at a solid happy ever after, which made me happy. The secondary characters are interesting, though it’s Beatrix who plays a crucial role. That leads me to the title. Though I was intrigued by it and the subtle cover image, I’m not sure how it fits the story.
Overall, it’s a well-written, fast-paced, historical fiction with a good dose of horror and enough elements of romance.
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and Serial Box and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#TheHauntingofBeatrixGreene #NetGalley
In Victorian England, Beatrix Greene has a reputation for being a trustworthy spiritual medium. She doesn’t believe in theatrics and keeps a low profile to avoid too much attention. James Walker, a scientist who’s been exposing fraud mediums, manages to get her attention. He offers her a proposal- stay with him (and two others) in the Ashbury Manor for a night to prove whether ghosts are real or not.
Beatrix, being a non-believer, feel wary of taking up James’s offer but goes ahead with it. She goes to the Manor with her childhood friend Harry, a smalltime actor, who’s acting services she uses from time to time for extra effect. She gets tiny bits of information about the terrible past of the Manor and the evil that resides in it. James has his own dark past and is desperate for answers.
What happens in the manor? Are ghosts real? Does evil have the power to control a person and their thoughts? What will happen to the blooming romance between James and Beatrix? Can James be rid of the weight of his past? Does Beatrix really have spiritual powers?
The book answers all these questions and more. I was quite torn when it came to deciding the rating. A part of me wanted to give it 4, and another wanted to keep it at 3.5. I found a midpoint and settled at 3.8 stars.
Reading a book written by three authors that has the narration from two points of view (J&B) in alternating chapters can be a mess. But this book makes it effortless. If not for the headings mentioning who wrote what, it would have been almost impossible to identify the parts written by different writers.
The POV shifts are smooth. There are hardly any jerks in the tone or the narration. I truly appreciate the authors and the editors who worked on this piece. I do wish they cut down a few adverbs.
Coming to the story, it’s quite predictable but still manages to hold interest. How will I know if my prediction is right or wrong unless I read it? The gore quotient is higher in the second half of the book. It is justified too, considering the storyline.
The descriptions are vivid (if you have a habit of imaging the scene, you might be a bit uncomfortable). The story reaches the end in stages, and that keeps us hooked. The climax is very well written, and I love the development of Beatrix’s character.
The ending (epilogue of sorts) hints at a solid happy ever after, which made me happy. The secondary characters are interesting, though it’s Beatrix who plays a crucial role. That leads me to the title. Though I was intrigued by it and the subtle cover image, I’m not sure how it fits the story.
Overall, it’s a well-written, fast-paced, historical fiction with a good dose of horror and enough elements of romance.
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and Serial Box and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#TheHauntingofBeatrixGreene #NetGalley
3.9 Stars
Anesthesiologist, Dr. Kate Downey, has enough issues to deal with. When the elderly patients who were under the care start to die, she worries how it would affect her already troubled career. As more deaths occur, and Christian, the son of one of the dead men, wants to check if there was something sinister, Kate agrees to check the reports with him.
The incidents at the hospital, the hostility from the Chief of Staff, a surgeon, and a medical student begin to push her into a corner. Kate knows she needs to get to the bottom of the issue. Together with Christian, Aunt Erm, and a few others, she starts collecting information.
She gets threats, has to take a leave of absence, and almost loses her life. With her husband, Greg, lying in a coma for a year with no signs of improvement, Kate has a lot to lose. How she gathers evidence, fights the killer, and finally comes to terms with some things in her life forms the story.
The book starts on a slow note, and with so many characters being introduced, it gets hard to keep track. But the story picks up speed, and it gets easier to remember the characters. Not all of them are important, so it’s easy once we get into the story.
The narration slows down and picks up at the appropriate places, making the story quite intriguing and engaging. While the readers know who the killer is and even probably why the way the climax was handled was very good. There is action, enough of it to keep us reading page after page without taking a break.
Some of the characters felt unidimensional as if that’s all they could do. It did bring down the interest a little. However, Aunt Irm, gets our attention. The way her mind works, and how she expresses it makes her a strong and sensible character. While Kate is hesitant, cautious, and wondering, Aunt Irm doesn’t hesitate or stall. She is straightforward and better at connecting the dots.
The theme deals with Religion and God, but the author handled it deftly without overemphasizing, taking sides, or preaching. This balance works well for the book.
Overall, the story needs some patience and determination to read the first 20%. But stick around, and you’ll enjoy a good medical thriller (even if some of it is too complex for non-medics to understand).
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#FatalIntent #NetGalley
Anesthesiologist, Dr. Kate Downey, has enough issues to deal with. When the elderly patients who were under the care start to die, she worries how it would affect her already troubled career. As more deaths occur, and Christian, the son of one of the dead men, wants to check if there was something sinister, Kate agrees to check the reports with him.
The incidents at the hospital, the hostility from the Chief of Staff, a surgeon, and a medical student begin to push her into a corner. Kate knows she needs to get to the bottom of the issue. Together with Christian, Aunt Erm, and a few others, she starts collecting information.
She gets threats, has to take a leave of absence, and almost loses her life. With her husband, Greg, lying in a coma for a year with no signs of improvement, Kate has a lot to lose. How she gathers evidence, fights the killer, and finally comes to terms with some things in her life forms the story.
The book starts on a slow note, and with so many characters being introduced, it gets hard to keep track. But the story picks up speed, and it gets easier to remember the characters. Not all of them are important, so it’s easy once we get into the story.
The narration slows down and picks up at the appropriate places, making the story quite intriguing and engaging. While the readers know who the killer is and even probably why the way the climax was handled was very good. There is action, enough of it to keep us reading page after page without taking a break.
Some of the characters felt unidimensional as if that’s all they could do. It did bring down the interest a little. However, Aunt Irm, gets our attention. The way her mind works, and how she expresses it makes her a strong and sensible character. While Kate is hesitant, cautious, and wondering, Aunt Irm doesn’t hesitate or stall. She is straightforward and better at connecting the dots.
The theme deals with Religion and God, but the author handled it deftly without overemphasizing, taking sides, or preaching. This balance works well for the book.
Overall, the story needs some patience and determination to read the first 20%. But stick around, and you’ll enjoy a good medical thriller (even if some of it is too complex for non-medics to understand).
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#FatalIntent #NetGalley
3.5 Stars
Heidi and Johnny are a 50-something couple with two daughters, an upholstery restoration business and a dark secret neither of them talks about. Johnny suffers his second heart attract a year after his first one and passes away.
The family is grieving, trying hard to cope up with the loss when Heidi finds a picture in Johnny’s phone. Her instincts tell her that she needs to find out about the picture. After much hesitation, she does and finds out something that could change her family forever.
The book starts with Johnny’s death and continues to tell us what and how things change. Will the family bonds survive, or will everything fall apart forever?
The cover picture drew me in, and the premise sounded like a wonderful read. The book started out well, and then, sigh! I just couldn’t connect with it. The characters individually were cool. They had their identities, quirks, vulnerabilities, and strengths. Zoe was an absolute favorite. They did well together too. So what’s the issue?
For me, it was the limited third-person POV that rested on Heidi’s shoulders. She was grieving, trying to handle her present and past while keeping her business afloat. She was supposed to have all of my attention. But she didn’t.
The story had too much 'tell'. The setting was 'showed' to the reader, but the emotions were told. Yes, there were a lot of gut-wrenching scenes and heartbreaking emotions. Yet, none of them reached me. In short, it was like having a transparent screen between me and the overwhelming experiences of the characters. The writing did not break through this barrier and come to me.
Maybe if the viewpoints altered between the main characters, I would have been able to see things from their side and know them for who they are. Despite being a third-person narration, I only see what Heidi sees. And it looked like she couldn’t connect with any of the other characters. Sure, they shared a good bond. It just wasn’t enough for me.
Some of the dialogues were powerful. All of them belonged to other characters. Another issue with the book was that too much happened in succession, and when we come towards the end, it’s more or less sorted out. Again, without Heidi’s involvement. She is probably the weakest character of the book. I understand the reason to show her vulnerable side, she was grieving after all, and she had to be real. People make mistakes. Wrong decisions are a part of our lives. That’s always acceptable. But here, in the book, it didn’t feel real.
However, that’s just me. I know readers who would love and devour the book. I hope they read and enjoy it (especially the ending).
Overall, not everyone is going to love this book, but they will remember some of the characters.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bookouture and am voluntarily sharing my review.
#TheDayMyHusbandLeft #NetGalley
Heidi and Johnny are a 50-something couple with two daughters, an upholstery restoration business and a dark secret neither of them talks about. Johnny suffers his second heart attract a year after his first one and passes away.
The family is grieving, trying hard to cope up with the loss when Heidi finds a picture in Johnny’s phone. Her instincts tell her that she needs to find out about the picture. After much hesitation, she does and finds out something that could change her family forever.
The book starts with Johnny’s death and continues to tell us what and how things change. Will the family bonds survive, or will everything fall apart forever?
The cover picture drew me in, and the premise sounded like a wonderful read. The book started out well, and then, sigh! I just couldn’t connect with it. The characters individually were cool. They had their identities, quirks, vulnerabilities, and strengths. Zoe was an absolute favorite. They did well together too. So what’s the issue?
For me, it was the limited third-person POV that rested on Heidi’s shoulders. She was grieving, trying to handle her present and past while keeping her business afloat. She was supposed to have all of my attention. But she didn’t.
The story had too much 'tell'. The setting was 'showed' to the reader, but the emotions were told. Yes, there were a lot of gut-wrenching scenes and heartbreaking emotions. Yet, none of them reached me. In short, it was like having a transparent screen between me and the overwhelming experiences of the characters. The writing did not break through this barrier and come to me.
Maybe if the viewpoints altered between the main characters, I would have been able to see things from their side and know them for who they are. Despite being a third-person narration, I only see what Heidi sees. And it looked like she couldn’t connect with any of the other characters. Sure, they shared a good bond. It just wasn’t enough for me.
Some of the dialogues were powerful. All of them belonged to other characters. Another issue with the book was that too much happened in succession, and when we come towards the end, it’s more or less sorted out. Again, without Heidi’s involvement. She is probably the weakest character of the book. I understand the reason to show her vulnerable side, she was grieving after all, and she had to be real. People make mistakes. Wrong decisions are a part of our lives. That’s always acceptable. But here, in the book, it didn’t feel real.
However, that’s just me. I know readers who would love and devour the book. I hope they read and enjoy it (especially the ending).
Overall, not everyone is going to love this book, but they will remember some of the characters.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bookouture and am voluntarily sharing my review.
#TheDayMyHusbandLeft #NetGalley
The Light at Wyndcliff by Sarah E. Ladd
Cornwall Series #3 (Standalone)
Genre: Historical Fiction, European Lit, Clean Romance
3.9 stars
The story is set in Cornwall in the 1820s, with its rugged coastline and open moorlands. The book starts with a focus on Evelyn Bray’s life and how it changes with the entry of Liam Twethewey, the new owner of the Wyndcliff Hall.
The duo has to struggle through the shipwrecks that seem to have a sinister cause than the raging waves of the sea. Evelyn’s grandfather, Rupert Bray, the steward of Wyndcliff, appears to be one man to his granddaughter and another to others, especially Liam.
When shipwreck survivors (a child and her mother) are housed in the estate, Evelyn naturally takes the responsibility of caring for them.
Evelyn is uncovering, rather, overhearing conversations that make her doubt many things. She is troubled and pained by her mother’s attitude. Her attraction for Liam is another burden on her fragile shoulders.
Liam realizes the sad state of the estate and knows he needs to get started on the clay pits to start earning. He doesn’t know whom to trust, except Evelyn. His feelings for her grow stronger, but many things come in the way.
The book goes at a steady pace. It is neither too mysterious nor exactly romantic. Both genres have been touched with a light hand. The mystery part is more, but it’s easy to guess what’s going on and what will happen.
For his age, he is quite matured and capable. Evelyn is sensible and yet vulnerable. The other characters were interesting. But I wish some of them had more meat. Even Rupert Bray needed more scenes to do justice to the intricacies of his characters. Probably because the book had to fit into the clean historical genre, the author didn’t explore the flaws and gray shades in depth.
Overall, it is an engaging book with a mild mystery and a teeny bit of romance with a happy-ever-after at the end. It’s not too deep or complicated. You can just go with the flow.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Thomas Nelson. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#TheLightatWyndcliff #NetGalley
Cornwall Series #3 (Standalone)
Genre: Historical Fiction, European Lit, Clean Romance
3.9 stars
The story is set in Cornwall in the 1820s, with its rugged coastline and open moorlands. The book starts with a focus on Evelyn Bray’s life and how it changes with the entry of Liam Twethewey, the new owner of the Wyndcliff Hall.
The duo has to struggle through the shipwrecks that seem to have a sinister cause than the raging waves of the sea. Evelyn’s grandfather, Rupert Bray, the steward of Wyndcliff, appears to be one man to his granddaughter and another to others, especially Liam.
When shipwreck survivors (a child and her mother) are housed in the estate, Evelyn naturally takes the responsibility of caring for them.
Evelyn is uncovering, rather, overhearing conversations that make her doubt many things. She is troubled and pained by her mother’s attitude. Her attraction for Liam is another burden on her fragile shoulders.
Liam realizes the sad state of the estate and knows he needs to get started on the clay pits to start earning. He doesn’t know whom to trust, except Evelyn. His feelings for her grow stronger, but many things come in the way.
The book goes at a steady pace. It is neither too mysterious nor exactly romantic. Both genres have been touched with a light hand. The mystery part is more, but it’s easy to guess what’s going on and what will happen.
For his age, he is quite matured and capable. Evelyn is sensible and yet vulnerable. The other characters were interesting. But I wish some of them had more meat. Even Rupert Bray needed more scenes to do justice to the intricacies of his characters. Probably because the book had to fit into the clean historical genre, the author didn’t explore the flaws and gray shades in depth.
Overall, it is an engaging book with a mild mystery and a teeny bit of romance with a happy-ever-after at the end. It’s not too deep or complicated. You can just go with the flow.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Thomas Nelson. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#TheLightatWyndcliff #NetGalley
4.1 Stars
The book, second in the series, has Devlin and Falco teaming up with Sadie Cross again. The DDA (deputy district attorney) is found dead along with another famous businessman. The double homicide has links deeper than anyone would have expected. These lead the detectives straight to Sadie and her past (which she cannot remember except in bits and pieces).
To add to the pressure, there has been an incident at Tori’s school. Tori is the teenage daughter of Kate Devlin and is facing issues of her own. The more they dig around, the more the cases merge, complicating things from all sides.
There are powerful people who do not want their roles exposed. Orders are bypassed, and people are double-crossed. Can the trio solve the cases before more lives are lost?
I haven’t read book 1, but that didn’t make any difference. There are references to the previous case, but those are used to highlight the personalities of the characters rather than alter the current cases.
The writing is easy to read, and the story flows at a steady pace. Something or the other happens in every chapter and scene. I was never once bored with the book or wanted to skim through. The chapters are marked with the location, date, time, and character so that we know who will play a prominent role.
One of the reviewers said that the blurb doesn’t do justice to the book. I agree. This book needs a better blurb. The story is gripping, even though some of it is predictable. The emotions of the characters are neither overwhelming nor bland. They strike the right note to keep the focus on the story.
The ending isn’t rushed or abrupt. The threads are knotted one after another just as leisurely as they were unraveled. The relationship of the trio is being explored one step at a time to build the series. That works well for the book.
Even though there are quite a lot of characters to remember, it’s not a big deal once we get into the book. There isn’t a lot of intense action or violence. That’s another plus. Though I have no issues with violence in books, it wasn’t needed in this one. The author maintained that restraint rather well.
One of the tropes wasn’t that effective or gripping, but that’s fine. There are only so many tropes to try, after all.
To conclude, this is a fast-paced thriller that starts and ends well.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#GoneTooFar #NetGalley
The book, second in the series, has Devlin and Falco teaming up with Sadie Cross again. The DDA (deputy district attorney) is found dead along with another famous businessman. The double homicide has links deeper than anyone would have expected. These lead the detectives straight to Sadie and her past (which she cannot remember except in bits and pieces).
To add to the pressure, there has been an incident at Tori’s school. Tori is the teenage daughter of Kate Devlin and is facing issues of her own. The more they dig around, the more the cases merge, complicating things from all sides.
There are powerful people who do not want their roles exposed. Orders are bypassed, and people are double-crossed. Can the trio solve the cases before more lives are lost?
I haven’t read book 1, but that didn’t make any difference. There are references to the previous case, but those are used to highlight the personalities of the characters rather than alter the current cases.
The writing is easy to read, and the story flows at a steady pace. Something or the other happens in every chapter and scene. I was never once bored with the book or wanted to skim through. The chapters are marked with the location, date, time, and character so that we know who will play a prominent role.
One of the reviewers said that the blurb doesn’t do justice to the book. I agree. This book needs a better blurb. The story is gripping, even though some of it is predictable. The emotions of the characters are neither overwhelming nor bland. They strike the right note to keep the focus on the story.
The ending isn’t rushed or abrupt. The threads are knotted one after another just as leisurely as they were unraveled. The relationship of the trio is being explored one step at a time to build the series. That works well for the book.
Even though there are quite a lot of characters to remember, it’s not a big deal once we get into the book. There isn’t a lot of intense action or violence. That’s another plus. Though I have no issues with violence in books, it wasn’t needed in this one. The author maintained that restraint rather well.
One of the tropes wasn’t that effective or gripping, but that’s fine. There are only so many tropes to try, after all.
To conclude, this is a fast-paced thriller that starts and ends well.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#GoneTooFar #NetGalley
4.5 Stars
The Watchmaker of Dachau is yet another story that deals with the horrors of WW II. The main story is set during 1945, the last few months, where people who could escape for years got captured and tortured. Many more lost lives while some continued to hope and survive, waiting to be rescued.
The prologue and epilogue are set in 1996, Cornwall, England. The past is divided into three POVs (though all are written in the third person). Issac, the watchmaker, Anna, the maid, and Friedrich, the son of Senior Officer Becher and his bratty wife, are the major three people who offer us viewpoints. We see another POV, one that is filled with love, pain, confusion, memories, and philosophy.
Characters like Greta, Jan, Nina, Elijah, Levi, and others add to the story. We see many thoughts and reactions from the characters, all of which seem as real as they can get. It is evident that the author did her research very well. She and her editor also made sure not to dump their research into the book.
The focus was on bringing the characters to life and making them appear human rather than using them as mere tools to share historical details. For me, that’s what made the book so effective. I love how Friedrich’s character was used throughout the book. It’s one of the highlights of the story.
The writing is both descriptive and concise. It’s not fast-paced but is not too slow to make the reader lose interest.
Right from the prologue, we see hints provided to the reader about what’s to come. This is no crime fiction, but it’s seemed like the author’s way of preparing the reader and allowing them to make their own conclusions. It is clever writing.
I was disappointed by the ending (not for what it is was, but well, I wished it to be a wee bit different). I don’t want to say more and reveal anything. That said, I did have an inkling that it would be on similar lines (ref: hints).
Overall, this is a sad yet beautiful book about love, hope, and rebuilding a new life after surviving the worst nightmare.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bookouture and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#TheWatchmakerofDachau #NetGalley
The Watchmaker of Dachau is yet another story that deals with the horrors of WW II. The main story is set during 1945, the last few months, where people who could escape for years got captured and tortured. Many more lost lives while some continued to hope and survive, waiting to be rescued.
The prologue and epilogue are set in 1996, Cornwall, England. The past is divided into three POVs (though all are written in the third person). Issac, the watchmaker, Anna, the maid, and Friedrich, the son of Senior Officer Becher and his bratty wife, are the major three people who offer us viewpoints. We see another POV, one that is filled with love, pain, confusion, memories, and philosophy.
Characters like Greta, Jan, Nina, Elijah, Levi, and others add to the story. We see many thoughts and reactions from the characters, all of which seem as real as they can get. It is evident that the author did her research very well. She and her editor also made sure not to dump their research into the book.
The focus was on bringing the characters to life and making them appear human rather than using them as mere tools to share historical details. For me, that’s what made the book so effective. I love how Friedrich’s character was used throughout the book. It’s one of the highlights of the story.
The writing is both descriptive and concise. It’s not fast-paced but is not too slow to make the reader lose interest.
Right from the prologue, we see hints provided to the reader about what’s to come. This is no crime fiction, but it’s seemed like the author’s way of preparing the reader and allowing them to make their own conclusions. It is clever writing.
I was disappointed by the ending (not for what it is was, but well, I wished it to be a wee bit different). I don’t want to say more and reveal anything. That said, I did have an inkling that it would be on similar lines (ref: hints).
Overall, this is a sad yet beautiful book about love, hope, and rebuilding a new life after surviving the worst nightmare.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bookouture and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#TheWatchmakerofDachau #NetGalley
3.7 Stars
The book is set in a picturesque town called Port Lowdy. It has colorful houses, friendly people, and no high ambitions to become a bustling city. With the sea, cliffs, and cute houses, the setting is perfect for a cute and heartwarming romance.
Tressa is an artist and works at the local paper. She comes from a rich family that doesn’t seem to understand what she wants.
Dan is a famous columnist in Ireland with a loud, angry voice (or so is his image). When a certain article leaves him without a job, he applies for the temporary position at the same paper Tressa works (and is now managing).
Thrown in Tressa’s tabby and Dan’s Golden Retriever, an ex-convict on parole, and a few locals- you can guess what happens next.
The story flows well, dealing with the lives of the locals as well as our lead couple and new entries. It has some conflicts that could have been exploited even better. But the author keeps the emotions touch and go with the lead characters.
What I love about the book is the setting and the equal importance given to secondary characters. Penny, Wendy, Remi, Markel, Jenny, Caro, George; we get a glimpse into some lives and an in-depth backstory for some. The characters felt quite real and relatable, despite the easy conflict-resolutions. Who doesn’t want to read a sweet book at times?
What I wished to be better was the relationship between Tressa and Dan. We know they are going to hit off, and they do. But the conflicts seemed silly. And considering the insecurities each of them had, it felt they were still not sure about their feelings for each other. The uncertainty (despite them saying they love the other person) reduced the overall impression of the story.
I’d rather see this as a small-town book rather than a simple love story. The relationship between other characters shone better than the one between the lead couple. The resolution didn’t have an impact either. It was a bit too mellow, even for a heartwarming romance.
Overall, this is a nice book if you are in the mood for something light and cute. Pick it up for the secondary characters. You won’t regret knowing them.
P.S: The history behind the name Lowdy was sweet, and so was the use of mermaid in the story. It was a good touch.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Aria & Aries and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#FindingLove #NetGalley
The book is set in a picturesque town called Port Lowdy. It has colorful houses, friendly people, and no high ambitions to become a bustling city. With the sea, cliffs, and cute houses, the setting is perfect for a cute and heartwarming romance.
Tressa is an artist and works at the local paper. She comes from a rich family that doesn’t seem to understand what she wants.
Dan is a famous columnist in Ireland with a loud, angry voice (or so is his image). When a certain article leaves him without a job, he applies for the temporary position at the same paper Tressa works (and is now managing).
Thrown in Tressa’s tabby and Dan’s Golden Retriever, an ex-convict on parole, and a few locals- you can guess what happens next.
The story flows well, dealing with the lives of the locals as well as our lead couple and new entries. It has some conflicts that could have been exploited even better. But the author keeps the emotions touch and go with the lead characters.
What I love about the book is the setting and the equal importance given to secondary characters. Penny, Wendy, Remi, Markel, Jenny, Caro, George; we get a glimpse into some lives and an in-depth backstory for some. The characters felt quite real and relatable, despite the easy conflict-resolutions. Who doesn’t want to read a sweet book at times?
What I wished to be better was the relationship between Tressa and Dan. We know they are going to hit off, and they do. But the conflicts seemed silly. And considering the insecurities each of them had, it felt they were still not sure about their feelings for each other. The uncertainty (despite them saying they love the other person) reduced the overall impression of the story.
I’d rather see this as a small-town book rather than a simple love story. The relationship between other characters shone better than the one between the lead couple. The resolution didn’t have an impact either. It was a bit too mellow, even for a heartwarming romance.
Overall, this is a nice book if you are in the mood for something light and cute. Pick it up for the secondary characters. You won’t regret knowing them.
P.S: The history behind the name Lowdy was sweet, and so was the use of mermaid in the story. It was a good touch.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Aria & Aries and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#FindingLove #NetGalley